Ethan Chapman’s dream to make it to the Big League level hasn’t happened yet. This past winter, Ethan signed to play 2017 in the Mexican League (AAA level) with the Vaqueros Union Laguna club.
Off the field, he’s a husband and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. His faith is at the center of who he is as a person.
Today is the sixth of a season-long diary that Ethan is going to share with us as he continues his battle through minor league baseball and his quest to make it to the Big Leagues.
Whenever my career is over there will be many things I will miss and some that I won’t. One of the best parts of playing baseball is the relationships created in the clubhouse through the ups and downs over the course of a long season. Sadly, in baseball, trades happen, players retire and the worst part, guys are released (fired).
Just yesterday, unfortunately, we had two main pieces of our clubhouse released. These are guys who we spend almost every waking hour with. Meals, gym sessions and countless hours at the field are spent with your teammates. Strong relationships and bonds are created.
Many of these men have wives and children that count on them to provide for their family. Being released twice in my career I know the feeling just as good as anyone. The ups and downs of baseball put your family on the rollercoaster as well. There are never any guarantees in this sport.
Once our careers are over, no one is going to remember who went 0 for 4 or 4 for 4 on certain days, they are going to remember the type of person and teammate you were in the clubhouse and how hard you worked on the field.
Being fired from baseball is not like most jobs when you are fired. There is no severance package, no seeing your co worker around town or arranging double dates. There is a good chance I will not see these two guys again. Our relationships will have to change from seeing each other everyday to keeping up with each other through text messages and social media.
Even with the chance of this happening season after season, it is still worth building those relationships and leaning on each other when we are in a slump, having woman trouble, or to even share the Word with them.
God puts people in our paths for a reason. Even if it’s for a short period of time, you’re still able to leave a positive impact on that persons life that they will remember forever.
E. Chapman
Impact People
Ethan Chapman high fives a teammate. (Photo Courtesy: Ethan Chapman)
Through 47 games with Vaqueros Union Laguna in the Mexican League, Ethan is batting .265 with 4 HR, 14 RBI, 32 Runs Scored, and 14 Stolen Bases.
To read Ethan’s previous journal entries from this season, click here.
