Left handed, right mind

There are so many quotes that I have read and heard.   Most of them get complex, whether it's the late John Wooden comparing character to reputation or Bobby Knight referring to what his critics can do when he dies.

My favorite, and probably the simplest quote I've ever heard came from a left-handed pitcher who always claimed to be “in his right mind.”

The southpaw did not have the easiest childhood, as he went through some of the toughest years of his life without a father, who passed away when he was only 14.

In his shortened time with his dad and under the strong will of his mom, he learned what hard work was.

There were many opportunities where some may have given up. His high school guidance counselor said he should not go to college, stating, “you're not really college material.”

He was unable to continue playing baseball when he went to college, but stayed active and learned to play soccer, and in his off-time, he routinely kicked 50-yard field goals.

After graduating from Emporia State with an education degree, he got a job as a physical education teacher. With a family of four, he realized he wanted more and went back to school to eventually become a high school administrator.

His athletic career playing ended, but he continued coaching baseball, football, basketball, and track.

When it came to my experience with him, he spent many hours hitting ground balls and fly balls, working on my range and fielding skills. We spent hours watching the way different catchers called a game and how they worked with their pitchers.

When I was in middle school, he looked at my batting and realized I was heavily right-eyed and told me to open my stance. That small adjustment completely changed my baseball career, adding 200-plus points to my batting average and converted me from being a contact hitter to a power hitter who could hit the ball out of the park to any field.

I look at how many hours he spent throwing batting practice, with no one but me and a bucket of balls, and I realize I probably ran his left arm completely ragged.

Throughout his career, he held many titles, including Coach, Athletic Director, County Magistrate, High School Principal, Church Deacon, and most importantly to me... Dad.

His quote, that I have found the most prophetic in my life, is “do the right thing.” 

The simplicity is baffling, but I find myself using that train of thought all the time. 

It would be easy for my dad to take a shortcut, the easy way everyone else is taking, or just except what the world throws at him and chalk it up to “not fair,” but he doesn't.

Now that I'm a dad, I have the same amount of impact on someone's life as he did on mine. I know the best thing I can teach my little girl is that one simple lesson.

No matter what the world throws you or how much you don't like a situation, do the right thing.

Lance Fleming is the sports reporter for the Red Oak Express. He can be reached at sports@redoakexpress.com