Jason Gay, best-selling author and Wall Street Journal sports and humor columnist, is a must- read. I heard this from his mom. Funny, wry and insightful he adds the “wish I thought of that” quips to conversations surrounding sports’ big and little moments. He recently wrote this piece in reaction to the story of Little League parents’ brawling at a game. https://www.wsj.com/articles/adults-fighting-at-youth-baseballreally-11561380478
Jason, I have a recent Little League All-Star story for you.
Meet Mathew
Mathew is eleven years old and plays on a twelve-year-old Little League All-Star team. A talented pitcher, he sees quite of bit of action from his perch on the mound. Off the field, he has seen huge tragedy and small triumphs up close.
The Accident
Almost a half a lifetime ago, when Mathew was six, he and his dad were driving home from kindergarten orientation, when their truck was slammed by another vehicle. The impact was devastating. While Mathew, strapped in his car seat, was relatively uninjured, his father sustained massive spine trauma and was paralyzed from his shoulders down. Mathew bore witness as his dad poured his heart into his recovery to try and regain some movement. Even so, the simplest tasks were either difficult or simply untenable and the boy’s arms and legs became his dads.
Winning is on the line
It’s the ninth inning and Mathew’s team is up 4-3. The first batter hits a line drive, The outfielder picks up the ball and tosses it to second, but over-throws it. Runner makes it home and ties the score 4-4. Next batter hits a hard grounder towards the outfielder, who tries to pick it up, but a goofy bounce causes it to hopscotch through his legs, and a runner connects with the bag at home giving the opponents a 4-5 advantage. A few batters later, a player hits a fly ball that soars lazily into the clear blue sky. As the white orb spins on decent, the same outfielder is poised for the catch and the out. But, in a game of errors, the mitt misses the ball and it plops on the grass. The team scores and it is now 6-4. Jeers, directed at the errant outfielder, begin emanating from parents on Mathew’s team. As Matthew prepares to face the next batter, the boos become louder.
Composure befitting a fighter pilot
With composure befitting a fighter pilot, Mathew leans down, places his mitt quietly on the mound and walks purposefully towards the outfielder. In a gesture of camaraderie, he throws his right arm around the outfielder’s shoulder and leans in to tell him, “it’s ok, it is only a game,” gives him a high five, and then walks slowly back to the mound. The parents are hushed. The entire ballpark is hushed – as they bear witness to courage, and compassion silencing ugliness and vulgarity, by an eleven-year-old boy. Mathew’s team eventually loses 4-6, but his teammates ultimately win – one day before Father’s Day.