Baseball has been a part of my life since 1982 when I first put on a jersey for the Maroon team as an 8 year old in West Branch Little League. We didn’t have MLB teams as our mascots, and most of the kids wore tennis shoes and blue jeans instead of cleats and baseball pants. Our town only had 2,000 people in it, but they were passionate about the game and our hometown Detroit Tigers. I played for 5 seasons in the WBLL and what I remember most was having fun with my friends and learning about the game. 

This season I am the manager of the Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League. In addition to managing the team on the field I am also in charge of player personnel. Basically, I do all the transactions which includes signing, trading, and releasing players. This is a new responsibility for me so paying attention to detail, being organized, and having a positive attitude are three gigantic things I am focusing on this year. It made me think about how these apply to all workplaces and life, so I wanted to share them with you today. Here are 3 things that baseball has taught me about life.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

When I started coaching with the Giants in 2012 my manager Derin McMains told me that there is one constant in the game. The ball can always get you out so keep your eye on it. Paying attention to detail is so important in baseball. Picking up an opposing pitcher’s tendencies, defensive positioning, leadoffs on the bases, and a batter’s body language are just a few things we focus on as a coaching staff. 

Apply this to your workplace and life. What details are you focusing on? Are those things in line with your priorities? As men we can get so caught up with our jobs in the name of providing financially that our families suffer. Make a list of what you need to get done today and what can wait until tomorrow. Your family with thank you for it.

Stay Organized

When you oversee roughly 30 employees in a work environment that can be volatile at times it is incredibly important to stay organized. My phone rings almost every day regarding possible player transactions. If I spend too much time on this, it will take away from my main focus which is managing the current team we have on the field. Having set schedules in place and constantly communicating with our coaches and players keeps me organized as a leader.

Time is incredibly valuable and managing it could be the most important thing in your life. If you combine the hours that you are working, eating, and sleeping you probably only have 4 hours left in your day to spend time with your family or have a moment to yourself.  Write down your schedule and make room for your family and personal time with God. He loves spending quiet moments with you as well. 

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17, NIV

Have a Positive Perspective

A player with a good batting average in the Major Leagues hits over .300. That means they got a base hit in 3 out of every 10 at bats. Tell me any other job you have ever worked that getting your task done 3 out of 10 times was acceptable! Now, there are other stats we use in today’s game that shows a player’s worth like OBP, SLG, and OPS. I can go on. The point is we need to keep a positive perspective in life because what we go through daily is difficult both at the workplace and at home.

Playing baseball is difficult and the best coaches remember this from their playing days because they coach with empathy. Many coaches I have come across say that baseball is a game of failure. I disagree. It is a game of opportunity. These 2 statements mean the same thing, but one is said in a more positive way. When communicating with co-workers and especially your family keep things in perspective. Watch the tone you use with them and use positive words. This will help snuff out potential fires that are just in the kindling stage. Be the leader God called you to be by being an example of His son Jesus every day.

Here are some things to think about and apply to your life:

• Write things down to help stay organized. A short pencil is better than a long memory.
• Try  say everything in a positive way for 24 hours. You might be surprised how many times you catch yourself before you say something negative.
• Carve out 10-15 minutes spending time with God every morning and evening. You will be amazed how things will change. 

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