Monday, May 14, 2012


“It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ”
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
http://www.values.com


I was looking at a T-ball game for 4 to 7 year olds last evening.  However, I'm not sure what all I was seeing. There's the batter that swings all the way around in one or two circles with each attempt.  We live on a round planet spinning like a top each day and circling the sun every year. Round and around we go -- all of us.  Maybe he was just trying to straighten himself out.

Many of the runners assumed they had to slide into home base every time no matter where the ball was getting mishandled on the field. They hopped on to first base. They cruised past second and third, but they always slid into home.  Seems there's more recognition when you leap up off the ground and jump around as your own personal cheer leader knocking the dirt off your pants.

There's something about the dirt that fascinates many. They stir it with their hand.  They put it on top of their hat. They throw it in the wind for others to enjoy. The only thing missing in the dirt is the inconsequential location of the ball, batter and runner.

Day dreams.  Sky, spectators and fellow teammates hold more interest than most anything happening on the field. Someone yells for a player to pay attention to the ball coming their way.  The result?  That player turns to look at the yeller while the ball or runner zooms past behind them.

The dug out has enough action to dig in several feet deeper. Helmets, bats and gloves have to vie for attention with snacks, water bottles and fence climbing. One little brother wandered into the dug out and came running out in tears. No one is quite sure what happened in that den of knees and elbows.

How 'bout those fans in the bleachers? There's mom with several other brothers and sisters who is never quite sure when her budding major leaguer is up for action. Refreshments at hand are far more interesting than plays on the field. One baby can hold the attention of two rows in front and behind. I guess you have to keep a scout's eye out for the up and coming players.

You can't miss the adults in charge.  They're busy giving high fives, lining up the players, counting things and enforcing the rules. They have a special gift -- as do most of the other T-ball enthusiasts.  That's the ability to look at everything that's there and to see primarily what should be there. Let's play ball!

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