is winning everything?

it sure beats losing.

in my limited sports career, as player or coach, i have run the entire spectrum.

high school basketball as an erwin eagle-not good
hilldale softball-very good
hopewell basketball-very bad, then very good
hilldale basketball-very bad
HUMC men's basketball-pretty good
birminghamandcheese-don't ask
pvya baseball-good, and not so good

it is the last one that has me considering the question. as a coach this year, i am 1-4. and we have gotten manhandled a time or two. granted, we are very young, but i still wish we could break through. but is that everything? is winning even the point?

this will not become a blog that decries organized sports, saying that all kids are winners and keeping score is wrong. i like sports, and i think that winning is fun and good, and my team is the current world champion and i think that is wonderful. winning and losing, by the way, helps people see what they are good at and teaches great lessons about life. i do believe all kids are special in their own way, but some of them suck at baseball. so how do i balance wanting my kids who are good at baseball, and their (and my) desire to win with those who are just in it for the capri suns and cheez-its, or because mom and dad are forcing the issue. the answer is, honestly, i don't know.

i don't need to win little league games to validate my life. i have a family and friends and am not a criminal or a junkie, so i figure i am doing ok. but on the other hand, i enjoy winning. i enjoy knowing i have an eye for talent, and that i can teach a game to kids. and i want my son to experience the joy of winning. because, not to brag, but the boy can play.

at the end of the day, i would rather the kids and moms and dads enjoy playing for my team. i would rather enjoy coaching with two of my closest friends. sure, winning is part of that, but it is not all of it. one of the greatest joys so far was one of the kids moms telling me that she prayed that her son would get on my team. i don't know if God made me pick him, or assured that i got the first pick. i just picked him because he is super-talented and a good kid. but if somehow i have a part in helping this kid in his baseball journey, it is hard to deny that God is in that.

i guess for now i will try to just help them get better. heck, maybe we make some noise in the second half. if not, i guess there is next year.

go (pinson) rangers.