Dugout Devotions by Del Duduit

Author:Del Duduit
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Published: 2018-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

DAY 16

DREAM CHASERS

Jim Morris

Pitcher

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

By Scott McCausey

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

—Psalm 32:8–9 ESV

Coach Jim Morris studied the faces of the dozen or so boys signed up to play varsity baseball for the Reagan County Owls. After a short welcome speech, one of the players raised his hand. “Coach, we’ve only won one game the last three seasons. We have no idea why you took this job. People come though this town on their way to somewhere else.”

Jim’s own coaching staff shared this sentiment, “These kids are losers, and that’s all they’re going to be. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

These comments served as a challenge to the new coach. Jim had lived a life being told he was a loser since Little League. His dad’s favorite saying was, “Kids are to be seen and not heard,” and was one of the mantras that pushed him out of the house to use the gifts he had been given on the playing field. He played with kids twice his age, honing his skills in an attempt to make his dad proud. But at fifteen years old, he moved to his grandfather’s house where he was given courage and learned about Jesus . . . and he pitched. He fired 85 mph fastballs for the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox farm clubs, until his career was cut short due to arm surgeries.

God’s Word mandates the importance of instructing youth in the game called life. Our Heavenly Coach supplies a playbook explaining conduct and rules. He gives us gifts to benefit the team and expects we will lead in a manner worthy of our calling. Imagine playing for Coach Jesus. Psalm 32 reminds us He is watching, and He’s not going to force us as with a bridle in a horse’s mouth. Our name is slotted on the lineup card, and we play hard for the benefit of the team.

The first game for the Owls was a doubleheader. Jim’s team lost 15-1 and 15-2. Standing on home plate after the game, Jim offered a prayer, “God, what can I do to help these kids? How can I get through? How can I push them without breaking them? How can I get them to dream further than tomorrow?” The answer came quickly, “Go down there and tell them what your grandfather taught you, dummy.”

He headed to the dugout, armed with a pep talk worthy of Casey Stengel. He told the kids about courage and hope, how to beat the odds and about living big dreams. Halfway through, his catcher interrupted. “Hey, coach. What about your dreams?”

He replied, “My dream is to watch you guys do great in the classroom, great on the field, go to college, and see what’s out there.

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