Break Between Seasons

When we took the leap of faith and decided to let Lance play for the National travel ball team "The Canes" this summer we hoped it would further his skills and get him the recognition he needs to further his career as a baseball player.  We had no idea how the world would change and how critical this choice would later prove to be.

Like his "Undefeated" Spring Highschool season.  Summer didn't go quite as planned but it did go well.  Though we dreaded all the travel with Lance being placed on the Capital 2022 team (based out of DC area) when we first heard about his Cane's placement, that too was a blessing as it was much easier to play baseball in Virginia this summer than in North Carolina (go figure).  The team he landed on was full of great kids that latched onto Lance right away and coaches of strong moral character.  Lance was quickly recognized as a player of notice and put in the 4 spot, his coach also quickly realized his skill was in catching not pitching (clerical error on his info sheet).  

Each tournament Lance's skills improved and by the fourth tournament at Liberty University he was on fire and his team and dad were not the only ones to notice.  As Chris was telling me about an incredible double Lance had just hit he quickly changed modes to tell me it had be recorded and tweeted by someone in Canes watching the game.  That tweet can be seen on his account @LanceTheTurtle and four more doubles that weekend.  He also threw a guy out so accurately at second that even the umpire yelled "and he threw that FROM HIS KNEES"!  It was huge step forward toward achieving his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player.  As a bonus the team placed second in the tournament.

With the world so uncertain still, Spring baseball in question if it will even happen, we decided to have Lance play Fall baseball with the Canes as well.  We did not make this decision lightly as we were all looking forward to a break but we do feel it is wise especially if he ends up not having a a high school season again this year.

This Tuesday was the five hour tryout for the fall teams. Thankfully, they hosted them at a semi-professional stadium only 8 minutes from the house.  Chris and I snuck in to see the end of the tryouts and what warmed my mother's heart was to see how well he was respected and accepted by the other players and not just the ones from his team.  He had pitchers from teams he played against admit to walking him after seeing him hit, and others chose to catch with him during the tryout rather than players on their own teams. He told us afterward that having the Canes jersey on seem to make him part of a fraternity where you are instantly considered "okay" to talk to (the tryout was open to anyone wanting to play for Canes).