The Home Run
After a season of riding the bench, it was finally little Bobby’s chance to get into the game. It was the last inning and his team was leading 23-2. “If the catcher drops your third strike,” optimistically instructed the coach, “You can run to first base.”
“Sure coach,” said little Bobby as he stepped up to the plate.
The third pitch went sailing over little Bobby, the catcher and the umpire, and like the first two pitches, little Bobby swung. “Strike three!” yelled the ump.
“Run!” screamed the coach as the catcher went scurrying after the ball. Little Bobby ran to first and then on to second. “Stay at second,” yelled the coach, but little Bobby did not break stride as the catcher’s throw went over the second baseman’s head. The words of the third base coach, “Stay here,” turned into “Oh no!” as little Bobby rounded third and headed for home.
Little Bobby’s bid for baseball immortality was not going to be denied him as it reached a climax in a cloud of dust at home plate. “You’re safe,” yelled the umpire. Little Bobby’s teammates swarmed around him as if he had won the game.
The coach approached the celebration at home to speak to little Bobby about base running but could say nothing. Glasses twisted, spitting dust, little Bobby said with a smile a mile wide, “Gee, what do you think of that, Coach? My first home run of the season!”
CONSIDER Little Bobby’s determination. On that hot summer’s day nothing was going to deter him from reaching home. To him, he hit a homerun, despite the opposing team making 4 errors. He could have thrown down his bat and gone to sit on the bench, but no, he took off for home!
CONSIDER the words of the Apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4: 7&8)
Rev. Wendell Mettey
Revised May 8, 2013
