Back from the World Series, and ready to go boating

[ylwjacket]

Those of you who know me know that I have 3 daughters, and they all play softball.

My 13 year old was invited to play in the World Series with a team that is about 45 miles away from our house. 3 weeks ago, she played with that same team in the State Championships on the other coast of Fl. The states were a 4 day tourney, the worlds 8 days.

I had to cancel my trip to the Keys (by boat of course) for her to play. And, around working my butt off over the past few months, I had to take her practice a couple times a week, which is a 90 minute (at least) drive.

So, the past couple of months have been full-time softball, and no boating. Whilst I was gone, I had the a/c system descaled, and a few other maintenance items done on the boat.

After 8 days of being rained on and baked to death at Disney World, I am ready to get out on the water. I was sort of grumpy about cancelling the Keys trip, but you can't really say no to something like that.

All in all, it was well worth doing. Her team, which averages about 13 years old, finished 18 of 36 teams, many of whom were a year or two older. It was a great experience for her to compete against some of the best teams in the country. In our age bracket, a team from OK won it, with a team from TX second. 36 teams from about 20 states - Great teams, great players, great sportsmanship, and great love for the game by these young athletes. It was really great to be around.

Also while I was gone, my office decided that our summer outing should be a fishing/cruising event on my boat. I am almost sure that means the a/c repairs and other maintenance items have now become a company expense, since they had to be done before I could take everyone out. :grin:

The Fall season for all 3 now starts next week, but I'm working alot more boating into the schedule.

Cheers.

shameless plug - if you have not seen fastpitch softball, you ought to take a look. these kids are amazing. :thumbsup:

 

[Nehalennia II]

...............In our age bracket

OUR?
Are you 13 again :grin: ?

Good stuff and a dedicated Dad. She'll never forget it ....and neither will you. :thumbsup:

 

[devilrays]

Hey ylwjacket, Sounds like alot of memories made for the whole family at the softball tourney. You can't trade that kind of stuff for anything, there will be other trips to the keys which I'm sure you know. I played baseball in college and then after college I played a couple of years for the Clearwater Bombers fast pitch team. Fastpitch softball was very hard to hit compared to baseball, but was fun and enjoyed every minute of it. Hope to see you out boating more. Are you going to the party this friday at Marker 1 for Marine Max?

 

[osd9]

You did a good Dad thing... I only have one daughter, and although she never played sports at that level, I was always either coach or assistant coach for her softball and basketball teams. The memories are ALL worth the sacrifices.

Now....Go boating....

 

[wish2fish]

...............In our age bracket

OUR?
Are you 13 again :grin: ?

Good stuff and a dedicated Dad. She'll never forget it ....and neither will you. :thumbsup:

I say the same thing. You feel like you have so much invested (time/money) you are part of the team. In most cases there is such a relationship built between the family you feel like it is one big team!

 

[xravenx]

ylwjacket,

I know what you are talking about, my 13 year old son plays travel baseball. The skill level at this age is amazing, they know how to play the game and simply make no errors.

Yea, what Dominick said.............now go boating

John

 

[ImpulseIII]

Both of my kids are grown and on their own but as they were growing up, I had a son that was into ice hockey, soccer, little league and basket ball and scouting, and a daughter that was active in almost all junior high and high school sports as well as competing a horse in something called Three Day Eventing! Needless to say, we sold the boat during those years and when I had a free day, I would bum a ride with someone else (I was into sailing then.....who knew?????).

Looking back, I would not change a thing!!!

 

[jhild]

Hi YJ,

Glad to hear you had a good time with your family. My boys are just starting to get into organized sports, but I know how you feel. When I was a kid, my parents went to just about every game, practice, etc. It was always a great feeling to look over to the sidelines/stands/bleachers and see them there cheering me on. I plan to do the same thing with my boys. The time on the water has suffered a bit, but it's really not about me. It's all about the kids.

 

[ylwjacket]

...............In our age bracket

OUR?
Are you 13 again :grin: ?

My kids say I act more like 6 or 8.

I say the same thing. You feel like you have so much invested (time/money) you are part of the team.

You can't imagine how much I have invested in my kid's teams. Besides coaching, my company (which I own) is the main corporate sponsor. And, as a pitcher, my daughter requires lessons and lots of practice outside the team practice. And, we all work on hitting at home.

As crazy as it all sounds, they ask me to do it. I tell them all the time, I'd rather be boating, but if it's worth it to them, it's worth it to me. When it quits being fun, it's time to move on. Right now, softball is like air to my kids - they just can't breathe without it.

I played a couple of years for the Clearwater Bombers fast pitch team.... Are you going to the party this friday at Marker 1 for Marine Max?

You need to come help me coach! You certainly must know more about this than I do!

I will not likely be at the Marker 1 thing. I might go, but I am leaning against it, just for the fact that we have been gone for 10 days (really more like 30), and there is a lot to do at home.

Are you going? If so, you are welcome aboard Jackets Required anytime. It's on A dock, down by the fuel pumps. If I make it out there, I'll open the bar for us. :thumbsup:

I haven't been down there yet this week though to check out all the work that was done whilst I was gone. I've paid for it, but haven't seen it. Maybe I should go....

 

[JOHN R.316]

ylwjacket, My two kids are all grown up. Went through all the sports things. Look back now. some of the best memories. Family always is first. Love to go boating. Not to much fun boating alone. There are things in life you do because thy are the right thing to do. NO choice just do it. :thumbsup:
I may be wrong but I bet you 'Lindsay Lohan' or 'Britney Spears' dad did'nt do the father thing with them.

 

[devilrays]

Hey Ywljacket, I just now saw pictures of your boat online. WOWWWW what a great looking boat. That's the style I'd love to have way down the road. I will check the boat out at Marker 1 when were down there at the Marine Max party. My wife and good friend and his wife are gonna head down there. Were meeting my buddy and his wife at their boat in the slips at Anclote Harbor to have a beverage then heading down there. My buddy just bought a 34' Doral from Marine Max. Hope to see you down there. :thumbsup:

 

[ylwjacket]

Hey Ywljacket, I just now saw pictures of your boat online. WOWWWW what a great looking boat.

thanks much. pressure's on to go hose it off now. that was done about a week ago. i'm hoping that, with all the rain, it's still relatively clean.

if you're coming by water, you can actually tie up on the intracoastal side of the fuel dock, right across the dock from my boat.

i tossed the invite - what exactly are they planning at this event?

 

[devilrays]

Sounds like MM is going to be moving down there as their new sales location. They are also going to be selling wet slips. MM is doing give aways and food and since we never go to these events with MM, my wife RSVP right away. We thought it would be fun to go too.