What We Can Learn From Little League: Everything
Originally written two years ago. The tournament is back in town, and I came across this in my files.
One of the joys of living in Bristol Connecticut (this particular section of it, anyway) is the fact that the city plays host to the Eastern Regional Little League Championship. Each August, teams from Maine to Maryland gather for a week long tournament. The winner goes to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
We’re fortunate enough to be in walking distance to the complex - in fact it’s where Jillian plays her home games for the Edgewood Mets during softball season. So at least two or three times each year we walk or bike over and take in all the festivities.
Yeah, if you’re a ten or thirteen year old girl, it’s heaven. All your friends from the school year are there. There’s a beach volleyball court set up (actually used for wild games of killer dodgeball). Hot dogs, pizza, fried dough, ice cream, soft drinks and other ball park fare is out and available.
And of course, there are members of the opposite sex to check out. Unless of course you’re still ten and not yet interested in boys. Then you get to “heeley” around with Dad chasing you.
But the real draw…at least for the sports fans like myself…are the games.
And what games they are! 12 year old man-children roam the field like giants. They’re superbly coached, superbly disciplined young athletes. The pitchers throw faster fastballs than I’ve ever thrown in my life (and I was fast as a younger guy). They throw them from 45 feet instead of the 60 feet six inches on a full size field. And they throw curve balls, sliders, change ups - the works.
And somehow, the hitters hit them. Sometimes over the fence. Ever want to see pure unadulterated joy? Watch a 12 year old circle the bases after hitting one over the center field fence in the biggest game of his young life. And watch the reaction of the players on the bench. More rapture than any meditative state I’ve ever achieved.
What can we take away from this experience? Everything. The sense of community and shared purpose that pulsates through the stadium. The outstanding sportsmanship from both sets of parents. Sure, Little League parents get a bad rap sometimes. But nothing but exemplary behavior was on hand this year.
But mostly it’s the game. It’s the pure joy of playing from kids who have worked, sacrificed, mastered their talents and simultaneously play with the discipline of men and the enthusiasm of boys.
It’s the will to compete and the acceptance of whatever outcome occurs, because they just love the game so much!
Imagine if more of us lived our lives that way. Grateful to be in the arena. Honing our skills, lending our passion, and being happy with the outcome - no matter the score - because we love the game.
Have a great weekend!
Larry
NO MORE HOLDING BACK
P.S. No More Holding Back
END OF SUMMER TELESEMINAR
Back to School: Setting yourself up for getting EVERYTHING you want!
Sunday August 10, 2008 8:00 pm Eastern (USA)
Call in : 1-518-825-1300, Access Code: 31626
Yes, this is a FREE event.
One of the joys of living in Bristol Connecticut (this particular section of it, anyway) is the fact that the city plays host to the Eastern Regional Little League Championship. Each August, teams from Maine to Maryland gather for a week long tournament. The winner goes to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
We’re fortunate enough to be in walking distance to the complex - in fact it’s where Jillian plays her home games for the Edgewood Mets during softball season. So at least two or three times each year we walk or bike over and take in all the festivities.
Yeah, if you’re a ten or thirteen year old girl, it’s heaven. All your friends from the school year are there. There’s a beach volleyball court set up (actually used for wild games of killer dodgeball). Hot dogs, pizza, fried dough, ice cream, soft drinks and other ball park fare is out and available.
And of course, there are members of the opposite sex to check out. Unless of course you’re still ten and not yet interested in boys. Then you get to “heeley” around with Dad chasing you.
But the real draw…at least for the sports fans like myself…are the games.
And what games they are! 12 year old man-children roam the field like giants. They’re superbly coached, superbly disciplined young athletes. The pitchers throw faster fastballs than I’ve ever thrown in my life (and I was fast as a younger guy). They throw them from 45 feet instead of the 60 feet six inches on a full size field. And they throw curve balls, sliders, change ups - the works.
And somehow, the hitters hit them. Sometimes over the fence. Ever want to see pure unadulterated joy? Watch a 12 year old circle the bases after hitting one over the center field fence in the biggest game of his young life. And watch the reaction of the players on the bench. More rapture than any meditative state I’ve ever achieved.
What can we take away from this experience? Everything. The sense of community and shared purpose that pulsates through the stadium. The outstanding sportsmanship from both sets of parents. Sure, Little League parents get a bad rap sometimes. But nothing but exemplary behavior was on hand this year.
But mostly it’s the game. It’s the pure joy of playing from kids who have worked, sacrificed, mastered their talents and simultaneously play with the discipline of men and the enthusiasm of boys.
It’s the will to compete and the acceptance of whatever outcome occurs, because they just love the game so much!
Imagine if more of us lived our lives that way. Grateful to be in the arena. Honing our skills, lending our passion, and being happy with the outcome - no matter the score - because we love the game.
Have a great weekend!
Larry
NO MORE HOLDING BACK
P.S. No More Holding Back
END OF SUMMER TELESEMINAR
Back to School: Setting yourself up for getting EVERYTHING you want!
Sunday August 10, 2008 8:00 pm Eastern (USA)
Call in : 1-518-825-1300, Access Code: 31626
Yes, this is a FREE event.
Tags: baseball, coaching, fun, hochman, kids, sports, teenagers
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Marcy From Maui on -
I know exactly what you mean and it brings back great memories!
Two years ago my son made the 9-10 Little League All Stars and my husband was an assit. coach.
We won for Maui County and than we flew over to Hilo and we won the state championships.
This was HUGE because we played against the town that had won the 11-12 year old World series the year before that ( not the same kids but the same town and team ) and we won!
The 9-10's don't go past winning the states, but it was all an amazing experience and the theme for the team was " Ya Gotta Believe !!!! "
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Permalink Reply by Marie E. Pollnow (Samadhiatman500) on -
Larry....Marcy that is so inspiring.
I am not a huge sports fan but I was completely there in that stadium. It reminds me of highschool or past days sitting in the auditorium screaming my brains out for my teams to win. It is so exhilerating to feel the energy and ...in young people priceless.
Marie
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Permalink Reply by Marcy From Maui on
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I know what you mean, the energy was just AMAZING!!!
I normally do not watch baseball, but this was really different!
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Permalink Reply by Marcy From Maui on
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WOW!!!!
Speaking of which, I caught the western finals of Hawaii playing Nevada!
This group of kids were mostly the same kids my son beat in 9-10 all starts two years ago!
And they Beat Nevada and are on their way to the finals!
What a fantastic game, really fun to watch especially since I knew some of the kids, great kids and coaches!!!
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Permalink Reply by Larry Hochman on -
Makes you wonder what we're capable of, doesn't it Marcy???
Something similar happens when I make a jump shot in basketball that a professional misses. We're capable of a LOT.
Larry
NEW: NO MORE HOLDING BACK STUFF!
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Permalink Reply by Marcy From Maui on
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It sure does!
And I have to say that I KNEW my son's team would win the states , because of their ebnergy and alignment!
They may not have been the most talented but they were the most aligned and somehow they just kept getting lucky!
It really is amaxing when you are on a role and really feel alignment you just KNOW and feel how everything will go!
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Permalink Reply by Marcy From Maui on
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Hawaii is doing really well!!!!!!!!!
What a week for amazing sports!
The next game for Hawaii starts right now! :-}
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Permalink Reply by Larry Hochman on
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LOL...this is your version of the Olympics, Marcy!
Go Hawaii! Does the team have a nickname?
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Permalink Reply by Marcy From Maui on
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No nickname but they won again!!!!
Really exciting game!!!
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Permalink Reply by Marie E. Pollnow (Samadhiatman500) on
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Marcy I love what you said,
"It really is amazing when you are on a role and really feel alignment you just KNOW and feel how everything will go!"
It is such a feeling you can absolutely feel it. Team won again that is faaannnnnnntastic!!!
Marie
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Space Conditioning Learn how we condition the space here at Powerful Intentions. Listen to
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