Bleacher Butt and Lessons

I remember sitting on the bleachers watching the many sports my two kids were involved in. I called myself having “bleacher butt” from all of the time I spent sitting on them. This past weekend I watched my grandson play in a baseball tournament. Sitting on the bleachers reminded me, again, of having bleacher butt and watching him learn some of life’s lessons.

Playing youth baseball offers more than just athletic training, it teaches lessons that extend far beyond the diamond. Some important lessons kids learn are embracing failure and building resilience, the power of having teamwork – constant collaboration with other teammates, effective communication and trusting others to do their part, being coachable and learning early on they don’t know everything, the value of the process of getting better with practice, the need to stay focused and mental toughness with having to wait for the right pitch and managing pressure when the game is on the line, and always having good sportsmanship and respect — especially after a tough loss.

Do these sound like lessons you’ve learned working in the towing industry? Teamwork, communication, practice, having to focus and having mental toughness, embracing failure, but also liking the process of getting better?

My grandson did not win the championship. I know he was disappointed because he missed a fly ball, which let a runner get a run in.

I could certainly relate to his disappointment, and I knew he wasn’t ready to discuss that play or the loss. We went out for lunch after, and by the time dessert came he was in a much better mood. My son texted me later and said he wanted to practice hitting and catching with him.

Way to come back after a loss. (Proud moment for grandma.)