There are two seasons where I live: baseball and hockey.

Like most Canadians, I like hockey.
Unlike most Canadians, I love baseball.

The baseball season is only 3 months long.
It takes time away from the beach, the pool, and the campgrounds.

But, like I said, I love it.

Since my son could throw a ball, I’ve coached him and his friends.

This year, I was promoted to head coach.
The kids are closer to men than boys.

The dugout is filled with 16-year-olds, complete with dirty language, testosterone, and laughter.

One kid suggested a swear jar. I liked the idea, but the boys didn’t implement it. I didn’t like the language, but I didn’t want to be another adult trying to tell them what to do. I had enough things I made them do. This was my compromise.

One kid named Tyler swore the most. Tyler confided in me that his dad left when he was two years old. His stepdad coached him from the stands. I asked Ty what he thought of that. He hated it as much as I did. Tyler talks without thinking. At a big game, a player on the other team got hit by a pitch. The umpire called “Foul ball,” thinking the ball hit the bat. The batter flopped around on the ground like a salmon. Tyler, from shortstop, yells out, “Get the kid a Grammy. He’s acting the hell out of it.”

I turned to 6 foot 4, 16-year-old Myles in the dugout, “Did Tyler just say, get the kid a Grammy?”
Yup, he sure did.
Does he know Grammy’s are for music?
Apparently not.
Hey Tyler, Grammy’s are for music.
What’s the acting awards?
Oscars.
“Oh. Get the kid an Oscar then.”
Myles was sulking in the corner because he hadn’t pitched well. After that, he was giggling again.

Kids make mistakes. And they learn.

In the business world, we make mistakes too.

As one parent said, “Mistakes are either temporary or permanent. My hope is that my son makes only temporary ones.”

In business, mistakes are all temporary. Even if the worst happens, it’s like a video game.
Press RESET.

The only permanence to business mistakes is your decision to not continue.

Baseball is supposed to be fun.
Fans scream at the umpires. Kids fret over personal statistics. Dads coach from the stands. And coaches stress about winning, which complicates the fact that baseball is just a game.

Baseball is like life. I think that’s why I love it so much.
The simplicity gets clouded by the complications we create.

We miss the fun when we miss the lesson.

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