Different colored jerseys, but the same team
May 22, 2011
I knew it was going to be a good day before the first batter came to the plate.
The excitement for this weekend’s Miracle League baseball games began earlier in the week. When dropping off Nathan to school, one of his classmates and best friends as me, “Mr. Kevin, will you be able to come to my baseball game this Saturday? We play at 11 o’clock.” I told him, “Yes. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Nathan had the 9:45 game meaning being the first one’s on the field for the day. Nathan’s team had played the past two weeks but the team in the other dugout had both of their games rained out. The players were introduced and took their places on the baselines as the Star Spangled Banner played. Everyone stood, took off their hats and focused on the flagpole in center field. What started making this day special was the sound from one of the players on the other team belting out the anthem with as much energy and enthusiasm as he could muster. Probably around 14-15 years old, this special-needs child, couldn’t get every word out, and his melody wouldn’t have landed him a spot on American Idol, but it still almost brought a tear to my eye. The spirit he had and patriotism that abounded from every ounce of his being, shows these kids know what’s going on and what it’s like to be a part of a true baseball game.
Once the action started, everyone had a good time. His second time up, his cousin helped me coax Nathan from base-to-base and celebrated with us as he crossed the plate. While out in the field, Nathan wandered here-and-there, giggling, walking, running, enjoying being outside. The game ended, handshakes were given, but the excitement was just beginning.
Not one, but two of his classmates (both their first year in the Miracle League) would be playing “against” each other. As the lineups were announced, I got a little nervous. I heard one friend’s name but not the other. Nathan got in line for his team photos, and once that chaos subsided, I scanned the bench, then the field to see who was here. One friend, “Fearless” is her nickname (which suits her very well) was in the outfield playing with her buddy, her brother, and a quick glance to the parking lot showed that “Snuggly Bear” had just arrived and was going to get to play in his first game of the season as well.
His parents made sure he got to the dugout, and went to sit down, but we waved them down and we all got to talk. Apparently being late has its advantages as he got added to the end of the line up, meaning he got to hit a homerun, in his first at-bat in the league. He hit a simple swing off the tee and headed to first. He rounded second and headed toward third. On his way, he saw his mom, dad, Annette, Nathan and I all cheering for him. As a big smile built across his face, he waved to his adoring fans, and leaned back and told his buddy, “That’s Nathan. He’s my friend.”
As the teams switched places and Snuggly Bear was handed a ball to play in the field, he kept throwing and chasing the ball in our direction, so he could see all of us. He had to make sure we all saw his hit and how he hit a homerun. He wanted to give Nathan a hug. (A little challenging as Nathan was on the other side of the fence.) I lifted Nathan over, my arms just long enough to hold him and let the friend transaction take place.
Soon it was time for Fearless to bat. Snuggly Bear returned to the field and made his buddy stop and watch, as he wanted to see her hit. Snuggly, started yelling her name before she hit the ball and he cheered for her running (via crutches) to first, and from base-to-base until she scored as well. We were late for a lunch date with family, but it took a lot to pull me away from the field that day.
As the school year winds down, we’re learning that many of Nathan’s friends will head different directions after this year. Several will head to their local kindergarten classes and others will move on to schools closer to their homes. It’s one more reason this baseball season will be so special. Nathan’s team doesn’t play Fearless’ and the week Nathan’s team plays Snuggly Bear’s, is the same weekend Annette and I will be out of town. (I guess we can hope for a rainout, because having to weigh the two places to be made for a very hard decision.)
The philosophy behind the Miracle League is simple, giving special-kids a chance to participate in a normal kid’s activity, and playing it up to remind each player how valuable they are. Every game ends with a tie score, but it’s clear that every player is a winner. Nathan (“the Natural,”) Snuggly Bear, and Fearless may never make it to ESPN, but the highlights they leave in our hearts will live on for a long, long time.
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