Friday, April 18, 2008

Nervous Mama

Today, I am a nervous mama. You see, tonight, my oldest child (he is almost 15) is going to umpire his first baseball game. He's played baseball from the time he was five years old. Last year, at the beginning of baseball season, he fractured his wrist (skateboarding) and was unable to play. Once the boys get to be 14 or 15, they usually start playing for the high schools instead of the youth league, and/or they umpire games for the youth league. He will be working two games tonight - both for the 7/8 year old machine pitch league. It's not that I don't have faith in him; he knows baseball. But, these kids who are umpiring this season, only received about a 30 minute training session. Two nights ago, he finally received the official rule books for the league. That didn't leave much time for studying. It all just seems very unorganized. If you've ever been involved with baseball, or any little league sports, you know that there can occasionally be parents, or even coaches, that are really hard on the umpires. I'm just scared that somebody is going to yell at him or be mean to him (and yes, that embarrasses him to hear me say that, but, I can't help it). He's a level-headed kid, usually pretty calm and mature. Seriously, I am so nervous I feel like I could throw up. I think this is worse than when I sent my kids off to kindergarten for the first time. On one hand, I want to go to the games tonight and sit there to watch out for him and support him. But, on the other hand, I think he would prefer to do this on his own. His dad is working tonight, so, he can't go to the games. I'm sure I will drop him off at the field, hang out for a few minutes, then come back home. Fortunately, there is usually an older/experienced umpire that the kids are paired up with for games. Keep your fingers crossed that things go smoothly. I'll be on pins and needles waiting to hear from him....

5 comments:

1. black eyed susans kitchen said...

You know that he is going to be great. He can handle it! I don't blame you one bit for how you feel, but we can't go beating up the world when it isn't nice to our kids. Kari, you raised him...he will be fine. Let us know how the game goes. Susan

2. Daniela said...

Well, first of all congratulations to your son. It's an honor to be an umpire isn't it? I would think so anyway.

My kids learned more from their experiences by going through them and doing things than by reading books. Sometimes they hit a few brick walls and got some skinned knees along the way, but they always had fun.

If your son has fun, then I know he'll be great. Of course, I would want to beat up any parent who yelled at my son too. I remember many baseball games when I had to sit on my hands and shut my mouth. Oh well, they're not in therapy, so I guess that's a good thing.

Keep in touch, I'm dying to know how it goes. Don't be nervous, he'll be fine.

3. Pedaling said...

he'll do great.
thanks for visiting my blog, I like yours too.

4. Rue said...

If he knows baseball he'll be okay :) Have faith "mom" ;)

I'm wishing him all the good luck I can muster!

rue :)

5. Jill said...

I'm getting in on this after the fact....so...how'd it go? I bet he did great! And, did you stay or did you leave?