A Game That Lasted Two Days
It’s easy to say this because we finally won: but it was a great game.
Our game last night started 1 1/2 hour late. The game before us wouldn’t end. So we started at 9:30, knowing that you can’t begin an inning after 11:30.
At 11:24 p.m., the 5th inning ended. We were trailing 7-6. There was just barely time for one more inning.
The sixth inning started. We got runners on first and third. Then the lights went out. Not all of them — just a couple poles in left field. So we had to wait about twenty minutes for those lights to cool down and heat back up.
What happened during that time was fun — in a stressful, we’re-still-a-run-down sort of way. We were playing the other all-star team from our league. In other words, our kids were playing friends and teammates. During the electrically-informed time out, the guys started meeting on the field, laughing and talking about the game. Coaches wanted them “keeping their heads in the game.” But right then you realized that they were all just buddies.
I liked that.
But then again, as I mentioned, we did win. At 12:20 a.m. this morning, that game finally, mercifully came to an end.
Sounds really awesome. I played little league for 10 years and we were never allowed to talk to our friends on the field during a game, but it sure would’ve been nice if it happened.
Also, I had left a comment on your blog a while back when you posted about “training for professionalism” and I’m not sure if you got a chance to read it. But I was really hoping you could read it and get back to me whenever you get some free time:
“Hey Mike,
Man I cannot tell you how much encouragement I have received from this blog. I guess my biggest problem in doing ministry is that a lot of churches have always told me that being somewhat regal, having this professional look to you, is the key to success. I kind of felt like if that was the case, overiding loving people where they are at and engaging in their culture and needs and putting it in 2nd place, then I didn’t want to do ministry.
Listen, I’m kind of heading up the 1838 ministry at ACU next year, and I’m also starting up this ministry called “Jesus & The Hip-Hop Prophets” on campus. I was wondering if I could email you about some things and maybe get some insight from you concerning some stuff for the upcoming school year. I would really appreciate it.
Peace,
Matt W.”
Thanks Mike. And Peace. Also, I’ve got a pretty good guacamole recipe, but I can’t write it on here.
Great report, Mike! Glad you won, but then, with baseball in the context you describe, does anyone really lose? I’m telling you there is a spirituality about the game even if it is Zen-like!
Mike,
That is great. Sounds as exciting as the Germany/Argentina game yesterday.
Incredible! Of course you failed to mention that you fell asleep in the second inning at your normal 9:45 bedtime
Kidding!
Can you imagine if you were at NACC and had to hear that incredible story second hand? No way…
You made a great decision. Actually, you most likely made it a long, long time ago and just managed it correctly. Is it any wonder that the single Apostle Paul knew that men who can’t win the respect of their families can’t win at the game of church leadership?
Not only did the game last two days…you got two wins!!! Christopher will take more pride 20 years from now in the fact that his dad was on the bench than his team winning the game. He will love you for it.
And that love will last longer than two days or 20 years – it will last a lifetime.
Mike, the more I hear about your stories with your family the more I do not think you made a sacrifice this weekend. I believe you love being with your kid on the field more than being idolized from the pulpit. So I am no longer impressed, you are only doing what you love, big deal.
Imagine this – after you played in the game that was over at 12:20 a.m. you had to get up and go back to HSU football camp and do a 3 hour workout at 8:00 this morning. Max did not want to get out of bed, let me just tell you that. I’m proud of him for doing it though. Since our game was over so late he didn’t get to go back to the dorms last night which made it all the harder getting up and going today.
Congrads!
OK, please tell Chris that we brought the kids to come watch him play. When we got there and saw that the game before yours was running late, we went over to the other game and watched our Wylie team start their game. Once 9:00 rolled around and there was still no end in sight, we had to get the kids home to bed. Glad you guys won! Were you actually awake at the end? Did Wylie win?
Candy – An 18-wheeler could not have pulled Chris out of bed for an 8:00 workout today. Tell Max I’m very impressed!
Amy – You can tell all the people who know me well. They’re the ones questioning whether I was really awake past 10:30 p.m. Maybe I was coaching in my sleep!
Sounds like your sleep-coaching was just what your team needed. Congrats – sounds like a great game!
Congratulations! Sounds like alot of fun. Thanks for modeling as a dad for us who have younger children and have “decisions” to make to either earn a living or live a full family life.