The Dash

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After our son returned from the NY/PENN league last Fall, we hosted a dinner for the coaches, teachers and friends located locally who have been so influential in his formative years. It was wonderful.

Unfortunately it did not include those who took him under their arm when he set off for college in TX and summer ball in New England. It is the efforts of that group that recognized, challenged and crystallized his skills and mental make up and this thread is a wonderful opportunity to say "thank you!"

In the NECBL, opportunites were provided by Harry Ayotte and his great family and then by Chuck Paiva and the great ownership group of the Newport Gulls. Chuck worked tirelessly to help our son because he saw something and wanted others to see it. On June 8, 2004, when pick number 747 of the MLB draft was announced, we received 2 phone calls within the minute. One from the scout for the Blue Jays, the second from Chuck. When you talk about summer baseball, the experience, friendship and support that Chuck Paiva provided was unbelievable.

But, little doubt that the biggest influence in our son's baseball experience came from two people in the baseball program at Trinity University. Tim Scannell, the head coach is the first. Tim knows how thankful we are. He took a risk, he worked tirelessly and he succeeded. Perhaps the greatest attribute of Coach Scannell is the way he has transitioned himself with our son so that he is still recognized as the "Coach" but is now a "best friend."

The other Trinity coach is Bob Meccage. Bob was a giant of a man who, in his mid 40's, moved to San Antonio and became a volunteer coach. His love for baseball and his players was unmatched. Bob coached for no salary and when our son was a freshman, Bob convinced him he could play with any middle infielder in the Big 12 and worked tirelessly before and after practice, hour upon hour,during his freshman year to develop his skills. When I watched my son's very first college game at Emory, I remember telling my wife that I did not even recognize him because he had changed and improved so much.

My very last memory of this treasured man is him engulfing my son in his huge arms and hands in a bear hug following the opening game of the 2002 NCAA regional. I later learned that in that hug he told my son how proud he was of him and that it was the best game he had ever seen him play. When I awoke the next morning, May 17, 2002, anxious to be at the field, I was jolted to reality and learned that our treasured friend and coach passed away during the night. As the team sat in the chapel and told stories about Bob, one player confided that through some of his struggles and missteps, Bob gave him a card with a poem about... the dash. With your indulgence, I will include it here. It says everything anyone would ever need to know about this beloved and generous man and his life, and what he meant and means to our son.

"THE DASH I read of a man who stood to speak At a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth... And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own The cars...the house...the cash, What matters most is how we live and love And how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left, That can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough To consider what's true and real, And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, And more often wear a smile... Remembering that this special dash, Might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read With your life's actions to rehash... Would you be proud of the things they say About how we spend our dash?"

God so very much blessed our son when he provided him the opportunity to be part of the dash in life of Bob Meccage.