Prescott Place

Nolan’s first t-ball game was everything I imagined. It was funny, chaotic, and absolutely adorable. But I walked away from the game with much more than I thought I would. I walked away with a light heart and a heavy heart.

As the players were settling into the dugout, the Coach was providing the players with last minute instructions. You know like, “There are four bases. First, Second, Third, and Home Base. You run the bases in that order. You will each have a position to play when we are on the field.” And so on.  Just a few “minor” details were doled out. The boys seemed to be half listening.  Some (Nolan being one) seemed more concerned about their water bottles, getting their baseball bags hung on the fence, and chatting.

The “Bronx Bombers” (aka Nolan’s team) were on the field first. Nolan was assigned to 2^nd Base (not that he had a clue what responsibility that entails).  I was proud of him. He was a very eager player.  Meaning not only did he run for the ball when it was headed in his direction, but any direction for that matter.  He was quite the “team” player.   The couple of times he actually got the ball, it was anyone’s guess in which direction he would throw it.  Thank goodness there were four to five coaches strategically placed on the field to provide MUCH needed guidance and direction.  In serving his role to the best of his ability, he also seemed to feel the need to slide towards the ball. Each time after he slid, once he was back on his feet, he inspected his pants. The dirtier the better seemed to be his thought.  An authentic all American boy in the making no doubt.

When Nolan’s team was up to bat, there was about a 50% chance the batter would run towards first base after they made contact with the ball. The other 50% of the time, the players seemed to think the object was to run in the direction their ball was headed. The first time Nolan was up to bat, he chose the latter.  Once again, the coaches saved the day.  Nolan was the last batter in the game today so he was able to hit a “home run” both times he was up to bat. He loved being able to say “I hit a home run twice today.”

The second and final time Nolan’s team was on the field, he played in the outfield. By this time there was a little less energy in Nolan’s step.  He kicked dirt around, faced more in the direction of the opposing team’s dug out than the batter, but also ran for balls when they were in his general direction.  Whatever fit his fancy in that moment.

Each team was up to bat twice and played in the field twice. The game lasted about 45-50 minutes. It was just enough time.  At the end of the game the coaches lined up the players and instructed them on how to hold out their hand and walk in line to go congratulate the other team on a good game.  The “event” ended with a post game wrap up with their coaches.

What I think I was not expecting, was the genuine innocence of the game.  There truly were no winners or losers.  Score was not kept. And although the coach told the players at the end of the game they had “won,” the truth is, I don’t think most of the players even realized it was a competition. That usually a score is kept when you are playing a sport and one team wins and the other loses.

There were no outs. Even if officially you were “out,” (the couple of times that actually happened) you were able to stay on your base. Everyone had the chance to bat at each inning. Everyone crossed home plate and scored.  Everyone.was.a.winner.

Everyone cheered everyone on.  The game was positive throughout. The coaches were uplifting and encouraging even through all the chaos.  In the post game wrap-up, he talked about how well the team had played.

The smiles on the players’ faces were PRICELESS. Seeing Nolan grin ear to ear when he heard, “Go Nolan! Way to Go!” when he was up to bat was an expression I wish I could bottle up and hold onto forever.  He was so proud of himself whether he ran to first base as he should have or in the direction of the ball after he hit.  He believes he is a good baseball player.  If only that 100% belief in his abilities could last forever.

It is obvious why I left with a light heart after the game. I also left with a heavy heart because Nolan is on the cusp of everything changing in his world. The innocence that was so evident tonight, the innocence I am so often reminded of by the things he says and does, is quickly slipping away.  He is five years old. Young in the big scheme of things I know, but he also is not a baby anymore.  The world is opening up to him.  I am not ready for that. I am not ready for that.

I think the world could learn a lesson from a t-ball game. If only we lived in a world where we always encourage one another, where there are no losers, where everything is not about competition, where we work together, where criticism is not allowed, where there is not always someone keeping “score”, where there is not an “us vs. them” mentality, where innocence still abounds.

Yes, this game tonight was funny, chaotic, and absolutely adorable, but it also was so much more.

Click here to see a few pictures. Hopefully a video will be posted soon!