Last week at his Little League game, my son got hit in the face with a baseball.

He was having a fantastic tournament.

Game one: 2 for 2 with a double and a triple. The team lost the game, but as a pitcher, he struck out six players and threw three innings of no-hit baseball. Played flawless defense.

Game two: leads off the game with a double. Playing great defense and the team is in the game.

But his next at-bat, BAM! right in the face just below the helmet protection.

Lying on the ground, the coaches tended to him. Made sure he did not have a concussion, etc.

Then they asked him to get up and come out of the game.

“I’m not coming out of the game coach,” he said.  “No way.”

“Are you sure?” The coaches replied.

“I’m staying in,” he said sternly.

He jogged down to first base, then promptly steals second.  Then third. Then stole home on a passed ball!

Boom!

It’s not how hard you hit, but when you get hit, how quickly you get up.

My son is not the biggest kid, but that day these young men and adults all understood that lesson.

Sure, people get hurt.

Life is hard.

But you must hit back and always get up.  Never give up or give in to the pain.

I’ve never been prouder of my boy.

It was not about the baseball; it was about his resolve and desire to continue.

Ok, maybe the baseball a little bit, too!

-J.D.