I Gave a Boy a Baseball...

A few weeks ago our oldest son Kellan posted an essay on his Facebook page titled, "If you give a boy a baseball".  In it, the unknown author explains how it's not only a baseball you are giving but indeed much, much more. I've read this essay before, many years ago, but this time with his last college game approaching, the words took on a much deeper meaning.

T-Ball

Kellan started playing baseball at the age of five, and while he was not as athletic as his younger brother, he truly loved to play. He was also left-handed, which can be a huge advantage in baseball. By 5th grade, after trying other sports he had decided to focus solely on baseball. When he wasn't playing it, he was watching it or reading about it. Baseball is often called a thinking man's game and he is definitely a thinker. He enjoyed the strategy and science that is weaved into all aspects of the game. He set a goal to play at the college level. He had never been the best player on the team, an everyday starter or the lights out flame thrower, but he was willing to do the work to make it happen.

Signing Day

During his Senior year of high school, Missouri Western State University offered him a spot on their roster. We knew very little about the school or the baseball program other than they were consistently competitive in a really good NCAA DII conference. None the less he accepted. His dream of playing college baseball had come true, sort of. Being on a college roster and actually making it on to the field are two entirely different things.

The Change in Mechanics

After redshirting his Freshman year he continued to work hard to become a contributor on the pitching staff. Eventually, with the help of his coach, he completely changed his pitching mechanics and soon after started seeing success. We are so grateful to the coaching staff for having the patience to allow him to work his way on to the field.
After five memorable years as a Griffon, Kellan played his final college game last month.
He accomplished more during his time there than he ever thought possible. In the classroom, he was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll all five years, earned a Bachelor's degree with a minor and will complete his Master's degree in December. On the field, he set the school record for single-season appearances by a pitcher at 29, then broke it at 35. He's also tied for 16th all-time single-season appearances in NCAA Dll Baseball. He also set the MIAA career appearance record at 94 and is 20th all-time in career appearances for Dll Baseball. He had the opportunity to play alongside his teammates in several conference tournaments and two regional tournaments. He was also nominated by his teammates and coaches last season as the Golden Griffon Baseball Player of the Year, an honor he was very humbled to receive. And then last summer he had the chance to play in British Columbia with the Kelowna Falcons a team in the West Coast League. He traveled through Canada, Washington, and Oregan playing with other college players from all divisions. It was an adventure and one he will never forget.

It is often said that many of life's lessons can be learned through baseball, I believe that to be true. I've seen it time and time again in all of us, but in Kellan especially. Baseball has taught him about failure, determination, perseverance, grit, confidence, leadership, patience, and that hard work does pay off. His journey through baseball is a wonderful example of how a simple game can shape a person.  This was captured so well in the video that was made for the Golden Griffon ceremony last year. It really shows his love for the game and how it has in part made him who he is today.
We have given a lot to the game of baseball over the last 18 years, but it has also given us a lot in return. The time we spent as a family, the places we've traveled, the memories we've made and most importantly the people we've met made every mile, every dollar, and every minute worth it.

Team Richards' at Kellan's last game

Some of our closest friends are fellow baseball parents.  We've sat next to them on bleachers or in lawn chairs through cold spring evenings and hot summer weekends. They have coached, transported, fed, bandaged, cheered, hugged and simply loved our boys as if they were their own. For the boys, many of their teammates are now life-long friends. 

This summer Kellan has been given an amazing opportunity to move to the other side of the foul line and play a new position as a coach. Our calendar is no longer as full as is once was, but we look forward to cheering him on as he takes another step towards his goal of a career in baseball. 

Our relationship with baseball may be changing, but it has and will always be part of our family identity. I cannot imagine what life would be like had we never given our boys a baseball.

"When you give a boy a baseball you gave him a talent, and hope, a sport, a dream, and friends and a new family. A place to learn about life, room to grow up as a person where he can push the limit, and have bravery, courage, and memories. And he will have all these things simply because you gave a boy a baseball!" -taken from If You Give a Boy a Baseball