Taking the Field

These last six years, Jack's involvement with the Michigan Mudcats baseball team that I've helped coach has truly been a highlight. Most of his best friends have been on the team with him, and we've all spent a ton of time together on the diamond throughout their middle school and high school years. In addition to that, our families have spent a lot of time together, and these young men and their families have been among those who have been Jack's (and our) greatest encouragers over the last two months.

Tonight the Mudcats won the final game of their existence, and in the process clinched a league championship. It was definitely a bittersweet occasion. Without question, finishing business as champs is a great way to go out! But mixed with the joy of accomplishment were two realities: 

1. Jack hadn't been able to play this season.
2. The game marked the end of a wonderful chapter in all of our lives.

We couldn't do anything about point number two, but the best moment of the night came when we at least took a symbolic swing at point number one. At the start of the game's final inning, Jack took over at first base for one pitch (which our pitcher dutifully made sure was nowhere near the strike zone where it might be hit). We then removed Jack to the applause of the crowd, both teams, and even the umpires.

The videos below capture different aspects of the moment, showing it from two different angles.