Something snapped last year after a decent Fall Ball season. Kyle practiced all the time, all year, by himself, with Scott and Carson, his best friend - Justin, with anyone who would practice with him. He wanted baseball equipment for holidays and birthdays. He watched videos, he watched pros. Guess what? He improved! A LOT! Kyle made a decision to not try out for Majors where he had a good chance of making it but would likely sit the bench while the ALL STARS got even more practice. Kyle just wanted to play as much as possible so he hung back on the Major B’s…and Scott was the coach of the team...the WHITE SOX!! All these years and Kyle has never been on a White Sox team. Scott went to the try-outs and tried to find the boys with ability, potential, and most importantly, heart. Turned out, all the kids got their heart honestly…from their parents. Scott seemed to really enjoy coaching this team. Personally, I thought all the boys were adorable. (I can already hear Kyle saying, “MooOoom! Stop. GooOosh!”)
This team and these parents were the best! They encouraged all the players. We didn’t have any parents that only cheered for their own kid. Every parent wanted every boy to be successful.
In the third game, our short stop/pitcher, Noah, tried to get another player out at home and was rolled over like pancake. His leg was broke and he was out for the rest of the season. BUT, he and his family still came to as many games as they possibly could. Late in the season, after a pretty heartbreaking loss, the White Sox gave Noah a plaque and a ball signed by all the players. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the dugout (and around the dugout.)
The White Sox made it to the playoffs but lost. The season was over but they played their best and were happy to have made it to this point. It was our last game. The White Sox posed for pictures, ran around the field yelling and cheering, piled on top of each other. Families cheered, clapped, and had only encouraging words for the boys. Looking at both teams, you would have thought we were the winners. Did we win the summer championship? NO. Was this the best team ever? YES!!
***Every kid develops at his own pace, physically, emotionally, academically. It is so easy to compare your child to the kid next to him who is the same age. I heard about an activity for the classroom where you line kids up along the perimeter of the room. You then tell them whoever gets to the door first wins. Obviously, the kids who are right next to the door will beat the kids who are across the room. The point is… we all have different starting points but everyone will make it to the door. Some will just make it before others. Is it fair that the kid next to the door gets invited to walk through it and others are not invited at all? No. But those other kids will have a spectacular journey on the way. Their life experiences will help build character, heart, and perseverance. Cheers to you, Kyle. You were, thankfully, next to the window, not the door. For that window gave you dreams upon which your goals were built. Good job, buddy!
