baseball

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Dear Jack: The Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball Game

14 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

This past Memorial Day weekend, our family decided to go check out a baseball game. No, not the Atlanta Braves…

Instead, we watched the Chattanooga Lookouts play the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

As funny as this may sound, I actually enjoyed watching this game more than last summer when we actually did go see the Braves play.

I guess there’s something charming and more relaxing about seeing a game where the stakes are so low… and the names of the teams are so funny.

Not to mention, the Lookouts game was less than an hour away from our house.

Honestly, I’m ready to go back and watch them play again!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Wrapping Up Your 1st Season of Baseball

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

We’re now down to the last few games of your very first season you have ever played on a baseball team. The way I see it, this has served as the perfect way for you to prepare and practice for try-outs next school year when you officially transfer to your new school in Alabama.

You have proven to be independently and intrinsically motivated to continue to learn how to approve your skills.

In addition to your dedication, I have also seen your frustration. It has possibly been more of a learning curve than you expected.

But you are still focused on playing baseball on a team once we move.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Bonding Through Baseball

13 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

You continue to take playing baseball so seriously. It is now the norm for you and I to go throw the ball for about 45 minutes each evening that you don’t already have a baseball game or a coaching lesson.

On my end, I can definitely tell that not only your skills have improved, but also your mindset.

I am watching you mature out of boyhood, in a good way.

Baseball is giving you something challenging to focus on.

The way you interact with our family now is more positive, involved, and connected.

It’s like you have an upgraded form of independent confidence now.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Personal Coaching Lessons for Baseball

13 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

Joining a baseball team has been such a good activity for you right now. It has inspired you to choose to spend so much of your free time practicing.

We have been investing in purchasing extra equipment for you to practice with.

I have been so pleased with the personal coaching lessons you have been going to, as well. Your coach specifically made a point to tell me that you are very coachable and that he can see how you are improving and learning.

Coming up here in a few weeks, you will actually start having games!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Voice is Noticeably Changing

13 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

In the same way I have been discreet with you about how you are now shaving your mustache, I refuse to openly acknowledge with you that you are currently experiencing your voice changing.

There are definitely those “Peter Brady moments”, where your voice squeaks/cracks in the middle of a sentence. I never mention it. I never want you to feel embarrassed as it happens.

Undeniably, you are now transitioning from having a boy’s voice to a young man’s voice.

But that is not a conversation either you nor I feel like having.

Instead, you’d rather just keep advancing your baseball skills.

“Sounds” good to me!

 

Love,

Daddy