Scott

I just watched the sandlot again a few days ago. Remember Smalls? Smalls couldn’t catch the ball. Didn’t know who Babe Ruth was. The kids laughed at him and called him a “goofus.” He was embarrassed. Uncomfortable. Out of place. But he kept showing up. There’s a scene where his mom asks him if he made any friends yet… Imagine if she stepped in and told the kids: “You HAVE to be nice to him.” “You HAVE to let him fit in.” “You HAVE to make him feel comfortable.” What would that have taught Smalls? Without the struggle: • he never improves • never builds confidence • never earns his place • never builds real relationships • never discovers who he is And honestly… he never becomes part of the group. That’s what made the story powerful. Sometimes kids need the chance to struggle, fail, feel uncomfortable, and figure out they’re capable of more than they thought.