Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

How The Ball Is Played Counts Most

A ball’s a ball, a ball’s a ball, a ball’s a ball and a ball’s a ball.

That’s about all we know about ball games. Oh, we know which is a baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, golf ball, soccer ball and polo ball. Yet, when asked how each is used and rules governing their games, we know very little.


We’re just opposite much of the population. Balls games seem to be their life. That’s about all they talk about, refer to, attend and plan for. It’s not with us and never has been. We’ll blame our parents; they knew less about ball games than we do.

Softball was the most common grade school game played at recess and before school morning and noon. When teams were chosen, we always hollered for second base, because we’d usually see some action and get to bat when the team was up.

Sometimes we’d even get a hit. When the ball went over the signboard at the north end of the field, we’d feel a certain sense of pride. Problem was, depending on the day, that could be a homerun or an out. Mabel didn’t like balls in her coondog pen.

Mornings and noon, work-up was played, whereby every out, players progressed toward batting. Sometimes, if a kid standing on the field caught a fly ball, he could go right to bat. One time, when we were playing first base, Billy Porter ran into us and made a left temple gash which required stitches, with a scar quite visible today.

Three summers we played on Little League hardball teams, either Greens or Blues, because the Reds always won. Our position was outfield, since there was never any action that far from the plate. Seldom did we get to bat, and if so, it was a strike out.

In seventh and eighth grades, we went out for basketball. During practice, we sat on the cold gym floor until the first and second strings went to shower. Then we ran up and down the court five minutes before the quit whistle. At home games, we were at the end of the bench and played the last 30 seconds in two games. We made a basket one time.

Touch football was played at recess a few times, and the teacher surprised everyone once when he threw us a pass, and we made a touchdown. Volleyball was not a sanctioned sport, but it was a fun game everyone could participate in at recess. Easter egg hunting on the course is as close to golf as we ever got, except playing Putt Putt twice.

Soccer is beyond our realm of knowledge, and we know little about polo, except we’re interested in participating, because it’s played on horseback.

Contrary to some opinions, it’s not winning or losing, but how the ball is played. Such is true in the game of life so indicated in First Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Yet, one must guide their life toward a major win as in Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

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