You're Not Done Yet

Picture with me a youth baseball game. Picture with me a boy standing up to bat. But this was not just any baseball game…the championship game. It’s been a long year up to this point and the team was so very close to winning it all. It was the last inning, the bases were loaded 2 outs, down by 1 run. The boy batting had his whole extended family there cheering him on, uncles, grandparents, parents, were there just to watch his game just to cheer him on. This was the championship.

The First pitch came, it so fast, he couldn't even react. As he steps out of the batter’s box he decides he's going to swing no matter what. 2nd pitch comes in right over the plate and he swings but misses. The boy zeros in on the pitcher and re-grips his bat. Now comes the 3rd pitch, everyone's cheering, Let's go. You can do it. He concentrates, and swings as hard as he can and... he misses. Strike 3 you’re out. The other team in their excitement rushes the field cheering, high fiving, and they carry the pitcher off the field. The boy’s team hangs their heads some of them are crying as they walk off the field. If only someone else would have been up to hit last. Quickly the stands empty and the little boy just stands at home plate silent. Both teams clear out. The boy feels alone.

Suddenly he hears, "You're not done yet." He lifts up his head with tears in his eyes and he sees his dad taking the mound, his uncle is headed to 1st base, his mom goes to second and a bunch of aunts filling the outfield. His grandpa at short stop.

His dad from the mound says pick up your bat. You can do this.

The dad winds up and pitches one in. the little boy swings hard again but misses. "Try again." His dad says.

This time the boy hits it but it just kind of slowly rolls toward his grandpa at shortstop.

"Run" yells his dad and all the aunts start cheering from the outfield run!

He takes off at full speed and as luck would have it grandpa at short misses the slow roller and it trickles into the outfield.

By the time his aunt in left field gets it he's halfway to second, she "accidently" throws to first instead and by the time his uncle catches the ball he's rounded 2nd and is heading to third there he beats the throw to his grandma on third. But the throw was over his grandmas head…so he takes off home.

As he heads home his family cheers wildly and his dad runs to home plate to take the catch.

The grandma throws home, the kid slides head first, Dad misses the tag. He’s safe! The whole family rushes him celebrates with him and carries him off the field on their shoulders chanting his name loudly and proudly.