4 Lessons from my baseball dad
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4 Lessons From My Baseball Dad
How These Lessons Translated Into Playing Professionally
For 20 years, I spent a majority of my time on a baseball field. As both a player and coach.
My path:
- Little League
- Travel Baseball
- High School Baseball
- College Baseball
- Professional Baseball
- Coach at Two Universities
With Father's Day quickly approaching - I thought it might be a good time to dive into some thoughts & highlight four lessons from my baseball dad.
#1 Shake Hand, Eye Contact, "Thank You"
My dad would simplify it by saying: "don't be a punk."
Mannnnn, as a youngster -- it's uncomfortable to walk up to adults, shake their hand, and thank them for their time. But, looking back now -- it set a foundation of respect for others & their time.
No one else at 10 years old was doing it.
Camp would end -- the other kids and parents would jet.
Low-key, I would try to get out of there without doing it -- and, my dad would stop me and ask:
"did you thank the coaches for their time."
This was a great life lesson -- I am incredibly grateful to be taught this at a young age.
#2 Stick With It
Quitting wasn't an option.
If you start it -- you finish it.
When I was 12 years old -- I joined a new travel ball team that I was the outcast. Everybody knew everybody - and, no one knew the new kid (me).
In the beginning - I didn't fit in. I wanted to quit.
My dad wasn't having it --
Thank goodness - because I made great friends and spent a few years playing with that team. I met guys I would later compete against in high school, college, and pro-ball.
More so, I learned how to be uncomfortable with being the odd-man-out - and, how to navigate integrating with a new team -- it's an art, and a practice -- one in which a person won't learn by quitting.
#3 One Good Thing
"As long as you get one good thing -- it was worth your time."
Spend enough time around baseball and you will come across bad teammates, coaches, clinics, camps ... but, there's always something good to takeaway from it / them.
My dad would tell me this, and it didn't really register until I got older.
But, there really is lessons in every situation or person that you come across.
Find the good -- and if you can't find it -- find how the bad made you good.
#4 Let Your Game Do The Talking
Teddy Rosevelt said it perfectly, and it applies to baseball in a big way if you look at it right:
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
My dad always told me: "there is a fine line between cocky and confident. Be confident - don't be cocky."
There is more upside to being a confident, skilled teammate -- than there is being a cocky superstar --
When your career ends -- people will remember you for who you were as a teammate -- not as a ball player.
Be a good teammate. Carry yourself with a presence. Let your game do the talking.
Thank you for reading! My name is Randall Thompson, and in 2014 I started a company where we turn baseball bat barrels in drinking mugs.
I'd love to write more things like this -- so, if you think it's valuable -- share with someone in the baseball community that can get value from it.
When you share it will help spread the word about Dugout Mugs!
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A bat barrel turned into a 12oz drinking mug.
- Made in N. America
- A company started in a college baseball dugout
- Perfect mug to watch the big game on TV
- Conversation starter at a party or tailgate
- Put on display in an office, home-bar, or man cave
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A bat barrel turned into a 12oz drinking mug.
- Made in N. America
- A company started in a college baseball dugout
- Perfect mug to watch the big game on TV
- Conversation starter at a party or tailgate
- Put on display in an office, home-bar, or man cave
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