More than Baseball

2023 was a hard year for many in the East Side community. While no year is without its losses, in August we lost a nine-year-old kid named Matthew Nelson and in September we lost a coach on Shetland named Marcus Williams, all in the span of four weeks from one another.

We learned something then that we have always known, but don’t say enough - this is about more than baseball. We watched almost 1000 people attend a candlelight vigil for Matthew, the community rallied around the family, trying to provide support that will never be enough.

This year, as we come back for our annual tradition of East Side spring baseball, the invitation is to once again realize that this is about more than baseball. To that end, we would like to invite you to a time on Tuesday mornings where we will connect as men and fathers, leaders will share stories, principles, and lessons that will not only help you be a better coach, but will also help you succeed in life, and together we will open up the scriptures and share from the gospel of Matthew. We will go on a 14-week journey together starting January 30th, go through Easter, and to the end of baseball season.

Here’s what our times will look like:

• 7:30-7:45 – Informal social time to connect on baseball and life.
• 7:45-8:00 - Life lessons and leadership principles that impact your coaching and your life.
• 8:00-8:20 - read a story from the gospel of Matthew and talk about: if this is true how it would impact our life. Everybody’s welcome to this conversation. Having a background in faith is not required. The only request is that you come to engage.
• 8:20-8:30 – Wrap up and prayer.

We will get started this coming Tuesday morning January 30th at 7:30, we will go until the third week of May skipping the weeks of winter break, spring break, and an additional week at the end of April.

While we may get together in person a few times, most of our meetings including the first one, will be virtual. Signing up here on Eventbrite will add the invite to your calendar. We will also follow up with emails for any in-person events or other information.

Guys, we have the opportunity to positively impact the next generation of young men, who will raise our grandchildren, through the gift of a game that is more than a game. Baseball requires learning how to fail and get back up, which is what is required for a boy to become a man. No matter where you’re coming from, whether this is your first season of coaching or your 20th, we hope this time is a blessing to you, your team, your family, and your son. Our goal is that we all walk away from this season successful because we made it about more than baseball.
Weekly Topics

Week 1 - Topic: This is a baseball – what, how, why

Week 2 - Topic: Champions finish

Week 3 - Topic: Champions finish pt 2 and Matthew Nelson

Week 4 - Topic: Learning to fail and getting back up

Week 5 - Topic: Beginning with the end in mind

Week 6 - Topic: The only wrong answer is a half assed one

Week 7 - Topic: March Madness - Jimmy V Speech

Week 8 - Topic: Hope – Paul’s speech – Holy Week

Week 9 - Topic: Do hard better – Kara Lawson

Week 10 - Topic: Living live on purpose

Week 11 - Topic: If we want a better answer, we need to ask a better question

Week 12 - Topic: The quality of your friends determines the quality of your life

Week 13 - Topic: What it takes to play the infinite game

Week 14 - Topic: Champions finish with Legacy in mind

Host or Publisher Nelson Davis