Dating and Baseball
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 13:42
Have any of you been following the University of South Carolina's baseball team? In 2010, they won the College World Series of baseball ... and the first university's men's title in more than 100 years of athletic competition.
This year, they are back in Omaha, slugging it out for the title again. What is it that makes them so compelling? This team is so rich in story and character, they could crack your heart wide open. For starters, last year they adopted a terminally ill boy, Bayler Teal, whom they all visited, talked to and stayed in contact with throughout his bout with cancer. They dedicated their regional title games to him, as they made their advance to the World Series. In their pivotal elimination game against Oklahoma, just as they made the hit that would win the game, Bayler died. The team flew Bayler's parents to Omaha to watch them bring home the title. After the game, Whit Merrifield, Bayler's favorite player, told Mr. Teal: "I could feel Bayler's hand on my bat."
The team this year carries the same kind of heart and tradition. Each player's individual story keeps you riveted to the game, cheering for them in spite of the odds. For instance: One guy's Dad couldn't get time off to travel to Nebraska to watch his son play this year...so he quit his job. One player shut down negotiations with major league teams recruiting him so he can focus on winning the series. (He also has an almost perfect grade point average.) Another young man didn't know until fifteen minutes before the game last night if he could play with his injury ... And he wound up hitting the winning run.
These guys are humble; they're scrappy; they never give up. Yesterday, Greenville News sports reporter Willie T Smith wrote: "Win Anyway. That has been the mantra of this team. Injuries--don't want to hear about them. Personal problems-- set them aside. Uncomfortable playing conditions--get over it."
What has this got to do with DATING? Everything. Everyone out there dating...looking to meet someone ... can take a page from the USC baseball team's playbook.
Want to win at dating? Forget about complaining. Does life get tough at times? Get over it. Want to be admired, respected, successful and loved ... even when you don't win every time? Find something bigger than yourself to dedicate your life to.
If you want to catch the inspiration bug, catch game 2 ... of the best of 3 series... at 8:00 tonight. ( Check your local TV listings.) You know where I'll be.