I let my kid quit Little League

I called my son into the living room and confirmed with him that it was what he really wanted. He said it was. So I hit send on a note to his baseball coach letting him know that the season was over for him. The team still has two games and the playoffs to go. But #42 would not be joining them anymore.

A few weeks back on a surprisingly chilly May evening the Plumbers were in a tight game. The boys 7 and 8 year olds (and some 6s who are technically 7) are one of the smaller teams. No behemoth 2nd graders, just a group of scrappy little guys. My son stood at the plate. Elbow up. Knees slightly bent. The other team's pitchers were wild already five of our guys had been hit. The bases were loaded. And the pitch came in. It was way inside, and smashed into my sons hand.

Like his teammates before him he collapsed down into a crying mess. His coach came running over from third base and tried to encourage him as he walked over to first base. He couldn't stay out there, they brought in a pinch runner and I came over to the dug out. He was inconsolable.

I was sure he'd be good to go by the next game. I got him some extra pads for his hands. A security blanket. We went to the batting cage and all seemed great. He was driving the ball with authority. At practice he was great. And then it was game day. He walked into the dugout and was in tears. He refused to play. Eventually he played half an inning of left field.

That would be the last time he saw the field. The next game he couldn't even make it into the dugout. And spent the entire game off the field playing with the little sister of one of his teammates.

I reached out to everyone I knew who might give me some advice. Dads with kids as young as 6 and some with kids almost out of high school. They all said, he'll be ready when he is ready. I didn't push it.

So after a rain-out and a few scheduling conflicts. We were going to get ready to play again. When I told him we were going to start to get ready. His face sunk.

I knew he was scared. I asked him if playing was making him unhappy. He said it was. Forcing him would just make him sad. He is six (and 3/4) he deserves to be happy. And me forcing him to play isn't doing that. I love watching him play. He has a wonderful and powerful swing the kind that is usually reserved for lefties. He is so willing to throw himself around to get a ball. We even got him catchers gear so he could try to be a catcher. And through coaching and practice. He can actually catch the ball well.

I never got a chance to play little league, so it was important to me to see him play. That's why I never missed a game of corporate softball. It just became not right for him.

When I sent that email he was so relieved. We are still going to have catches in the back yard and the park. I'll still throw him batting practice. But he won't be on the team, at least not this year. And if that makes him happy. In happy with it too.

What happens to old web space

Ani was bored the other day ... it was rainy and we didn't go out at all ... and she was just looking up stuff online and she found out who now owns my old web space Niel-xxx.com . And of course its porn.

It sucks that the Mets have been rained out two days in a row, kind of takes the wind of the sails. Also the fact that its 45 degrees doesn't make me think of baseball.

Speaking of that tomorrow is opening day for DPW softball. Yeah nothing is more exciting than the prospect of playing softball as the tempretaures approach the low 40s.

I was visiting Mets.com and they had these pictures of Alyssa Milano in Mets gear. So I had to follow up. Apparently she has this new line of clothes for the ladies for major league baseball teams.

MMMMM I've always liked the Alyssa Milano. I think we all knew who was the boss. So as they say a picture is worth 1000 words, enjoy these two thousand words. I'm sure at least one of those words is yum.



And yes Mike you can see her in Yankees gear as well.

Magic Numebr

After the first day of the baseball season the Mets magic number to clinch the East is 161. So any combination of Mets wins or Phillies/Nationals losses and we're right back in October!

Last night, Ani, Mike and I went to see Pete in the Hospital. For someone with the cancer, he looks pretty chubby.

Chino Latino is a wonderful style of cooking.

I wish I could sort my phone book by more categories than it already has, I'd like to have all the local eateries at a moments notice.

I can't wait until the weekend. No big plans, but not going to work for two days will be sweet. I guess my only big plan is having a Guinness on Saturday, perhaps with Kelvin the original "Black Irishman". It's really early so I'm a little goofy, but I think Kelvin should dye his hair blond. And he'd look like a pint of Guinness. Think about it.

Only three more weeks until opening day.

How to Bear-Proof your home

Isn’t it weird that when you are preparing to bring a baby home, you start baby proofing your house. It seems like the wrong choice of words. If I “bear-proof” my home, I’m not making it a safe a comfortable place for bears. I can’t think of a better word though.

I like writing on the train. The noise helps me zone out and write.

This morning I read on the Mets message board that they are only selling tickets to Opening day and the subway series games via a lottery or with a ticket plan. Was shut out of such a lottery last season for the playoffs. This is so fucked up … yes I applied for the lottery.
As shitty as it was, waiting in the freezing cold for tickets last year. It seems much more fun to me than this bogus lottery. I guess I’m following the game on yahoo. Lame. Unless I win the mega millions lottery, with people at work, and I buy season tickets.

I’d like to take more pictures. I really enjoy it and our new camera takes good photos.

What the fuck is up with that woman astronaut. Trying to kidnap and murder a rival in a weird love triangle with another astronaut. My favorite part of the story is she drove like 9 hours (or was it 900 miles) and she wore Depends so she wouldn’t have to make any pit stops. Nice.

Rumble in the Bronx

Are you fucking kidding me. Not only does that bug infested dump get a All-Star game in 2008 when the Yankees are moving out but Busch Stadium is getting the 2009 game. A how about showing off to the nation the new state of the art building being put up in Queens.

I’m really only shocked that they didn’t pick old Yankee Stadium in 2008 and new Yankee Stadium in 2009. I first heard about this on Ron and Fez, thank God I was going to get Porno Chicken or I’d be totally off my rocker!

Hall of Fame indeed

How can I feel that the Baseball Hall of Fame or its voters (the baseball writers association of America) are legitimate when two of its members voted for this ingrate. Bobby Bonilla for induction into the hall of fame.

This piece of shit shouldn't be allowed within 10 miles of Cooperstown. And if he were allowed within city limits, he shouldn't be allowed into the HOF without a full priced ticket!