On the stairs to the second floor or our home we have sayings on each step.  The first step says "In this house..."  The second step says "We believe in God".  One of the next steps says "Baseball is life".  There's a reason for that.  

 

Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  My dad coached high school baseball and I was the bat boy starting at 4 years old.  My mom kept the scorebook.  Both of my brothers played. The Braves were always on the radio in the house and on the long car rides home from Granny's house. 

 

I played on my first baseball team as a 10 year old.  I slept in my uniform (just ask my mother if you don't believe me:).  The game was rained out.  The first two life lessons baseball taught me:  1.  You can't control the weather.  2.  You have to be patient.  I wore #8 in honor of Joe Morgan and the Big Red Machine and I played 2nd base.  I can take you to the field to this day.  Baseball left an imprint on my life and my soul.

 

I coach baseball so I can share that passion and love with the boys who play.  The game teaches you so much more than patience.  It teaches discipline, self control and how to be a good teammate, Baseball provided me the thrill of winning a championship and the agony of walking in the go ahead run in the bottom of the 7th with two outs and a full count on the hitter.  I've learned how to find the lessons in losing and how to win with grace.  I coach so I can hopefully pass that along.  

 

Baseball is a sanctuary for me.  I pray that it will be for you son too.