Coaching from the Sidelines

   Our two youngest grandsons have been heavily involved in sports this spring: basketball, soccer, baseball and tee ball for the six-year old; and now swimming for the older of the two. This requires a lot of organizing, planning and driving on the part of their mom, Shanda! Occasionally, we’ve been able to help out as well.

   One evening, Shanda had another event scheduled and wasn’t able to take them to their games. Al dropped Nate (8) and me off at his baseball game and then took Elliot (6) to another field for tee ball practice. Shanda gave me specific instructions to remind Nate to stay focused and be involved i.e.) no digging in the dirt or otherwise getting distracted as young kids are prone to do!

   Just before the game started, I set up my chair alongside those of parents whose kids were on both teams.  Shanda thought he might be playing catcher, right field and third base—but in what order? When Nate’s team went out to the field, I had difficulty finding him. All of the kids looked the same in their uniforms of orange t-shirts, white baseball pants, and caps. So Nate was starting out as the catcher? It did resemble him…same build and body size. But it was impossible to know for sure with the big mask covering his face.

   It appeared as though the main job of the catcher was to help an assistant coach standing right behind him collect balls after they were pitched by the pitching machine. There was no umpire. The coach, who was putting balls into a pitching machine one at a time, would get the balls from his assistant after 6 or 7 pitches to each batter.

   When the catcher sat down in the dirt behind home plate, I couldn’t keep quiet. He was obviously trying to avoid being hit and rolling what balls he did manage to stop with his mitt behind him to the assistant coach. As kids from the other team came up to bat, I called out to him. “Nate, don’t sit down. Squat and put your mitt up so that you can catch the ball!” He didn’t pay any attention, but kept sitting in the dirt looking down at his lap, even when runners were heading toward home plate.

   Finally, one of the parents turned to me and said, “That’s not Nate!”

   Woops, wrong kid! No wonder the catcher didn’t listen. So where was he?  Out in right field, in ready position, watching the ball and doing what he was supposed to be doing.

   After that surprise discovery, I wasn’t so quick to give advice. Before the game, one parent had told me that it was best to just sit back, “chill out” and let the kids play. Good advice. Who wants to hear from a bossy grandma anyway? Also, I decided to let the coach do his job…which he did just fine.

   Hopefully this taught me to keep my mouth shut during future games and to trust God for wisdom in knowing how best to help little baseball players…and grandkids!

   Happy Father’s day to all of you dads, grandpas and father figures. Thanks for all you do for your kids. Your involvement in their lives is of inestimable value. Have a great day, even if it is spent at a game or meet! And thank you for being patient with bossy grandmas!

   Thank you, dear Lord, for showing me my true nature. Please forgive me for not reflecting your patience and for trying to take over the coach’s job. Thank you for being our loving heavenly Father, for instructing us with wisdom, patience and kindness. Help us to remember this as we interact with children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent and discerning if he holds his tongue.” Proverbs 17:18 NIV

Nate on right, with friend Ben, both #8! 

Nate at bat

Nate's team 2017, Nate standing on right end, second row