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.

I always enjoy watching the NCAA Women’s Softball World Series, but tonite was unbelievable. ASU is wining 2-0…but now bases are loaded and the Bama coach Patrick Murphy takes out his leadoff hitter, Brittany Rodgers who is batting .350…oh she is an All-American senior…for a freshman Jazlyn Lunceford. Talk about controversy…talk about egos and upset people…well Brittany never complains, pouts or sits dejected and is the biggest Bama cheerleader at the top of the dugout…Lunceford is 2-2, 2 outs and then jacks it deep to LF for a grand salami…everyone goes nuts and eventually ASU loses. What a moment in sports.

Brittany was being watched by everyone, the pressure was on the coach…replacing a star with an unknown was a potential alumni killer…well it paid off. Brittany was a class kid no matter what happened she was a winner. Her coach is a winner to not because of the decsion but because she handled it so well, sportsmanship is a great word. Team first…what a concept

As we all know thousands of people have been laid off in our industry…Avnet is no exception. What hurts and I wonder about are a few decsions I have seen when a few veterans here laid off…they did nothing wrong…been here 25 plus years, but someone made a tough call to replace them with someone or just drop the resource for now. What has truly amazed me that I know 4 people who just left in the last few months and 2 have sent very kind emails wishing us well and saying how great it was to work with us…and one person gave me a hug and said she understood why and hoped to be back one day…another person still showed up for an event because he said he would be there and held no grudge because he loved the Avnet people and culture. What? Laid off reactions are not that way. These people should be pissed and throwing things and saying why me?

Just like Brittany tonite who held her own and showed alot of class not getting uptight and understood the coaches decision (he was going for the big blast, she is punch/slap hitter)…her parents should be proud of her and the coach they sent her to play for…he has developed a great culture.

Makes me think, Roy Vallee and our executive team have  established a great culture at Avnet too, and that will pay dividends…just as it did Bama with their win.

O goodness I’m not drinking all the Kool-Aid, sure some folks did not write letters or say good bye or show up for anything and they are probably still looking at their ceilings…but the facts are people do like it here…our employee engagement scores say so…when business picks we will see how voluntary turnover goes. In any case it makes me very proud when folks walking out the door still say goodbye and give best wishes. Culture… maybe thats one reason why we are the Fortune’s Most Admired Company in our indutry…maybe. I know one thing dont bet aganist our people or right now Bama.

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Every journalist or event manager is looking for industry experts to be quoted or speak at events. Avnet has some of the best and most quoted in the biz. Each week, my friend and VP of PR Michelle Gorel and I will highlight individuals who make a difference in accelerating the success of our customers, suppliers, employees, communities we serve or shareholders. Hopefully we can make your job easier.
 
Why the theme? Well this is soft pitch versus the hardball pitch. My favorite sports are 16″ softball and baseball (yes huge Cub fan)…Michelle is not a sports fan, hence the pearls. Is shopping a sport? But, I have to give her some props she does like to camp, my view of camping is being at a motel with black and white TV/no cable….so she maybe tougher than me…I know she is smarter.
 
So if you are looking for what’s hot, trendy, comments/features or a speaker just post here or call us, we will get you our most qualified employee. If you have questions about Avnet or branding again just make a post and one of us will respond.
 
So who will I feature in week # uno…me ! I figure let’s start at the low end of the food chain. After creating a 88 minute documentary and being the founder of the Chicago 16″ Softball Hall of Fame, I’m now the historian on 16″ softball and have been quoted in every Chicago publication and media outlet since the 90″s. My fav was being quoted in Sports illustrated. What the heck does this have to do with Avnet…our company has supported the softball in Phoenix for over 6 years by sponsoring tournaments internally and externally which has helped our employee engagement and morale, brand and community efforts…by just having fun….which I hope we will do in this blog.
 
Al Maag 
Chief Communications Officer
Avnet, Inc.