Baseball is a lot like life

 

Baseball is a lot like life. The current season of life, is JB's first season of kid pitch baseball. JB has pitched a few times already and each time he takes the mound, I pace around the inside of the chain link dugout like an overweight lion caged at the zoo. I'm far more nervous for his games than I ever was for my own. I want so badly for him to have fun, help his team, and do good. Each inning watching him, the anxiety forces me to stuff my cheeks full of sunflower seeds, so my fingernails may be spared from stress. I go through so many seeds with so much sodium, that after each game my mouth stays sore for a couple of days and my wedding ring hurts my swollen finger. 

When JB leaves the dugout and runs onto the field, a part of me is out there with him. I'm not able to do the task at hand for him, so instead I anxiously await his return, and shout words of encouragement to him in the meantime. 

I love the game of baseball and all it teaches: teamwork, focus, toughness, discipline, commitment, and relentlessness. To see my son developing a love for the game that I have loved for so long, well...I love it. When I see him doing well during the game, and developing as a player, I can't contain my joy and pride. 

Baseball has a unique way of bringing fathers and sons together. There's something very powerful and fulfilling even in a simple game of catch. See the sappy video below for proof, if you don't believe me.
Baseball isn't easy, nor is life. You've likely heard the name Ty Cobb. What a cool baseball name, Ty Cobb! Ty Cobb holds the title of highest career batting average in major league baseball history. You might be surprised to know that his average over 24 seasons, the greatest career batting average of all time remember, was just .366. Meaning, over 60% of the time Ty Cobb stepped into the batters box, he failed. Life feels like that sometimes doesn't it? How many times on a daily basis do I step into the batters box and fail in one way or another? How often do I fail as a father? But just like baseball, life isn't meant to be played alone. We have our family, we have our friends, and they are our teammates. Most importantly however, we have our Father.

 Our loving Father wants so badly for us to have fun, help others, and do good. When we leave our homes each day and walk out into the world, He's watching how we are playing, and a part of Him is out there with us. That is promised to us countless times in the bible*. God has a purpose for all of our lives. He can't do the task at hand for us, so instead He anxiously awaits our return, and shouts words of encouragement to us in the meantime. When our Father sees us doing well and developing, I'm confident He can't contain his joy and pride. I guess in many ways baseball is a lot like life.

Much Love, Adam

*"...She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')... Isaiah 7:14
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9 
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 
“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 


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