In my mind, I can see him now, on the mound, winding up and sending batters back to the dugout one after another, with grace and ease. The kind of confidence that you see in athletes more than twice his age. But he was special, a gift from God with the kind of talent that only He can give. But, I never knew him, never attended any of his games and never even knew his name. But I always knew he was out there. Someone had to be the best, and it was Stephen Gant.  
I am a Mom with a young son who plays competitive baseball and this event gives me great pause. I am not making any connection between this wonderful gift from God and baseball. What I am connecting, is how I need to focus on my son and keep him close in my view and in my heart.  Right now, his parents are probably questioning themselves and feeling a pain that I cannot imagine. My heart hurts for them and I pray they give themselves time to remember how special he was, outside of baseball.  I have learned that at some point, our kids shut us out and begin making their own decisions. Many times, we dont agree with them or understand them, nonetheless, it is a threshold that must be crossed and every child gets there.  Whatever his pain, Stephen also had much more joy. I am sure he had a loving family, friends and the adoration of many.  But I konw baseball and baseball familes are a special group. We dont have cheerleaders with pom-poms, there is no band, to serenade is through each inning and there is no half-time entertainment. No, we have something special, we have a love for the game and an even deeper love for the thousands of kids who give it their all each time they run out on the field. First, to make their families proud and later, to prove to themselves that they can achieve great heights as individuals and even greater rewards as a team. 
I never met Stephen Gant, but I know Stephen Gant.  He was a gift from God and may his soul be at peace.