Every Child Plays. Every Child Learns. Every Child Is A Winner

The baseball jumped off the bat of the 12 year old like a rifle shot. The Royals' runner on first base was off with the crack of the bat, as the White Sox right fielder raced to the spot where the ball hit the base of the chain link outfield fence. The outfielder dug frantically to pull the ball out from under the fence, but alas it was hopelessly wedged under the fence. Doing what he had been told to do during several practices, the outfielder stood up and raised both hands over his head to signal to the umpire that the ball was stuck and no longer in play.

As the crowd of parents and grandparents yelled loudly from the grandstands, the Royals' base runner had rounded third base and stomped hard on home plate with what appeared to be the first run of the game. Running into the outfield, the 2nd base umpire verified that the ball was indeed stuck under the fence and made his decision according to the ground rules of the local Little League.

"Ground rule double!" yelled the man in blue.

The batter was awarded second base and the other base runner was instructed to go back to third base, erasing the run that had been added to the scoreboard. Pretty routine stuff. All covered by the rule book. No problem, right?

Wrong!

The Royals dugout, filled with 10, 11, and 12 year olds erupted. The kids were unhappy with the call, but it wasn't the kids who lost it. It was the 35 year old coach who went ballistic. Screaming like an attacking Comanche warrior, the coach ran out of the dugout with one of the kid's bats in his right hand. He made a bee line for the umpire who had made the call. To say that he was out of control would be an understatement. He was livid.

Having been unsuccessful in getting the umpire to reverse the call, the coach assailed him with a verbal barrage impugning the umpire's eyesight, his integrity, and even his ancestry. Both dugouts emptied and most of the players stood around watching while the coaches and the umpire were in "conference". Although no one actually came on the the field, fans did come out of the stands and lined the fence screaming at the umpire - or at the coach (depending upon which team they were supporting). The home plate umpire finally stepped in and ejected the Royals coach and had to threaten to call the police to have him removed from the field. Fortunately it never came to that, as the coaches wife was successful in getting him to calm down enough to drop the bat and leave the field.

It was one of those ugly moments that pops up from time to time in youth sports programs. Those of us who have spent a lot of time around ball fields and basketball courts at youth sports programs have witnessed way too many of those type of incidents. From Football to Basketball, to Soccer to Baseball, every one of these programs were founded for "the benefit of kids". By in large, the league officers and coaches are folks who are genuinely interested in children and want to make a positive impact in the lives of the kids. Unfortunately sometimes the baser nature of man kicks in and in the heat of competition and battle of egos, things get way off the mark. What was a program for the kids, becomes a battleground for adults and the main thing ceases to be the main thing.

Wouldn't it be great if there were a sports program for children that was not all about competition? Wouldn't it be pleasant if every child who registered for the program wouldn't face "try outs" and would not feel the rejection that comes when they just aren't good enough to "make the cut". What if there was a program that would allow every player to be introduced at the beginning of the game, and that being a "starter" meant nothing but being a team member meant everything? What if the games began with prayer and each child learned a Bible verse and heard a Bible lesson at each practice and game. What if the coaches and game officials were all committed Christians who were more concerned with building character in children than building "dynasties" for their own glory? What if learning the game, putting forth your best effort, and working as a team were more important than keeping score? Wouldn't that be a great youth sports program?

Well there is one like that. It is not really a "program" at all, but rather a "sports ministry". It's called Upward and it is one of the greatest ministries to children and young families that has ever been conceived. Upward began over two decades ago in Spartanburg, SC and has spread over the country. They offer basketball, cheer leading, soccer and flag football to local churches who would like to minister to children and their families in a sports setting. Every child plays, every child learns, and every child is a winner.

Westmoreland Baptist Church has begun an Upward Sports ministry which is kicking off soon with Upward Basketball and Cheerleading. The future plan includes Upward Soccer in the spring as well. We are kicking off the ministry with a special "Upward Sunday" on November 4th. As children are evaluated and assigned to their teams, we have ten "prayer teams" made up of 108 Christians who will begin 100 days of prayer for the success of this ministry. We believe that - rightly done - Upward Sports will be a way to positively impact our community for Christ. Will you join us in prayer for the success of this ministry? If you live here in the Ohio/Kentucky/West Virginia area, perhaps you would like to help in some way. Possibly as a volunteer or maybe even as someone who would like to financially support the program, so every child who wants to play will be able to play. If so, you may contact me any time at pastoradkins@verizon.net

If you would like more information on Upward Sports, check out their website at www.upward.org.