But let me back up first. about mid season I talked to some coaches from some of the other teams around the league. I one of the things I noticed was a lot of the stud players from the Miamisburg, Springboro, and Lebanon teams were gone. What I was told is that they were playing in a Cincinnati league that went year round, and was much more competitive. I was told about this league before by one of David's pitching coaches from a baseball academy he went to last summer. His coach/teacher was surprised that David didn't pitch more, and when Cheryl told him that he was playing in the DMBA, he said, "oh, he's still playing 'daddy ball'". The only caveat being that David needed to be 14, and he was still 12. He turns 14 in December, which makes him eligible for tryouts next month.

    I talked to David about changing leagues, or at least trying out. If he didn't make it, he could still play with the Sox next year. I told him it would be a good opportunity to see how he could compete. He decided that he didn't want to play football this fall, and that he would rather play fall baseball.

    I told Coach John about this, and he was surprised that David didn't want to play football because of his speed. (David is the fastest kid in his grade). I explained to him that he wanted to play fall baseball, but at the time I couldn't remember the name of the league (Southwest Ohio League) and John acted surprisingly ignorant. Which I was a little taken aback by because out of everyone I know around here, John is by far the most knowledgeable about youth sports in this part of the State.

    So at the year end when David came up, John piled it on really thick about him. I was almost embarrassed as I was proud.

• For the Season:
  • .394 batting average (2nd on the team)
  • .482 On base percentage (4/12 on the team)
  • 35 stolen bases (1st on the team)
  • 112 runs scored (1st on the team)
  • No errors

    He went on to say that he thinks that out of all the kids on the team, David has the best shot at a college scholarship because of the above 5 points. He was making it blatantly obvious to me that it's not going to be easy to leave. Plus, I think he was afraid that I would find the Southwest Ohio league, which would mean if he makes it, he loses David for good.

  I don't mean to be second guessing him like this because he is a good coach, and David has benefited under his leadership But based on conversations we've had in the past, I know that he is fully aware of this other league, and he didn't tell me about it when I inquired. What else should I think? Plus, wouldn't he want what's best for David, especially if what he says is true?

    Another reason it will be hard to leave is because of the relationships I've developed over the last 4 years on this team. I've gotten to be good friends with many of the parents and the kids on this team. Plus, I'll be losing my coaches hat for good, unless the let me help out in the new league.

    Of course he has to make the team first, and either way I'm not telling anyone about it until after the tryouts. The way I see it is that David is a big fish in a small pond. He need to learn to compete at a higher level if he does want a shot at any kind of scholarship.

In Other News...

    Tom hit the neighbors car while backing out of the driveway. What really surprised me was when we went to tell them about it, they were dumbfounded that we would even tell them, and that when ever they back into other peoples cars they don't tell.

Hmmmm...

    Tom is a talented writer. I wish I knew of some way I could help him get into some type of writers community. He journals, but privately. He writes on epinions.com, but doesn't like to disclose to anyone.

    Katie is grounded.

Rick