I haven't posted since Ray's surgery because it has been rather uneventful. Ray had his follow-up with Dr. Smith on June 21, and the doctor was very hopeful of complete recovery. We reviewed the surgical procedure on film and how the sutures were placed to re-form the posterior "bumper" - Dr. Smith was quite proud of his work, which made me happy.
Regarding the recovery so far, it's been a little too easy. Ray had pretty strict orders to wear the sling 24 x 7 - it was to be removed every hour to do "pendulum" exercises. Ray was unable to sleep in the sling and ditched it pretty early on at night. He made it maybe a couple weeks wearing it steady and then gave it up despite my admonishments. He has not been in any pain (which ironically is part of the problem) and while he isn't moving it in any drastic directions, he is moving it more than recommended. I gave up harping on him. Tomorrow he starts physical therapy and I'm sure the therapist will be a little surprised by his current mobility.
The biggest event this week was with Northwest Florida State College. Mizzou rescinded Ray's scholarship offer earlier this year because they had too many guys on the roster and not enough scholarship money (impact of new Covid rules). They still wanted him, but no scholarship money - and we took a hard pass on that. We emailed the top 10 junior colleges (Iowa Western, San Jac, Northwest Florida State (NWFS), and I can't remember the rest now) and several replied with interest. Iowa Western was ranked number one and they made Ray a great offer. But if he was taking the JUCO route, he wanted to go somewhere warm which meant south. So we visited NWFS and were wow'd by their facilities, coaches, and overall regimen. We were super excited and Ray committed to them on that trip.
Then, yesterday, Coach Martin called us and said he didn't think Ray should show up this year because he wouldn't be 100%. I really like Coach Martin, I had researched him prior to emailing them - I just wish I would have called him instead of the assistant coach when we knew Ray needed surgery. The assistant coach had said all would be well, that Ray was just going to have to work extra hard (I had even asked him about PT and rehab, because Ray would still need it down there). Coach Martin said it was a tough call to make but with a two-year program he has to have guys 100% ready by the season - and that was not going to be the case with Ray. Ray won't return to throwing until November, and the juco season starts in February. Their program is military like, I was so impressed. I understood, I just wish the message would have been delivered before I signed a lease and paid a deposit! Coach Martin helped resolve that, so all is well, but Ray is no longer Florida bound. Coach Martin also said he'd love to have Ray next year if all goes well.
I hung up from Coach Martin wondering what the hell I was going to do with this kid for a year - and texted Coach Bieser at Mizzou. The text said something along the lines that Ray had a posterior, not SLAP, lubrum repair by Dr. Smith (who happens to be the Mizzou ortho doc). The prognosis is good, but Ray won't be ready by spring. I asked Coach Bieser if there were any opportunities at Mizzou for Ray to stay mentally and physically engaged in baseball to the level he's capable, and not lose a year of eligibility - and Coach Bieser replied asking if he could call me. He called a little later and said he had always planned on getting Ray back, his roster was just too packed this year - and yes, he will get Ray good rehab at Mizzou and get him all the attention he can while maintaining his eligibility. It was a good call and I really appreciated it! The Mizzou baseball program has been struggling but they hired a new pitching coach that comes highly regarded, so that bodes well for them. (https://mutigers.com/news/2021/6/10/baseball-mizzou-hires-brian-delunas-to-guide-pitching-staff.aspx)
So the new plan is for Ray to go to Mizzou, participate in their program to the extent of not using any eligibility - and Coach Bieser and I agreed that by the end of next spring we should know Ray's level of recovery and we will all re-evaluate the situation then. That's not the way I wanted Ray to get a little more time (he's still 17), but at least he has options still and is getting the extra year. Ray can go back to Florida if the juco route is still the right thing to do, or by then - if he does fully recover - maybe there will be other options on the table. Only time will tell! I'm really proud of how Ray is handling all this - he keeps getting knocked down and the kid really doesn't deserve it. He stays positive for the most part and is ready to get to work!
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