My Little League Career

I am glad I have the opportunity to write about my memories of playing Little League Baseball. If we are going to talk about the the great issues of the day in theology, politics ad economics we should have some fun at the same time. My time in the Little League was enjoyable and interesting to say the least. I love sports, but I am less than an average athlete so playing the games are enjoyable, but difficult and I have had my moments.

In my day, we were allowed to play four years in the Little League, when we were 9, 10,11, and 12. I did not play when I was 9, so I only played 3 years.

My First Year

When I was 10, I really had difficulty playing the game. When I was at bat, I could not believe how fast the ball got to home plate. I had to decide early on if the ball was going to be over the plate and if I could hit it. If I thought I could hit the ball, I would have to start my swing a split second after the ball left the pitcher's hand. I never developed a good eye for determining where the ball was going to cross home plate and so I struck out a lot. I had trouble fielding, so they stuck me in right field where few balls were hit. Fortunately, we had a decent team that year and I only had to play the mandatory two innings.

The Catch

There was one play I will never forget. I was in left field, and the batter hit a blooper into left field. It was a long run but I had a good chance to catch the ball. As I ran toward the ball I practically went into shock. I was sure I would get to the ball but then not be able to catch it. I though the ball would bounce off me and I would be the laughing stock in the city. As I got very close to the ball, I lost track of it. So I just stuck my glove out and hoped for the best. Miraculously, the ball somehow wound up in my glove. Boy was I relieved! I could hear some of my teammates tell me good catch.

My Second Year

When I was 11, things got a little more interesting. I learned how to hit a little better and played more innings. I played most of the time in the outfield, and occasionally played in the infield. We had a really good team that year and we won a lot of games. There was one game I never will forget as I was allowed to pitch. I got a lot of run support and good fielding behind me when I was pitching. I pitched a complete game and we actually won. I finished my second year in Little League with a perfect 1 and 0 record.

My Third Year

In my third and final year most of our good players graduated and we probably had the worst team in the league. I became the main pitcher and played a lot of shortstop. As a pitcher I had a perfect record just as in the previous year. Only this time I lost every game! We really had a lousy team and did not score many runs and made a lot of errors in the field. I practically had to get a strikeout to earn an out. There was one game I will never forget. We were beating the Phillies by a couple of runs with only two innings to go. I wanted to win this game so bad, so I could say I won a game that year. But, I could not hold the lead. I was throwing my fast ball past their hitters all game long, until we got to the last two innings. Then everything changed. No matter how hard I threw, they smacked that ball all over the diamond. I blew up and we lost the game.

Answered Prayer

There was one game I will always remember. I was playing shortstop and we had a one run lead in the last inning. They loaded the bases with two outs, so that a hit or an error would score two runs and win the game. I was sure that ball was coming right to me and it would roll right between my legs and into left field, and they would win the game. I would be the laughing stock of Wilkes-Barre. So I decided to say a quick prayer. I tried to negotiate with Heaven. I said, Lord we are not going to the playoffs so we can afford to lose this game. So let the batter hit a two run single into the outfield and win the game so I cannot make a fool of myself. It sounded like a reasonable compromise to me. Well, of course that ball came right down to me. I practically went into shock, and followed the ball as it came to me. At the last moment I lost sight of the ball and just instinctively dropped my glove towards the ground. To my utter astonishment and amazement, I came up with the ball. Then it was easy to just throw the runner out at first base. I suppose it demonstrates that God will give you the strength to go through your trials, but will not remove them simply because you do not feel up to the challenge.