To inspire and encourage more positive vibes on Steemit, I'm bringing this series I started back again. This is an original story.
The previous 13 posts can be found within this link.
Not Judging & Giving People A Chance:
I've played in men's baseball leagues for quite a while. Most players are former college players and high school standouts. The competition is generally pretty good, but sometimes team attendance flounders where less-talented people get playing time to fill in holes on the field.
Our team's coaches decided to experiment this year with a guy who just moved from the UK who'd never played baseball before. In fact, he didn't even know the rules. The reason they entertained introducing him to the team was because he was allegedly a pretty good cricket player.
Now most baseball players probably feel they could kill it on a cricket pitch, but you wouldn't get the same confidence in reverse for cricket players crushing it on a baseball field. As a team veteran and leader, I wasn't impressed by the gimmick and grumbled about it.
On opening weekend, he showed up to watch and learn. He didn't look like an athlete, but was energetic and in good spirits. I watched him throw pretty well, but it was an awkward motion. He also struggled to catch the ball in the web of a glove for virtually the first time.
I assumed that he'd sit on the bench and soak in the scenery, but when we were winning the second game of our double header by a large margin, the coaches actually put him in to pitch against one batter!
I had to speak up because I felt it was a bad move. While he had a good enough arm, I felt this was stupid because he didn't know the rules and could get very hurt. He walked his first batter and was moved to right field. Drama averted, sort of. He wound up barely catching a pop fly in the outfield, and looked absurd doing it. In the end, the stat book shows that he got the job done.
Moving on to the main part of the story...
He Did What?
On our second weekend of baseball, we had some attendance issues and injuries. It was also 35 degrees F and windy, and most people were hesitant to pitch. I'd hurt my shoulder the weekend before, so the mound was off limits for me. We were playing the defending league champions as well, so no one was in a rush to get pummeled.
When I heard that our coaches were going to START the cricket player on the mound for the second game, I almost lost my mind. The kid had a great attitude and was eager, but I didn't want him to get hurt or to make a mockery of the game. Regardless, he didn't complain and was thrilled to have the chance to play. I was playing in the infield and prepared for the worst.
When he went on the mound, people had to give him instructions and tips. I was constantly telling him to where to go in what situation and to try not to balk, but my baseball jargon must've been Greek to him. Either way, he had a positive can-do attitude, without any reservations or expectations. Bad calls or errors that should've upset him simply didn't even register. I feel that his ignorance-is-bliss approach helped him have fun and stay focused on the task of throwing strikes.
How'd He Do?
He pitched a COMPLETE GAME, while allowing only 2-3 earned runs (I believe 4 total). He baffled some of the leagues biggest and baddest hitters with a simple fastball and a "spinna". When they hit him, it wasn't well. There were lots of swings and misses. It was unreal. His motion was awkward and his pace was quick, so maybe that helped his cause. It doesn't matter. It was like a Disney Movie. Everyone was fired up and buzzing about it, even the other team.
At the plate, he put the ball in play several times with his cricket swing, since his hand-eye coordination is strong. He ran to first with his bat in his hand, and also slid into first base to hurt his knee, but it's all a learning curve. He has the right positive mindset and desire to go out and play the game. I don't feel bad for trying to be sensible, but no one could've expected this.
**The other team thought he was Australian, so they played "Land Down Under" by Men At Work when he came up to the plate as a joke.
** He ran to the mound the first time without his glove and I had to tell him he needed it. I think he also forgot his hat once.
**Oh, and last weekend, he had three legitimate hits with a swing that looks like he was on the wrong field. He even went opposite field beautifully. I was so pumped, I couldn't believe it, and made sure I congratulated him profusely.
Takeaway:
If someone has a genuine desire to try something new and is willing to take the risks, give them a shot, if it's safe enough. You never know what good can come from it and what lessons they might actually because to teach you.
