Every year around this time, I try to catch a few high school baseball tournament games.
The intensity of the moment, the passion from the players and coaches, every pitch could mean the difference between advancing or putting your uniform on for the last time.
This year, my real estate partner Tyler’s son played on a team that was expected to win it all. They were loaded with hitters and pitching and solid at every single position. Their star pitcher hadn’t lost all year.
But baseball is a funny game...That pitcher gave up the most runs he had all season, and they lost 8–2. The next day, they lost again 3–2. Season over. Just like that.
It reminded me of my own senior year. We were preseason #1 and favored to win the whole thing. We won round one, then lost back-to-back heartbreakers. I knew right then I had probably worn a baseball uniform for the last time.
I wasn’t the most talented guy. I was the slowest on the team, running a 5.4 40-yard dash. I weighed about 120 pounds. But I worked as hard as I possibly could. My senior year I started at 2B and hit well over .400.
I spent years grinding to be a decent baseball player. And in three games, it was over.
Was it a waste of time? A failure? Absolutely not.
And that’s the same in life. People say it’s not the destination, it’s the journey. I’d go one step further, it’s who you go on the journey with.
This week I went to watch Bingham softball in the semifinals. Why? Because my high school catcher and one of my best friends Clint has a daughter who’s the star shortstop. I sat with him and his wife and just took it all in.
Last night, I got a call from Ben Summerhays, my high school first baseman. One of his best friends from Colorado had taken his own life, and he just needed to talk to a friend.
Every day I go to work and see Chris Francis, my business partner of 15 years and my high school center fielder. He’s the most loyal man I know. He cares more about me than I care about myself.
Moments of glory. Moments of pain. It’s never really about the scoreboard.
Baseball, like life, is about who you get to experience it with.
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