Farewell Coach

I anticipate Spring. Many people do. Flowers and trees start blooming, grass grows, the sun shines, and many just enjoy being outdoors. I, however, look forward to Spring for a different reason: softball. Yes, it is the time of the year for me to recapture a little bit of my youthful passion for something comparable to baseball. I grew up deeply believing I would one day take the field for the Cincinnati Reds. It was passion that bordered on obsession. Still today, I can tell you the starting lineup for the Big Red Machine: Rose, Morgan, Griffey, Perez, Foster, Bench, Concepcion, Geronimo, etc. Baseball taught me about teamwork, commitment, and most importantly statistics. How else would I know that in 1941 Ted Williams hit .406 and lost the MVP to Joe DiMaggio because it was the same year of Joltin' Joe's 56 game hitting streak?? Softball revisits old memories for me and stokes a fire still burning for a game that I love.

For the past seven years, I have been privileged to play ball with a group of men from my home church, Ashland Avenue Baptist. What I have especially enjoyed is the strong bond of brotherhood we've been able to create. Many of us are at various stages in life, and I am proud to say I am a senior member (or veteran?). The men of Ashland conduct themselves on the field with competitiveness, integrity, faithfulness, and a deep desire to represent Christ when we're on the field. Believe me when I say this: this is unique in church league softball. There is one particular member who should be singled out and that is Jeremy Wilson. JW has led the team for as long as I have been a part of it. He has tirelessly worked to make sure we have a full roster of players, makes sure we practice, and sees to it everyone knows when we play and what time to be at the field. Last year, this all culminated in a city title and a perfect 14-0 record, for which I couldn't be happier for Jeremy. See, Jeremy is playing his last season with us. He and his family will soon be moving to the Cincinnati area in order for Jeremy to take a new job. It's bittersweet for me. I had hoped we would retire from ball together at AABC. But I am happy for him and grateful for his leadership. I aided him a couple of times when he wasn't able to be at games and believe me there is more work than it appears. So my first blog is an "Ode to Coach." Jeremy will be missed. Farewell my friend. I am thankful to have had this experience along side you.