Alan NeSmith
Mornings should ramp up with prayer, coffee, bacon, eggs and biscuits before one starts their day. Just as a baseball game should ramp up with a team prayer, stretching, warming up and the players and coaches taking their hats off while the National Anthem is played. While everyone in the stands removes their hats and salutes the American flag before the first pitch. But, unfortunately, this does not always happen.
This is a time of year when young athletes work hard to improve their skills on the baseball diamond and learn life lessons about being a member of a team. While parents juggle their schedules to support them in the stands most afternoons and struggle to get the clay stains out of uniforms late into the night. A time when concession food is often a substitute for supper, and nothing tastes better than a hot dog coming from an aluminum foil wrapper.
Two weeks ago today, I attended a middle school baseball game at Prince Avenue Christian School in Oconee County.
As Heather and I were walking to the baseball field, we paused for a prayer over the loudspeaker before the start of a soccer game on an adjoining field.
Then both of us turned and smiled at each other while noting how refreshing it was to hear a prayer over the loudspeaker before a game.
As we set up our chairs behind home plate, I began anticipating a prayer and the playing of the National Anthem before the start of our game. But no prayer or National Anthem was played before the first pitch. A little concerned, my focus turned to the batter’s box as we were the visiting team.
Our team had a battle on their hands from the first inning on.
And Drew Barron pitched an incredible game for our team. However, the most impressive display from Drew was in the fifth inning.
As he was receiving a toss back from the catcher, the National Anthem began to play over the adjacent soccer field loudspeaker. Upon hearing the Star Spangled Banner, Drew removed his hat with his right hand, placed it over his heart and faced the American flag. This was followed by all players, coaches and fans in the stands removing their hats and facing our flag.
Yes, Drew provided leadership for our team on the mound that night with pitching and honoring the playing of our National Anthem even in the middle of an inning. Adam and Melissa Barron are raising a great young man and I’m proud our sons have him as a teammate and friend. Drew, I’m proud of you.
God bless America and the young leaders of tomorrow.
Alan NeSmith is the chairman of Community Newspapers Inc. Reach him at anesmith@TheNortheastGeorgian.com.