Three and half years ago my wife, Kristie and I started to see our lives with our son, Hunter. I thought I had it all planned out for the three of us. I was excited about showing my son how to play the game I loved. I already had him wearing Rockies clothes. I could not wait for my son to come watch me play softball three nights a week. At this time, I began losing my energy and my motor skills resulting in the lose of use my legs due to a neurological issues. Two years past, I lost the ability to continue to work and I was no longer able play ball. I lost the joy of feeling and hearing the sound of ball coming off my bat, and the thrill of getting one more base out of a hit. I thought playing the game of baseball was the most important part to teach my son. I would soon learn that was far from being the truth to the game.

My father-in-law, Glenn,had to have known how much I missed playing ball and just being part of it. It was February 2006 and my son (3 years old) wanted to play baseball. I received a call from Glenn asking, "Do you want to go on a road trip?" This is not my father-in-law's style, he doesn't do things without planning them first. He told me the Rockies' Spring Training! We both enjoy talking about and watching the game and we both love to play the game, seeing it up close and personal, the answer was easy. Glenn packed up my wheelchair, cane and my son and we were off. He had to drive the entire distance fromColorado toArizona, but never complained. Not only did we get to watch 7 or 8 games and meet the players, but the three of us had a great time together. This year my wife made the trip, which Glenn was glad to have help with the driving.

Glenn comes up multiple times during the season to catch the games at Coors field. We also share great moments at the Sky Sox games. If there's a Rockies game on TV and we're in the same house, we always watch the games together no matter what. I guess Glenn taught me the most important thing about baseball.

Never lose the love of the game. He showed me just how much more there is to the game then just being out there hitting and running. It's the sights, the sounds of each ballpark/field, either on the field, in the stands, watching the game on television, or even in the neighborhood baseball field. In my case, just teaching my son to passion for the game while someone else teaches him the fundamentals of the game. Now that is what I have come to learn as "Truly playing ball!!!"

Now maybe this time, I can treat Glenn to a game at the ballpark.