Paxton chose to try out and switch baseball clubs this Fall after playing for the Paladin Knights for many seasons .. he left the kids he knew and the coaches he was comfortable with even his dad as coach- he asked us to try out and made a team where we have a lot further drive, the cost is more, and he basically knew no one except for a few kids he had seen at clinics and camps- but he was begging us to try out and we let him. If I have the means to give my kid an opportunity I will help him pursue his goals/dreams, even through some sacrifices. I have always been a team mom in a small town where I am comfortable and thrive on building relationships around what I know. I was nervous as a mom if I would fit in with all these new baseball moms in an area outside my comfort zone... I am sad to say I miss my baseball moms from our previous teams, which those relationships built will never go away, but I am pleased to say that these new moms welcomed me with amazing grace, acceptance and new friendships that have blossomed. Remember sometimes things can be scary, sometimes things may or may not work out according to plan but God has a plan for us that puts the right people at the right times in our lives for reasons we sometimes may never understand and being open to change and new adventures along our journey in life makes it a lot easier to accept what is put before us.
With Team Dinger, Paxton ended up with an organization who compliments what we were already used to with a bunch of great men teaching kids the tricks and trade of hard work and perseverance through baseball. His teammates are great kids and new friendships are forming for this chapter in his life as well.
Paxton’s coach Ash won the Teeter award of Excellence from AZ Playball yesterday at the Pony baseball banquet! He is a great influence for these young men and deserved it to the fullest! I can’t even describe the effect he has on these players through his calm yet lighthearted and spirited composure. They seem to naturally play as a team with not a lot of push from any one source and many of them had never even played club ball before let alone with each other. They are currently 21-2 with one last tournament in December- they have won 2 Championship rings and they brought home the trophy for the Championship in their Mustang Division with Pony last weekend.
It was a pleasure to share in this moment, as their coach was honored for his humble efforts.
Fellow baseball mom April Nelson Moloney gave a speech and said all the things us parents feel about why this man is making a difference in our son’s lives through baseball with his passion for the game and his demonstration of life skills through his coaching style.
Life is hard and sometimes change isn’t easy and sometimes it is downright scary, but I believe Paxton made the right decision for him for what he needs at this point in his life. And no matter where he plays and who he plays for I pray that each and every decision that is made leads to a chapter in his life where he is needed the most or where he can be best influenced during a specific time period, that will lead him to excel and do great things with the talents God has given him and the service he is meant to pursue. He may or may not make it to the MLB, which has been his goal since age 6 as the statistics aren't necessarily in his favor, but we would never know if he doesn't try and we don't support him! I can only hope that the lessons he learns and the friendships he makes last a lifetime beyond his career whatever that may be!
We don’t meet people by accident, there is a reason they are in our lives- And someday we can say... thank you for your part in our journey... you made a connection that made the difference, no matter how small.
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