With great delight, I observed Zachary seize the opportunity given to him to play his most desired position: catcher. On days when no games or practices were officially scheduled, he would suit up with the gear and work on catching pop-ups in our yard. During games, he quickly pulled the catcher’s mask off and sought after almost every ball that failed to hit his mitt.
Our energetic, fearless son seems to be fashioned just for the catcher’s position. Zachary willingly and enthusiastically sacrificed bodily comfort for balls he hoped to grab. His perfect fit reminds me of a Christian’s distinctive position within the body of Christ. God gives all believers unique, individual gifts in order to work together as a team to accomplish His purpose. Nicholas struggled to find his spot on the team. He yearned to pitch and was able to relieve in one game, ending a long inning for the previous pitcher. Yet he never had the opportunity again. He sought after the short-stop position, one he played well in fall baseball. Again, he played this spot in one game, making no mistakes, even tagging a runner out, but was not given another chance.
After a while, he settled into rotating between second base and out-field, but quickly lost focus and interest as his most coveted positions eluded him. Life is filled with undesirable situations and tasks. Yet we should honor the Lord wherever He puts us. This reminder perked Nicholas up and motivated him to do his best wherever he was assigned.
Zachary’s story with the bat is well recorded, but what about Nicholas? Moving up to kid pitch presents more struggles for batters. Much of the game is made up of walks and stealing bases. After earning only one or two hits last spring, this year Nicholas was delighted to achieve seven hits!
Furthermore, he had fewer strike outs and was often walked when he was not hitting. A pro at stealing bases, he earned a “homerun” without ever hitting the ball. After being walked to first, he was able to steal second, third, and home before the next batter ever stepped up to the plate!As for me, I struggled at times during the season with complaining, finding it easier to see the injustices rather than the simple joys. Eventually, God reminded me while studying Exodus 11 that “..when the people complained, it displeased the Lord.” The reprimand was accepted, and I pushed aside the complaints, determining to cheer enthusiastically for each player rather than contemplate biases during ballgames.
One of the highlights of the season for our family was the friendships that developed. Three families, including our own, were on both the Seadogs’ and the Riverdogs’ teams. Spending almost every evening together at the ball park sealed the friendships among both teammates and siblings.
The younger boys were soon referred to as the Three Musketeers; one was never seen without the others.
The middle ones quickly followed suit. 
And the older brothers, including Brandon, who decided not to play this spring, enjoyed and appreciated the friendships that formed while riding Ripstiks and scooters, socializing at the playground, and cheering on the younger kids. Parents connected as well while cheering for each other’s son at bat. We understood the nerves experienced when one’s child stepped up to the plate and the maternal heartbreak of a strike-out. On the other hand, hits and homeruns resulted in ecstatic cheers and high-fives among the baseball moms.
Even the coaches developed a camaraderie as they worked together to teach the boys not only about baseball, but also sportsmanship and Christ-likeness. After a particularly frustrating loss, the Riverdogs’ coaches, including Mike who pitched for the team, were observed praying together for their young players.
Feelings of withdrawal are surfacing as I find myself missing the excitement of the games, the friendship among both the kids and the moms, and the close-up view of God at work in recreational baseball. What a fantastic season spring 2011 has been!
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good…!” Psalm 34:8a
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