Championship – The Little League Mom
Image by bensonkua via FlickrGuest Post for The Little League Coach
by Little League Mom (AKA E. Peevie)
Here’s the thing. We’re leaving for vacation today. Unfortunately—well it’s actually great, but the timing is unfortunate–C. Peevie’s team, the Brewers, starts the league championship tournament today.
I’m sure this happens all the time to teams and kids and coaches. I remember missing my team’s trip to the state championships when I was playing varsity softball as a sophomore back in the Mesozoic era. My parents made the executive decision that my cousin’s wedding was more important than the state championships. I’m still not sure I agree with them—even from the perspective of a parent facing a similar dilemma.
Actually, it’s not really a dilemma. We’ll leave a few hours later than planned so that C. Peevie can play in his first-ever championship tournament. But the Brewers will have to field a different first baseman for game two of the series, and game three if they split, because C. Peevie will be hitting the beach, not the ball, in South Haven, Michigan.
I’m sure that C. Peevie is disappointed. Whatever. He’s young. He’ll get over it.
But this is really about me, the Little League Mom. What about my feelings? I’m the one whose feet swelled to clown size, whose ankles disappeared, and whose belly was sliced open to get that ball-player on the field today. That’s MY boy out there, pointing to the left field fence and smacking one into the bleachers. Or not—but it’s still my boy making his championship appearance.
I’ve watched him learn lots of life lessons in five seasons of little league baseball—but I’ve never gotten the chance to see him get this close to a league crown and team glory. It’s the right decision, to head up to South Haven after game one. It’s not really much of a choice—the reservations are made and paid, the extended family will be there—but still. The heart breaks.
TTFN, readers, and I’ll catch you on the flip side of the tournament.
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6 comments
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I have to admit I must disagree w/ The Little League Mom here. A team is a team and commitment to team comes before anything else. If this means rearranging or delaying vacations, that’s what it means.
When signing up always remember to ask what is the latest you could possibly be playing. This includes all-stars, championships, everything. Then plan vacations around that.
Generally, Little League parents can plan their vacations the first couple weeks of august and be safe. Most even the middle to late July. The problem w/ that is if you go far in the tournament, you will still be playing then.
For instance, this weekend we just held sectionals and softball played in states. Therefore, 10 or 11 teams in our district are eliminated and able to vacation. The winners are still competing.
I google mapped the distance and it is only about 2 hours between where the little league mom is vacationing and where she lives. Assuming they play around 6:30 she could easily leave around 3:30 from her vacation spot and make these games and be back by 11:00. A few relatives would probably enjoy the trip as well!
I hate to throw her under the bus, I truly enjoy her posts and she is a major contributor to my site, but I must call things as I see them. Sorry Little League mom, you are wrong on this one.
C. Peevie needs to be there for the Brewers! Especially if he is their starting 1B! That is a vital position that 8 or more other players are depending on him to be there to play. Their trophy is riding on it.
Coach, you are a fine human being, and no doubt a wonderful coach, but you live in a fantasy (baseball) world. I posted a reply to your comment on my blog at http://greenroomthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/07/suiting-up-for-championship-play.html
but I’ll summarize for those not motivated enough to click over:
Gas. Traffic Jam. Broken AC. Family.
BTW, the Brewers did lose the second game of the championship series. Wah.
Last game will be Friday. In spite of what I said on my blog, I’m actually considering taking C. Peevie home for the game. I can’t even believe I’m saying that.
In response to your comments on E.Peevie’s vacation (see link)http://greenroomthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/07/suiting-up-for-championship-play.html
I had this to say and I will say it to you as well:
The most vivid and wonderful memories I have of summers as a child are the family vacations we took with our cousins!!!
I truly believe that while little league is an important and valuable thing for kids, nothing can compare with the values kids learn/receive from their own families. And isn’t the commitment we dispay to our families more important than commitment to a sport?
Rest assured, E. Peevie, your FAMILY vacation is much more valuable and important than a little league ball game (championship game or not)!!
-KTBZ
Again, nobody said miss the entire vacation. Only 1 day to be there for the team, that’s all.
In the book the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey he enlightens us on the concept of symmetry. When two people have diametrically opposed views or when two options bring about an either or solution, finding a place that accommodates both more often than not leads to a better solution than either of the independent options offered.
In my mind, doing the vacation AND the championship game is the solution. The Little League Mom’s own words speak to this by pointing out that the only game she remembers is the one she missed.
I too have vivid memories of vacations and they are valuable as well. But they are memories of happy times and relaxation. The biggest thing here is that The Little League Mom’s son is the starting 1B! That is a key position. He got them there, the teammates deserve to have him their for the championship.
I do think the most important values we get are from family. But the values and lessons we learn through sport will guide us for the rest of our life as well. What are we teaching if we sign up for a team and leave on them the day of the championship? Would you do the same the day before your company’s biggest presentation in the history of the company?
Again, they can and should do both. That’s my point.
Well, here it is, the night before the big game. My heart is still conflicted–however, the grown-ups discussed the issue at dinner, and it looks like the whole family is on board with me bringing C. Peevie home for the Big Game.
No one is willing to make the drive with us, however.
We still have no idea if it will take 2.5 hours (unlikely) or four hours (more likely), or somewhere in-between, to get home.
Also, I have no idea if his dang uniform is clean.
So now it’s a matter of a) do I want to make the drive by myself (meaning, with no other drivers), and b) do I want to spend 9-10 hours of my vacation time that way and c) am I willing to put up with potentially AWFUL traffic, potentially both ways?
At this moment, it’s looking like the answer is yes to all. I’ll keep you posted.
I don’t think you will ever regret the decision to go no matter what happens. You may regret not going though. Please keep us posted! We are all very interested in the outcome now!
One thing we have not discussed at all here (shame on us) what does C. Peevie want to do? Isn’t that why we are all here in the first place? For the C. Peevie’s of the world?