Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Zach, Grandpa Bear, and Adam in between a double header in which Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, and Uncle Jeremy played a few days ago.

Last week Michael and I attended Adam and Zach's baseball game. It was so much fun to see both of the boys get a good hit, play well in the field, and to observe their good sportsmanship throughout the game. We were impressed by how Andy and his friend coached the team. The boys had been given opportunities throughout the season to play in different positions on the field; and at the end of the game before cheering for themselves, they cheered for and "hand slapped" the other team. All in all, playing baseball appeared to have been a good experience for all of the boys on this team.

Michael who has always been a huge fan of baseball, was particularly impressed. His experiences as a child; as well as a coach for our own children, sometimes left him amazed and confused at the behavior of the adults (namely coaches and parents). We were both happy that we didn't see any of that kind of behavior at this game... after all, these are our grandchildren and we want their experience to be positive.

Being at a baseball game always brings to my memory a story that makes me smile. When Jeremy was about six he played t-ball. The coach used to line the boys up on the grass between 3rd base and home plate. They all sat there in a neatly organized row waiting for their turn up at bat. During one of the games a teammate got out on 3rd base. The boys on the team began to murmer about this "out" as the 6-year-old that caused the "out" had to shamefully walk past his entire team to get to his place in the line. I remember feeling so sorry for him having to walk past all of his peers, knowing that he had let them down. At one point he stopped, and with hands out in pleading desperation proclaimed, "I wasn't there the day they gave the instructions."

I love that story. I love coaches that care more about building a child's confidence than winning a game; parents who realize that all of those children on the field matter, not just their child; and those who show understanding to those who weren't there the day they gave the instructions.

On with the game.