This story took place several years ago, when our boys were about eight years old. It was the first game of the season, and the first game in which the boys began pitching. I went out to discuss ground rules with the umpire and realized that is was also the first year that the boys could steal bases. Unfortunately, we had not gone over this in practice. So I hurried back to the dugout, gathered my players and proceeded to go over the rules. As I got to the subject of stealing bases, I announced enthusiastically, "And this year we get to steal!" The news caused the boys to erupt into yelling and cheering. Their response left me thinking positively that this might all work out okay after all. Then the cheers died down, and as our team was about to take the field, one player loudly exclaimed, "Steal what?!" I let out a groan as I realized that the question had come from my son! |
