The boys last week went through two days of baseball camp with a Double A Minor league team, that calls this area home.
About 100 kids showed up, to take instruction from future major league players. All the kids were star struck. We go to the teams games quite often, the boys have autographs, and for them to be able to stand on that field, and play ball with their hero's was nothing short of being awesome.
I sat in the stands with the other parents, and took the entire two days in. And thought about those over paid, demanding players in the Major league. Those that seem it is a job more then a game.
Do they remember when they loved playing? Before the million dollar contracts and all the perks that being successful comes with.
Do they remember when they were little and the neighborhood kids would get together on the street or in someones yard, perhaps a back lot somewhere and just play the game? Laughing and arguing all at the same time about who was "Out" and who wasn't?
The last day of camp was scrimmage games. The minor leaguers were pitching to the kids. and playing the role of umpires. They were mentoring these kids and helping them learn baseball fundamentals. NW was actually starting to hit the ball. He hit it so well that on one occasion he drilled the Teams Managers son on the cheek. The child went crying to the trainers and his daddy, and NW happily went trotting off to first base.
The kids were having Fun, The coaches were having fun, The minor league players-those stars of tomorrow were having fun. They were there to pass on their knowledge of baseball, because once a long time ago when they were in Little League some one did that for them.
They were there for the Love of the Game.
-JUGM
PS: That last night of camp. The kids were all invited back to enjoy the regular season game of the minor league team. The kids were brought out on to the field and recognized in front of the crowd.
