Baseball~I'm Ready to Play

A view of Phillies baseball stadium. There is a view of the baseball field with green turf that surrounds the baseball diamond. There is players on the field. The stadium surrounds the field and it is filled with people. The sky above is blue with white clouds. You can also see a cityscape in the distant background.

Baseball: American's Pastime

It’s that time of year again—America’s favorite pastime, baseball, is in full swing with the World Series just around the corner. The excitement builds as the top teams battle it out for a place in the spotlight. Baseball has been a part of American culture since the early 1800s, as iconic as apple pie. Many kids dream of stepping onto the field for the big leagues, but what does it really take to turn that dream into reality? Three essential ingredients come to mind: clarity, passion, and positive self-talk.

“I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.” — Willie Mays

One of Baseball’s Great Songs

John Fogerty’s song Centerfield captures the burning desire to be part of something you love. The lyrics, “Put me in, Coach, I’m ready to play today,” echo the enthusiasm needed to chase any dream. However, desire alone isn’t enough; you need a clear vision of your goal. Vague goals won’t guide you toward victory. In his book, The Success Principles, Jack Canfield (2005) refers to this as your “inner GPS.” You can set your course toward making your dreams come true with a clear vision, actionable steps, positive affirmations, and visualization.

“Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” — Babe Ruth

A baseball field showing an umpire wearing a black jacket, grey pants, and a face mask with a black baseball hat. A catcher is in front of the umpire squatting down with the left arm in front with a baseball glove on the hand. The catcher is wearing a white baseball uniform with dark socks. The catcher is also wearing protective face gear and a chest shield that is strapped across the back. A baseball player is in from of the catcher striking a white baseball with a baseball bat. The hitter is wearing a blue baseball to with the number 12 in white and white baseball pants. The running turf of the baseball diamond is orange with a white stripe and the there is green turf around the bases.

Passion for the Game of Life

To make the most of life, you must approach each day passionately and enthusiastically. In The Success Principles, Canfield (2005) emphasizes the importance of loving what you do, explaining that your inner coach responds to that energy. When you’re enthusiastic, your self-talk becomes the motivating force that drives you forward, like a pep talk from a supportive coach. Each day, remind yourself that you are the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in your own life, and make sure your inner coach encourages you to stay in the game.

“Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.” — Yogi Berra

A young boy with dark hair in grey and blue baseball uniform. The boy is kneeling on the plate on a baseball field. An older man is standing in front of the boy assuming the position of holding a baseball bat. The man is wearing a blue shirt and grey shorts, is wearing a blue baseball hat.

Positive Self-Talk: Your Home Run

You can’t expect to succeed if your inner dialogue is full of negativity. The greatest coach you will ever have is yourself, and it’s up to you to ensure that coach is pushing you toward success. Yogi Berra’s words remind us that much of life is mental—your mindset is vital. Even when things feel difficult or your plans go awry, finding one positive thing to focus on can shift your perspective. Canfield explains that we talk to ourselves all day and that self-talk is often negative (2005). But with practice, you can replace that negativity with encouragement. Start by expressing gratitude aloud or in a journal, and let your inner coach speak positive, affirming words to keep you going strong.

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” — Babe Ruth

Like Fogerty’s Centerfield, life is a game filled with hits, misses, losses, and victories. But the key to experiencing it all is simple: you must step up to the plate and play.