A Star Is Born, Brightening My Day!

      The son of Tony and Julie became a star the other day.  I met mom, dad, and Braylon a few years ago, when they played on the same team that I was helping to coach.  I quickly found out that Braylon had similar qualities as my son, Jacob, when it came to putting in extra work and always wanting to get better.
     But let me tell you what this young man did the other day!  Of course, he hustled everywhere he went.  He showed off his defensive skills.  Lead by example in everything he did.  Launched a home run over the right field fence with his powerful left-handed swing.  But most of all, he listened.
     As I was talking to all the players about teamwork, I told a story about what I thought was missing in today's culture of youth baseball.  
     If you are a star player, for example a pitcher, and the right-fielder on your team drops a fly ball that costs you the game, don't get mad and yell at him.  Make your team better by working with him at every practice, to make sure he gets better at catching fly balls.  You don't have to depend on the coach.  Just think how rewarding it will be for both of you, the next time you are pitching a good game, and that same right-fielder makes a catch to help your team win!
     After Braylon hit his home run over the fence in practice, a boy on our team told him how impressed he was.  He wanted Braylon to show him how to hit like that.  Most kids would have thanked him for the compliment and walked away, but not Braylon.  He became a star.
     You see, the other player was that right fielder, the one that hasn't played much baseball.  Braylon told his mom and dad that his compliment made him feel special.  What happened next made me feel special.
     As I was leaving, I saw one of the best players around talking to his right fielder in the batting cage about how to hit a baseball.  That absolutely made my day!  His dad said that he worked with him by himself and was very satisfied with how he improved.
     That was so rewarding  to see.  Now I have another story to tell in the future.  A story about team bonding and selflessness.  A story about how the culture of youth baseball needs to be.
     Tony and Julie should be very proud.  They are blessed to have such a talented and caring son!