And she said, through teary eyes, "Sometimes I just wish I could close my eyes and do it all over again."

While her words had nothing to do with sports, her feeling is one many of us have felt at some point in our lives. As I bounce from ballpark to ballpark this summer, it's a great thing to see so many young people out enjoying themselves, building character, learning how to compete as a team and understanding life lessons through sports.

Unfortunately, the older the division or league, it seems as though the number of players involved is fractional to their younger counterparts. Much of that is understandable as kids find their niche in life and realize they would rather take attend summer camps, hit the skateboard park, date or work.

However, there are many very talented adolescents that aren't playing ball for all the wrong reasons. They've got the rest of their lives to throw on the blue or white collar. I know one of the best summers of my life I did both. I ran a weed eater or prepared ball fields at the Starplex for the Murfreesboro Parks and Rec. Department during the day and took the field for an average of four doubleheaders a week for the Murfreesboro Warriors of the GNABA at night and on the weekends.

My days were full and long, but they should be for an 18-year-old fresh out of high school. Don't sleep half the day away, burn your summer and show up for school in August wondering what the heck just happened. Use your youth to the fullest or you might be closing your eyes and dreaming of what might have been.