Today was a very special day for me.
I watched a live baseball game with my son for the first time.
We were playing in Michael's bed room. I had just changed him and he was singing along to Stevie Wonder songs when I saw a Facebook post from Brian Misiura, "Phillies vs. Yankees - Baseball is back!"
I quickly dressed Michael and changed out of my New Oxford Rays shirt.
We turned on the game in the second inning.
Aside from a nap during a couple of commercials and the seventh inning, Michael watched the entire game.
I gave him some advice.
"Michael, if the guy in front of you walks on pitches that are nowhere near the strike zone, don't swing at the first pitch." And, "Michael, if you just walked a guy and the next batter swings at a ball, you thank him. He's about to get out."
But the biggest advice I gave him was this:
"No matter what, kiddo, it's a game. Don't forget that. Whether you're playing T-ball or in the Big Leagues, it's just a game. You're supposed to have fun. I'm not going to lie. It's, mentally, the hardest game in the world. And it will break your heart more than any girl. But it can bring you a ton of joy. If I could spend an afternoon shagging fly balls hit by your grandfather, I would. If I could play catch with your cousins. Riding the bus with teammates to a game. Those are the special moments you'll take with you for ever. The feeling of a well-struck ball flying off your bat. It all boils down to having fun."
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