This weekend I attended my youngest son’s first soccer game, and with apologies for the speculation, I think I know how Beckham’s dad must have felt that day back in 1981 when his son first took to the pitch (aka “field” for the uninitiated). Watching history, very literally unrolling before my eyes.

As I watched the game, I kept reminding myself that I needed to be sensitive to the parents of normally-abled kids.  I believe it is out of deference to these kinds of kids that no score is officially kept in pee-wee games (known as U6 to afficianados). This is why I never specifically told Coop that he scored four goals on nine attempts with two assists, I just gave him a rough idea.

Here’s where the real “specialness” comes in.  He scored two goals in his game, and two goals in the game being played on the adjacent field. He was high scorer in two games, simultaneous!  Excuse the proud papa, but like I tell Coop all the time, it’s not trash talk if you back it up.

When I got up from doing my patented “caterpillar” celebration dance, I could tell the other dads were in awe.

The ref, however, frowned on Coop’s dual-field approach.  As I pointed out, the boys warmed up by shooting on the adjacent field during the “practice” half of the hour (I’m thinking of requesting an additional night of practice), and Coop obviously imprinted on that goal.  I know my point was well made because after the game, when I again approached the ref offering photographic evidence, she ducked quickly into her mom’s minivan.

Don’t worry, we’re keeping all things in balance.  Coop has to spend at least as much time practicing with his flash cards as he does dribbling through the cones I set up in the back yard. Sure I’m tough, but I’m confident he’ll get over this whole “I don’t want dad coming to my games anymore” phase before you know it.