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General  | General  | 5/2/2022

The Lead Off: May

Clint Hurdle     
Photo: Perfect Game
Happy May to everyone! πŸ‘‹
 
Baseball is in season at all levels.⚾️

High school is getting close to playoffs.



College programs are in full stride with their sights on playoffs, regionals, sectionals, etc., and even OMAHA.🏟

MiLB and MLB are closing in on putting the first month in the books.
 
I’ve been watching high school games the past two months and it has been eye-opening in many ways. Many talented young players out there doing their thing, and everyone experiencing different results.

I watch the coaches coach and encourage. πŸ‘ Most of the time. I watch the parents, families and friends cheer and root positively. πŸ™Œ Most of the time.

There have been enough awkward statements and sideways conversations that I thought I’d try and be a voice of reason for parents and leaders, as we all need encouragement.πŸ‘Š
 
I’ve been the player, coach and manager that needs space and encouragement at times even when my performance was less than. There were times I didn’t want to hear any more coaching...and didn’t want to hear, “ You gotta want it!” πŸ’―

Sometimes I just need a hug or an arm put around my shoulder.

Sometimes I needed someone to hear me.πŸ‘‚
 
I’m going to share with you a message that I read at least once a month to remind myself of what friendship and empathy look and feel like. This is below and I would encourage you strongly to read what C.A. Phillips has to say and share. This is priceless wisdom.
 
Let’s not be a part of ending someone’s career in the car ride home.
 
Keep swingin’!
Keep looking up ⬆️ 
The best is yet to come.
 
Clint 

Career-Ending Conversations
By C.A. Phillips 

I was listening to Dimino and Cellini on 680 The Fan this week, when a statement by a caller gripped me. During the show, one of the topics being discussed was how to talk to and motivate your children when it comes to athletics. This is a meaningful subject to me, and I was listening intently. Several dads of former and current amateur athletes called in to offer suggestions and sage advice. But, one statement stopped me cold.

“You know when most kids’ careers end?” he asked. “On the ride home.”

Ouch.

I don’t coach my kids anymore – not in sports, anyway. But, I did coach them in baseball and basketball for many years, both at the rec and travel levels.  I was incredibly competitive (still am), and hyper-critical of their effort and performance. I made the mistake of going on the offensive on the drive home from the field, the court, the tournament. Instead of allowing them the opportunity to reflect on how the game or weekend went, I initiated a conversation with them.

This worked against what I hoped to accomplish. Instead of it leading to a meaningful dialogue, it put them on the defensive. And, particularly with my younger son, these forced interactions resulted in anger and discouragement.

I was a good coach. I prepared my teams, I had a plan for every practice, and every game and tournament was methodically mapped-out. But, one area I failed in was not being enough of an encourager to my own boys. And, not only that, I likely curbed their personal growth in some areas by not allowing them to ponder things on their own.

Thankfully, I didn’t push them to the point where they threw their hands up in the air and say, “I quit!” My poor choices in this area didn’t lead to them choosing to end their respective careers prematurely. But, it could have!

If you really want to get the most of out of you children, encourage them. Allow them to chew on things for a while after a tough game. After a day or two, ask them if they want to go hit BP, or shoot hoops in the driveway. And, above all, love them. Once they know you love them unconditionally, they’ll be ready and willing to listen to your advice on how to improve on the field.
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