The true meaning of life - the Zach Sobiech story

I had the opportunity to witness something really powerful this morning.

It is a 20 minute video, but well worth watching. I am sure you will be as deeply impacted as I was.

"You don't have to find out you are dying to start living" - Zach Sobiech

Walk with Me - Season #6 in Europe

After a long offseason, my sixth season of professional baseball has finally began. While I was laying in bed today, it dawned on me that the Stockerau Cubs are the 10th team I have played for professionally. I would never have thought a few years ago that my baseball career could have spanned across three continents and half of the United States.

It has not been an easy journey for sure. Just one that I have made happen through diligence, hard work and determination.

I remember sitting in class when I was in middle school and having the teacher ask what we wanted to do when we grew up. The usual answers were seen in regards to lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc. I vividly remember standing up and saying that I wanted to play baseball for a living. The teacher kind of scoffed and he asked that I kindly rethink my decision.

I was slightly embarrassed, but he just stated what seemed obvious to everyone else. I was the shortest kid in class and didn't have an ounce of muscle on my body. In theory he was probably right, but I couldn't take his deterrent as an insult. Just like he had his opinion, I had mine. I knew what my goal in life was.

It is true that I have never played in the big leagues or gotten any higher than good minor league baseball. I have never made the type of money that many probably thought I have either.

I know the facts when it comes to that.

But, I also know what it feels like to play in front of a few thousand fans. I know what it feels like to give away a few baseballs away to make a kids day. I even know what the long bus rides, countless hours of shagging batting practice and charting in the stands really entails.

It is not about the stardom of being a big leaguer that really drives me though. In fact, it never really has. I have not settled; just have an overwhelming feeling of being happy with where I am and where I have come from.

It is the feeling that I get sitting by my locker, knowing that I've done everything in power to make my dreams come true. I don't need the approval of someone else to make me feel like my walk in life is justified.

As for baseball here in Europe, I made my 2013 debut with a seven inning outing against the reigning champions of the Austrian Baseball League and European Cup qualifier, Vienna Wanderers. I struck out 11 in the outing and overcame some early wildness to limit the opposition to a handful of hits. We won the game 7-6 and currently sit in first place with a 4-1 record.

I have been able to get a few at-bats and despite the early rust, hit my first ever home run in our last series against the Wr. Neustadt Diving Ducks. Hitting a homerun has been the one thing that I have always wanted to experience.

Fittingly enough it happened this year.

Thank you to Stockerau for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

God Bless.