It's a Family Affair: But It's Also All Baseball for Lake Forest Academy Father-Son Team

It might be the No. 1 thing parents complain about in baseball. A coach always picks his own kid and naturally favors him over the other players.

However, at , baseball coach Tom Myers handled the situation well in 2003 and his son, Travis, helped the Scouts to a third-place state finish.

It also seems to be working out at . David Wick has held the top baseball post since 1981. So it's only natural that one day he would see his boys tryout for baseball at LFA.

After 10 games this spring, the Caxys had four wins to report.  On a recent road trip to Kansas City, junior Graham Wick cracked a home run. Yes, that' is coach Wick's oldest son. This Wick plays left field, pitches and bats third for the Caxys.

"It's great coaching my own children,'' David Wick said. "My experiences with Graham on the field have created some of my fondest memories.  As a coach, it's also given me the chance to make sure he's learning the right techniques."

Naturally growing up with a baseball coach in the family, Graham received an baseball education at home.

"I have loved the sport my whole life since I could walk,'' Graham said."But I started playing organized baseball around 9 years old."

Graham doesn't eat and drink baseball all of the time. He plays and at LFA. But he admits baseball is No. 1 in his world.

"My favorite sport is by far baseball,'' Graham said. "It always has been and always will be."

Coach Wick made sure he didn't give his son unfair advantages before making a spot on the team for Graham.

"Graham has had to earn his spot on the team like everybody else,'' coach Wick said. "Fortunately, he's done that. I can't allow myself to play favorites."

The coach's boy comes gifted with a strong throwing arm, which helps him both on the mound and in the outfield.

"Graham has a great arm in the outfield,'' his father said. "And he's thrown out a number of runners trying to advance. He's very fast in the outfield."

His coach and father has some pointers for Graham on the mound.

"His pitching is good,'' he said. "He has good velocity and a curve ball, but he struggles with control issues from time to time. To get better, he needs to hone his control. "

Granted it's still early in the baseball season, but Grant still has a favorite baseball moment in his days at LFA.

"I would say it would have to be the time when I was a sophomore,''  Graham said. "I hit a home run against Westlake Christian which tied the game up in the sixth inning."

His coach is still teaching Graham how to be a better hitter.

"At the plate, he can sometimes be a little too picky,'' Wick said. "And he'll get caught looking at strike three on occasion. But he is our most consistent hitter."

The junior would love to play Division I baseball. But he's realistic, too. If wants to play both baseball in football, Division III might work for him. His athletic resume looks good at LFA as he was named the school's male athlete of the year during his sophomore season. Coach Wick has watched his boy grow up the last two years.

"Over the years he's become a much more refined athlete,'' Dave Wick said. "And there's still a way to go.  That's a good thing."

And the process will repeat itself. Son No. 2, James, is a freshman on varsity this season.

In the meantime, Coach Wick and Graham have to work on posting a winning record.

"This year we have a very good team,'' Graham said. "Our defense is very good. Our pitching staff has depth and we have the offense to go along with it. The things that we need to work on are just consistency at the plate and on the mound."