Lisa MartinBaseball requires players to use their unique talents and abilities in positions suited to them, while constantly communicating with eight other players in positions reflecting their gifts. A pitcher can throw a ball that is hard to hit. A catcher can catch and hold on to a ball while being slid into by a runner. Third base is the “hot box” allowing the shortest reaction time from a ball leaving a bat until the ball needs to be stopped. Short and second need to tirelessly cover the infield and mid-outfield quickly enough to rack some double plays. The outfielders need speed, depth perception and a strong arm. It’s handy to have a first baseman that can jump, is flexible and is left-handed. 

Each member of the defensive field has to stop the ball that comes to them and try to get an out or two, both to help the team win and to help their pitcher get out of the inning with the fewest possible pitches (saving his arm). Add to this the offensive challenge, often cited as the hardest act required in any sport: hitting a ball with a bat.

Each player must take his or her turn, alone at the plate; with all eyes on them and a parent on the sidelines shouting last minute advice. Base hits win ball games, but batters sure love their home runs! Good base running is one of my favorite parts of the game. How far do you lead off? Make sure your fingers can beat the ball back to the bag, but be out there far enough that you can out run the catcher’s throw to second on the steal. Slide under the throw at second, but be ready to pop up and run to third if the throw is bad. And then there are the games that leave it all up to a batter: down one point, bottom of the last inning, bases loaded, two outs, the count is full. I hold my breath and hate the game while loving every minute. A good team (family, workplace, church) is made up of uniquely gifted individuals communicating effectively with one ultimate goal at the end of each personal vision…so goes baseball. Granted people have different likes, dislikes, talents and interests; yet still…

I believe that if there comes a day when boys lack the courage and fortitude to stake their egos on being able to connect a bat with a 90 mph fast ball or a 45 mph curve ball, then that day will be a bleak witness to the caliber of youth being sent out into the adult world.
An unknown author wrote, “Lots of people never lose that never play the game”. Everybody has to grow up and work, almost everybody will have to work as a member of a team; but can youth develop the ability to work well as part of a team if they haven’t played the game?

Lisa Martin practices her belief that baseball is an expression of America throughout the summer, volunteering for youth baseball and the Worland Indians. She says that she gets much of her inspiration from her sons who ask, “If it wasn’t for baseball, what would we do all summer?”