This week’s Inspiration – Life Lessons from Home base!

Today’s Highlighted Quote

“Sometimes you just need to Swing the Bat!” – Raymond Mills

My Uncle Ray had always been a gifted storyteller!  You knew as soon as he twisted the baseball cap on his head sideways and you saw the twinkle in his eyes, you were in for some entertainment … and dispersed in there … wise words.  It was evident at his memorial that his children had inherited his story-telling abilities as they shared some of their favorite memories.  

It was the one told by my Cousin Darren that I connected to immediately.  Darren reminisced about a time when Uncle Ray was Umpiring one of his baseball games.  I couldn’t find the notes I made to remember the story so I asked Darren if he could write some points so that I could frame todays post.  When he sent it to me this weekend, he said I could edit as necessary but to be honest I think what he wrote is perfect!  I have chosen to keep his version and have gotten his permission to share this very personal story/inspiration in his voice.

A lot of people say they can hear my voice in my blogs … I could definitely hear both Darren’s and Uncle Ray’s in this story!  It’s easy to stand in one spot and watch as that “baseball” whizzes by, particularly if you aren’t sure of the playbook or if you are afraid to fail!  But one thing is for sure the only way to keep moving forward is to take that small step or “swing that bat”!  You just may connect with that ball when you least expect it!

A Son’s Inspiration

Baseball was something my Dad and I were able to connect with. I never took to skates, “my feet hurt!” So, Hockey was out. At around 6 or 7 years old, I was given an ultimatum by my parents, “either play an instrument, or play a sport.” Looking back, I kind of wish I would have picked up a guitar. A sport just seemed easier in my mind. Since the sport that my Dad liked most besides hockey was baseball, I chose baseball.

My self-confidence was not very high as a child. To me getting a walk was just as good as getting a hit. Since walks are very real possibility in Little League, that’s what I went up to the plate hoping to do.

My Dad, Raymond, was a very good baseball player and coach. He coached me and my brother Gavin for a year, later on.

What he really excelled at, however was as an umpire. He volunteered as a referee in hockey, and an umpire at the highest competitive level in Little League. And when I played, he was behind the plate, quite often.

This story recalls the first time I came up to bat, with Ol’ Ray calling balls and strikes.

As I said earlier, I would just as soon draw a walk as get a hit. And with my father behind the plate, I was sure he would play along. I was so very wrong.

I stepped into the batter’s box and took my stance. My stance was a deep crouch, my elbows touching my knees. I was trying to shrink the strike zone so much the pitcher could not possibly throw a strike. The pitcher looked at me in disbelief. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “REALLY?”

“PLAY BALL!” Ol’ Ray barked.

The pitcher delivered, the ball sailing over the plate about head high, clearly a ball.

“STEEEEEE!”

Whaaaat?! This isn’t part of the plan! I’ll have to crouch even lower, I guess. For the next pitch my knees were touching my armpits.

The ball comes in two whole feet over my head.

“TWOOOOO!!”

I stood up and turned to look at my Dad. And I saw that look. My siblings have all seen this look before and they can tell you.

It’s the kind of look that says, “Son, if you don’t stand up and swing that ….  bat, you are walking home!” (I’m pretty sure Jane and Ray went to the same parenting school)! 

I stood up. The ball came in, over the plate, belt high. And I swung the bat. 

It would be awesome to say I hit a home run, or drove it into the gap, but no… I hit a grounder to second.

But it did feel good. To put the bat on the ball, just to make contact, was satisfying.

So, after that, I started to swing the bat. And that was the best life lesson my father ever gave me. Swing the bat. Take some chances in life. Apply for a job. Ask a girl to dance. Ask a girl to go on a date. Ask her for her hand in marriage.

Dedication

To Uncle Ray … thank you for the stories and life lessons!  I know you are keeping the clan entertained up above!

Special Thanks

Thank you, Darren Mills for being my surprise guest blogger and thank you for such a great story on inspiration Monday!