One of the first things all of us are taught, whether it be baseball or softball, is to “keep your eye on the ball.” We might be well served by doing so now.
In recent weeks and months Great Bend High School, and in particular its’ athletic department, has been rocked by scandal and misdeeds. I don’t need to list them here. We are all very aware of them. From local coffee shops to other school events, the question is often heard, “what the heck is going on at that school?” “They’ve got more problems than there are flies at a picnic!” Really?
We all agree that the problems are disagreeable and needed to be dealt with. However, let’s “keep our eye on the ball.” There are literally hundreds of students and coaches that are “doing it right.” Making us proud of our school.
Last Fall the Black Panther football team put together one of the best football seasons in years. Prospects are equally as good for 2016. Another terrific baseball season was just put in the books. In girls sports Great Bend is a solid contender from volleyball season to basketball and into the Spring sports of softball and track and field.
Academically Great Bend is blessed with a multitude of above average students who will make their mark not only in Great Bend but in college and the professional world. We have great participation in band and other musical endeavors.
The point of all of this is that, despite problems, Great Bend High School has a heck of a lot of good things going on. Henry Kaiser once said “Problems are just an opportunity in work clothes.” So yes, Great Bend has had a couple of problems, serious problems, but let’s remember to focus on all of the great things and not just the problems. Fix a problem and make it better.
Another way of saying this comes from the Essays of CARLYLE. “We are firm believers in the maxim that, for all right judgment of any man or thing, it is useful, nay, essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing his bad.”
Problems? Sure, but during times like this remember what you were taught when you first learned to play ball: “Keep Your Eye on the Ball!”

CHALK TALK
Speaking of “keeping your eye on the ball,” the Royals aren’t! With few exceptions, the Boys in Blue can’t score any runs! That’s not a good thing when your pitching staff is not doing so well either!
Muhammad Ali was a great boxer but there have been a lot of great athletes. The adulation game seems a little over the top to me!
It is a sin to play golf on Sunday. At least the way I play it.
Surprisingly, Stephen Curry is the first unanimous MVP in the 61-year history of the award in the NBA. That covers a ton of outstanding players who never got the unanimous nod including Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Bob Cousy and George Mikan among others.
Help Wanted. A home run hitter for the KC Royals! You don’t need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice!

Charles Tabler is a contributing writer from Larned.