“Be humble; don’t let selfishness or conceit be your guide."
~ Philippians 3:2
Ahh, the alluring feel of dirt,
the scent of sweat-laced leather, and the thrill of victory: is there a better
way for kids to learn about sportsmanship and teamwork than by playing baseball?
As a former minor-leaguer and first year T-ball coach, Bryan
couldn’t wait to teach these fresh faces all he knew about the game, about
improving their skills and the importance of physical fitness.
Every Saturday morning, fields swarmed with the tiniest
players in town: 5 and 6-year-olds clad in t-shirts that slipped off their
shoulders under hats that fell over their eyes. Some wore bright neon socks so their parents
and grandparents could spot them more easily in the field.
T-ball’s different than baseball: nobody strikes out in
T-ball. They all get to play. Everyone cheers whenever a bat makes the
slightest contact with a ball and every time a kid lands near a base. You can't buy this kind of entertainment!
Six weeks into the season and it was still more theater than
competition for them and their friends. "Hey,
Mimi!" Adam shouted from the infield where he stood holding his glove. He waved; she smiled. Mimi got a hit, ran to first base, copped a
high-five from Coach Bryan. Then she ran to her daddy for a kiss before
returning to first base.
Joel, the next batter up, hit a slow roller to the infield’s
right side. Adam tried to tag Mimi out
on her way to second base. When the
umpire called Mimi out, Adam immediately informed the umpire that he hadn’t
managed to tag Mimi.
“She should be
safe,” the sweet, honest little boy announced.
And so, Mimi remained on second base, her smile as wide as hope.
Two weeks later, Adam encountered the same umpire in another
game. This time, Adam tagged another
runner on the way to second base. When
the teen-aged umpire called the player safe, Adam didn’t say a word, but the
umpire noticed his shock at the call.
“Did you tag the runner?” she asked Adam. When Adam confirmed that he had, the umpire
changed her decision and called the player out.
Unfortunately, even T-ball can get raucous at times. Opponent coaches and parents protested loudly
about the umpire’s reversal, but she proudly stood by her decision. Adam had earned her trust and respect!
A dose of reality slammed across Coach Bryan’s face. “He who dares to teach must never cease to
learn,” he thought. ”You’re never too
old be humbled either!” He’ll add one
more line to his team philosophy next year.
In addition to baseball fundamentals – “instill in them a sense of integrity.” And he’ll give credit for that one to young
Adam.
Loving Teacher, when we practice - give us patience;
when we play – give us integrity; when we win – give us humility; and when we
lose – give us peace. In all that we do,
let our lives praise You. Amen
