This little boy is pretty lucky. He has his own personal cheering section. His parents, sister and the occasional grandma come to his games, buy him a glove, drive him to practices and leap off the stands when he gets a single. They believe in him, and celebrate his efforts.

 

How do you suppose that impacts his batting average?

There are guys his age smacking balls in the alleys of less well groomed parts of town, whose parents are not so involved. Some of them still manage to hit a few home runs. Bravo!

 

Young couples benefit from cheering too. One year I decided to pray for a handful of marriages, once a week. I wrote to tell them, and several were deeply moved. 

 

Other times John and I have taken couples out for coffee, or had them in for dinner. I want them to know I am in the stands. It is a nice way to spend an hour or two. 

 

I think everyone would win.