What is is about a last second victory that’s just so much more satisfying? A win’s a win after all, isn’t it? Not in my book.
I guess it’s that fantasy that little boys have that goes something like, “Frankie’s up in the bottom of the ninth. The bases are loaded and there are two outs. His team’s down by 3. The count’s 3 and 2. Here’s the pitch. He hits it. It’s flying – back, back, back. It’s outta there.” I never even came close to doing something like that, but I thought about it.
Yesterday, Steve’s high school soccer team won a hard-fought game with goal in the last 10 seconds. Fabulous. It would have been a good win at 2-1, but to score with seconds to go is just so dang exciting. My brother-in-law Steve (not the son, Steve) wrote this comment a few weeks ago that I think captures the last second victory in its exquisite essence:
Your nephew Ben had the key play for his 6th grade team on Saturday morning. With less than 2:00 to go in the game and the opponents pinned deep in their own territory he stripped the ball from the opposing QB and rumbled into the end zone (OK so it was only a couple of yards) for the only score of the game. The crowd went wild, his mother cried and he was mobbed by his team. Lynda’s reaction was a little delayed since they are all about the same size and are wearing helmets. But when the mob cleared from the end zone here came #2 (a defensive lineman with the number 2)…jumping up and down and getting high fives from everybody.
Without a doubt it is one of the coolest things in the world to see your child succeed through their own hard work and determination in what ever their endeavor they have chosen and to have that success recognized by someone other than their parents.
I’d still like to be up in the bottom of the ninth with the game on the line.
You Knew This Had to Happen
Throwing Down Our Gang Signs
The Serious Shot
Sheryl With the Boys
The Whole Family
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
That is very exciting and it was great for both you and Steve that you were there to see it. Too many moments like this are missed by parents rather than shared.
Rick, those years race by, and sometimes I forget to go watch. Sheryl is fantastic, she always does. I know the boys really appreciate that. She’s the mom everyone should have.
LOL, but last night I gave her one of those “You’re not the boss of me” lines. She said, “Oh yes I am when I’m going to be out of town and Steve needs a ride on Sunday.” We all laughed…and I was appropriately put in my place.
Congrats to Steve and the team!!! Is there anything better than High School Sports?? (Middle School too for that matter). You would swear these kids are convinced each game is the most important game of their life, they rejoice when they win, they ache when they lose. So refreshing from some of the pros who just want to cash their check no matter the outcome.
That’s so cool!
Thanks for the post Frank! Ben thought it was pretty cool to see his name in ‘print’. His team finished the season last week…however, they were on the other side of a last second victory. His team scored a touchdown (and two point conversion) with under a minute to play to send the game into overtime. However, in overtime the opposition scored a touchdown on 4th down to win. Just like Tami said they were aching at the end of the game. But after a long and very positive talk with the coaches with the team after the game Ben was ready for a shower (it was Africa hot that morning) and some lunch. Unfortunately, it was a day of aches for everyone in our family as all of our teams (Hawkeyes and Cubs) went down to defeat that day.
Tami, thanks. It is funny, it’s super important at the time. LOL.
Steve, that was a great thing you wrote. That was cool what Ben did. Yikes about the Cubbies, huh?
PB, funny, huh?