A Love For His/Her Son..OR...DUCK!

[sensei8]

Most of us who love the game of baseball know about Rogers Clemens, The Rocket. Trust me, this is a General Martial Arts topic/question.

On February 27, 2006, to train for the World Baseball Classic, Roger pitched in an exhibition game between the Astros and his son's minor league team. In his first at-bat, Koby hit a home run off his father. In his next at-bat, Roger threw an inside pitch that almost hit Koby. Koby laughed in an interview after the game about the incident. I'm only guessing, but, I'd say that Koby was also wiping his brow dry while he was thanking God that his father's pitch didn't actually hit him! WHEW!

Now, this is either love for a son or a lesson for a son or a reminder for a son? Either way, if you're son was one of your students and your son had hit/tagged you during an exhibition tournament or whatever, in front of witnesses, you know, got one on the old man, would you remind him of just exactly who you are?

Kind of on the same line as what Roger probably did with his son!

Well?

[joesteph]

If you're son was one of your students and your son had hit/tagged you during an exhibition tournament or whatever, in front of witnesses, you know, got one on the old man, would you remind him of just exactly who you are?

I have the suspicion that before there was this exhibition tournament, I'd have been sparring with my sons, and they'd have landed some good ones on me before this.

It's in public? What better way to show the world the warrior you trained your son(s) to be? Watch it become a story that Dad goes around telling everybody.

[tonydee]

First, always a pleasure to see your creative questions/scenarios.

Not just a father son thing. If any "junior" is finding the level I set too easy, then they're ready for me to raise it, challenge them more.... It's not an aggressive thing, just a constant up/down tuning to keep providing them value. Like in most things, best motivation is if they feel they're succeeding 2 or 3 times in 10... I do try to limit their success to having forced a good block out of me under pressure, or kept me on the defensive for 2 or 3 moves, without letting them actually get one in on me. Even if they manage to lock me out from hitting them a couple times, that's great too, but there's no point just attacking at a level where they can consistently prevent me penetrating their guard....

Cheers,

Tony

[sensei8]

Just a few questions...

Would you have done what Roger Clemens did?

AND/OR

Was Roger Clemens, in your opinion, correct in his actions?

AND/OR

Was Roger Clemens' actions toward his son just part of baseball?

AND/OR

If we were to have done this to our son/daughter in the setting of the dojo; would've my similar actions that of Roger Clemens been just a part of the martial arts?

NOTE: I'm not condemning nor am I approving the actions of Roger Clemens toward his son, Koby! I'm just using the incident as a model for this thread/topic.

BTW, here's the ESPN/MLB article about the near beanball that Roger delivered to his son Koby...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2346877&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[isshinryu5toforever]

I think that Clemens was and is a competitor. It doesn't matter that Koby hit that in a game. I think Roger would have thrown at him at a father-son game.

As far as right or wrong, that depends a lot on the at-bat itself. Was Koby crowding the plate trying to get another sweet pitch? Was he off the plate and Roger threw it in anyways? Lots of stuff, but I do think it's all part of the game. Especially when Clemens is pitching haha.

As far as what I'd do. I wouldn't do anything malicious, but I think I might let them know the old man still has something in the tank. I'm 23 by the way, I have a long time before I need to worry about this haha.

[bushido_man96]

There are a few ways to look at this....

1. This is the status quo in baseball. You homer off a guy, there is a good chance he may come back high and tight on you, to shake you up a bit. Its all part of the mind game strategy of baseball.

2. As for your first post, would I "teach my son a lesson?" Well, I try to teach him one everyday, but...anyways, in that context, would depend on a few things. A) if he scored a legit point, or got a legit shot on me, then I'd say kudos, and go on with the sparring. I'll get one, too. B) if he scored on me, and then proceded to gloat about it, and talk a bit of smack, or advertise it to those around, then there might be the need for a humbling experience to follow..but this would be the case with any one else I was sparring with, as well.