09/14/2020
Have a Shay Type of Day!
You've likely seen this one all over the internet. I remember it from a few years back and came across it again recently. It's a story worth putting in Disc Golf Devotionals as it pulls serious emotions each time its read. Tracing its origins, it seems to have been originally published in the book Echoes of the Maggid by Rabbi Paysach Krohn in 1999.
The author's ability to drop the reader into the shoes of the players of the story truly grips those with past desires for acceptance and the opportunity to perform along with others.
This story is an emotional, eye-watering tale that takes me back to the days where I dreamed of nothing but baseball where I can envision being in the shoes of every character in the story …
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base, and Shay was scheduled to be next at-bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all teammates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third ! Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
May your day, be a Shay Day.
_________
The story hits a home run through highlighting the emotions youngsters experience in their early years of baseball. For many, it is their first endeavor away from momma and their initial attempt at "trying out" and being accepted to play alongside others on a team. Although without handicaps, I was once that little kid; lacking confidence, looking for acceptance, and desperately desiring the chance to "show" my abilities. Starting out, I played right field and was frightened with every crack of the bat. Was the ball coming in my direction? If so, would I snag it like a pro, or embarrass myself?
Ultimately, this story is polished with the acceptance of the opposing team foregoing a sure win for the benefit of another, less skilled individual. Sports, and life for that matter, have always embraced, rewarded, and put upon a pedestal, the winner rather than the loser.
Winning can be secondary at times. This story reminds us we are all equal in the eyes of God and that we should assist the less fortunate. God desires we take the blessings we've received and share them with others we encounter along our paths in life, especially those in need. By living thoughtfully and honoring God with our words and actions, we can inspire others to help themselves by doing the same. We can be a positive force in the lives we encounter. We only need to acquire the vision to see such benefits when they present themselves. Whether on the baseball field or on the disc golf course, we have the opportunity to assist. May we have the vision of players in the above story to build up and assist others so they may have a Shay type of day!
______
"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." - Romans 12:13
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." - Proverbs 3:27
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4
