Happy Father’s Day

A little of this and a little of that heading into Father’s Day weekend, certainly not as significant as Mother’s Day but a notch above Grandparents Day. 

Seriously, I’m looking forward to it because my children will be home together for the first time since Christmas.  We’re planning to spend tomorrow on the beach and then go out to dinner, a rarity that’s getting harder and harder to arrange as they get older.

The Father’s Day I will always remember was one filled with disappointment for my then 12-year old son Brandon.  On that Sunday his Beachwood-Pine Beach Little League team was playing in the third and deciding game of the league championship series.  With no other options his coach had Brandon pitch and he did as well as could have been expected plus had a couple of big hits but his team lost a close game and the championship.

That was nothing compared to the disappointment that would follow when he learned his was not selected to the 12-year old All-Star team.  Afterwards we had a Father’s Day barbeque at our house and Brandon did not want to leave his room although I think the smell of hamburgers got to him eventually.

In all honesty the pain of not making the All-Stars faded faster for him then it did for me and I let a few people know how I felt later.  It also was a story that I’ve used since because success is not defined in being an All-Star at 12 but rather later on.  Both my children have given me and Jane a lot to be proud of.

Being a Mets fan I know what it’s like to suffer and watching the current team is cruel and unusual punishment.  As years ago by the 1986 World Series championship team becomes even more special and one of the key members of that team will be in Ocean County Saturday.  Pitcher Sid Fernandez will appear during a meet and greet autograph signing at the Forked River House tomorrow night between 6-8pm and for $20 “El Sid” will sign any item.

Met fans remember the lefty for wearing #50 in honor of his home state of Hawaii being the 50^th state.

Last night’s Shore Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Classic at FirstEnergy Park was postponed and has been re-scheduled until next Thursday (June 20) in Lakewood.  There will still be a home run derby before the game that will include Toms River South’s Russell Messler and Joe Sadler of Holmdel, who will also take part in Monday’s Celebrity Hitting Challenge at the home of the BlueClaws.