There’s No Crying in Baseball

In 1992 the movie a League of Their Own came out depicting the story of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League from the 40’s and 50’s.

There is a particular part that has become a punchline of hilarity – to me anyway. After missing a easy play, the coach, played by Tom Hanks, yells at the woman player, which promptly makes her cry. Tom, an alcoholic who lacks compassion and didn’t want to coach a bunch of girls, stops yelling and asks her, “Are you crying?” Then he starts saying, “There’s no crying in baseball – there’s no CRYING in baseball!”

For some reason this one liner popped in my head this weekend and I began to process this viewpoint from the world toward us as Lymies.

Sometimes, people (family and friends – spouses and kids) will just not understand why we are sad, or lack the energy or gumption to try. Why can’t they just stop crying and toughen up and live – they must be thinking.

But as the movie is entitled, in Lyme, we are in a “league of our own”. It is uncharted waters and people – doctors included, will not understand. They will not appreciate your tears or crying and certainly not comprehend your pain or frustration.

Guess what? I do. We do. All of us fellow Lymie – we understand. Jesus understands. He gets it. There is alot of unknown tears and known tears in this disease. Know that you can find support and belong to a family of Lymies who care and get it.

Its okay to have crying in this “game” – in this “league of our own”. We are set apart for this tough mysterious battle. Don’t take it as a liberty to wallow or throw a pity party. Slide in the dirt, brush it off and get back up again. But don’t take the critics who say sadness and tears are not allowed.

Don’t give them tickets to the next game.

“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.” (2 Kings 20:5)