Winter 1993

ARTICLE TOOLS

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One pastor's toughest call.

He's never really asked for much. He's not the kind of boy who thinks about what you should get him for his next birthday or how much you owe him. He is happy with a hug and an occasional wrestling match with Dad.

That's what made the whole thing so ugly. If he were the type of kid who nagged or complained all the time, it wouldn't have been so traumatic.

In the spring of '89, he asked for one thing: he wanted to play little league baseball.

His request surprised me; he wasn't particularly overpowering at the plate or nimble in the field. Surely, I thought, he'll change his mind after he realizes his brother wasn't interested in playing this year. But no, he still wanted to play.

"No problem," I told him. "You can play ball this year."

I smiled along with his mom as he ran down the hall clapping and laughing. He was surprised and excited when I took him to Costco to try out the aluminum bats and leather gloves (he hadn't thought to ask me to buy him a bat and glove). My heart felt boyish as he described in detail his strategy for improving his batting average and his preference for being assigned to a team that wore his beloved Dodger Blue.

His requests were so easy and his attitude so pure-even on that day a few weeks later when I sat across from him in the living room. Facing him was more difficult than I anticipated.

"What's up. Dad?" he asked as he bounced and flopped sideways into the blue chair. Normally I'd have reminded him not to do that and to sit straight forward in the chair, but not today.

"I've made a mistake that directly affects you," I told him. He stared at me with those trusting, curious hazel eyes. "I didn't get you signed up for baseball in time, and now the teams are full. You won't ...

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