07/27/2026
A Proud Papa Moment ❤️⚾
There are some Sundays you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Today was one of them.
Luca’s Erie Steelheads 10U team battled through four games over two days to earn a spot in today’s semifinal.
Heading into the sixth and final inning, they held a 5-3 lead.
Then baseball reminded everyone why you never celebrate too early.
The other team strung together several big hits, including a home run, and just like that our lead disappeared. We suddenly found ourselves trailing 7-5.
That’s the beauty of sports.
They prepare our kids for life.
Life has a way of changing the score when you least expect it. The question isn’t whether adversity will come. It’s how you’ll respond.
With a runner on third and his team needing two runs, Luca stepped into the batter’s box.
2-2 count & he launched a deep fly ball to right field and never stopped running.
As the ball rolled all the way to the fence, he raced all the way home for an inside-the-park home run, tying the game at 7-7 and sending everyone into an absolute frenzy. Parents were on their feet. Kids emptied the dugout. It was one of those moments none of us will ever forget.
The Steelheads won in extra innings to advance to the championship game, where we were beaten by a terrific local team that simply played better baseball. Congratulations to them on a well-earned championship.
But on the drive home, I realized the scoreboard had become the least memorable part of the day.
Before the games even started, Luca rode his bike more than 10 miles to join me for my six-mile Sunday walk at Presque Isle. Then he played two games in the summer heat. Tonight he’ll be asleep before his head hits the pillow.
And honestly… I wouldn’t trade a second of it.
As parents, we spend countless hours driving to practices, packing coolers, washing uniforms, and cheering from lawn chairs. We think we’re chasing wins and championships.
We’re not.
We’re raising young men and women of character.
Character isn’t built when everything is going your way.
It’s built when life gets hard, the pressure is on, and you choose to step forward anyway.
Watching the emotion on those kids’ faces today reminded me how special youth sports really are.
More than anything, I’m proud of Luca.
And I’m just as proud of Anthony and Santino.
Not because of wins or losses, but because of the young men they’re becoming.
Life is short.
Summer is precious.
These weekends won’t last forever.
Soak them in.
One day we’ll realize these weren’t just baseball games.
They were opportunities to watch our children grow.
Here’s to every coach, parent, grandparent, and volunteer who pours so much into these kids.
The wins will fade.
The trophies will collect dust.
But the character built under pressure, the friendships formed in dugouts, and the memories made with family will last a lifetime.
Cheers to our kids.
Cheers to summer.
And cheers to soaking up every single moment before they’re gone. ❤️⚾
