Confessions of an Easy Out

When sides were chosen for teams? I was never picked last. Usually in the lower third. It is demoralizing when the last man not chosen is sent to the team who did not want him. Even Tom Brady was selected.

Tony Romo and James Harrison were undrafted. Different sport. They made names for themselves. What is idle chatter and what is character assassination? As I came to bat? Someone would say "Easy out."

There were players who swung at anything and they were out in three pitches. Don't chase a bad pitch. In Little League there were no called strikes. That was good- you either made contact or went down swinging.

Was I a power hitter? Not really. I usually got on base. That means more than swinging for the fence and striking out. This was a game. Later on? It was something to do in gym class. I was labelled an easy out then as well.

I don't recall striking out when someone assumed I would not make contact. In the grand scheme of things? No one remembers and no one cares. It isn't whether you win or lose. It's how you play the game.

You should know I am not afraid to get in the game. While in the field I never called anyone "Easy out." Usually I was in Right Field so who would have heard it? No one and if they hit the ball towards me which was dropped? They would have said "Who's the easy out now?"

Success is the best revenge. I knew there was no future for me in baseball. Interestingly? I have worked with a few baseball prospects. They might have made a farm system. No one made the major leagues.

A classmate in sixth and seventh grade made the majors. He was runner up for the Cy Young award one year. I should have remained in contact with him. For all I know? He might have coached in the Arizona Fall League when I lived out there.

Nothing inspires me quite like someone saying I can't do something. What do they know? Give others a chance. They could hit it out of the park. They could also get on base and help the team. Let them succeed instead of presuming failure.