Success and Adversity —Close Cousins in Sport…and Life

It’s not easy to keep pushing for success when the chips are down. That’s true whether you’re a ball player with a sports-related injury cheering your team on from the dugout, or you’re a business person watching the Dow slip and the unemployment rate climb. Playing and working through adversity is the stuff life is made of. Success sometimes comes on the heels of adversity, and unless you keep focused and keep moving, you might miss it.

Kudos to the Pacesetter 12s who secured their first tournament win since the beginning of the season in Papillion, NE Jun 6. It was an important high point as it came following a disappointing weekend in Lincoln the week before. In spite of injuries to several players, the team relied once again on solid pitching, tough defense, and livelier bats to go 4—0 in the tournament. The team held off an improving and technically sound Millard Muckdogs team in the championship game to take home the trophy—I mean the medals. Coming away from this tournament with the Golden glove was Jared G., sharing the sizzling bat award were Nick B. and Nate L. Will C. got the razz award for keeping the dug out alive! Nice work boys!

The team traveled to Kansas City and waited patiently (or not) for the weather to clear to play ball. In spite of a slow start in game 1 against the KC Mets Friday night, the Pacesetters beat the Barnstormers in game 2 and had an opportunity to redeem the loss against the Mets in bracket play. They beat the Mets 2—1 in a pitching war, only to rally from behind but come up short against the Kansas Coyotes in the semi-final. It was a tough 7—6 loss—and an even tougher late drive home. (Tougher still was getting up for work the next morning.) The Coyotes went on to win the championship game handily.

This weekend, the Pacesetters, while still battling injuries, will play gritty ball in their own hO!metown. With the kickoff of the College World Series, visiting youth teams from around the country will get the chance to see up close and personal why Omaha is where the big boys come to play baseball.

By Valerie J. Calderon