Never Quit Dreaming

#1 Seed DesMoines Lincoln and #8 Seed Kennedy

Wednesday was a perfect day! The sun peaked through the overcast sky after an early morning thunder storm as we traveled with the Dunhams to DesMoines to watch Linn-Mar take on Davenport Central and Kennedy play DesMoines Lincoln in first-round games in the State Baseball Tournament. The weather cooperated, the games were decided in the last inning, and all four teams left their hearts on the field. I have seen better played baseball before, but I've never seen two more exciting games played with more effort.

You can click on the picture above to see a slideshow of the day. But be forewarned, there are over 100 pictures and it may take you awhile to get through all of them. It will be well worth your while as these two games represent all that is good about baseball - competing, giving your best, teamwork, playing with heart, split-second plays decided by inches, never giving up, coaching strategy, executing under pressure, the exhilaration of coming through in the clutch, and the pain of not making the play.

Two teams continue on in their pursuit of a State Championship and two teams lost, but all four are winners. They all played the game with dignity, sportsmanship, and heart. Players struck out, walks were issued and errors were made at key junctures of the games. On a hot, muggy Iowa July day, four teams dared to dream. Kennedy and Davenport Central pulled off 7th inning heroics, and Lincoln and Linn-Mar returned home to dream of another day.

It was a perfect day. We experienced a great double header in beautiful Principal Park, Sharon and I enjoyed the company of the Dunham's and Karen Schultz, and we were able to cheer on our teams as they competed at the highest level of baseball in the state.

Congratulations Linn-Mar Lions for a great season. And good luck Kennedy Cougars, Eric Schultz and Robert Dunham in your quest for a state title. You have competed in the game of baseball this summer, but the lessons that you have learned in the process will live long past the memory of your won-loss record. In your pursuit of victory you have learned that failure makes your stronger, that a dream is worth pursuing, and that teamwork lightens the load and enriches the journey. You have reminded us all to never quit dreaming!