Steve’s Book: Swing Away Stan

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Speech Transcript (very little editing so not exact)

Unknown Speaker  0:11  

time to shine today podcast varsity squad. This is Scott Ferguson and we’re at episode 270. With my really good friend Steve your check, Steve played some college baseball’s and professional baseball now he’s a fantastic baseball coach man what a can’t find a better person to really kind of teach our youth to level up because baseball is a sport of failure. I mean, if you get a hit three times out of 10 You’re in the Hall of Fame and the mindset and the knowledge nuggets that Steve drops in this interview are just fantastic. He was he wrote an awesome awesome business parable called Swing Away stand when and even a business parallel just a parable story about swing away stand about blasting through adversity, especially the unavoidable ones because they are going to come up in our life so I’m just gonna kind of shut up right now get into our interview with my really good friend author of swing away Stan and baseball coach, Steve, your check. Let’s level up to the podcast person squad, this is Scott Ferguson and I got me my boy from Texas College Station, Texas a&m Fan Aggie fan. I resonate with him and my listeners out there know about my relationship with Jimbo and the just how fantastic that coach is. And also you bring people out of Texas like my boy Steve, your check here. And he was introduced to me by 40 athletes, Jason Holzer, who’s a dear friend of mine and anybody that Jason says I need to speak to I have to speak to and so Steve is a teacher coach in College Station, Texas. He spent his youth playing baseball along with a variety of team sports. After high school he took the opportunity to play college baseball, upon which upon led into the independently so he’s got some skills folks. Upon completion of graduate school at Texas a&m, he wrote and published a children’s book titled swing away stand, which I have a book giveaway at the end. So you have to sit here and listen to my rockstar friend, Steve C. Welcome to the show. Please introduce yourself the time to shine today podcast first you spot but first, what’s your favorite color? And why?

Unknown Speaker  2:13  

Oh, ah, you know, I guess I would have to go with since we had some jagged talk. Alright, I’ll go with maroon

Unknown Speaker  2:23  

color, man. I love it. I love it. It was funny at my middle school was Maroon. And we were the mariners maroon mariners or something like that. It was a lot of fun. So yeah, seriously, man. Thanks for coming on. And I’m so talk to you and how you level up a lot of the youth and people that are coming up on the stage and molding minds. It can we get to the roots, a little bit of where you started where your foundation is.

Unknown Speaker  2:46  

So you know, I’m from a small town in Texas. But I guess you know, that foundation is, you know, I was always in athletics, I was always playing Little League baseball, or I was in, you know, rec sports of some sort. And it was, you know, I grew up, I was born in the 80s and grew up in the 90s. So, thankfully, I feel like you know, I was pre internet for a little bit, and I was able to realize how to fill my time outside. Other than, you know, technology, which is as good as it can be a little bit distracting. I just loved it. And I loved playing ball. And it really created a lot of opportunities for me to kind of, you know, it’s just you learn and you meet people and you you go around the country and junior college and university level and stuff like that. And it’s it’s it’s brought me a lot that I guess I wouldn’t have thought I experienced maybe 1015 20 years

Unknown Speaker  3:38  

ago. Give me one of those experiences that really stand out to you, brother.

Unknown Speaker  3:42  

You know, it’s a good question. We probably my senior year, we won a conference title. And that’s probably sticks out the most because I promise you Scott, I lost so much from literally to high school to junior college, we got our doors beating on so many teams I played in and this is kind of my last hurrah, my senior year and oh wait and we got a title and I was kind of able to go out on top. So that’s probably my favorite memory so far.

Unknown Speaker  4:11  

That’s awesome. You know, it’s funny that you might have lost but I bet you if your team went to any other state you guys were probably split the smackdown you guys are actually probably pretty good. Right?

Unknown Speaker  4:23  

It depends on the state you know, Florida’s got some good yeah, we got South Florida’s got some good teams, Mississippi and California. I think some of the biggest Arizona’s got some big holes, I guess baseball so it’s a southern thing. You know, we always have teams from Pennsylvania or Ohio come down and play and their team their whole field is frozen in early February. So everybody comes to Florida right? Or is probably big one too. They host tournaments. So we might have had an advantage as it comes to the calendar play. I would say

Unknown Speaker  4:52  

Love it, love it. And so what do you do then? With are you working with people with In the leveling up, or are you working with the youth? Or what’s your story right now.

Unknown Speaker  5:05  

So I’m at College Station High School, and I’m teaching and coaching up there, that’s awesome US history, and it’s baseball. And, you know, I don’t think I want to do anything else, you know, I’ve been athletics my whole life, I’ve tried some different things along the way. And this just kind of feels natural. You know, I like being athletics, and it’s, you know, it’s one of those days, you’re not going to be able to play anymore. But, you know, the closest I could get back to playing as coach. So it’s, it’s, it’s really fun. There are challenges like any job, but you know, be able to go up in your school and you get to the field and I don’t want to do anything else. So if I’m able to be around 2030 Guys a year and play ball, I’ll do it until probably in a wheelchair, maybe, hopefully,

Unknown Speaker  5:51  

I love it. I love in an education is so structured, right? So you have different ways. And I don’t ever knock education ever because I think I did not go really to college. But I mentor teenagers, everyday here and they’re like Fergie, should I go to college on like, absolutely the connections you make, and whatnot? Is there anything outside the box that you don’t mind sharing that you maybe kind of talk to the students about that is not just about ABCs and 123, something that like, hey, life’s gonna punch you in the mouth may be prepared or like, is there anything outside the box, you don’t mind sharing?

Unknown Speaker  6:28  

for it, you know, it’s interesting, you bring it up, because this whole NFL things come up recently. So this whole, you know, there’s a big dollar sign that seems to be at the end of the rainbow, rather than, you know, I want to go to college, and I want to play ball. And I want to try to get to the next level. So the conversation usually always was, hey, you know, when you want to play the next level, if you want to go to college, or even if you want to go to a trade school, you know, those are all things that are really valuable, the conversation changed from hey, I want to play to the next level. Now sometimes, you try to keep a young student athlete from getting a little bit too far over their skis, because they see this guy online, he did X, Y, and Z and I, hey, I’m all for having goals. And I’m even all for having unrealistic goals, you got to set some things out, there’s some times where you know, you got to believe in yourself, number one, but you really got to go where you’re wanted number one, you know, you got to go where you’re going to be on the field and go to play. That’s why I’m kind of thankful I went to junior college route. Because if I went to a four year university, I probably want to sell a field for the first two years. Sure those first, you know, those two years of junior college really valuable, you’re able to get, you know, almost 100 games under your belt and 300 at bats year. So try to go where you wanted. Proximity is important. Sometimes they choose close family. And that’s, that’s all important. So always make sure you’re trying to make the decision what’s best for you and your family and not necessarily, you know, the shiny object? Sure. Sounds good. Love it.

Unknown Speaker  7:54  

And so what do you think makes a great educator?

Unknown Speaker  7:58  

I think communication, you know, you have to build those relationships, I think it’s the same as with a coach, you’re transferring information, you know, in your military, no Communication is paramount. You know, how if, if this group of soldiers maybe doesn’t accomplish a task, is that the soldiers fault? Or maybe is it the communication that was given to them? So if you’re an educator, or if you’re a coach, and somebody kind of comes up short of their tasks, a good educator, a good coach is, are they willing? And are they open to discussing the format, the lesson plan or the game plan clear enough to where they know what they’re doing at all times? And even if there’s a hurdle in between something that comes up, it’s going to happen? prepare them for the Emperor parable, I guess you would say, Sir, communication, building those relationships, and then taking it from there, I would say,

Unknown Speaker  8:45  

what mate? What about you stands out to is there any secret sauce that you have, that you maybe technique that you use in teaching that is still accepted within the realms, but a little bit different than other teachers?

Unknown Speaker  9:03  

I think part of it is, you know, sometimes teachers or coaches, they tried to use a cookie cutter approach, maybe apply the same thing. And I think what worked for me best was finding out what worked for me best is that sometimes I would try to do what everybody would work for somebody else. And that ain’t gonna work for you all the time. And it takes a little bit of time. So everybody’s a different type of learner, every type. Every player is a different type of player and I was a little bit fiery, you know, I was that kind of guy chirping in the dugout, I was fired up, you know, and I was, you know, sometimes, you know, I had to reel it in, or a player had to help me reel it in or coach and that works for me. I had teammates that were more cerebral, they were more mental that had that quiet approach. That didn’t work for me. So figuring out what works best for you and it’s, you know, sometimes it’s hit or miss sometimes you guys see what sticks, but try to do what’s best for you and it usually works out best.

Unknown Speaker  9:58  

So you have some A lot of strengths that I’m hearing kind of come through, you know, you really got about networking and communication and listening. So what? What do you think you appreciate the most about your strengths?

Unknown Speaker  10:17  

I guess I appreciate that I was able to find out develop them, because I think you figure out what your strengths are you quickly figure out what your weaknesses are. You know, sometimes it’s easy to you kind of want to ignore him like, I have a weakness here, why not just focus on my strengths all the time? Because it makes me feel sure, well, let me just, you know, work on hitting the inside pitch or work on my math skills, because that’s easy. And he kind of pushed to the side, the stuff that’s difficult. So, you know, I think everybody appreciates their strengths. But I think I appreciate some of the strengths that used to be weaknesses. You know, that’s kind of the thing. It’s like, don’t get me wrong, we still all have this, you know, everything’s a work in progress. So I’m trying to figure out which weakness I want to turn into extract next, love it, and then try to build from there. So I guess that’s the way I would put it. Love it

Unknown Speaker  11:10  

in. So slumps. Do you play baseball man, I play ball. slumps are your coaching baseball, correct? Yes. Okay. Let’s talk slumps. Let’s talk how to you techniques that you’re working with your student athletes to work out of a slump?

Unknown Speaker  11:31  

The biggest part, it’s all mental. For me, I mean, no, you look into a slump. And I think one of the biggest things you don’t want to do is you start looking at stats, oh, I’m over three, then I’m over seven, then I’m over 12 And then I’m over 15 Or even if you’re a pitcher. Now my area is this analysis. 4.2. Now it’s 5.7. You know, the biggest bench approach when you’re on the on deck or if you’re in the hole or if you’re in the bullpen, you know, the slump, it’s all it’s all mental. Sure you want to go back maybe it’s a mechanical thing, we’ll just this and that, but I’m not real big on you know, let’s completely change your swing. let’s completely change your mechanics. You know, I remember Pete Rose says, you know, I don’t really change guys swings, because your swing is what got you here. You know,

Unknown Speaker  12:16  

we’re saying that bro, you know,

Unknown Speaker  12:18  

your swing is what Gotcha. You know, reinvent the wheel here. Yeah, a lot of confidence, a lot of confidence. And I was kind of, you know, in my head, I was a little bit of an egomaniac when I went to the plate was you know, me versus this guy. You could have 15 outfielders I really don’t care. I’m gonna beat this guy. So trying to regain that confidence and it’s everybody’s gonna go through a slump, it’s unavoidable. So really enjoy your hot streaks while you can. So figuring out why you’re in the slump. If you’re chasing a pitch, sometimes you’re too aggressive. Sometimes you’re not aggressive enough. So figuring that out and go from there is my advice.

Unknown Speaker  12:56  

Dude, that is awesome. And getting back to your basics like P Rossa, dude, you’ve been there, you wouldn’t be at a level, you know, making it through literally the high school to college, the show or the show, you know, and I were number eight my whole life because of two people the kid Gary Carter and Cal Ripken, Jr. and I had the I went to Phil Wilson show me baseball camp, and I got to meet both of them. And I would like like pick their this I was young do before even know how to talk to people. But the funny thing you said, is that, like Ripken said it was about stats and stances to him. Yeah, when he changed his stances on every game, I felt like if I would have just went back to what senior taught me, I probably would have at least match Ted Williams for over 400 That’s one thing that he had said, and I just love that you said go back to the basics of what got you there. And then and, you know, don’t try to make changes, turning that because right, you know, if the balls looking like a beach ball coming at you, you’re in a good zone. But if it looks like a frickin ping pong ball 95. That’s all thank you for saying that, man. Thank you for bringing that box. So how about constructive criticism? How do you handle it?

Unknown Speaker  14:08  

Well, you better be able to handle it. Number one. And I had some tough coaches growing up where no Junior College sometimes is the Wild West. You know, there’s not that much oversight. There’s not many coaches around the rosters a little bit smaller, and I had guys from all over the country to Latin, Latin America, New York, Canada, Australia, and that’s a melting pot, a lot of different cultures, kind of, you know, they’re in the lineup and you’re sharing a dugout and you’re sharing hotel rooms and bus trips. And sometimes they’re going to tell you something you don’t want to hear and you it’s better to hear it early than late. So sure, coaches, if they’re a good coach, I think we’re even a teacher. They shouldn’t bring that type of stuff up. Whether you’re struggling with a pitch or or you know whether you’re not doing well on a test grade, you have to hear this stuff or if you’re are a good boss or if you’re a good producer like Donnie, I’m sure he criticizes you all the time. Maybe it’s warranted. Maybe it’s not. But you know, it’s it’s important. I don’t think you could sugarcoat things with a player all through their life, I don’t think you’re helping them out very much. Now, the compliments and good feedback is obviously important too. But when you take that criticism, try to understand that they’re not trying to beat you down. They’re not trying to tell you about this, but they’re trying to see if you can recognize something. So you can try to adjust it, fix it and probably maybe you’re in a slump or you’re struggling with something. It’s it’s essential, I think, to any student or player developing in whatever sport or field they’re in.

Unknown Speaker  15:38  

I love it. Love it, you know, the movie Back to the Future ever seen. Of

Unknown Speaker  15:41  

course, that’s my favorite movie of all time. And you mentioned my favorite players, Cal Ripken, Jr.

Unknown Speaker  15:45  

Okay, love that. We’ve got a lot calm you got to get down here in South Florida. Anyway, so let’s get that DeLorean with Marty. Okay, let’s go back to the double deuce to 22 year old. Steve, your check. All right, what kind of knowledge nuggets? Would you that’s we call him your time to shine today? What kind of knowledge nuggets? Would you drop on the 22 year old Steve to maybe help them shorten learning curve level up and blast through maybe just a little bit quick.

Unknown Speaker  16:11  

So we talked about slumps in my first year in the independent leagues, I hit a slump, you’re seeing different level stuff. You know, it’s like going from your senior year in high school to your freshman year college, there’s a threshold there to you you haven’t seen before. And I hit a slump. And I think one of the biggest issues that I did that I wish I could go back to myself. You know, I kind of brought too many cooks into the kitchen. You know, I was getting advice from four or five different guys. And I was my own worst enemy. I was trying to listen to this guy’s opinion. And that guy’s opinion, when, like I talked about earlier, I should have just went back to the basics. I was trying different bats and I was doing different stances and worse, my weight need to be in this and that. And I was already walking up there with two strikes that felt like, you know, I felt like I had a wet paper towel on my hand trying to hit basketball. So I could go back and just say, Listen, you’re here for a reason. Be confident in what got you here, you know, tune out all the white noise. And I think I would have been better for that my defense was fine, because I didn’t think about it. I knew I was confident and getting’s obviously difficult, a little bit more difficult. But finally go back, I would say this, relax, stop listening, everybody, even though they can help maybe, you know, a short, it’s a one or two people. And sure, go from there.

Unknown Speaker  17:27  

I love it. I love it. So how do you want your dash remembered? See that little line in between your incarnation date, your expiration date, your life date and death date on your tombstone? Which hopefully is a long way off? How do you want that dash? Remember?

Unknown Speaker  17:40  

You know? That’s a good question. I want it to be remembered, you know, I hope they remember me. I guess just how I lived, you know, I played ball passionately. I was in, you know, I loved it. And it was something that I you know, I still wish you could play forever. But I hope that they think of me, and they think of some fun times that we had always a little bit of a, maybe a character on bus trips and stuff like that. But I hope if they do think of me and they see that dash today, then they smile. Well, I mean, I remember playing ball with him. I remember, you know, he was late. And you know, he would do anything to sacrifice for the team if he had to. And hopefully they missed him to

Unknown Speaker  18:24  

love it. So what do people misunderstand the most about? Steve?

Unknown Speaker  18:29  

Ah, that’s a good question. But, you know, um, I guess sometimes, maybe? That’s a good question. If I’m to, man, what is most misunderstood? Um, maybe I think I show affection in weird in weird ways. You know, like, if I’m tough on you, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like, you know, it’s like, what sometimes I think, and that’s something maybe I got to work on, is that, you know, my niece is around a lot. And, you know, it’s kind of we’re taking the village approach with her. And sometimes, you know, you I want to be the fun uncle. But I also you know, sometimes you got to be a little bit of a parent as well no, you can’t do this. No, you can’t do that. So, I think so. And, you know, I guess how you do a disciplinary approach. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like you to say no constructive criticism thing that everybody wants to improve. I would say,

Unknown Speaker  19:30  

Love it. Love it. So let’s take out of this equation. Anything electronic Well, let’s do quickly on this. Anything electronical What are three things that Steve can’t live without? And get no no phones, tablets, computers? Nothing? What are three things you can’t live without?

Unknown Speaker  19:50  

So we’re taking away electronics that Rex Correct. Ah, man, I love exercising. I love going to the gym. I know that’s a big thing. But I think you know I know that you go to the gym it’s for your physical health, but it’s for my mental health the second thing is, you know, I love just having a vehicle. I love my truck. I love being around I love going somewhere where they’re gonna throw stuff in the back or, or my sister’s dogs or whatever. It’s that’s one and we see the third one

Unknown Speaker  20:25  

better say baseball. You better say baseball.

Unknown Speaker  20:30  

Yeah, I guess baseball? Maybe some memorabilia couldn’t do without? I don’t know. Let me see. Man, another thing take electronics out. Um, and I don’t know. Okay, I got a favorite hat. How’s that?

Unknown Speaker  20:47  

Nice. Gotta have the right lid bro. Love it. I love it. It’s a time to shine today podcast. Firstly, squad. We are back and Steve. You and I could talk an hour on each one of these questions. Okay, but you got five seconds with zero and zero explanations. All right. All right. Ready to rock? Let’s go. Let’s level up right what’s the best leveling up advice Steve’s ever received yourself and everything. share one of your personal habits that contributes to your success.

Unknown Speaker  21:18  

A 5am workings? Bob it?

Unknown Speaker  21:21  

You see me I’m walking down the street. Forgive for you looks like and as doldrums like what book? Might you hand me?

Unknown Speaker  21:28  

Swing Away, Stan. Hi, Ron.

Unknown Speaker  21:30  

Man. Your most commonly used emoji?

Unknown Speaker  21:34  

The guy that’s flexing.

Unknown Speaker  21:37  

Love it. Nicknames growing up your urge shots or checkers? Oh, yes. Love it. favorite charity and organization like to give your time or money to

Unknown Speaker  21:49  

Boys and Girls Club of America.

Unknown Speaker  21:51  

Thank you. Last question. You can elaborate on this a little bit. But what is the best decade of music 60s 70s 80s or 90s?

Unknown Speaker  21:58  

Man I grew up so funny. I grew up in the 90s Primarily, but the last couple years, man I’ve been really it’s a 80s alternative for

Unknown Speaker  22:07  

my dude, bro. I was born in 72. I was born in 72. So I’ll be 50 in February, right? Yeah. And it’s like so the 80s Dude, I got the I live

Unknown Speaker  22:17  

was all over. You know, dude,

Unknown Speaker  22:19  

I lived through the best decade ever. And I graduated 1990. So literally from 10 years, I lived through the best decade. I’m talking big hair don’t care. You had the glam bands, metal wrap, do it and all that, you know,

Unknown Speaker  22:35  

I’m with you. 100% awesome. I

Unknown Speaker  22:36  

love that. So Steve, how can we find your brother?

Unknown Speaker  22:39  

I think I’m on every social media platform. I’m on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. As well, it’s pretty much just my name. And you know, I’ll even think about maybe I’ll bring MySpace back to my bring back. So I’ll keep you posted on that one.

Unknown Speaker  22:57  

My guy. Hey, so talk to us about swing away, Stan, a true redemption story.

Unknown Speaker  23:03  

Uh, well, it was about a year and a half project. You know, I never wrote anything that was a creative writing. I was in school, it’s all APA. It’s all technical stuff. So I had to meet with a professor. He kind of gave me some good notes. And it was a process man. You know, reading, writing, editing, reading, writing, editing, rinse, repeat. And so some days I wanted to separate from and I don’t want to deal with this anymore. But you know, it was every day I just wrote a paragraph. And the next day, we’re a paragraph and then I edited and all of a sudden it was you know, I was holding a copy in my hands. I was probably shocked as anybody that I did that. So I’m glad I did. It goes fun.

Unknown Speaker  23:45  

It’s also in squat. It’s a super fantastic parable. It’s a quick read. It’s about 60 pages ish or so. And you know, I’m going to have a giveaway that I’m going to have my good friend Steve, John Hancock, he’s going to sign a copy what’s going to happen is the first one that puts in any of our social that includes Pinterest Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, whatnot LinkedIn if you put swing away stand or no you know what let’s say Stan rocks if you say Stan rocks I know you’ve listened to here I’ll make sure that a signed copy on time to shine today’s dime will be mailed out to you with Steve’s signature on it so again Stan Stan rocks nope forget that stand the man stand the man is what it’s gonna be. Alright squad so the first one that puts Stan the Man in any social will get a freeze actually the first five people that put Stan the Man in the for in social. I will have my friend Steve sign a copy out to you and mail it out if you like taking care of some of the postage, right Venmo you the money man?

Unknown Speaker  24:51  

I’ll send them to you too. I’ll send you a cup.

Unknown Speaker  24:53  

I better get it. I better get it. Yeah, yeah, so squad. We literally like, again, it’s Steve’s a coach that is an educator level, like he wants to mold the minds, our brains aren’t even fully developed. And two are 25 years old. That’s, you know, physiologically and Steve’s there helping people level up you want at the front of your skis, he wants you to stay grounded, but think big. At the same time. Always level up. A good educator is a fantastic communicator, he loves to build relationships and network, you know, he wants you to find your unique gift in work those reps, do reps, reps, reps, until your gift becomes something that you can offer to people to help them level up, you know, criticism is going to come let it let the if you trust the person, let it stew a little bit, learn from it, recognize it, adjust to it, and then level up. Okay. You know, he believes in if you’re in a slump, you know, or whatnot to go back to the basics, keep less cooks in the kitchen. You know, you’ve been confident before work back to that confidence. And what got you there? If there’s the one or two like Steve said, one or two or three people that you really trust, get your asking gear your Ask. Ask them for the advice to help you level up. And Steve will remember to some of this slid across home plate, Vault bruised, battered, but he will have given so much this world just like he has done in the last 2025 minutes. I’m so blessed to know Steve. Steve, you earned another varsity letter here at time to shine today. Thank you so much for coming on. I love your gods. I can’t wait to collaborate with you in the future brother.

Unknown Speaker  26:39  

No problem. Scott. Thank you very much. Also, thank you for your service. We all really appreciate you brother. All right, no prob soon.

Unknown Speaker  26:44  

Hey, thanks so much for listening to this episode of time to shine today podcast, probably brought to you by Sutter in New Jersey real estate real estate excellence who can be reached at 561-249-7266 and online at www dot Sutter in nugent.com. If you’re a business owner or professional who would like to be interviewed on time to shine today, please visit time to shine today.com Flash gust. If you liked this episode, please subscribe on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, I Heart Radio or wherever you get your podcast. There’s a link in the show notes to our website. Also there you will see a recommended resources. We hope that you will support our show by supporting them. If you like what you’ve been listening to, it’d be great if you could just give us a five star rating and tell your friends to subscribe while you’re at it. I’m your host Scott Ferguson. And until next time, let’s level up it’s our time to shine

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