My New Inspiration

[ALStripes17]

My game from last night included a young man with one of the biggest hearts and displays of work ethic I have ever seen.

In the top of the 2nd inning of my 2nd game last night, a kid came up to bat and had a somewhat unorthodox way of holding the bat. After the 1st pitch, I had realized he had a full right arm and a left arm that was stumped just below the elbow.

This young man hit three of the best barreled balls of the game swinging with one arm (and let me say, he was not afraid to swing if it was close).

He also made a running catch in foul territory late in this 1 run game.

I spoke with the Coach between innings regarding the kid's work ethic and what an inspiration he is to me now. The coach responded, "Yeah, and you definitely don't want to arm wrestle him."

The kid's name was Dallas, and all I could think when he came up to the plate was "Don't mess with Texas."

Figured we are never too blessed to hear of another inspirational story.

[bleacher_bum]

Wow, cool story.  Like to hear these kinds of things.  Kid must have some kinda drive.

[BigUmpire]

I needed to read this today.

Thanks

Mike Taylor would have liked this one.

[Jocko]

I've called a plate with a one armed pitcher. Maybe 13 or so now. Seen him a few times. He's an absolute stud on the bump. And a pretty damn good outfielder. May never get to play at advanced levels, but he's certainly an asset I'd love to have on any team I coached.

@ALStripes17 - last time I saw him was at either Fain or Lagoon park. Great story, btw. Thanks for sharing.

[Trakes2]

If I'm not mistaken my partner and I may have wrote about a kid that we had the pleasure of umpiring a few years ago with close to the very same thing...Not only could he hit, but he had a cannon for an arm! made a catch in Right field taking him towards the line and was able to get the glove off and throw a frozen rope to 3rd to get R2 who was trying to tag. My partner both looked at each other and laughed...It was one of those genuine moments where you were just happy to be on the field...We still talk about it to this day!

 

[Dragon29]

Worked w/a one-armed umpire a few years back.

 

I had the plate and he had the field, so don't ask me the obvious questions.  He was really good; we had a great game.