My nephew, AJ, after a game. He's just hot and tired here.
My brother Andrae grew up playing baseball through the Statesboro Recreation Department. He looked up to our older brother Jamey who played “rec ball” and was third baseman for the Statesboro High School Blue Devils in the eighties, and soon followed in his footsteps. Needless to say, I was dragged around to my fair share of baseball games in the sweltering southeast Georgia heat and became a fan by default. Today, baseball is our family’s summer pastime and tradition.
So, you can imagine Andrae’s delight when his son AJ followed in his dad’s footsteps and began playing ball at the recreation department, becoming enthralled in every aspect of the game. A chip off the ol’ block. After watching endless Atlanta Braves games with his parents, AJ quickly learned the game and became a true fan of each player, especially the team’s first baseman, Freddie Freeman. He marveled at Freeman’s athleticism and was equally impressed that the organization recognized him as the team leader.
Spring 2021 arrived, and AJ was ready for baseball at the recreation department. He had his eyes on one position and one position only -- first baseman. AJ played the position with ease. His arm was strong, and his throws were very accurate. Then came the shift. After assessing his players and identifying the team’s needs, the team’s coach asked Andrae if AJ had ever played catcher. Andrae said no, and immediately knew what was going to happen and how his son would react. The coach approached AJ to give him the news, and AJ was heartbroken. After several practices, AJ proved to be a natural and adapted to the new position easily. His strong arm and accuracy were perfect for catching. And though he hated playing catcher, he continued to put his all in each practice and game.
One day before a weekday practice, Andrae and AJ came over to my home to visit. Andrae began filling me in on AJ’s progress:
“Jackie, the lil’ rascal can play. I’m not just sayin’ it because he’s my son. AJ is really good.” Andrae went on to describe his son’s strengths and how impressed his coach and some parents were with AJ’s abilities.
“AJ, that’s awesome! I’m so proud of you.” I said. “So, you’re liking catcher now, huh?” I asked assuming he had finally accepted his new gig.
“No,” he frowned as he shook his head. “I don’t wanna play catcher. It’s hard and it hurts my back and legs. And the uniform is hot and it’s hard to put it on by myself,” he complained.
“I have to help him get in his catching uniform,” Andrae explained. “He just has to get used to putting it on and playing in it.”
“Well, AJ, everyone thinks you’re doing an awesome job as catcher. They see something amazing in you.”
“I wanna play first base,” he quietly said, shrugging his shoulders and rolling his eyes.
“This kid is not happy,” I thought to myself.
But as the season progressed, AJ found his groove and flourished. He and his team would go on to place third in the region. When asked what he enjoyed the most during the season, he said with confidence: “My fielding. I'm really good at catcher.” He actually enjoyed that he was the team’s sole catcher. Not only did my nephew embrace his new position, but he also found ways to be a team leader. The crowd could hear him rallying a fellow teammate as he stepped to the plate to bat, slapping him a high five for a job well done or giving him words of encouragement and a pat on the back if things didn’t go so well. At the end of the season, I asked AJ what he’d learn from his experience, he said: “You just have to try new things, even if you don’t like it so you can learn.” Homerun, AJ, home. run. He’s not a Freddie Freeman, not yet anyway, but he is definitely a brave kid for trying something unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
Change may hurt, it may be hard to do and hard to put on by yourself, but if you give yourself permission to shift with it instead of resisting against it, you’ll see you’re able to do much more than you thought you could. You’ll discover new talents and ways in which to excel. And when you need help, there will be people to assist you, to affirm that you’re amazing and that you’re on the right track. May we say yes more when it comes to trying new things. May we become comfortable with being uncomfortable for the sake of self-discovery, growth, and new possibilities. May we exemplify LEADERSHIP by shifting from I to WE, remembering we are a part of something bigger than us; and by serving in the gap, we are strengthening the whole. May we get in the game and stay in the game and be open to playing the game from every angle. May we give it our all, committing to our new spaces -- even when we don’t like it, keeping in mind it is only for a season.
Hey you! It’s your turn to catch.
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