A parent came to me one day and shared a story that completely aligned with the mission of our Academy. It touched my heart and inspired me to write this short story.

She said, one of her closest friends asked, “Why do you pay so much money for your kid to play baseball”?

Here was her response to her friend’s question:

Well, I have a confession to make; I don’t pay for my kid to play baseball. Personally, I could care less about baseball.

Her friend then asked, “So if you’re not paying for baseball, what are you paying for?

I pay for those moments when the failure is so tough that my kid wants to quit but he doesn’t.

I pay for those days when my kid comes home from school and is “too tired” to go to his training, but he goes anyway.

I pay for my kid to learn to be disciplined, focused, and dedicated.

I pay for my kid to learn to take care of his body and equipment.

I pay for my kid to learn to work with others and to be a good teammate, gracious in defeat, and humble in success.

I pay for my kid to learn to deal with disappointment when he doesn’t get that win or championship he’d hoped for, but still, he goes back day after day and week after week giving it his best shot.

I pay for my kid to learn to make and accomplish goals.

I pay for my kid to respect, not only himself, but other players, umpires, and coaches.

I pay for my kid to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.

I pay for my kid to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.

I pay for the opportunity my kid has and will have to make lifelong friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of his achievements as I am.

I pay so that my kid can be out on the baseball field instead of in front of a gaming device or screen…

…I could go on and on but, to be short, I don’t pay for baseball; I pay for the opportunities that baseball provides my kid. He is developing attributes that will serve him well throughout his life and give him the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far, I know it is the best investment I could make because my son is developing into a CHAMPION!