Bases Loaded
Tim had always been the star of the varsity baseball team, his name echoing in the halls of Glenwood High like the crack of a bat hitting a home run. But today, his biggest challenge wasn’t the pressure of a championship game; it was a field trip to the local daycare, where he was assigned to mentor the most unexpected teammate—Mitchell, the oversized toddler who still clung to his bottle like it was a prized trophy.
As Tim walked into the bright, colorful room filled with laughter and chaos, he spotted Mitchell sitting in the corner, his dirty diaper peeking out from beneath his t-shirt. With a bottle in one hand and a stuffed dinosaur in the other, he looked like a miniature linebacker, ready to tackle anyone who dared approach.
“Hey there, big guy!” Tim said, kneeling down to Mitchell’s level. “I’m Tim, your new buddy for the day.”
Mitchell looked up, his big brown eyes wide and curious. He tilted his head, studying Tim as if he were a new kind of baseball player he’d never seen before.
“Baba!” Mitchell exclaimed, holding out his bottle as if offering a peace treaty.
Tim couldn’t help but chuckle. “You got it, buddy. But how about we trade? I’ll show you how to throw a ball if you let me take a sip of that.”
With a giggle, Mitchell shook his head, clearly not ready to part with his beloved bottle. Instead, he stood up, wobbling slightly, and pointed towards a pile of colorful balls scattered across the play area.
“Ball!” he shouted, his voice booming like a cheerleader at a game.
Tim’s heart melted. “You want to play ball? Let’s do it!”
They spent the next hour throwing, rolling, and even attempting to kick the balls around the room. Tim found himself laughing more than he had in weeks, his worries about the upcoming baseball season fading into the background. Mitchell, with his infectious giggles and unfiltered joy, reminded him of the simple pleasures in life—the kind that didn’t require a scoreboard or a trophy.
As they played, Tim noticed the other kids watching them, some giggling, others trying to imitate Mitchell’s enthusiastic shouts. It was as if Mitchell had become the star of the daycare, and Tim was just happy to be part of the team.
“Okay, champ,” Tim said, wiping sweat from his brow. “How about we take a break and grab a snack? I hear they have cookies!”
Mitchell’s eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously, almost toppling over in his excitement. “Cookie!” he echoed, and together they waddled towards the snack table, Tim feeling a sense of pride swell in his chest.
As they munched on cookies, Tim couldn’t help but reflect on how this day had changed him. He had come in thinking he was here to mentor a child, but in reality, it was Mitchell who was teaching him about joy, laughter, and the importance of just being present.
“Thanks for the fun, Mitchell,” Tim said, ruffling the toddler’s hair. “You’re a real MVP.”
Mitchell beamed, his face smeared with crumbs and happiness. “Tim!” he squealed, raising his cookie in a toast.
In that moment, Tim realized that life’s greatest lessons often come from the most unexpected places. And as he watched Mitchell savor his cookie, he knew that this was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship—one that would teach him more than any baseball game ever could.