Speaking
of Sports 

by
Bernie Fratto

 
No Stone Unturned

December 29, 2011

It is a high calling to be a parent.

Anybody can be a father or a mother, but parenting involves care, love and guidance. The most vivid memories I have of Novi are my observations of parents and their children in church, out on the town, and certainly on the ball field.

And, this is why I am reminded of one of the most gut-wrenching yet amazing stories of this past year. It took place on July 7^th at a Texas Rangers baseball game.

Shannon Stone and his son Cooper were at the Stadium and Mr. Stone remembered how his father had been tossed a souvenir game ball by the great Buddy Bell when he was only 12-years old. He never forgot that simple act, and 27-years later, he was hoping to retrieve a special keepsake from a Texas Rangers player.

Stone would do anything for his son, just like his father did for him.

He got Ranger star Josh Hamilton’s attention, and Hamilton tossed Stone a souvenir baseball!

Stone reached over the rail to catch the ball, and in doing so he fell to his death.

The story made national news and it even began to question whether players should engage in throwing baseballs into the stands as souvenirs.

Then, over the holidays, Shannon Stone’s mother, SuZann, sent a heartfelt letter to Josh Hamilton and it contained a simple request;  “Please don’t stop throwing balls into the stands, it’s so important…that’s why daddies bring their young sons to the ballgame, for memories like that.”

From the mother who lost her son and in the process watched her grandson lose his father, she surmised that it was a freak occurrence and in doing so the baseball world…exhaled.

As a result, it revealed a simple fact that parents don’t bat 1.000 when doing their best to raise their kids. But, to discontinue stepping up to the plate would be a far worse consequence.

As a parent, it is tough to be a prophet in your own kingdom.  Meanwhile, kids don’t realize that even though they don’t see the larger picture in the heat of the moment, it never fails. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Someday, the message will sink in.

2012 is just around the corner, and I look forward to my upcoming visit to Novi in March. Taking in a sporting event will definitely be on my calendar.

Sitting here at my desk in Las Vegas, I can picture families and kids back in Novi, experiencing life and its lessons for all they are worth…Many of which are learned on the playing fields.

Young Cooper Stone can’t talk to his father anymore, but for the rest of his life, he’ll know his father Shannon would’ve done anything for him.

I feel the same about Novi parents. They would do anything for their children and I believe there is nobility in that.

Winter sports are in full swing.

To all the athletes on the ice and on the court, etc, take a minute to look up into the stands and acknowledge your parents.

They love you more than you’ll know. Certainly in Novi parenting and sports provide memories and educational opportunities that last a lifetime.

And no one does it any better than the residents of Wildcat Country.

(c) 2011 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org

Bernie also hosts a regular podcast, Inside the Frattohouse, on the Internet. Click here to listen to his new feature, updated weekly.