My Son’s Lesson in Perseverance

Baseball, like many sports, can teach you some great lessons. And while I once thought the lessons were limited to the ones you learned while playing the game, the last few weeks showed how a fan can learn lessons as well.

My 9-year-old son loves baseball, and as a native San Diegan, he adores the Padres. That is why I decided, against my best budgetary judgement, to get a ticket package to 21 games this year.

Wanting a Game Ball

Early in the season, it was clear that my son, Jack, wanted a game ball. Whether a foul ball or one a player flipped to him from the field, he was focused. We quickly realized the best chance was between innings after the Padres did their infield warm ups. First baseman Wil Myers turns to the crowd after the warm ups are complete, usually points to a young fan and throws them the ball.

Jack started working his way down the row closest to our seats in between every inning, waving his hands and glove in hopes he would catch Wil’s eye… inning after inning, game after game. However, it occurred to us that Jack stood a better chance of getting a ball by moving in towards the infield. So, he starting going over one section and down the aisle between innings.

Close…but Not Quite

After the 5th inning warm ups, Wil Myers turned and pointed toward Jack. Wil threw the ball high in the air. Jack lifted his glove in anticipation of catching the ball. As the ball was just about to reach his glove, his dream was yanked away by a San Francisco Giants adult fan. The crowd booed. The fan’s family told him he should give it to Jack – he refused. Jack returned to his seat devastated and in tears. After about 5 minutes, he calmed down but was still bitterly disappointed.

A few moments later, a Padre usher named Bert came to our row and asked if Jack was the boy who had the ball taken away by another fan. We said “yes” and he told Jack, “Come with me.” They quickly disappeared and Jack soon returned with a game ball in his hand! I asked him, “Where did you get that?” He said, “A man down there gave it to me.” I asked if it was the man who caught the ball and he said “No.” I then asked him to take me down to meet this gentleman between innings.

We made our way down 20 rows and over toward the aisle of the next section. This is where I met Mr. Pace (pictured with Jack). He saw what happened and was not happy with the Giants fan who did it. As he put it, “That really stinks.” He had attended the All Star Game earlier in the week at Petco Park and watched batting practice. While doing so a couple of balls landed in the bleachers which he was fortunate enough to retrieve. He gave one of those to my son. I couldn’t thank him enough (and I had to hold back a few tears as well). I told Jack he was meant to have that ball, not the other and to remember there are a lot more good people in the world than bad. Jack was happy and held that ball the rest of the game.

Still Determined

While Jack was very appreciative of what Mr. Pace did for him, he still wanted to catch his own ball. The game came and went, Jack went down every inning but to no avail. Our next game was a weekday game. I was not sure if we should go as I had work to get done. However, I decided that morning I could make it happen. So Jack, Gianna (my daughter) and I headed out.

At the beginning of the second inning, as usual, Jack headed over and down, in hopes of having the ball thrown to him. This time, for some reason I thought to stand up and see where he was. The warm ups had just ended. I saw Wil Myers turn around and point to someone in the crowd. As he released the ball I took a quick look to see where it was headed. I couldn’t help myself as I yelled “He’s throwing it to Jack!” The ball arched high in the air and Jack raised his arms and confidently squeezed it into his glove.

His dream had come true.

What We Learned

After a couple of days, I realized the lessons learned apply to professionals and not just a 9-year-old boy. Here are a few simple lessons we can all learn:

1) Do something you are passionate about
2) Set lofty goals
3) Refine your strategy and approach when necessary
4) Execute consistently
5) If you believe in yourself and what you are doing – don’t give up.

Baseball! I love the game. I love what it teaches us – if we are willing to notice. But most of all, I love what my son is made of and how much we all can learn from him.

To being persistent,
Jack

P.S.
My daughter, a softball player, also is determined to get a game ball. During a recent game, after the 9th inning warm ups, Wil Myers pointed at her and lofted the ball in the air toward her. Just as she was about to catch the ball an over-zealous father ran in front of her outstretched glove and caught the ball. Another child in tears, another opportunity to persevere.