We were behind by two runs with two outs and a man on second base. I was the third batter in the lineup and was on deck. Bill, our second batter was one of our best hitters and capable of hitting long balls.
The dilemma the other team faced was to either pitch to Bill or to walk him and pitch to me, someone who didn't seem at least to be a power hitter. I think it took all of two seconds before they decided to pitch to me and threw four balls intentionally walking Bill.
The outfield was in some to try and get a cut off at the plate just in case I hit it their way. The first pitch was a strike that I took a swing at and missed. On the second pitch I connected as well as any ball I'd ever hit. The ball went sailing high over the left fielder's head and into the edge of the woods. We didn't have fences so home runs had to be run out. I rounded first and headed for second, then third and easily crossing home plate for a home run.
Then it happened, the ball came in to second and the second baseman touched the base. The umpire called me out saying that I'd never touched second base. I was furious. I had touched the base. The coach was mad and our team was mad. It was a really big deal. In fact the coach almost quit over it. The home run I almost had was nullified. We lost in the next inning and were devastated.
The secret that I hold in my heart and I alone know until you read this is that I never touched second base. The second baseman was right and the umpire was right. This has been my secret for almost 50 years and one that I still feel ashamed about. It was a lie that could have hurt relationships for a long time. But instead of admitting that I messed up, I covered it up for all these years. Now, the coach and umpire are both dead. Actually, they probably forgot about it 49 and 1/2 years ago, but I didn't and now it can never be corrected.
Lying does that to us. Many times we're the only one who knows the truth, but that doesn't make it right. Once it's done it at times is impossible to correct the damage that is done to others and or to yourself.
Today, I cherish my integrity. I'm not perfect, but I try to be truthful with everyone. Sometimes it's hard and it hurts to face it, but not as much as keeping it buried in your heart.
Proverbs 6:16ff - There are six things the Lord hates one of those is a lying tongue.
Clip art courtesy of http://www.iloveclipart.com
The dilemma the other team faced was to either pitch to Bill or to walk him and pitch to me, someone who didn't seem at least to be a power hitter. I think it took all of two seconds before they decided to pitch to me and threw four balls intentionally walking Bill.
The outfield was in some to try and get a cut off at the plate just in case I hit it their way. The first pitch was a strike that I took a swing at and missed. On the second pitch I connected as well as any ball I'd ever hit. The ball went sailing high over the left fielder's head and into the edge of the woods. We didn't have fences so home runs had to be run out. I rounded first and headed for second, then third and easily crossing home plate for a home run.
Then it happened, the ball came in to second and the second baseman touched the base. The umpire called me out saying that I'd never touched second base. I was furious. I had touched the base. The coach was mad and our team was mad. It was a really big deal. In fact the coach almost quit over it. The home run I almost had was nullified. We lost in the next inning and were devastated.
The secret that I hold in my heart and I alone know until you read this is that I never touched second base. The second baseman was right and the umpire was right. This has been my secret for almost 50 years and one that I still feel ashamed about. It was a lie that could have hurt relationships for a long time. But instead of admitting that I messed up, I covered it up for all these years. Now, the coach and umpire are both dead. Actually, they probably forgot about it 49 and 1/2 years ago, but I didn't and now it can never be corrected.
Lying does that to us. Many times we're the only one who knows the truth, but that doesn't make it right. Once it's done it at times is impossible to correct the damage that is done to others and or to yourself.
Today, I cherish my integrity. I'm not perfect, but I try to be truthful with everyone. Sometimes it's hard and it hurts to face it, but not as much as keeping it buried in your heart.
Proverbs 6:16ff - There are six things the Lord hates one of those is a lying tongue.
Clip art courtesy of http://www.iloveclipart.com
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