Good Baseball and the True Meaning of Sportsmanship

By Louis Patler, Dragons 60+ World Series Player

My team, the Dragons from California, were playing against the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Phillies in the 60+ division of the 2019 MSBL World Series. It was our first game of the week and to save our aces, and on my 76th birthday, I was given the start on the hill. I ended up pitching five innings giving up only a couple of runs to a very good hitting Phillies team. We had the lead when I left but ended up losing by a run.

But the real story was after the game during the handshake line when their manager, Frank Phillips, shook my hand and would not let go! He said “I hear it’s your birthday and that you are 76?!!”

I said yes to both, as he kept hold of my hand and walked me over to their dugout as the entire Phillies team sang happy birthday to me! They also insisted on taking a photo with a birthday message.

That to me epitomizes what MSBL is really all about: good baseball and good sportsmanship!