The more I coach the more I discover life-metaphors that sports teach us. My daughter took the mound this week on her birthday. She was excited all day that she got to play ball on the day of her birth. Then...things did not begin well. She could not find the plate. She could not pitch a strike for her life! I was dying inside. She walked the bases loaded. She got an out. She walked in a run. She walked in another run. She got another out. She walked in another run....
As Team manager -I called time out - and walked to the mound. In seasons past when Michaela struggles at pitching- she kind of gets tear-eyed and fearful. Usually when she struggles she wants the HECK OFF the mound. But on the day of her birthday - feeling all 11 years of her age - she looked back at me in confidence and said "DAD, I'M FINE".
I went back to the duugout and she proceeded to strike out the next batter. And I realized my daughter has developed a sense of "composure under pressure" that only comes from being a seasoned 11 years old veteran.
