TRUE NORTH NINE

A game that will go down in history as one of the greatest underdog stories of all time...

We were just a small team from the North…

Undersized, underfunded, and outmatched.

Up against the “Trumpeteers” from the South,

Biggest team in the league.

They didn’t just win — 

they bragged about it.

Loud.

Mean.

Like they owned the diamond.  

But our Coach had a plan.  

Coach C was a quiet man.  Didn’t yell.  Didn’t say much really, but he had a quiet confidence about him.  

He new the game of baseball, he knew the game inside the game,….

and most importantly, 

he knew us.  

And that day — down by three, heading into our last at bat — He looked at the lineup, and just nodded.  

Like he saw the ending before we even grabbed our bats.  

First up was Lenny Bow.  We called him “Elbows"

Lanky kid....

All knees and elbows...

Looked like a yardstick in cleats.

 

Someone from the crowd shouted “Elbows up!”

He grinned, leaned back, and cracked a line drive to right field.

That boy could stretch like no one else.  

Next up, Eddie Nuff.  We called him “E.Nuff”, because that’s what he was.  

Enough speed...

Enough grit...

Enough fight for five kids.

He didn’t wast time….laid down a bunt so sneaky, the catcher never even moved.  

 

Safe at first….two on…no outs.  

 

Batting third was Ivy Love.

She didn’t talk big...

Didn’t swing hard…

But Ivy?

She had more heart than most grown ups we knew.

She stepped into the box…

Whispered to herself:

“Love will win”

And on the very next pitch — POW, ground ball just past the shortstop’s glove. 

Bases Loaded.

Coach C’s plan had taken shape, setting up a moment i’ll never forget...

 

David.

Cleanup spot...

Quietest kid on the team….

He barely said a word all season.

David stepped up to the plate.

The Pitcher was a mountain of a kid...

An arm like a cannon, and a glare to match....

Many in the league disliked him...the kind of kid that would taunt you...then turn to his buddies and mock you some more...

Tried to shake everyone up with his words before he would throw.

The Trumpeteers laughed.

But David?  

He just stood there….still….calm….ready.

Folks in the stands held their breath.

 

First pitch — fast ball down the middle for strike one.  

Second pitch — curveball for strike two.  

David didn’t flinch...  

Third pitch  — another curveball, but this one didn’t curve…

David swung ….

 CRACK!

You could hear the sound from two towns over.

That ball soared...

Deep to left field…

Over the fence…and over the scoreboard!  

GRAND SLAM!

Game over!

The Trumpeteers stood stunned.

We didn’t say much.  

 

David rounded the bases with that same quiet he always carried.  

It wasn’t about showing off.  

It was just what he came there to do.  

That day we didn’t just win a game.  

We proved something…

That when the right hearts are in the right order...

When grit, love, and belief come together...

When the world says you’re not enough...

And, when the opposition feels too big…

Even the smallest kids can knock the loud giants off their feet. 

As we circled our Coach after the game, 

I still remember his words as he led our cheer…

"So let ’em talk, let ’em be loud,

We know what matters,

We made us proud.

Not just a win,

for you or for me…

Together We are --

True North, Strong and Free!"