I wonder if anybody from my softball team reads this blog. Recently because of the Christmas season, many TCBC gatherings including the softball gathering again. I have a good time with these people.

Something really caught my attention as of late, and it has to do with people joining our softball ministry/team. So I am all for inviting people to play, friends, those who want to play but don't have a team, or just someone who wants to play for our team. However, I've been noticing a lot of "so, you going to play for us next year?" questions directed to a lot of people. Or "why don't you ask __ to play for our team?"

Don't get me wrong, our team is open to new players as it should be. But my practical frame of mind begs the questions, "After all this asking, can we accomodate them?"

My church had two teams last year with 25 and 31 people respectively. How can we invite more people to play if we are not opening up a new team. Isn't that a bit irresponsible of the inviters to ask, give hope, and then at the end may need to retract the offer because there is no space?

I personally would not invite people unless there is space, and at this point, unless someone says so, I don't know if there will be a third team. It's all good to make people feel welcome and everything, and it may be something good to put into a conversation, but we should also be responsible with the things we say if we cannot back them up, or live up to the hope.

This goes with everything, not just softball. I totally believe in only making statements that I can back up. Don't try to give hope that may be taken back. In regards to softball, why can't you say "we are now evaluating our team structures, we'd love for you to come play for us, but we also have to look at the numbers first. I'll get back to you."