The knee pads I wore for the rest of the year proved
I could no longer be the person I claimed to be on the field, but just a goofy looking, frustrated athlete...wearing Pirates gear. The next week, all I could hear was "You're out of control", "You're trying to be the hero", "You don't trust your teammates", and as time passed it became "You don't trust anyone" and "You want to make all this about you". The experience was humbling, and that next week's practice the goofy frustrated athlete, who wore the uncomfortable knee pads, told his teammates: "
I'm twenty-nine, I have bad knees, and I can't play like the nineteen year old I think I am. I need you to help me, so I'm going to teach you what I know." The words were simple; most of the team was high-school age with some rookies, yet they were in much better shape than I was at that age, and much thinner, too! Losing my speed meant listening to the team captains, echoing their gameplan on the field, getting teammates up when things weren't going right, and trusting in them and their abilities instead of going for glory and that elusive seventh homerun of the season. Whatever the cost now meant not starting for the first time all season, losing my spot in left field and playing first base, moving down in the lineup, and letting the captains coach and direct first and being an assistant to that. It wasn't always easy to do, and pride is something I still have an abundance, but I would like to think things worked out alright.
Is that what the Christian life should be about? Admitting your age, your shortcomings, and your need for help? Last year, I didn't do that, and if I could I would bring back that team from 2010 and apologize for not being that person. Like in baseball, being a Christian is not about accomplishment and the diving catch and being the "Silver Slugger", it is about doing those things that don't show up in the stats column: Leadership, humility, respect, heart, sportsmanship, and knowing ultimate victory comes from acknowledging all that Jesus Christ already achieved and following His wonderful example. With Him to strengthen us, we can do all things.
While trying to learn those lessons, the city tournament was upon us. "Major League Players" and six other teams battling it out under sunny skies for the title of the league's best. Since my injury, we improved to 8-4 an earned a bye to the semi-final round after a stellar team effort in those EPIC morning games. There were freak moments during those games, which were both challenging and humbling, but too numerous to regale in this post (I do plan on telling them at a later date). Late in the semi-final, I was spent; exhausted from the day's worth of games, I could not continue nor keep a positive outlook in that critical moment of the game. I do remember praying, "Just give me one more chance, just enough [energy] for one more play". I named my outfield glove "Hayley WILLIAMS" because it is multicoloured and could sing; I looked at her, and whispered "One more chance, and then you can rest".
It was the second-to-last inning, and the goofy left-fielder in the Pirates hat spotted the tying run on first base, and the potential game changer at the plate: He was the best player for the opposing team all season, and played actual baseball for fun o_O All game, no one hit to left field if it was in the air, only on the ground, so when he hit the quick falling line drive towards the foul line I was surprised.
It was a smart hit, a good hit, and the angle was accurate and precise. I admit, as I ran with the strange sensation of having two good knees, I liked watching it fly. There was no awkward tightness of knee pads constricting my movement, no sound coming from the infield or from the cars on the adjacent roadway or anywhere else, and no sun and clouds or sky to speak of. I get teary-eyed when I think of that run-up because moments like that happen to someone else; yet for some wacky reason only God understands, He gave me 'one more chance'. Everything from the past year flashed at that moment, so when my arm reached across my body towards the ball and my body slid along the moist green grass the pains of 2010 and 2011 melted away. The ball fell right into the Hayley's net, and after closing the glove I could immediately hear my teammates on our bench going crazy! No sooner had I emerged with the ball then it was gone again; I immediately made a blind throw right to my teammate and shortstop Dan without knowing where he was! While the runner on first tagged up, the chance to threaten and take the lead from us was gone. We would never fall behind again for the rest of the day.
"Hayley" might catch another flyball, and those grass stains from that diving catch might come out of those baseball pants, but I will never forget that moment.
Once in the final, it was time to let the captains' strategy do its work: Trust each other, and make every play. In those pre-game moments, I tried to chat with each of my teammates and thank them for their help in making the season possible. They worked so hard to end the year as champions, and it was only fitting they earned the victory working together; as per custom, I served as a role player and let my teammates frustrate our opponents in the final game of the day.
Fittingly, the moment of victory came as a shock to all of us. We believed we were losing into the final inning, but after playing good defense we heard the scorekeeper announce to everyone present "That's Game"; as the home team, we would not require a bottom half of the final inning as we won, 6-5. I remember screaming, running into the infield, and joining a dog pile of players in the infield. Then there were hugs, handshakes, celebratory photos, more handshakes, more hugs, and rain. The events of that night passed almost like a blur, but I do remember thinking about that team from 2010; this was their celebration, even though they were not there to share it with me. Wait a second...is it over?
Many of my friends in the league asked me that question, and the answer is "No". Just because the "Major League Players" won in 2011 doesn't mean the work is over, the journey toward the ultimate victory just began. All the great work in 2010, for example, continues even now; as our keynote speaker told us during the banquet the following Sunday, what God laid on our hearts should lead us into further action, commitment, and training. Whether in first place or last place, every believer should know true victory in Jesus is real, authentic, and must be shared with whoever we come into contact with. According to Matthew 28, Jesus said upon His ascension, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". Confounding to understand, the journey to a championship should be an ongoing victory; that is what I learned from being a "Major League Player"
What a ride this will be; "Whatever The Cost".
