Quitting baseball?

[thinblueline]

I have played baseball since I was 7 years old. My family is big on baseball/softball. My sister got a scholarship to a division 1 school just for her softball skills, which of course made EVERYONE very proud, especially my father. All my friends know me for playing baseball, as well as family friends. But lately I have just felt... like I don't want to play anymore. I am completely over it. How am I going to do this? I've played for my high school team since freshmen year, and I am now a Junior. I know my dad will be disappointed and I am afraid of what he will think..of what people will think. Please help :(

[deadpie]

I have played baseball since I was 7 years old. My family is big on baseball/softball. My sister got a scholarship to a division 1 school just for her softball skills, which of course made EVERYONE very proud, especially my father. All my friends know me for playing baseball, as well as family friends. But lately I have just felt... like I don't want to play anymore. I am completely over it. How am I going to do this? I've played for my high school team since freshmen year, and I am now a Junior. I know my dad will be disappointed and I am afraid of what he will think..of what people will think. Please help :(

If you're burnt out and wanting to quit that's understandable, but you have to also know that quitting or even taking a break typically ends up being permanent. I quit playing baseball after middle school, wanting to take one year off, but then it was too late for me, but that's for different reasons and this is your advice, so i'm not going to dig into my personal life.

Not a bad thing to want to do something else. I think it's very important to look into different fields, really try to find other things that could work. But you should really try sticking to baseball. Trust me, walking away from something you've had since you were a kid is something you want to hold onto. Baseball was the only happy thing about my "upbringing". Oh fuck, I'm talking about myself again. Sorry.

My opinion is you should try to keep going, but also at the same time look for what you actually want to do also other than baseball. You have to know that if you switch it'll work. If you do switch, that's not a bad thing, just make sure to hold onto that stuff.

Now telling your parents about it, that can be difficult. I'd say do it way before you actually decide to switch stuff if you do, or at least talk the idea over in the middle of a conversation. It's better though, to not keep tugging on the idea in conversations and to just spill it all out and get it over with. It can be overwhelming, so don't bring it up in a heated discussion. Bring it up when you're relaxed with your parents and they look like they can talk.

I'm sure you'll still have all your friends that you've met from the sports and stuff. Don't worry about that too much.

Just play smart.

Sorry if this advice is jaggad and crazy. I'm writing this under a really manic mood. :p

[thinblueline]

If you're burnt out and wanting to quit that's understandable, but you have to also know that quitting or even taking a break typically ends up being permanent. I quit playing baseball after middle school, wanting to take one year off, but then it was too late for me, but that's for different reasons and this is your advice, so i'm not going to dig into my personal life.

Not a bad thing to want to do something else. I think it's very important to look into different fields, really try to find other things that could work. But you should really try sticking to baseball. Trust me, walking away from something you've had since you were a kid is something you want to hold onto. Baseball was the only happy thing about my "upbringing". Oh fuck, I'm talking about myself again. Sorry.

My opinion is you should try to keep going, but also at the same time look for what you actually want to do also other than baseball. You have to know that if you switch it'll work. If you do switch, that's not a bad thing, just make sure to hold onto that stuff.

Now telling your parents about it, that can be difficult. I'd say do it way before you actually decide to switch stuff if you do, or at least talk the idea over in the middle of a conversation. It's better though, to not keep tugging on the idea in conversations and to just spill it all out and get it over with. It can be overwhelming, so don't bring it up in a heated discussion. Bring it up when you're relaxed with your parents and they look like they can talk.

I'm sure you'll still have all your friends that you've met from the sports and stuff. Don't worry about that too much.

Just play smart.

Sorry if this advice is jaggad and crazy. I'm writing this under a really manic mood. :p

Great advice :) I should clarify though. I have been wanting to quit for years now, not just take a break. Like I have no wanting to play the sport whatsoever at all. And yes, maybe I will go to track since I can run fast (5:12 mile). The only problem I see is my asthma (just so happens that after those 5:12 miles, I practically fall to the ground gasping for air for 15 minutes). I would stay in shape though by going to the gym. I am also a police explorer, which takes up a lot of my time.

[LGCALI]

Great advice :) I should clarify though. I have been wanting to quit for years now, not just take a break. Like I have no wanting to play the sport whatsoever at all. And yes, maybe I will go to track since I can run fast (5:12 mile). The only problem I see is my asthma (just so happens that after those 5:12 miles, I practically fall to the ground gasping for air for 15 minutes). I would stay in shape though by going to the gym. I am also a police explorer, which takes up a lot of my time.

Hey dude, sorry to hear you're having issues with playin ball, but I don't think you've mentioned the real reasons why you've been wanting to quit.

What happened?

Regarding your desire to pursue track, even though you have asthma: Do this with due caution. The 'gasping for air for 15 min' sounds a lot like an asthma attack. Since you know you're asthmatic, you know you should get a thorough consult with a doctor before switching to a level of physical exertion that has the potential to trigger these attacks.

Best of luck with whatever you decide, but sure would like know why you wanna quit something you've been involved with for so long.

And finally, I admire your contribution as a Police Explorer.

[thinblueline]

Hey dude, sorry to hear you're having issues with playin ball, but I don't think you've mentioned the real reasons why you've been wanting to quit.

What happened?

Regarding your desire to pursue track, even though you have asthma: Do this with due caution. The 'gasping for air for 15 min' sounds a lot like an asthma attack. Since you know you're asthmatic, you know you should get a thorough consult with a doctor before switching to a level of physical exertion that has the potential to trigger these attacks.

Best of luck with whatever you decide, but sure would like know why you wanna quit something you've been involved with for so long.

And finally, I admire your contribution as a Police Explorer.

Honestly, for the past.. i would say 5 years, I haven't wanted to play at all. The only reason i played all these years is because I wanted to make my father happy. He has pushed me and honestly it pisses me off I didn't say something earlier.. And keep in mind I am not wanting to be lazy. I am not lazy. I am a 4.0 AP/Honors student, valedictorian candidate for my school.

and when I say "gasping", I mean I have a hard time breathing. And I have to take asthma medication twice a day. I've had to since the 5th grade. I don't really need advice on whether or not I should join track. I just need help on this baseball thing. And thank you, I absolutely love being a Police Explorer.

[LGCALI]

Honestly, for the past.. i would say 5 years, I haven't wanted to play at all. The only reason i played all these years is because I wanted to make my father happy. He has pushed me and honestly it pisses me off I didn't say something earlier.. And keep in mind I am not wanting to be lazy. I am not lazy. I am a 4.0 AP/Honors student, valedictorian candidate for my school.

and when I say "gasping", I mean I have a hard time breathing. And I have to take asthma medication twice a day. I've had to since the 5th grade. I don't really need advice on whether or not I should join track. I just need help on this baseball thing. And thank you, I absolutely love being a Police Explorer.


I kinda thought pleasing and or disappointing your dad was at least part of your problem, but I didn't want to presume.

I could get into a long attempt to analyze the pros of this, or the cons of that, but the bottom line is you are at an age where you have got to make some of your own decisions. You have to pursue YOUR goals not someone else's, even your dad, a person you obviously care enough about to not want to disappoint.

I can't speak for your father, but I'll speculate that whatever disappointment he may have because of you quitting, is far outweighed by your successes in, and out of, the classroom.

He may have all kinds of reasons for 'pushing' you in baseball, but, assuming that he has pushed, encouraged, or tried to motivate you in these other areas too, that means he loves you and has high expectations for you as a student-athlete.

If I were you, I would sit down with dad and tell him exactly how you feel. You are going to be a Senior next year, it's time to show your dad that you're growing into the young man he was hoping for. One that respects those who have encouraged, even pushed, him...but also one that has to be honest with those same people, even at the risk of disappointing them.

All the best!!!

PS. If you're gonna get into Law Enforcement, you might as well start practicing how to tell people stuff that they may not wanna hear. Believe me, you have to do that a lot as a cop. A LOT!!!

[thinblueline]

I kinda thought pleasing and or disappointing your dad was at least part of your problem, but I didn't want to presume.

I could get into a long attempt to analyze the pros of this, or the cons of that, but the bottom line is you are at an age where you have got to make some of your own decisions. You have to pursue YOUR goals not someone else's, even your dad, a person you obviously care enough about to not want to disappoint.

I can't speak for your father, but I'll speculate that whatever disappointment he may have because of you quitting, is far outweighed by your successes in, and out of, the classroom.

He may have all kinds of reasons for 'pushing' you in baseball, but, assuming that he has pushed, encouraged, or tried to motivate you in these other areas too, that means he loves you and has high expectations for you as a student-athlete.

If I were you, I would sit down with dad and tell him exactly how you feel. You are going to be a Senior next year, it's time to show your dad that you're growing into the young man he was hoping for. One that respects those who have encouraged, even pushed, him...but also one that has to be honest with those same people, even at the risk of disappointing them.

All the best!!!
I smiled while reading this because I realize this is true. Thank you.

[LGCALI]

I smiled while reading this because I realize this is true. Thank you.


Anytime Cadet!!

[SwimRunSleep]

Join Swim team xD it's hard but lots of fun! I've been swimming for 9 years now and I'm not tired of it at all.

Plus my parents have never pushed me into "YOU HAVE TOO SWIM" I just did it. I've found most Swimmers HATE Swimming because their parents force them into it and make them do it.

[WhimsicalFlower]

you should quit if you're really unhappy doing it. there's some things in life where you need to make yourself your priority.

[thinblueline]

you should quit if you're really unhappy doing it. there's some things in life where you need to make yourself your priority.
Very true. I keep chickening out when I get the chance..

Join Swim team xD it's hard but lots of fun! I've been swimming for 9 years now and I'm not tired of it at all.

Plus my parents have never pushed me into "YOU HAVE TOO SWIM" I just did it. I've found most Swimmers HATE Swimming because their parents force them into it and make them do it.
Swim seems like it would be fun, I have a bunch of friends that do it. I will consider it!

[Drew7]

What is it that you don't like about it anymore? What did you used to like about it and what has changed? Those are the questions I'd ask myself before quitting.

[thinblueline]

What is it that you don't like about it anymore? What did you used to like about it and what has changed? Those are the questions I'd ask myself before quitting.

I just don't look forward to it anymore. I find myself bored while playing the sport and I have no motivation to do it anymore. Playing baseball is now, to me, considered the part of the day I least look forward to everyday.

[jockguy14]

Yea dude you need to do what you want to do. Your parents will probably be a lot more accepting than you think. Thats how mine were.

[December]

I think if you're not into anymore then you should quit and see how you feel. Maybe you'll find that you miss it and go back, or maybe you won't. It's your life though and you should do what you think will make you happy because I am sure your parents will still love and support you even if you are not a baseball star.

Also, I've been doing track since 7th grade and I really liked it and I would definitely encourage you to join it. I am probably going to quit it though because my coach is terrible and takes the fun out of it and is awfully mean, so I might row crew instead, and its my senior year and all too. Point is, there are tons of options out there and you shouldn't waste your time doing something that makes you unhappy or let someone else's expectations hold you back. I'm sure your parents will come around. Good luck! :)

[twotall]

well i understand that you really just changed your mind i felt the same way but then i blew out my knee and had to work it back up. so i have to take it easy but i still play paintball but i have to chill after a couple rounds bc it starts to give out every now and then. but i must say i do miss it