At spring training for a Major League Baseball organization in Winter Haven, Florida, a young pitcher receives instruction from his pitching coach.

“I need you to throw side arm,” he says. “Take as much time as you need during extended spring training for this transition.”

As the young man turns to walk back to the clubhouse, he thinks, “I was a starting pitcher the last two years. I put up good numbers. Why would he ask me to change pitching styles now, during the last week of spring training? I’m not sure if I can do this, but I am willing to try.”

During the next few weeks, he practices day after day to hone his craft. He learns to control his pitches and consistently hammer the strike zone, improving considerably.

Fast forward two months.

The pitcher is now in front of 5,000 screaming fans of the opposing team. It’s the bottom of the ninth inning, the bases are loaded, there are no outs, and the best hitters of the batting order are coming to the plate. As a pitcher, he must keep his composure and not allow his emotions to dictate his actions.

His team is up by one run. This is no ordinary game—it is for the championship!

Blocking his mind from the noise, taunts and heckles of those in the audience, he remains composed on the mound, delivering strikes, which keep his teammates focused. They are counting on him. He knows that the moment he lacks consistency in the strike zone, they could let down their guard and fail to anticipate the next play, resulting in errors that could cause the team to lose the game.

With bases loaded, it is the opposing team’s best chance to score.

Throwing an inside fastball, the young athlete forces the fourth batter to hit a grounder back to the pitcher’s mound. He then throws the ball to home plate for a force out, and the catcher whips the ball to the first baseman for the second out. A double play!

After throwing three sidearm pitches outside the strike zone to the next batter, he throws three perfect pitches across the plate, and the umpire yells, “Out!”

The young athlete in this story was me during my career as a professional pitcher. Throughout my time as an athlete, I learned many valuable lessons that I still apply in my life today, even after being called into God’s Church.

Athletics taught me the importance of true values and how to display a proper attitude in times of tense pressure. With a little sweat and hard work, sports can do the same for you!

Life Lessons and Sports

Athletics provide an environment to learn lessons applicable to real life, such as how to get out of tough situations, strategize, deal with stressful conditions, and communicate within a team to assure that everyone is on the same page.

 

Source: Getty Creative Images

 

Source: Getty Creative Images

 

Source: Getty Creative Images

Imagine having an opportunity to participate in a sport you have never played. What would go through your mind? “I won’t be good at this game,” you might think, or, “Since I’m home-schooled and there aren’t many opportunities for organized sports, I’m not very good.”

Even though you may not have played certain sports—you should allow your inner athlete a chance to blossom. Instead of shying away, dive right in! Think to yourself, “I have never played this game before, but I will do my best.”

Team members must work together and interact as a unit. Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth once said, “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”

Team players cannot have an individual mindset. When each person carries out his or her role, the whole team benefits. As trust develops among individual players, camaraderie increases. By shedding selfish, negative or cynical thinking, the team ensures success.

In team sports, leadership is essential. For instance, in baseball, nothing happens until the pitcher throws the ball. He actually leads his team each time he throws a pitch. He keeps his defense engaged by delivering strikes and communicates with them before each batter comes to the plate.

Leadership often involves strategy. In sports, you must analyze a problem and think about possible outcomes. For example, in baseball, understanding what the opponent is trying to achieve—to advance the runner from base to base to score runs—allows a player to apply certain strategies. This includes understanding the opponent and identifying his weaknesses and strengths. Often, by visualizing a play before it happens, an athlete can stay a step ahead, allowing him to know what to do in a given scenario.

Team sports also teach us to control our emotions through the many ups and downs, highs and lows, disappointments and achievements that come through our participation in them. We can set a shining example playing by the rules. No matter the outcome of a sporting event, we learn to win or lose graciously, which includes not taunting others when winning or having a long face when losing.

Athletics also teach us patience. Sometimes we have to stand back and allow others to take the lead or help those who may not have as much experience.

These concepts can be applied to everyday life!

Physical and Mental Benefits

On top of character-building opportunities, sports provide a fun atmosphere to engage in general fitness. As you get into shape or participate in different sports, you will find that you relieve stress and have better concentration levels.

Proper strength conditioning (including weightlifting) and stretching can also provide enhanced respiratory and digestive health. In addition, long-distance running can help increase endurance and stamina.

You must be willing to sacrifice your time to improve yourself, even if there is the proverbial rain, sleet or snow. Though we often have to sacrifice to achieve our goals, especially in sports, this helps us to build courage, motivation and confidence. Sometimes, if we do not push ourselves, no one else will.

You can learn how to take care of your body. But you have to be motivated. Challenge yourself!

Balancing Sports and the Church

Teens who are home-schooled may feel that they have limited opportunities to experience organized athletics. Community sports programs in your neighborhood are a great way to participate in athletics with other kids in the area. Go online or check the local library to find the nearest community-sponsored leagues for basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. This gives other youth in the area the chance to see your light shine and for you to be a positive example.

This brings up the issue of the Sabbath. For instance, if there is an upcoming game, and it starts Friday evening, you must put your emotions in check and understand that your obligation to obey God comes before all else.

Many others in God’s Church have played sports and have dealt with the same challenges. Taking a stand includes having the courage to accept the consequences for doing what’s right in God’s eyes. Although you may be teased at school or hurt by what other people say, consider: Why should you feel guilty for keeping God’s Law when it is everyone else who should feel guilty for breaking it? If this happens, take it as a courage- and faith-building exercise. Every time we obey God, we build faith, especially as we swim against the fast-moving current of the world. Your peers at school are going the complete opposite way.

Having parents in the Church means you are set apart. Use sports as an opportunity to be a great example. By not allowing people to negatively influence what you do, you can show others that they don’t always have to “follow the crowd.”

Take advantage of team sports and tap your inner athlete! Engage in athletic activities that will develop your tools of communication with others in the community. Whether you attend public school or are home-schooled, allow the athlete within you to grow.

By taking the lessons you learn on the field and putting them into action in real-life situations, you will reap the lifelong physical and character-building benefits that sports can bring!