Laguna Hills, CA - Being the family of a professional baseball player brings tremendous excitement the days leading up to games. If it’s a text or phone call leading up to another pitching start they are usually brief in nature and reassuring that everything is okay. There are a limited number of families that have the experiences associated with the Double-A or higher level of this great game and the Lamb family is simply one of about 2,250 that currently have the opportunity to physically and emotionally experience game day events of their son, grandson, uncle, cousin or brother. Pretty cool stuff most of the time during these unique journeys of minor league baseball, but one thing is certain, whenever a player reaches Double-A level they are in a very limited environment of professional baseball. There are only 30 Double-A, 30 Triple-A and obviously only 30 Major League Baseball clubs currently in the United States of America. We know where the show is and players throughout the world strive to get on one of these 90 rosters involved in professional baseball here in North America.
The physical demand of being a Dad of a professional baseball prospect is really nothing worth noting. Sure I currently have plenty of issues to discuss regarding my physical limitations due to my injury, disability from work on December, 2009 but I’m likely to get a tongue lashing from one of many attorneys helping me navigate the legal maze with being injured on the job by a large corporate entity in the state of California. Ridiculous is an understatement with the speed of the legal process when dealing with denial of accountability. The weather has more of an impact on my spinal disability than my son John Lamb starting in his 6Th game of the season for his fellow Northwest Arkansas Naturals team in the Texas League. The normal anticipation of another professional start for my son can add to the usual insomnia symptoms while taking my pain relief medicine, but he only throws every 5-7 days, so it is well worth the lack of winks. Special territory for few families to experience and the Lamb’s take every one in stride with gratitude.
The emotional activity is very diverse throughout the family of John Lamb (0-2, 3.22). I spend more time with weather concerns in the Midwest than I do over his baseball starts. I express my feelings about his performances with reserve based on my continued involvement with the Florida Marlins as a scout in the Southern California area. I firmly believe that every Father of a pitcher deals with similar emotions while watching their son’s action during a game and most of it is plain anxiety. The obvious desire to grin is the joy of watching your son control the game from the mound, but the blank stare can be triggered by a tight strike zone to an error recorded following the ball being placed in play off a bat. The game of baseball can be referenced by some as a roller coaster of emotions and those same feelings are just magnified as a proud Dad of a professional baseball player. Strike outs are highs and leaving base runners on base during an exit from the game is definitely one of the low points of a game. Making every attempt to control emotions during a game can be challenging every time my son pitches, but it has gotten much easier over the years and I’m sure will continue to progress with every professional start.
The physical and emotional paths of professional baseball are very personal on many levels during a career. It is much easier to address questions about these experiences rather than provide content rich material for readers. My wife is much more intense than I within the household during John Lamb performances and today she finally gets a chance to listen to the broadcast of the Naturals game against the Tulsa Drillers, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies at 7:00 CT from Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, AR.
A quick pinch of reality can return a smile to my face regarding the opportunity my son has had with the Kansas City Royals organization since his 5Th round draft selection back in 2008 no matter how bad the game may evolve.
A limited number of families will experience professional baseball above the Double-A level and statistically more stories can be shared over failure during their journeys. Everyday my son continues to play the game he loves, I am literally excited knowing that he is still living out his dreams and remain happy with his progress and development.
* Little side note from the last start by John Lamb on May 4th against the Springfield Cardinals affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals organization:
Innings pitched - 6.0 (longest of the season)
Batters faced - 22
First pitch strikes - 13
Total pitches - 81
Strikes thrown - 45
Ground ball outs - 5
Fly ball outs - 9
Pick offs - 0
Stolen bases - 2
Strike outs - 3
Walks - 3
Hit by pitch - 0
Earned runs - 1
Hits - 2
Home runs - 0
Lowered ERA - 3.22
Today will offer another start of my son’s young professional baseball career and no matter how high, or low, the experiences may germinate we realize the limited number of people that get to personally attach themselves to the results of a Texas League game. The Lamb family is raring to go with the 48Th start of the John Lamb professional baseball story. Don’t hesitate to offer comments or ask any questions you might have about our experiences associated with being a family of a professional baseball prospect.
