Preseason

I am a coach.

I get excited when our worst hitter, the kid with the .000 batting average, who has struck out or walked in every at bat this season, manages to draw a walk. He steals second, and then goes to third on a wild pitch. He comes home on a single, the first run of three in the bottom of the sixth inning that gives us the win, and I feel pride when I overhear him say to his teammates that he got the rally started with a clutch walk.

I suffered in silence when our best hitter stepped to the plate with two out in the bottom of the sixth; the tying run on third; the winning run on second. Four pitches later, our top hitter had struck out, ending the game. One week later, same field, similar situation. Trailing by one with a runner on second. And for the second game in a row, the same hitter swung and missed on strike three. And in my head, the words Might Casey had struck out danced as we lined up to shake hands with our opponents.

In baseball, even the worst of hitters will have a moment to shine, and top hitters have humility served with an offspeed pitch.

I coach 10-12 year old kids. Some can play the game. They understand the game, and execute their role on the field. Others have trouble remembering that the second baseman doesn't actually stand on second base, and that they need to watch the game even if they are standing on the outfield grass.

It is all part of coaching youth baseball in Israel.