First Pitch: A Lesson on Humility

Last week I received an e-mail from Rob Porras in the Community Affairs Department of Reliant Energy, inviting me to view the August 18th Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins game with other guests in their corporate suite. The YMCA of Arlington is one of Reliant Energy’s community partners and has benefited from their generosity. I gladly accepted the invitation and was looking forward to enjoying food, fun and fellowship with some fine people.

Then on Monday, the day before the game, I got another e-mail from Rob asking if I’d like to throw out the first pitch! After nearly falling off my chair, I tried to rationalize why I should or shouldn’t accept this awesome opportunity. I thought, “What if I flub the pitch and look silly?” “What if I get winded climbing the steps or pull something, because I’m just four months from having had two major surgeries?” I started no less than four times to phone my wife, GinaKaye, to ask her advice; however, my pride got the best of me. I phoned Rob, thanked him and declined his invitation because of my recent surgeries.


Anxiety
That night when I talked with GinaKaye and shared my anxieties she consoled me by telling me at least I followed my intuition. I lamented; however, that I was sorry I had turned down what was likely a “once in lifetime” opportunity. Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place; I prayed about it and asked the Lord for guidance.

The next day, less than 12 hours before game time, I sent an e-mail to Rob which said, “If the opportunity to throw out the first pitch is still available I’d like to do it tonight. If not, please keep me in mind for this honor should it occur in the future.” I knew it was likely that someone else had been asked since I had turned down the invitation the day before. However, Rob responded almost immediately confirming that I would be able to do it, “Let’s play ball…….you will have the honors to throw out the first pitch tonight.” I was reminded that following the Lord’s guidance always leads us in the right direction!


Exhilaration
I sent out a joyous e-mail to about 150 board members, staff, family and friends around the country that said, “I will do something tonight that I never dreamt of doing...throw out the first pitch at a Major League baseball game!” I went on to say, “This is an awesome opportunity, one that few people ever get. It turns out that Major League pitcher Dizzy Dean and I have something in common. We were both born to sharecroppers in the South and went on to achieve much in our lives. I thank God for every opportunity He provides me!” I closed by saying, “The game is tonight, August 18, at 7:05 p.m. I’ll be the one wearing a red ‘YMCA Activate America’ t-shirt. Tune in and pray that all goes well...it could be the start of something BIG! I've got to go now and practice my pitching (smile)!”

In response to that e-mail, many individuals wished me well and a few suggested that I not “bounce it off the ground!”


Anxiety…Again
I even got an e-mail from Mark McLemore, former Texas Rangers great and Fox Sports Southwest sportscaster, who said, “I’ll b covering the game tonight so I’ll c u there. By the way a word of advice, when u throw out the first pitch whatever u do just don't bounce it!!! I'll b watching.” A number of other friends had similar admonitions.

That’s all I needed was to be reminded not to embarrass myself, or the YMCA, in front of 30,000 baseball fans. The nervousness was on…again!


Relief
Then to my relief, Mark Bradrick, YMCA Sports Director, sent me an e-mail, “Come on over and I will have Jason work with you. He has done a lot of pitching in high school and college. You don’t want to bounce it to the plate!! This is so awesome!! Make sure you take a lot of pictures. Congratulations.”

I phoned Jason Simmons, one of our Sports Coordinators, who played baseball in high school and was a pitcher at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Dallas. Jason agreed to catch with me that afternoon. He was very supportive and offered tips after I had thrown several pitches from the 45-foot and 60-foot rubber he had laid out. I found that my control when throwing hard wasn’t what I remembered as a teen some 40 years ago. Imagine my amazement! So, I decided to throw at a moderate speed, aim for accuracy and avoid “bouncing it!”

Lynn Frankenfield, Executive Director of our Cooper Street YMCA, accompanied me to the game and graciously took photos of me on the mound and afterwards with the Rangers catcher and mascot.

Comments from family and friends following the game gratified me and helped me remember how important praise is for kids of all ages.


Humility
I learned that another gentleman would also be throwing a pitch that night. The Rangers staff had him go first. He threw a blistering pitch that sounded off in the catcher’s mitt and the crowd responded in approval. Rather than try to compete with this gentleman who appeared at least 25 years my junior, I stuck to my plan. I positioned myself about three feet short of the rubber, wound up and threw a moderate-speed pitch directly into the catcher’s mitt. My pitching experience was a blast! I had managed not to “bounce it” and I received a “thunderous” roar from the crowd (smile)! There isn’t a video on You Tube; however, I placed photos on my Facebook page to prove to myself and my grandkids that the evening really did happen! In addition, former Texas Rangers pitcher, Tim Crabtree, stopped by the suite and autographed his alumni card for other guests and me!

Just think, six months ago I was diagnosed with bilateral renal carcinoma. And, just three months ago I underwent two major surgeries to remove malignant tumors from my kidneys. And this week, I threw out the first pitch at a Major League baseball game!

I thank my friends at Reliant Energy for the opportunity to throw out the first pitch. Family and friends have commented on how cool my experience was. Being selected for the first pitch was a lesson on humility; for that I thank God. What a testament to His awesome power!