Devastated
The only word that I can think of to describe my feelings today and the feelings of our family is DEVASTATED!
For the past three days, we have spent time at the baseball field in tryouts for the middle school baseball team. Brandon worked really hard. Made all of his catches in the field except one. Has great speed. I did not get to see the batting last night, but one of the dads called me and said that Brandon hit the ball harder that he had ever seen him hit it. All of that being said--he did not make the team.
Since he was nine years old, Brandon has made and started on every All-Star team for which he has been eligible. All but one of those years(his first) he has been the starting short stop. Until last season, he went every season he ever played without striking out more than ten times in the whole season. Most of those seasons striking out less than five times IN THE ENTIRE SEASON!! He is known mostly for his glove. It is very rare for him to make errors.
I know what your thinking. "Here is a bragging dad who is hurt." I guess you would be right except for the many phone calls I received today by parents who cannot believe it. I have always said that I do not have to brag on him. His record and God given talent speak for themselves.
Now, with all that off my chest, I have told Brandon that he has two choices. He can lay down and quit and by doing that make the coaches believe that they were right OR he can get up, dust himself off, and go back next year and show them what they missed. I hope he will chose the latter.
Brandon is a good kid. His reaction to his grandmother who went and ate lunch with him today was, "Well, I guess God just wanted me to rest my arm." He is smart, athletic, and a Christian. I hope that he will learn from this disappointment and move on. Life is not sports and I know this too shall pass, but today it hurts.
Also, on an even more serious note, Danielle, her mom and I went to Birmingham to the doctor about her seizures. She is still having the absance seizures (staring spells that last for sometimes several seconds). Her doctor said that her physical exam was good. She has good reflexes and is not hampered by her seizures in that way. We praise God for that. She is, however having problems concentrating in school. The doctor thinks that she may be having too many of them to concentrate well. We are adjusting her medication. The doctor hopes that she will do better on this. Please implore God on her behalf and ask that He take these seizures away.
Please pray for Danielle and Brandon and all of us. God bless you all and thanks again for listening to my heart!
For the past three days, we have spent time at the baseball field in tryouts for the middle school baseball team. Brandon worked really hard. Made all of his catches in the field except one. Has great speed. I did not get to see the batting last night, but one of the dads called me and said that Brandon hit the ball harder that he had ever seen him hit it. All of that being said--he did not make the team.
Since he was nine years old, Brandon has made and started on every All-Star team for which he has been eligible. All but one of those years(his first) he has been the starting short stop. Until last season, he went every season he ever played without striking out more than ten times in the whole season. Most of those seasons striking out less than five times IN THE ENTIRE SEASON!! He is known mostly for his glove. It is very rare for him to make errors.
I know what your thinking. "Here is a bragging dad who is hurt." I guess you would be right except for the many phone calls I received today by parents who cannot believe it. I have always said that I do not have to brag on him. His record and God given talent speak for themselves.
Now, with all that off my chest, I have told Brandon that he has two choices. He can lay down and quit and by doing that make the coaches believe that they were right OR he can get up, dust himself off, and go back next year and show them what they missed. I hope he will chose the latter.
Brandon is a good kid. His reaction to his grandmother who went and ate lunch with him today was, "Well, I guess God just wanted me to rest my arm." He is smart, athletic, and a Christian. I hope that he will learn from this disappointment and move on. Life is not sports and I know this too shall pass, but today it hurts.
Also, on an even more serious note, Danielle, her mom and I went to Birmingham to the doctor about her seizures. She is still having the absance seizures (staring spells that last for sometimes several seconds). Her doctor said that her physical exam was good. She has good reflexes and is not hampered by her seizures in that way. We praise God for that. She is, however having problems concentrating in school. The doctor thinks that she may be having too many of them to concentrate well. We are adjusting her medication. The doctor hopes that she will do better on this. Please implore God on her behalf and ask that He take these seizures away.
Please pray for Danielle and Brandon and all of us. God bless you all and thanks again for listening to my heart!
posted by Keith Davis at
1:56 PM
12 Comments:
I’m devastated for you and Brandon. Who knows at times what is in the hearts and minds of coaches when they make these decisions? I remember what a good friend of mine once told me concerning this subject.
Randy (not our Randy) was in the Houston Astros and then the Seattle Mariners organizations. The highest level he made it to was AAA ball in Calgary, Canada. He was a 6’, 7” first baseman. His bat was awesome and he seemed to have good speed for a guy his size and yet he never made it to “The Show.”
I asked him one time about his chances. He told me that sometimes talent and perseverance is trumped by team needs or just plain dumb bad luck. It sounds like Brandon ran into this particular “train.”
I don’t think you would be out of bounds if you asked the coach for his reasons on cutting Brandon and asked him what he thinks he should work on for next year?
My heart and prayers go out to you and Brandon.
By the way, sometimes coaches are just plain dumb! What about the guy who cut Michael Jordan from his J.V. Basketball team?
By
cwinwc, at 3:23 PM
I agree with cwinwc. Brandon might also ask if he can still practice and work out with the team so he will be ready for next year but also so he can help his friends to be the best they can be. Keep us posted on how things go!
Love to all!
By
Anonymous, at 5:29 PM
I asked the coach this morning why Brandon was cut. He gave me no answer. He said that there were only 18 spots and they picked who they thought should get a spot.
I do think that Brandon will handle this the right way and be better for it. It is just tough today. I feel plum sjqaxed. Thanks for your encouragement.
By
Keith Davis, at 6:33 PM
So sorry to hear about the disappointment. Your boy still sounds to me like he's a champ.
By
Brady, at 2:02 AM
Keith - The coach's non-specific answer says something about him as a coach. It would be tantamount to me telling the parent of one of my students, “Your son or daughter failed my math class. Why did they fail? I can’t tell you. What do they need to work on? I don’t know.”
I would really be surprised if this coach is on the school’s instructional staff. If he is, his communication skills are sorely lacking.
By
cwinwc, at 7:25 AM
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By
Keith Davis, at 10:28 AM
I went to the coach toady again because of news last night that he allowed two of the cut kids back on the team. I could not believe this having talked to him yesterday morning. He told me that no one would get a second chance--that the team was set with 18 and no more would be added. But, it was true. The two were added giving him a total of 20 kids.
He gave me some lame excuse that they were cut by "his mistake." I asked for Brandon to have a second chance justlike them. After not getting anywhere with him, I went to two of the other coaches. One of them gaveme his word that he would bring up the subject with the main coaches. We shall see.
None of this may do any good, but I have to fight for my son. Am I wrong? I pray that this is the right thing. I kept a cool head about myself to all of them. I want to have the right attitude, but this is just about to get the best of me.
An interesting side note--I am preaching on bitterness and anger Sunday. How appropriate is that?
By
Keith Davis, at 10:32 AM
Keith, Bobby Valentine here from the old IBC days. Just discovered your blog. Wanted to say "hi" . . . I will pray for you children. And I notice many things have changed from back then.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
www.sside-church.org
By
Anonymous, at 11:34 AM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By
cwinwc, at 11:53 AM
If you follow Greg's suggestion, please video tape it and then bring it out to Pepperdine so we can all enjoy it.
The answers the coach gave you as well as the the inconsistency of his selection process bare further review. I think as a parent you are within your rights to go to the Principal to ask him/or her to provide you with some details concerning Brandon’s non-selection as well as the change in numbers from 18 to 20. You took the first (and second steps) in going to the coach. He is the one being vague and inconsistent. Sounds like it’s time for someone to instruct him on how to deal with concerned parents.
Please tell me this guy is young and inexperience. If he isn’t, he hasn’t learned anything with time and experience.
On your sermon subject, who say God doesn’t have a sense of humor.
Hang in there Dad.
By
cwinwc, at 11:54 AM
Thanks to you all on your comments. I must say Greg, that your suggestion is tempting, but I am afraid that I would hurt my typing hand and then how would I blog.
Cecil, As for the coach, he has been teaching history in the eighth grade for many years. He is probably in his late 40's early 50's. He has been the high school coach for several years (more than 5 I know, maybe more than ten, I don't know). Sory to inform you of that. By the way, he still has not talked to Brandon after telling me this morning that he would. He stared Brandon down in the hall, so I know that he has seen him.
I have done all that I can do. Brandon told me to just drop it because he is afraid that the coaches will hold it against him later on or that they will think that it is him crying over this. He is probably right. In fact, he is teaching me a lot about "just drop it!" Maybe I need to let him preach the sermon Sunday. Thank God for my wonderful Christ-following children!!
By
Keith Davis, at 5:09 PM
I think you should allow Brandon's voice to be heard . . . in the sermon.
If you are going to heed Greg's well thought out spiritual advice, do it on Monday and then you've got a sermon ready for the following Sunday on the subject of repentance.
By
Anonymous, at 12:21 AM
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