Recently my friend
asked, “What are the
benefits of team sport?”
No
doubt
she
was
assessing
whether
the
potential
inconvenience
of chauffeuring her child
to and from a baseball
diamond all spring would
be worthwhile or not.
I
found
myself
rewinding a few decades
(okay…more than a few).
The team sport selections
in a small community were
far from unlimited, but I
was presented with a couple
choices.
Although not straight,
my teeth were of value to
me, so hockey was out.
Shin guards were not
standard in soccer, so I
postponed that until high
school, and primarily only
those towering in height
were enticed by basketball.
So softball it was. My
mother resurrected a weary
leather glove and sent me
on my way.
After many games
into the season, the coach
noticed my odd field
routine. I would catch a
fly, then, hurriedly throw
the glove to the ground
to free up my hand so I
could throw the ball in.
Apparently, that wasn’t how
it was done.
Eventually, he drew me
aside and asked, “By any
chance are you left handed?
”Who knew there was such
a thing as a glove made for
the right hand? Astonishing
how the correct adjustment
can improve a skill and
dramatically
increase
confidence.
That
foray
into
softball activated a lifelong
fondness for the sport.
Although relatively safe, I
wasn’t entirely exempt from
injuries. Once, after getting
beaned by a ball, I looked as
though I’d gone five rounds
with Mohammad Ali. An
angry plum coloured shiner
adorned the right side of
my face for days.
Athletics are an often
discussed
and
written
about life metaphor. Even
1 Corinthians 9 makes the
comparison to running in a
race. I think participating
on a sport’s team is
particularly analogous to
church life.
The benefits of baseball
are learning to follow the
instructions of a coach,
being mindful that he has
volunteered those hours,
so his time needs to be
respected and honoured.
That his purpose from
moving you from position
to position is to see where
you are gifted, and if you are
willing to try any position,
you will likely be promoted
to a spot you desire.
Thereareconsequences
to not adequately preparing
for a game. Warming up
the muscles by jogging
and stretching is not time
wasted.
Improvement is a reward
resulting from following
instruction,
practicing,
and concentrating. Level
of enjoyment is contingent
upon a player’s outlook
and approach to the
outing.
Encouraging
fellow teammates profits
much, while criticizing
undermines
confidence
and trust.
Playing your own
position to the best of your
ability is cohesive to the
team’s success. Ranging
too far into another player’s
area of the field to sprint
in front and make a play
intended for another is
not only unfavourable, but
unsafe. Instead, running
behind that player for back
up, should a ball squirt past,
is advantageous.
Discerning what brings
out the best in one another,
not allowing yourself or
your teammates to feel
condemned following an
error, comprehending that
there is an order to the
game, and a set of rules.
Realizing the umpire
has final say, whether you
agree with his call or not,
and having it forefront in
your mind that despite a
lopsided score, the next
game will begin fresh at
zero to zero.
Understanding
that
sliding into bases could tear
your uniform and leave a
“gravel rash”, but that it’s
part of advancing forward
and getting yourself closer
to scoring.
R e c o g n i z i n g
spectacular plays are the
outcome of first honing the
basics.
So, just in case you
are keeping score…I am
answering my friend’s
question in the affirmative.
I believe in playing on a
team.
DELIVERY PERSONNEL
Colin Fothergill • Helmut Noelle
Don Gallacher • The Greening Family
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