All their faces were in front of me

Last night I called two games - a T-ball game, and a Coach Pitch game. Something really funny occured. As I was watching each boy come up to bat, probably more so in the the Coach Pitch game, I saw the faces of all the boys and girls I've coached in the past.

Each one came up and there was an eerie reminder of each little guy that I've pitched to at one time or another. There were a couple that even reminded me of my own son. It was funny to me. As individual as we all are, there are certain traits we pick up that help us in that individuality, but somehow make us similar at the same time.

These guys also reminded me of what I miss when I watch the older boys play.....they're having fun. 9/10's, 11/12's and up really start competing hard. I think bragging rights at school plays into it quite a bit. This isn't parent induced competition - it comes from inside each boy. The problem the older boys have with it is they can't control it yet. They haven't figured out how to compete hard and have fun. An error or blown call causes them to lose their focus, and in turn it lets the team down. The games ended last night and win or lose each player was still the happy little guy he walked in as. That fades too quickly. I'm sure a bag of Dorito's and a cold juice bag is plenty incentive. Instead of pride, the little guys are playing for the snack reward at the end of the game.