The first crack of the bat secures the resounding nail in the coffin of winter. Sure there will be cool nights this spring. Players and fans alike may dawn stocking caps for those first cool evening spring games. But the boys of summer are back and with them the warmth of our game -- the American game.

From running the bases as a kid to now running my kids to their practices and games, baseball and softball have been of a great profit. Baseball has fueled rivalries, cemented friendships and created more family memories than can be counted. Least expected, baseball has provided a framework for understanding spiritual growth.

Of all the grace, beauty and seeming effortlessness of the game, nothing compares to the failure of baseball. Celebrated are the heroes who fail to hit the ball seven out of 10 times. Failing to make the play at the critical moment. Failing to cut off the runner. Giving everything to come up short. The small things that go wrong can easily change everything that went right. Baseball is a game of failure.

As a Christian I've had to come to terms with failure. The Bible is very clear, "We all fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Each of us who breath in the fresh cut grass, who shout at victory and mourn at defeat, we each fall short of God's standard. We each know what it is to fail beyond three of 10.

Grace in baseball is after the game. When the lights are off and the locker rooms are cleaned. When the Pee Wee leaguers are all tucked in to bed, and Moms are trying to figure out how to get grass stains out of white pants, that's when grace sneaks in. Grace that has been there all along reveals itself.

Grace says no matter my failures, God is greater. Grace says that while I may fall short every time, God's gift to me is eternal life. (Rom. 6:23)

He reaches past my failures, my brokenness -- my times at the plate when I stood there watching the ball go flying by, and brings me to victory.

Even in Mudville they know that while Casey struck out, somewhere a band is playing, the sun shining and hearts are lifted. Baseball reminds me that in the middle of my failures, God's grace is so much greater.

Play ball!

Robert Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more of him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com.