Our son has gone baseball crazy. He’s not so interested in hitting; it’s pitching that’s grabbed his attention.  Despite my insistence that he just learn to throw a basic overhand throw with good mechanics, he’s totally absorbed in the variety of pitches that pitchers throw.

Lad: What if I make it to the major leagues and can throw a curveball, a fastball, and a slider?
Dad: Then I will come to your games and cheer for you.
Lad: But what if I have a changeup, curveball, and a slider?
Dad: Well, you wouldn’t have a changeup without a fastball. But I’ll still cheer for you.
Lad: But maybe I’ll have a cut fastball AND a split finger fastball and a changeup?
Dad: Hmm, interesting. I’ll be very proud to cheer for you.
Lad: Maybe I’ll have the same pitches that Cole Hamels has? Wouldn’t that be good? He throws a circle-change, doesn’t he, Dad?
Dad: He does. You’re a righty and he’s a lefty, but you’re tall and lean like Hamels. Maybe you will learn to throw a fastball, changeup and curveball someday. But for now, just fastballs!
Lad: But what if I have if I have A KNUCKLEBALL?
Dad: That’ll be fun.
Lad: I think I’m going to throw a knuckleball. I need to see a knuckleball so I can learn how to throw one.