Some of the best memories that I’ve ever had were the ten years that I coached little league baseball. One year I was coaching the 9 and 10 year old age group.

That year we had a kid on our team that had trouble paying attention and wasn’t very coordinated but he was such a sweet kid. Everybody cheered for him every time he got up to bat but he couldn’t hit the ball. I worked with him during practice (and after practice) but he could never quiet get the hang of it. 

It was literally the last game of the season , his last “at bat” and down to the last pitch. We all held our breath, the pitcher threw the ball and this kid swings and hits the ball. It didn’t go very far but he hit it. We were all yelling for him to run because he was just standing there looking at the ball. Even the opposing team was into it; they had intentionally over thrown first base just so he could make it.

After the game was over we had our team meeting where I presented him with the game ball. He was so excited and he asked me if I would sign the ball like Babe Ruth. I signed it “Great game, Coach Wayne.”

After our meeting the kids met up with their parents and left. I was still on the field picking up our gear when I noticed that the kid had returned and was just standing there looking my way. He walks right up to me holding out the ball with his right hand and with his left hand perched up on his hip.

He says, “Coach Wayne, what the heck is this?” Confused, I took the ball and looked at it, but before I could respond he says, “I said to sign it like Babe Ruth!”

This kid wanted me to sign Babe Ruth’s name to it?

It was so funny. It’s moments like these that make it all worth while. I signed Babe Ruth to the ball, he inspected it and all was right in his world again. He gave me a big hug and ran off to his parents. I love those days. I’m just sayin’.