Saturday, March 27, 2021

Blame the Baseball Player

 


When we think about being falsely accused we often think about Easter when Jesus died on a cross and was resurrected three days later. But did you know that we are often falsely accused or blamed for something we have no control over? Without exception it  may happen to all of us without warning. 

Bill was a good friend of mine. We grew up together on the Gold Coast, a name for a Chicago neighborhood among others so named. Even though we both liked to play baseball, Bill had a rough time playing with the other guys. His pals just weren't always nice to him. Allow me to share his story with you.

Whenever time permitted we gathered with friends on a school lot to play baseball. It was nothing fancy other than a worn-out infield and some cardboard bases to enhance a playing field for some fun and play-by-play action.

Two guys were chosen to be a captain of each team. To start things rolling one boy tossed a baseball bat to the other whom caught it with his free hand. Then they took turns climbing to the top with one fist at a time. Last fist to reach the top started the choosing process. 

It was a rank and file system where the best players were chosen first. Fair play was often challenged. Where are the merits in baseball?

Bill usually played right field with another player where there wasn't much action. With more than nine guys on a team everybody played so some players had to share positions, and Bill was a southpaw and that didn't allow for a position of choice. Did you ever see a southpaw behind the plate or at third base?

In the outfield he was an average player. Catching a few and throwing some didn't get his buddies too excited. His real problem was hitting.

In spite of being an average hitter he very seldom ever struck out. After putting some wood on the ball they usually landed in a glove or beat him to first base every time. The more times Bill played the angrier  his buddies got.  Soon he started to digest a lot of criticism.

"Come on Bill do it right and hit the ball." The negative comments got more consistent. "Step to the other side of the plate."

The guys never thought that Bill was ambidextrous. It was in his DNA. He was a natural southpaw fielder while batting right handed at the plate. Some people never learn.  Yes, it takes all kinds to make a world. 

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