It’s official. Dude has been invited to play on a travelling baseball team this spring/summer.
“Baseball?” you say! “I thought he decided to give rugby a try this spring?!”
Um – he did. And I was happy. Glad he was willing to try something totally different. Glad it was a sport I know nothing about so I wouldn’t be compelled to volunteer for anything other than congratulatory fan. I quit the Little League Board of Directors (even though I said I’d stay on through registration since I’m the brainchild behind the new system this year and didn’t want to leave ‘em hanging). I counted the dollars I wouldn’t have to spend a new glove, cleats, and pants since he’s outgrown all of his. I added up the hours I wouldn’t have to spend dealing with crazy parents who think that I actually know what’s going on with the league.
Then I answered the phone. It was the mom (K) of a boy in Dude”s class . . . a friend (S) he’s known since 2nd grade. K said S was pulling out of Little League this year, too, for a number of reasons. He had tried out for and made a local travelling team. They had 9 on the team and were looking for 2-3 more boys. They’d love it if Dude wanted to come try out as well.
I wasn’t totally on board. Finally, free time!
Dude got sucked in by S and the other guys at school. He asked if he could at least try out.
Who am I to say no to a boy who wants to play one of my very favoritest sports in the entire world?
So he tried out last Tuesday.
He got invited to play on the team.
We filled out paperwork. We wrote out a rather large check (and have 3 more to write!). He wrote in his uniform sizes. He wrote in his position preferences. He filled in his top 3 preferred uniform numbers. We purchased a new glove and cleats (the only two items our rather large check does not buy us for the season).
We signed our lives away for 11-12 weekends between the end of March and July 5th, as well as every Tuesday night from 5:00-6:30 and every Sunday afternoon from 2:30-4:30 for practice – starting last week.
He’s happy as a clam.
I’m filling in the calendar – a little bummed by the schedule, but so excited for him to have this opportunity. It makes me happy every time I think back to my summers on the competetive softball team – the life-long friends I made, the places I got to go, the new friends we met on other teams, the awesomeness of spending weekdays and weekends with a bunch of girls and parents we loved.
BTW – Thanks Mom! Thank you for sacrificing 4 summers of your life so I could have that life-changing experience. You deserve a medal – and 8 summers to do whatever you want! 
WOW…he changed his mind! I have to say that I was quite surprised when a week or two ago he chose rugby over baseball because he has always loved baseball so I’m not really surprised by his change of heart. If he is happy that he got on the travelling team then I am happy for him. And you are right…being on a travelling team is a great experience for him and builds friendships and character. As for you, Dan, and Keira…it may be tedious and exhausting at times and at other times you may feel like you have sacrificed a lot for him to be on this team, but you will also find it very rewarding in many ways!! Kids grow up so fast and before you know it they are gone and until you experience that loss you really can’t imagine how much you will miss them!!! So spend all the quality time with them that you can while you can. I know you will have lots of fun cheering him and his team on!! Love…Mom