A game of catch can lead to lifetime lessons

When I was growing up, there were evenings when a game of catch completed a great day. This week, a game of catch was needed more than ever, but that wasn’t happening as I said goodbye to my all-time catch partner. My dad passed away on Sunday, March 23. 

If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing what I love to do, and that’s writing about sports. You see, my dad gave me my love of sports. He taught me how to throw a spiral (which I still remember some of that day). We played hundreds of games of catch — football and baseball — and on most weekends growing up we’d go to one of the sports card shops in Washington C.H. at the time and see what cards we could pull out of a pack or 10. (The best pull ever for me was a Peyton Manning autograph.) Later, as daytime turned to evening, a game of catch would eventually happen. 

Sports for me is just more than who wins or who loses — though my wife and mom would beg to differ, as they’ve sat with me during many Dallas Cowboys and Chicago White Sox games. Sports have shaped who I am, and that’s all because of what my dad instilled into me … and that was always try your best, never quit, and give all that you have in whatever you are doing, which is what I try to do on a daily basis with my work ethic.  

I wrote on my Facebook page on Monday that I didn’t have many words, but I shared a video of the final scene from “Field of Dreams,” and that “game of catch” scene spoke the words I was unable to type at the time. 

It wasn't just the day following his passing, but for the past few months I’ve related more than ever to that final moment of that movie as my dad had Alzheimer's/dementia, and if you know anything about the disease, it truly is “The Long Goodbye,” and there is a lot of time to think about things. 

Many days I’d try to recall the games of catch we had, as we played games of catch into my high school years, and I’ve come to realize as I get older how special those times were.

When I first started covering sports back in 2005 as an intern for my hometown paper, my dad rode to games with me, mostly traveling to watch football on Friday nights, as that was his favorite sport to watch, plus I think he also really wanted a hot dog and cup of coffee. 

When I needed to get away from my thoughts earlier this past week, the first thing I did was cover a softball game in Hillsboro. Though it was tough at moments, it was what I needed to do, as it always comes back to sports, and with sports came the lessons I learned from my dad.

This week the positive when receiving condolences from friends, family and co-workers is that many have shared memories they have about their dads and moms that they’ve lost, and that really meant something to me. It helped to process everything. 

What I wouldn’t give to be able to hear the pop of the mitt and talk about the happenings of the day with a game of catch with my dad. To go back in time for a few quick moments when all was right with the world. 

Remember, you are never too old to play a game of catch. Have a game of catch as long as you can. Learn lessons that you’ll use throughout your life, and build memories that you will look back on and smile. 

I know I did, and I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Thanks, Dad. 

Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. 

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