Coach Olson was working at a state baseball event when the news started coming out that the spread of Covid-19 would be greater than anyone anticipated. At that time, there were very few cases in Minnesota so it seemed surreal when one by one by one, events were removed from everyone’s schedule. He was most heartbroken for his seniors who had already worked so hard to prepare for the season and now would likely not have the opportunity to come together with their team to play the sport they loved ever again. Many would not play in college and would not get to enjoy all the lasts that come with playing a sport – no parents’ night, no tournaments, no spring banquet. It was quite a blow for the players – and for Coach Olson.
Waconia Baseball's Response to COVID-19
Shelley Pearson • April 13, 2020
The world has faced rapid changes over the past several weeks as world leaders have made recommendations to practice social distancing and stay at home during this Covid-19 outbreak. The changes have come so quickly that adults are struggling to process, much less young people. Many students face disappointment after disappointment with the cancellation of school, spring (and maybe summer) sports, prom, extracurricular activities, jobs, and on and on. Seniors are facing a very real possibility of not having a graduation ceremony and for some, not playing their sports for the last time. JJ and Jacob are seniors on the Waconia baseball team, and Erik Olson is their coach. They have been processing the changes in the best way they can and have learned a lot that they can share with others.
JJ and Jacob had high hopes for the baseball team this year. They had spent a lot of time on the off-season working out before and after school to get ready. Jacob thought they had a really good chance of doing well this year, and JJ’s goal was to win sections and get to State. Coach Olson had lofty aspirations that the team would do well too. There was a great blend of senior leaders and younger talent. The team had worked hard already. They had prepared. They were excited. They had high hopes for an amazing season, maybe the best the team had seen in several years.
The team got one week of practice in before school was canceled. They thought the cancellation would last only two weeks, but when it became clear that life would not return to normal anytime soon, each of the guys processed the news a little differently. Jacob was at the state girls basketball tournament when the final games of the girls tournament and the entire state boys tournament were canceled. That was not a good day for him. He knew that he could make up school online but that he would not be able to play baseball online. For JJ, the reality hit when the governor canceled school until May 4. It was difficult for him to think that this might be it for his high school baseball career and senior year at school.
JJ, Jacob, and Coach Olson all understood why these decisions were made, but knowing the reasons did not make it much easier. Jacob has since been able to broaden his perspective to see that what is happening in the world is so much bigger than his world of baseball. He does not want to jeopardize the lives of other people just so he can play baseball. JJ realizes that no one is invincible, and no one is going to live forever. He understands that people can get seriously ill from Covid-19, and he wants to keep people safe, especially those in higher risk categories like his grandparents.
What Has Changed in Day to Day Life?
JJ looks for different things to do with his extra time that he would not have done if his schedule were as full as usual. He is learning to play the guitar and called his grandma last week. He enjoys the extra family time. Jacob chooses to focus on the positive instead of dwelling on what he cannot do. He recognizes that he is in a better mood because of it. Coach Olson works hard to encourage the players. They are still working out together over Zoom, and he encourages them to choose to be positive during the unknown. He is using this time to focus on the mental aspect of playing sports. As Yogi Berra said, “Baseball is 90% mental; the other half is physical.” The players listen to short podcasts about people who have faced terrible circumstances and made the most out of difficult situations. Coach Olson believes his team will come out mentally stronger because of it, whether they actually get to play baseball together again or not.
Coach Olson, JJ, and Jacob are all trusting God’s plan during this time. Jacob has been spending more time in prayer and believes that good will come out of this for everyone even if the circumstances around baseball do not change. JJ is living by 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 which says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” While he misses the social connection with his friends and extended family, he reminds himself that he is already connected to the most powerful being in the universe. Their FCA huddle has been meeting virtually which is a great encouragement. The huddle is working to get outside the group to see how they can serve the community.
Encouragement for Others
JJ, Jacob, and Coach Olson also want to encourage those who are struggling with disappointment:
“Keep the faith. Keep faith in the fact that there is a reason this is happening. Use it as a fuel to push yourself to be a better person. You may not have the opportunity to showcase your talent on the field, but you have an opportunity to demonstrate the faith you have in God to others.”
“From the perspective of an American, we have so many things to be thankful for. Keep perspective. We have homes to be quarantined in, we have Netflix, we have technology so we can facetime others. Be thankful for the things we do have instead of grumbling over the things we do not have.”
“Be productive with the extra time you have been given.”
The depth of wisdom in these words is greater than their ages, and others agree with their sentiments. Recently, during an #FCAVirtual Huddle Up! Live event, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins, and his dad Don shared similar messages with those who are struggling with the disappointment and heartbreak of the cancellation of their seasons.
Kirk’s message is this: “My heart breaks for you . . . It’s very, very tough to take, but I would remind you that God is bigger than the Coronavirus. God has a plan for your life. This virus is not going to stop those plans, and His plans are going to be accomplished. Our job to see those plans to completion is to trust and obey Him. And I would share Proverbs 3:5&6, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.’ Right now, the steps aren’t easy, but He is going to direct them. We gotta trust Him.”
Kirk’s dad, Don, adds, “It’s in times of crisis that we really see who we really are. It’s in times of crisis that our values come to the surface. It’s in the testing of our faith that our faith is revealed - or the lack thereof. And so, this is a time to dig down deep – obviously it is a loss, a significant loss, no one is discounting the loss . . . but this is the time to forge your character and build your faith.”
Kirk and Don’s message is exactly what athletes need to hear. High school athletes like JJ and Jacob are still extremely disappointed with the losses they have experienced, but they choose to put their hope in God and trust Him to bring good out of this. Coach Olson is still disappointed for his team but is helping them build a strong character that will serve them for a lifetime. They are all pressing into their relationships with Christ. No matter how long this cancellation lasts, God can and will use it for good.
Please pray for FCA students across the state of Minnesota who are dealing with the loss and disappointment of many things. Pray that God will develop their characters and draw them close to Him during this difficult time. Pray also that they shine Christ’s light to others at their schools as they choose to have faith that God has a plan.
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