By Josh
We all have places in our lives where we go to relax, find some peace and just restore ourselves. I’m no different and the baseball field has been one of the three most power places in my life for just enjoying things around me. (The other two are Disneyland with my wife and daughter and walking the lake in my hometown.)
Recently I lost my full time job and have been out searching for a new job. It is a big reason why I haven’t posted much the past 2 weeks. This should have me super stressed out and in some ways I am. However, I’ve been able to smile and enjoy my days thanks to the support of my family and the time I get to have at the baseball field.
Last night I went to a Cowlitz Black Bears game to take photos like I do quite often. The weather was amazing. Blue skies and a temperature in the upper 70’s made it an absolutely perfect night for baseball. For the two hours that I was there I never thought about my job situation. I didn’t worry about what the future holds. I just enjoyed the sounds of the game.
I know that for me hearing the sound of the bat hitting the ball is soothing. Hearing the hecklers in the stands giving the umpire, coaches, players and even the bat boy a hard time makes me smile. Talking with players I’ve met over the past few years about what they are doing outside of baseball helps me to see the positive in my day.
Baseball doesn’t define who I am, but it plays a role in what I enjoy and how I cope with things. I know that without baseball I would find something to help me get through hard times, but I don’t think I would be as happy. I was raised to appreciate, enjoy and love the game of baseball and I couldn’t imagine a life where I didn’t have the opportunity to be a part of the game.
Maybe someday I’ll get to say that baseball isn’t just my passion but also what I do for a living. That would be an amazing feeling but until that day I’m going to keep enjoying what I’m doing with 9 Inning Know It All and honestly I hope that this site and Facebook page helps all of you baseball fans during both the good and bad times of life.
I think that baseball is a refuge for many of us … from a brief 9-inning respite from our own hard times to an all-out escape from the terrible news of the day. I sometimes think that baseball gives me the best recuperation from the stresses of life … and I come out feeling renewed and re-inspired. It sounds like it will do the same for you … and that will make all the difference as you move ahead.
Best of luck in all that comes …