Nathan’s Best Day Ever

This morning there were two games left in the 2008/09 Dubai Little League Baseball season.   Nathan (playing in the Peewee Division with other seven- and eight-yearolds) has been steadily improving in his game, as has all his team-mates on the FedEx sponsored Kansas City Royals, and if nothing else his love for the game is what carries him through each play.

It was a hot day as the Royals faced the Tigers (the end of season games are usually the toughest) but they were on form, running in 5 runs with no outs in their first inning at bat – Nathan (a little lower in the batting order) first saw action as he played catch in the first defense inning.  As the pitching machine slung it’s true strike’s he tried to stop as many from getting away, but ended up with a lot more dust in his face than usual, again showing his commitment vs. skill.

The Tigers were cut short, scoring only 3 runs in that inning, and with runners on second and third Nathan donned his batting helmet and trotted out.  It was a nerve-racking first stance at bat, with a “Full-House” and only one ball left, but Nathan (with his signature left-handed stance) swung and hit a low lob just short of the pitcher, and running hard made it to first base.

Nathan proceeded to run unto third as his team-mates batted, but with the Royals scoring another 5 runs he had to shuffle up and down for the change of play without scoring a run.

The Tigers, in their second inning scored another three runs – Nathan playing Centre Field this round didn’t make any catches, but did once have a good run, collect and cut-off throw-in and looked on top of things most of the time.

Coach Stan, as always was very encouraging as Nathan again faced the pitching machine in the third inning, and again was at a Full house, only one ball away from a possible strike-out … But “HO” another pop-up swing perfectly short of Third base had him running safely onto first base, and an over-throw had him on second. Two batters later, Nathan’s friend Hudson hit a beauty into outfield and Nathan applauded as he ran in the 14th run for the Royals for the day.

The Royals would finish the day scoring 15 runs, to the 7 completed rounds of base of the Tigers – Coach Stan was SO happy with Nathan’s improvement over the season that he went as far as nominating that Nathan keep the “Game Ball” this week, an honour usually kept for the best offensive player … With “Game Ball” in hand, and smile as wide as Jumeirah beach, Nathan turned to Angela and I and said “I think this is the best day in my life, ever …”

We’re just so thankful to Our Lord and saviour for how He’s blessed us with such a wonderful boy, that even though his talents are obviously not on the base-ball field, he plays at it with all his heart – We’re also deeply grateful to his coach, Stan Paul, and the wonderfully humbling work he’s doing with the boys and girls on Nathan’s team, and rewarding effort and perseverance and not just raw obvious talent, which I must admit, there’s a lot of in the Royals.  Seeing Nathan so filled with joy also lead me and Angela to say “It was a pretty good day” as we look to next weeks game, and probably Nathan’s last … Thanks be to God!