THE GLADIATOR
Russell Crowe stands at the center of the Roman Colosseum. The crowd, on it's feet, sends deafening cheers into the air.
Oddly enough, it wouldn't even come close to what you hear at a high school baseball game. It's a little known fact that baseball parents can generate 10 times the decibel level of a jet engine when their kid gets rung up on a low ball. True Story.
This got me thinking about the reputation of baseball parents. Some may call us delusional, even crazy. There are those you hope you never see again, but always run into at the field. As the high school season comes to a close, I have become introspective, dare I say, sentimental, about the baseball families I've known throughout the years.
THE NEW
The hardest part of playing on a new team is learning the parental hierarchy. Best to stop, look and listen for a few games before you make your move. If you can find your way, the year will be golden. One misstep and you better hope their kid graduates or you'll be sitting by yourself for another year. Anyone who knows me has already decided I must have sat by myself, a bunch. Well, I am happy to say there a few parents still willing to risk sitting next me. These wonderful people are watching their son's high school career come to a close while I watch my son's begin. It's bitter sweet for both of us. It was a joy meeting and learning from these great families. I only wish the New Ones could stay a little longer, I hate breaking in new people.
THE OLD
Like a comfortable pair of shoes, the Old Ones are the cornerstone of the baseball season. You've watched your kids grow up together. Talked about the coaches behind their backs and shared Gatorade from one another's coolers for years. When they play on the same team you cheer together. When they don't, you have a hard time cheering against them, but you do. The Old Ones may come in and out of your life, but like a foul ball, it's always nice to catch them every once in a while.
In a baseball parent's life, the Unforgettable Ones are like the elusive Yeti, you're pretty sure it exists, but you may have trouble finding one. These are the relationships that impact you and your son for years to come. The Unforgettable Ones know you better than you know yourself. They can see the expression on your face, and in some instances, read your mind in time to slap a piece of duct tape across your mouth before you can say a word. Make a veiled post on Facebook, and the Unforgettable parent will know exactly what you really mean. You may even receive a text asking, what's up? Most of all, you both genuinely care about each other's son, which unfortunately, is rare. No matter how far apart...you're always family, always cheering each other on and always looking forward to the next time you're together.
IN THE END
Tonight I'll be at a game with the New, the Old and a few Unforgettable parents. We'll be wildly cheering for our Gladiators, nodding 'hello' to those we want to avoid, and in the end, hugging each other in victory or defeat. We'll pass this down to the next generation and the tradition will continue for years to come. What can you say, we're baseball parents...that's what we do!
