Last night as I sat in the bleachers for game 48 this season, I started to make a list of the many things I needed to accomplish in the week ahead. We want to host a big "Happy Birthday America" celebration on the Fourth of July, to remind our friends and family that we live in the best place in the world. But as my mind reeled with all the details that needed to be attended to in the days ahead, I realized that I needed to relax a bit. My friends and family were all sitting beside me in the stands. Grandma and Grandpa never miss a game. Six-year-old cousin, Zeke, was hanging on the fence yelling at Hayden to wave to him from second base. Our neighbors and wonderful friends were there cheering on their very own baseball stars. And I realized that these folks didn't need a party to be reminded that this is a great county. They know it! They see it first hand at least four nights a week at the ball field.

We can learn so much watching 11-year-olds play baseball. In fact I am reminded of several important lessons as I recall last nights game. The first lesson that comes to mind is that we do really have free speech in this country. This was confirmed when I questioned "Blue" (the umpire behind home plate) as to how he could not see that a pitch to Hayden was clearly low and outside, when he called the third strike.

And slumps…we all have them from time to time - individually and collectively as a nation. But thank goodness, slumps don't last forever. With dedication and perseverance, we can all work together to get through them.

Another lesson came to mind as I recalled Hayden approaching his second time at bat with the bases loaded. We trailed by one run. Coach gave him the sign. You know the one. Pat the head…pull the ear…rub the tummy…scratch…reverse the series and repeat. This surprisingly indicated to Hayden that he was to bunt. He dutifully took his direction, was thrown out at first but advanced the third base runner to tie up the game. The father sitting next to me cheered and congratulated me on a job well done as I watched Hayden hustle back to the dug out with his head hanging. Feeling sad for my son I naively asked why I should be proud of Hayden for making an out. I listened as he explained that sometimes we have to make small sacrifices for the overall goal of the team. As I nodded in agreement I sat up a little straighter, hoping that someone had clued Hayden into that brilliant philosophy, and thought, "how very true." Not only in baseball…..but in life!

And of course there was the lesson learned in the bottom of the final inning. We were leading by two runs, but the home team had only one out and bases were loaded. Hayden was holding his brand new, stiff glove up as the batter popped one up right over his head. He weaved as he tried to get the glare from the setting sun out of his eyes to catch the ball, only to watch it drop to the ground as he tried too late to squeeze. Our bleachers fell silent. Hayden picked the ball up and threw it in, but as the play ended, bases were still loaded and now we led by only one run.

I felt sick to my stomach as I watched Hayden kick the dirt, knowing that he was disappointed with himself. I thought, "Poor kid! He'll never get over that error." But before I could dwell on it another second, the batter swung and it was a line drive between first and second base. I watched in slow motion as Hayden made a sideways dive for the ball, landed with his face in the dirt, and rolled over to show proof he had the ball in his mitt. Then he stumbled to his knees and threw straight away to second base where the runner was reversing directions and heading back to second, but was tagged out on the way. An amazing double play that ended the ball game with another win in the Titan's column.

As boys and coaches mobbed Hayden, I nearly burst with pride. Not because he made a play. There were a ton of amazing plays made this game…this whole season. But I was proud that he didn't give up. I know he wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out after blowing the previous play. But he has a "never say die" kind of attitude. What he lacks in talent, he more than makes up for in spirit, resolve and tenacity. And isn't that also what helps to make America great too? This nation may not find short term success in all that we do. But we never give up!

I'm proud to be an American. Please join me in paying tribute and showing our gratitude this Fourth of July.