The Proudest Moment

Late last winter, while visiting with my son Ryan, I learned that my grandson Easton had been invited to be a member of a "select" little league baseball team. He could become a member of Utah's Herriman Mustangs - a hand picked team of nine-year-olds who showed enough potential to move to the next level of competition. Mustang coaches had noticed Easton on his prior season's team and felt that he would be a good addition to the team.
The first conversation was between the coach and Ryan. The next between Ryan and my daughter-in-law Rachel. It would be a bigger sports commitment than Easton or the family had been involved in before. A longer season, more practices, more tournaments, and more games. It would also be more of an investment with more travel, more equipment, and nicer uniforms. It was an opportunity that needed consideration on several levels. Ultimately the decision was to give Easton the option to decide. He considered the opportunity and chose to join the new team of boys - most of which he didn't know. From that day forward, Easton was all in. He listened intently to his coaches, asked for extra batting practice with his dad, and his appetite for a playing catch was never satisfied. It was obvious that Easton was going to do what it took to be a ballplayer. I didn't think that I could be any prouder of him, but I was wrong.


In a double elimination tournament, the Mustangs lost their first game 9-8. They competed against the leagues regular season third-place team and gave them all they could handle. But a loss is a loss. Tough for players at any age and especially hard for nine-year-olds who have their eyes squarely focused on winning a ring.
Now the journey to a championship would have to go the longer and harder route. Ultimately, they would play five more games in the tournament, with two of them them being repeat games against the highly regarded Trinity team. Trinity, the leagues first place team at the end of the regular season, was a very accomplished team made up of boys from across the greater Salt Lake valley. Each time the two teams played, the Mustang's prevailed with a win. Easton contributed on the mound, in the field and at the plate. And yet it was all about the team and his teammates when we visited after the game.
As the final tournament game was being played, Ryan was texting me updates every inning or two. The Mustangs started out with a 4-0 lead that grew to 7-1 in the third inning. Several minutes passed before I learned that a Trinity batter finally caught up with Easton's fast ball and sent it over the outfield wall for a three run homer. Deflated but not defeated, the Mustangs were now down by one run in the top of the fifth and final inning. If they didn't score in their half of the inning, the game and hopes for a ring would be over. How would they respond?
In just a few minutes I received the answer. The team had rallied back and scored the two runs that were needed to win the game. Now it was time to celebrate. And still it wasn't the moment I was most proud of.
There are lots of miles between Sammamish, Washington and Herriman, Utah. So many that the distance, along with that cancelled early-season tournament, made it so that I wouldn't get to see Easton play in a single game. And still, I saw him perform what I will long consider and remember to be the moment of the season when I was most proud of him.
It came at the end of the practice I attended back in early April. While most of the players were leaving and the equipment was being gathered to be put away, I saw something I'll never forget. I like to think of it of it as Easton's edge.

Before heading for home, Easton returned from the dugout and went to each of his coaches. One at a time he looked them in the eye, extended his hand to shake theirs, and thanked his coaches for a good practice and for being there for him and his teammates. It was a sign of his developing character and the respect he has for those who made it possible for him to be a part of the team.
And it was something more as well.
What I saw in that handshake was a symbol of remarkable parenting and the behavior of a respectful child. It"s true. Rings, championships, and trophies are all symbols of success. But the respect and gratitude expressed by my grandson in that short yet purposeful player to coach handshake is the moment I'll long remember.
It was the highlight of the season and the time when I was most right about feeling proud!
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Jul. 11, 2013 Mohammad,
Thank you for the notebooks! Easton received them last week and was very excited.
Dad - thank you again for posting this story. It was an fun and exciting season and something Easton will cherish for a long time.
Jun. 27, 2013 What a story! I felt the pride in every sentence and felt the presence in the field watching Easton myself....I hope to see Easton in UW uniform soon( my son asked me to add this line--smile)....GO Easton. I too feel very proud of your accomplishment. I am sending you a small note book that has this quote on it from Stephen Covey:
Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisks it, circle it, underline it. No involvement, no commitment.
You are a prime example of involvement and commitment.
Jun. 26, 2013 Congrats Easton, even thugh we don't see eah other very often I follow your happenings. Maybe we'll get to see you when you come to visit Grandpa Brooks. Always keeping up with your life . Love you
Jun. 26, 2013 Thanks Grandpa, my tear ducts needed a good cleaning out. Easton is sure growing up fast. And in just three short weeks, I’m going to get to pinch those sweet cheeks... Hurry up July.