You Can't Win Without a Hit
I love an old ballpark, the kind that looks like something out of a movie set, where you half expect a baseball player in balloon pants to come out of nowhere. An afternoon at an old ballpark is time well spent indeed!
Over 20 years ago, I lived in Evansville, Indiana for a few years, home of Bosse Field, a well-known old park, and the set of A League of Their Own. Naturally, we went to see the hometown team (the Evansville Otters) for fun. It was a great way for a young couple to enjoy a few hours; I am married to a baseball aficionado.
I remember lots of things about that place — the small town feel of the team, the nostalgic setting, and the great laughs with my husband. But we have one memory that has stuck with me – and that my husband and I both like to remind one another – that goes beyond the park.
There was one fan — he was there frequently, sitting in the same seat, eating the same snacks, for most games. And throughout the game, no matter the score, he would cheer on the home team with the same (super loud) expression. “You can’t win without a hit!” he would bellow, over and over to the batters.* His cheering became part of the atmosphere, but his message is one that I have held onto and applied over and over.
In a world where big bold moves – splashy endings and “Plays of The Day” – are lauded, the age-old idea that this fellow espoused is important. Truth is, most accomplishments don’t come from a single moonshot but from many contributions, small and uncelebrated. You gotta start somewhere – “can’t win without a hit!” – from winning a baseball game to creating a new idea or program – all start with one step, no matter how small. Every step helps you get your scoring run around the bases.
We all need a guy like this fellow cheering for our small steps – even if that guy is in your own head, a coworker or leader-boss, or even your little dog companion. Be sure to cheer your team for the first hit, the first step and the small contributions!
*Yes, I know it is possible to win without a hit. I know…with the right combination of walks, steals, pop flies and/or wild pitches, you can actually score without a hit. Baseball superfans, please don’t DM me.
