Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1
Moms on the Mound
“You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes if it’s just in your own eyes.” Walter M. Schirra Sr.
This is an introduction for mothers who are becoming acquainted with baseball. Recognizing that some women have never been exposed to baseball, it is an invitation to be receptive to the sometimes conflicting ideas in the book such as: “Be there for them, but let go; Be involved, but get out of the way; Be your son’s advocate, but teach him to be self-sustaining; Be compassionate, but be tough.”
Chapter 2
The Art of Discipline
“Moms are relentless as tides. They don’t just drive us to practice, they drive us to greatness.” Steve Rushin, Sports Illustrated
Our society has become so enamored with the idea of self-esteem that to some degree the value of discipline has been ignored or forgotten altogether. The truth is that no achievement can be realized without discipline and it is a parent’s duty to teach discipline in a loving way. Using the phrase: It’s P(lay) B(all) & Catch,” the ideals of a disciplined approach become Integrity, Time, Selflessness (vs. selfishness), Personal responsibility, Boundaries and limitations, Consistency, Accountability, Truth, Communication without judgment, Honesty.
Chapter 3
Packing for Your Trip
“Who in their infinite wisdom decreed that
Little League uniforms be white?
Certainly not a mother.” Erma Bombeck
Silly and serious questions arise for mothers when their children embark on any athletic adventure. This chapter outlines for mothers the kinds of commitments involved. Additionally it outlines other considerations such as schedules, donations, volunteering, required equipment, and the financial investments a parent will have to consider as their son begins and continues to play baseball. An overview of statistics of players from t-ball through professional sports is also provided.
Chapter 4
Parent Pitfalls
“Leaders must learn to discipline their disappointments.
It is not what happens to us, it is what we choose
to do about what happens that makes the difference
in how our lives turn out.” Jim Rohn
Based upon interviews and from personal experience, parental behaviors that can be detrimental to children are discussed in detail in “parent pitfalls.” While acknowledging that we need to be gently honest with ourselves (and forgiving as well) it is important to objectively consider our behavior and how it affects our children.
Chapter 5
The Winning Philosophy—Mind Over Matter
“I don’t understand why a team that comes in second place is called a loser.
If they are doing it, playing the game,
then in my mind they are all winners.” Jackie George, my mom
Winning is an important part of any sport but sometimes it is difficult to know how to respond appropriately when boys lose a game or do not perform as well as they expect. As mothers we feel their pain and it is sometimes hard to determine how to respond to our son’s disappointments. Mothers, especially, want to help ease the pain of struggle in their children. Chapter 5 offers some guidelines and suggestions to help moms “frame” their reaction to their son’s disappointment.
Chapter 6
Stay Off Bandwagons
“A silent voice is sweet to hear.”
Taken from A Thousand Paths to Wisdom
Baseball obviously can be a very emotional sport, a trait that offers both an upside and a downside. On one hand, emotions can help reinforce the love and passion for the game. On the other hand, emotions can get caught up in the furor of the crowd’s emotions and can cause actions that can be embarrassing and humiliating. Being aware of this aspect of the sport will keep parents from getting caught up in the passion of the crowd and can circumvent inappropriate behavior.
Chapter 7
The Coaching Quotient
“A leader, particularly a teacher or coach, has a most powerful influence on those he or she leads, perhaps more than anyone outside the family…helping to mold character, instill productive principles and values, and provide a positive example to those under (a coaches) supervision…It is a privilege (not) to be taken lightly.” John Wooden
One of the most difficult things a mother does is to place the life of her children into someone else’s care. Coaches play an important role in the lives of the boys/young men they lead and sometimes coaches are remarkable and sometimes they are less than remarkable. Chapter 7 addresses the challenges of parents and coaches, players and coaches, and players and the role that parents play in their relationship with their coach. It explores a mother’s options and offers suggestions and options that can be helpful.
Chapter 8
T-Ball to Travel Ball
Little boys full of big dreams, picking daisies in the outfield.
Hoping the sunbeam shining down will make visible
the road that will lead them to their dreams.
Beginnings are always lovely and the beginning of baseball is no different. Chapter 8 takes moms on a virtual shopping trip, describes the various ways a mother can become involved with their son’s teams, and describes the various league opportunities available across the country. The concept of “travel teams” is discussed as well as the conflicts that can arise when a child plays on both a community league and travel league.
Chapter 9
High School
“There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.”
Deepak Chopra
Young men entering high school and continuing to play baseball are faced with many challenges such as coaching decisions (regarding how coaches assess their ability and positions they feel they should play) to learning how to balance the rigors of playing sports with academic and social pressures. High school is also the beginning of the college search. Chapter 9 introduces mothers to this process as well.
Chapter 10
Recruiting and Scout Process
“[Doors are] holes in walls that offer us a way out or a way in. Just putting your hand on the knob and seeing if it turns can make you weak in the knees.”
Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers, I Hope You Dance
Colleges across the country recruit and play 70,000 to 80,000 players each year. Additionally, high level players have the opportunity to be drafted by the professional baseball leagues. This process can be daunting and challenging to players at any age but especially so for young men leaving high school. Chapter 10 describes the process of searching for a college and preparing for admission as a student athlete. It also offers insight for mothers to help them understand the pressures their sons experience when they make it to this level of baseball.
Chapter 11
College and Beyond
“Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know.”
Daniel J. Boorstin
A child entering college as a student athlete is a completely different experience than a child entering college simply as a student. Baseball in college is very much like boot camp in the military. To be a collegiate player requires hours of hard work, personal dedication, and a strong disciplined approach to life. A young man must be self-disciplined and be prepared to work harder than any of his peers outside of baseball. Chapter 11 discusses the process, the pressures, and the challenges for both players and mothers alike.
Chapter 12
It’s Not Over Until the Fat Lady Sings
“It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Yogi Berra
Some players who play college ball do not have the opportunity to be noticed by the professional scouts. This chapter addresses those players and the opportunities that may be available to them if they have talent and determination.
Chapter 13
Why Pitch Count Counts
You win some; You lose some; You wreck some.
From A Thousand Paths to Wisdom David Baird
Being a pitcher in baseball is one of the most demanding positions in baseball. One of the areas of greatest concerns for pitchers is the overuse of their arms. This happens when coaches overuse their pitchers, when pitchers are taught certain pitches too early, or when pitchers do not understand the demands that pitching requires of them so they short-change their workout regimens. Chapter 13 discusses the challenges of being the mother of a pitcher and how to shortcut some of those challenges.
Chapter 14
Coping with Injuries
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”
Muhammad Ali
Baseball players are challenged with injuries a little less than football players and a little more than golfers. It is important for mothers to understand how to treat those injuries not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. This chapter offers insight for mothers when their sons are faced with either minor injuries that keep them off the diamond for a short time or more serious injuries than can sideline them from baseball for all time.
Chapter 15
It’s Not About Diet, It’s About Fuel
“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.”
Hippocrates
We live in a society of fast everything. This is especially true of the foods we eat. Unfortunately, as mothers of athletes we find ourselves flying through fast food restaurants and eating snacks that are less than nutritious. The food we eat provides fuel for our bodies and as athletes our sons require a lot of nourishment to be successful on the diamond and in school. Chapter 15 outlines the importance of good nutrition and offers information about the importance of good food choices. It also provides information on supplementation choices for athletes and provides a sound research base for mothers to consider when designing a nutrition program for their athletic sons.
Chapter 16
Enhancement Enchantment
“…and they lived happily ever after…”
Fairytale endings…
It is not a secret the drug issues our children face are ten fold to what previous generations have experienced. But athletes are faced with even more pressure to use drugs that enhance their performance or drugs they think might enhance them. The most important thing we can do as mothers is to teach our children how to care and respect their bodies. Chapter 16 offers encouragement for mother’s to stand firm on this issue and educates them on the side affects of the most commonly used drugs by baseball players.
Epilogue
Who’s on First
This details the positions on the field, how they are numbered and where each position sits on the field. It also describes the position they play and what is expected of them as players when playing in that position.
Baseball Lingo
A small glossary of baseball terms to help mothers understand the “language” of baseball.
Baseball and Parenting Resource List
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