Baseball is the one sport called America’s National Pastime.  It is arguably the single sport that carried the nation through wars, economic downturns, and national catastrophes. In the early 20th century, families would huddle around radios listening to their favorite radio voice bring the game to them in their living rooms.  Some families watched games through snowy black and white television screens. Others, if they were lucky enough, were able to take in a game in person seeing their favorite ball players in full color. Presidents and other celebrities throw out first pitches for baseball games while the smells of popcorn and hot dogs and the sounds of wooden bats connecting with baseballs fill the stadiums.  The traditions of the diamond are unmatched, and few things are better than watching a father in the grandstands pointing out the intricacies of the sport to their sons or daughters. Boys and girls across the nation hope for just a glimpse of their favorite player whom they emulate each time they play ball in their backyards.

One of the daily mindset principles is we are thankful for the opportunity to play.  The more we learn about baseball, both in skill and in a historical perspective, the greater our appreciation becomes.  The more we appreciate what we have the more we keep things in perspective. When we are thankful for the mere opportunity to play the sport we love, the purpose for playing becomes much clearer.  We become part of something bigger than ourselves. We come to respect not only the game but our teammates, opponents, coaches and the very traditions that make the game so special.

What is being described is an underrated trait called humility.  With humility, we raise a shield that blocks outside influences and prevents us from becoming more important than the game.  With humility, we respect calls umpires make when we are at the plate, on the base path, or on the mound. With humility, our teammates are built up when they make an error or blow a save.  With humility, we have an appreciation for those who take care of the fields we play on and the many hours that go into volunteering in concession stands and ticket booths. With humility, we have a greater ability to focus on the things we can control and not worry about the things we cannot.  With humility, we are able to ignore the static and have a laser-like focus on the task at hand, which is being the best player we can possibly be. We are thankful for the opportunity to play.

by Brian Walters​

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Category: Baseball/Softball1 Comment