| Baseball and life have a lot of similarities. I know | | | | Baseball and life teaches us that everyone fails at |
| what you are thinking, yea right, it's simply a | | | | some point. What matters is not giving up. What |
| game involving a bat and a ball. What can that | | | | matters is getting up and you keep pounding the |
| possibly teach us? I am here to tell you what it | | | | rock. And while you are pounding the rock, |
| can teach you. Not only baseball, but other sports | | | | without even knowing it, you are gaining |
| as well. | | | | character, desire, determination, and that great |
| Growing up I couldn't see the similarities with | | | | spirit that will carry over into life skills. |
| baseball and life. I simply knew that a game was | | | | When I reflect back and try to understand what I |
| on and lets go play! But as time has evolved and I | | | | learned from this game, I can now see what it |
| have gone on to other things, only now can I | | | | has taught me. I know I can handle any situation, |
| reflect and look at what the game of baseball has | | | | because I know how to get back up and move |
| taught me. | | | | forward. I can deal with personal one-on-one |
| Baseball and life are similar. I think the first thing it | | | | situations, because baseball taught me that. |
| taught me was personal interaction. How to deal | | | | I know if it doesn't go just right, there is always |
| with teammates and how to work together | | | | tomorrow and the prospect of better things. I |
| towards a common goal. We all wanted to win | | | | can handle defeat because I know it is only an |
| together, but we also experienced defeat | | | | opportunity for success later. And an opportunity |
| together. We learned how to deal with defeat and | | | | for me to learn along this road called life. |
| how to rise above it. How to keep on trying | | | | Yes, baseball has taught me how to be in life, |
| every out, every game. We didn't know it at the | | | | how to handle the ups and the downs, how to be |
| time, but we were learning valuable skills that | | | | a better person, and how to go out and get what |
| would carry over to other facets of our lives. | | | | I want in life. It is a grand game in so many ways! |
| It also taught me how to deal with one-on-one | | | | Baseball for me was a stepping stone to my |
| situations. You against the pitcher in the batter's | | | | career now. Yes, I accomplished a lot in baseball, |
| box with the game on the line. You strike out and | | | | but it is where I am now that matters to me and |
| the game is over. How did you handle this on a | | | | baseball helped me get here. |
| personal level? It taught you that you will | | | | I am now a captain with the Tucson Fire |
| overcome even in the eyes of defeat. It teaches | | | | Department and a paramedic. I have the |
| you how to handle defeat amongst your peers | | | | opportunity to save lives and affect them in a |
| and what you will do to be better next time. | | | | positive way. I deal with tragedy, as well as the |
| Baseball and life are similar, they are just on | | | | overwhelming emotion when saving a life. How do |
| different stages. | | | | I handle these pressure situations when faced |
| How about your hitting? You fail seven out of ten | | | | with real emergencies? |
| times and you are a three hundred hitter and a | | | | I can look back and know that baseball taught me |
| hero. You fail eight out of ten times and you are | | | | life skills and the ability to handle success as well |
| only hitting two hundred. One extra hit per ten at | | | | as defeat. I know that I put my best foot |
| bats can propel you from hero status to the goat | | | | forward each day. Somedays will be enriched with |
| status. How do you deal with defeat when you | | | | reward, and some with tragedy, but I will keep |
| are only hitting two hundred? Do you throw in the | | | | the course and give it my all. Baseball taught me |
| towel or do you put your best effort forward, | | | | that. And I hope it can help you as well. Please |
| hold your head high, and carry on with great | | | | email me with any thoughts or questions. |
| determination? | | | | |