Back in the Saddle

Tenacity is a pretty fair substitute for bravery, and the best form of tenacity I know is expressed in a Danish fur trapper’s principle: “The next mile is the only one a person really has to make.”

Eric Sevareid

Last April I wrote a post about my youngest son, Ian, the high school baseball player. How he had endured an odd hip fracture while swinging the bat. Needless to say, it ended his season. Took him out for the summer as well, and required months of rest.

Yesterday, I sat in the bleachers and watched that boy come up to bat once again. His choice, he signed up for Select Fall Ball. No one else in the stands may have known, but I understood the anxiety he held standing in that batting box.

Poised in his stance, he watched four pitches -- all balls. He trotted to first base. Safely. No hitches in his step. Second at bat, the same - four errant throws and another trot for a free base. Third up? He swung and missed. Next pitch he fouled off into the parking lot. Then, struck out looking. Fourth, and final at bat for the day, he connected for a chopper to second. Safe at first on a Fielder's Choice.

Back in the saddle.

On the two hour drive home from San Antonio, he critiqued his play. Recanted the plays he'd made from the outfield - balls caught and throws made. Assessed where he needs to improve. Pleased his arm is back, even though he admits rust.

I reminded him that the kids he's playing with finished the season last spring and played all summer. Told him how proud of himself he should be for climbing back on the horse. He smiled.

Did I have that tenacity and persistence at 17 years of age? I doubt it. Proud of that boy, I am.

However, it does sit my butt back in the bleachers on weekends. I hate to say it, but I didn't miss melting into the metal in 100+ degree heat all summer. But I did miss watching my boy play.

Onward to next weekend's game, the next horse. And the next mile.