"Losing the Humanity of Umpiring" by Joe Posnanski

I would like to take this moment to bring to you an article of great passion, written by an author who I magnanimously admire, on a subject beyond realistic dispute, except, for the person in authority who got it wrong . . . 

Losing the Humanity of Umpiring

There’s a very famous strike zone story that has been connected with Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, and others. I’m not sure the story ever happened, but if it did happen, it probably involved Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem and Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby.

It goes a little something like this: A young pitcher, maybe even pitching in his first game, throws what he thinks is a good pitch to Hornsby. The Rajah doesn’t swing, and it’s called a ball. He throws another pitch he likes, Hornsby takes it, and the pitch is called a ball again.

He starts screaming at Klem, who looks at him with a fatherly gaze.

“Son,” Klem says, “when you pitch a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know it.”

I couldn’t help but think about that story again on Sunday during the United States’ unsatisfying 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Juan Soto led off against Garrett Whitlock. Here’s what the at-bat looked like:

Yes, home plate umpire Corey Blaser rang up Soto on a pitch that wasn’t even close to a strike, and while this wasn’t what made the game unsatisfying — as most of you know, a worse call was yet to come — it really struck me wrong. I couldn’t even believe how much that call ticked me off.

John Ortberg "It All Goes Back In The Box"

 

Seven Promises Of God

We can stand on the Word of God, because it’s the only thing that does not change, and it’s not subject to our moods.

There are thousands of promises in the Bible. This is just a small place to start. I encourage you to write these down, especially the ones that you need to stand on, and memorize these eternal promises that echo through time. Remember, these promises are from the lips of Almighty God!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." (Psalm 34:7)

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalm 91: 14-15)

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Pleasing God

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15)

"So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:8)

"To do righteousness and justice, is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." (Proverbs 21:3)

"And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:7-8)

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

"But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)