Just a quick entry today – not a lot of preaching from papa – to wish all the dads out there a happy Father’s Day. Last night, we took our little one to her first baseball game. At 22 months, she wasn’t as interested in the nuances of America’s Pastime as I was, but it happened to be “Bring Your Dog to the Game” day at our local minor league ballpark, so we both had something to focus on during our seven inning adventure.
As we watched the game (the home team lost 19-7 and we narrowly missed snagging more than a couple home run balls from our outfield seats), I reflected to myself about the many parallels between the game I loved and the many lessons I hoped to pass along to our little one.
- Throughout life, there will always be people who are older and wiser than you, and who have played this game for a lot longer than you’ve been alive. They’re your coaches. Do what they say, because 99 percent of the time, they know what they’re talking about.
- Play hard, all the time. Even when you’re down by 10 runs late in the game.
- If you hit a home run, enjoy your lap around the bases and celebrate with your team mates, but don’t gloat because next time up, you might strike out. If you strike out, don’t hang your head for too long, because next time up, you might hit a home run.
- If someone hits you with a pitch, chalk it up as unintentional and take your base. Don’t fuss about it or let it get you too angry. Unless they do it again. Then you might consider a little pay back.
- At the end of the day, baseball, sort of like life, is a simple game. You hit the ball, you catch the ball, you throw the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But the goal is the same in life and in baseball: To be safe at home.
Well said! Happy Father’s Day!
I agree. It’s important to play hard all of the time.
Great advice! Thanks! I went to a baseball game once, in college, with some girlfriends. It was fun – with a group. I’m afraid I’m not much of a sport person. 🙂
Love the analogy!