Ok, Candy has posted a bit about it. But you know what? I'm kinda angry. We signed up Jamie for Basketball, and he LOVES it, truly he does. Problem? Jamie is not the most "athletically inclined" person in the world. Heck, I am actually kinda proud at that cuz he takes after ME in that regard. He truly loves the practices, and enjoys the games. But there is the problem: In the last 3 weeks we've had TWO practices. All the rest got cancelled. You try telling your 5 year old that his coach can't come because he has to work. Its bad enough when I have to explain that *I* have to work sometimes.
So, here is the problem: No practice, he doesn't get better. He doesn't get better, he sits on the bench. And he sits on the bench a LOT. This last game, they were an hour behind. Of course, we didn't find out till we actually GOT there. So we went and did some "make work" errands. We came back when it was time for his game.
I love cheering him on. He really looks a little goofy out there when he's running. About this I would I guess. Cassie even has little pom-pom's to cheer him with. So we waited for him to hit the court.... and waited.... and waited..... Half-time hit and guess what? We were still WAITING!
Finally in the 3rd quarter Jamie hit the court. He did one play, and got pulled out. 4th quarter same thing. He was in the game for a grand total of 3 minutes out of the hour we sat there. Luckily, he's 5 and doesn't realize that he was only in for 3 minutes. UNFORTUNATELY, I'm a Dad...and I do.
The sins of the father......
When I was a kid I was ALWAYS the last one picked for any team. Even the blind kid was picked before me, seriously. I was that bad. I don't want my kids to ever go through that. That was part of the reason to get him involved with sport now. Hopefully get him through the "shy period" that he seems to be in.
.....visited upon the son.
And so Jamie and I have made a pact. He wants to continue with Basketball, so I'm going to share my "vast knowledge" of the sport with him. One hour a day, rain or shine, we'll get that ball out. Even if we have to do "Bounce Passing" in the kitchen. We just finished our second "practice session". Last night, he finally learned to dribble. Today, he finally go so he could through the ball as high as the net. This makes me ask myself, how good would he have done in the game last saturday if his practices had not been cancelled. The only way to learn is to practice, and the best way to practice is to play the game. If our team isn't going to practice, give Jamie equal court time. Even if it means losing (Which is what we do anyways, but who cares?)
Who know? Maybe someday Jamie will be the best 5'9" basketball player in the world. But I don't care, I just want him to have fun and get his chance like everyone else.
