misc ramblings n' thoughts...
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| james' blog... misc ramblings n' thoughts... |
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Softball... Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I actually wasn't planning on blogging but due to a few people tugging at me to write something, here's something that's occupying space in my mind. This year, I'm coaching for the ETCBC Oracles (I know, yet another new team) and it's kind of my first ministry in this new church I've been attending for the past year or so. And I'm really excited about it, since I love softball and have been playing for many years, etc. I think there's a misconception going around the league that CCSA teams are either high spirited and fun, but very sucky in terms of skill, or hardcore and competitive, but very high skilled and win many games. And to a certain degree, this is true. The teams that are willing to do all the "tight" things usually win. For example, if you pinch in for girls, if you run very aggressively, exploit their weaknesses (ie hitting only to one weak player on the field), and sub in all your girls so they play less, you'll probably win a few more games, because all these things are "strategically wiser." But think about how the girl feels when the entire team moves up as close as they can get to the line, or how the guy feels after every single ball seems to be flying towards him, but he can't catch a single thing. You think they feel good playing in a Christian softball league?! I was talking to a girl who is on a "girl benching" team and you don't understand how discouraging it is when you see other players (including your coach, governer, pastor, etc) all playing the full game, but you and your "weaker" hitting/less skilled and experienced girlfriends are sitting on the bench for over half the game. Is this the Christian spirit that we want to portray? My general rule and our team tries hard to stick by this: Coaches/governers always sit first, then Christians, and non-christians sit last/least. I think this year, I want to really prove that a team can have a ton of fun, and play well. We can win by trying hard and going after every ball, by running hard every time, and "striving for the commitment line" by giving it all we've got. And in the end, whether we win or lose, I just hope that we can say that we've "played the good game, we've ran as hard as we could run, and we've given it all we've got. And we've tried our best to honour Him in our actions." And that's what's important. I had a couple really good games this weekend, that were totally a lot of fun, but also experienced some disappointments. Thanks to the teams that really helped us have a good time of fun and fellowship. Isn't that what this is all about? I guess I really expected some teams to be really high spirited, to be really fun, and to make the game enjoyable for both sides, but I ended up being totally disappointed. (Not saying this is any team that we played or watched.) I guess some teams just care too much about winning that they're willing to sacrifice some of the fun. Or maybe just a few players ruin it for the whole team. I'm sure sometimes some of our team's actions weren't the best and I can remember times when I was frustrated on and off the field, but we'll continue to work on that and ask God to guide us and help control us. I talked to each and every one of my team members after the game, and the only question I cared to ask them was "Did you have fun?!" And the only question I asked myself and challenged my Christian teamates was "Was God glorified through my actions on and off the field today?!" If your answer is no, then really think about why you play. I really do love CCSA, and I love the game that God has blessed us with. I thank our fans for coming to all our games, thank the people for making us tons of banners, thank people for coming out to cheer crazily for us. For our super fans for sitting through 5 hours of hot blazing sun, and still smiling and yelling for us. You guys help encourage and show us God's love and spirit when we are too frustrated and tired, and I thank you guys for your support (specially our super fans: Jon, Shar, Giz, Vels, Grace, Stella, etc) I wish we could not keep score, and just play, and rejoice in the surroundings that God has blessed us with. Let's really strive to glorify Him on and off the field. posted by jamescl | 12:13 AM
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Thanks to my buddies for adding colour to my otherwise dull life.