The Boys (and Girl) of Summer
Every year about this time I along with millions of others watch on ESPN the Little League World Series. I played Little League baseball as a kid and dreamed of playing on the well manicured grass infield, with a fence and an on field announcer in Williamsport Pennsylvania like every boy who ever played the game. Mike Mussina, a former All Star pro pitcher who grew up in the Williamsport area said that every pro player in every major league locker room would be glued to the TV during the Little League World Series. This year Mo’Ne Davis, an honor roll,13-year-old 8th grader from Philadelphia became a TV phenomenon. Girls have been allowed to participate in the Little League World Series since 1974 and this year Mo’Ne led her team to the American division semi-finals with her amazing pitching process featuring a 70-mph fastball and great control of her pitches. She gives new meaning to the phrase “you throw like a girl”. She is the first Little Leaguer to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. Mo’Ne’s game Wednesday night against Las Vegas had a larger viewing audience than every major league telecast on ESPN besides the Home Run Derby the past seven years.
Another inspiring story Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West who played played South Korea’s team for the World Series Championship with the Asian Pacific team winning. The inner city Chicago team was a member of the Little League Urban Initiative. Formed in 1999, it supports Little League in needy urban areas. While the International news last week focused on the terrorist army ISIS and their gruesome beheadings in Iraq and National news went on endlessly about racial unrest in Ferguson MO. It was nice to focus on the sportsmanship and simple joy of a game so many of us played in simpler times.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
This is your chance to ask any questions you may have about the Celebrate Health. We will be discussing the vision, purpose and direction of the ministry. Information also available on the upcoming Parish Nursing class.
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