It’s all about the team

Dear Grandson Aiden,

I sat on the bleachers at your freshman baseball game and had a few thoughts. It’s February, and we are enjoying a baseball game. No, we are not in Indiana.

Whenever I can, I’ll always be in the stands cheering for you, whether in life or in sports.

First of all, there were no peanuts or Cracker Jacks. I missed them. You may not know that song, but I always hear it in my head when I’m at a baseball game. I actually prefer popcorn or a really good hot dog with relish and mustard. There was no concession stand, so Grand Chuck and I sat there and starved. That might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Anyway, back to the ballgame and my thoughts.

And what does Jesus require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV

So, Aiden, you are probably thinking, “What does scripture have to do with my baseball game?” Stay with me on this.

Life is a lot like a baseball game. It’s important to choose carefully the people you allow on your team.

If you are the coach, you choose your team well. Different people excel at different positions. In life, you choose the people you want to associate with and who will be a positive influence in your life. Your life team will change over the years as people and positions shift, but each new person should be vetted. Popularity should not be part of the vetting process.

Do you see them treating others justly? Can you see acts of mercy in their lives? Are they humble? Did you know humble means not aggressive or arrogant?

Photo provided

You see, it’s not just how well someone plays the game but the type of person they are. Have you ever had a person on your team who was just full of themselves? Don’t you ever be that person.

How do they speak about others? Are they judgmental? Do they make fun of those who are different? Do they talk as if they are superior to others? Are they apt to put people down or gossip about them? Do they have quiet ways of bullying people?

Do they shout their beliefs, leaving no room for anyone to disagree? Do they expect everyone to laud over them and sing their praises? Do they see nothing wrong in what they do, no matter how mean it is? Do they feel justified in their actions because they are entitled to do so? Don’t get your grandma started on entitlement.

Do they have an air of kindness about them, or are they full of hot air, exhaling as well as spewing hateful speech? Would your grandmother want to jerk a knot in their tail?

Do they respect those who disagree with them? How do they handle not getting their way? How do they handle defeat? Do you have to watch what you say to them, fearing they will react negatively?

In life, choose your team, a.k.a. your friends, who will go to bat for each other and the underdog. Choose those who handle well being called “out,” even when they KNOW they were safe. Choose those who encourage others with words like “it’s okay” when everyone else is screaming, “You should have caught that ball.”

You may have noticed that we live in a very loud and sometimes ugly world where respect has been called “STRIKE ONE,” kindness has been called “STRIKE TWO,” and common decency has been labeled “STRIKE THREE.” When all three have been called STRIKES, we are all called OUT and put on the bench. We all lose when that happens.

Aiden, watch who is calling the outs. Not all umpires are honest and fair, like your Grand Chuck, who was an umpire for 40 years. You deal with them the best you can. Don’t let them spoil the game of baseball or your life. Rise above the strikes and keep batting.

Keep being respectful. Keep being kind. Keep being a decent human being. Life will reward you for being so … in due time.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 

Give careful thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:26

Those scriptures go right along with everything I’ve been telling you.

Always look for friends who have taken the high road. You will meet the best people. You may not see them when you are at first base, second base, or even third base, but as you start toward home plate, you will hear them cheering.

Aiden, every young man on your baseball team has an important position to play. It takes good people to help you win in a ballgame. It also takes good people to help you succeed in life.

I’m so proud of the young man you have become. You keep choosing your team well. Look for Grandma Janet in the stands. She will be cheering.

And when you choose your heroes … choose them well too. That’s for another day and another column.

And now I am craving a hot dog with relish and mustard.

I love you beyond the Moon and back,
Grandma Janet

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Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com.