Sgt Grit Marine Forums

I posted awhile back that my 14-year old boy, Geoff, was a freshman starting shortstop on his HS varsity team. I just had to share this photo of him that was in yesterday's Tampa Tribune.

He made the catch but his coach signaled him not to make the throw to 1st because the runner was almost at the bag.    

My youngest son, Chris, 11, who has been struggling a bit at the plate on his major Little League team, went 3 for 3 this morning with 1 RBI.

Our oldest boy, Trevor, 17, is our football player...but this is his second year umpiring Little League games...and he makes $40 a pop in cash for each game.

Looks like he is really giving his all.  Cudos  SF Ed

 GREAT PHOTO! He's a chip off the old block all right! Heck, they all are!

Great pic Al, looks like a young Cal Ripken.

Sounds like all your sons are good athletes and good young men too.

Great Shot!!!  Keeping our kids in stuff like this will keep them from runnin' with the wrong crowd.  Good job Al. 

I hope yall will forgive the parental chest-puffing. I never was much of a success at anything after leaving the Corps. I was good at raising hell, getting fired, fighting, drinking, smoking took fin and skirt-chasing, but never made much good of myself. I've tried to raise my boys as I would have liked to have been raised. So far they are showing me in a good light. Their mother is the main reason for it, but I'll take some credit, too. So far so good. Maybe one of them will become a Marine officer someday...

Big Al:

I hope yall will forgive the parental chest-puffing. I never was much of a success at anything after leaving the Corps. I was good at raising hell, getting fired, fighting, drinking, smoking took fin and skirt-chasing, but never made much good of myself. I've tried to raise my boys as I would have liked to have been raised. So far they are showing me in a good light. Their mother is the main reason for it, but I'll take some credit, too. So far so good. Maybe one of them will become a Marine officer someday...

You deserve to be proud of your kids.  You done good bro.

Al, as a father of four adults, I think you are a great dad. It shows in what your guys are doing. That is an incredible shot by the way. The photographer really nailed it. I just wish baseball was all year round.

Big Al:

I hope yall will forgive the parental chest-puffing. I never was much of a success at anything after leaving the Corps. I was good at raising hell, getting fired, fighting, drinking, smoking took fin and skirt-chasing, but never made much good of myself. I've tried to raise my boys as I would have liked to have been raised. So far they are showing me in a good light. Their mother is the main reason for it, but I'll take some credit, too. So far so good. Maybe one of them will become a Marine officer someday...

Al, you never found your niche in life until you got married and had those boys. And your calling in life was to be a great Dad and raise them right and I'd say you have achieved greatness in that respect.

Semper Fidelis,
  Chris

I second that emotion. You're a good man Ryan!!

Al....It's really tough raising kids today with all the nasty stuff available to them. I know. My youngest started making bad decisions in high school. No drugs or alcohol thank the Lord, but bad choices. For awhile we didn't know whether he would go to college or jail. Turned out neither. Today he is a Corporal, 2nd CEB. He left Saturday on his second deployment with 1/9. He was so bad that when he was 17 and he wanted to join the Corps, I told him no, I wouldn't inflict him on our Corps. So, you never know. We do the best we can and pray. We both done good. Semper Fi Dad.

He's got his eye on theball alright!  Good job, ole man.

Nice pic, Al. You got some athletic kids for sure.  When I first saw that pic I thought he must have learned that move from you - watching you go after the last beer! Seriously, you have every right to be proud and know you have done a lot of things right.

Outstanding photo, Al.  You have every right to be proud. 

 Geez, I never talk about my kids here..... lol

Especially my  grandkids (btw, I am in California right now with the twins (they will be 3 soon) and thier new little brother... 

Al, sorry we missed a get together next week -  

Great picture! Sounds like you have a whole clan of future sports stars! Hope all of them keep givign 'em hell! 

Aw shucks, you guys, thanks. I've got a cold one in the fridge I'll hoist in yalls direction later this afternoon.

That looks like it musta been some catch!

Great job.