Put Him In The Game! | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Put Him In The Game! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jimmy Thiel
09/15/08
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The team stood against the chain link fence encompassing the front of the dug out. The season had come down to this inning. It was the state championship! Only one run stood between the home town Marlins and victory, but only one out remained.

All eyes were on Brandon Hill, the fifteen year old all-star, as he walked towards home plate. Everyone at the field was on their feet, except one. Little Jimmy sat on the bench in the corner of the dug out. He had not played as of yet in this game.

Play ball! The umpire shouted. The pitcher came set and delivered the first pitch. Crack! The ball smashed solidly against the bat. With ferocious speed the ball whizzed past the pitchers mound destined for the hole between short and second. The shortstop dove for the ball stretching his arm as far as he could. The balls journey was cut short. He jumped to his feet, planted himself and fired the ball to first base! Brandon stretched, reaching for the base with everything he had. His foot caught the corner of the bag just as the ball was going into the first baseman’s glove. “SAFE!” shouted the umpire. The home team screamed in delight. There was still hope, and the fastest base runner in the league was on base!

The roar of the crowd quickly subsided however; Brandon was lying on the ground beside the base holding his right ankle. The coach reached Brandon’s side in a matter of seconds. “Are you ok son?” he asked as he massaged the wounded ankle. “I don’t know coach, It hurts pretty bad.” came the response. The coach looked back towards his bench. The only player he had left was little Jimmy. He looked back at Brandon, “Can you walk it off son?” Brandon knew that everyone was counting on him. “Sure coach, I can handle it.” he responded.

The crowd cheered as the coach helped him to his feet. A new batter approached the plate and play resumed. On the second pitch the batter connected with a line drive to deep center field. Brandon rounded second and was headed for third when the pain shot up his leg. As he rounded third the pain became almost unbearable. Although he was giving his all, he had slowed considerably. The relay throw hit its mark and the catcher slid his glove in front of the plate just as Brandon was sliding into it. “YOU’RE OUT!” shouted the umpire. The game and the season were over.

As Brandon’s father helped him through the dug out, Jimmy placed his hand on Brandon’s’ shoulder. “Nice try” he said. Brandon had become very close to little Jimmy. Jimmy had helped him through some rough times recently, both on and off the field. Brandon noticed his pain ease before they even made it to the car. It would be gone completely by the time they got to the hospital.

The coach didn’t think he could feel much worse, but then he noticed Jimmy. “I’m sorry I didn’t play you son, I guess I got caught up in the game” he said to the youth. Jimmy laughed and patted the coach on the back. “You know coach; I’m ready to help whenever you need me. All you have to do is ask.” With that, Little Jimmy walked towards the woodlot he had come from on the back side of the sports complex. The coach suddenly felt a calmness come over him. The championship no longer seemed as important as it once had. He smiled as he watched Jimmy disappear among the trees.

Once Little Jimmy was clear of eyes that would not understand, his jersey disappeared and wings spread wide as he transformed back into the angelic form that God had made him. He was never there to play ball. He had been sent to help Brandon in answer to his mothers’ prayer. Brandon had swayed from the path of righteousness as many teens do, and Jimmy had been sent to lead him back in the right direction.

The moral of this story is about a much bigger game than baseball. It’s about the game of life. God is there for us any time we need him, but it’s up to us to put Him in the game. If we leave him on the bench, it becomes a game that we just can’t win.

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