Inspiration can come in any guise. I had no idea that a conversation at a friend's jewelry store would provide the material base for this editorial.

A friend was closing her business and needed some help. I volunteered. At lunch, while sitting with some of the other helpers, the conversation turned to baseball. Here in Washington, the Mariners
are a popular team. One comment led to another and before we knew it, we were talking about the old timers that had had such an impact on the sport. Naturally, that led to "The Babe".

Babe Ruth, "The Sultan of Swat". Now, I'm no sports buff but I remember when I was growing up pictures of the "Babe" and the energetic conversations that went on between adults whenever his name was mentioned. So I decided to visit the 'Baseball Library' (BaseballLibrary.com) on the Internet. The statistics were very interesting.

The "Babe" is described as 'barrel-chested with spindle legs'. He started off as a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, was sold to the Red Sox and then sold to the Yankees. During his career he played 2503 games; 41 World Series'; batting average .342; home runs, 714; total runs batted in,
2213; total walks, 2056. Sports writer, Bill Broeg once said, "to try to capture Babe Ruth with cold statistics would be like trying to keep up with him on a night out."

While I was reading the information some particular things about the "Babe" came to my attention. He had a real passion for the sport and the audience, especially kids. He was up at bat frequently but didn't and couldn't hit home runs all the time. Every time he was up at the plate he gave his best, the best for that moment. Look at the numbers, 2213 total runs; 714 home runs. That means 1499 that weren't homeruns, but the hits still counted.

Life's experiences are a lot like that. What can we do when we are dealt with unpleasant circumstances, like the loss of a job, a divorce, illness? We can 'switch hit' - change our mental direction, focusing on the positive, dealing with what needs to be done, then 'step up to the
plate' and give ourselves the opportunity to see what we can do. Sometimes the action only gives us a 'slow walk' to first base. Once we are on first we then have the chance to move onto second and eventually home, scoring a point or two for our experience. We can also strike out but just like the "Babe" we step up to the plate, ready to focus on giving a 100% at the next opportunity that is given to us.

Every time the "Babe" stepped into the batter's position he was taking a risk but he believed strongly in living each day to its fullest, giving it the best he had to offer. Should we do any less? Every day
there is a new game to be played, a new batch of challenges and blessings ready to let you see the stuff you are made of. This day you might surprise yourself, surpassing your own expectations and 'hit' a 'home run' in your life. And just think you can hit those 'home runs', even with some of the 'walks' or 'bunts' in between, again and again.

This month, should you find yourself with a strike out or two, remember the "The Sultan of Swat", do your mental 'switch hit' and go for the home run, for you are the 'Babe' of your life.   Donna Seebo

An interoffice softball game was held every year between the marketing and support staff of one company. The support staff whipped the marketing department soundly. To show just "how" the marketing department earns their keep, they posted this memo on the bulletin board after the game:

"The Marketing Department is pleased to announce that for the 2000 Softball Season, we came in 2nd place, having lost but one game all year. The Support Department, however, had a rather dismal season, as they won only one game."   Submitted by E. Brown, Washington