Echoes, Silence, Patience And Grace

Every year, around the same time, I’m given a gift. A chance to make a positive influence on a bunch of little kids, some who have very little positive in there lives at all. The 2008 Baseball Season is now over for us. For the 5th year in a row, I have been coaching my son’s team, and I have to say this year was the most challenging, yet the most fun. In fact, this year, I may have actually been a positive influence on some of the parents as well. I’ve earned some respect from some people who I never thought were capable, and this once “thankless job”, has become quite the opposite.

The ride though the ranks of our league has been long and, at times, hard. I’ve always said that once this stops feeling fun, I would quit forever. I know that nothing in life is perfect, and there is ups and downs with anything we do. This is no exception. That feeling of not having fun and walking away almost came about half way through this season. Things were down and I started to question myself. Thoughts like “maybe this isn’t for me”, and “I must suck at this” entered my mind. Knowing that I would never quit mid-season, for obvious reasons, I pressed on. Almost subconsciously, I just went about my schedule from work, to the fields, to home.

Then, in one swift moment, I was snapped out of my low. Like a splash of ice cold water on a hot day, I was revived and reminded of why I continue to do this. No pictures were taken of that moment, and I need none. The moment was burnt into my memory more vividly than any image could do. From that very moment, things improved and the season went out with a bang!

My son moves up to the Majors next year. If he continues to play, and nothing else changes until then, I will take the offer I was given to take over the team. I will have huge footsteps to fill, as the man leaving is one hell of a coach.

I added the image bellow last minute. Little “enter girl name here”. One of two girls on the teem this year. Holding her own with the tough boys for years now, but just a little sweaty inside. Crying to me about facing the faster pitchers, but taking on the slower ones like she’s out for blood!

This image is after she was hit by a pitched ball. Her family is going through some tough times these days. I’ve stayed close to the family and am currently helping as much as I can. Another situation where coaching goes far beyond the field of play.