The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Never Under Estimate The Bench

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher

30 January 2002

I love a good exciting game, and watching Friday's Bi-County Championship gave us a couple of very exciting games. The La Harpe-Northwestern girls battled Spoon River Valley overcoming a 17 point deficit to come out on top.

Then the Southern Rebels stormed the Yorkwood-Roseville boys holding a 20 point lead throughout most of the game. This was a team that had beat the Rebels earlier in the season.

The Thunder spirit in the girls game during the second half caused several turnovers despite landing several of them on the floor. The intense energy of each team was felt. The starters from the Rebels were intense for most of the game, despite the strong lead which we had seen quickly turn around for Valley in the girl's game.

Finally, the point of acceptance came for Roseville-Yorkwood and they retired their starters to "the bench."

At this point, Southern retired starters to put in their bench for the last several minutes of the game.

What is so commendable from a fan's perspective is the intensity in which these very talented players contributed as well.

Not to take away from the talent of the starters and their excellent game contributions they make each night, but in team sports, an excellent bench is just as important, especially in close games, teams in foul trouble, games when players are having off-nights, or in games when there are injuries.

I have to say it is even more impressive when a player attends every practice, puts forth all the effort he can, travels to all the games to see his teammates play while he/she cheers them on.

Then, when he might be called upon, even for a few moments, he pours everything he has been storing up, into those few minutes to help "the team" win or keep winning.

The winners of the championship game had that kind of bench:the type that could break ties if called upon, or keep the winning margin safe, because they were attentive and ready whenever needed.

"The Bench" reflects more of what life is all about for the average citizen. Whether it is in our family, business, community, or backing our fellow countrymen, it is important to be there when we are called upon and to be prepared with all the practices and knowledge we can gather.

In real life, only a very few can be the "super stars" so to speak, but all of us can contribute 100% of our abilities.

At an Ag Strategies Seminar Monday in Carthage put on by First State Bank of Western Illinois, a report of Jeff Galle's market study tour to China included his thoughts about the Chinese:

"One thing I know," he said. "They will do what they choose to do. They are a very proud, hard working people, working 12 hour days, 7 days a week, and then you have to tell them to go home.

"Absenteeism is null. If they decide to be our trading partners, they will do it. .......If they decide to go to war, they will do that, too."

Galle said even without all the news we have here in the United States, the Chinese are very much in the know of what's going on. They are not a third world country as he thought, but very developed.

We, as Americans may get the wrong impression when we see others "on the bench", and not as involved in the main arena of life.

The character of a nation and of our communities is very much like the teams of our Bi-County Champions.

We can't afford not to be prepared and ready if called upon. Like the passengers of the United Airlines flight over Pennsylvania on 9-11, the rescue workers in New York City, and those in our nation's military, we must always prepare ourselves for that moment we might be called upon.

For most of us in the crowd, at games, or in life, we are the ones on "the bench." Although we coach, help the referee, give all sorts of advice from our seats, few of us, if any, have gone through life undefeated or without spending our share of time on "the bench."

The point is, what do we do when WE are handed the ball and asked to do our part.

I hope we give 100% and help our teammates be winners. For in that seemingly insignificant moment we might be able to save the team and become the hero.

Starters of the team deserve the applause for their excellent talent, hard work, and performance, but we also must not overlook the importance of the dedicated bench.

Often they are the motivators, the heart of the team, with an even harder task of always being ready for the unexpected times they will be called upon.