Every year, there’s a day on the calendar that means more to me than most. It doesn’t arrive  with national coverage, fireworks, or headlines. It’s simple. It’s pure.

It’s the Opening Day of Hermosa Beach Little League.

To little league fans, that carries weight. It means winter is on its way out, even if the air still  bites. It means spring is coming, whether we feel it yet or not. It signals renewal. A reset. A  fresh start.

I’ve been blessed to spend many seasons not just watching baseball, but coaching it. For years,  I’ve worked with Little League players and parents here in Hermosa Beach, mentoring kids,  tying cleats, talking through tough innings, and watching confidence and camaraderie grow pitch  by pitch. Those fields have taught me more about leadership than any podcast or boardroom  ever could.

Because little league, like business, isn’t just about talent. It’s about preparation. Patience.  Encouragement. Optimism. Enthusiasm. Showing up every day, even when the weather or the  scoreboard doesn’t look great. It’s about helping people believe they can do something before  they know they can.

This winter has felt long for many. In our industry, our communities, our personal lives…the cold  can linger. But as Opening Day approaches, it reminds me of something important:  preparation gives way to action — it’s time to take the field.

Not because everything is perfect. Not because we have all the answers. Not because we know  how everything will turn out. But because growth doesn’t start with certainty, it starts with  showing up. Taking practice seriously. Supporting the people beside us. Coaching when  needed, and constantly learning.

In Little League, I’ve seen wave after wave of kids come into a season unsure, hesitant, scared,  or discouraged. By the end, they’re calling for the ball, leading their teammates, and trusting  themselves. That transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through a season of  earning trust, celebrating growth, and taking countless reps in the field and at the plate.

That’s the kind of leadership I try to bring to Tiki. Encourage. Coach. Create space for people to  grow. Celebrate effort, not just outcomes. Help the team see the season ahead, even when  the weather still feels like winter. Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers  — it’s about learning, adapting, and growing right alongside your team.

Opening Day isn’t just the start of a baseball season. It’s a reminder that success doesn’t arrive  fully baked, it’s something we lean into and develop. It’s built with preparation, small  adjustments, and showing up when it would be easier to stay inside and wait for warmer days.

Spring is coming. New opportunities are forming. New partnerships are waiting to be built.

So here we are. A new season. A fresh start.

Let’s take the field — and let’s play some ball!

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