Christina Taylor Green  The tragedy on Saturday has taken one of our own, Christina Taylor Green, a Little Leaguer in every sense of the title. Christina played baseball in the Canyon Del Oro Little League for the Fall Pirates in 2009 and 2010. Her Dad, John, was a valued coach and friend on both teams, while sharing his dedication and talents with his son Dallas’ teams at the same time. Out of respect for Christina and the Green Family, it seems appropriate to share a little about the Little League Baseball side of Christina’s life. There is a sense that Christina’s story should be shared, both as a possible aid in the healing process for the family and community, but also as source of inspiration to all of us. Christina’s love for the game of baseball did not have to be learned or developed. The family connections to the game made it a part of who she was. What she exemplified in the baseball arena were the core characteristics we all hope our players will gain from Little League Baseball: CHARACTER, COURAGE and LOYALTY. CHARACTER: A sense of right and wrong, a willingness to do something about wrongs, a desire to learn, a determination to excel and a fun loving attitude. All of these are attributes that could explain what Character means, and we’ve all heard of Christina’s ability to demonstrate these, but on the baseball field these attributes shined ever so brightly. She was very competitive…she wanted to excel as an individual on the field, and she also wanted her team to excel. But she understood there was more going on in the Little League environment than just winning or losing. When she was at the field, she was as upset as anyone when a bad play occurred, but she was also as excited as anyone after a good play. One particular memory involved a hard slide at second base. Christina had flipped the ball from her second base defensive position to the shortstop covering second. The base runner made a clean but hard slide into second to break the play up. As the runner and shortstop were attempting to stand a bit of a struggle started for the right to occupy the base. Being right there, and with a sound sense of right and wrong she took charge and set the players straight on the play and the inappropriateness of the struggle. Her attitude and actions exuded the Character of a Leader COURAGE: Christina was not short on Courage. She played in a baseball league with boys that were strong and fast, but she never once was fazed about being the only girl on the team in 2010, nor did a hard hit ball or a whizzing fastball intimidate her. She had the courage to play every position on the field. In one particular game, Christina was having a quality at bat, seeing the ball well and fouling several balls off. After 6 or 7 pitches, the pitcher accidentally let a fastball go that plunked her pretty good. After picking herself up and dusting herself off, she was given the choice to take first base or finish her at bat (loose instructional league rules – and certainly she had earned the right to stay in the at bat). With a slight grimace on her face, but without hesitation, she replied “I want to hit”. And hit she did! Her tenacious spirit was pumped up and she drove a hard hit ball on the next pitch. Courage was just part of who she was. LOYALTY: It can be hard to tell when Loyalty comes naturally from a child or when it comes from the immediate prodding from a parent. Certainly, loyalty is a trait we as parents teach to our kids, but when a child demonstrates loyalty without prompting, we know it comes from them. Good teammates can pick a teammate’s spirit up much better than a coach can. Christina was always one that would reach out to a teammate in need of a “nice try” or “get’em next time”. When cheering was needed from the dugout, she could be counted on to get it started. But perhaps her loyalty to her team can best be demonstrated by example. A message was received early one Saturday morning from her Dad John that Christina was under the weather and wasn’t going to make it to the game later that morning. Just a couple hours later during warm ups before the late morning game, we were shocked to see her hustling her way through warm ups. You could tell she didn’t feel too hot, but she was keeping up with, even setting the example for the team. When asked how she came to be there, Dad responded with something to the effect of “she wanted to play ball, wanted to be here for the team”. She was loyal to her Pirate team despite her parent’s judgment…that was Christina’s Loyalty. There are countless memories of the remarkable ball player and person that was Christina. A few personal highlights: A particular game where the Pirate batters had managed to work the bases loaded. We were down a couple of runs and in need of a momentum swing. Christina came out of the dugout to bat and I couldn’t help but claim “here’s our RBI leader” which was the absolute truth. A few anxious swings later, Christina sat back on a fastball and drove a hard line drive up the middle bringing in two runs and putting us right back into the game. Her smile and excitement yielded one of the best high fives ever! In between innings during infield warm‐ups, a hot and sweaty day was cooled off a little by a second baseman fielding and throwing back to first all while singing the current pop hit song of the month. Not only was Christina singing she had the first baseman and right fielder singing too. She was so cool! Racing to get our running in was just part of what the Pirates did. As a result, it was no surprise when Christina and one of her teammate friends challenged one of the coaches to a race. After diligently negotiating the terms of the race, format and winnings, over the course of a week or so (negotiating was a strong skill of Christina’s), the race was had across the outfield and back, with Christina and teammate running forward and coach running backwards, all for an ice cream. The joy didn’t come from the winning (the coach lost), but rather from just the pure fun of the event! Christina was a great second baseman, an up and coming pitcher, a strong batter and an outstanding teammate. Pirates all receive an Outstanding Team Player award for their accomplishments during the year, and every year Christina epitomized what it meant to be an OTP!  Perhaps one of the most amazing traits of Christina was her balance in life. She was so engaged in everything, giving her best and excelling, but she still was capable of being a little girl…wanting to play for the sake of play, climbing the mesquite tree at the park with the rest of the team after practice while parents and coaches talked, laughing at silly jokes…she was rock star in so many ways, but also a beautiful little girl. May we all accept the challenge to glorify Christina by finding our own little ways to live life to the fullest, to demonstrate CHARACTER, COURAGE and LOYALTY with the zest Christina did. God Bless you Christina…and God Bless you John, Roxanna and Dallas. We love you all!  Christina rocked at second base: Young no. 12 was just a joy: Canyon del Oro Little League to Honor Christina Taylor Green http://www.srvll.org/#129292 |
Thank you so very much for conducting this memorial. My family just moved here 2 years ago from California. We are big baseball fans. We practically paid rent at Dodger Stadium, with whom Christina's father scouts for. We were devastated over the tragedy in Tucson. I have one son, he is a college student and will turn 21 on Valentine's Day this February. I have been collecting baseball patches for him since his birth. I am so grateful to be able to purchase this for him as well as my sister-in-law in California and the family benefits, also. God Bless you and God Bless Christina's family.
Please email any comments to share to cdobaseball@gmail.com and we will post them to the site.
My name is Rob Wolfgang. I am President of Brooklyn Little League in Anderson, IN. Speaking for myself, our Board of Directors, volunteers, players, parents and any others that are associated with our league, I extend to you, CDO Little League and to Christina's family, our deepest condolences for your loss.
I just read the story on your website about Ms. Green. From your story, she epitomized not only what it means to be a team player, but what it also means to be a great person.
With your permission, I would be honored if you would allow me to print this story and give it to each and every manager before our season begins this spring. If Ms. Green's story would only effect one manager, coach, player, etc. in our league, I feel that, even though with this great tragedy she can no longer play the game, if one person can learn from this, then she will still effect the game. Once again I will only do this with your permission and would be honored and humbled if you will allow us to do so.
I am going to immediately begin, through the assistance of our leagues board of directors, to come up with a way for players in our league to wear the patch if they so choose. We generally have approximately 400-500 kids each year in our league.
Once again my deepest condolences to Ms. Green's family and to her extended family at CDO Little League.
Thanks
Rob Wolfgang
January 21, 2011
Dear District Administrators, League Presidents and Local League Officials:
Following the tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that claimed the life of Little Leaguer Christina Taylor Green, Little League International has received several inquiries from local leagues and districts regarding ways to pay their respects.
Canyon Del Oro Little League, Christina's home league, has created a memorial patch to honor her passing and has made it available for purchase.Christina Green Uniform Patch
All chartered Little Leagues have the option of purchasing this commemorative patch and permission from Little League International to place the patch on regular season Little League uniforms.
To order, log on to www.cdobaseball.com. Accepted forms of payment are PayPal and personal check. Leagues wishing to pay by personal check must purchase a minimum of 50 patches per order.
Please direct any questions regarding patch purchases to Caroline Auza, at: Auza1@comcast.net; or call 520-241-7174.
One dollar from each patch sold will benefit the Christina Taylor Green Memorial Fund that has been established up by her father, John.
Sincerely,
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074
Mr. Turpin,
On behalf of the Dewey Humboldt Little League, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to both your league and to the family of Christina Taylor Green. When I was playing little league in the 70's, I was fortunate to have two girls on my team. Our little league does have one girl, who plays baseball, in the minor division. She was fortunate enough to make the all-star team last year. She'll be turning 10 this year.
Saying that, and being the oldest little league in the state (established in 1947), I would like to extend to you and the Green family an invitation to attend and to throw a ceremonial first pitch at our opening ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, April 2. Being a little league located in the mountains of Northern Arizona, we are unable to offer a year round league such as your little league does.
We are located in Dewey Humboldt, Arizona, which is about half way between Phoenix and Flagstaff, off of I-17 utilizing highway 69. Being that a drive of that distance will take about 3 hours, my league will provide hotel accommodations to both you and the Green family for either Friday night or both Friday and Saturday nights.
I know my entire league will be honored to receive you and the family.
I will proposed to my board, a request to remember Christina by purchasing and wearing the patch that has been designed.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Dale Poole
President, DHLL