Wednesday, August 12, 2015

13

4:00 PM

I'm sitting on my back deck, phone plugged into the outlet outside. It's hot out, or maybe it's just my sunburn that I got from watching little league baseball for 3 straight days in Indianapolis. I get on my phone and get on my Game Changer app to follow the New Albany and West Side elimination game. I didn't get on the app because I was worried about keeping my Instagram and my Twitter updated with the score. I was worried about 13 young men who just wanted to play and win a game their hearts beat for. I've had the honor to hangout with and get to know these boys in between other games throughout the week. They're truly great kids, and their coaches and parents should be very proud. 

Before their game on Tuesday night, they all looked up at me in the bleachers and yell "Aaron!" Pretty much simultaneously. A dad looked at me and said, "you're pretty popular. Do all the teams treat you like that?" 

No. Not the same way. 


4:37 PM 

I'm watching my Game Changer app waiting and waiting and constantly reloading for updates. Ohio has the bases loaded and the score is tied 4-4 with one out. Although I'm at home, I know exactly how this team is feeling. They're still young to the game, they're nervous and anxious, hopeful to get 2 outs and take it into extra innings. 
Game Changer updates, I read "passed ball" final score 5-4 Ohio-West Side. My heart instantly aches for the 13 young men that I got to know in just three days. 

Boys, you have a lot of baseball left. So much that you can't hang your heads on this one, and I know you won't. How do I know? Because in just the 3 days I've been able to talk to you I found out how humble each and every one of you are. 

I told Josh Castleman on Monday night that there's only one rule in life. "If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it." And that rule applies to all 13 of you. And that wasn't the rule for just this week, that's the rule to follow for the rest of your life. 

Strive to be better than everyone else. That doesn't mean you need to be better than everyone. But, you gotta try. 

Over the last few weeks my Instagram and Twitter accounts have grown rapidly for Youth Sports Tomorrow and I thank all of you for that. But, who I need to thank most are the 13 young men that have given me so much support by sharing the account with friends, family and other little leaguers. 

So, Thank you to the 13 young men who I look up to as a 20 year old. 


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