When I went to bed tonight, I was torn. What should I read as I settled in for sleep? Should I play around wth my baseball leagues? Or read some spirituality to reflect on as I fell asleep?
In the end it wasn't a fair contest. Baseball ALWAYS wins.
And anyway, I'm not so sure they're all that different.
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The boys had baseball tournaments last weekend. I coach Niko's team. Saturday morning, we were playing for a spot in the championship game. We were down 8-5 going into the bottom of the last inning. We scored a run, loaded the bases. Flyball--we sent the runner. It was gonna be 8-6!!
He didn't slide into home as the throw came in. He was safe, but he was out. Just like that, it was over. The kids, shocked. Denied a shot at the championship on a technicality. Tears. Lots of tears.
We played again at one, for a chance to play for third place. We didn't play well. We were down one going into the bottom of the last inning. We put a runner on and he scored. We moved another runner to third. Our batter walked, which means he got to use the tee. He drove it into right. The winning run touched the plate. I almost screamed with ecstasy but settled for a fist pump. Our kids were overjoyed. The thrill of victory.
Across the way, the other team was--literally--in tears. Hard, streaming tears. Complete devastation.
The agony of defeat.
We met at home plate. "Good game," we said. And we meant it. Three hours earlier that had been us.
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It will be a while before we play another baseball game. But until then, pump your arms when you win. Don't be afraid to cry when you leave it all out there and you lose. And may you have more--even just a little more--of the former.
Beijinhos, Mark
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