A Sinful Pitch

For several years, it was nearly unhittable. He threw it between 94-97 miles per hour. It bore in on left-handers and moved away from right-handers. Appearing to be a fastball out of his hand, it was altogether something different by the time it broke the bats of...

Get Us out of the Jam

“Get us out of the jam.” Those were the words of my coach as he handed me the ball, our team leading 8-0. It was my first appearance at the varsity level. I was a freshman. The bases were loaded. The guy at the plate for them was huge. A pitch or two...

Wisdom, Foolishness, Consequences, and Jesus

Baseball gives immediate feedback. That pitch obviously didn’t work. That play wasn’t made. That ball was hit well. That throw was on target. Baseball also gives long term feedback. That guy has really gotten better. I wonder why this guy hasn’t...

“You Can Get Ripped, Too”

As I prepared to enter the batting cage outside the field one day during my senior year of high school, a barrage of choice words flew my way from my head coach. Wondering what I had done, but not wanting to upset him further, I nodded, took it, and proceeded to take...

You Can’t Help Everyone

Years ago, during my time as an undergraduate student, I chose a major in secondary education. I wanted to coach, and teaching was the most obvious route for that pursuit. Idealistic and green, I truly believed that I could help anyone and everyone. And did I ever...