The Danger of Empty Promises
Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
that don’t bring rain.
Proverbs 25:14 (CEV)
THE DANGER OF EMPTY PROMISES
We were in the quarterfinals of the 13U tournament and on the verge of a major upset victory over a team who were favorites to win the whole thing. Our team was smaller, but we were gritty. We had threatened to take the lead earlier in the game, when the oppsing coach brought in the team’s closer to fend off our rally.
But, the rally continued, and we started thumping their hard-throwing righty. Seriously, the kid was throwing in the 80’s – which looked like 100 from only 54 feet away! Our guys didn’t flinch, and we started smoking singles and doubles in the gaps. Before we knew it, we had a one-run lead!
We were the visiting team, and with only a few minutes left in the game, it was looking like we’d pull off the upset if we could hold them on defense. We got the first out quickly on a weak grounder to third. The next batter struck out. Two down! The next batter hit a hard grounder up the middle, but our second baseman was shaded in that direction, and made the stop. I could taste victory as he made the throw to first base. But, instead of taking his time, he rushed the throw and didn’t shuffle his feet and step towards the target. The result was a tough in-between hop that handcuffed the first baseman, who was unable to hang on to it. Safe.
Instead of a huge win, the inning continued. To make a long story short, that runner stole second, then scored on a single to tie the game. We managed to get out of the inning without any further damage, and we were headed for extra innings. I was hot.
As the second baseman came off the field, I got in his face and said, “You’re sitting next inning!”
“But Coach,” he replied, “you have always said that you’d never take us out of a game if we made a physical error. Only if we kept making mental mistakes!”
I was stopped cold. He was right, and I had a choice to make. I could allow my emotions to get the best of me and remove him from the game. Or, I could do the right thing and own up to what I had always told my players.
Honestly, I believe the Holy Spirit intervened here. It was like I completely came to my senses and realized what could happen if I chose to take him out of the game.
So, instead of using my authority to put him in his place, I swallowed hard and said, “You’re right. I did say that, and I’m sorry. You’re still in the game.”
We ended up losing 7-6 in extra innings. It hurt to lose, especially when we had the opportunity to claim the victory. But, the hurt could have been far worse if I had followed through with taking the player out of the game. I would have broken my word – not only to him, but to the entire team! The damage would have been far more catastrophic than a painful and disappointing loss.
I’m so glad Alex (the second baseman) was bold enough to speak out! It would have been easy to just accept the punishment of making an error and not confronting the coach and his broken promise.
Coaches (and parents) – please heed this warning! Eyes are on you, and ears are listening! Treat your words seriously, and have the integrity to live up to the promises you make. It’s much more than a baseball game that is at stake!
C.A. Phillips has served on staff at NorthStar Church since 2004, and has more than 35 years of baseball experience as a player, coach, and umpire. He and his wife, Amy, have two adult sons and live in Kennesaw with their German Shepherd, Abby.
