Page 117 - How to Drive the Bottom Line with People

Defining the Who: See the Vision

hit it. We’ve got seven guys standing behind you, all
on full scholarship. They’ll get these guys out, but

you have to put the ball in play first by letting these
guys just hit the ball.”
I understood what he was saying, and I knew I

could throw strikes. “I’ll do it, Coach,” I said with
confidence.
As Hays trotted back to the dugout, I turned to
Nottebart. He had a concerned look on his face.
“Dano,” he said, “you have no stuff today. Your

curveball isn’t curving, your slider isn’t sliding, and
your fastball isn’t fast.”
93
He was right—I was going nowhere as if I had an =

appointment. “Notty,” I said, “thanks for calming
my nerves. Now, go back there and give me a big
target.”
Nottebart strolled back to home plate, squatted
down and gave the signal for a fastball. The fourth

batter for Texas A&M dug in. I fired my best pitch,
and he hit a grand slam directly over the centerfield
fence.

Coach Hays came out of the dugout and made his
way back to the mound. “Dan,” he said with a bit of
a smile, “I didn’t expect you to let him hit it that far.”
It was, by all accounts, every pitcher’s nightmare.