Eager little boys hung on every word the man said. Their eyes were sparkling with anticipation and excitement. They could hardly wait for the coach to finish explaining so they could run and hit and throw. Parents stood to the side, proudly watching their budding baseball stars.
I was focused on my own little star. He was first in line and not so patiently waiting as the coach explained the concept of running bases. “This is home. Run as fast as you can to first. Make sure you touch the base. Run as fast as you can to second, then to third, and then back home. Make sure you touch every base.” The coach pointed to the orange cones serving as bases on the makeshift baseball diamond in the middle of the park. This was the first practice for the first time T-ballers. Tennis balls and orange cones substituted for baseballs and bases.
The coach looked at Matthew, who was now bouncing up and down, not able to contain his excitement. “Are you ready? Go!”
I smiled as I watched my little slugger run as fast as his legs would carry him, down the first base line. I wondered what he was up to as he slowed near first, bent over, and “touched” the cone that was first base. Arms pumping, he blasted toward second, and as before, slowed, bent, and “touched” second. Quiet laughter spread through the spectator parents. Grins broke across the faces of the coaches. Matthew soared to third, “touched” his base, and then raced home. His coach, smiling, scooped him up and spun him around. His words showed compassion and wisdom. “You did EXACTLY as I said. Next time, touch the base with your foot!”