Wake Up! Waukesha
Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for over 20 years, is an active volunteer who has served on numerous local boards and committees. He's married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company.
We can still learn from the children...
Recently I acted as emcee for a "Home Run Derby" in Brookfield as part of the Brookfield Bulldogs "Backyard Bash" Tournament. Various local celebrities joined in the fun including the Marquette Golden Eagle, Bernie Brewer, Brad Beach from The Wave, and even an over-sized Rocky Rococo. Teams attended from all over Southeastern Wisconsin and Illinois.
The Derby was on a gorgeous Saturday evening following a full day of league play. Participants ranged from 9-13 years of age. Well over 100 kids registered to display their hitting prowess in front of peers and parents. The format included the pitcher of their choice throwing and the "Home Plate" being relocated by age group. Baseballs were flying over the fence with regularity and players from various teams fielded the balls while having a great time.
Remembering that most everyone in the Derby had been active all day in games, it was wonderful to see the number of sign-ups. The only "quirk" in this planning was that these same people - parents and kids alike, had gotten up early, spent an entire day in the sun, and were getting up early for the Sunday games.
As the evening progressed, you could sense "fatigue" (Old age?) settling in on the parents. Shoulders were slumping and the Event volunteers were understandably approaching "Empty" on their internal gas tanks...
But then - you looked to the outfield fence, and there were literally dozens of kids shagging the balls for the hitters. And if you want a picture of pure youthful exuberance - this was it! Kids making sliding/diving attempts at catches; kids throwing their gloves high in the air trying to knock-down some of the towering homers; kids chasing down "one-hoppers"; basically - kids being kids and enjoying the pure simplicity of a beautiful Summer evening playing ball. No coaches or parents telling them what to do - these kids were just instinctively enjoying the moment....And that picture has stuck with me since.
Yes... We are aging and finding the energy and adrenaline spurt is not as easy as it was in years past. But if you want a deep, warm, good feeling - head over to one of the countless youth baseball games being played daily throughout the Waukesha area. Call it your own "Field of Dreams" moment and enjoy the game through the eyes of the children. It will remind you that often the simplest of items can bring great pleasure.
Congrats to the Brookfield Bulldogs on a successful Event...and thanks for reinstilling memories of Summers long past.
We are never too old to learn from the kids...
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