National Tragedy

During this day and time of many national tragedies such as increasing gas prices, the mortgage crisis, presidential elections, the war in Iraq and illegal alien issues I have felt compelled to write on the national tragedy of America's favorite past time---Baseball.

Baseball, truly God's game. As much as I love football in this crazy football state of Texas, there is just something about spring baseball; not the 102 degree summer ball but the spring kind, where the sun shines bright in the big blue sky but the breeze is still a little crisp. Even though the steroid scandal is putting a shadow over the professional ranks, I am more concerned with baseball on a much smaller scale. African-American youngsters and little league baseball.

As I stated in my very first blog entry, my husband had been asked to coach in the MLK little league here in Lubbock. After making sure our soon to be 12 yr-old son was okay about playing in the league, my husband decided he would take the offer. The problem with this league is that there is not a lot of parental participation and the turn out for the kids is often low. We knew things would be different than other leagues our son has played in. Usually too much parental involvement.

We didn't know exactly how different until tryouts started a few weeks ago. There has been a shortage of kids signing up. In the 11 and 12 yr-old division we have yet been able to fill 4 teams. This has been somewhat frustrating since every other little league in town (5 in total) have more kids than they can handle. I know financial issues is part of the problem. A kid can play basketball with just a hoop and a ball, where baseball takes much more. We have many kids coming to play with no glove. We have loaned out many and through our church should be able to supply more.

The kids we have on our team have been great. Many have never even played before but are very willing to learn. It has been my husband's goal to try increase their interest in the game and to learn some lessons on and off the field as well. It is hard to compete with football and basketball with the marketing tools and money that are invested in them. Baseball just doesn't get the glamour appeal of the other two. We just want these kids to be proud to play a game that so many sacrificed for them to play like Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and many others.

We know God has lead us down this road and we know He has a grand plan for us to follow. Think of these young men this season as they prepare to learn this game. Go 2008 MLK Red Socks!

"Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common."

"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines"

both by Satchel Paige