I have always been a huge supporter of little league sports. I watched my little brother grow into the young man he is because of them. Baseball is especially something I was a huge fan of. I love the tension in the air between the two teams, the cheers from the parents and friends, the sportsmanship of the players. Win or lose, it's how you played the game.

I don't think the community gives enough to the local teams in my city. The coaches are doing this for free. They are not paid, but how could you put a price tag on teaching kids values? How could you pay someone to teach a kid a game that teaches them how to be gracious and sportsman-like? It can't be taught. It's learned by kids after long practices, winning games, and losing games. It's learned through lessons on the field. The parents pay good money to let their kids play the sport, but with local teams, it's not always about "being good," it can simply because the kid loves the game.

Baseball players are the most humble young adults I have ever met. I have never met a rude player. I have met some rude, and disrespecting coaches, but their players know what happens off the field that matters too. You could lose all respect for a team in the community if you are disrespectful off the field.

The kids spend hours practicing, hours learning, and hours playing the game throughout the entire year. If a pitcher is getting frustrated or has an off inning, the catcher will call 'time,' walk up to him and say nothing but words of encouragement to get through the inning.

If a pitcher isn't doing too hot, and it calls for a mid inning switch, the entire infield will come and stand by the new pitcher. Patting him on the back, fist bumping, or high fiving lets them know the team is behind them.

At the end of the day, the biggest factor in a game is communication. Some errors will be made but you can always recover. I think the best part of the game is base stealing. But, the most intense play is the third base to home plate runoff. Everyone is on their toes, seeing if you will walk or slide over that plate. The fans are cheering from both side-lines, making the players go all that much faster. Putting everything they have into getting to home before the ball hits the catchers hands. When the player makes it across the base and the umpire calls him safe, that's when we know we made one hell of a play.

I asked a couple of people at the game, "why are local sports important in our schools and neighborhoods?"

Henry Tegs, a local man, said "It's about keeping kids off the streets and showing them if they set their mind to something," (in this case baseball), "you can put your mind and achieve anything."

Brother of a player, Gillian Moore, respectfully showing his Reynoldsburg pride, commented, "I have seen what sports has done to this town. You can never be too cautious around where the school is located but I have picked my brother up as he is panting because practice was long and hard but he was excited to tell me he was starting in this game." He pointed to his brother on the field. "He's been working his butt off for months to start in this game because he has a friend who goes to Gahanna. He earned his spot, win or lose today he has shown me sportsmanship and determination."

It's not about winning, losing, or how many errors you made that day. It's the drive, sweat, and tears put into that game. Leaving everything you had on that baseball field and not looking back. Giving every moment 110% of you and still having more to give the next inning. I saw the same kid, on two different days, get smacked with a ball in the hand and sliced his finger and still went out and batted. He could of sat out but he didn't let his team down, and that's courage and strength.

Local sports is amazing and I know everyone playing them and coaching them are the most humble people (except one coach, you're a prick), but here's to one hell of a season.

Gahanna Lions, Spring Season, 2017.