Last summer while visiting the grandkids, I got the opportunity to watch my grandson Max play some baseball and attend my granddaughter Molly’s annual dance recital. While I was watching Max play ball, which I love to do, it reminded me of when I spent countless years watching his Uncle Craig play little league ball.

I know exactly what my daughter goes through, because I have been there. It’s a lot of time and all you want is for them to do good, have fun and feel good about how they played. And of course, you want them to win every game. My daughter, Loni, has an added level of stress, Max plays in a competitive travel league. AND ITS BIG BUSINESS.

Max and his Uncle Craig have some similar traits, that I see especially when I watch Max play baseball. It’s crazy when you think about how ingrained some genetics are. Max and his Uncle Craig live 400 miles apart and don’t get to see each other very much, so when I see the similarities, you know its genetics. Both are very serious about the game, are hard on themselves when they think they have messed up, overthink things and are exceptional athletes. One of Craig’s favorite things to do was to steal bases. He was fast and his coaches took advantage of that. Max also loves to steal bases and he’s fast too. When I watch Max steal a base, it’s almost like reliving my time as a baseball mom.

So last summer when I was in Arkansas watching Max, it got me to thinking. I know Max is a typical 12-year-old boy and can be very cooperative or argumentative. He likes to procrastinate at home and he’s not quick to follow his parents’ instructions, most of the time. Again, typical pre-teen. It got me to wondering, how does Max respond to his coaches when they give him directions? What better way to find out than to interview him? So, I sat him down in the dining room following one of his games and did just that.

THE INTERVIEW

• Mimi: When you are standing on home plate waiting for the ball to come, what does through your mind?
• Max: I’m mainly thinking if it’s a fast pitcher, I aim for right center. A slower pitcher, I aim for dead center.
• Mimi: You have enough control to put the ball where you want to?
• Max: Yes.
• Mimi: When you are standing on home plate waiting for the pitch, I notice that there is a coach on third base giving you signs. Is he telling you what to do?
• Max: Yea.
• Mimi: So how does that mess with you? What if you get up there and know this is a fast pitcher and you want to hit to right center and he tells you to bunt? What do you do?
• Max: I bunt.
• Mimi: When you are on base and you are stealing, are you listening to a coach to tell you when to go or are you just going on your own?
• Max: He gives me the sign and I go.
• Mimi: When you are standing out there in the outfield, I know it can get very boring sometimes. When that big fly ball comes right for you, what’s going through your mind?
• Max: Step back, turn my shoulders and run backwards.
• Mimi: So, you have a plan?
• Max: Yes.
• Mimi: What happens if it is coming between you and the guy over in left field?
• Max: I’ll call off the left fielder if it’s closer to me, but if it’s closer to him, he will call me off.
• Mimi: What do you think the hardest position to play is?
• Max: Definitely catcher, especially wearing the gear all day in the heat of the summer.
• Mimi: What would be the best position to have?
• Max: Whatever position you are good at is the one that is the best position.
• Mimi: What is your favorite thing about playing?
• Max: Having fun with all my friends
• Mimi: And the worst thing?
• Max: Having to get up at 8:30 in the morning.

MY TAKE AWAYS?

To my surprise and delight, Max showed me that he is a very mature young man with a great head on his shoulders. He understands teamwork and follows the directions of his coaches. They have taught him the basic skills of the game and he follows them when told. He has confidence in his game. There was no sign of him second-guessing anything

I was thrilled to hear that his favorite part about playing is having fun with his friends. Not shocking was that he didn’t want to get up at 8:30 to have to go play. I know he has had to get up much earlier than that when they travel but he’s probably still in a fog and doesn’t remember that.

I will travel back to Arkansas this summer to watch Max play again, but this time, I know his game plan and that he’s got it. Who knows, I might need a follow-up interview with the future major league baseball player.