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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, Thunder Dan; 112 anonymousDiscussion: What about Fathers?
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| Dec. 18, 2010 ShaneV Men's 55 393 posts | What about Fathers? I didn't want to hijack the "Sons" thread, so how many had the chance to watch or play with their fathers playing baseball, fastpitch or slowpitch some time during their life? My dad is 82 and we just lost mom in November. I don't remember my dad playing legion baseball when I was little but we have some great old pictures. We moved from WA to CA Bay Area in 1958 and I remember dad playing fastpitch at the community park in Castro Valley in the early 60's. They had the shell of an old military aircraft there for kids to play on, one of my fondest memories. By 64 things were getting pretty crazy in the Bay Area so we moved back to WA. Dad coached babe ruth and I got to play for him. He also coached high school (hs business teacher) but I never got to play for him. I was however always hanging around the ball park. Some time in the early 70's I played a game or two of fastpitch with dad but never really got into it. The funny part of my story is that all the years having a blast playing slowpitch, 1978 to 1988 on a continuous bender and 1989 to present sober, every time I shared some success story with my dad he would ask "Are you talking slowpitch?" Finally a few years ago I said "Dad! I only play slopitch! I've been playing only slowpitch since 1978! I don't play baseball or fastpitch anymore, only slowpitch!" It took a couple more seasons but he doesn't ask that question anymore. I wish he would come to one of the Championship events with me and see the 80's and 75's playing our senior game. He has his physical challenges but really is in good shape and could play. Maybe 2011? ShaneV |
| Dec. 18, 2010 birdie Men's 70 802 posts | Shane V, I remember going to my Dad's softball games when I was little. He played until I believe there where 3 siblings may be 2 and quit playing. There are 7 kids in the family and he did a wonderful job of raising us all.I cannot tell you how many hours that where spent on the little league field my him and my mother. I was pretty good but my younger brothers were much better. I can never repay him for making me the man that I am. I do miss him. Merry Christmas to all. Thanks Harry |
| Dec. 18, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2413 posts | ShaneV-my father did not play, but his brother, my uncle did. I remember going down by Little Traverse Bay in Petoskey, MI and watching him play. He batted lefthanded, but crosshanded in fast pitch and occasionally hit one out. |
| Dec. 18, 2010 Fastsam Men's 60 56 posts | I watch my Dad play semi pro (very young) in Oakland Ca. at Ramondi Park where we sometimes practice. The first time I saw my wife was at one of these games. Her father and mine played on the same team. And our mothers were good friends. I also was able to see my father play 8-10 years of softball unlimited arc in west Oakland at Lowell park where I also played. Great thread. |
| Dec. 18, 2010 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Yes, I played on the same team with my dad when I was in my 20s. He was terrible! Couldn't field very well, couldn't hit with any kind of power (although he was bigger and stronger than me), O.K. runner. Wisely, he began to coach/manage the team and did it for the next 25 years! He was beloved by all the players. What my dad DID do for me was catch me when I was learning to pitch fast pitch. He worked nights, so day after day after school and in the summer, he would catch my pitches and patiently chase my wild pitches. My love for softball has a lot to do with his involvement and encouragement. |
| Dec. 19, 2010 The real deal Men's 70 114 posts | As a kid, I grew up watching my dad play (3b and lead-off hitter). Then got a chance to play on the same team with him in a church league for about 10 years. He's now 85 years old and finally stopped playing when he reached 80! |
