From the Major League to the Miracle League

Join Meeting: Stories from the Normal 40

I never know who I’m going to meet every time I hit “Join Meeting.” But the stories are always familiar. Leaders, doers, and elite performers—outwardly successful, but quietly asking, Is this it for me? They’ve spent decades solving problems, driving results, and building lives others admire. But now they feel the pull toward something more—a version of their life that feels authentic, fulfilling, and alive.

These are their stories.

On October 17, 2023, I had the privilege of talking with Tim, a former professional (MLB) baseball player who spent years chasing—and achieving—a dream so many share. Tim was a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, reaching the pinnacle of his sport in 2006 before injuries brought his career to a close.

“I thought baseball would be my life,” Tim reflected. “It was all I knew—practices, games, the grind. Then, one day, it was over.” The transition away from the sport he loved wasn’t easy. For years, Tim built a stable life, working a secure job with a branch of the armed forces. But something was missing. “I feel like I’ve been in a holding pattern,” he admitted. “I want more—not just for me, but for the people I know I could help.”

That realization came into focus while volunteering with The Miracle League, a nonprofit baseball program designed for children with special needs. For Tim, stepping onto the field with these kids reignited his love for the game, but in a way he’d never experienced. “I saw the pure joy these kids had just being part of a team,” Tim shared. “It wasn’t about stats or wins—it wasn't Moneyball. It was about connection, inclusion, and allowing everyone to play. A place where disability didn't matter. It was just kids and baseball."

Tim spoke about a boy named Caleb, a wheelchair-bound participant whose face lit up every time he rounded the bases with the help of a volunteer. “Seeing Caleb’s smile reminded me of why I fell in love with baseball in the first place,” Tim said. “It wasn’t the competition—it was the community.”

Inspired by his experience with The Miracle League, Tim began to dream of creating a similar program near his hometown. His vision is a nonprofit baseball league that combines accessibility, mentorship, and community-building, providing a space where all kids can experience the magic of the game.

But the dream hasn’t come without doubts. “How do I even start?” Tim wondered aloud. “Can I make it sustainable for my family? What if it fails?” These questions lingered, but they didn’t stop him.

During our conversation, Tim began to see that reinvention doesn’t require certainty—it requires courage. He resolved to take the first step: reaching out to potential partners, exploring funding opportunities, and talking to other leaders who’ve launched similar programs. “I realized I don’t have to have it all figured out,” Tim said. “I just have to start.”

For Tim, baseball is no longer just a career or a game—it’s a way to build community, give back, and create something meaningful. “I want to give kids the same joy I felt on the field,” he said. “Because baseball isn’t just about the sport. It’s about belonging.”

Tim’s story reminds us that even when one chapter ends, a new one is waiting to be written. Reinvention isn’t about discarding the past—it’s about carrying forward the best parts of ourselves to create something even better.

Miracles don't wait, and you shouldn't either.

Let's be up to something.

Lon -

What’s Your Story?

If you feel the pull to write a new chapter in your life, now is the time. Maybe it starts with identifying what’s next, finding your courage, or creating a plan to get there.

If you need a guide, my book The Trade is your next step. You can also schedule a ramble, join The Insider community, listen to the Noral 40 Podcast, sign up for my free newsletter, The Rambler, or get on the waitlist for Vintage 5.

Start here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein