Play Ball! What Baseball Season Teaches Me.

There is something about baseball season that makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. I get so excited and I just can't wait to see the guys back on the field. This year I stopped to ask myself what I love about baseball. I realized baseball provides good life lessons. I also realized I could probably fill a book on the subject but here are just a few... Growing up "baseball" was a language everyone in my house spoke. Mom, Dad, 3 brothers, one sister and me (the youngest) could all get in on the conversation. Baseball bridges generation gaps. When Gramma and Grandpa visited we could talk about their memories of the Milwaukee Braves as we huddled around the TV to watch the Atlanta Braves (no teams in Florida yet). It gave us a way to connect with each other. Baseball fosters love. I'll never forget the "girl's road trip" Mom, sister and I took. We drove 10 hours from our Florida home to Atlanta to see the Braves play baseball. Hank Aaron was chasing the home run record. We didn't see it happen but it was a thrill to watch him making history. What an inspiration he was (is) to a young girl at her first big league game. He was getting death threats from ignorant people who didn't want an African American man breaking a white man's record yet he played on. I saw no color; I saw a man who loved the game. I saw an underdog not giving up. A lot of lessons learned on that trip...on and off the field! I saw a strong man on the field and a strong mom off the field... AND I got a foul ball hit by Rod Gilbreath. I love that baseball brings all types of people together. Players/fans of all colors, sizes, religions, nationalities, income levels, sexes, many diversities coming together in the love of the game. Of course occasionally there are ignorant types that spoil it, but for the most part it's all good. I have sat in the owner's box with baseball execs and hall of famers and been able to carry on a conversation because we share the love of baseball. (Yes..I have also been too star struck to talk...Willie Mays can have that affect!). As a die heart SF Giant's fan I have even befriended LA Dodger fans. That's saying something about the power of baseball! Baseball grows connections. I get to spend time with family, friends and my husband while watching/listening/talking baseball. I have made many a new friend because of the game. I can even connect with strangers on the street as they proudly wear their team's colors (especially if it is black and orange). I love that in baseball a player doesn't have to be the hero hitting a grand slam at every at bat in order to contribute. He can be the one who bunts to move the runners over in order to set up a score. Every "little bit" counts. Just like I don't have to wake up every day and "hit it out of the park" in order to have a productive day and feel good about myself. Each step is a good step! I love that each pitch, inning, game, series, season is a start over--a clean slate. The "past" is left behind; lessons are learned and you move on. It is amazing to me too see a pitcher give up a homer run, shake it off and strike the next batter out. I gain inspiration from that to not give up when I "fail". I can learn, tweak my game plan and try again. That is a powerful lesson baseball teaches me. Baseball is fun! I get to go the (IMO) most beautiful park in the country to "play". I get to wear all my Giant's gear, sing at the top of my lungs ("Take me out to the game..."), cheer, clap my hands, fist pump, high five, laugh, smile, cry ("they" say there is no crying in baseball but I have shed many a tear), drink beer, eat junk food, and connect. I also sit at home and have fun watching baseball. Reminds me, it's not all about the "win" but to appreciate the "play" along the way. Like I said I could go on and on but I'll call it a "game". I'd love to hear what you love about baseball and what it teaches you!! P.S. Obviously I am talking about my love of professional baseball but the same lessons learned can be said about all "ball" from little league to softball and on up. P.P.S Topics for another blog: What I learned from being the first girl to play little league in my home town Siesta Key, FL. (We didn't win a game all season). What I learned playing softball for many years. What I learned breaking my hand during my senior season dashing my hopes for a scholarship. Told ya I could go on and on!!