Throughout history, sports have offered a diversion or distraction and have provided a sense of normalcy during or following times of crisis.

From several world wars, to 9-11, to the Boston Marathon bombings, sports have supplied a way for countries, states and communities to heal.

When George W. Bush delivered the first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks, it sent chills down my 9-year-old spine.

David Ortiz’s brief, yet powerful, speech at Fenway Park in wake of the 2013 marathon bombings simply left me in awe. The star Red Sox designated hitter proclaimed to the thousands and thousands of Bostonians, “This is our (expletive deleted) city. And no one is going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.”

The 2010 Jamestown High School varsity baseball team shows off its championship trophy after winning the Mingo Bay Tournament in Myrtle Beach. Photo courtesy of Cody Crandall

I vividly remember how Ortiz’s words helped bring together a grieving city at a time when positivity and reassurance was needed.

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On an individual level, there are many physical benefits to participating in sports, including increased muscular strength and endurance and increased flexibility and range of motion.

However, over the span of my life, I have realized that there are just as many mental benefits to athletics as well.

The one sport that has undoubtedly had the biggest impact on my 26-year-old life has been baseball.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play baseball all throughout my youth, in high school and in college.

Essentially, from the time I could pick up a bat and ball, I was in love with the game.

Over the years, I have formed countless lifelong friendships with former teammates and coaches. The long bus rides, overnight stays in hotels and the situations we found ourselves in on the field helped create bonds that will never be broken.

Over time, I began to consider a baseball diamond to be a happy place for me. A place where I can go to escape from the struggles of everyday life for a couple of hours every day. A place that helps me relieve stress. And a place where I know I can always genuinely enjoy myself.

The intricate battle between pitcher and hitter and the different types of in-game strategy on nearly every single pitch has always piqued my interest.

Baseball has also helped me become patient.

Simply put: the game can be extremely frustrating. The best hitters succeed three out of 10 times and the best pitchers have days where they can’t seem to miss a bat or find the strike zone. It really comes down to fortitude, persistence and consistency.

That frustration and that fight to remain positive and consistent was a challenge that I look back on and appreciate.

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After being diagnosed with heart failure and being the recipient of a heart transplant nearly two years ago, I now realize that the lessons I learned in baseball certainly helped get me through one of the toughest times of my personal life.

It took a great deal of fortitude, persistence and a consistent, positive attitude to get me through a frightening situation.

Now, I feel great. And my love for the game of baseball is still growing.

Currently, I find myself in the midst of my second year as an assistant varsity coach at Jamestown High School, where I have the opportunity to work with predominantly sophomores, juniors and seniors during the season.

I love to teach, and I love trying to instill my genuine appreciation for the game in the student-athletes I work with.

Unfortunately, this season, we have hit a major roadblock with the coronavirus pandemic.

High school spring sports seasons are in jeopardy and many universities have completely canceled spring sports seasons and championships.

During this time of uncertainty, my heart aches for the high school seniors I’ve had the chance to work with last year and early this season. I’ve seen firsthand all the time and work they’ve put in over the past couple of years and now they might not be rewarded for it. The same goes for any high school senior who participates in any spring sport.

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For those missing sports and baseball in particular, I’m not sure when, but I can assure you that America’s pastime will be back.

And when it is back, baseball diamonds all around the world will continue to act as that same happy place it is to me for many others.

The game can’t make us forget about this current pandemic. But as it has so many times throughout history, it will be there to help us rebuild and recover.