My husband loves baseball. He grew up near the ballpark and every year his family would attend countless games. It's probably his favorite sport.
While I don't relish the game the way hubby does, I ™ve learned to appreciate it and enjoy going to the ballpark with him. There's something fun and strangely peaceful about attending a game.
Maybe it's being outside with thousands of others, listening for the crack of the bat. Or hearing the cacophony of sounds: the chatter of fans, the funky organ music and the vendors trying to break my dedication to healthy eating with their cries of hot-dogs, peanuts, ice-cream . Food delivered to your seat. Yep, the ballpark is my kind of place.
The game itself? I know enough to get by. This can be an annoyance to hubby, who must put up with me asking questions such as did we get the field goal? , what quarter is it? , why is the pitcher using sign language? , are we going to stay for the whole game?
What fascinates me most is the succession planning in baseball. Corporations could learn from this.
Players get drafted for a franchise, yet usually are sent to something called a farm team or a minor league team. Like a training class for new recruits, baseball gives the newbies some practice time; time to prove themselves. And sort of a ˜try it before you buy it ™ opportunity for the team.
If players do well, and the sun and moon and stars align, they are promoted to the major league. Technical term for this is called going to the show . Don't you love it?
For ballplayers, going to the show is a promotion to their dream job. This is what they ™ve been waiting for.
Been thinking about the concept of going to the show a lot lately. Friends who have been out of work are finally hitting pay dirt as companies call them with job offers. They are excited about going to the show, being recognized as someone who can make a contribution to the team.
Some are nervous, wondering if they have what it takes to make it in the big leagues. And all wonder if they ™ll get pushed out and sent down to the minors again with another lay-off.
The good news about baseball and careers is that we can get called to the show more than once. The key is to keep identifying new opportunities and push for what we want. There's always another opportunity to be called up to the big league.
Like the ballplayers that get sent back to the minors, we need to remain focused on our goals when looking for a job. Gotta be ready when the call comes.
In the meantime, I ™m enjoying being at the ballpark and waiting for the kick-off. Pass the peanuts, please.
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