Tag Archives: parenting

LET’S PLAY BALL

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“Let’s play ball!”

There was no announcer several weeks ago when softball season launched for our oldest granddaughter who has embraced this wonderful summertime sport and favorite pastime for many of us. Instead, opening games began in early June which has changed our weekly schedule as we attend her games. Announcer or not, games played are under their belts with more remaining through the month of July.

Watching our 11 and 10 year olds who make up our granddaughter’s team has been an opportunity to reflect on my childhood at that age. Our granddaughter began playing baseball at age 5 when batters hit the ball off a “T”. I played ball for one season at the age of 14. She’s completely outfitted with an official uniform, name on her jersey, owns 1-2 bats (aluminum mind you) and a glove that cost more than my monthly cell phone bill. When I played, I borrowed my older brother’s mitt (we were both left-handed) , used a bat that the coach brought (all wood) and our uniform consisted of a team T-shirt with our team name and number on the back.

I’m not discounting or undermining the advancement in team sports for girls or boys by any means. In addition to the changes in equipment, I’m glad to see that all players are required to wear a helmet complete with face protection. In addition to our team T shirt, we wore shorts, and athletic shoes compared to today’s special shoes. Macklynn’s main position is that at home plate as the catcher so her protective gear covers her from head to toe. Her current catcher’s mitt will be one that she can use through high school.

As grandparents, we’ve attended all of her games, whether traveling to another community or home games in Bath. Another observation–one that is very pleasing–is the good sportsmanship we’ve witnessed from rival teams and their own cheering sections of parents, grandparents, and friends. Loud clapping for good plays is common. Encouragement from parents or the coach can be heard, too. We’ve even experienced opposing spectators clap for a good play made on the field. This is a true and pleasant example of good sportsmanship, acknowledging when a player performs well, regardless if it’s “your” team or not.

We were in Springport a couple of weeks ago for a double header game and their parents hosted a meal between games to feed the girls as well as family and friends. I grabbed a plate of food and walked past a circle of girls sitting on the ground, our players mixed in with their competitors. They were laughing and enjoying being together as hot dogs, fruit, and desserts filled hungry bellies,  bodies being refueled after playing the first game. In those moments together, competitive strategies were set aside in favor of being silly little girls.

Good behavior from players and onlookers. Positive words from coaches and parents. No putdowns. No bad language. All this reminds me of a verse from Hebrews that I like. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together,, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another….”

Sure, the writer of Hebrews is addressing believers, but I really think these words can be applied to how we–and our kids–treat others. They admonish us as adults how to model behavior that is laced with integrity, kindness, and healthy competition versus being rude, crude, or obnoxious. When the former attributes abound in our young parents and players, I have hope for seeing communities grow and prosper under positive leadership and guidance possessed by all of them.

Yes, softball season is here. It’s been exciting thus far hearing the cracks of bats connecting with a fast pitch, runners advancing to bases with home plate in mind, dirt swirling in the air when someone makes a slide into a base, loud cheers when a fly ball is caught, groans when the ball is dropped. It’s great fun to watch our young athletes use their talents for hitting and catching, all working together to be victorious. And when the game ends, it’s reassuring to see fist bumps between both teams, “good game, good game” echoing from each one as they get ready to leave the field, meet up with mom and dad, dust off dirty leggings, pack up all the gear and head home. Plus, with a game behind them, another one is on the schedule. In the meantime, after game treats and giggles will suffice to fill summertime fun with family and friends, until it’s time for the umpire to yell “Let’s play ball!”

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Congratulations to all of our students who have completed high school and younger students who are moving from one lower grade to another! Educational years are very exciting and hopefully your children and grandchildren are embracing the opportunities placed in classrooms, labs, gymnasiums, athletic fields, and field trips to enhance their learning experiences.

With the advent and final availability of social media, it’s been enjoyable to see photos of my family and friends highlighting the “last day of school”. Looking at happy faces, reading brief comments about “growth”, reminded me of my own years spent in education. Beginning with kindergarten, I struggled attending school. After the first day, I truly thought I was finished. That second morning that mother woke me I actually told her I wasn’t going, that I had already gone. I guess in my infantile mind I saw that “first day” as something to conquer and consider it as “done”.

Yet, with the passing of each grade, learning to read, struggling with math, having science answer my curiosity about things, art projects that allowed me to be creative…school began to be great, fun as I made new friends, especially in junior high when I had more than one teacher, all of whom prepared me for my final years in high school where I discovered vocal music and journalism when I joined the yearbook staff.

Looking back, life was pretty easy from kindergarten to twelfth grade. I wasn’t at the top of my class by any means, but being in the above average group gave me a lot of confidence and good preparation for “life after graduation”. My only true struggle was answering the all familiar question we ask our graduates–”what’s next?”

Honestly, as I sat in my commencement on a hot Sunday afternoon in June of 1971, I didn’t know the answer to that question. My parents were wonderful supporters and providers for all my needs, but we never had conversations about my future plans beyond high school. Many of my classmates headed to colleges, others joined the military, and numerous guys went directly to one of three automobile related plants in Saginaw. I woke up the morning after commencement and felt very empty. What now?

Thankfully, my best friend had an idea what she wanted to do–attend a local business school. She asked me to go with her and after a lot of convincing on my part with my dad, he agreed to pay the tuition for my nine month course of study, which doesn’t seem like a lot but I learned basic skills needed in order to work in the clerical field. When I completed my studies there–Saginaw Business Institute–I was fortunate to secure a position with First State Bank of Saginaw and my young adult life was launched!

Today, I ask myself if I would change anything about my decisions made post high school. Certainly, there are some things I would consider as a “do over”. I would have worked harder academically. I would have attempted to crush proscrastionation’s effects it takes in life. I would have learned why “people pleasing” can lead to merely going “along with the crowd” rather than finding confidence in God’s truths on a variety of issues one faces when growing and maturing.

Yes, I love seeing all our youth in their graduation photos. And I enjoy hearing about future plans–whether it will be college locally or off somewhere far from home. I hope, too, that our young men and women will discover and investigate the value of learning a trade….taking time to fall in love and marry a good person who shares values and ethics of life. I also hope our young folks will value serving others in the community where they settle. As one who struggled a bit in school and life, I’d encourage our young graduates to continue pursuing knowledge, understanding, wisdom … .by traveling to places…meeting people from another culture…creating friendships with young and old alike.  No matter the age, we all have life experiences and stories that are sometimes more exciting than textbooks or other media sources!

So now, the “next” morning after commencement for our graduates has come and gone. “What’s next?” For those of us who have already lived through that question when we were 17 or 18, let’s help our youngsters find their answer by coming alongside them as continuing teachers and mentors!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… (Hebrews 10: 24)