Baseball season is in full swing. Here in Texas, we have more than a few places to participate in America’s game. I really enjoy baseball games live. Cold beer, hot dogs, and the 7th inning stretch. As a family outing for many, baseball is a very patriotic game and should be one that continues to inspire young people to believe in the good part of life.
When my dad lived in St Louis for a spell working, he and his buddy would go to a baseball game. There would normally be a double header. They would drink a beer and eat hot dogs for a ridiculously low cost. They may have spent one dollar for the tickets and another dollar for tons of food and drinks. Life was a little simpler back then and dad always has fond memories of that time of his life.
By the time the 5th or 6th inning rolls around, that pitcher is probably getting tired. He is struggling to get the ball over the plate and the speed has dropped. His arm is giving out. The unique aspect of baseball is when you are done the catcher comes out to have a talk with you. Then the head coach and a couple of base coaches come out. They are basically there to tell the pitcher, “You are done today”. It is a little awkward since everyone knows what is happening. It is like being fired for the day in front of the world.
Why not make it a positive experience? What if the catcher came out after each no hitter inning and gave him a huge high five? What if the coaches came to the pitcher and told him great job after a 3 up and 3 down inning? I know that baseball is a little different. Baseball is not a standard sport or job. In most other sports, athletes get to work through the trials and troubles they are having to hopefully become victorious on the other side. If they fail or lose, that is on them and no one else.
Positive feedback is crucial when building a team. That pitcher can represent anyone you deal with in life. It could be an employee, co-worker, boss, or just a close friend. When having a conversation with someone, it is important to tell them what they did right in addition to what they did wrong. In order to be successful, your goal should be to work through all the problems and focus on the positive. Simply do not make the same mistake again. The same can be said for work, school, sports, livestock shows, farming, ranching, and even baking at home. This is a simple rule in life. We are all going to make mistakes. Just do not make that mistake more than once.
When you are up to bat in the game of life, it is crucial to receive feedback. Both positive and negative are needed to be successful. One of the problems we have in society today is people are never told no. They are never corrected for their mistakes. They are only told they are winners. You are not a winner if you have never failed or been told you have failed at something in life. That pitcher on the mound knows when he is done. He knows when the time to sit out the rest of the game has come. That does not mean he is a bad pitcher. It means he needs time to rest, recover, and do it again the next game. Where he might be the closing pitcher and the last 2 innings of no hitters will bring the catcher, the coach, and the base coaches to the mound. This time to congratulate him on a great set of innings.
"I believe managing is like holding a dove in your hand. If you hold it too tightly you kill it, but if you hold it too loosely, you lose it." Tommy Lasorda – The Artful Dodger
Comments
Post a Comment