Play Ball!

“Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!”
― Babe Ruth

Yesterday was Opening Day for the 2014 Baseball Season.  Many people it was just another day and they do not care.  For those of us that are huge baseball fans it's the beginning of an up and down season.  It signifies to me the start of spring and the joyous thought that Summer is right around the corner.  Censie is not a huge baseball fan but she puts up with me watching the games.  I am one of those select few that can watch a baseball game from beginning to end on TV without getting board. 

Also this gets me excited to take Jude and Teagan out to Coors Field to watch a Rockies game. We will go and have hot dogs and maybe some popcorn and if the kiddos are good we often times get ice cream.  We don’t just get the cone of ice cream we get the ice cream in the baseball helmet is there any other way to eat ice cream at a baseball game?

Baseball has always been a big part of my life.  I grew up playing and loving the sport, it didn't come 100% naturally to me but then again nothing did when you were 13 years old and almost 6'0" tall but only weighed about 120 lbs, I was awkward to say the least but I still loved getting out and playing baseball.  I spent a lot of time at the little league because my dad was the President of the Little League so if I wanted to see my dad I was there.  I then also umpired as a job and got to help teach some of the younger kids about baseball. 

I grew up going to baseball games with my Father and Grandfather's.  At that time it was the Denver Zephyrs, a minor league team but still loved going.  We even went to a game for my birthday one year.  My silly sister tried to convince me that we were going to a Bronco's game but come on Heidi I knew the sports seasons!   I have a lot of great memories of playing and watching baseball and I know that it can teach you a lot of valuable lessons like neither a slump nor a streak can last forever.  Also anyone can be the hero on any given night. 

Jude is somewhat interested in baseball but does not want to watch the games with me on TV but he does like going to games.  Trust me if either one of them ask me to take them to a game you can guarantee I will be looking for a way to get tickets to the game.  I will not pass on a chance to go watch a game at a stadium.  I hope that this is something that I can share with my children as they get older but if not oh well I will always have my love for Baseball.  

Sports and life

My prescription for success
is based on something my father always used to tell me:
You should never try to be better than someone else,
but you should never cease trying to be the best you can be.
-John Wooden

Many people know John Wooden to be a great coach but not many people know how devoted of a family man and husband he is.  John Wooden’s wife passed away in 1985 and every month on the 21^st of each month John Wooden visit her grave and then write her a love letter and put it on the pillow she used to use. 

I was thinking recently why is it that the majority of men use sports to connect with their children.  I am one of the first to admit that I love sharing my love of sports with my son Jude.  I am going to share my love of sports with our little girl coming soon as well.  I think that it can be used for many things in life. 

Let’s just take a quick look at this.  Sports typically, and I say typically, should show the necessity for team work.  They also show a level of having to follow rules and comply.  Now a days this hasn’t been something shown in the community but within the game you have to show respect for rules.  It also shows us that everyone has something different to offer. 

Now I am just a fan of sports in general, ask Censie I will watch a sporting game even though I don’t care who is playing!  I know all the women are out there sighing and rolling their eyes, but let me explain.  This was the biggest connection that I had to my father as a child.  I love my father greatly.  We are much closer now than when I was younger but we had a great connection through sports as a child.  Think about it we get to do something that we love as a “guy” and get to share it with our family.  I can have a great time going out and throwing a ball with Jude, we can have fun without having to go spend money or go anywhere.  It is funny even now if I call my dad and my grandfather I can guarantee you that sports will come up in some capacity of our conversations. 

To me it also taught me an appreciation for history.  I loved being able to display my grandfather’s glove while announcing our first child.  My great grandfather played semi-pro baseball.  I am not saying that we should push our children to be these great athletes, I have told Censie I don’t care what Jude does as long as he enjoys what he is doing and commits to it.  Shoot that could be dancing for all I care it has to be something that makes his hear happy.  My father loves watching Golf, it is not my first choice by my father enjoys it. 

As a father I know that sharing my love of something is easy with Jude and will be with our daughter as well because it is something that I love.  I hope that I can teach my children about the better things about sports and also encourage them to get out and get moving so that we can as a family enjoy that time together.  I know that every man is not going to agree with me but there are some good things with sports that I hope to share.