Baseball
Team
Devotions‐
Baseball
Characters
Scripture
Lesson:
Luke
17:
11‐19
In
baseball
history
there
have
been
a
lot
of
characters,
guys
who
were
quirky
in
their
behavior.
One
of
the
most
beloved
characters
in
baseball
history
was
Mark
Fidrych,
know
as
the
Bird
because
he
looked
like
Sesame
Streets
Big
Bird.
Fidrych
pitched
for
the
Detroit
Tigers
and
in
his
brief
career
made
an
impact
on
the
city
of
Detroit
and
upon
Major
League
Baseball.
Fidrych
would
stoop
down
on
the
mound
and
smooth
out
cleat
marks
with
his
hands.
He
would
talk
to
the
baseball
telling
it
where
to
go
on
each
pitch.
He
walked
around
the
mound
after
every
out
and
would
throw
out
a
baseball
that
was
hit
for
a
base
hit,
he
didn’t
like
those
at
all.
One
of
the
things
that
set
the
Bird
apart
was
how
he
thanked
his
teammates.
If
they
made
a
good
play
behind
him,
he
would
run
toward
them
clapping
and
thanking
them.
After
the
games
he
pitched
he
would
shake
his
teammates’
hands
thanking
them
for
all
they
did
for
him.
Injury
cut
short
his
career
but
anyone
who
saw
him
pitch
will
never
forget
Mark
“The
Bird”
Fidrych.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
Jesus
has
just
healed
10
lepers.
Leprosy
was
the
worst
disease
of
all
in
the
ancient
world.
Lepers
could
not
live
with
other
people,
they
were
set
out
from
society
in
general.
Lepers
had
no
quality
of
life
and
were
in
constant
pain.
When
Jesus
had
mercy
on
the
10
lepers
and
healed
them,
they
had
to
go
themselves
to
the
local
priest
to
get
show
they
were
diseased
no
more.
This
would
enable
them
to
return
to
a
normal
life.
Only
1
out
of
10
came
back
to
thank
Jesus
for
what
He
had
done
in
healing
him.
How
many
times
has
Jesus
done
something
for
us
and
we
didn’t
thank
Him?
When
is
the
last
time
a
teammate
did
something
great
in
the
game,
did
we
thank
him?
Too
many
times
we
go
through
life
without
being
grateful
for
our
blessings?
When
is
the
last
time
you
thanked
your
coach
for
all
the
time
he
puts
into
your
team?
We
should
all
learn
a
lesson
from
Mark
“The
Bird
“Fidrych
and
be
grateful
for
all
our
blessings!
The
challenge
today
is
to
live
with
an
attitude
of
gratitude.
Why
not
thank
God
for
His
blessings,
your
parents
for
all
they
have
done
for
you,
and
your
teammates
forall
they
have
done
for
your
team.
“The
Bird
“was
grateful.
How
about
you?
Visual
aid:
you
tube
video
is
great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMSDo3BX5Ds
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
Batting
Practice
Scripture
Lesson:
Luke
8:19‐21
One
of
the
neatest
things
about
going
to
a
Major
League
game
is
getting
there
early
enough
to
watch
batting
practice
or
BP.
It
is
poetry
in
motion.
There
are
infielders
taking
ground
balls,
outfielders
catching
flies,
hitters
taking
their
turn
in
the
batting
cage
by
groups.
It
is
constant
motion,
all
at
the
same
time.
BP
is
just
that,
it
is
practice.
You
see
the
players
working
on
every
aspect
of
the
game,
fielding,
throwing,
running,
and
hitting.
This
pregame
practice
helps
prepare
them
each
day
for
the
game
that
is
to
be
played.
It
is
not
enough
to
know
how
to
hit.
One
has
to
practice
how
to
hit
to
become
better.
The
best
Major
League
players
are
the
ones
who
work
the
hardest
at
BP,
for
they
are
prepared
to
play
the
game
by
all
their
hard
work
during
the
practice
time
called
BP.
In
our
Scripture
lesson
today,
Jesus
is
once
again
teaching.
By
this
time
in
His
ministry,
Jesus
has
started
drawing
very
large
crowds.
Not
only
is
His
teaching
wonderful,
but
people
have
seen
and
heard
about
His
healing
ministry
as
well.
Jesus
is
told
that
His
mother
and
brothers
are
outside
and
they
want
to
see
Him.
Jesus
says
something
then
that
seems
a
little
strange
to
us.
He
says,”
My
mother
and
my
brothers
are
those
who
hear
God’s
word
and
put
it
into
practice.
What
He
is
saying
to
us
is
His
family
is
the
family
of
God,
fellow
believers.
But
He
gives
a
definition
for
what
it
means
to
be
a
part
of
God’s
family,
to
put
into
practice
God’s
word.
Jesus
is
telling
us
to
not
just
read
and
know
what
the
Bible
says,
we
are
to
practice
it.
What
would
happen
if
a
major
League
player
never
practiced
hitting?
He
might
know
everything
there
is
to
know
about
hitting,
but
that
is
not
enough
is
it?
Without
practice
in
baseball,
players
cannot
master
the
skills
to
become
a
great
player.
Without
living
what
the
Bible
teaches
us
we
cannot
become
a
great
Christian.
I
bet
you
can
tell
me
when
your
last
baseball
practice
occurred.
Can
you
tell
me
when
your
last
Bible
practice
occurred?
It’s
time
to
hit
the
Christian
practice
field
and
take
a
little
BP,
Bible
Practice.
Visual
aid:
Borrow
a
Coach’s
practice
plan
and
bring
a
Bible.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
Catcher’s
Interference
Scripture
Lesson:
Hebrews
12:1‐2
Can
you
name
the
six
ways
a
runner
can
reach
base
safely?
There
is
by
a
base
hit,
a
walk,
an
error,
dropped
third
strike,
hit
by
a
pitch
and
the
last
and
probably
the
one
we
see
the
least,
catcher’s
interference.
Catcher’s
interference
occurs
when
the
catcher
hinders
the
batter
as
he
is
trying
to
hit
the
ball.
This
usually
occurs
when
the
catcher
reaches
out
to
catch
the
pitch
and
as
the
batter
swings,
he
strikes
the
catchers
mitt.
This
is
an
automatic
awarding
of
first
base
and
it
counts
as
an
error
on
the
catcher.
Can
you
imagine
how
hard
it
would
be
to
hit
a
pitch
after
even
barely
hitting
the
catcher’s
mitt?
Have
you
ever
had
that
happen
to
you?
How
about
it
catchers,
ever
been
called
for
that
in
a
game?
Have
you
ever
hindered
the
batter?
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
the
writer
of
Hebrews
talks
to
us
about
getting
rid
of
what
hinders
us
in
running
the
race
called
life.
In
ancient
times
runners
would
often
run
without
clothes
which
might
entangle
them
as
they
ran.
Remember
they
wore
long
flowing
robes
and
outer
garments,
much
like
what
is
worn
in
the
Middle
East
today.
There
were
no
Nikes
and
running
clothes.
The
race
is
the
life
we
are
to
live.
The
Christian
life
is
not
a
sprint,
it
is
a
life‐long
marathon
that
ends
when
we
get
to
heaven.
We
are
to
get
rid
of
sin
or
anything
else
that
keeps
us
from
running
the
race
called
life
for
God.
The
writer
gives
us
the
key
for
running
the
right
and
only
way.
We
are
to
keep
our
eyes
on
Christ
the
author
and
perfecter
of
our
lives.
In
other
words,
if
we
focus
on
Jesus
and
living
for
Him,
we
will
run
the
race
of
life
as
a
winner.
I
don’t
know
about
you,
but
I
want
to
be
a
winner
in
the
Christian
life.
The
only
way
to
do
that
is
to
get
rid
of
the
Devil’s
interference
(sin)
and
keep
my
eyes
on
Christ
and
living
for
Him.
Visual
aid:
Ask
the
catcher
and
a
hitter
to
demonstrate
catcher’s
interference.
This
is
NOT
to
be
done
at
full
speed.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐Errors
Scripture
Lesson:
Psalm
103:11‐12,
1John
1:9
Have
you
ever
made
an
error?
If
you
play
this
great
game
of
baseball
long
enough
you
will
have
made
numerous
errors:
missing
a
ground
ball,
overthrowing
a
base,
dropping
a
fly
ball,
missing
a
pitch,
not
backing
up
a
play,
missing
your
spot
and
leaving
a
pitch
right
over
the
heart
of
the
plate.
There
are
many
errors
in
baseball.
An
error
is
a
mistake,
a
play
that
should
have
been
made.
The
error
that
stands
out
perhaps
more
than
any
in
World
Series
history
occurred
in
the
1986
World
Series
between
the
Boston
Red
sox
and
the
New
York
Mets.
Let
me
set
the
stage.
It
is
game
six
the
Red
Sox
hold
a
3‐2
lead
in
games
and
in
the
top
of
the
tenth
they
score
2
runs
to
take
a
5‐3
lead
going
into
the
bottom
of
the
tenth.
With
2
outs,
the
Mets
rally
with
3
straight
singles,
plating
a
run
to
make
the
score
5‐4.
With
runners
on
first
and
third
with
still
2
outs,
Red
Sox
pitcher
Bob
Stanley
uncorks
a
wild
pitch.
Kevin
Mitchell
scores
the
tying
run
and
Ray
Knight
moves
to
2nd
base.
Mookie
Wilson
works
the
count
to
3‐2
and
then
hits
a
routine
groundball
to
first
baseman
Bill
Buckner.
The
ball
goes
right
through
Buckner’s
legs
and
Knight
scores
the
winning
run.
The
Mets
go
on
to
win
game
7,
8‐5
to
capture
the
World
Series.
Buckner
was
called
a
goat
and
left
Boston
in
disgrace.
Our
Scripture
lesson
teaches
us
that
we
all
make
mistakes,
the
Bible
calls
that
sin.
But
if
we
confess
our
mistakes/sins
God
is
faithful,
because
of
his
immeasurable
love
for
us,
to
forgive
us.
He
removes
the
sin
as
far
as
the
east
is
from
the
west.
Made
any
errors
in
the
game
of
life?
Is
there
some
confessing
we
need
to
do
to
God?
Oh
by
the
way
there
is
more
to
the
Bill
Buckner
story.
On
Opening
Day
2008,
Buckner
threw
out
the
opening
pitch
for
the
Red
Sox
and
received
a
long
loud
standing
ovation.
I’d
call
that
forgiveness.
Visual
aid:
Get
a
player
ahead
of
time
to
miss
a
ground
ball
through
his
legs
to
illustrate
Buckner’s
error
and
if
possible
use
this
you
tube
video
of
Buckner’s
first
pitch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W12h9gNxdpo
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐Scouting
Report
Scripture:
Matt.
16:13‐20
You
can
look
in
most
Major
League
Baseball
dugouts
and
see
large
three
ring
binders.
These
hold
the
scouting
reports
on
each
of
the
opposing
players
for
the
team
they
are
playing.
These
reports
show
everything
from
where
a
batter
likes
a
pitch
to
where
he
is
most
likely
to
hit
the
ball.
What
the
batting
average
is
for
every
opposing
hitter
against
your
pitchers
and
visa
versa
is
shown.
These
reports
are
thorough
and
give
all
the
information
possible
about
who
the
opposing
player
is
and
how
to
deal
with
him
for
your
team
to
win.
Even
in
High
School,
now
scouting
reports
come
into
play
especially
against
conference
foes.
You
know
where
to
play
a
certain
hitter
from
your
rival
school
and
what
pitch
their
ace
will
throw
you
in
certain
game
situations.
Scouting
Reports
have
only
one
purpose,
to
help
you
to
win.
Jesus
in
our
Scripture
lesson
wanted
to
find
out
what
His
scouting
report
was.
He
wanted
to
know
what
people
were
saying
about
who
he
was.
The
disciples
gave
the
answers,
some
say
John
the
Baptist,
others
Elijah,
and
still
others
Jeremiah
or
one
of
the
prophets.
Then
Jesus
asked
the
question
He,
was
really
wanting
the
answer
for,
“Who
do
you
say
I
am?”
In
other
words
what
is
my
scouting
report
in
your
eyes?
Who
am
I
really
to
you?
Peter
answered
,
“You
are
the
Christ,
the
Son
of
the
Living
God.”
Jesus
knew
Peter
had
gotten
who
he
was
and
that
kind
of
faith
was
what
His
church
would
be
built
upon.
Peter
was
a
winner.
He
saw
first
hand
the
miracles
of
Jesus.
He
saw
Him
heal
the
sick,
cause
the
blind
to
see,
he
saw
the
storm
stilled.
He
saw
first
hand
the
scouting
report
being
lived
out
before
him
daily.
Peter
was
a
winner
because
he
believed.
What
is
your
scouting
report
as
a
player?
Where
do
you
like
the
ball,
what
pitch
is
your
favorite
to
throw?
What
is
your
scouting
report
with
Jesus?
Who
do
you
say
He
is?
Are
you
living
for
Him?
Are
you
a
winner
like
Peter
was
in
the
game
of
life?
For
2,000
years
later
Jesus
is
still
asking
us
today,
“Who
do
you
say
I
am?”
Visual
aid‐You
can
go
on
to
mlb.com
and
type
a
player’s
name
and
get
stats
on
everything
from
what
he
hits
in
day
games
to
what
he
hits
in
certain
counts.
You
could
bring
that
printout
to
use.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Batboy
Scripture
Lesson:
Matthew
20:20‐28
Batboys
are
often
unsung
heroes.
They
do
everything
from
pick
up
bats
to
run
balls
to
the
Home
Plate
Umpire.
A
good
batboy
is
a
servant,
doing
anything
he
can
to
make
the
game
better
for
the
players
and
coaches.
Batboys
love
the
game
and
being
around
the
players.
They
are
as
much
a
part
of
the
team
as
the
superstar
pitcher
or
hitter.
They
often
times
do
their
jobs
without
much
fanfare
and
appreciation.
They
just
love
to
serve.
I
will
always
remember
when
my
son
was
the
bat
boy
for
the
University
of
North
Carolina.
He
loved
the
game
and
being
with
the
team.
It
was
a
lot
of
work
to
do
the
job
right.
John
was
a
servant,
giving
his
best
always
for
the
players
and
coaches.
His
reward
was
the
relationships
he
has
even
to
this
day
with
the
former
players
and
coaches.
Batboys
are
servants
who
give
their
best
to
others.
(you
can
insert
here
a
story
about
a
batboy
or
team
manager
you
know)
In
today’s
Scripture
Lesson,
the
mother
of
James
and
John
approaches
Jesus.
She
asks
for
places
of
prominence
for
her
two
sons.
When
the
other
10
disciples
heard
about
this
they
became
angry
with
James
and
John.
Jesus
used
this
as
a
teaching
point
with
the
12.
What
James
and
John
desired
and
also
the
other
10
was
to
be
important,
to
experience
true
greatness.
Jesus
tells
them
that
if
they
wanted
to
reach
true
greatness,
then
they
had
to
become
servants.
Jesus
told
them
true
greatness
is
how
one
serves
for
He
came
to
this
world
,not
to
be
served
,
but
to
serve.
On
the
night
before
His
own
death,
Jesus
washed
the
disciples’
feet,
the
job
of
the
lowest
servant
in
the
household.
He
did
so
to
model
servant
hood
and
to
tell
his
closest
friends
what
it
would
take
to
be
considered
great
in
God’s
eyes.
When
is
the
last
time
you
served
your
teammates
and
coaches?
True
greatness
is
not
found
in
a
batting
average
or
an
ERA.
True
greatness
is
found
in
what
we
do
for
others.
If
you
have
a
batboy,
thank
him
today,
play
catch
with
him,
spend
a
little
time
getting
to
know
him.
Serving
the
servant,
now
that
brings
a
smile
to
the
face
of
the
Master.
Let’s
be
great
today
in
His
eyes
by
being
a
servant!
Visual
aid:
bat
and
ball
to
illustrate
the
batboy’s
job
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Bullpen
Catcher
Scripture
Lesson:
Luke
5:
1‐11
Did
you
know
that
most
Major
League
and
College
teams
have
bullpen
catchers.
These
players
have
only
one
job,
to
catch
in
the
bullpen.
They
are
considered
part
of
the
staff.
They
never
get
to
play
in
the
game.
All
they
do
is
catch
in
the
bullpen.
They
warm
up
pitchers
before
they
enter
the
game,
they
catch
side
sessions.
A
lot
of
their
time
is
spent
watching
games
from
the
bullpen
waiting
for
that
call
to
warm
up
the
next
pitcher.
There
one
and
only
task
is
to
catch
in
the
bullpen.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson,
Jesus
is
preaching
beside
the
Sea
of
Galilee.
He
asked
Simon
(
later
named
Peter),
a
fisherman,
to
put
him
out
a
little
in
his
boat.
The
area
near
Capernaum
was
a
natural
amphitheater.
Jesus
used
the
boat
and
the
water
to
amplify
His
voice.
When
he
finished
teaching,
he
told
Simon
to
go
out
to
deep
water
and
put
out
his
nets.
They
had
fished
all
night
with
no
luck.
I
don’t
think
Simon
thought
they
would
have
much
luck,
but
he
did
as
Jesus
asked.
The
catch
was
so
large
it
almost
broke
the
nets
and
filled
both
boats
to
where
they
were
almost
sinking.
When
they
got
the
catch
to
shore
Simon
and
Andrew
his
brother
and
their
partners
James
and
John
were
astonished
at
the
size
of
the
catch
and
also
a
little
afraid.
Jesus
told
them,
“Don’t
be
afraid;
from
now
on
you
will
catch
men.”
So
they
left
their
boats
and
followed
Jesus.
Their
only
job
before
was
to
catch
fish,
that
was
it.
But
they
gave
up
one
kind
of
catching
for
another
kind
of
catching.
They
began
a
walk
with
Jesus
that
day
that
enabled
them
to
grow
in
their
faith
to
the
point
of
catching
men,
women,
boys,
and
girls
for
Jesus.
We
have
the
same
call
today.
We
are
all
called
to
be
catchers
for
the
Kingdom.
The
equipment
we
need
to
become
that
kind
of
catcher
is
a
life
lived
for
Christ.
Can
the
way
we
are
living
our
lives
today
draw
people
closer
to
Christ?
Can
people
see
Jesus
living
through
us?
A
bullpen
catcher
has
only
one
task,
to
catch.
As
a
believer
our
task
is
to
catch
for
the
Kingdom
by
living
for
Christ.
The
call
has
come
for
us?
Are
we
ready
to
catch?
Visual
aid:
catcher’s
mitt
and
mask
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Change‐Up
Scripture
Lesson:
James
1:19‐20
The
Change‐Up
is
a
pitch
that
does
just
that,
it
changes
speed.
Pitchers
use
the
change
up
to
keep
the
batters
off
balance.
The
pitch
is
usually
thrown
after
a
fastball.
It
is
much
slower
than
a
fastball
and
often
times
batters
are
out
in
front
of
the
pitch
or
they
swing
way
too
early.
Trevor
Hoffman,
who
is
the
career
saves
leader
for
Major
League
Baseball,
credits
his
great
change‐up
for
his
success.
Greg
Maddux,
many
years
an
All‐Star
pitcher
had
a
great
change‐up
he
used
for
many
successful
seasons.
The
success
of
the
change‐up
can
be
linked
to
the
fastball
and
its
speed.
This
SLOWER
pitch
has
helped
many
a
pitcher
get
to
the
next
level
in
their
baseball
careers.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson,
James
is
trying
to
throw
us
a
change‐up,
not
to
get
us
off
balance,
but
to
bring
some
balance
to
our
lives.
James
implores
us
to
be
quick
to
listen,
slow
to
speak,
and
slow
to
become
angry.
How
any
times
do
we
do
the
opposite?
Most
of
the
time,
aren’t
we
slow
to
listen
and
quick
to
speak
and
become
angry?
James
is
throwing
us
a
change‐up
to
get
us
to
change‐up
our
lives.
When
is
the
last
time
we
were
quick
to
listen,
wanting
knowledge
instead
of
thinking
we
already
know
everything?
When
is
the
last
time
we
were
slow
to
speak?
You
know
we
can’t
listen
and
talk
at
the
same
time!
When
is
the
last
time
we
took
a
timeout
from
anger
and
was
slow
to
get
mad?
My
friends,
life
will
be
much
better
when
we
take
the
change‐up
James
throws
us
today
and
make
it
a
part
of
our
daily
lives.
Let’s
give
it
a
try,
quick
to
listen,
slow
to
speak,
and
slow
to
become
angry.
A
life
change‐up
that
is
sure
to
make
a
difference
in
living
for
Him.
Visual
aid:
Let
different
pitchers
show
their
grip
for
a
change‐up
or
google
change‐up
grip.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Closer
Scripture:
Luke
24:44‐48
In
1969
Major
league
Baseball
began
keeping
a
new
statistic,
the
save.
The
save
is
when
a
pitcher
comes
into
the
game
late
and
holds
the
lead
for
his
team
thus
“saving
the
game.”
The
all
time
saves
leader
in
baseball
is
Trevor
Hoffman
who
has
a
total
of
591
career
saves
after
the
2009
season.
These
relief
pitching
specialists
are
called
closers.
The
greatest
closer
of
all
time
experts
would
say
is
not
Hoffman
but
the
man
who
enters
the
game
to
this
music
(play
the
beginning
of
“Enter
the
Sandman”
by
Metallica).
Mariano
Rivera
of
the
New
York
Yankees
is
considered
baseball’s
best
closer.
His
ability
to
pitch
pressure
games
in
the
playoffs
has
elevated
his
stature
to
the
best
ever.
His
0.74
earned
run
average
and
his
39
postseason
saves
rank
as
best
among
closers
in
postseason
history.
But
I
would
say
that
even
though
Mariano
Rivera
has
pitched
his
best
in
the
pressure
of
the
postseason,
he
is
not
the
best
closer
ever.
I
would
say
the
best
closer
ever
is
Jesus.
Jesus
Christ
with
His
death
and
resurrection
made
the
greatest
save
of
all
time.
His
sacrifice
on
Calvary’s
cross
enabled
all
of
us
to
be
saved
from
our
sins
and
to
spend
eternity
with
Him
in
heaven.
Jesus
Christ
closed
out
the
penalty
for
our
sin
with
His
death
and
resurrection.
The
only
way
we
can
ever
win
at
the
game
of
life
is
to
allow
the
greatest
closer,
Jesus
Christ,
to
become
the
Lord
of
our
lives.
As
we
believe
in
Him
and
what
God
did
for
us
by
allowing
His
only
Son
to
pay
the
price
for
our
sins,
we
can
only
then
become
a
winner
at
life.
Are
you
a
winner
at
life?
Has
Jesus
made
a
difference
in
your
life?
The
greatest
closer
in
the
world
is
only
a
prayer
away.
Visual
Aid‐Boom
box
with
Metallica
CD
of
“Enter
the
Sandman”
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Concession
Stand
Scripture
Lesson:
Mark
10:
46‐52
One
of
the
places
I
will
always
go
when
I
go
watch
a
baseball
game
is
the
concession
stand.
Concession
stands
are
the
restaurants
of
the
Baseball
Diamond.
There
is
something
about
popcorn
at
a
game,
it
just
tastes
better.
Concession
stands
serve
all
kinds
of
wonderful
things,
hot
dogs,
soft
drinks,
peanuts,
popcorn,
Cracker
Jack,
all
kinds
of
candy,
and
the
American
Baseball
staples,
sunflower
seeds
and
bubble
gum.
Concession
stands
are
usually
manned
by
people
who
are
ready
to
serve.
They
will
gladly
get
you
anything
on
the
menu
you
ask
for
in
a
timely
manner.
What
is
your
favorite
thing
to
get
at
a
concession
stand?
Be
sure
to
always
thank
the
people
working
in
the
concession
stand,
they
are
there
to
get
you
what
you
want!
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson,
Jesus
is
in
Jericho
on
the
way
to
Jerusalem
for
the
last
time.
He
knows
at
this
point
in
His
ministry
His
death
on
the
cross
is
approaching
rapidly.
As
he
is
getting
into
Jericho
a
blind
beggar
on
the
side
of
the
road
named
Bartimaeus,
hears
Jesus
is
coming.
He
gets
excited
and
begins
to
cry
out,
”Jesus,
Son
of
David,
have
mercy
on
me.”
Many
in
the
crowd
told
him
to
be
quiet,
but
Bartimaeus
would
not
be
silent.
As
a
matter
of
fact
he
just
got
louder.
Jesus
stopped
and
called
for
Bartimaeus
to
come
to
Him.
Jesus
asked
him,
”What
do
you
want
me
to
do
for
you?”
the
blind
man
said,
“
Rabbi,
I
want
to
see.”
“Go
your
faith
has
healed
you.”
Immediately
he
received
his
sight
and
followed
Jesus
along
the
road.
Bartimaeus
asked
for
his
sight
and
Jesus
gave
him
what
he
wanted
because
of
his
faith.
Jesus
is
waiting
for
us
to
ask
him
in
faith.
He
wants
to
give
us
the
good
things
in
life.
Bartimaeus
thanked
Jesus
for
giving
him
his
sight
by
following
Him.
When
is
the
last
time
we
thanked
Jesus
for
answering
our
prayers.
Just
like
the
concession
stand
there
are
a
lot
of
good
things
available
just
for
the
asking.
Faith,
love,
joy,
guidance,
provision
are
all
there
and
Jesus
is
just
waiting
to
answer
us
when
we
ask.
God’s
concession
stand
is
open,
are
we
ready
to
ask?
Visual
aid:
small
packs
of
sunflower
seeds
or
pieces
of
bubble
gum
for
the
players
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Curve
Ball
Scripture
Lesson:
James
1:22‐25
The
Curve
ball
is
a
pitch
of
deception.
The
key
to
the
pitch
is
the
topspin
that
is
placed
on
the
thrown
ball,
which
caused
the
ball
to
drop.
The
object
of
the
curve
ball
is
for
it
to
break
below
the
swing
of
the
bat.
A
great
curve
ball
often
times
results
in
a
lot
of
swings
and
misses.
One
of
the
best
curve
balls
of
all
time
belonged
to
Hall
of
Fame
pitcher
Sandy
Koufax.
Arthritis
in
his
left
elbow
brought
this
career
to
a
premature
end
after
the
1966
World
Series.
Koufax
had
a
blazing
fastball
to
go
along
with
his
knee
buckling
curve
ball.
Koufax
threw
four
no‐hitters
in
his
career
and
one
of
them
was
a
perfect
game.
Barry
Zito
of
the
Giants
and
Roy
Oswalt
of
the
Astros
have
two
of
the
best
curve
balls
today.
Remember
it
is
a
pitch
of
deception.
In
our
Scripture
lesson,
James
warns
us
about
being
deceived.
He
warns
us
about
a
curve
ball
in
life
when
he
says,”
Do
not
merely
listen
to
the
Word
and
so
deceive
yourselves.
Do
what
it
says.”
It
is
not
enough
for
us
to
hear
how
to
live
for
God.
It
is
not
enough
for
us
to
know
what
to
do
to
live
a
productive
Christian
life.
The
deception
comes
when
we
just
hear
and
we
don’t
follow
through
by
putting
what
we
hear
into
practice.
Nike
had
a
commercial
that
said
,
“Just
do
it!”
James
is
saying
the
same
thing
to
us
today.
Just
do
it!
Live
for
God
daily
by
hearing
and
knowing
what
to
do,
and
to
take
the
step
of
being
one
who
puts
what
we
know
into
practice!
James
says
the
man
that
does
what
he
has
heard
will
be
blessed.
Satan
has
been
called
the
great
deceiver.
He
wants
us
to
just
be
hearers
not
doers.
That
is
the
curve
he
throws
us.
When
we
are
doers
of
the
Word,
watch
my
friends
the
blessings
will
flow.
What
are
we
today,
just
hearers
or
are
we
doers
as
well?
Visual
aid:
you
tube
Sandy
Koufax
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDgMXFBHLP0
and/or
have
a
pitcher
show
his
curve
ball
grip
and/
or
google
how
to
grip
a
curve
ball
and
demonstrate
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Double
Scripture
Lesson:
Proverbs
3:5‐6
The
double
or
the
two
base
hit
usually
takes
a
person
who
had
good
speed
and
power,
speed
to
leg
out
the
doubles
and
power
to
hit
the
gaps.
If
you
had
to
guess
who
leads
the
Major
Leagues
in
doubles
since
2004
who
would
you
guess?
The
Major
League
leader
in
doubles
has
hit
278
doubles,
and
just
this
year
(2009)
set
the
Major
League
record
for
doubles
by
a
switch
hitter
with
56.
He
is
one
of
only
4
players
in
Major
League
history
to
have
3
seasons
with
at
least
50
doubles.
The
other
three,
Stan
Musial,
Paul
Waner,
and
Tris
Speaker
are
all
in
the
Hall
of
Fame.
If
you
guessed
Brian
Roberts
lead
off
hitter
for
the
Baltimore
Orioles
you
guessed
right.
Brian
is
a
doubles
hitting
machine,
averaging
46
doubles
over
the
six
year
span.
Roberts
is
the
master
of
the
two
base
hit.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
we
read
Brian’s
two
favorite
verses,
Proverbs
3:5‐6.
His
charitable
foundation
also
carries
the
title
“Proverbs
three
five
and
six”.
If
we
take
the
time
to
master
these
two
verses,
we
will
indeed
be
a
winner
in
the
game
of
life.
If
we
trust
in
God
with
all
of
our
hearts,
not
relying
upon
ourselves
and
if
we
acknowledge
Him
in
everything,
then
God
will
guide
us
through
life.
What
a
wonderful
truth.
Wow,
God
desires
for
us
to
trust
Him,
to
follow
Him,
to
acknowledge
Him.
If
we
do
all
of
that
He
will
lead
us
through
life.
Talk
about
being
a
winner
in
life.
I
sure
want
God
showing
me
the
way,
how
about
you?
Let
me
challenge
each
of
us
today
to
memorize
these
2
verses
from
Proverbs
and
make
them
a
part
of
each
of
our
lives.
We
may
not
lead
the
league
in
two
base
hits,
but
if
we
live
life
by
these
two
verses
we
will
be
a
leader
in
God’s
eyes!
Proverbs
3:5‐6
the
two
base
hit
of
the
Godly
life.
Visual
aid:
Go
to
Orioles.com
and
download
the
video
of
Robert’s
56th
double.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Four
Seam
Fastball
Scripture:
Luke
11:5‐13
Every
pitcher
known
as
a
power
pitcher
has
a
great
four
seam
fastball.
This
pitch
tends
to
have
a
lot
of
movement
and
is
thrown
with
great
velocity.
Hall
of
Fame
pitcher
Nolan
Ryan,
now
President
of
the
Texas
Rangers,
who
pitched
into
his
40’s
was
known
for
his
four
seam
fastball
that
was
often
clocked
in
the
upper
90’s.
Nolan
Ryan
has
the
Major
League
record
for
career
strikeouts
with
5,714.
Many
of
those
strikeouts
were
due
to
his
four
seam
fastball.
Whenever
power
pitchers
get
in
trouble
they
reach
back
for
a
little
extra
and
throw
their
power
pitch,
the
four
seam
fastball.
That
pitch
more
often
than
not
provided
them
a
way
to
get
out
of
trouble
and
retire
the
side.
In
today’s
Scripture
Lesson
Jesus
is
teaching
us
to
be
persistent
in
asking
God
for
the
Holy
Spirit.
Any
Christian
who
is
serving
God
is
doing
so
through
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit.
God
is
just
waiting
because
of
His
great
love
for
us
to
give
us
the
Holy
Spirit,
the
power
source.
When
we
struggle
with
life,
it
is
God’s
Spirit
that
provides
the
direction
and
power
we
need
to
overcome
the
tough
times.
Just
like
a
power
pitcher
like
Nolan
Ryan
had
the
power
of
a
98
mile
per
hour
fastball,
we
have
the
power
of
the
indwelling
Holy
Spirit.
Everyone
one
of
you
who
is
a
pitcher
would
like
to
have
a
great
four
seam
fastball
in
the
upper
90’s.
As
a
believer
it
makes
sense
then
for
us
to
have
the
real
power
of
God
in
our
lives,
the
Holy
Spirit.
And
the
great
thing
is
for
those
who
believe,
God
is
just
waiting
for
us
to
ask
for
His
power,
His
Holy
Spirit.
Today
have
you
been
trying
to
live
the
Christian
life
in
your
own
strength
and
power?
Just
think,
God
is
waiting
to
give
us
His
Holy
Spirit
and
all
we
have
to
do
is
keep
on
asking.
Are
you
ready
to
live
your
life
by
God’s
power?
The
power
is
only
a
prayer
away!
Visual
aid:
Ask
a
pitcher
if
older
to
show
his
four
seam
fastball
grip.
Be
sure
to
have
a
baseball.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
Fundamentals
Scripture
Lesson:
Matthew
7:24‐27
Baseball
is
a
great
game.
To
play
the
game
at
the
highest
level
one
has
to
practice
the
fundamentals.
It
is
not
enough
to
just
know
how
to
catch,
hit
and
throw.
In
order
to
play
the
game
at
a
high
level
the
fundamentals
have
to
be
mastered.
The
only
way
to
get
better
is
to
practice.
How
much
time
do
you
spend
practicing
the
fundamentals
of
catching,
hitting,
and
throwing?
One
of
the
best
shortstops
playing
now
in
the
Major
Leagues
is
Yankees
shortstop
Derek
Jeter.
Jeter
is
one
of
the
hardest
workers
in
baseball.
All
you
have
to
do
is
watch
him
during
batting
practice.
He
is
either
hitting
or
taking
ground
balls,
constantly
working
to
get
better.
Through
the
course
of
his
career
he
has
made
a
lot
of
great
fielding
plays
as
well
as
getting
key
hits.
Even
though
he
is
an
all‐star,
Jeter
works
hard
in
practice
to
master
the
fundamentals.
He
not
only
knows
the
game,
but
he
works
hard
to
get
better
each
day.
Wow,
if
Derek
Jeter
works
that
hard,
how
hard
should
you
work?
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson,
Jesus
is
wrapping
up
perhaps
His
greatest
teaching
time
recorded
in
Scripture
known
as
the
Sermon
on
the
Mount.
Matthew
chapters
five
through
seven
contain
these
teachings.
Jesus
ends
the
Sermon
on
the
Mount
by
saying
to
the
people
it
is
not
enough
to
just
hear
His
words,
those
words
need
to
be
put
into
practice.
He
uses
the
word
picture
of
a
wise
and
foolish
builder.
The
wise
person
who
hears
Jesus’
words
and
puts
them
into
practice
is
like
the
man
who
built
his
house
on
the
rock,
or
the
strong
foundation.
When
the
storms
came
the
house
stood
strong
because
it
was
built
on
a
rock.
The
foolish
man
who
hears
the
words
of
Jesus
and
does
not
put
them
into
practice
is
like
the
man
who
builds
his
house
on
the
sand.
When
the
storms
came
the
house
collapsed
because
the
foundation
was
not
strong.
Just
like
you
build
a
great
baseball
player
by
practicing
the
fundamentals,
a
great
Christian
is
developed
by
practicing
the
fundamentals
of
the
faith.
If
we
spend
time
studying
God’s
Word
and
putting
its
truth
to
work
in
our
lives
daily
by
living
for
Him,
we
will
become
a
Christian
who
can
withstand
the
storms
of
life.
The
key
to
the
Christian
life
is
putting
into
practice
the
fundamentals
we
learn
from
God’s
Word.
What
do
you
say?
Are
you
ready
to
get
after
the
Christian
Life?
Then
let’s
get
to
work
daily
on
practicing
the
fundamentals
of
faith
and
building
that
strong
foundation.
Visual
aid:
you
tube
video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opW9Lmi_tSs
Great
Jeter
play!
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Home
Run
Scripture
Lesson:
Luke
15:11‐24
There
have
been
some
dramatic
home
runs
in
baseball
history.
Some
of
the
greatest
moments
in
baseball
history
have
come
about
because
of
the
home
run.
Babe
Ruth
hitting
home
run
number
60,
Roger
Maris
hitting
number
61
in
1961
for
the
Yankees,
Hank
Aaron
hitting
number
715
breaking
the
career
record
of
Babe
Ruth
in
April
1974,
just
to
name
a
few.
There
have
been
two
walk
off
Home
runs
to
win
the
World
Series,
Bill
Mazeroski
hitting
a
game
winning
home
run
in
the
bottom
of
the
ninth
against
the
heavily
favored
Yankees
for
the
Pirates
to
win
the
1960
World
Series
and
Joe
Carter
of
the
Toronto
Blue
Jays
hitting
a
ninth
inning
walk‐off
home
run
against
the
Phillies
in
the
Fall
Classic
of
1993.
These
are
all
great
moments
in
baseball
and
great
home
runs
that
made
a
difference
in
baseball
history.
But
the
greatest
home
run
of
all
was
not
one
of
the
home
runs
mentioned
above.
The
greatest
home
run
is
found
in
our
Scripture
lesson
today.
I
believe
the
prodigal
son
made
the
greatest
home
run
in
all
of
history.
Jesus
tells
a
parable
about
a
son
who
goes
to
his
father
and
asks
for
his
inheritance.
The
father
gave
the
son
his
inheritance
and
off
the
son
went
to
a
far
land.
There
he
wasted
the
money,
all
of
it
on
wild
living.
He
had
all
the
friends
money
could
buy
as
long
as
he
had
the
money.
When
the
money
ran
out
so
did
the
friends
and
to
compound
the
problem,
a
famine
hit
the
land.
He
had
to
take
a
job
feeding
pigs,
about
the
worse
job
a
Jewish
young
man
could
take.
He
was
so
hungry,
he
was
willing
to
eat
the
food
he
was
feeding
to
the
pigs.
Verse
17
says
“When
he
came
to
his
senses”.
Wow,
the
hired
servants
of
my
father
have
it
better
than
this.
Maybe
just
maybe,
my
father
will
take
me
back
as
a
hired
servant.
All
the
way
home
he
practices
his
speech,
“Father
I
have
sinned
against
heaven
and
against
you.
I
am
no
longer
worthy
to
be
called
your
son;
make
me
as
one
of
your
hired
hands.”When
he
was
still
a
long
way
away,
his
father
saw
him
and
was
filled
with
compassion
for
him.
He
hugged
his
son
and
as
the
boy
began
his
speech
the
father
interrupted
him.
He
commanded
the
servants
to
bring
the
robe
and
ring
(signifying
son
ship).they
threw
a
celebration
because
the
father
said
his
son
was
once
dead,
but
now
is
alive.
So
the
greatest
home
run
ever
was
the
prodigal
son
who
ran
home
to
God.
He
is
waiting
for
us
now,
why
not
run
home
to
Him?
Visual
aid:
mlb.com
search
for
home
runs
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Knuckleball
Scripture
Lesson:
Jeremiah
10:23,
2Thessalonians
3:5
The
Knuckleball
is
probably
the
hardest
pitch
to
hit
and
to
catch.
Not
only
does
the
pitcher
not
know
where
it
is
going,
it
is
very
difficult
for
the
catcher
to
catch
it
after
it
crosses
the
plate.
Current
announcer
and
former
catcher
Bob
Uecker
said,”
I
always
thought
the
knuckleball
was
the
easiest
to
catch.
Wait
til
it
stops
rolling,
then
go
to
the
backstop
and
pick
it
up.”
Hall
of
Fame
pitchers
Phil
Niekro
and
Hoyt
Wilhelm
made
their
living
throwing
the
knuckleball,
as
well
as
current
Boston
Red
Sox
hurler
Tim
Wakefield.
The
knuckleball’s
velocity
is
usually
between
60‐80
mph,
slow
by
today’s
big
league
standards.
You
can’t
direct
the
knuckleball,
it
seems
to
have
a
mind
of
its
own.
It
moves,
darts,
dips
and
drops
in
every
imaginable
direction.
That
is
why
you
often
see
knuckleball
pitchers
with
high
base
on
balls
stats
and
a
lot
of
wild
pitches.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
we
learn
from
the
prophet
Jeremiah
that
a
man’s
life
is
not
his
own
and
it
is
not
for
a
man
to
direct
his
steps.
While
Paul
teaches
us
in
his
letter
to
the
Church
at
Thessalonica
that
he
wants
the
Lord
to
direct
our
hearts
into
God’s
love
and
Christ’s
perseverance.
We
get
into
trouble
when
we
try
to
direct
our
own
lives.
For
us
to
do
that
is
as
silly
as
trying
to
direct
a
knuckleball.
What
God
desires
from
us
to
let
Him
show
us
the
way,
to
direct
our
lives.
When
we
realize
that
out
lives
are
not
our
own
and
God’s
plans
for
us
are
better
than
anything
we
could
ever
imagine.
It
is
all
about
surrender.
Uecker’s
idea
of
catching
the
knuckleball
was
surrender,
he
knew
it
was
easier
to
just
go
and
pick
it
up.
We
need
to
surrender
our
will
to
God.
He
will
show
us
the
way
he
wants
us
to
go,
a
way
of
love
and
perseverance.
Are
we
ready
today
to
let
go
and
let
God?
He
will
give
us
all
the
direction
we
will
ever
need
and
He
is
only
a
prayer
away
today
from
taking
over
to
direct
our
lives.
Visual
Aid:
Have
a
player
show
a
knuckleball
grip
with
the
baseball
or
google
the
grip
and
show
them
yourself.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
L
Screen
Scripture
Lesson:
Psalm
28:
6‐9
The
L
screen
is
the
batting
practice
pitcher’s
best
friend.
The
L
screen
is
a
protective
screen
shaped
like
an
L
that
the
batting
practice
pitcher
throws
behind.
Can
you
imagine
throwing
batting
practice
to
your
players
without
the
protection
of
the
L
screen?
The
L
screen
is
a
valuable
piece
of
equipment.
It
is
the
shield
for
line
drives
back
through
the
middle
when
throwing
batting
practice.
As
a
hitter,
do
you
remember
hitting
the
L
screen?
I’m
sure
your
coach
was
glad
that
he
had
that
L
screen
shielding
and
protecting
him
from
those
line
drives.
In
the
Major
Leagues,
batting
practice
pitchers
never
wear
a
glove.
They
always
have
a
handful
of
baseballs
so
they
can
keep
batting
practice
moving
along.
So
they
have
to
have
that
great
friend
of
the
batting
practice
pitcher,
the
L
screen.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
the
Psalmist
calls
the
Lord
his
strength
and
shield.
He
knew
that
God
was
going
to
protect
him,
watch
over
him,
and
help
him.
Just
like
the
batting
practice
pitcher
trusts
the
L
screen,
the
Psalmist
trusts
God
to
be
his
shield
and
protector.
The
Lord
is
the
strength
of
his
people
and
the
Psalmist
calls
on
God
to
shepherd
His
people.
What
a
great
word
picture.
A
shepherd’s
major
responsibility
is
to
look
out
for
the
sheep.
Much
in
the
same
way
God
looks
out
for
us
and
when
we
allow
Him,
He
will
lead
and
guide
us.
We
can
approach
life
with
the
trust
in
God
to
be
there
for
us.
God
will
never
let
us
down,
He
will
always
be
there
for
us.
So
the
next
time
you
see
the
L
screen
remember
its
job
is
to
protect
the
batting
practice
pitcher
and
God
is
here
to
be
our
shield
and
protector
against
whatever
this
world
throws
at
us.
Why
not
stop
where
you
are
right
now
and
thank
God
for
Him
loving
us
this
much
to
be
our
shield
and
protector?
May
we
never
forget
just
how
much
God
loves
us
and
desires
from
us
that
we
trust
Him
with
all
our
hearts.
Visual
aid:
If
possible
get
some
players
to
bring
over
the
L
screen
or
google
a
picture
of
an
L
screen
and
print
it
to
bring.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Outfield
Assist
Scripture
Lesson:
Mark
2:
1‐12
One
of
the
more
exciting
plays
in
baseball
is
the
outfield
assist.
Outfielders
get
an
assist
when
they
throw
out
a
runner
trying
to
advance
a
base.
This
can
be
a
game
changing
event
especially
when
the
outfield
assist
occurs
at
home.
In
2009
the
Major
league
leader
in
assists
was
Hunter
Pence
of
the
Houston
Astros
with
16
followed
by
Red
Sox
Jason
Bay
with
15.
The
outfield
assist
helps
not
only
the
pitcher
but
the
team
to
often
times
stop
a
rally.
The
outfield
assist
can
change
the
direction
and
outcome
of
the
game.
In
our
Scripture
lesson
today,
we
find
that
Jesus
is
preaching
to
an
overflow
crowd.
There
are
so
many
people
that
they
are
crammed
into
the
house
and
pressed
around
the
house.
Four
friends
heard
about
Jesus
and
his
healing
ministry.
They
had
a
friend
who
was
paralyzed.
There
was
no
way
to
get
him
through
the
crowd
to
Jesus,
so
they
climbed
up
on
the
roof
with
the
paralyzed
man
on
a
mat.
The
friends
opened
the
roof
and
with
ropes
began
to
lower
the
man
to
Jesus.
Jesus
saw
their
faith
and
said
to
the
man
,
“Your
sins
are
forgiven.”
He
instructs
the
man
to
take
up
his
mat
and
walk.
Verse
12
says,
“He
got
up,
took
his
mat
and
walked
out
in
full
view
of
them
all.
This
amazed
everyone.
The
four
friends
got
the
assist
for
bringing
their
friend
to
Jesus.
It
could
have
been
easy
to
give
up
and
go
home,
but
nothing
was
going
to
keep
them
from
getting
their
friend
to
Jesus.
The
greatest
assist
we
can
ever
have
is
to
bring
a
friend
to
Jesus.
It
will
be
life
changing
for
them.
Just
like
the
outfield
assist
can
change
a
game,
bringing
a
friend
to
Jesus
can
change
a
life.
You
can
bring
a
friend
to
Jesus
by
doing
something
as
simple
as
inviting
them
to
go
to
Church
with
you
to
living
your
life
like
Jesus
would
want
you
to
live.
I
can
just
see
Jesus
smiling
up
at
the
four
friends
who
brought
their
friend
to
Him,
and
smiling
at
you
when
you
bring
a
friend
to
Him.
Visual
aid:
Go
to
mlb.com
and
print
out
stats
on
outfield
assists.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Passed
Ball
Scripture
Lesson‐
Mark
10:10‐17
A
passed
ball
is
just
that,
a
ball
that
should
have
been
caught
by
the
catcher
is
dropped
or
missed.
The
ball
gets
passed
the
catcher.
On
strike
three
this
allows
the
batter
to
attempt
to
beat
the
throw
to
first.
It
also
allows
runners
on
base
to
advance.
The
most
famous
past
ball
in
baseball
history
occurred
in
the
1941
World
Series
between
heated
rivals
the
Brooklyn
Dodgers
and
the
New
York
Yankees.
Let
me
set
the
stage.
The
Yankees
are
ahead
two
games
to
one.
Game
three
goes
to
the
ninth
inning
with
the
Dodgers
holding
a
4‐3
lead.
Their
relief
ace
Hugh
Casey
is
on
the
mound.
Casey
retires
the
first
two
hitters
and
up
comes
Tommy
Henrich,
known
as
Old
Reliable.
Henrich
often
came
through
in
the
clutch.
Casey
gets
2
quick
strikes
to
go
ahead
in
the
count
0‐2.
The
Dodgers
are
one
strike
away
from
tying
the
Series
at
2‐2.
Henrich
swings
and
misses
for
strike
three,
but
Dodger
catcher
Mickey
Owen
missed
the
ball.
It
rolled
all
the
way
to
the
backstop,
with
Henrich
reaching
first
on
the
passed
ball.
The
Yankees
proceeded
to
score
4
unearned
runs
and
win
the
game
7‐4.
The
next
day
the
Yankees
wrapped
up
the
Series
with
a
3‐1
win.
The
most
famous
passed
ball
in
baseball
history
probably
cost
the
Dodgers
a
chance
at
winning
the
1941
World
Series.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
we
see
someone
who
missed,
missed
the
opportunity
for
heaven.
Jesus
was
approached
by
on
the
road
by
a
man
who
wanted
to
know
what
it
would
take
to
inherit
eternal
life.
Jesus
said
do
you
know
the
commandments.
Oh,
yes
all
these
I
have
kept
since
I
was
a
boy.
The
Bible
says
Jesus
looked
on
him
and
He
loved
him.
Only
one
thing
you
lack,
go
and
sell
everything
you
have
and
give
it
to
the
poor,
then
come
follow
me.
The
man’s
face
fell,
and
he
went
away
because
he
had
great
wealth.
Jesus
saw
that
the
man’s
money
stood
in
the
way
of
him
giving
his
all
for
Jesus.
He
loved
his
money
more
than
Jesus.
(
There
can
be
nothing
in
our
lives
more
important
than
Jesus,
not
even
baseball.)
The
rich
young
man
missed
a
chance
for
eternal
life,
it
cost
him
something
far
more
important
that
a
World
Series
victory,
it
cost
him
his
eternal
destiny.
Do
we
have
anything
in
our
lives
that
would
cause
us
to
miss
the
chance
at
heaven?
Is
there
anything
in
our
lives
right
now
more
important
than
our
relationship
with
Christ?
Let’s
not
miss
the
chance
at
a
great
Christian
life!!
Visual
aid:
Google
Mickey
Owen
Brooklyn
Dodgers
images
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Pick‐Off
Scripture
Lesson:
Hebrews
3:12‐13
One
of
the
greatest
weapons
a
starting
pitcher
can
have
is
a
good
pick‐off
move
to
first.
That
keeps
runners
from
usually
stealing
a
lot
of
bases
and
it
also
cuts
down
the
lead
at
first.
When
a
pitcher
has
a
great
pick‐off
move
you
can
believe
that
the
base
runners
will
not
stray
far
from
the
base.
When
they
do
it
often
results
in
them
diving
back
to
the
base
or
being
picked
off.
During
the
2009
season
the
top
three
in
pick‐offs
were
all
left
handed,
Mark
Buehrie
of
the
White
Sox
led
the
Majors
with
eight,
followed
by
Doug
Davis
of
the
Diamondbacks
and
Clayton
Kershaw
of
the
Dodgers
with
seven
each.
These
pitchers
are
known
for
keeping
runners
close.
The
key
to
a
good
pick‐off
move
is
deception.
The
base
runner
must
struggle
to
know
when
the
pitcher
will
go
to
the
plate
or
throw
over
to
first.
A
good
pick‐off
move
is
deceptive
and
keeps
runners
close.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
the
writer
of
Hebrews
warns
the
church
of
being
hardened
by
sin’s
deceitfulness.
The
church
had
fallen
into
the
trap
of
being
comfortable
in
their
faith
and
relying
upon
themselves.
Runners
often
times
get
picked
off
when
they
are
too
comfortable
and
their
lead
is
too
big.
Thus
it
is
easy
for
them
to
be
fooled.
The
key
to
not
getting
picked‐off
in
sin
is
to
realize
the
same
things
hold
true.
Satan
wants
to
fool
us,
he
wants
us
to
be
picked‐off
in
sin.
He
will
tell
us
lies
like
,
no
one
will
ever
know,
hey
this
sin
is
fun,
go
ahead
if
it
feels
good
do
it.
All
of
these
are
deceptions
Satan
uses
to
try
to
get
us
to
sin.
If
Satan
can
pick
us
off
with
sin
we
can’t
be
all
we
can
for
God.
Just
like
base
runners
study
a
pitcher’s
move,
we
can
study
God’s
Word
and
use
it
against
Satan.
The
more
we
know
about
what
God
wants
from
us
the
better
we
can
be
in
living
for
Him.
Satan
can’t
pick‐off
a
follower
of
God
who
is
prepared
and
living
for
Him.
So
today
is
Satan
hardening
our
hearts
by
our
sin?
Are
we
spending
enough
time
in
God’s
Word
to
prepare
us
to
not
be
deceived?
God
is
a
prayer
away
and
is
willing
to
forgive
our
sins
and
mistakes,
if
we
ask.
God
will
also
help
us
not
to
get
picked‐off
in
sin.
Remember
Satan
is
deceptive
and
will
do
his
best
to
pick
us
off.
But
with
God’s
help
and
by
studying
His
Word,
Satan
can
not
win.
Let’s
go
out
today
and
stay
safe
from
sin
by
giving
our
lives
to
God
and
the
study
of
His
Word.
Visual
aid:
great
you
tube
video
featuring
now
Tampa
Ray
David
Price
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhCGxClOeVc
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
RBI
Scripture
Lesson:
Luke
15:1‐10
The
RBI
or
run
batted
in
is
a
statistic
that
can
bring
great
joy
to
your
team,
especially
if
it
is
a
game
winning
RBI.
Can
you
name
the
ways
a
player
can
be
credited
with
an
RBI?
(base
hit,
sacrifice
fly,
ground
out
that
scores
a
run,
squeeze
play,
bases
loaded
walk,
bases
loaded
hit
batsman).
Did
you
know
the
Major
League
record
for
RBIs
in
a
single
season
is
191
by
Chicago
Cub
Hack
Wilson
in
1930?
That
record
was
set
in
a
154
game
season.
The
Major
League
record
for
RBIs
in
a
career
is
held
by
Hank
Aaron
of
the
Braves
with
2297
RBIs.
That
is
a
lot
of
RBIs!
Can
you
remember
the
joy
that
came
to
your
team
with
a
walk
off
RBI
to
win
the
game?
It
is
a
feeling
of
pure
joy!
Have
you
ever
had
a
game
winning
RBI?
How
did
it
feel?
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson,
Jesus
has
gathered
around
Him
to
hear
Him
teach
a
collection
of
sinners
and
tax
collectors.
The
Pharisees
or
religious
leaders
of
the
day
could
not
believe
that
Jesus
welcomed
those
people.
Jesus
often
taught
in
parables
or
word
pictures
that
made
heavenly
points.
He
tells
2
parables
of
people
who
had
lost
something.
In
the
first
parable
a
shepherd
had
lost
one
of
his
one
hundred
sheep.
The
second
parable
is
about
a
woman
who
lost
one
of
here
ten
silver
coins.
In
both
parables
the
lost
sheep
and
coin
were
searched
for
until
they
were
found.
When
the
sheep
and
the
coin
were
found
there
was
great
rejoicing.
Jesus’
point
in
the
parables
is
simple.
When
someone
who
is
away
from
God
returns
there
is
great
joy
in
heaven.
The
joy
of
the
game
winning
RBI
is
wonderful,
but
it
pales
to
the
celebration
that
occurs
in
heaven
when
someone
comes
to
God.
That
celebration
is
greater
than
imaginable!
Today
where
are
you
with
God?
Are
you
living
for
Him?
Maybe
as
a
Christian
there
is
someone
you
need
to
tell
about
Jesus.
Want
to
set
off
a
celebration
in
heaven?
Then
make
your
life
right
with
God
today.
He
is
only
a
prayer
away!
Why
not
drive
in
a
heavenly
run
for
the
Kingdom
by
telling
the
good
news
about
Jesus
to
someone
who
needs
to
hear
and
by
living
for
Christ
each
and
everyday.
That
my
friends
will
set
off
the
greatest
of
all
celebrations!
Visual
aid:
Great
you
tube
video
of
Tigers
clinching
AL
pennant
in
2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKQnkFkOaFQ
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Sacrifice
Bunt
Scripture
Lesson:
1John
2:1‐2
The
Sacrifice
bunt
is
a
play
in
baseball
where
the
batter
literally
sacrifices
his
at
bat
to
move
the
runner(s)
up
a
base.
Did
you
know
that
the
Major
League
Leader
in
sacrifice
bunts
for
this
year
(2009)
was
Javier
Vazquez,
a
pitcher
for
the
Braves,
with
20.
New
York
Met
second
base
man
Luis
Castillo
had
19
sacrifice
bunts
followed
by
Astro
second
base
man
Kaz
Matsui
with
18.
To
be
among
the
league
leaders
in
sacrifice
bunts,
one
must
not
only
be
a
good
bunter,
but
also
be
willing
to
give
up
at
bats
to
move
the
runners
along.
It
is
a
play
that
puts
your
team
in
a
position
to
score
a
run
or
runs.
Baseball
recognizes
the
unselfish
giving
done
with
a
sacrifice
bunt
by
not
charging
an
official
at
bat
to
the
person
credited
with
the
sacrifice
bunt.
So
it
really
turns
out
to
be
a
free
at
bat
to
help
your
team
when
the
sacrifice
bunt
is
successful.
Our
Scripture
lesson
today
reminds
us
of
the
greatest
of
all
sacrifices.
Jesus
Christ
is
the
atoning
sacrifice
for
not
only
our
sins
but
the
sins
of
the
entire
world.
Jesus
came
to
this
world
for
only
one
purpose.
That
purpose
was
to
die.
He
came
to
this
world
from
the
glories
of
heaven
to
die
for
our
sins
and
mistakes.
He
paid
the
price
we
could
never
pay
for
the
mistakes
we
have
made.
God
gladly
gave
the
life
of
His
Son,
Jesus
to
be
the
sacrifice
for
our
sins.
His
death
on
the
cross
gives
us
the
opportunity
to
accept
the
free
gift
of
salvation.
It
is
free
for
us,
but
it
cost
Almighty
God
the
life
of
His
Son.
Who
is
Jesus
to
you
today?
Is
He
your
Savior?
Have
you
given
Him
your
heart
and
life?
Maybe
today
we
need
to
clean
the
sin
out
of
our
lives
by
confessing
those
sins
to
Him
and
asking
for
forgiveness.
Don’t
ever
forget
what
Jesus
did
for
you
and
me.
He
paid
the
price
for
our
sins
and
gives
us
a
way
to
spend
eternity
in
heaven.
The
sacrifice
bunt
can
put
us
in
the
position
to
win
the
game.
What
Jesus
did
for
us
gives
us
the
opportunity
to
be
a
winner
in
the
game
of
life.
I
am
so
glad
He
loves
us
that
much!
Visual
aid:
Great
music
video
about
crucifixion
on
you
tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgbBYdDZA8
Also
any
clip
from
the
Passion
of
the
Christ.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Screwball
Scripture
Lesson:
Romans
7:15‐25
The
Screwball
is
a
pitch
that
does
just
the
opposite
of
a
usual
breaking
ball.
(This
pitch
should
only
be
thrown
at
an
advanced
age
when
the
arm
has
reached
maturity.)
Instead
of
a
breaking
pitch
from
a
right
handed
pitcher
breaking
towards
a
left‐handed
batter,
the
ball
will
break
away
from
the
left‐handed
batter.
Perhaps
the
most
famous
screwball
pitcher
of
all
time
was
a
pitcher
who
pitched
for
the
then
New
York
Giants,
Hall
of
Famer
Carl
Hubbell.
In
the
1934
All‐
Star
Game,
Hubbell
accomplished
an
amazing
feat
of
pitching.
The
first
two
batters
reached
base
and
up
came
Babe
Ruth.
Hubbell
proceeded
to
end
the
first
by
striking
out
Hall
of
Famers,
Babe
Ruth,
Lou
Gerhig,
and
Jimmy
Foxx.
Hubbell
continued
the
strike
out
barrage
in
the
second
by
striking
out
Hall
of
Famers
Al
Simmons
and
Joe
Cronin.
Five
Hall
of
Fame
hitters
all
struck
out
in
a
row,
Hubbell’s
screwball
was
the
key
pitch.
The
screwball
does
just
the
opposite
and
it
is
difficult
to
hit.
In
our
Scripture
lesson
today,
the
Apostle
Paul
is
struggling.
He
doesn’t
understand
what
he
is
doing,
for
what
he
wants
to
do
he
doesn’t
do
and
what
he
does
not
want
to
do
he
does.
He
seems
to
be
doing
just
the
opposite.
Paul
realizes
a
very
important
fact
of
life.
Sin
causes
us
to
do
what
we
should
not
be
doing
and
to
leave
undone
the
things
we
should
be
about
doing.
There
is
only
one
cure
for
opposite
living
and
it
is
found
in
verse
25.
“Thanks
be
to
God‐through
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord.”
Paul
goes
on
in
Chapter
8
to
say
there
is
no
condemnation
for
those
who
are
in
Christ
Jesus.
When
life
throws
us
a
screwball,
when
we
seem
to
be
doing
the
things
we
should
not
be
doing
and
fail
to
do
the
things
we
know
we
should
be
doing,
the
only
way
to
get
a
hit
in
life
is
to
give
our
all
to
Christ.
He
forgives
us
our
sins
and
gives
us
the
inner
strength
through
the
Holy
Spirit
to
battle
against
the
forces
of
evil.
Satan
is
all
throwing
us
screwballs,
trying
to
get
us
to
do
the
opposite.
But
with
Christ
on
our
side,
no
matter
how
good
Satan’s
screwball
is
(even
better
than
Hubbell’s),
we
will
get
a
hit
every
time.
Saying
yes
to
Christ
gives
us
the
power
to
defeat
evil
and
to
live
the
life
we
want
to
live
for
Him.
Been
failing
in
the
game
of
life?
Maybe
it
is
time
to
trust
the
Savior,
and
give
your
life
to
Him
totally
and
completely.
Visual
aid:
google
how
to
throw
a
screwball
and
show
the
players
the
grip
and
motion
with
a
ball.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Single
Scripture
Lesson:
John
14:6
Did
you
know
that
the
Major
League
record
for
singles
in
a
season
was
set
in
2004
by
Ichiro
Suzuki
of
the
Seattle
Mariners,
when
he
hit
an
astounding
225
singles
in
his
rookie
season.
There
are
many
ways
to
get
a
single:
a
bunt
single,
how
about
an
infield
hit
that
the
runner
beats
the
throw
to
first,
there
is
the
bloop
hit
that
falls
between
the
infield
and
the
outfield,
there
is
also
the
ground
ball
that
sneaks
between
the
infielders,
and
finally
the
solid
line
drive
that
falls
in
front
of
the
oncoming
outfielder.
There
are
a
number
of
ways
to
get
a
single
to
get
the
runner
to
first.
Many
rallies
in
the
game
of
baseball
begin
with
a
simple
single.
Can
you
think
of
the
last
time
your
team
started
a
game
winning
rally
with
some
kind
of
a
single?
That
single
got
everyone
started
and
helped
set
the
stage
for
a
comeback
win.
Even
though
there
are
many
ways
to
get
a
single,
to
be
safe
at
first,
there
is
only
one
way
to
be
safe
with
God.
Our
Scripture
lesson
today
is
as
plain
as
can
be.
There
is
only
ONE
WAY
to
be
safe
with
God
and
that
is
through
His
Son
Jesus
Christ.
Jesus
said
these
words
on
the
last
night
of
His
earthly
life
before
his
death
on
the
cross.
He
is
talking
to
His
disciples
and
wants
them
to
know
that
even
though
He
is
going
to
die,
that
through
His
death
and
resurrection
that
is
the
way
to
God.
The
only
way
to
experience
the
life
of
blessings
God
has
planned
for
you
is
to
accept
His
Son
as
your
Lord
and
Savior,
to
give
your
life
to
Him.
Today
are
you
safe
with
God?
Do
you
know
without
a
doubt
that
if
you
died
tonight
you
would
spend
eternity
with
God
in
heaven?
There
is
only
one
way
to
be
safe,
one
way
to
be
able
to
answer
that
eternal
question
with
a
yes,
that
is
by
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
who
says,
“
I
am
the
way,
and
the
truth,
and
the
life.
No
one
comes
to
the
Father
except
through
me.”Are
you
safe
with
God?
You
know
you
can
be
and
He
is
only
a
prayer
away.
Visual
aid:
Take
a
stop
watch
and
time
a
few
of
the
players
running
to
first
(beating
out
an
infield
single).
Give
a
prize
to
the
winner.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Slider
Scripture
Lesson:
Joshua
7:1‐5,
11‐12,
8:1‐2
The
slider
can
be
a
very
tough
pitch
to
hit.
The
slider
is
the
fastest
of
the
breaking
balls.
Its
strength
is
it
APPEARS
to
be
a
fastball
and
at
the
last
moment
the
pitch
has
a
very
sharp
break.
Hitters
think
they
are
going
to
get
a
fastball
and
often
times
a
great
slider
will
throw
them
off
balance.
Future
Hall
of
Fame
pitchers
Randy
Johnson
and
John
Smoltz
are
known
for
devastating
sliders.
That
is
where
a
great
many
of
their
strikeouts
and
victories
can
be
found,
in
the
mastering
of
the
slider.
The
slider
APPEARS
to
be
something
it
is
not
and
can
cause
a
lot
of
problems
for
hitters
who
think
they
are
about
to
get
a
fastball.
The
slider’s
strength
is
it
APPEARS
to
be
a
fastball,
but
in
fact
it
is
a
breaking
ball.
In
today’s
Scripture
lesson
the
children
of
Israel
have
just
won
a
very
impressive
victory
against
the
city
of
Jericho.
God
gave
them
a
great
victory
and
confidence
was
at
an
all
time
high.
The
next
city
in
their
path
to
conquer
the
Promised
Land
was
the
small
insignificant
city
of
Ai.
Joshua
sent
out
scouts
and
they
came
back
saying
that
the
upcoming
battle
would
be
easy,
so
easy
in
fact
we
only
need
to
send
a
small
pat
of
the
army
to
fight.
So
Joshua
sent
only
3,000
men
to
fight
what
APPEARED
to
be
a
very
easy
battle.
The
Israelites
were
routed
from
the
field
and
lost
36
men
killed.
Confidence
was
now
at
an
all
time
low
with
the
unexpected
defeat.
When
Joshua
approached
God
wondering
what
could
have
gone
wrong.
Everything
APPEARED
to
be
great.
God
told
Joshua
someone
had
sinned
and
took
things
from
Jericho
which
was
forbidden.
God
would
not
be
with
them
until
the
sinner
Achan
was
punished.
He
was
and
in
Chapter
8
God
gave
the
people
a
great
victory.
What
APPEARED
to
be
a
sure
victory
was
taken
away
because
of
sin.
I
have
to
wonder,
how
many
times
do
we
think
everything
is
great
when
in
fact
sin
is
keeping
us
from
living
the
victorious
Christian
life?
Satan
wants
to
make
it
APPEAR
that
our
sin
won’t
find
us
out
and
that
we
can
just
go
through
the
motions.
Today
our
challenge
is
to
look
at
ourselves
just
the
way
we
are.
Is
there
anything
keeping
us
from
experiencing
the
victorious
Christian
life
God
has
in
store
for
us?
Things
may
APPEAR
good
but
just
like
with
the
slider,
we
can
be
fooled.
God
is
just
a
prayer
away,
why
not
confess
that
sin
to
Him
now
and
celebrate
the
victory
He
has
for
us
today.
Visual
Aid:
let
a
pitcher
show
you
his
slider
grip
or
google
how
to
grip
a
slider
and
demonstrate
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
The
Squeeze
Play
Scripture
Lesson:
Matthew
8:5‐13
One
of
the
most
exciting
plays
in
baseball
is
the
squeeze
play.
A
squeeze
play
is
when
there
is
a
runner
on
third
with
less
than
2
outs
and
the
manager
or
coach
gives
the
sign
for
the
batter
to
bunt.
The
idea
is
to
get
the
runner
in
from
third
base
and
to
catch
the
defense
by
surprise.
There
are
two
kinds
of
squeeze
plays:
the
safety
squeeze
is
when
the
runner
on
third
waits
for
the
batter
to
bunt
the
ball
before
breaking
to
the
plate;
the
suicide
squeeze
is
when
the
runner
takes
off
for
home
as
the
pitcher
is
in
his
windup
trusting
the
batter
to
get
the
bunt
down.
The
manager
or
coach
has
to
have
a
great
deal
of
trust
in
the
batter’s
ability
to
bunt
to
call
a
squeeze
play,
especially
if
it
is
a
suicide
squeeze.
The
runner
is
at
the
mercy
of
the
batter’s
bunting
skills
on
the
suicide
squeeze,
for
if
the
batter
fails
to
get
the
bunt
down
then
there
is
an
easy
out
at
the
plate.
But
when
the
manager
or
coach’s
faith
is
shown
to
be
true,
the
squeeze
play
is
worth
a
run.
I
have
seen
games
won
on
the
execution
of
the
suicide
squeeze.
In
our
Scripture
lesson
today
Jesus
has
just
entered
Capernaum
which
served
as
His
home
base
around
the
Sea
of
Galilee.
A
Roman
centurion
(soldier)
came
to
Jesus
to
ask
for
His
help.
The
centurion’s
servant
was
very
sick
and
he
felt
unworthy
to
have
Jesus
come
to
his
home.
The
centurion
believed
and
had
so
much
faith
in
Jesus,
if
He
just
said
the
word
his
servant
would
be
healed.
When
Jesus
saw
this
great
faith
He
was
astonished
for
He
had
not
seen
that
kind
of
faith
in
anyone
in
Israel.
Jesus
turned
to
the
centurion
and
said,
“Go!
It
will
be
done
just
as
you
believed
it
would.”
The
Bible
says
the
servant
was
healed
at
that
very
hour.
With
a
squeeze
play
the
manager’s
faith
in
the
batter’s
ability
to
lay
down
the
bunt
is
often
rewarded
by
a
run
being
scored.
There
is
no
greater
call
for
a
Christian
than
to
have
faith
in
Jesus
and
in
the
promises
found
in
God’s
Word.
How
is
our
faith
today?
Do
we
believe
enough
to
trust
Him
no
matter
what?
God
will
always
be
there
for
us
and
his
love
is
unfailing.
He
sent
Christ
to
the
world
to
die
for
our
sins.
Since
Jesus
died
for
us,
do
we
have
the
faith
to
live
for
Him?
What
a
great
reward
we
will
receive
one
day
when
Jesus
says
to
us
“Well
done
good
and
faithful
servant.”
All
we
need
is
to
live
by
faith!
Visual
Aid:
Have
a
bat
and
demonstrate
a
bunt
as
you
talk
about
the
squeeze
play.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Third
Base
Coach
Scripture
Lesson:
Mark
12:28‐33
The
Third
Base
Coach
in
baseball
plays
a
vital
role
in
the
game.
He
directs
the
game
from
his
coaching
box.
In
college,
high
school,
and
youth
leagues
the
Third
Base
Coach
is
most
often
the
Head
coach.
While
in
professional
baseball,
the
Third
Base
Coach
receives
signs
from
the
dugout
and
passes
them
on
to
the
players.
The
Third
Base
Coach
directs
the
game
through
a
series
of
signs
he
gives.
He
can
tell
a
hitter
to
swing,
take
a
pitch,
hit
and
run,
and
bunt.
He
can
tell
the
base
runner
to
steal
or
not
and
whether
or
not
to
advance
to
the
next
base
or
hold
there.
The
signs
or
directions
he
gives
become
more
complicated
the
older
the
players
become.
Sometimes
even
Major
League
players
either
miss
a
sign
or
have
to
call
time
to
confer
with
the
Third
Base
Coach
to
make
sure
he
has
the
right
sign.
Signs
can
be
as
simple
as
touching
the
sleeve
for
the
runner
to
steal
or
touching
the
bill
of
the
cap
for
bunt.
The
next
time
you
see
a
professional
game,
watch
the
series
of
signs
the
Third
Base
Coach
gives
and
how
he
directs
the
game.
We
are
very
fortunate
that
we
have
someone
who
wants
to
direct
the
game
of
life
for
us.
Jesus,
many
times
in
the
Gospels,
gives
us
directions
for
how
to
live
our
lives.
Instead
of
using
a
series
of
signs
from
a
third
base
coaching
box,
Jesus
uses
words
from
His
heart
and
from
His
Father’s
heart.
In
our
Scripture
Lesson
today,
Jesus
is
asked
which
commandment
is
the
most
important
of
all.
Or
in
other
words
what
is
the
best
direction
you
can
give
us.
Jesus
answers
by
quoting
Deuteronomy
6:4‐5,
“Listen,
Israel!
The
Lord
our
God
,
The
Lord
is
One.
Love
the
Lord
your
God
with
all
your
heart,
with
all
your
soul,
with
all
your
mind,
and
with
all
your
strength.”
Then
He
adds
a
second,
“Love
your
neighbor
as
yourself.”
Jesus
has
given
us
the
signs
for
a
life
committed
to
God,
love
God
with
everything
we
have,
every
part
of
our
being,
as
much
as
we
can
and
to
love
our
neighbor.
So
if
we
are
to
follow
His
coaching
we
will
be
all
about
LOVE.
Did
you
get
His
signs?
Are
you
ready
to
execute
the
play
Jesus
calls
for
in
life?
Then
let’s
love
like
He
commands
us
to
each
and
everyday!
Visual
Aid:
Ask
a
player
or
coach
to
give
the
team
sign
for
stealing
or
bunting
or
do
the
elementary
signs
described
above
for
them
to
start
the
Team
Devotion.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Triple
Scripture
Lesson:
1Corinthians
9:24‐26a
One
of
the
most
exciting
plays
in
all
of
baseball
is
the
triple.
It
is
also
the
play
that
takes
the
longest.
Even
though
Andrew
McCutcheon
of
the
Pittsburgh
Pirates
was
in
the
Minor
Leagues
for
the
first
two
and
one‐half
months
of
the
2009
season,
he
still
finished
fifth
in
the
National
League
in
triples
with
9,
only
4
behind
the
leader
Shane
Victarino
of
the
Phillies.
McCutcheon,
know
for
his
speed,
was
able
in
his
first
week
to
hit
2
triples
in
one
game
against
the
Atlanta
Braves.
He
can
fly
and
added
22
stolen
bases
to
his
impressive
rookie
campaign.
He
was
named
a
member
of
the
Topps
All‐Rookie
Team
and
is
one
of
the
cornerstones
in
the
rebuilding
project
of
the
Pirates.
He
has
all
five
tools
for
a
baseball
player,
he
can
hit,
hit
for
power,
field,
throw,
and
run.
Can
he
ever
run!!
The
closest
thing
to
a
race
in
baseball
is
the
triple,
as
the
runner
races
to
beat
the
throw
to
third.
In
our
Scripture
Lesson
today
the
Apostle
Paul
writes
to
the
church
at
Corinth
these
words
about
running
a
race
(read
the
Scripture).
Paul
wants
us
to
run
the
race
called
life
in
such
a
way
to
get
the
prize.
Paul
is
talking
about
running
the
race
of
life,
running
in
such
a
way
to
receive
the
gift
of
eternal
life
in
heaven.
To
win
the
race
called
life
we
must
be
in
training
to
follow
God
daily
with
our
lives
and
to
live
for
Him.
We
must
accept
the
free
gift
of
salvation
through
the
death
and
resurrection
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ.
Satan
wants
nothing
more
for
us
to
fall
short,
to
give
up
and
not
live
for
God.
He
wants
to
throw
us
out
before
we
can
get
safely
to
the
end
of
our
lives.
It
takes
speed
to
get
a
triple
in
baseball.
In
life
it
takes
determination
to
be
the
best
we
can
be
for
God
to
win
the
race
called
life.
God’s
triple
is
running
in
such
a
way
to
glorify
Him,
living
for
Him
each
day.
Don’t
let
Satan
throw
you
out
going
to
third,
run
in
such
a
way
to
beat
Satan
and
live
for
God.
Do
that
and
you
will
be
safe
every
time
in
the
race
called
life.
Visual
Aid:
Go
to
Pirates.com
and
search
Topps
Rookie
All‐Star
McCutcheon
for
video
highlights.
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐The
Two
Seam
Fastball
Scripture
Lesson:
Psalms
46:1‐11
When
a
pitcher
gets
in
trouble
with
runners
on
base
and
isn’t
overpowering,
often
times
they
resort
to
the
two
seam
fastball
or
the
sinker.
This
fastball
tends
to
sink
which
makes
hitting
a
ground
ball
the
desired
result.
For
it
has
been
said
that
a
double
play
is
a
pitcher’s
best
friend.
When
pitchers
can
throw
a
good
two
seam
fastball
ground
balls
are
often
what
happens.
With
a
strong
infield
defense,
a
double
play
usually
happens
in
that
situation.
The
double
play
tends
to
either
get
the
pitcher
out
of
trouble
or
minimize
the
damage
done
in
the
inning.
When
runners
are
on
base,
have
you
ever
said
to
your
pitcher,
“Hey,
throw
us
a
little
ground
ball.”
What
in
fact
you
asking
him
to
do
is
throw
the
two
seam
fastball
or
sinker
to
get
out
of
trouble
in
the
inning.
In
our
Scripture
lesson
today
we
learn
where
we
can
turn
when
we
get
in
trouble
in
the
game
of
life.
Psalm
46:1
says,
”God
is
our
refuge
and
strength,
an
ever‐present
help
in
trouble.”
Wow,
what
an
awesome
promise
from
His
Word!
God
will
be
there
for
us
to
provide
strength
and
refuge.
We
need
not
be
afraid
of
what
the
world
can
throw
at
us
for
the
Bible
says
God
is
an
ever‐present
help.
God
is
with
us
ALWAYS!
The
Psalmist
goes
on
to
say
that
no
matter
what
happens,
earthquakes
and
storms
in
life,
God
is
with
us
and
He
is
our
fortress.
The
next
time
you
get
ready
to
throw
that
two
seam
fastball
to
get
that
groundball
or
you
ask
your
pitcher
to
throw
a
little
ground
ball
to
get
out
of
trouble,
remember
that
God
is
always
there
for
us
in
our
time
of
need
and
trouble.
We
can
always
rely
on
the
One
who
is
our
refuge
and
strength,
an
ever‐present
help
in
trouble.
God
will
be
with
us
and
our
fortress
to
defeat
times
of
trouble.
Isn’t
that
a
great
thing
to
remember?
Visual
aid:
Give
the
baseball
to
a
pitcher
and
have
him
show
his
two
seam
grip
Baseball
Team
Devotion‐
Web
Gems
Scripture
Lesson:
1Samuel
17(whole
chapter)
especially
verses
41‐51
ESPN
has
coined
a
phrase
that
means
great
glove
work
or
defensive
plays.
These
plays
are
now
known
around
the
baseball
world
as
“web
gems”.
The
original
term
came
up
in
a
production
meeting
for
the
popular
ESPN
baseball
show,
Baseball
tonight.
Then
producer
Judson
Burch
came
up
with
the
term
used
to
describe
a
great
defensive
play.
You
can
even
hear
the
term
watching
your
local
Little
League
team
play
when
a
player
makes
a
great
defensive
play.
One
has
to
flash
the
leather
to
get
a
web
gem.
It
takes
confidence
in
one’s
ability
and
courage
to
try
to
make
the
play.
Instincts
take
over
often
times
and
we
are
able
to
see
the
great
plays
being
made.
When
is
the
last
time
you
flashed
the
leather?
Have
you
ever
made
a
web
gem?
In
our
Scripture
lesson
today,
I
believe
we
have
the
first
instance
of
a
web
gem
in
recorded
history.
For
the
shepherd
boy
David
flashed
some
serious
leather
in
defeating
the
Giant
Goliath.
But
we
are
ahead
of
the
story.
David
had
brought
food
to
his
older
brothers
fighting
against
the
Philistines.
The
Philistines
had
a
champion
who
day
after
day
not
only
belittled
the
Israelite
army,
he
belittled
God.
David
heard
this
giant
and
went
to
Saul
and
said
I’ll
take
him
on!
David
with
only
a
leather
slingshot
and
a
few
river
stones
went
to
meet
the
giant
Goliath
in
battle.
Not
only
that,
he
engaged
in
a
little
trash
talk
(vs
45‐47).
David’s
aim
is
true
and
he
kills
the
Goliath
by
flashing
the
leather
slingshot,
thus
getting
the
first
recorded
web
gem.
David’s
confidence
was
in
the
Lord.
He
believed
God
would
win
the
battle
and
he
had
the
courage
and
the
faith
to
step
out
when
no
one
else
would
and
defeat
Goliath.
I
think
Paul
said
it
best
in
Philippians
4:13,
“I
can
do
all
things
through
Him
who
gives
me
strength.”
If
we
will
place
our
faith
and
confidence
in
God,
who
knows
what
kind
of
heavenly
web
gem
we
can
accomplish
for
Him.
God
is
just
waiting
for
us
to
believe
in
Him
and
follow
Him.
He
wants
to
accomplish
great
things
for
His
Kingdom
through
us.
How
about
it
are
we
ready
to
flash
the
leather
of
faith
and
get
a
heavenly
web
gem?
Visual
aid:
Great
you
tube
video
on
top
10
High
School
web
gems
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2n0SPX9FAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2n0S
PX9FAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2n0SPX9FA