No one hesitates in Batavia to hit the field after a win or loss to be with the boys, this year it was mostly wins. But Saturday was different, it was mom’s, dad’s, brother’s, sister’s, and family. The boys knowing it the last time these guys would play together as a team. For some it was the last time they would play the game. It quite simply was over. Or was it?
Later that night while the parents were off doing their thing the boys were still together, eating at a fast food joint together. Then visiting a banged up teammate, then getting more food, scaling the fence at the football field and working their way up to the press box — where they would hang, goof, and eventually head to a buddy’s house where they spent the night.
I thought perhaps my guy would need his mom and dad after a loss….. but why would he? He needed the brothers that he had been with since this all began. He needed the guys that pushed him to get in the 1000 lb. club the ones that were there puking during two a days. The ones that know him better than he and his mom think we know him — he needed his teammates. and they needed him.
Thanks to the wonders of social media I watched one by one how these senior boys posted thanks to their teammates, coaches, parents, and their town for letting them be part of something so cool, when in fact this town, this school, us parents should be thanking them!
I think I will be lost Friday night when I’m not in the stands with my friend Dick Anderson, two guys just wanting good things for their kids. But this has nothing to do with the parents, it has to do with boys becoming men. Some (with hesitation) growing up.
Let me use this form of social media to thank these boys for being better than I ever was. Thanks for what you have done to mentor the Juniors and Sophomore’s.
I always yell “close the door Five Four” when the kid makes a big play. Close the door 54, lets head up north and see Grandma and Grandpa, lets see if we can catch some late season Muskie.
What a year.
RR
