We are the Champions!

My son finally got his baseball tournament championship trophy this week. He’s allowed to keep it for two weeks before he needs to pass it onto his team mate who will also get to keep it for two weeks before passing it on.  That means two weeks for him to show his buddies, brag to his grandparents, take pictures with it and show his classmates for show and tell.  To him, this trophy represents victory.  It is an accumulation of all the runs he made home, the batters he struck out and all the MVP medals bestowed on him. While kudos goes out to his team for winning out 5 other teams; this trophy represents something more.

I see a team made up of the players, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who come out to practices and games.  I see a team who sits through the rain or huddles under sleeping bags as the sun and temperature goes down to cheer the kids on.  I see a team clambering under tents to shade themselves from the scorching sun, toting barbecues to make hotdogs to feed the kids.  I see a team of parents coming straight from work or getting ready to go to work while they fit in a two-hour long practice on the weekends for their kids.  I see a team of dedicated parents, and in turn, disciplined kids. 

I see a boy tripping and scraping his knees during practice.  I see a concussion from a baseball accidentally flying into a dugout and landing right on the cheek of a player.  I see another boy get a line drive right into his chest and fall over trying to catch his breath.  I see my son pitching and getting a strange ball bounce right on his forehead; holding myself back from running out like a frantic, concerned mother while he is bent over.  I see his head swell up, the ball's stitch marks imprinted on his head and his eyes water.  And when he gets up, I see members of both teams clap and cheer encouragement. I see these kids return to the field or get right back up to home plate to bat, sometimes with trepidation and a little nervousness.  In turn, I see a team of courageous and resilient kids. 

Even though this team has tasted victory for this tournament, I also see the losses of the entire season. Sometimes, it is close and the stress and excitement is overwhelming.  Sometimes, they lose by so much that it is crushing and a ‘mercy rule’ is there to save any semblance of dignity left for the team.  I see tears when a batter strikes out.  I see embarrassment when an outfielder misses that perfect pop fly.  I see self defeat when a pitcher lets too many players get onto the bases.  But I also see players chanting and cheering each other on.  I see boys asking an injured player if he is alright.  I see kids still coming back to play the next game.  I see kids coming to practice wanting to do better.  In turn, I see kids building comradery and exemplifying sportsmanship. 

They all see the trophy, but I see champions.  They have hit it out of the park.