Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Baseball, Biblical Masculinity, and Godly Character, Part 2
Randy Stinson
May 28, 2008
[Editor's note: Yesterday, Gender Blog began a four-part series by Randy Stinson on baseball and biblical manhood. Part 1 introduced the series and today in Part 2, Stinson, who serves as president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, gives the first four ways in which he uses the game of baseball in the lives of his two sons to build Christian character and cultivate biblical masculinity.]
Play Ball: Umpires and Understanding Authority
Once a player steps out onto the field, the umpires control the game. As mentioned above, there are an enormous number of subjective calls: balls, strikes, infield-fly rule, fair, foul, out, safe, and the list goes on. There is no instant replay (yet!), and baseball is notorious for its "colorful" interactions between coaches, fans, players, and umpires. Entire games can hinge on any of these decisions.
But what I want my sons to understand is that submitting to the judgment of the umpires is part of the game. Imperfect authorities are going to make mistakes, they are going to sometimes show favoritism and they are sometimes going to avenge a rude fan or disruptive coach.
Too bad.
We trust in a sovereign God who is meticulous in overseeing all things and in our life will use unfair employers, rude people, poor judgment, and the like, to shape us into the image of Christ.
Principle for Manhood: Players do not argue with the umpire. They do not express disgust or disappointment with the umpire. That is the coach's prerogative. You do not blame the outcome of the game on the umpire and you do not use him as an excuse because your team did not play well.
Take One for the Team: Self-Sacrifice and Toughness
"Take one for the team" is a common expression in baseball that usually means leaning in and getting hit by a pitch intentionally. On an inside pitch, the batter turns his hip in slightly allowing himself to be hit in the back area and thereby getting a free walk to first base. This type of sacrifice can many times be the difference-maker in a game both in terms of score and morale.
Yes, it hurts, hence "take one for the team." But every baseball player knows that self-sacrifice and toughness wins games. This may sound harsh, but every fan knows it is part of baseball, and every man knows it is crucial to being masculine. Intentionally putting oneself in harms way for the good of another is at the heart of masculinity and only one who has cultivated a sense of toughness will be willing to do it. This notion points us to Christ, who set His face like flint to Jerusalem and the cross, willingly bearing the Father's wrath for the sins of His people.
Principle for Manhood: Get hit by the pitch if necessary or unavoidable. Then run to first base as if nothing happened. The men in the stands all high-five because they know there is a shortness of toughness, and they just saw some. Remember, "there is no crying in baseball!"
Slide! Obedience to Authority
Coaches are central to the game of baseball. While umpires represent an ultimate authority, coaches are the generals on the field, making all sorts of key decisions that will impact the outcome of the game.
One of the hardest things for young boys to do is to listen to their coach's base-running instructions. Proverbs is full of instruction to young men to not be so wise in their own eyes. Very often I see a young boy stop at first while his coach is yelling, "go to second!" The young man "didn't think he could make it." Very often I observe a young player running to second, watching the ball in the outfield instead of his third base coach, trying to be wise in his own eyes. And how many games have been won or lost by good and bad baserunning? Coaches continually have to tell young players if the coach makes the call, he will take the blame.
Authority is given by God for our protection. We should listen to those who have charge over us. Home, church, government, and even the Godhead, all have a structure that involves authority. It is part of the stamp of God on all of creation.
Principle for Manhood: Submit to the coach. Move in when he says to move in. Play deep when he says to play deep. Bunt when he says to bunt. Run when he says to run and slide when he says to slide!
You're Out! Unfairness
Because men are called to be leaders, providers, and protectors, they need to be accustomed to dealing with unfairness. The world is full of it.
One of the ways I determine maturity levels of my sons is how they respond to unfairness. Many times on the field they are direct recipients. On the pitcher's mound, the umpire calls a ball that was clearly a strike. At the plate, the umpire calls a strike that was clearly a ball. Playing first base, the umpire says you pulled your foot that you clearly know was on the bag. Playing shortstop, the umpire says you missed the tag you know you made.
How do they respond in those moments? Do they pout or throw their glove down? In certain cases, appeals may be made, but a man knows that in a fallen world, unfairness abounds, and God will sort these things out according to His pleasure.
Principle for Manhood: You do not cry or stomp your feet. You do not throw your glove, bat or helmet. Move on to the next play.
Tomorrow: Baseball and failure, humility, resilience, grace, mercy and honor.
