One of my favorite hobbies is coaching girls softball. This years 12U team (non-competitive – although to watch these girls play would challenge that concept) is an impressive group. They’ve shown an amazing amount of dedication, discipline and grit. It’s been doubly enjoyable for the coaches this year since more of the normal softball rules apply at this age. There’s an element of strategy involved. One of the more difficult techniques they’ve had to master is the art of stealing home.
Some of the more experienced players like to taunt the catcher, running halfway home hoping they’ll throw. Others, however, are not quite so bold. This last week, one young player in particular was extremely reticient to even take her lead. As 3rd base coach, I told her she needed to take a strong primary lead. I walked nearly halfway to home plate and drew a line in the dirt with my foot. I told her that, with each pitch, she should lead off all the way to the line. She wouldn’t move off the base. Finally, she looked at me and said, “Coach, I’m scared.” I just told her that she could do it, smiled, and added that if she didn’t she’d be running laps after the game.
She finally inched off the bag a few steps, the catcher dropped the ball, and I sent her home. Score!
She ran over, huge smile on her face, and gave me a high-five. “I did it!”
Yes, you did.
This young lady inspired me. I’ll admit to making a few extra calls that week. Hit my goal this month, too.
Check yourself. Are you camping out on base when you need to be running?
Tags: courage, goals, softball, SuccessCategories: Business Development, Success.
As I was reading this it reminded me of days of complacency after experiencing tragedy or “perceived” tragedy in different areas of my life. I called it “rest”, but honestly complacency leads to indifference, and indifference leads to idleness. If you stand for nothing, you don’t care about anything. Today, I’m running! Who was it that said “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” ? Wait… was that you? ~n