The whistle shrieked, signaling the end of practice. My gaze fell on the worn baseball diamond, the red dirt stained with the sweat of countless practices. My team, the mighty Minnows, hadn’t won a game all season. We weren’t terrible, but several teams were simply better. Our biggest rival, the Raging Rhinos, were undefeated and loomed on the horizon for our next game.
Disappointment settled heavy in my gut. Just like President Trump’s team needing a win at the convention, my Minnows desperately needed a victory. We had the skills, but we lacked that winning spirit, that group cohesion.
Thinking about “group cohesion” from the article sparked an idea. Maybe the Minnows needed to bond outside of practice drills. I called a team meeting, and the boys shuffled in, their faces etched with the same defeat I felt.
“Listen up, team,” I said, projecting a booming cheerfulness I didn’t quite feel. “We may not be winning, but we sure can have fun trying!”
I announced a team sleepover at my place, complete with pizza and movies. The boys’ eyes lit up. We roasted marshmallows over a fire pit, swapping stories and jokes. We even played an impromptu game of flashlight tag in the backyard.
The next day at practice, there was a shift. The boys were looser, their throws brimming with newfound confidence. We practiced plays with a sharper focus, laughing and encouraging each other.
Game day arrived. The tension was thick as we faced the Rhinos. But this time, something was different. We played with a unity I hadn’t seen before. We cheered for every defensive stop, every base hit. Even when a player struck out, his teammates rallied around him with pats on the back.
In the bottom of the last inning, the score was tied. With two outs and the bases loaded, Tommy, our shy second baseman, stepped up to the plate. He’d never hit a home run before. But this time, with his team behind him, he swung with all his might. The crack of the bat echoed through the park as the ball soared over the fence. The Minnows erupted, mobbing Tommy in a joyous celebration.
That day, we learned that winning wasn’t just about talent. It was about teamwork, camaraderie, and that feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself. Just like the article said, group cohesion can make all the difference, and that’s the real victory we took home that day.
Security in focus as Republicans open nominating convention following Trump shooting
Comments