Recently, I received a couple of books in the mail from fellow American Baseball Coaches Association board member, Bob Bennett. Bob Bennett was a terrific baseball coach and he’s passionate about the game. Even though he’s been retired from Fresno State University for several years, you can’t be around Coach Bennett more than five minutes before he’s sharing knowledge about pitching mechanics, the proper way to throw the curve or perhaps the finer points of receiving as a catcher. He’s not only a coaching legend, he’s also an author, a poet and a baseball treasure.
One of the books I received from Coach Bennett is, Words & Rhythms of Baseball. It contains one of my favorite baseball poems, “The Gift.” I’ve used it in several speeches and baseball clinic presentations. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have:
The Gift
Three young players asked God for talent
This they would use in sports so gallant
Each wanted strength of arm, power and speed
With these great gifts they would certainly succeed
The first player was granted his request
These were gifts that God had blessed
But this player drifted and wanted more
He succumbed to greed and began to explore
He tried alcohol, drugs, parties and more
His destiny was failure and a life to deplore
He failed to use the gift received
Family and teammates, they were deceived
The second player was also blessed
But he was lazy and soon regressed
He took for granted his special skills
And became complacent with simple drills
Desire was missing from his game
His play was inconsistent and never the same
Though he had the tools to build his dream
His lack of hustle spoiled his scheme
The third player was not granted his wish from God
But desire and determination were his to plod
He often wondered why he was denied
But still he pressed on and really tried
Finally, in prayer, he thought he heard
From God the final word
“You my son, I blessed to reach
And now you live to teach.”
“I could have granted your first approach
But then you would not have been a coach.”
-Bob Bennett
If you are coaching, you too have received this “gift.” Inside Pitch Magazine is all about helping you develop this gift. As I have said before, our goal at Inside Pitch Magazine is to encourage, inform and even inspire the coach, the serious player and baseball fans.
We love to hear from our readers. Let us know what you think about our publication and, also, let us know if there is a coach or baseball “guru” that you would enjoy hearing from. We will make every effort to feature them in our magazine.