The Soft Pitch

I’m upset.  My good friend, and one of best teammates I’ve had in my 20 plus years of Molex softball almost died on the softball field of a heart attack. While on deck at the 16 Inch ASA Nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he collapsed. Only the fast action of a fan (who happened to be a nurse watching her husband play) and two other players (who just happened to be firemen) got him breathing again, while waiting for an ambulance that was delayed at a railroad crossing, due to a freight train.  The ambulance eventually came, shocked Steve and got him to the Mercy Medical Center. He had stint surgery and is still in very guarded condition.

I should have been relieved, and at first I was. But now, that relief has turned into a very deep concern. This is a big event in softball. It attracts 40 teams and alot of fans,  so organizers probably worked on this for over a year. Here’s what concerns me:  in all that planning time did the organizing committe even discuss having a paramedic on site?  Sadly after it happened they still did not add a paramedic on site the next days.

Many years ago, when I worked at Molex, per instructions of the president we had a paramedic at every event. At Avnet, we always have paramedics and/ or security at Avnet softball and football games, as well as big meetings. Our company leaders are concerned about the safety and well being of their employees and guests. At our Avnet sporting events paramedics have handeled any number of things from minor scratches, pulled muscles to broken wrists on the spot. Once, at Molex picnic, a child turned blue after getting food lodged in it’s throat. Close by paramedics turned that incident from potential tragity, to a bad scare.

At Forest Park each year they hold their huge softball tournament with thousands of fans, paramedics are there.

Sure, there’s cost involved. But it’s not a back breaker…..budget for it. Organizers who are trying to put on successful events should be consious of safety issues when that many people are expected (my guess is they are)…this NOT just about softball organizers in Iowa it’s anywhere events are held…think about all the events you or your kids are involved in at parks and at large meetings everyday.

I find it funny that most parks have signs warning people away from certain areas because it’s not safe. How about some useful safety signs…like how to help someone choking, where a first aid box might be, closest fire dept, and yes, where is the nearest defibulator. 

At Avnet facilities defibulators are noticeable.  I have been trained on the device and our events people are asked to be trained in CPR too. Hopefully, I will never have to use it, as I’m not entirely sure how well I would respond. Even without paramedics on the scene,  if the equipment was available,  the firemen/players on the scene could have revived Steve sooner. But, again, it was just luck that they were even there.  I can’t let myself think where my friend would be now if  those firemen didn’t love 16″ softball.

If I organized softball or other major events I would insist on these things:

1) The local fire department be aware of the event

2) A paramedic on duty at all times

3) First Aid kit and Defibulator on site

4) Basic first aid signs visible all around the area

5) Any organizer, umpire or player certified in CPR make themselves known

Let’s not put all the pressure on the organizers or the assiocations involved.  To certain degree, we can all take some responsibility for our own safety by simply asking “what if ?” and then making sure that whoever is in charge has a satisfactory answer.

Steve is still not out this at all, he is awake and breathing on his own, but he is in very guarded condition. Steve has played for over 3 decades, so 16 inch softball nation is praying for him.  Mr or Mrs organizer,  park director or event planner, I  know you plan these events only to benefit our youth and adults.  I sincerely appreciate the work you do but,  please, please  take that one step further to avoid any unnecessary tragedy. Hope that everything will be ok  is not a strategy. Don’t hope there are nurses, firemen or policemen in the crowd.

Been gone for 12 days in Chi-town…a great time. Family and friends can be enough to have a good time, but this was a perfect week…here is how it flowed.

On July 19th, my fellow board members of the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame unveiled our new beautiful inductee park which displays over 350 inductees at Forest Park, Il. Our opening ceremony was attended by approx. 1,000 people including a few customers (Insight)…a lot smiles and tears made the long road to do this all worth while. Thanks to March Manufacturing (pumps) for being our largest donor. Oh did I say, two State of Illinois Senator’s committed $500,000 to build our phase two museum. WOW 

The event continued with a wonderful ball game played by celebrities like Mike North and Bob Sirott and hall of fame players (Northside vs Southside) sponsored by Rich Melman from Lettuce Entertain You restuarants. Alot of laughs and good play especially by the ladies. One the da Bears’ our kicker, Robbie Gould was darn good/nice guy too.

The day garnered unprecendented coverage on all TV channels, major radio shows and online, thanks to our superb pr team lead by Kathleen Henson. The Chicago Tribune ran a full page story ! 500 Photos of the event are on 16inchsoftballhof.com.

Thanks to our Chicago brand sponsors, Vienna hot dogs, Affy Tapples, Lettuce and now Old Style beer..4 reasons I’m overweight…and March, any help from my Avnet folks,  and our national brand leader KODAK !

My family and relaxed for 3 days in New Buffalo, Michigan, on the beach,  inland we won $33 in their cool casino; Four Winds after wiping out their buffet.  Then we saw our Cubbies win and go into first place after a lousy start. Singing Go Cubs Go is awesome.

The final good thing is probably the best, our 19th annual Maag Toy Foundation golf outing in OakBrook sponsored by Avnet…our friends, family, Avnet, suppliers like Intel and Molex, customers, and vendors raised over $17,000 for toys for kids…even two competitors were there. Special thanks to Hearst and Electronic Products for donating another full page add that NDK bought.

Coming back to AZ I’m so thankful to so many folks…it was great to touch so many and know we can do so much more both with softball and toys…we are going to add memories for  a lot of people. Now back to reality with my great communication team and helping Avnet beat the bad guys.

We announce our numbers this week for the past Q and year.

It was a good summer vacation, one of my best.

Happy Father’s Day

I have a few thoughts, first my Dad, Ed…who only was concerned about his family and made sure his 2 sons were balanced and good people. He never really pushed being successful, I assume he thought if we were happy and good citizens we would be successful. If we needed help with school, scouts, babysitting or anything he could always be counted on…always.

He was a appliance salesperson, perfect gentleman always dressed well and with a tie…hell he wore a tie to cut the grass.  Me? I will never be in GQ magazine. But one thing I did learn was always help people and any request is reasonable. From someone asking for a handout in the street to a phone call in the night someone needing a ride. The basics, not just writing a check to a community program.

…in fact handouts is a pet peeve of mine…if someone is actually begging for a few pennies, why walk by and not help? Do u think they have some devious plan to take advantage of you and go back to their huge house laughing. I know one thing, if my son walks by anyone asking for help he will give them some cash if he has it. I do. I think this is where my luck comes from.

Ok, back to the point…I know we all have kind and sincere thoughts about our fathers, mine unfortuantely passed away but think about him all the time. Hopefully he is proud. I was proud of him. Thanks Dad.

But how about the father’s of the technology business that pays our bills? Thanks folks!

I had the pleasure to know John Krehbiel Sr founder of Molex, wow what a gentlemen and pioneer…H.D. Steinback at Magnecraft, and of cousre Charles Avnet thanks for selling those radio tubes and starting Avnet…I met Jerry Sanders and Andy Grove which was very cool. Packard, Hewlett, you get the picture…let’s give props to the fathers and pioneers of our industry…our lives would not be so easy…we would be behind the eight ball without them…I even think of Gerry Leeds that founded CMP publications…all cool dudes, visionary’s, leaders, and gutsy.  Thanks

PS My son Zack is my greatest pleasure.

My wishes came true, went to Wrigley Field and saw the Cubs play on Saturday and Sunday with my best friends and wife and son. The Cubs played bad and and watched our right fielder, a guy (Milton Bradley) who gets paid $10 million dollars lose track of how how many outs there were and threw the ball into the stands with only two outs while the Twins ran around the bases…embarrasing.  Dont get me started.

Ate at my favorite resturants in Chicago, Harry Carey’s and Domo 77….and stayed at the Drake, very kool. 

But my the best was saved for last when approx 50 friends and family showed up to play 16″ softball at Forest Park. Some of these old guys can still play. I hit ok, when I got on twice I had a younger 59 year old girl run for me on the bases. The laughs and stories were memorable. Good to get back our roots…talking to people that do not care about what I do and where I travel…only me as a person. My cake was in shape of Wrigley. My wife wore one of my old uniforms from my first team the Baggers…my son wore Molex uniform, a team that was recognized in the Hall….so no one would complain I wore an Avnet Dry Heat jersey. 

But what was really cool was the hope on three issues…there were 4 new babies there, young kids…what a future in this world for them. While there everyone could see the progress on the 16″ Softball Hall of Fame being built…wow…I’m very proud of our folks…opens 7/19…and last everyone was hopeful biz and life would improve….even though a few have had a rocky year.

We came home and I got a surprise Monday when my staff and others had real Chicago dogs and hostess cup cakes for me…at lunch. They know me well.

Alot of folks over 700 read my last blog post…thanks for listening…again the first 50 years were great, Avnet made the last 10 being great and in overdrive. Stay tuned I’m just getting started.