How Did YOU Pinch-Hit Today?

Sometimes, in the most critical moments of a baseball game, a manager will pluck a player off the bench to be inserted into the game at the last minute. Occasionally, it is due to injury or a player's inability to continue.

Once in a while it is due to statistics or even a 'hunch'.

Occasionally, it is out of desperation.

I can only speak for myself here, but I absolutely LOVE IT when this player steps up...and crushes the opportunity!

This past Saturday, at a fundraising breakfast, I was treated to a front-row seat for one of the greatest home runs I've ever seen.

As part of the 3rd Annual Veterans day Fundraising Breakfast to benefit Liberty House, a last-minute snag in the schedule caused a bit of a panic. As the emcee, my job is to keep the already-tight schedule flowing along smoothly. Upon my arrival to set up, however, I was informed that the woman who was scheduled to sing our National Anthem (item #3 on the agenda) had been injured just 2 days prior and was unable to attend.

I was then informed that the planning team had reached out on social media and had selected a young lady who was going to step in and take care of it for us.

Her name is McKinley...and she is 7 (and a half) years old.

As I approached her family to introduce myself, and make sure I had all pertinent information, I discovered something pretty awesome about McKinley. She had only learned the song recently, for a pretty amazing reason: she sang it at a local talent show as a surprise to welcome her dad home from his most recent military deployment.

How awesome is THAT?!?

(cool little factoid: she WON that talent show)

After leading the Pledge of Allegiance, I announced that we had a very special pinch-hitter stepping up to the plate for us. As McKinley joined me on-stage, I handed her the microphone, placed my hand over my heart (as did our 500 attendees, many of whom were also in full salute), and sent my best energy her way.

She...crushed...it!

With all the power of her 7 (and a half) year old lungs, she belted our anthem beautifully...and the thunderous applause confirmed it.

As she turned around to hand me the microphone, I took a knee (so that our heights would somewhat match) and gave her the biggest smile and high-five I could muster.

Here's what I love most about this: McKinley was a last-minute substitute for a critical part of the game, she was plucked off the bench...and helped win the game.

She created a 'moment' that everyone who was there will remember, forever.

I know *I* will...and she taught me a very important lesson about seizing opportunity to help others in need, stepping up to the plate and giving it my best.

How will YOU pinch-hit today?

Is there a situation that could cause a loss if you don't?

If you're scared, just think of McKinley...who stepped up to sing one of the toughest songs there is to sing, in front of 500 strangers, at an event designed to honor our veterans.

She is a rock star...and she just let us all know that, despite our fears, we can step up and knock one of the park as well.

Now in his 13th year as The Motivational Firewood?Guy, Steve Gamlin shares his back-to-basics blend of motivation and humor with corporate and conference audiences around the country. Drawing from a decade in the radio industry, 7 years of stand-up comedy and his lifelong personal development journey, Steve shares 'real' messages for 'real' people, and recently launched his “Engaging Your Why / Success Vision” learning program.