Thursday we played in an Easter Tourney in Chapel Hill. After the game we decided not to stop and eat on the way home. When we got back to the field the JV was just starting to practice. If we had stopped to eat we would not have been at their practice. I decided after a very long day to stay and watch the boys practice. A young man caught my eye in practice , again. He was getting after it big time in the outfield. He was backing up CF and coming in to back up on throws to second base and third base. I was very impressed with the way he was going about his business.
After the practice I approached this young man and said "How would you like to go with us on Friday and Saturday for the tournement." He said he would love to. I told him to follow me to the field house and I got him a uniform. On Friday he ran the bags for our catcher. He was up bigtime in the dugout in a close and great game. He was listening during every team meeting between innings and I watched his demeanor and attitude the entire game. He was cheering for every guy that got up and he was into the game.
On Saturday we were in the championship game. I told him before the game he was starting in left field and hitting in the #7 spot. All he did was go 2-3 with a triple and two rbi's. He made every play in the outfield. He started a 3 run rally in the 7th that earned our team the championship for the second straight year.
Now lets talk about this young man. Cut last year as a freshman from our program. His work ethic in tryouts was not good. He did not hustle. He was more talented than some of the boys that made the jv but he did not show the grit and work ethic we demand from our players. After he got cut last year he came to us and asked if he could be the team manager for the jv. We allowed it as long as his attitude was outstanding and he did what was asked of him. This year he came out with a whole different attitude and made the jv.
So he goes from being cut as a freshman and being the team manager on the jv. As a soph he makes the jv and plays half the year on the jv. He shows the work ethic and desire in practice to be a player. He gets called up and helps his team win a championship. Luck? He made his own luck. He didnt blame the coaches or cry about his bad luck. He didnt sulk or feel sorry for himself. He picked himself up and didnt look to blame others for his bad luck.
His name is Clarence Peace. I have no idea if he will get another hit this year. I have no idea if he will make another play this year. But as long as he continues to come to practice and show the desire and passion to help his team win he will get a chance to do it again. You make your own luck. Good and bad. Clarence made a decision to determine his own luck. Stop crying and whining about what you can not do and what others are doing to you. Step up and make it happen. Clarence did.
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