To the Man Who Made Me Bitter These Past 4 Months

Dear Coach,

I just want to let you know how thrilled I am that baseball season is now officially over. It's equal to the thrill of knowing that YOU are the one who cost the boys their last game. What an ego you must have to not see that we didn't have a strong enough lead. Of course, there's a chance the game could be lost. But, oh no, your ego already had the game won. While I'm glad they ultimately lost, I hate the way they lost. Winning for the entire game until the opposing team's last at bat. When you saw the struggle, you didn't use your manager skills to rearrange things.

But, that's how the whole season has gone, right? You have excellent players and didn't use them to benefit the team. Well, your favorites you did. And, of course, your son. Your son who only wants to catch so he doesn't have to stand up. While you have players who love the game languishing on the bench.

I just have to ask. Why did you want Bear so bad if all you were going to use him for is a bench warmer (& why on earth did you not rotate fairly)? Is it truly a petty revenge thing? Do you truly not see his potential? Or, even though we were losing games, you thought "Why fix what is so obviously broken?" Why, when Bear got his bat working, did you move him to the bottom of the batting rotation?

It kills me to hear my child utter, "I guess coach really does think I'm horrible," when you move players around except for him. Yes, I am thrilled baseball is over. But, I thank you for the life lessons we have been able to teach Bear. Some coaches, for whatever reason, will not like you, we've told him. It's up to YOU on how you react. You can strive to always do your absolute best with what you are given. Or, you can give up. I am so proud of Bear that he did not give up. When he got to play, he always ran out to his position. He didn't walk like he didn't want to be in the outfield He ran. He tried his level best to make each time at bat count for something. He was even willing to sacrifice to bring in a runner. He is a team player.

Yes, you might have tried to kick him down. But, you didn't kick him out. Bear might have lost a year of learning & improving baseball skills, but he didn't lose his love. The year was not a total wash out. He starting consistently batting (thanks to his papa not YOU). He also grabbed the eye of an old coach. For that, I am glad you grabbed Bear for the team. See, she's been watching Bear and she sees his potential & worth. She's going to work with Bear this winter and recruit him next year to the next level.

I hope you got your jollies with Bear this season. You will never have Bear on your team again. That I can promise you.

Doing the Happy Dance that my Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays are my own again,
Bear's Mama