Issue #2 of the Do Good Things Newsletter has us looking across the continent for a person, a company, or a corporation doing good things. In our first issue we looked at one of the world’s most successful companies, Lego, and how they are leveraging the power of their brand to bring play and creativity to children in need.
This week we’re looking to California and the great good works being done by a young man with a love for what was once, “America’s Pastime”–Baseball. Now, I never played organized ball, but I still have my old glove, and I played years and years of catch, pickup games, and I practiced pitching almost every night in the summer. I loved the game. ‘Loved the smell of leather and oil, my mouth full of gum, the thrill of tracking a deep flyball, and the satisfying smack of the ball in the glove’s pocket.
While my own children never took to the game, I’ve spent many nights (re)watching The Sandlot.
So a few months ago, when I stumbled on the YouTube channel of James Lowe (A.K.A. “Coach Ballgame”), I was teleported back to my youth. If I had known there was a Coach Ballgame out there in my neck of the woods, I probably would have spent my years playing baseball as well as soccer.
What James does so well, is bring the joie de vivre of the game to kids who otherwise might not get to play organized ball. His mission is to “restore an ardor for America’s pastime.” But it’s so much more than that. He is teaching sportsmanship, character, and bringing such a joy for the game to young children that it’s utterly infectious.
It is rare to find people who have so connected their passion with a purpose that they live their lives “in the element,” but when you see it, it is unmistakable. They are numinous. Their every move is fluid. Their words evoke life itself.
James Lowe, “Coach Ballgame,” is such a person. I swear to you, you cannot help but smile when you watch him coaching baseball.
On Wednesday, December 8, Coach Ballgame will spend the early morning hours of his California day bringing his story to the students of NOVA Lab.
As we venture forth in this marking period on our own purposeful projects, projects driven by passion that serve the needs of a community larger than ourselves, we will always be looking for role models. I am grateful to be able to bring the Good Work of Coach Ballgame to NOVA Lab.
Social Media Information for Coach Ballgame:
Website: www.coachballgame.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachballgame/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachballgame/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/coachballgame/featured
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachballgame?source=h5_m
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachballgame
PodBean Podcats: https://coachballgame.podbean.com/
Innovation Lab 
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