Hat Writings

By Pam Kumpe  

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Before the game, Dad scribbled on the inside of his son's baseball hat with the magic marker and he wrote, "It's just a game."

Joe kicked at the dirt, as he ran from the dugout racing to second base. He stood inches from the bag, pulled on his cap and readied for play. The coach called, "Joe, move over some, you're too close to the bag."

Joe wrinkled his nose, tugged on his cap again and moved over a step. "No, Joe, over some more." The coach instructed, waving his hand.

Dad smiled from the sidelines, swelling up with pride as he watched his eight-year-old son. The blonde haired, freckled faced boy was playing his first baseball game of the season.

As the umpire called, "Play ball," a batter stepped up to the plate. The boy struck out after only three pitches. Joe hollered, "Hey batter, batter….come on batter, batter…" as the next boy moved into the batter's box.

Dad clapped, dropping his popcorn and at the same time he knocked over his coke, "Way to go guys." He yelled, as he stepped into a crunchy syrupy mixture in the stands.

Baseball, a romantic "boys of summer" and "field of dreams" game, has captured many a heart of children in America, and for this dad and son the summer dream was just beginning.

By the bottom of the ninth, runners at second and third, Joe stepped up to the plate, his team was losing 4-2. With two outs, he hoped to save the day, but Joe swings and misses three times. He strikes out and his team loses the game.

With a little bit of luck and talent, the experience gave Joe memories of hot dogs, no hitters, visions of umpires wiping the plate, and yes, the 7th inning stretch.

Sure whenever Joe and his team lose it breaks your heart, but that's the lure of the game, players hoping to win the next one, the dirt, the home run, the diving catch; it's a tapestry of fair play, fun and foul balls.

Dad walked up to Joe, resting an arm around the teary eyed boy, "Son, we'll get them next time."

The next season Joe sported another hat, and on the bill it read, “CUP # 34” which stands for “Chin up Player” #34.

Every season with each new team, Joe's dad wrote new phrases on the bill of his son's hat, “Stay focused, but have fun.”

One summer he wrote, “Dream big.”

Another time, he scribbled, in small print, “Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.”

By high school, Joe adopted the idea, using his dad's old magic marker, scribbling something inside his new hat.

One day, dad asked, "So, what's your latest "hat writing?”  Joe put his arm on his dad's shoulder, "It just says, "DAD."

"Son, why just dad?"

"Well, anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad" Joe said, smiling.

The game of baseball taught Joe several things over the years, like "don't sweat the small stuff" and "you will get to bat again." Joe learned life is much simpler if you play your position and if you press on.

And mostly he learned to forgive himself, because he was not the first person to ever strike out, nor the last. After the last high school game Joe walked up to his father, “Dad, this hat belongs to you.”

When you think back to your own childhood is there someone who influenced you with their actions? A person who stood for right, when all seemed wrong? A person who helped you run the bases as you grew up?

Maybe, it was a parent, a teacher, a friend. They were writing their own “hat writings” on your heart, so you could face the game of life with perseverance and persistence.

So grab a hat, write something on it and pass it on to someone today. You can make a difference with seemingly small actions that show great love.

About the Author:  Pam Kumpe writes an inspirational newspaper column for the Bowie County Life/ Texarkana Gazette in East Texas. She also hosts a Podcast called "Daybreak Devotionals," teaches Kids Super Church, and loves telling stories. You can learn more about Pam at www.pamkumpe.blogspot.com

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