Also during this tournament, I was able to get to know the players. I already know several of them from prior teams, but there are some that I had never met before the last couple of months. I used this tournament as a way to analyze each individual player's strengths and weaknesses, what positions they can play on the field, where to put them in the batting order, etc. More importantly, I was able to gauge the player's ability to be coached, mental tenacity, and their will to win. Seeing those characteristics in a player helps me see them through different eyes. I can see how receptive they are to different types of coaching, and I can see what kind of young men they are on and off the field.
One of the more memorable stories from this weekend was with a specific player on our team. I hadn't met this young man before a couple months ago, and I have been trying to figure out what to tell him so he can fix his swing. While warming up before our last game in Las Vegas, I was watching him hit and I decided to film a couple swings with my phone and look at it in slow motion. I noticed a very crucial flaw in his swing. When his round of batting practice was over, I pulled him aside to show him. It seemed like it clicked with him. During the latter innings of the game, he had an important at-bat. We needed to put a rally together, and this young man stepped to the plate with a chance for an RBI. He remembered what we had talked about, and he delivered a huge hit for our team.The best part about this at-bat was when he made it to first base with a big smile on his face saying, "I did it!" It was more than baseball for this young man. He had accomplished something that he had been struggling with for awhile, and I was grateful to be a part of this process.
Just like in baseball, we have "teams" in our church organizations in the form of quorums, groups, classes, wards, stakes, etc. These individual groups aren't one single body, but are full of individuals with very unique personalities. We can't overlook an individual in the group just because they seem different than the others. As leaders/teachers it is our calling to teach the doctrine of the kingdom to our brothers and sisters. If we have been called to teach a Sunday School class, it is our sacred duty given to us by God to nurture and bring up every member of that class. Church leaders often have a huge impact on the life of youth by showing interest in their personal lives. I remember the leaders who came to my baseball games, and to this day I have a great friendship with them. Don't miss your chance to be God's messenger to one of His children.
My dad once said, "treat other people the way that you depend on Jesus Christ to treat you." I depend on my Savior for everything, and I owe it to Him to spread his gospel to all those around me. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)
One of the more memorable stories from this weekend was with a specific player on our team. I hadn't met this young man before a couple months ago, and I have been trying to figure out what to tell him so he can fix his swing. While warming up before our last game in Las Vegas, I was watching him hit and I decided to film a couple swings with my phone and look at it in slow motion. I noticed a very crucial flaw in his swing. When his round of batting practice was over, I pulled him aside to show him. It seemed like it clicked with him. During the latter innings of the game, he had an important at-bat. We needed to put a rally together, and this young man stepped to the plate with a chance for an RBI. He remembered what we had talked about, and he delivered a huge hit for our team.The best part about this at-bat was when he made it to first base with a big smile on his face saying, "I did it!" It was more than baseball for this young man. He had accomplished something that he had been struggling with for awhile, and I was grateful to be a part of this process.
Just like in baseball, we have "teams" in our church organizations in the form of quorums, groups, classes, wards, stakes, etc. These individual groups aren't one single body, but are full of individuals with very unique personalities. We can't overlook an individual in the group just because they seem different than the others. As leaders/teachers it is our calling to teach the doctrine of the kingdom to our brothers and sisters. If we have been called to teach a Sunday School class, it is our sacred duty given to us by God to nurture and bring up every member of that class. Church leaders often have a huge impact on the life of youth by showing interest in their personal lives. I remember the leaders who came to my baseball games, and to this day I have a great friendship with them. Don't miss your chance to be God's messenger to one of His children.
My dad once said, "treat other people the way that you depend on Jesus Christ to treat you." I depend on my Savior for everything, and I owe it to Him to spread his gospel to all those around me. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)
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