Last night around 8:30 I learned that I’m the Manager of Billerica’s newest tee ball team, The White Sox.

So many kids registered this year that they needed to field an expansion team, but up until yesterday afternoon when I submitted my four year-old’s registration, this new team still didn’t have a coach.

I volunteered and learned that team pictures were less than twenty-four hours away.  I got the contact information for all the parents, got the word out, and nine out of our ten players were able to make it tonight.

I walked in to our local middle school hungry from skipping lunch, frustrated from a hectic day at work, and pretty foggy on what the game plan consisted of after simply showing up.

But, miraculously, the league organizer (who called with the Manager offer last night) picked me out upon walking in.

“Are you Amanda?”

“I am, are you Joe?”

“I am.  Thank you so much for doing this.”

Within a matter of minutes I found the White Sox zone, met nine awesome kids and their equally awesome parents, had uniforms passed out and we were on our way (in a rather well formed line) to have our mugs put on keepsake baseball cards.

The parents, the kids, and I all clicked and as we wrapped up our final round of fist bumps and high-fives for coming together and getting it done, I heard my name from the other side of the crowded room:

“COACH AMANDA!”

I turned around and there was Braiden.  A kind, tall, compassionate kid a year older than my son, whom my husband and I had coached in a local soccer program nearly two years ago.

“Oh, man buddy.  It’s so good see you,” I said.

His Mom was all smiles, said she couldn’t believe he remembered, but when he saw me from across the room he was so excited.

I asked if he was still playing soccer – he is.  And if he was playing tee ball – he isn’t (his older brother’s on a baseball team).  And then we did our own fist bump, high-five routine and said our goodbyes.

I may have walked in a mess, but I walked out feeling pretty together.

I have a hold on the important things – now, I just have to learn how to let those important things call out more of the plays.  I’m guessing that’s the only way to really forget about that big, shiny scoreboard and just enjoy being a part of the game.