A team of eight to twelve little children, depending on the day, get together to play baseball twice each week. Sometimes, the friends get together to watch a professional baseball game. They like to debate which team will win. At practice they rush to name which famous player they will imitate. You have to be quick to be the best!

Today Johnny arrives at practice carrying a sack in one hand. Some of the team recognizes it as having held a gift at his sister’s birthday party the night before. His other fist remains closed, dusty pink strings seeping out between his fingers. Johnny passes the sack around to his teammates. Each player takes a small pinch. They stare at Johnny watching anxiously for him to instruct them. Johnny pushes the pink wad into his mouth and begins to chew. His cheek instantly puffs out just like the pros. The teammates follow Johnny’s lead in unison.

“I’m Ozzie Smith!” one child shouts. “I’m Babe Ruth,” calls another. “I want to be Hershel Walker.” The players race to be the first to assign themselves to their favorite player. Then they play. They play as they have never played before. They are pros now. Home runs! Strike outs! Triple plays are adding up faster than the coach can write the statistics. Their Big League Chew has suddenly given them the power of the professionals!

The coach stands by watching in silence. He wants the kids to believe they are incredible, but not because of some magic pink bubble gum, or the player they are pretending to be. It is because of hard work, practice, teamwork, and belief in themselves. But, not wanting to ruin their fun or break their hearts, he continues to watch in silence, leaving behind an opportunity to share a valuable lesson. There is plenty of time for the team to learn reality. For now, it is enough to see their confidence growing innocently without interruption. Maybe there was magic after all.

The Eclectic Pen - The Big Leagues

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