The Game

It’s the biggest game of their lives and everybody involved is getting nervous. There are only three outs left and the pitcher has almost reached the maximum number of pitches he can throw, eighty five. The coaches are pacing back and forth in the dugout trying to decide what, if anything, to do next. They can let him pitch to one more batter or take him out now. What to do when you are down by one run and facing elimination in the Little League World Series.
The manager makes his move toward the mound; he has to make a decision. He calls time out and walks on the field. The man waves his arms as he walks on the field and a crowd of long faced twelve year olds join him at the mound. Some of the boys appear to be fighting back tears while others are looking at their shoes. The team looks to have already lost the game and judging from their expressions, they are already thinking about the long ride home to New England.
The manager gathers the boys around him and looks each boy in the eyes. Here it comes, I think, he’s going to rip them a new one. “Isn’t this great? You guys are great!” he says with a thick Boston accent, “This game is great, we are a great team!” The boys look up at him and a few even manage a smile. “I’m so proud of each one of you. Go get them”. He hands the ball back to the struggling pitcher and walks back to the dugout.
Well a miracle did not happen for those boys that night, they were eliminated. They will watch the remainder of the tournament from home, and playing under the Williamsport lights will be only a memory. The numbers are not really in favor of any of these boys making it to the big leagues, so this will probably be the biggest sporting event in which most of them will ever participate. But what a memory it will be!
I have continued to think of this game since I watched it last night. Sure, the competition was intense, but what their coach told them when all was lost has really stuck with me. Whether we win or lose, we are great. If we enjoy life for what it is, what we are doing and who we are doing it with…we win every game.