I moved to a new neighborhood and tried out for baseball.
Tryouts started with fielding. I had great range, good glove, good arm. Coach called me in, told me I had a spot, asked me to go back out and back up the kids who weren't as proficient, throw errant balls back into the coaches.
I very bitingly, almost cruelly, asked a bumbling kid why he even bothered to try out. His response:"my dad said if I played baseball maybe I'd make some friends".
I almost blew my own transmission switching gears and said " I'll be your friend, kid."
A few years later, when I was about 15 and I'd get thrown out of the house, I'd sleep on a bench in that park.
That kid, who lived across the street from the park,would see me sleeping and his parents would send him to get me breakfast from the nearest fast food joint.
Last night I helped get that kid's 18 year old son a job in the live concert production industry.
( And slightly off topic, but something I know you will appreciate, that kid's younger brother was named Michigan Secondary Education English Teacher of the Year ).
So wholesome! I don't have many baseball memories, but I did play a few seasons of softball between the ages of 8 and 11. Thanks for a good little bit of late night reading!
Best story ever, Justin. Who doesn't like to see an under-dog to succeed! You allowed us to feel his sheer joy. You know baseball, kiddo, and you know how to write. Thanks for the morning wake-up. Sharon at 🍁LEAVES.
Damn, Jimmy. Now this is a story. It’s amazing how things come full circle, right? It helps being kind to others. We never know when our paths may intersect again! And kudos to that English teacher - he sounds like an inspiration to many high schoolers! Thanks so much for sharing that story.
Aww, I needed a story with a happy ending today! Good one, Justin!
Thanks for the uplifting story! No specific memories, but during the summer I always enjoyed seeing a Buffalo Bisons game with my dad.
I moved to a new neighborhood and tried out for baseball.
Tryouts started with fielding. I had great range, good glove, good arm. Coach called me in, told me I had a spot, asked me to go back out and back up the kids who weren't as proficient, throw errant balls back into the coaches.
I very bitingly, almost cruelly, asked a bumbling kid why he even bothered to try out. His response:"my dad said if I played baseball maybe I'd make some friends".
I almost blew my own transmission switching gears and said " I'll be your friend, kid."
A few years later, when I was about 15 and I'd get thrown out of the house, I'd sleep on a bench in that park.
That kid, who lived across the street from the park,would see me sleeping and his parents would send him to get me breakfast from the nearest fast food joint.
Last night I helped get that kid's 18 year old son a job in the live concert production industry.
( And slightly off topic, but something I know you will appreciate, that kid's younger brother was named Michigan Secondary Education English Teacher of the Year ).
This story feels like the end of summer. I don’t know if that makes sense. Another great read
A friend of mine pointed out that no matter where you are in the world, somebody nearby will be wearing a Yankees cap.
So wholesome! I don't have many baseball memories, but I did play a few seasons of softball between the ages of 8 and 11. Thanks for a good little bit of late night reading!
Best story ever, Justin. Who doesn't like to see an under-dog to succeed! You allowed us to feel his sheer joy. You know baseball, kiddo, and you know how to write. Thanks for the morning wake-up. Sharon at 🍁LEAVES.
Justin, thank you for a wonderful and positive story! I think you ought to submit this to a journal that accepts previously published work.
😁😁😁 A great way to start a week!
Damn, Jimmy. Now this is a story. It’s amazing how things come full circle, right? It helps being kind to others. We never know when our paths may intersect again! And kudos to that English teacher - he sounds like an inspiration to many high schoolers! Thanks so much for sharing that story.