Press box

At our local little league fields, there are press boxes with a public address system and a score board. Parent volunteers handle the announcing and operating the equipment.

Last night, the job was mine. I learned a few things worth sharing.

One: if you’re going to be the announcer, you might as well use your best announcer voice and sound like a professional. (Yes, it was kind of fun.)

Two: you have to pay close attention.

While I usually enjoy baseball as a spectator, last night, I had a job. Two jobs, actually. And I had to keep reminding myself of this. “You’re the announcer. You’re the scorekeeper.”

I said this to myself many times, as a way to remember my role: announce the next batter, watch the pitch count, post the score. These things weren’t going to happen on their own. It was my responsibility.

Are there things you might need to say to yourself, as a way of remembering your role?

“Remember: you’re running the meeting.”

“Remember: you’re the parent.”

“Remember: you are a professional.”

“Remember: your work is important.”

Whatever it is, say it to yourself as often as you need to.