Baseball is Life!

Baseball is Life! 

It was a pleasure to experience something special about baseball over the weekend and it is largely due to the baseball team of my 7-year-old son, Nico. 

Last Spring, we found out that he was a natural at baseball and decided to sign him up for his 2nd year. He loves to hit the ball hard and is becoming a better and better player every day. As a result, we signed him up at a baseball academy with a more competitive roster and elevated coaching. 

With over 42 runs scored and only 3 runs against us, this team is the real deal for their age. It's true... These boys allow only one run per game on average!

At their fourth game of the season, things took a sharp turn south. They had a terrible start, as the boys got beat quickly on both sides of the ball. Although we have good hitters, the other team had an excellent defense. As a result, multiple hits by our players were caught mid-air for immediate outs, and we were unable to get things going as usual. We then encountered another snag once our top player was so frustrated that he had a meltdown on the field. We were nearing the end of our allotted playing time when the opposing team scored multiple runs. I could see the look on their faces as they realized their undefeated season had come to an end. 

The umpire confirmed with both teams at the end of what could have been the last inning played that the score was 5-3. We confirmed it and the parents of our team started looking at each other acknowledging we lost to a very good team. At that point, the umpire informs both coaches that there are technically four more minutes of play left on the clock after which the other team can hit again. If they do, we will get another chance to hit to make it a full inning. 

The coach for the opposing team said “Yes, we want to hit again.” 

We were somewhat surprised and my initial reaction was they must feel very good being on top by 4 they are not concerned about us making a comeback. Either way, we have another chance, and apparently in baseball that can make all the difference. A small chance against a confident, well-playing team that had our number all game long. 

The last inning quickly started and after their 3 outs, they scored an additional 2 runs on us to go up to 7-3. We were now down by 4 and with 3 outs left in the bottom of the final inning of playing time. That is when the magic happened before our very eyes. 

Our first players up to bat made quick work and showed so much grit it was truly electrifying. We had one player hit by a ball and after showing signs of wanting to cry from the pain of the ball hitting his ankle due to an unintentional bad throw. He settled in, shook it off, and made a huge hit to help two of our players get home to shorten the scores to 7-5 with only one out left. 

After a few more at-bats, we manage to get two more players on bases and our next batter comes up to bat and “WHACK” he hits a line drive that rolls extremely deep past 2nd base. Our two players that were already on base make it home quickly but our hitter on that play runs hard to 1st… then 2nd… then as he is approaching 3rd the ball is coming into play from the outfield and in the hands of the pitcher position player. Our player never stopped running and decided to take it all the way home. He was running full speed like the kid in the dog chasing scene from the movie, The Sandlot!

At this point, it was a foot race and as I was watching and shouting “GO, GO, GO” at the top of my lungs with all of the parents we saw our player close in and make a huge slide onto the home plate, and only a few inches away from the opposing player he was called “SAFE” by the umpire! We walked off with the win and we could not believe our eyes! The final score was 8-7 for our team, The Renegades! 

We did what they never expected us to do and that is finding a way to come back and WIN! We enjoyed this win so much more than any of the other wins this season. After the game, I spoke to my son and I asked him what he learned. His answer was heartwarming to me as he said “Dad, this is the best day of my life… I am going to the MLB one day!” As a father, I don’t have any concern if he ever comes close to playing in the majors. I am just glad he had such an incredible day playing a classic sport and has already learned so much. 

Thank you baseball for this amazing opportunity for me and my son. We both look forward to many more amazing experiences and will share more of the fun with all of you.