Sports, Summer Reflections

Two very important things in my life came to an end this past weekend: swim team and Reds baseball. I must admit, I'm more than a little thankful, but only because I'm tired.

My son started his baseball career with T-ball and never looked back. I don't think he could love doing anything more. I enjoyed every minute I was able to watch him play. I especially enjoyed watching him play Cal Ripken baseball at the Jeff Jurgens Field. More than that though, I have watched the best group of young men grow up together. I can remember having some of them at my house for birthday parties, flashlight tag or driveway hockey. They were good kids then and they are amazing young men now. I wasn't able to attend many of the Reds' games, because they are busy all summer and sometimes travel quite a distance. That made it all the more memorable when I could make it to a game or two.

My daughter joined swim team when she was nine years old. My friend persuaded me to register her, telling me I would love swim team. She was right. I do love it. So does my daughter.

I think most people would categorize swim team as an individual sport, much like track and field or cross country. For the most part, the athletes are competing against themselves in an effort to achieve their personal bests – either in time or distance, or both. For me, swim team is just as much a team sport as baseball. There can't be a successful program without all the members working together to achieve their goals.

The core of each team are the swimmers and the players, but the team rosters also extend further than that. In the years we have been involved in sports, many teammates have come and gone. Some graduated high school and moved on or their families moved out of Glasgow. Some chose to participate in other sports or activities, or they decided competing just wasn't for them.

Despite the fact that they are no longer active members, they are still on my roster. I follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and in real life. I still see their names in the programs from when they broke pool or federation records. I see them getting ready to start their new adventures in college. I still see pictures and videos of them swimming in past meets. I see the dusty old trophies displayed in the businesses that sponsor baseball each year. I still know these kids.

Through swim team and baseball, I have also had the pleasure of getting to know grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, siblings, and more. They become extended family because I see them almost every weekend all summer.

Finally, included on my roster are the athletes and families from other teams. Yes - the competition. Swim meets are set up in a way that makes it difficult to be anti-social. Team canopies are parked next to each other around the pool, and it's typical for swimmers and their belongings to spill over into other tents. Throughout the weekend, spectators are huddled together on the bleachers – usually wherever there is shade. Parents stand in line together at the concession stand or gather around the results board to check their swimmer's progress. Timers and judges spend the entire weekend together. Interaction is inevitable. A person just cannot avoid making new friends. Even me.

During baseball season, you'll see complete strangers come together and complain about the weather or compare the size of mosquitoes in their towns. They will stand near first base and analyze the coach's decision to send the runner or not to send the runner. The moms who work the concession stand often get to know the little ones who chase foul balls and return them for a free gumball or tootsie roll.

My daughter has met countless people through swim team and my son through baseball. They both have developed lifelong friendships and gained good solid role models. They have learned responsibility, respect, individuality, and good sportsmanship.

Don't get me wrong. It hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies. We have experienced conflict and disappointments. There have been tears. It's the love of the sports and the friendships we have all developed that keeps us going back for more and looking forward to the next season. It takes a village to raise a child. Glasgow, we are doing a fine job and I thank you.