I’m usually not a big one for baseball. It moves slowly and I have little excitement for the professional players. However, all that changes when the professionals are replaced by 11 year old boys and the stands are replaced by a grass hillside and shade trees. Today looked like it shouldn’t have gone so well. It looked as if we were going to have our heads handed to us like earlier in the week.
Looks can be deceiving!
Our boys arrived late and had little organization or enthusiasm in warm up. The other team was a well-honed machine. It did not look good.
Top of the first my son pitched and filled the bases. One run scored…but then something amazing…three outs in a row. We got the run back in the bottom of the inning. Top of the second Andrew pitched again and gave up another run. This time our boys scored 4 runs and we were up 5-2. Andrew pitched the third and gave up two runs. We didn’t score in the bottom of the inning so still ahead 5-4.
Top of the fourth saw our next pitcher Ben (3 is the maximum number of innings to pitch). He gave up a run…tied 5-5. In the bottom we scored one run, 6-5. Top of the fifth we gave up two runs. They finally went ahead 7-6. In the bottom we could not score a run so it was all up to the final inning. Ben pitched flawlessly, 3 up 3 down.
The bottom of the 6th, the last of the game was upon us. First batter up-strike out. Second batter up-strike out. This was not looking good. Third batter up gets a hit makes it to first and steals second. Next batter gets a hit. Now runners are on first and third. Luke on first steals second. We now have tying and winning runs in scoring position. Kids on the bench turn their hats inside out for rally caps. I must admit I followed suit. Conner was up at the plate. Strike one. Ball one. Strike two. Ball two. Ball three, full count. Strike three, you’re…wait…catcher dropped the third strike. Conner takes off for first. By the way Conner and Ben were feeling lousy because of the heat and running track earlier in the day.
The catcher is distracted by Ryan on third coming for home. He stops and catcher throws to first but overthrows into right field and fair territory. Ryan scores from third. Luke rounds third and heads home. The throw comes but is late. Final score 8-7 we win.
You might wonder why I gave a play by play on a 5th grade baseball game. In truth it was a lesson…Never Give UP…Never Quit! Our boys could have given up before the game even started and it looked like they had. They could have given up when the bases were loaded several times. They could have given up when they got behind. Ben and Conner could have given up when they were exhausted. The team could have given up when there were two outs in the bottom of the last inning. They could have given up when the third strike was called. They never gave up!
This tenacity from my son and his team mates reminded me that you stay in the game until the official tells you the game is over…you’re out. Until that happens you keep playing…you keep giving it your all.
How many adults stop in life before the official says you’re out, game over? How many people never put out their all for fear they just might lose and so never discover if they could win.
I write this to remind me and others of these truths but I also write to emphasize that inspiration can come from any direction. Keep your eyes open and expect to be inspired…and keep playing until the official calls the game!