Nolan Freund

What is the most valuable lesson to learn from sports? Learning how to Win! The playing field is rarely level. Every player has different advantages: skills, experience, resources. There is always opportunity to Win, especially if you first fail. In 2019, we were sitting around a card table in the Rockies visiting clubhouse. The pitchers had just finished their work on the field & we had time before the start of batting practice. A bit of rain began to fall so we came inside to let it pass. These waiting periods were the best and the worst. Rain delays could last late into the evening. But they also provided extra time to spend with teammates. As I sat at the table, my teammate sat down with me. We settled on a friendly game of Connect Four (or so I thought). He would go on to easily secure 3 victories in the game. I started to notice something. He was focused and took time to count the holes remaining before he made his next move. This was different from my approach. After two more fast games I had to ask. "How are you beating me so easily?" He explained how he had studied the algorithm of the game (yes, Connect Four), thus guaranteeing he would never leave an outcome to chance. I was not surprised. This teammate is a fierce competitor and is rarely out matched. I took the time after the game that day to learn the algorithm my self. A lesson that sports had taught us both. Taking the time to prepare & study the game will dramatically increase the chance of success. Even if it seems simple. Find a gap in the details that the competition has over looked. Most importantly, Winning is fun! -TR