BASEBALL (OPENING SATURDAY)

Snippet

One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something. Nolan Ryan

Scripture

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever I Corinthians 9:24,25 NIV

Song

Dropkick Murphys - Jimmy Collins' Wake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Rbj-axneA

We've gathered here to bid adieu

Us Boston boys, alas are few

Some from crosstown some from the coast

To give our skipper one last toast

We'll pour the good stuff round his casket

Drop some coin into the basket

Bow our heads and praise the Lord

Then rouse ourselves and strike a chord...

Lets raise a glass and lift it up

Then sip from Jimmy Collins cup

And hail the lads that won the crown

That brought victory to our ground

Lets raise a glass and lift it up

Then sip from Jimmy Collins cup

And hail the lads that won the crown

While turning baseball upside down

We hit 'em hard, we hit 'em clean

The pitching of Big Bill Dineen

Some legged a bunt, some hit them out

Remember old Buck Freeman's clouts

We'll sing of Candy, Cy and Freddy

Patsy Dougherty, Broadway Hobe,

Chick, and Jack O'Brein

Honus Wagner sat there cryin'

Lets raise a glass and lift it up

Then sip from Jimmy Collins cup

And hail the lads that won the crown

That brought victory to our ground

Lets raise a glass and lift it up

Then sip from Jimmy Collins cup

And hail the lads that won the crown

While turning baseball upside down

Our days with you indeed were great

and now that you have crossed the plate

and scored that final run of life

We'll hug your kids and kiss your wife

and tell of how you played the game

and led us all to wealth and fame

We'll lift our heads with one loud voice

Pay homage to "The People's Choice"

Lets raise a glass and lift it up

Then sip from Jimmy Collins cup

And hail the lads that won the crown

That brought victory to our ground

Lets raise a glass and lift it up

Then sip from Jimmy Collins cup

And hail the lads that won the crown

While turning baseball upside down

Sentence Prayer

Baseball Players Prayer

God grant me wisdom,

to tell a strike from a ball,

to know where to throw

and never to fall.

Keep me always in the base line,

running straight and true

and I'll look for your sign,

to stretch one into two.

God give me vision,

to see every pitch,

so if a player needs help,

then I will see which.

Let me always hustle,

so I'll be at my best

and take pride in myself,

in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,

when I throw the ball

when I'm far from home plate,

or against a wall.

So I never miss a base,

please guide my feet,

bring me home safely,

so my job is complete.

When I help younger players,

let me always give praise,

so they'll see you in me,

in all of my ways.

God please guide our coach,

to be fair and smart,

to teach us to be good,

let it come from his heart.

Let me take a loss,

just as well as a win,

to do any less,

is surely a sin.

As long as I can play,

let me make my parents proud,

as proud as I am,

when they yell MY name out loud.

However my games end,

let me always have fun

and if Heaven has All Stars,

I want to be one.

When my games here are over

and my seasons are done,

let me play on your team.

just like your son.

Amen.