The Soft Pitch

As u may gather my passion is 16″ softball… the game of softball started in Chicago in 1887 at Faragut Boat Club…when alumni from Harvard and Yale were waiting for ticker tape results of the football game between the two schools. Bored, the men wrapped up a boxing glove and started playing indoor baseball with a broom… and so goes the start of a great game.  I created a documentary on the game and eventually co-founded the Hall of Fame in the 90’s…and still work with some very dedicated directors to honor this great game.

I flew into Chicago for the 13th annual awards and inductee dinner at Hawthorne Park (which has ties to the Cardinals with Mr Bidwill) Race Track…it was zero degrees…so I lost 70 on that one. Over 500 folks attended again…and it was another success. We then honored great women, men and teams for being the best…including My high school Lane Tech won the championship again. For more info: 16inchsoftballhof.com

I would like to focus on Mike North who was inducted in the HOF with his on air partner Steve Kashul for the media award. One famous notable to go ahead of these two men in the media area was Mike Royko a Chi-town icon. Royko would have been happy with North going in.

Mike North is an icon there too…his personality on radio and tv for decades has attracted people to watch and listen. He is ChacaGO guy…a past hot dog stand owner (don’t laugh those guys make more than some C level executives) who is someone I respect. Not everyone has a degree in journalism or multimedia to be successful…or always say the right things…he makes dust fly. I love the fact he is behind the scenes making things happen for others too.  I’m attracted to folks who are street smart…he is it. People do not get wrapped up with how he says his message…they hear the passion, personality and the content. Saturday night the noise level was pretty loud…but when Mike spoke it was pretty darn quiet. That is a communicator !!!

The next generation will know a hundred ways to communicate using technology, but will be the least savvy people ever when it really comes to being street smart. We talk about social media all the time…hell that ain’t social that’s digital…hiding behind your computers. Get off your butt push the damn computer away, internet, games and pdas stop for a few hours and go do something. Be social !!!! Most kids I know have never been on a bus unless it was chartered. Most young people do not play or do stuff outside everyday like we did…hell they have 500 TV channels, the internet etc…why go out?

Street smart folks are usually more innovative, have a personality, and just more down to earth in my mind…they know how to cut through baloney, good at anticipation, and probably would be good at op ex or in sales.  Bottom-line I think you will find our management a combination of street smarts and very well educated people…we have a personality and passion to make sure we succeed and get through these global economic issues and be doing even better than when the crisis started.

Go cards

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