Nothing says spring quite like opening day of Little League Baseball Season! Yes, it looks like it was a beautiful day, but in reality it was 47 degrees with 25-35 mph winds!! YIKES! Not exactly the best weather for baseball!Fortunately, the league was kind this year and kept opening ceremonies short and sweet. Funny - it was the parents complaining the loudest - the kids were just thrilled to be playing ball again!
I'd love to be sharing some pics of my son actually playing, but there was a bit of a problem. You see, in our house school is the priority, and unfortunately Cam hasn't stepped up to the plate (pun intended). His playing ball is completely dependant upon his completing - and TURNING IN - his homework each and every day (we've been struggling with the turning in portion). Last week, Cam managed to neglet turning in two assignments.
The consequence?
Well, he got to tell his coach that school is a priority in our home and he would be supporting his team from the bench today because he had neglected his priority. He was still required to suit up and support his team, but he was not allowed to play.Harsh? Although it is really difficult as a parent to dole out this type of "punishment", my hope is that it will teach him personal accountability and responsibility - two characteristics that seem to be lacking in our society these days.
With a nickname of "The Big Hurt," his absence also impacted his team. For those of you not familiar with baseball, "The Big Hurt was the nickname given to Frank Edward Thomas - a player who is part
of an elite group of only four players in baseball history to have at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks in a career. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. I'm all for a little peer pressure when it's used in positive way such as this. His teammates let him know they were disappointed.The good news? Despite his bench warming status, his team won 9-3. Let's hope this was a lesson learned the first time - he's got another game on Tuesday!
24 comments:
Do you think it worked? Did he look tormented sitting there and not playing? I sure hope so. Otherwise, you're welcome to send him to my house for some Tali bootcamp. Oh btw, how's his foot?
You know, I can only hope, but I am also prepared to do the same thing again on Tuesday if necessary.
His ankle is still a bit tender, but no need for IR status!
I think that is perfect punishment. It will be extra motivation to get the work done and handed in...especially when you have your team mate riding you!
Keep us updated as to how the season goes! We love baseball here in my family! Can't wait until my kids are old enough to play.
Have a good weekend!
This year has been the first year that I've really enjoyed watching the game. Cam is playing in the Majors this year so the boys actually know how to play and put together a good game. I'll be honest - those first few years, although fun, were PAINFUL to watch!
Way to go, Mom! It's good to hear about parents teach responsibility and commitment these days. What you did was right on the money. That plus the peers calling him The Big Hurt will probably do the trick.
What a cutie pie he is!
It was Opening Day in my town too. I saw the parade go by this morning. Good luck this season!
good job.....thats the most perfect discipline you could have given him..is his avg. like 'the big hurt'
RLL, it isn't always easy being the mean mom, but I have to hope it pays off in the long run!
Karen, they make quite a production out of opening day, don't they?
DB, his average is like the Big Hurt. He's got a significant size and power advantage over most of those his age.
Here from Birdman's place...and as a teacher, I want to put up a plaque in your honor!! I get so tired of hearing "But baseball is the ONLY thing that he cares about anymore...I couldn't possibly take that away!" Ummm...yeah, you actually can, and most of the time it actually works! Way to accept "mean mom" status to teach him about responsibility!
Many times not letting a kid play because he broke the rules allows his coaches and teammates the chance to show him how important it is for him to be out there. And then he might realize he's letting himself and his teammates down when he doesn't get his schoolwork done. Good lesson to learn at his age, especially considering that most parents just let these things go.
I never had the problem with my two boys, so I never had to use that solution.. Mom rode herd on the homework, I rode herd on the sports conduct!
Patti, that's funny - that's exactly why we took baseball away - because it is the one thing he cares about!
Jay, even I am surprised at the number of kids who seem to have no consequences for their actions. Life is going to bite them in the ass when they discover the real world doesn't operate that way.
Buff, having been a single parent for the first 7 years of my son's life, I admit to not being the parent I should have been. It has been difficult to "learn" to do the right thing.
Wow...Our lives are on a parallel course at the moment aren't they? Cheers Dana!!
Bravo! I amso glad to hear you put acedemics ahead of sports. I love baseball, but not at the cost of a young man (or woman) missing some of life's valuable lessons.
Just read Matt's post and he's right, you two are opperating on parallel lines.
Matt-Man, I'd say the similarities are almost scary!
Jeff, I've seen too many "promising" athletes have career ending injuries in high school and college - academics is the one concrete thing my son has to fall back on!
The good news with Matt-Man and I operating on parallel lines is that we'll never intersect this way *wink*
Dana...you did the right thing. My children are 29 & 23, my Ex and I were "tough love" parents, and still are. My son (29) rarely gave us problems, but my daughter, oh vay...it just keeps coming. I do not believe she ever grew out of her ADHD! Luckily, my Ex and I still support each other when it comes to serious situations. My daughter lives with him in our old house, and she isn't happy living by his rules. When he calls me about something I go to bat for him, and vice versa. Stay strong, despite the pain you feel inside. I do believe it hurts us parents more than it hurts our children to use the "tough love" method. But like you said...they have to be taught accountability and responsibility for their actions. I applaud you and hope that more parents make a stand. The children that are being raised today are the future of our tomorrows.
Blessings,
Kimmie
Great parenting! It is sooo important to teach him what priorities and responsibility are. I see so many parents making the mistake of putting sports first and then their child can't get into college and they wonder what went wrong. Keep up the good work, he'll thank you for it later!
Kimmie, I just wish doing the right thing was the same as doing the easy thing!
Apple, sports are big here and I'd be lying if I said that all of the parents on Cam's team understood where I was coming from. Many thought I had lost my mind!
*** clapping wildly****
Hooray for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Personal responsibility and accountability....2 things that parents often can't abide by and is seldom instilled in kids these days. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geez...I bet you're consistent with your punishments too aren't you?! What a gal...You're on my 'short' list of hero's now. Just think of the stories he can tell his own kids when he deals out the same 'punishment' to them. Circle completed. Lessons learned.
You rock!
What a cutie he is too!
Good for you, and him.! Being part of a team means sacrifices, some big some small.
Put in "The Big Hurt"
Good job Mom. I bet it is a lesson well learned and without a hand raised.
I seem to remember getting punished like once or twice when I was a kid, and look how I turned out. ;)
Yes, please keep us updated on how his season goes. I can't wait till Max plays someday.
I think you made an excellent decision, because honestly? School IS more important and so is learning to be responsible!
I had to make that choice a few times also...and every time school won out.
Nicely done and I hope The Big Hurt did learn his lesson and turns in all his homework this week.
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