Life Lessons Learned on The Little League Field

The following essay was written by Connor Sauer in support of his successful application for a scholarship from Orange Little League. We're publishing it with his family's permission.

As I write this essay, three quotes come to my mind which were spoken to me by my coaches and parents during my OLL days. As a young boy playing baseball, all I wanted to do was get a hit, catch the ball and win the game. That’s all that mattered. But thanks to the great coaches I had during my Little League years, I learned not only how to become a better player fundamentally but words of wisdom to apply to my life.

One of the first things I learned was “There is no “I” in “TEAM” and the word TEAM means “Together everyone accomplishes more”. I quickly had to take the focus off of me and encourage and help all my teammates, as well as learn to win in a humble manner and lose in a good sportsman-like manner. That is how I try to live my life today as a young man. When things are going great, I am humble and never boastful. And when things don’t go my way and others seem to be doing better than me at one thing or another, I remain hopeful for myself and happy for others.

The second valuable lesson I learned from one of my OLL coaches is “It’s the little things that make up the big thing”. As a young boy, I just wanted the big things – the big hit, the big catch, the big win. But coach taught us that the little bunts that advance a runner help set up the big hit to score the run. You don’t always have to swing for the fence to claim your own glory. Or the constant hustle on the base paths to beat out a hit and keep the inning alive. This stands true in my life today. Doing the small things like studying and organizing my time and priorities earns me success in school. And hustling on my job and displaying good work ethic brings much satisfaction to my employer and me.  

As a student at Notre Dame High School, community service is a major requirement each year. Honestly, at first I frowned upon this and did not look forward to having to give up days over my summer vacation to fulfill my community service. 

However, my attitude was quickly turned around. I’ll never forget my first day helping out at the Beth El Community Soup Kitchen in Milford. I didn’t know there were people in our community who were dependent upon this soup kitchen for a meal each day. I volunteered there for 3 summers and got a tremendous sense of gratitude and appreciation for how much Beth El and all their volunteers did to help so many people and how thankful the people who went there were to all the volunteers. 

The words from my coaches rang true once more through this community service – TEAM and the little things. Together all the volunteers accomplished so much and the little things we did were huge for others. I can honestly now say that even though being an athlete has bought me quite a few moments of self-satisfaction, there was never a moment that bought me more joy than seeing the thanks and appreciation of serving a meal to someone in need. What had started off as a high school requirement changed my outlook on giving back to the community you live in. 

The third greatest quote from my OLL days came to me from my dad who was also my coach. As we left the park one night, I remember looking back through my dad’s rear window at Roche field. The lights were shining bright through the summer haze. 

My dad said “Connor, these days are going to be some of the best in your life”. 

I didn’t understand what he meant at the time, but now, it’s all clear to me. They were the best days of my life and I learned great words from some great coaches that I can carry into my future and for that I will always be grateful to OLL.