Table Church

It was a hot humid Friday night in July as the home team took the field first. The anticipation was great. Phil, their pitcher, finished the last of his warm up pitches. His team with their knees bent, their gloves open were excited to get started. They were ready to go. This was the first ever softball fellowship night between the residents of the Water Street Ministry and the folks of the Table Church. For two hours they pitched and batted; they ran and fielded and best of all they laughed and talked to each other.  People from two different worlds drawn together by a game.  For two hours they shared something very important: a game, a field and a savior. It was a “field of dreams.” 

It did not matter who won or lost this sporting event.  We were truly all winners, as we fellowshipped with each other on the ball field and stood around swapping stories at the end. 

I must say that it was fun seeing such an eclectic group of people from the Table, playing ball.  Old fat guys who stumbled down the baseline, young kids who could barely swing the bat and then the proverbial ringers, who fielded the ball with such grace and pounded it with power. Ronnie Herr did most of the pitching for the Table, but his highlight came on the base paths. Ronnie, running like a gazelle, decided to slide into third base.  Unfortunately for Ronnie, he was wearing shorts. His left leg developed the brightest strawberry this reporter has ever seen.  I must say, Ronnie had a daily reminder of the great game for at least two weeks. Thanks to Coach Gary Erb, who recruited the team and made all the right decisions on the day of the game. 

I heard players from the Table say, “We should do this again soon”.  My wife reports that the Water Street Team had such a good time that they are also asking for a rematch. It never ceases to amaze me, how sports can draw people together, if only for a few hours.  Here’s hoping that these games lead to friendships beyond the “field of dreams”.

- Pastor Dan

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