You can't lose ‘em all!

Some of the area's baseball and softball teams played very challenging schedules this season that saw them lose many more games than they won.

But without exception, the kids kept playing.

Now imagine losing every game in a season. Multiply that by six and you'll have an idea of what the players and supporters for the Martinsville, Va., high school softball team dealt with. Up until a 6-5 win April 1, they had been mired in a six-year losing streak.

Six years.

That means there were two entire classes that came in as freshmen, possibly played all four seasons, and never once tasted victory. They continued trying out for the team, going to all the practices, holding their heads up high and doing their best.

And still they lost.

I remember how even as a child playing baseball at the neighborhood sandlot, I hated losing. I still do. Whether it's playing Scrabble with my wife, playing my "vintage" Nintendo, or playing euchre online, I still hate losing. I would never be on a six-year losing streak - because I would have given up long before six years.

I tip my hat and my pen to the Martinsville softball team, as well as to the teams I've covered that have had less-than-stellar seasons this year. Your perseverance will serve you well later in life when you are dealing with issues way more important than sporting events.

All of us - especially me, being a Chicago Cubs fan - will have to deal with losing out on something. Whether it is not getting a promotion, being turned down for a loan, or maybe being told, "Let's just be friends."

Take a cue from the Martinsville girls and hang in there. Even Charlie Brown eventually hit a home run in the last inning and won a game for his beleaguered ball club.

It just goes to prove that you can't lose ‘em all.

Craig Purcell is the sports editor for Tri-County Newspapers. Contact him at 824-1036 or e-mail sports@tcnpress.com.