RACERS AND DIAMONDS

RACERS AND DIAMONDS

By Andy Weddington

Tuesday, 02 June 2026

Softball isn't just a game it's a way of life.  - Kevin Kelly 

The Diamonds lost but one season game.

The Racers won but two games. 

So their meeting in last evening's championship unlikely. 

But because the Racers, two days before, beat the only undefeated team in their division they had a shot.

One game. Winner take all! 

Six innings. No time limit. 

Good softball. 

I had not been to a softball game in probably sixty years. 

For being invited, we went last night.

Just before heading to the park, incoming text suggested folding chairs. 

We arrived 20 minutes before first pitch. And settled on the visitors side near the Racers (ground-level) dugout. 

The teams warming up. 

The umpire in conference with coaches.

Soon enough batter up. 

Impressive play. 

Especially grounders toward third and the baseman's skill getting the ball to first for the out. 

The Racers scored. 

The Diamonds scored.

The lead changed hands.

Spirited benches cheered teammates. Families cheered. 

Refreshing not to hear fans heckling the ump nor ragging on players. 

Coaches were engaged - constantly encouraging and, well, coaching.

After nearly two hours play, the Racers fell a run short (6-7) of taking it all. 

I watched the teams trot off the field. 

We bagged our folding chairs.

I watched coaches huddle their teams and eavesdropped a moment on the Racers coach. 

He was positive. A tough loss he told the team but they played well and must hold their heads up. A life lesson: Sometimes you come up a run short.

We moved on, towards parking, for respecting privacy. 

I've been thinking about last night's game. 

Mostly in context of the great tennis player Jim Courier and his sentiment on sportsmanship: To me, sportsmanship is when a guy walks off the court and you can't tell whether he won or lost. 

What impressed me - all evening - was the sportsmanship of players, coaches, fans. 

I saw nor heard anything out of character between competitors. 

Last night was two hours of what America must be - parenting and teaching and coaching and mostly example make sportsmen. 

That it was 9 and 10 years-old girls moot. 

So glad we went - to support one of the girls; she swaps chalk drawings with me on the Greenway. And is a great softball player and sportsman. A fine example she is for her little brother who recently told me he believes he could be a Marine.