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“Sports build character, 5/20/06 To say that sports really do teach valuable lessons that can be applied over a lifetime is far more than just a platitude. In fact, 8-year-old David Schulte of Novi, a young man that plays baseball for the genuine love of the game, spelled it out in a nationally sponsored essay contest (RELATED NEWS), and he articulated it in a way far better that I could have… David and I have never met, but as Yogi Berra would say, “we have different similarities!” However for me, it was only after broken noses, broken fingers, pulled hamstrings, nicks and pains, hip surgery, and of course bone chips in my elbow which ended my dream in June 1980 that I realized there was a larger agenda at play. Baseball is a lot like life, but this young man has figured it out while still in grade school. David Schulte, in the most heartfelt way, has chronicled his love for baseball in an essay that transcends the essence of the game between the lines, and manages to pinpoint the metaphor of sports as they imitate life… Loving something enough to do whatever it takes to reach your goal, giving your best effort even though there are no guarantees, and most importantly, parlaying the experiences from the field of play into the game of life; like school, family, and work, are just some of the highlights of David’s message. For his efforts, Schulte stands to raise $20,000 for a new field of dreams… one less bumpy, and one more favorable to good hops in the infield, and not as many bruises. So far, Schulte’s entry was good enough to garner a $5,000 prize, but his missive was so noteworthy, he now finds himself in rarified air among national finalists for the big prize. Whether or not he captures first place, is somewhat irrelevant. His contribution is already significant. He showed that amazing things can happen if you step up to the plate and take your swings, in sports and in life. And although the winning entrant will earn a lot of money for their community, he’s already given advice that’s worth a million. Baseball is a sport that can arouse emotion, transcend time, and nurture the adolescent bond between fathers and sons. It can also teach an old dog that timeless affirmations still apply. I tip my cap to David Schulte. You think you spend your life gripping a baseball, when really it was the other way around. (c) 2006 Novi
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