Dare Mighty Things: Where Growth Begins
Let’s talk about something that sounds like it belongs on a billboard for a space mission, but also applies perfectly to that sweaty little helmet your kiddo wears to every game.
“Dare Mighty Things.”
This phrase isn’t just fancy talk JPL plastered on the Mars Rover’s parachute. It’s a mindset, a vibe – and frankly, it’s the best pep talk you can get in three words. Think about it. JPL could’ve gone with “Don’t Mess Up,” or “Mars or Bust,” but they aimed higher. And that’s what we’re doing too.
Here’s the deal:
On our team, we hand out stickers. Not just any stickers – Dare Mighty Things stickers. These aren’t for grand slams or diving catches that could land on SportsCenter. No, no. These go to the kid who tries to steal second but ends up sliding three feet too early. The kid who actually calls for the fly ball but misses it by a mile. The one who swings at the nastiest curveball they’ve ever seen and walks away grinning, even if the bat never touched the ball. At the end of every game no matter the score, we get together and I run through my game notes of what each player who dare’d a mighty thing did. I call it out in front of the whole team, give them a high five and a sticker.
One of my favorite examples of this is when my son went through a season-long journey of trying different bats. Here’s how we found ‘the one.’
Why?
Because that’s where growth lives. Right there in the middle of the swing-and-miss, the awkward slide, and the risk that maybe doesn’t pay off today – but sets the foundation for tomorrow.
Roosevelt Effect
The sticker – and this whole concept – is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt, who was basically the original hype man for getting out there and giving it your all. He said:
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those who neither enjoy much nor suffer much.”
Translation: You can sit in the dugout, and sure, your uniform stays clean – but where’s the fun in that? Getting dirty, giving it your all, and risking some failure? That’s where the good stuff happens.
Mighty Moments
Picture this:
- Your kid’s at bat, nervous as heck. They swing. They miss. They swing again – crack! Foul ball. But you see it – the fire in their eyes. They’re daring.
- Or maybe they’ve been hesitant to slide all season. Finally, they give it a shot. It’s not pretty. But they dust off with a grin because they did it.
That’s sticker-worthy. That’s a mighty thing.
Why It Matters
Look, not every kid’s going to hit homers or pitch shutouts. But every kid can be brave. Every kid can step up to the plate in the face of doubt – and that’s what we’re cheering for. Growth isn’t built on easy wins. It’s crafted in those daring moments when they bet on themselves.
This is what I do – it’s my way of showing the players that courage counts. But as a coach, you can find your own way to spark that bravery. Maybe it’s not stickers. Maybe it’s a game ball for effort. Maybe it’s a simple high five for stepping up. However you choose to do it, the goal’s the same: create space for kids to dare mighty things.
One of my favorite traditions is encouraging the team to run the bases after every game – win or lose – followed by a team picture at home plate. There’s something special about it, especially after a tough loss. It’s a reminder that every game is a celebration. Every game is a feat of bravery. Stepping onto that field takes heart, and that deserves to be recognized, no matter the score.
Baseball isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about taking chances, failing, and getting back up. Here’s why the dugout is the beating heart of the team.
That run around the bases? It’s not just a victory lap. It’s a symbol. A nod to the fact that the effort matters more than the result. That each player is part of something bigger, and they should carry their heads high, knowing they gave it their all.
So next time you see that sticker, or that lap around the bases, know it wasn’t just for what they did – but for who they’re becoming.
Here’s to more awkward slides, swing-and-misses, and daring mighty things.
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