Goalie and Catcher 2: Don’t Leave Your Cup Empty

Yesterday, I wrote about two of my favorite sports – baseball and hockey – and the positions I would play if I had any athletic ability – catcher and goalie, respectively. The positions involved in every play. The last line of defense.

And actually, I had opportunities to play both. I played catcher for much of my Little League career and when I played in high school (Freshman B-team… believe me, I’m not one to overstate my achievements), I considered trying out for catcher. One of my good friends was our catcher, though, so I stepped away, satisfied to be fifth outfielder and third-string first baseman. But I knew how to be a catcher and maybe I would have been good at it.

A little less heartbreaking but equally humbling, I played intramural hockey in grad school. A birthday present from my wife, I got a pair of ice skates, signed up for skating lessons, and signed up for hockey all at the same time. Happy #28 big guy! Now get out there!

In the intramurals and rec league scenarios, goalies are a rarity, often playing for several different teams in the league. One evening, our assigned goalie didn’t show up and the call throughout the locker was “can anybody play goalie?”

I can! I thought to myself. Do it! Just like floor hockey and the bizarrely-named Pillow Polo that I played in high school. I knew how to be a goalie and maybe I would have been good at it.

Just one problem: Let’s just say that  I wasn’t wearing all of my protective equipment that evening. Was I willing to take a chance? No. And you’re welcome, my third child!

The lesson here, in addition to always remember to wear all of your protective gear, is don’t be shy about taking a chance.

Even a little step out of your comfort zone can have a big payoff. You’re never going to win the Golden Cup if you don’t play.

Don’t sell yourself short and don’t deny what you want to do and what you might just be good at doing!