There’s just something about summer nights that brings back memories of youth and local baseball/softball programs.  From chilly nights early in the season to warm and humid nights filled with the aroma of bug spray and sweat along with youthful chatter from the dugout.

These programs help develop more than just physical skills.  You can’t win by yourself, you need your teammates and you must learn to work with others.  These experiences also develop relationships which enrich the summer experience beyond the field.

It is also important to enjoy the now.  It is highly unlikely that any college recruiter or professional scouts are watching these games so why not keep it all about the kids who are learning the sport together.  Yes, some will be better players than others, but that’s the way it is in life.  Some will always need to work harder  and that is a life skill that will reap tremendous benefits in the long run.

Please take advantage of any opportunity to support local youth programs.  It will be money and time well spent.

You gotta love summer…

All images by Joyce Meyer – RJMeyerArts