05/29/2026
THIS. IS. OUR. WHY.
Sharing this email we received recently.
Fwd:Little League baseball and softball are the toughest and most rewarding team sports young kids can play. Today’s T-Ball and coach pitch require every kid to play the whole game and bat according to the batting order. Other young team sports, such as football, scooter, basketball, and volleyball, do not place each player in a position to win or lose a game based on their performance at bat. For these young ballplayers, there is the opportunity and pressure to be a hero or a zero two to four times a game in the batter's box. After the jubilation of a hit or the sadness of an out, they face the challenge of success or failure every inning. Playing in the field can involve catching and throwing for an out or making a dropped fly ball, missing a ground ball, or making an overhead throw. All of these can result in the winning run scoring as a consequence of their error! Sounds like a great team sport full of fun, right?
In baseball, regardless of age or level of play, each player faces these factors every slow minute in the back of their mind. For Little Leaguers, the pressure is often felt more acutely than by Major League players. What keeps them on the field and ready to step into the batter’s box is the amazing thrill of achieving something for themselves and their teammates to share.
I am writing today because yesterday I experienced the greatest moment in baseball I have ever witnessed. My grandson Oliver started coach pitch after two years of T-Ball. During preseason practice, while batting, he tipped a foul ball off his bat that hit him in the mouth; he was scared much more than hurt. In the following games, he was skittish about being hit again to the point where he never made contact with the ball in games or practice. Over the last twelve games, he was hit by a pitch three times accidentally. He was reluctant to stay in the batter’s box or even swing the bat. The coaches and teammates encouraged him all along the way. I helped coach and urged him to just focus on staying in the batter’s box and swinging the bat.
At yesterday’s game, after two strikeouts, he made contact and fouled a ball out of bounds, but struck out again on the next pitch. His next turn at bat, he got his first hit, which was four or five feet in front of home plate, but he made it to second base and drove in a run. The next batter got his first hit as well, allowing Oliver to go home and score a run—the very first hit of the season after eleven previous games.
Without encouragement from anyone, his teammates started to cheer for his success in the dugout. That was my greatest moment in baseball. Oliver and another first-time hitter each received signed "Game Balls." I told Oliver at home later that learning to overcome his fear was one of the most valuable life lessons he could have. That lesson was only second to never quitting on himself.
I want to thank the Bluefield Area Little League, his coaches, teammates, and other parents—not only for cheering him on but also for helping to teach valuable lessons to these Little Leaguers.
