The❤️of Baseball: Redefining Value

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The wafting aroma of grilled onions, the anticipation of an exciting match-up, the reverberating crack of the ball off the bat – these moments transcend the scoreboard. It’s about more than stats; it’s about the heart of the players, measured in courage, resilience, and determination. This article isn’t a fresh take on “Moneyball”; it’s about reevaluating how we gauge our worth in life.

The Hidden Value of On-Base Percentage

On-Base Percentage (OBP) measures a player’s offensive value by telling us how frequently they reach base, not just through hits, because being on base increases scoring chances and leads to more victories. Simple enough. But let’s delve deeper into what we’re truly cheering for.

The average OBP in 2023 is .320, consistent over the last 23 years. The MLB OBP for 2023 ranges from .416 (Acuna) to .267 (Baez). So, on average, a player has a 32% chance of getting on base and a 68% chance of not. A .320 OBP is good! Acuna at 41% is amazing! What you don’t see is anyone crushing it near 80, 90, or even 100%. (PS You can apply this approach to many MLB stats like season performance, BA, ERA.)

When a batter steps up to bat, their career and seasonal stats are displayed. You may know the player is currently in a slump or on a hot streak. You may know that the situation calls for composure or that pressure might lead to a choke. But what I focus on is the player’s heart – the awareness of their stats yet possessing the courage to face the pitcher, even when the odds are stacked against them. They are more likely to not get on base (68%) than to get on base (32%). However, the player carries determination and hope that keeps them coming to the plate – that maybe this is the pitch that changes the game.

Shifting Our Perception of Value

What’s interesting about these percentages is if we apply them to school grades, effort, performance ratings, or test scores, they’re terrible as societal measures of worth and value. A 32% as a passing rate is viewed as a failure, a flunk. What if we reset our mindset to baseball’s mentality, where getting on base, or in our life showing up, between 41% - 26% is pro-level value? Why do we use 100% or perfection as the measurement of our value? How would it feel to adopt a baseball player’s mindset? How would this affect our perception and experiences?

As a professional with a high-achieving mindset, I was driven to be everything to everyone, to make every interaction supportive, beneficial, and productive. Out of work discussions, I ended up taking on more tasks and wider responsibility than others because of this urge to achieve, to bring my A-game and give every functional area of my job 100% effort. It wasn’t until my dad and I were chatting about the baseball season, and he dropped the comment that even the best player fails more than 50% of the time. His insight stayed with me for a long time, and I slowly began to consider what it’d feel like to adopt this mindset in my work. I rebalanced my work enthusiasm across the various functions of my job to add up to 100%. During meetings when work was being divided up, I stayed quiet longer, waiting to see who else would step up to the plate. If it was an area under my scope then I would confidently raise my hand. I started to withhold my quick opinions and thoughts until others shared theirs so that I could interpret more information into my response instead of jumping up to quicken the process and move things along. It may have seemed to outsiders that I was “quiet-quitting”, but internally, I knew I was just trying to adopt a baseball player's mindset – determining when and how much I could show up. Accepting my limits as a person, I can’t be everywhere, be everything to everyone. I can't compare myself to someone else who has a higher tolerance for heavier workloads because everyone has different capacities and limits. Recognizing and respecting my own boundaries is crucial for maintaining balance and well-being.

Embracing Our Human Imperfections

Humans were not designed to be perfect. Yet we keep using 100% as the measure of our value, which deflates us. It’s a long societal story, or limiting belief, that we have to “ace the test,” “give it 100%,” or “be an exceptional employee.” So when we are at bat and don’t make it to base, we shatter. It may feel like we’re not worthy or valuable. That experience is what limits us because the next time a shattered individual comes up to the plate, they aren’t motivated to try. It’s a downward spiral to learn-helplessness. This measure for perfection can make us feel like we don’t bring value when our score, our effort, or annual rating is below the top tier. But how true is that story? What if, instead of striving for perfection, we embraced the idea that effort and progress are what truly count?

Applying the Baseball Mindset to Everyday Life

We know from baseball that a 32% OBP is average, and we accept that for the players. Why don’t we accept that for ourselves? For instance, the project you’re leading or presentation you’re hosting will have hiccups, errors, and last-minute changes, but like the batter, you’re going to walk up to the plate and do your best with courage, trusting your skills and reaction. This is where growth, creativity, and genuine connection with yourself and others continue to grow. You won’t be worried that something is going to happen because you know it will, so now all you have to focus on is being ready to respond with a hopeful outlook. Brainstorming creative solutions, asking others for their thoughts and ideas, and adapting to the new plan. Throughout our lives, we will encounter curveballs, fastballs, and change-ups. We won't get on base every time, but that does not diminish our inherent value.

Embracing Our Human Imperfections

Life, much like baseball, is about embracing the process and valuing effort over perfection. When we stop demanding perfection from ourselves and others, we create space for growth, creativity, and genuine connection. Remember, even the best baseball players fail more often than they succeed. Yet, they continue to step up to the plate, driven by hope and determination. Let's adopt this mindset in our own lives, celebrating our efforts and learning from every experience. By doing so, we can cultivate patience, self-compassion, and a resilient spirit that keeps us moving forward.

As Father’s Day approaches, I’m reminded of the invaluable lessons my dad taught me through our shared love of baseball. His wisdom and support have been a guiding light, much like the heart and spirit of the game itself. Let’s honor him by embracing our imperfections, celebrating our small victories, and continuing to swing for the fences in the game of life.

Released June 2024