It started out good.

My sons baseball game tonight started out real well considering they were playing the best team in the league. At the end of the first inning our team was up 4-2. That quickly changed however and we lost 15-6. 2 boys were very disappointed that they were both crying at different points in the game.

The first one cried after he had pitched that last inning. It was the only inning he pitched, he started out well k'ing the first 2 batters. Then he went south, and the team scored their 5 run limit. I asked him why he was crying not really expecting an answer. To my surprise he gave me one and that it was because he screwed up. I then gave him the "no I in team speech" and reminded him that when he needed his team mates they didn't exactly play perfect ball. They screwed up also but yet they weren't crying.

The 2nd boy is the best player on the team. He was crying after he struck out. He was the first batter in the last inning, I reminded him that everyone strikes out even his favorite player Derek Jeter (Yankee fans, what are ya gonna do?). I then reminded him that instead of crying over the strikeout, he should be smiling about the 2 hits he had earlier in the night, one was a double. He seamed to get the idea.

I got to say, I'm surprised one that these boys were willing to talk about this, and 2 that they put so much pressure on themselves. I can remember getting upset playing ball when I was a kid. For me it was competition, I didn't cry because I struck out, or even if I screwed up. Now if Dad got on me that could bring a few tears out of embarassment. But the main reason I got upset to the point of crying was simple. I just plain hated to lose, I was competitive. And when we lost I got mad plain and simple.

Now these 2 boys are talented, they can play ball for 9 and 10 years old. I'm pretty sure they know they're the best players on the team. I can only guess that is why they put so much pressure on themselves.