These are the three things Sandlot has given me—things I deeply cherish. I could write a short novel on how important Sandlot baseball is to me, and my story is just one of many shared by hundreds of people across the country. Here’s what Sandlot baseball has done for my life—and why it’s the best thing happening all across America.
YOUTH
We all chase it. It’s hard to find anyone, of any age, who doesn’t wish they could go back to their younger years—when life was simpler, with fewer responsibilities and less stress. While we can’t travel back in time, there is a way to feel the joy of childhood again. Find a local Sandlot team (or start one), head to a field, and throw a ball around. Grab a bat and take some swings. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played all your life or if it’s your very first time. I promise—you won’t leave without a smile on your face.
CAMARADERIE
As we get older, making and keeping friendships becomes harder. I’ve always struggled to find and make friends, mostly because it was difficult to find shared interests. But when I stepped onto a Sandlot diamond three years ago, everything changed. I’ve since built a team of lifelong friends in the Neuse River Nine and formed bonds with people from all over the country, from all walks of life. I doubt I ever would’ve met most of them in my day-to-day life, but now they’re part of the community and family we’ve built.
CONNECTION
In Sandlot baseball, you don’t have to be the best athlete or the most experienced person on the field. It’s about being with people who love the game and want to enjoy something they may have missed out on when they were younger—or had a bad experience with—or who are nervous about playing a team sport. The encouragement and support I’ve seen for players of all skill levels is incredible. And the fact that this same spirit fuels charity games and fundraisers makes Sandlot a unique and growing movement that gives back to the community.
I could talk for hours about how much Sandlot means to me and the positivity it’s brought to my life—both mentally and physically. But don’t just take my word for it. See for yourself. I promise it’s worth it. Grab a glove, find a team (and if you can’t, reach out to one nearby—or the Neuse River Nine—and we’ll help), and enjoy feeling like a kid again.
