July 4, 2021.
It was a bright, sunny southern California day. Clouds scattered across the sky. The roar of the crowd echoed throughout the stadium. For one young man from Holly Springs, North Carolina, it was the biggest day of his life. It was the culmination of decades of hard work, pain, and perseverance. It was the day Andrew Wantz had been waiting for. “Wantz, you’re in.”
Three simple words, the same ones he had heard countless times before at different levels, sent him running from the bullpen and onto the pitcher’s mound in front of a massive crowd, his parents, and his fiancée. Andy Wantz was finally in the major leagues, debuting for the California Angels. A storm of emotions filled his face. Fear and elation clashed as he stared down the 60 feet 6 inches to the catcher flashing signs. A childhood dream was realized as he raised his glove to his face and flung his first pitch.
Dreams are achievable, but they don’t come easy. For Andy, and the countless young boys and girls invested in sports, it takes dedication, hard work, and the willingness to fail during their pursuit of making their dreams come true.
Every child athlete goes into sports with the ideation of making it to the pros. Why wouldn’t they? Many fall away as the years stretch on and they discover their true passion in life. For them, sports turns into a hobby. A creative way to spend time with friends. Those special few who slowly realize they have a gift continue, honing their craft and narrowing down the sport best suited for them.
Children like Andy develop a love for the game early on. It becomes a motivation, second, perhaps, to wanting to be the best player on the field. While this must come from within, it is through the encouragement of parents, peers, and the coaches who guide and teach these children. For Andy, there was no greater sensation than standing on the pitcher’s mound and matching his skills against hitters. The steady battle heightened his sense of motivation. Throw in a healthy dose of wanting to be the best and not wanting to lose, and it had the hallmarks of turning a child’s hobby into a lifelong dream.
Andy certainly isn’t alone in this. Thousands of kids across the country and around the world grow up wanting to emulate their favorite athletes, dream of being enshrined forever in hallowed halls of fame, and doing their part to raise the championship trophy at the end of a campaign. They dedicate countless hours to learning the game, mastering the skills, and improving their chances.
It all begins in youth sports. Not only does this outlet allow children to grow, it shows them the importance of competition, the balance between winning and losing, and how to handle adversity when the best laid plans turn sour. Throw in learning how to become a team player and these children form the basis of healthy, well-rounded individuals destined for success in whatever endeavor they choose.
Being on a team teaches how to be more than just yourself. It is an evolution of commitment, communication, and eternal learning from each other far too many children lack as they creep closer to the daunting world of adulthood.
For Andy, it was the combination of encouragement from friends and family with the thrill of competition. His desire to be the best, to outperform everyone else on the field, motivated him to keep going. Not that it was always easy. There were times when he wanted to quit. To hang up the cleats and pursue another venture.
His greatest moment of doubt came during his junior year of college. He had just come off a stellar sophomore campaign and had big expectations for the coming season. Life seldom asks us what we want and it certainly didn’t do Andy any favors as he stumbled through a forgettable season. Each dismal performance saw his draft hopes slip further away. His woes deepened as Andy placed additional pressure on himself. The future was suddenly in doubt. All he had worked for over the last decade was about to end.
While Andy didn’t get drafted that year, he did realize one inescapable conclusion. Somewhere in the murk of wanting to give up he started having fun again. The path to the ‘bigs’ went from one of business to that young child’s exhilaration. Andy’s motivations changed, his drive renewed, and he would go on to become the man and player he is today.
That shift in focus allowed him to succeed in ways he had never imagined. Andy was drafted by the California Angels and thrown into their minor league system until the day arrived when they decided he was ready. That day was three long years in the making but was all worth it as he stormed out of the bullpen to take his rightful place on the field.
Admittedly, Andy and his family are still in the throes of excitement as he officially begins his career. Each new stadium, each different team presents unique challenges. None of them would have been possible if not for the coaxing of others and the raw belief in himself.
Andy’s advice for today’s youth, simple: play every sport you can. Don’t limit yourself. You will improve your athleticism, make friends, and lasting memories. His dream of being a pitcher didn’t stop him from lacing up the shoulder pads or teeing off on the greens. Andy may be a Major League Baseball pitcher but he is still a child at heart.
For every child who dreams of making it big, Andy says to expect sacrifices. There will be times when you need to pass on going out with friends or miss events. His parents taught him this early on. If you want something, you have to be willing to put in the hard work to achieve it. Success is waiting for you, but you have to be willing to do what is necessary to gain it.
