Carl's Corner - Make the Most of Life

Sept. 1, 2009 – Carl Gustafson CA Regional Tri-Director (San Diego)

He crossed home plate, turned to his teammates with a grin, and dropped over dead. It wasn’t the first time this happened in a tournament game nor will it be the last. This incident happened in August to a player who was quite sure he’d be in Phoenix in October.

The way out of little league is to become a teen-ager.

The way out of Pony and Colt league is to graduate from high school.

The way out of your first softball recreational leagues is to get a family and get weighed down with responsibility.

The way out of early tournament ball is to get a fat gut, drink too much beer, and settle and become a couch potato.

The way out of senior ball is to fall apart or die.

Some of the players you know or have as opponents or teammates this year in Phoenix will not make it to next year’s tournament. That’s why this event should be taken as an opportunity to revel in life, to allow each play, each hit, each victory, each exciting moment to be surrealistic in importance and awareness.

The tournament is about living life to the fullest while others our age are in nursing homes or resigned to rocking chairs and TV sets.

At the end of any life one only has his memories. All else is lost or willed to someone or taken away or it degenerates.

But memories can explode with verve and exhilaration. Fortunately we still have the ability to create these beautiful events in our mind with our focus at tournaments where the best athletes in the world of our age group get together and compete.

To get the best out of this world championship won’t cost you a dime, just forget your bills, your troubles, your laments, your regrets—and sink deeply into each moment and let the thrills of the game paint their beauty in your mind.