All-stars
– enjoy the experience
On one side of the field, kids jumped in victory and
celebrated
– because they knew they had advanced in the all-star
tournament. The parents cheered. The coaches gave each other
high-fives.
On the other side of the field, in the other dugout, my
teammates and I slowly packed up our gear as tears started to
trickle down our cheeks.
All-stars – enjoy the experience
On one side of the field, kids jumped in victory and celebrated – because they knew they had advanced in the all-star tournament. The parents cheered. The coaches gave each other high-fives.
On the other side of the field, in the other dugout, my teammates and I slowly packed up our gear as tears started to trickle down our cheeks.
The Hollister American 11-12 year-old all-star team had been defeated and eliminated just three games into the tournament and I was a member of that squad.
While I grew up playing Hollister Little League, I was lucky enough to get to play on many all-star teams.
Now – in Hollister – all-star teams are expected to win. When I laced up cleats at the Little League level, winning an all-star tournament was a goal that could never be reached.
I can only imagine the joys the kids here in Hollister have after winning tournament after tournament and becoming state champions. To a kid, that is like winning the World Series. A child athlete cannot experience anything greater.
While watching some of the games this past tournament, I couldn’t help but be a little jealous. The kids in our community were just so good and so confident. And that confidence helped them dominate in the tournaments.
Then I realized I shouldn’t be jealous – I should be proud. We all should be proud. These kids are making a name for themselves and creating life-long memories. Playing baseball in a community such as Hollister is a fantastic experience and winning makes it even better – but winning or not – the kids playing now and kids such as me, all share the same experiences.
I remember playing in all-star tournaments all over the valley. No matter where we were, our team always had the most support. The parents were die-hard, and that support made playing so much more enjoyable.
The little things are what counted for me. These are the things I still remember almost a decade later:
I remember traveling to cities unknown to play a game of ball.
I remember playing games under the lights.
I remember writing in colored shoe polish, ‘Go Hollister American All-Stars – because I wanted everyone to know which team I was representing.
I remember playing in front of huge crowds.
I remember having my name announced over the intercom for the first time.
I remember being lined up down the baseline as the national anthem was played over the loud speaker.
I remember turning a double-play and hearing how loud the crowd was.
I remember my teammate crushing a monster home run.
I remember the joy I had when my team claimed victory.
And I remember the pain and the tears shed when I experienced the agony of defeat and elimination.
All-star tournaments are a one-of-a-kind experience and something I will never forget.
I will say this to the group of kids still playing in the Nor Cal Division II State Championship tournament – whether you guys win or lose – remember these experiences. And no matter what, your parents and your community are so proud of you. These are the things that you will remember the rest of your life.
I know that I still remember my all-star experiences. And even though most of my experiences are linked with loses, I still treasure every memory I have of them.
And if you are a true baseball player, you will have great memories to treasure, as well.
