Sad mom moment - DS & baseball

Laurantwins said:
I'm posting here on the forum because it's about the only place where people understand the repercussions of all of the high school decisions when your DS wants to apply to a SA.

Here's my story:
Twin DS boys, high school freshman, both want to serve as military officers and are strong STEM students. DS1 working toward USMA. DS2 working toward USNA. Both are honors students, athletes, student council.

DS1 loves baseball - it's his #1 sport - tryouts were today - he made it.

DS2 loves baseball - but is not as strong of a player. He is a runner - ran varsity cross country, only freshman to earn a varsity letter, and selected All District cross country - he did NOT make baseball.

I'm having one of those moments where I'm just really sad for him. I can tell he's worried because he knows the importance of team sports to USNA (we went to an application forum last year where they talked about it). He's an awesome runner - but he wants to focus on football/baseball because of the team aspect. Unfortunately, that option (for baseball) is closed to him.

I hurt for him, but he's trying to bounce back. He said that he's going to talk to the coach and Monday and say that he's going to improve his skills and try out next year, that he still would like to be a part of the team (to support DS1 & teammates) and ask if he could be Team Manager.

My questions: Should he put this behind him and throw everything he's got into the upcoming track season instead?

Should he run track, but still try managing the baseball team, to show his dedication, work on his skills, and tryout again next year?

17 boys tried out, and the 8 freshmen who made JV are year- round select baseball players (DS1 is one of these). DS2 doesn't play Fall baseball, because it interferes with cross country. He is worried that cross country wouldn't make him as strong of a candidate for USNA as baseball would - but baseball is no longer an option for him this year. :(

Frustrated, sad, and overwhelmed that what happens so early in high school can impact how strong a candidate a student is as a senior. Argh.
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@Laurantwins
I completely feel your pain and wanted to give you my version of the same thing. Freshman year my twin boys both tried out for high school baseball. They have played since they were 3 years old AND all of their friends had played with them through the years. We had just returned from World Series Tournament that summer, so both were ready for tryouts. Same situation, DS1 is just a natural, no effort, star on the field. DS2 worked just as hard but baseball did not come as easy for him. ALL of the friends PLUS DS1 made the team, DS2 DID NOT! Talk about a devastated MOM. I cried for hours. DS2 bounced back and counselor suggested he sign up for high school Theatre....BEST decision EVER!!! DS1 went on to play all 4 years high school football and baseball and is now candidate for USMMA, USNA and USAFA. DS2 went on to play leading roles in every high school production and received academic scholarships AND theater scholarships at top university in our state (War Eagle...hahaha!) He was even offered spot at top NYC Acting School but turned it down for 4 year university. As I type he is in the middle of rehearsals for college Spring production where he has 2nd leading role (beat out many upper classman). My point in this is to say - sometimes the pain is tough to endure as a parent, but they will find their way. When one door closes, let them RUN through the door that opens up.........best wishes to you and your boys!!!! *PS- I know this is off topic from your question about SA sports, but I feel your pain as a mom and wanted to make you feel better....:0)
 
Thank you jmtta03! I love the story of your boys and it makes me feel so much better. I wrote "when one door closes, let them RUN through the door that opens" in my calendar - wise words that I will take to heart.
 
What? Twin DSs you have the best of both worlds! Have them switch places every other week, his/their coach will never know the difference.

I had a girl friend who had a twin sister and they tried to switch places before dates all the time with me. This was the one time in my life I played dumb. What? We were young and had fun!

C'mon don't judge me!

Push Hard, Press Forward;p
 
Ok, I haven't jumped on here in ages, but this raised a topic that I try to pass along re sports and USNA. DD first expressed interest in a Service Academy in January of her high school freshman year. She turned out to be a First Team All-State soccer player by her senior year. So she was an athlete who was interested in USNA. During one summer early in high school, she attended the soccer camp put on by USNA and their women's soccer coach. One of her/our best moves. Got to spend time at the Academy. Learned that she was not going to be a high level D1 soccer player and that soccer in and of itself was not going to get her to the Academy. Readjusted focus and concentrated on priorities. Graduated USNA in 2013 and now USMC. Also, by the way, played rugby while at USNA. My point is, if you've got a kid in early high school who is an athlete and is interested in USNA, I highly highly recommend that you/he/she look into them attending a camp at the Academy. There is tons of good that can come of it.
 
2013MidDad said:
Ok, I haven't jumped on here in ages, but this raised a topic that I try to pass along re sports and USNA. DD first expressed interest in a Service Academy in January of her high school freshman year. She turned out to be a First Team All-State soccer player by her senior year. So she was an athlete who was interested in USNA. During one summer early in high school, she attended the soccer camp put on by USNA and their women's soccer coach. One of her/our best moves. Got to spend time at the Academy. Learned that she was not going to be a high level D1 soccer player and that soccer in and of itself was not going to get her to the Academy. Readjusted focus and concentrated on priorities. Graduated USNA in 2013 and now USMC. Also, by the way, played rugby while at USNA. My point is, if you've got a kid in early high school who is an athlete and is interested in USNA, I highly highly recommend that you/he/she look into them attending a camp at the Academy. There is tons of good that can come of it.
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WELL SAID! One of my son's teammates was recruited to row at USNA and received an appointment very early on with a presidential but not my DS. My son attended USNA crew camp and loved it! He learned so much, skills, workouts, and how to get recruited. BUT the #1 thing he learned was that he wasn't recruitment material for USNA. This was not expressed explicitly but he could see it. But, that doesn't mean that he can't row for USNA but it won't be what gets him in. (I'm glad!) He has been working so hard (physically and mentally) to maintain his spot in the 1V8 for the Spring season, but not at the expense of his school work. I can't remember if his essay to USNA was something like - "going from average to AP" or "the journey from Novice to Varsity" but either way, the ups and downs have been incredibly transformative! The growth and maturity have been impressive. I might be dating myself here but 80's movie? Better Off Dead, "If something gets in your way, TURN!" Best wishes to all
 
My daughter went to a summer camp for soccer at USMA. She emailed the coach and never got a response. Decided not to play competitive soccer her senior year thinking to concentrate on grades to try to get in. When she got her nomination she emailed the coach to say she would try to walk on the team if she received a appointment. A week later she heard from the coach that she wanted her on the team!! My point is to go to camps and even if they do not express interest keep emailing them. Then when you get your nomination they might help with the admissions process. My daughter was shocked when the coach called her. Never give up!!!!
 
I am a mom of twin boys as well, they are seniors. I could write a book about watching one excel and one not at various times. Funny thing happens though, that whole door slamming shut and God opening a window thing, really is true, you just can't control which window it will be. My son was cut from baseball and threw himself into his drumline (which he loved) and is now on really amazing competitive drumline and he is so happy. He probably would have hung onto sports if he had barely made that Freshman team. He is boarded for AROTC and is planning on ROTC with or without a scholarship. His twin received the 4-year offer in AROTC (no athletics on his resume at the Varsity level but went to Boys State and SLE at USMA, make sure they apply for those programs!) and declined it, shocked us all. You can steer them this way or that, worry about this sport or that sport but in the end, just enjoy their next few years, they FLY BY! They'll both end up where they're supposed to be.
 
5 days later and the dust has settled ... and I can see now that it's going to be okay. I'm thinking that it's going to be good for both boys to have different activities & different interests - instead of one being in the other's shadow. I hadn't thought about the sports camps! I've looked at them online, found that all the SA's have camps for Cross Country as well as baseball, and realized that it might be great for my boys to go to different camps - maybe even at different academies!
 
Late to the party here, but just to let you know, DS has a friend who was recruited to USNA and USMA for XC and track. I'll echo everyone else, if that is where he excels then go with it! Plus it IS a team sport, they get team points and in track season there are shorter distance relay teams. Sounds like he found his thing. USNA also has a marathon team and a triathlon team. I do not have twins but I have two boys and they both had their own interests. With DS2 getting a little more 'recognition' and success than DS1, DS1 has been very proud of little bro and welcomes the mid-sib title (DS2 is Class of 2020 USNA).
 
Mom of twins here, and oh! can I relate.

Glad to know things have settled some. If you have questions about twins at service academies or twins who are now 26 years old and parents themselves !!!!!!!!!!!!!, just ask.
 
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