Word Power by Mike Freeman

 

Word Power

By Mike Freeman

For some unknown reason, I decide to join Little League baseball. I am not a star athlete brimming with skill or confidence in any playground or organized sport.

During grade school recess, when picking teams for any sport, I am typically chosen in the bottom third of candidates. My only consolation is not being one of the last two standing at the end of this painful daily process. They are the real losers.

I survive tryouts and my first full season. I rarely start games but do play a few innings. I found out later League rules require coaches to play every player during the regular season games. I am stuck in the outfield since many of my fellow players could not hit the ball out of the infield at this stage of life.

I am a neurotic hitter afraid of being hit with a human-tossed hardball. I rarely hit the baseball since I am more concerned about it hitting me. I celebrate foul balls. Occasionally, I walk to first base on four balls when batting against a pitcher who can only throw wild pitches.

At the end of the first season, my batting average is .000 or no base hits. That is like a soccer goalie playing an entire season with no saves or a basketball player scoring zero baskets a season. I intend to keep this batting average the best-kept secret of my young life.

My next Little League season is an improvement. I catch a few fly balls in the outfield for outs and get a few grounders throwing the ball safely to the infield. I get one hit the entire season resulting in a batting average of about .072!

Everybody else on the team has a higher batting average, typically between .200 and .350, but now I have some numbers to throw up on the board.

In a moment of desperation, one time I lie to my teammates. I tell them I have more hits than l do. One of the teammates turns to another saying "Freeman says he has more hits than you!" My confidence that my one hit stands up well in comparison quickly fades.

Given my reputation, no one believes it and to my horror, they go to the team scorebook and look up the facts. It takes weeks to live this episode down with my Little League companions.

After two years of Little League, for even more unknown reasons, I decide to play the next level up called Babe Ruth. It is a fresh start with new teams.

We have a few practices where coaches and players get to know each other. A few of my Little League companions are on my team. Dennis is the name of our new coach.

One day, while warming up for practice, Coach Dennis calls the team together and says, "Freeman is the fastest runner on our team."

I am stunned. Praise like this has never come my way before. My Little League companions could be knocked over with a feather.

Coach Dennis continues, "We need to get him on base so that he can steal bases and score runs for us."

I am confounded and quiet. Fear overwhelms me as I wait for my Little League companions to explain to Coach Dennis, "Coach, you don't understand. Freeman can't hit. He can’t get on base to steal bases and score runs!"

Instead of saying anything, they only stare down at their shoes. Coach Dennis called us over to batting practice. I dread the upcoming failure that will become evident to everybody once I start swinging the bat.

My turn for batting practice occurs. After a few futile swings of the bat, it is obvious to Coach Dennis that I cannot hit. I cannot look up at his face. My Little League companions are giggling in the background. My 15 seconds of fame have come and gone.

Coach Dennis says, "No problem, I will teach you how to bunt."

He does. I practice it and gain some confidence with it.

On opening game day, I surprise the opposing team with a first-pitch bunt for a base hit! Next, I steal second base. One of my teammates hits the ball allowing me to score my first run. My teammates and people in the stands are cheering and congratulating me. I feel overwhelmed, this is a new experience.

The season progresses and so do I. Every game I find times to bunt for base hits. I am gaining confidence and swinging the bat normally, gaining more hits. I am stealing bases and scoring runs! At the end of the season, my batting average is about .354!

I play the outfield and my throwing arm gains strength. I begin playing third base more often. One time I score a double play by myself catching a pop-up ball and tagging third base before the runner gets back.

One time, I play catch with Coach Dennis and he tells me to throw the ball to where he holds the catcher's mitt. I nail it. He holds the glove in several other positions telling me to do the same and I do. He tells me I have a strong arm with accurate control.

Next, he tells me to do the same but throw the ball harder. Then I am standing on the pitcher's mound throwing to our team catcher. Turns out I have a good fastball and a natural curveball.

A few days later, Coach Dennis informs me and the team that I am the starting pitcher for the game. I have never done this before. He tells me to just, "play catch with our catcher." I end up pitching a no-hitter. I didn't hit one batter and even struck out a few!

I do not remember if we won that game, it does not matter. Coach Dennis had me doing things I never thought possible, all with the power of his words.

My second season of playing Babe Ruth baseball is better. My batting average is higher and I enjoy playing several different positions including outfield, third base, and pitcher. I possess confidence as an athlete and person.

The next year is my freshman year at Servite High School. I decide to go out for the water polo team and become the team captain. This begins a rewarding career as a water polo player and swimmer in high school and college. All due to Coach Dennis and his empowering words.

I have often wondered what happened to Coach Dennis. I never saw him again and don't remember his last name. I doubt he remembers me or realizes the impact his words continue to have on my life.

Words have tremendous power. They can build up or destroy. The Bible says  God created the universe through the power of His words. I will use Coach Dennis's example to build people up with my words. What will you do with your words? Casual words to a stranger you will not remember saying or intentional words to a loved one that will?