Times like these
Dave Grohl of the Foo-Fighters, who used to hang out at our Glebe Road parties in Arlington, says it best when we are facing life’s challenges:
Times Like These
I am a one way motorway
I’m the one that drives away
then follows you back home
I am a street light shining
I’m a wild light blinding bright
burning off alone
it’s times like these you learn to live again
it’s times like these you give and give again
it’s times like these you learn to love again
it’s times like these time and time again
I am a new day rising
I’m a brand new sky
to hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?
it’s times like these you learn to live again
it’s times like these you give and give again
it’s times like these you learn to love again
it’s times like these time and time again
I am particularly fond of of this video. It features the entire world crashing down on the band, they they continue to play, and continue to stand strong.
It truly is times like these that you learn to live again, and again, and again, time and time again.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=978232b9-047b-4d07-a51f-0ee2f712a0a1)
Championships Or Leadership?
Image by rmcgervey via FlickrA Noble Effort?
Tonight I witnessed the president of a league argue with a district administrator to get one of the leagues player’s ejection overturned because he would miss the championship game. While this may seem a noble effort on the surface, what does it actually teach the kid? And what kind of leadership is being displayed?
The Circumstances
The player was ejected because he lowered his shoulder and plowed over the catcher when a play was being made on him at home. Little League rules specifically state that you must slide or attempt to avoid contact when a play is being made on you. He chose to initiate contact and was ejected. This ejection would have taken place at just about every level of ball except the major leagues .
To further support the validity of the ejection, there was not a peep of an argument from the player’s manager, coaches, teammates, or spectators. It was truly a "no-brainer" ejection.
Winning or Life Lessons?
With all of this knowledge, the fact that the president of the league in question could argue at all means that more emphasis was being placed on winning the championship in the next game, than enforcing rules, respecting authority, and teaching good sportsmanship. Regardless of the words he was speaking, the results of his actions were saying, "it’s more important to win a championship than assure that the catcher is not injured". Is this what we are supposed to be teaching as officials of the leagues?
A Better Response
A better response would have been to take the attitude of "hey this stinks, but our player made a mistake, he must pay for it, and now each of us has to step up our game a notch to make sure we get to play tomorrow". I was an umpire in a game a couple years back where a senior player was out at first. He took off his helmet and threw it down slamming it into the ground. Again, an automatic ejection. The president of that league was there that time also and I heard him in the stands saying "he had no choice, that’s an automatic ejection, they warn them at the plate conference". That’s how a president should conduct himself. His actions probably averted confrontation from the parents because they were very upset with the ejection.
The team in question this time is coming out of the loser’s bracket, they must win twice before the other team wins once. This means that if they pull off a victory in the first game w/o their player, he will be fresh for the second game. The officials of the league should have this positive attitude about the situation.
A Suggestion
I hope the manager and coaches will have that attitude going into the game on Monday. If they whine and complain, this will be reflected on the bench and the players will give up before the game even starts. Encouraging each kid to step up and play even better than they were before will teach the kids that no matter what challenges they face, they can overcome them.
What is the worst offense you have ever seen an official commit?
Related articles by Zemanta
- Playing Time
- Rec League Cancels All-Star Game
- Summer Baseball Program for Harlem Youth Celebrates 40th Anniversary
- Don’t Like What You See on the Field?
- Championships are not Won, they are Lost
- Little League Embracing Internet
- Sometimes They Don’t Show Up
- Unsportsmanlike Cheers
- Is Stealing Signals OK?
Briggs and Stratton Diamonds in the Rough Contest
What it is
Kelly Nichols contacted me today about a great program endorsed by one of my all time favorites! Tino Marinez and sponsored by Briggs and Stratton. The premise of the Briggs and Stratton Diamonds in the Rough Contest is to make sure every kid has a top notch facility to play ball on. This is obviously a very worthy cause that I am happy to support!
Their site describes the contest like this:
“Kids face challenges everywhere. At school, at home, from friends and even teammates. To overcome
these challenges, they need the tools and support to build confidence and make good decisions. Playing
baseball helps kids build the determination and leadership needed to get things done and allows them to
realize what they’re made of. We call this The Power Within.”
How it Works
It is very simple. They are requesting that kids ages 7-14 answer the following simple questions:
- How has playing baseball given you The Power Within to overcome a challenge on or off the field?
- What was the challenge?
- How would you use the money to help your baseball team?
The questions can be answered in the following ways:
- Up to a 300-word written response
- Video no longer than two minutes
- Photo collage no larger than 11” by 17”
Why Wouldn’t You Submit?
I have to wonder why anyone wouldn’t submit to this contest. It is so easy! Only 300 words or a two minute video?
When it is Due
The entry phase is only open until March 23rd, so hurry!
I support just about anything that is good for the kids. Most leagues struggle to buy equipment, much less maintain facilities. This is a great opportunity to make capital improvements to their facilities. Please make sure to enter the contest and good luck! I will post the winners when Kelly gets them to me.
Do you have any great sports related charity events to share? Post a comment below and let us know about it.
Other articles that might interest you:
Pitching is King
Also on the Board
Opening Day a Huge Success
I Love Vista Print
Opening Day Tomorrow
What our Readers are Saying