Friday, March 29, 2024

Perfect Pitch

By M+E Staff

I’m not typically someone who watches televised sports, but I recently found myself glued to the TV watching…wait for it…Little League baseball.

What?!! I’ve spent many hours sitting in the stands at baseball games thanks to a Little League playing-son, so why was I spending a sunny Friday afternoon watching it on TV? Two words – Mo’ne Davis. She’s an ace pitcher who just so happens to strike out batters with a 70 mph pitch. Her team is from smack dab in the center of Philadelphia, which is a rarity for Little League, a youth sport typically dominated by suburban teams.

I couldn’t take my eyes off this young teenager who exudes a quiet confidence that many twice her age don’t have. She seems unruffled by the pressure and unfazed by the attention. Frankly, in a time where it seems everyone is angling to be famous, it’s so refreshing to see a young woman taking pride in herself and standing out by not screaming the loudest.

As meeting/event planners, we all could take a page from Davis’ playbook. As a pitcher, Davis has most of the spotlight on her and a fair share of the pressure, and as event planners, so do you. While her big game is in Williamsport and yours may be in Pittsburgh or Perkasie, the pressure is on whether you’re stepping onto the pitcher’s mound or opening the doors to an event.

Remember to take a deep breath – you’ve practiced for this moment – and know that some of the “pitches” are going to be outside the strike zone. Batters will hit, get on base and even score runs, but nothing feels as exhilarating as a strike-out.

What’s your Mo’ne Davis moment? Email me at nancy.depalma@tigeroak.com

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