A smile and hug can do wonders!

Many of you reading this know I love softball! I play it, coach it, and watch it all spring and summer. Last Saturday I pitched the worst game of my life (seriously). I couldn't throw a strike much of the day and I walked about 13 or so batters. We had another pitcher so I thought the coach would replace me several times as our big lead started to disappear but he didn't. He stuck with me (much longer then I would have). Why I was having problems throwing strikes, I have no idea? Usually as a pitcher, you make adjustments when you're struggling, and presto! You're pitching better. None of my adjustments were working.

Eventually, after a miracle escaping of the 8th inning still tied, I came back out in the 9th inning to try one more time unsuccessfully. Thankfully we scored a host of runs in the top of the 9th to take a 10-run lead or so! After starting the bottom of the inning with a couple more walks, I was gracefully taken out for the other pitcher. He came in and presto! Got us out of the inning and did a great job in the 2nd game, shutting the team out altogether. Something you rarely see in slow pitch softball- a shut-out!

Well as any good competitor knows, I wasn't feeling good about my performance, even though the team and I got the win. Everyone on both teams tried to cheer me up and say nice things but I just couldn't understand what was happening. Some things aren't meant to be known! Well all I could do was say to myself it was the Lord's will and I hope I do a lot better in tomorrow's game because there's no 2nd pitcher on that team!

Well later on that evening when I went out for dinner, who should run up to me and say "Hey Mr. J! What're you doing here? I miss you so much!"? One of my former students and her sister. Both of these young ladies have down syndrome and if that is not enough, have had to deal with lots of tragedy in their personal life. To see their bright and beautiful smiles and their happiness despite their tough life, just made me feel really good and helped me to forget my game for awhile!

Of course it rained the next day and now I have to wait for this weekend to get back out on the field, but when all things are put in perspective. What is a bad game of softball?