Play Ball

I've a had a life long love affair with baseball. Really, I have. From the first time I picked up a ball and glove I've been enamored with the intricacies of the game. Well, maybe it was later in life that I became aware of the "game within the game"; prior to that it was simply trying to master the art of throwing, catching, and hitting. To the casual observer, baseball can seem to be nothing more than that, throwing, catching, and hitting. But, to the student of the game it's much more.

At the tender age of nine, boys in our small town became eligible to sign-up for Little League Baseball, and it was a much anticipated rite of passage for most. I can still remember showing up at that dusty field on a Saturday morning for try-outs and team assignments. In the sandlot games in my neighborhood I could hold my own, but this was kids from all over town, and I was petrified that I would be an embarrassment, not only to myself, but to anyone who happened to be watching. As it turned out, it was an uneventful morning, we fielded a few ground balls and pop-ups, took a turn at hitting, and threw a few pitches, all without too much damage to my fragile ego.

My dream was to be a member of the illustrious team sponsored by Hall's Sports Shop, and my prayers were answered when the team assignments were announced. Our team was blessed with not only nice equipment, but with wonderful Dads, who did double duty as coaches. Little League coaches have a unique opportunity to make a huge impact on young, impressionable kids and can be the difference between creating a life long love of the game, or turning the experience into something entirely different. My own little league days were filled with wonderful experiences and great memories, and I've always tried to remember to "pass it forward".

I coached my first baseball team when I was only fifteen years old....too young to do it the justice that the game, and the kids, deserved, but I learned from the experience. While in college I umpired little league games for a league that included a team from the Boys Home, a facility for underprivileged and "difficult" boys. Again, I learned from the experience, and tried to be a positive influence to a few boys who needed a break. It was both rewarding and heartbreaking.

Some of the most treasured baseball memories I have, however, occurred while coaching and teaching the game to kids several years later. There's nothing as rewarding as watching the progression of the basic skills, throwing, catching, and hitting, especially when a youngster is not blessed with the natural physical ability. Ryan was just such a kid, a little chubby, slow afoot, terrified of the ball, but with a smile that could out-shine the lights . A coaches challenge to be sure.

Slowly but surely we made progress, but Ryan had yet to get a base hit, or to catch a ball in a ballgame. He was a trooper though and kept that smile through all of his trials. One night, playing right field, Ryan had his opportunity.

"It's a high fly ball to right field, Ryan drifts to his left, (actually he didn't have to move, but humor me) reaches his glove high into the air....closes his eyes (literally), and makes the catch."

At first, he just stood there dumbfounded at what he had done. Then, realizing he had actually caught a ball, he broke into that huge smile and headed for the dugout to celebrate with his team mates, who were just as happy for him as he was for himself.

I don't know if our team won or lost, doesn't matter. What I do know is that the memory of that catch will stay with me forever. Whether Ryan remembers it or not, I'll probably never know. But, if he does, perhaps he will be reminded to "pass it forward" when he has the opportunity. I like to think that he will, but what do I know?