GLOVE WITH LOVE CAMPAIGN
THE GLOVE WITH LOVE CAMPAIGN
In the heart of Las Vegas, a life-changing encounter unfolded between Shea and a young player yearning for inspiration. As the week long event progressed, Shea's empathy led him to confront the boy's deepest fears and insecurities, guiding him towards newfound confidence and purpose.
Encouraged by this transformation, the young player and his mom launched the "Glove with Love" campaign, spreading hope and love from Canada to Mexico through the universal language of baseball.
Shea found himself immersed in the vibrant energy of the Big League Experience event in bustling Las Vegas, taking on the role of mentor and instructor to young baseball enthusiasts. Amidst the hustle and bustle, a concerned mother approached him early in the week-long affair, her worry etched on her face. She sought Shea out, pleading for his guidance for her 11-year-old son, who seemed to be grappling with a crisis of confidence, lost in a narrative of self-doubt.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Shea realized a mere conversation wouldn't suffice. He needed to forge a connection built on trust to truly make an impact on the young player's life.
As the week drew to a close and the final day of the Las Vegas experience dawned, Shea seized the opportune moment. Pulling the young boy aside, he gently broached the sensitive topic, his words laden with empathy. "You feel like you don’t belong here, don’t you?" Shea's astute observation struck a chord, evoking an emotional response from the boy as tears streamed down his cheeks like a torrential downpour.
In that vulnerable moment, Shea tenderly dispelled the misconceptions clouding the boy's mind. "Your appearance has nothing to do with it," he reassured, his voice steady with conviction. "You don't fit in because you're not a follower; you're a leader. I can see it in your eyes."
With each word, Shea unraveled the tangled web of self-doubt, peeling back the layers of insecurity to reveal the boy's true potential. Delving deeper, Shea addressed the elephant in the room – the bullying the boy endured at school. As the boy nodded in acknowledgment, Shea imparted a simple yet powerful message: "Tell them to zip it."
In that profound moment of clarity, Shea instilled a newfound sense of empowerment in the young player, urging him to silence the relentless barrage of negative self-talk with a resolute "zip it."
And then Shea put his arm around the young boy as he’s crying and Shea looked him in the eyes and he says, "Just remember this, when you hear the word ZIP IT, you’re gonna remember me saying that. A two-time MLB All-Star with his arm around you, saying that he believes in you because I believe in you and you can do it".
Months later, Shea received an unexpected call from the boy's mother, her voice brimming with gratitude and awe. The transformation in her son was nothing short of remarkable – not just physically, but mentally. Emboldened by Shea's words of wisdom, the once timid boy had blossomed into a confident, resilient individual.
The Mom asked Shea and his wife Kristen how she could repay them.
Shea answered, "You don’t have to do anything for me just pay it forward. This is what life is about".
Then Kristen jumped in and said, "You know what, we have a baseball academy down in Mexico and if you guys really want to do something, it would be cool if you guys could collect some baseball equipment for the kids in Mexico".
Together with the boy's family, they spearheaded the "Glove with Love" campaign, rallying communities to donate baseball equipment to underprivileged children in Mexico. Each glove donated from the Canadian baseball players had a ball in it with a handwritten note of hope and inspiration to the children in Mexico.
Wow! What a powerful experience to witness.
What began as a simple act of kindness blossomed into a movement, igniting hope and spreading joy across borders. From the bustling streets of Las Vegas to the dusty fields of Mexico, Shea witnessed the transformative power of love and compassion, transcending language barriers and cultural divides.
As the "Glove with Love" campaign continues to flourish, Shea remains steadfast in his commitment to uplifting others, one act of kindness at a time. For him, it's not about the equipment; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and hope in the hearts of those who need it most.
Together, united by a shared passion for baseball and a deep-seated belief in the power of love, Shea and his dedicated team at AAO continue to make a difference, one glove at a time.
Together, we can be the Voice to the Voiceless!
- The Against All Odds Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
registered in the state of Arizona - All donations are tax-deductible -