This weekend, my niece's family traveled to Flowood to participate in the USAAA State Championship baseball playoff. Ten year old Colin pitches and plays first base for the Possum Town Sluggers. Twelve year old Caden's tournament took place the preceding weekend.
As I watched these boys, it reminded me of when Dad coached my brothers 
throughout the youth summer league. Our summers were spent at Propst Park for as long as I can remember. Between ball season and the vegetable garden, we never took vacations.Today at Freedom Ridge Park, I watched as coaches spent time with their sons, teaching them life principles while investing in their future.
Colin was up to bat with the bases loaded and two outs. It was the last inning and the Sluggers were trailing by a substanial margin, when Colin hit a grand slam home run! His mom Jessica said he has hit home runs in practice, but this was his first in a game. Imagine a 10 year old hitting a grand slam home run and you'll understand how exciting it was to see.
His teammates cheered Colin at home plate. Brother Caden retrieved the home run ball, which was signed by his teammates and presented to Colin.
The PT Sluggers went on to lose in a very close game, but the point of the story is not win or lose; it's that these ballplayers will remember their dads participated in their lives.
After the game, the PT dads were presented with a Fathers Day gift bag from their sons.
It was especially poignant that this tournament occurred on Fathers Day weekend. Although Dad's been gone 10 years now, I'm thankful for the memories relived this weekend.
I'm proud of the Possum Town Sluggers, and thankful for all the dads that continue this tradition on ball fields across America.
Happy Fathers Day
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