Karting? Is that a joke? Kids driving go carts competitively?

That is insane by itself.

It gets hot in the kitchen. The majority of parents, with kids that have the talent, will spend time in that kitchen.

I guess that's the thing. Kids get burned out, parents stress over travel and money, and the vast majority of kids are not even close to be talented enough for any scholarship opportunity. But that dream lives on. I was driving through Denton Saturday morning. I passed two baseball/softball "academies". The parking lot was full of 5-7 year olds swinging bats. C'mon, no kid needs that kind of chit. Let them play outside and in the backyard.

Time and money well spent for me when he gets his degree this December which has been entirely paid for by baseball. And he loved every moment of it. He had a freak accident this year at the plate which shortened his Senior (College) Year and ended any professional baseball opportunities but he will always love the game and all the time spent playing the game he loved!!!

Here is an excerpt from his FB Page - "Man, didn't think this was how my season would end but God's timing is always perfect. For those that don't know, I fractured my cheek bone in multiple places and will be having surgery within the next week or two. Can't thank the game of baseball enough for teaching me the life lessons that it has and giving me the tools to be successful in life. This game has been my life since I was young, through the ups and downs it has always been a blast getting to play this game. Don't ever take this game for granted because you never know when it'll be your last. It'll be tough not being on the field with my brothers but I'll be cheering y'all on the rest of the year. You can take the kid out of baseball, but you can't take the baseball out of the kid. To the game that'll find a way to humble even the best of em, thank you. Much love and peace out to the game I'll always love ⚾️ Also thanks to my awesome parents for everything they've provided me with throughout the years playing baseball and also the support! Couldn't of done this without y'all, love you guys!"

I guess we did our son (and Daughter) a huge dis-service by letting them play in select programs?!?!?

They not only get better at a sport they love but also learn many other life lessons and he has built some friendships (and contacts) that will benefit for many years to come. The more I think about it, we did do them right because we love our children and do not mind making a sacrifice for our kids so that they can be happy and hopefully more successful in life by providing these opportunities to them.

It gets hot in the kitchen. The majority of parents, with kids that have the talent, will spend time in that kitchen.

Time and money well spent for me when he gets his degree this December which has been entirely paid for by baseball. And he loved every moment of it. He had a freak accident this year at the plate which shortened his Senior (College) Year and ended any professional baseball opportunities but he will always love the game and all the time spent playing the game he loved!!!

Here is an excerpt from his FB Page - "Man, didn't think this was how my season would end but God's timing is always perfect. For those that don't know, I fractured my cheek bone in multiple places and will be having surgery within the next week or two. Can't thank the game of baseball enough for teaching me the life lessons that it has and giving me the tools to be successful in life. This game has been my life since I was young, through the ups and downs it has always been a blast getting to play this game. Don't ever take this game for granted because you never know when it'll be your last. It'll be tough not being on the field with my brothers but I'll be cheering y'all on the rest of the year. You can take the kid out of baseball, but you can't take the baseball out of the kid. To the game that'll find a way to humble even the best of em, thank you. Much love and peace out to the game I'll always love ⚾️ Also thanks to my awesome parents for everything they've provided me with throughout the years playing baseball and also the support! Couldn't of done this without y'all, love you guys!"

I guess we did our son (and Daughter) a huge dis-service by letting them play in select programs?!?!?

They not only get better at a sport they love but also learn many other life lessons and he has built some friendships (and contacts) that will benefit for many years to come. The more I think about it, we did do them right because we love our children and do not mind making a sacrifice for our kids so that they can be happy and hopefully more successful in life by providing these opportunities to them.

Very very few get a college education paid for through baseball. D1 schools get seven scholarships to split between the team. Could be eleven but it's been a while since I paid any attention to it.

Both of my sisters played select volleyball since middle school and throughout high school. It's funny I remember my dad complaining about how expensive it was every year and how much time it took up. Both of my sisters ended up going to college to play on full rides so I guess it all worked out. But that is rare and most of their teammates never got any return on the investment.

Hell, we had a batting cage in a hanger and dad worked air traffic so he was shift work and could work us almost daily morning or night. My old man pushed us hard and that was a great time in my life. We played in a couple of state titles and a national in AZ but only won state over in Euless at the star complex I think was. Have to find the ring. Would not trade that time for anything and loved that part of my life.