Why I Coach

If you're anything like me, you've spent a part of this week looking thru the pics from this past weekend & if you haven't yet, you should. Like me as well, you'd also admit to being just a bit disappointed w/our 2nd place finish, but find it hard to be too upset. After looking thru the pics & having time to reflect on the memory of it all, I find myself compelled to share just a bit of what it was really like on the other side of the fence.

We certainly are blessed to have Loy & to be able to be reminded of what was really going on out there at times thru the images that she captures. A couple in particular have really gripped my heart & reminded of why I do what I do & have no doubt that it is divinely ordained. Speaking for myself, I've found that the life lessons I've learned this past season have been innumerable & the amount of internal growth immeasurable.

Take this shot for instance. At face value, you'd guess that I'm just consoling Alex & you'd be right. What makes this shot memorable is the dialogue that accompanies it. Coach Scott had just previously had to leave for a business trip & Alex was really shaken by it.

We huddled @ 3rd base before taking the field as we always do, except in this huddle I was faced w/our left centerfielder w/huge crocodile tears in his eyes. I took a second, pealed a few tears from the cheeks of A.P. & told him that even though his daddy just had to leave during the middle of a big game, that he was still surrounded by all his brothers, 10 strong...a formidable band of brothers. As everybody else took the field after breaking the huddle, I was left w/1 last moment alone w/Alex & this is the 1 that you see here.

The next shot that really gets me is the one that captures the moment that the final nail is put in the coffin of the stingers. The sequence makes me laugh, 'cause it looks like I'm chasing Cam to the dish & I guess that I am, but in the heat of the moment I just couldn't help myself. I wanted to be up close & personal to see the elation that he experiences as he dancing across home plate...& I wasn't denied.

I love how his hands shoot skyward as he is fully aware that he's just put this club away. Fully embracing the moment, Cam reacted w/a joy so pure, that the remembrance even years from now will still be sweet. Not worried about past mistakes, nor thinking of future comings, the essence of the moment & being fully in it is a very powerful thing.

2 pics separated by 15 minutes. 2 very different displays of emotion. How fleeting the game can be & with that in mind, so can life. 1 day is never like another, 1 kicking you in the teeth while the other couldn't be any sweeter. Either way, the only way to take it is by fully embracing each & every moment that comes our way. At times surrounded by our own band of brothers, knowing the presence of our own Father in that despite His apparent physical absence & other times being left alone to scale to greater heights, experiencing the pure elation that each peak provides.

So, this is why I do this. I'm blessed beyond belief w/the privilege & hope to never ever take it for granted. Making amazing memories w/my very own band of brothers (& sisters), fulling embracing & engaging the moment & cherishing it all along the way.

This is more than just baseball. This is purpose & mission. This is me.

I'm Force Baseball...are you?