Champions: Everyone Loves A Winner

Cameron

Cameron's baseball team won the championship 24-9.  That may sound as if Cam's team had an easy win.  No such luck.  They worked hard and earned every run.  The game lasted 3 1/2 hours.  The boys played their hearts out.  Stamina, endurance, patience.  All paid off.  It was in the last two innings that Cam's team brought the win home.  The other team seemed to burn out.

Their opponents were worthy. The score in the game was actually very close for most of the game. The lead switched a few times, pending who was up to bat. Suspense loomed.  No win was predictable. We were ahead. We were behind. Parents stood, clapped, and cheered. Then sat in disbelief and shock. Up and down. We got our exercise!!

Some of the umpires' calls were debatable too.  That became a series of lessons of good sportsmanship. Even Cam's run over home plate was a point of discouragement.  We ALL plainly saw Cameron touched home plate seconds before the ball came within reach of the catcher's glove. The ump saw it differently.  Ouch.

The beginning of the season brought together a bunch of kids.  The team had one practice and then three scrimmage games.  This was a different league than Cam's league of last year.  The kids were a bit older and experienced.  Poor Cameron had only one year of baseball under his belt. He was determined to be a good as the rest.

This was a kid who had to relearn how to walk and talk at 13 months. Cameron suffered a major set-back after the MMR shot.  He lost physical coordination, let alone communication.  I was very impressed that he persevered in this sport!

If the first few games were indicative of the season's outcome, Cameron's team should have been at the bottom.  They tied and lost.  And lost badly.  Throughout the weeks, they slowly improved.  Enough to put runs on the score board.  Enough to eek out wins.  Eventually enough to blow the other teams away.

I love what competition has taught Cameron.  Life is tough.  Not everyone gets a trophy.  Wins are earned through slow progress.  Spontaneous gratification is not a given.  Although we love the wins, they are not everything.  How the game is played is vital.  Teamwork is as important as individual effort.  Keeping one's principles in tact is just as valuable as that win!!

Go, Cam!!