Baseball is truly a lovely sport.  America’s great pastime has a culture stretching far beyond the diamond, encompassing it’s own iconic song and a wonderful catalog of films, including: The Sandlot, A League of Their Own, and Field of Dreams.  I mean, “Hey Dad, wanna have a catch?” makes every human, with a soul, cry.  

And that, my friends, is really all I know about baseball. You see, I retired early. And by that I mean, I stopped playing when they took the tee away.  My question is: Why didn’t everyone else?! I can’t be the only one who thought “You want me to stand here while you throw that ball as hard as you can at me? Uh, no thanks!”  

As I commiserate my failed attempt at baseball stardom, I am reminded of the advice a friend and mentor once shared that has been serving me well as of late, and it’s this: 

Pitchers expect to get hit.

The same throwing technique and form that gives the necessary speed, accuracy, and control also leaves pitchers physically vulnerable. While other players are prepared with mits to receive the ball, every throw leaves a team’s pitcher completely open.  This risk is accepted and cannot be allowed to affect the mental or physical ability to perform.  If they do get hit, and they absolutely will at some point, pitchers cannot allow anger, fear, or hesitation to control the rest of their performance; whether it be the next inning, game, or series. 

Does this strike something within you? Can’t we identify with this concept?  Vulnerability is just as crucial to our craft as music educators, as it is for pitchers.  In her New York Times bestseller, Daring Greatly, Dr. Brene Brown says “Vulnerability opens us up to pain and tragedy, but also love, joy, and connection.”  We provide a platform for our students to express emotion, even several simultaneously, through music.  Furthermore, music accommodates the rare and natural phenomena where students can have a very unique and personal experience, while also connecting with a collective.

Vulnerability promotes openness. Being open allows us to find the possibility in each challenge or see the growth in pain and loss. It is a characteristic that will serve our students in life and help them become not only better musicians, but healthy and balanced human beings. Humans who acknowledge and accept their feelings; value connection and relationships; and adapt to, or even embrace risk and change.  

Unfortunately, vulnerability and openness are virtues that are not currently playing out in today’s society.  Even worse, they may not even be evident in the classroom, as many of our colleagues (both within and outside our discipline) have retreated.  Overwhelmed by stress and uncertainty, they are focusing on their own survival.  When pitchers shift their energy towards protecting themselves, it not only limits their success, but increases the risk of exhaustion and injury. And so it is with educators.

Make no mistake, even under normal circumstances, you are going to get hit. Our “hits” take many forms, from: unsupportive administration/colleagues, upset parents, flakey students, or rehearsals that “catch the seam,” ect. Getting hit is difficult and painful to experience, no matter how often it happens, and we shouldn’t pretend that it is not. That would be absurd! Pitchers don’t wave off the trainer while they are dazed and injured. We accept help and eventually recover with a deeper resolve and passion. What we cannot do is let a hit, or insult in any form, make us cold and bitter. Teachers focused on self-preservation in place of openness will deny students the very things that we were meant to pass-on. 

Our profession affords us incredible connections with our students and communities that are not available to our colleagues in other disciplines.  What we fail to remember is that with high rewards come high risks. And during such extraordinary times, there is so much beyond our control.  But there are things we can do.  We can accept risk.  We can take a hit. Our students are worth it.  Our craft is worth it.  The reward is sharing love, joy and connection through music. 

Facilitating a safe, engaging and meaningful experience has never been more valuable, so go play the music you want to play. Open up and tell the story. Invite vulnerability and start a dialogue. You might get hit...but, that’s the point.  That’s the game we are in.

-Teaching Music (NAfME) August, 2021