Teaching Life's Lessons on the Baseball Diamond

The great American game of baseball has certainly been tainted by the steroid scandal this past winter, but, as spring training approaches and a new season looms on the horizon, die-hard baseball fans like me tend to forget the game's negatives (the cheating, exorbitant salaries, an influx of foreign players, etc.) as the warmth of spring and summer rekindles our passion for this game that many of us grew up playing in backyards, playgrounds, and cowpastures. Despite the game's many problems and its apparent decline in popularity relative to professional and college football, collegiate basketball, NASCAR auto racing, and perhaps other sports, there is something about baseball that is truly special. Like ballpark hotdogs and mom's apple pie, it is part of the fabric of American life and a sport that is still to be revered as our National Pastime, in my humble opinion.

Baseball has always been a strong and popular sport in Patrick County, which has become noted for its outstanding youth baseball program over the years. We are quickly gaining respect in football, basketball, soccer, and other school sports here, but Patrick County has always excelled in baseball. This athletic reality stems from the fact that the baseball progam has been developed in our county from the ground up. We have an outstanding recreational program that allows youngsters to play baseball (and related games) at an early age and to develop sound fundamentals taught by first-rate coaches, parents, and citizens who are highly involved in the positive physical, mental, and spiritual development of our children.

One great example of the stellar baseball program that exists in Patrick County is the Virginia Tribe, the traveling Triple A baseball team for 14 year olds in our community. This team is comprised of many talented young Patrick County baseball players who have been playing together for much of their young lives. In fact, assistant coach Michael Hall, said some of the current members of this team have played together for 6 years. He added that six Virginia Tribe teammates had the unforgettable experience of playing together as a team that went to the Dixie Youth World Series several years ago. Members of the Virginia Tribe have developed such a close relationship over their years playing together that they consider themselves "brothers." In fact, Hall said team members often wear t-shirts stating that they are "Tribal Brothers."

These years of playing together as a team has certainly paid off. Hall said the Virginia Tribe is ranked #1 among 14-year-old Triple A teams in Virginia and #11 in the United States of America in its category. The team travels around the region participating in tournaments in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and other states. The Tribe will begin the 2008 season on Mar. 15th when it competes in a tournament in Greensboro, NC. Last fall, the team compiled a 20-5 record, winning tournament after tournament. The coaching staff includes assistants Michael Hall and Don Durham and head coach David Ratliff. These outstanding achievements are remarkable accomplishments in which our whole community can take great pride and draw inspiration.

The baseball program (and other youth sports programs, for that matter) in Patrick County are about much more than just athletics. Virginia Tribe assistant coach Michael Hall noted that many valuable lessons are taught on the baseball diamond. "Many life lessons are learned on the baseball field," said Hall. These include teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, integrity, responsibility, and countless other lessons that will benefit these young ball players for a lifetime in all walks of life.

I commend the Virginia Tribe and its players, coaches, fans, and community supporters, individual and corporate. I urge our community to rally around the team as it begins what should be another championship season. As young ambassadors for our county, members of this team have generated great community pride and inspired Patrick Countians with many uplifting moments over their years of playing baseball and learning the lessons of life together.

Play ball!
Richard