Act 4: Small Victories




Randolph-Macon College Yearbook 1980





The only problem with using the ball as a mantra is that all players on both teams have that same focus.

In team sports there are occasionally blowouts in which one side dominates completely from start to finish. I've been on both sides of such lopsided games, winning decisively from the first inning on in high school baseball and losing big after fumbling the ball on the first play of a college football game. The sheer joy of a romp is in equal and opposite measure to the absolute dejection of being stomped, and that feeling of letting down coaches and teammates lasts exactly until the chance for redemption in the next game.

Most matches proceed with a mundane back and forth on the field or court. The crowd in the stands fills in the lulls by cheering or booing plays, making noise to muffle play calling, screaming at bad calls, or moaning about coaching choices. Players hear none of this and instead endure the uncertainty by creating small victories - celebrating first downs or stopping them, hits or strikeouts, fast breaks or stolen passes, shots on goal or blocks. 

A game proceeds with these small victories and, for the other side, defeats until a single thrilling play shifts momentum.







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