Where Are We Doing Our Planting?

Last night Roy and I went to the championship baseball game between KSU and Rice. Roy has gone to most of the games over the weekend since he bought 2 seats for the championship series. And I will add, he got great seats in the shade. I went Friday night and last night. He took friends over the weekend.

This morning I looked in the sports section to read the recap of last night's game. Rice won 13-4, but I wasn't looking to read about the hits and review how the runs were scored, although that was exciting. I was looking for the report or thoughts on the classy move the KSU coach made in the bottom of the 8th. Obviously, Rice was in total control of the game and the KSU coach made his slow walk to the mound to change pitchers. There was a low groan in the stadium as Rice fans were growing inpatient with his choosing to make longer the inevitable. He called for the new pitcher and then motioned to the dugout. A crowd of players exited and came to the mound. He was letting the starters get much deserved appreciation from the KSU fans for their hard work and dedication in getting to their first ever regional in baseball. But more so, he gave the bench a chance to say they played in a championship game. The whole stadium both KSU and Rice fans stood and were united for a few minutes in giving a loud standing ovation for the coach and for the players of KSU. I have seen this done in basketball games, but never in a baseball game. It brought a tear to my eye, but then I usually cry at college sporting events. I have no clue why. No one writing for the Chronicle mentioned the coaches move.


Roy and I talked about that classy move of the coach on our way home. It would be interesting to follow those bench players for the duration of their college career and into their life profession after college. Did that coach plant a small seed that will pay big dividends in later years? I would like to think so. In the book, The Cracker Queen, the author gives her great Aunt Martha credit for giving her hope to get out of the deep impoverished lifestyle of all she knew growing up. She said there is a mindset to those who are down and out that nothing ever is going to be better than the present moment of extra ciggies or money for a six pack of beer. The author saw her aunt for a total of 5 hours for several summers, but her Aunt Martha made such an impression on her in that short bit of time and planted a seed that she could escape her impoverishment, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The author is now one of the most honored and awarded people in marketing. She is a marketing director at a university but also in demand as a speaker. She also has her own seminars specializing in your niche and she gives direction in the marketing aspect of it. Of course the author's name escapes me right now. I am thrilled to remember the name of the book.


Where are we leaving a legacy? One that is not agenda driven or out of our personal choices being driven by favor, attraction, bitterness or jealousy. Where are we dropping those seeds just for the future of those we come in contact, without our own legacy being determined by our choices?


As the KSU defense came off the field, the starters formed a receiving line to welcome the players back into the dugout. The KSU fans were wildly appreciative of those rag tag nine that came off the field. When KSU came to bat in the 9th inning, two of the three players didn't even have stats or a picture to be displayed on the screen. I don't think that will be the case next season.