Day 164: Amazing Termite Football TD Run

Sometimes here at Balls of All Sizes, I like to take a break from the professionals and feature kids making awesome plays. And this particular play was so amazing that it was featured on SportCenter's Top 10 Plays on Tuesday... in fact, it was #1. So I think John David Taylor, who basically left carnage in his path during a 43-yard touchdown run, deserves some recognition here too.

Taylor plays quarterback for a Goshen, Alabama termite football team consisting of 9- and 10-year-olds. In a recent game against rival Ariton, Taylor's dad called the play, "wishbone fake 36, 18 flats" and the kid took it from there. He ran right through a defender at the line of scrimmage, sending the poor kid tumbling to the ground like the ran into a brick wall. He then turned the corner right at the sideline, causing a cluster of would-be tacklers just randomly all fall to the ground—probably saving themselves from Taylor's fury.

But my favorite part of the run happens about 20 yards up field when the last guy with a chance to take Taylor down fell victim to a stiff arm that would make Adrian Peterson proud. The stiff arm casualty tumbled easily to the turf and John David comfortably cruised into the end zone for the score. If you ask me, #4 in the video (really the last hope to catch the QB) was only running at half speed, clearly afraid for his life.

Imagine what this kid must be feeling after being featured on national television. Despite his recent fame, John David says all he really wants to do is win his league's Super Bowl so he can celebrate with his teammates. Too cute!

So what college coach already had the Taylor family on speed dial?

Day 149: Red Sox and The Jimmy Fund: 60 Years Strong

Tonight's one of those nights when you're watching the Sox game on TV, you really wish you were there. The weather is perfect for a ball game, the Red Sox bats are lively and it's a night when Jimmy Fund patients are celebrated at Fenway Park. Kids get the star treatment. Ask young Declan Cassidy, a four-year-old diagnosed with large optic tract glioma after he lost his vision, who has the special honor of saying the two most important words at the ballpark, "Play Ball!"

Today marks the 12th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon—a 36 hour event that has become one of the Jimmy Fund's biggest fundraisers. In 2012, this event raised $3.4 million and, of course, they're hoping for more this year. This emotional two-day event teams the folks from NESN, WEEI and the Red Sox as they take to Fenway Park and the phones to raise funds for research. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Jimmy Fund and Red Sox relationship.

When I turned on the television this morning and I saw that the radio-telethon had started, I nearly turned it off. The stories told by the survivors and their families, as well as the families who have lost someone to cancer reduce me to a sobbing mess before I even leave the house for work. I'm not sure how these on-air folks hold it together—especially when young patients at the Jimmy Fund that have been on their shows for years have since lost their battles. If you listened to any of this today, you know to keep your tissues handy.

If you're interested in donating, there are many ways—call 877-738-1234, visit www.jimmyfund.org or visit www.weei.com/jimmyfund. A with most events like this, every little bit counts and as of the writing of this post, the current total for this year stands at just over $900,000. I only wish I could give more...

Day 147: First Base Coach Hands Out Ball... and Advice

You may not know Rene Lachemann, but he has been a part of major league baseball for a really long time. Nearly 50 years, actually. He managed a few teams — the Seattle Mariners, the Milwaukee Brewers and he was the very first manager of the Florida Marlins. So it's safe to say Mr. Lachemann has a lot of advice to dole out to those of all ages — not just about baseball, but life too.

Lachemann is currently the first base coach for the Colorado Rockies and he has become famous for handing out souvenir baseballs to fans both at home and on the road. But that souvenir doesn't come totally free. The specially chosen young recipient, must sit through a lecture where Lachemann offers some life advice. Sometimes these lectures are lengthy and always entertaining.

Last week, during a game against the Phillies, Comcast Sports happened to be close enough to one of these encounters to get it all on video... take a look, some of this is seriously good advice!

"When you go to the bathroom, lift the toilet seat up. Don't be peeing on the toilet seat." Those are some profound words of wisdom right there, folks.

Day 145: Nothing Like a Little Motivational Speech to Start the Weekend

Remember Herb Brooks? The late coach of the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team was a master of motivation. This was a team that, on paper, had no chance of winning a gold medal. But miraculously, they did. A group of unknown college players upset a heavily favored USSR team and then Finland to become a Miracle on Ice. It could've only been the great speech that encouraged such unwavering perseverance.

"Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it."

This week, a couple more entertaining speeches surfaced. One sports-related, one not so much.

A friend's son just started his freshman year at Georgia Tech and last Sunday was the Freshman Convocation with a GT sophomore giving the welcome speech. This kid has a future in public and motivational speaking in his future. I feel like now I can build the Iron Man suit... click here to be inspired! Over 2 million others already have.

And then there was Tom Brady's speech to the Michigan football team — his alma mater — a couple hours before he took the field for a preseason game against the Detroit Lions. I'm sure he would like to soon forget the abysmal performance of his team in the 40-9 loss, but I bet not one of those players sitting in that room will soon forget the words Brady spoke to them.

I don't know about you, but after all these enthusiastic soliloquies, I feel like I could go out and conquer the world!! Not a bad way to end the week. TGIF!!

Day 128: Sometimes Words Just Don't Tell the Story...

The Make-A-Wish Foundation might be the best thing invented since sliced bread. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions—wishes that are believed to change the lives of the kids served. And every single wish will tug at your heart strings and make you reach for the nearest box of tissues.

And this wish is no different...

For me, it's the wishes granted by professional sports teams that I love the most. It's a group of grown, and often times burly men, treating an ill child like "one of the guys." Making this kid feel, if just for one amazing day, like he or she is the center of the universe and the most important person in the room.

It was no different for 8-year-old Jack Bolton. Jack, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and is confined to a wheelchair, wished to coach the Carolina Panthers for his day. But the Panthers took it to a level I don't think even young Jack was prepared for. From the short mock job interview, to the contract signing, to him being announced to the whole team as their honorary coach for the day... every part was a dream come true for Coach Bolton. And he even had a speech prepared for the team.

This kid is basically all kinds of awesome, and tissues are definitely required for this video...

Day 120: I Love a Good Heart Warming Fan Story...

I read a couple of fan-related stories today—one that made me feel sort of warm and fuzzy inside and one that nearly reduced me to tears. Of course it doesn't take much to get my waterworks going... seriously. The warm and fuzziness comes on the heels of the Ryan Braun suspension in Milwaukee. I know if sounds weird, but bear with me. The other story has to do with a guy and his dad and the baseball bond they shared.

Let's begin in Wisconsin, America's Dairyland. The Milwaukee Brewers have been under the proverbial microscope the past couple of weeks with the recent suspension of their star player and colossal liar, Ryan Braun. The team has no chance of making the post season, and with Braun gone for the rest of the season, the Brewers stand to save just over $3 million dollars on his salary. Needless to say, the organization was looking for a way to apologize to their fans.

Nothing says "I'm sorry" like free stuff. The Brewers have developed a "Fans First" promotion that will run the month of August where every fan that comes to a game will receive a $10 voucher to be used at the concession stands. The vouchers will be valid through the end of the season. What better way to use Braun's salary—because if anyone owes the fans for being a stupid jerk, it's him. It's like drinks are on him for the rest of the season!

The tearjerker story comes out of Washington, DC. It's a story of Kent Wilson and his dad, Richard who had a pair of season tickets to Nationals Park, but only made it to Opening Day. They had bought the tickets knowing this was a possibility... you see, Richard was battling liver cancer and soon became too sick to make it to the Park.

After that first game, Kent made it a point to go to his dad's house to watch the games on television with him. On June 8th, Richard passed away. Kent couldn't bear to use the tickets without him so he decided to give them to family and friends and a few complete strangers. He put an ad on Craigslist:

If you'd like tickets for a game — completely free — shoot me a note. I would only ask that you enjoy the game and make sure the seats don't go to waste.

Once word got out about the tickets, many fans took advantage of Kent's generosity, while others would just send him notes thanking him for his thoughtfulness. And then the response became overwhelming with so many people missing out on the chance to get those tickets, so Kent went out and bought some more just so he could give them away.

That's the thing about baseball...very often it's that sporting event that you went to the first time with your dad. Completely understandable why he couldn't go without him. I would feel the same way.