Know What You Are Going to Do With It

Growing up, my dad had one piece of advice he shouted at every baseball game I played: “Know what you are going to do with it!” His voice cut through the noise of the field as our pitcher wound up to throw, and there I was—somewhere in the infield—listening.

At the time, I thought it was just about baseball. But looking back, I realize he was giving me a blueprint for life.

Thinking Ahead Before the Ball Comes

In baseball, his words meant: don’t wait until the ball is hit to decide what to do. Assume it’s coming your way. Play the situation out in your mind first—if it’s hit to your left, what’s the move? If it’s a grounder, where’s the throw? If it’s a pop fly, who’s covering?

That split second of preplanning can make all the difference. Baseball is filled with moments where hesitation costs the game. We’ve all seen the infielder who freezes with the ball in hand, unsure of where to throw, or the outfielder who pump-fakes too many times before letting go. In those moments, indecision is more damaging than making the wrong call.

My dad’s advice eliminated that paralysis. By deciding in advance, we could act automatically, with confidence and fluidity. Even if the runner still beat the throw or the play didn’t go our way, at least we knew our part wasn’t lost to indecision. And that, he reminded us, was all we could control.

Life Beyond the Diamond

Now, as a parent with my own kids playing sports, I find myself echoing my dad’s words. But I also see how far beyond sports they stretch for them.

Life constantly throws us situations we can’t control—but we can control how we respond, especially if we’ve thought about those responses in advance:

• What if someone pressures you to cheat?
  
• What if a friend offers you drugs or alcohol?
  
• What if an authority figure asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable?

These moments come at us quickly, often when emotions are high or the pressure is strong. Without preparation, it’s easy to hesitate, fold, or make a choice that doesn’t align with our values. But if we’ve thought about the scenario beforehand, the decision is much clearer, and the action comes faster.

This isn’t about living in the rearview mirror, muttering “woulda, coulda, shoulda.” My dad’s lesson was the opposite: live through the windshield. Look at the road ahead, anticipate what might come, and be ready with a plan.

A Real-Life Example

Not long ago, one of my kids faced this exact test. Some teammates had caused trouble behind a coach’s back. When the coach began questioning players, my child was asked to point fingers and name names.

Without hesitation, my child respectfully declined. They didn’t cave under pressure or betray their teammates. Instead, they held firm to their values and forced the coach to investigate differently.

I was proud—not just because of the choice, but because I knew it wasn’t made in the moment. It was the result of prior reflection, family discussions, and an internal decision about what kind of person they wanted to be in such a scenario. So the action came naturally – no agonizing, no back-and-forth, just conviction.

Practicing for Life’s Game Days

Sports is really just a training ground for life. We send our kids to practices so they can rehearse plays, develop skills, and build instincts before the big game. But in life, every day presents us with choices that matter – every day is game day. 

That’s why we also need to rehearse. Will we lie, cheat, or steal if the temptation comes? It sounds simple to say “of course not,” but in the heat of the moment, things get messy. The context changes everything. For example:

• You’re at a work conference, away from your spouse, when someone flirts with you aggressively.
  
• You’re tired after a long day and tempted to drive home after a few drinks at happy hour.
  
• A coworker asks you to cover for them with a harmless “white lie.”
  
• A tax bill feels overwhelming—do you fudge the numbers to save cash?
  
• You feel insecure in a group conversation—do you join in the gossip to fit in?

These aren’t hypothetical. They happen every day, to real people. And too often, the lack of a predetermined response leads to choices that carry lasting consequences.

We practice CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver not because we expect to need them daily, but because in an emergency there’s no time to deliberate. Action must be instant. Moral and ethical choices deserve the same preparation.

By anticipating difficult scenarios in advance—whether small temptations or big crossroads—we reduce the risk of hesitation, regret, and guilt. Even if the outcome isn’t perfect, we can live with clarity, knowing we acted in line with our values.

The Lasting Lesson

So when my dad hollered, “Know what you are going to do with it,” he wasn’t just teaching me baseball. He was teaching me life. He was reminding me to anticipate, to prepare, and to choose deliberately before the ball—or the temptation—ever comes my way.

Life will always throw us curveballs. Some will be fast, unexpected, and hard to handle. But if we’ve already decided how we’ll respond, we’ll be ready.

Because in the end, the difference between an error and a great play—between regret and peace of mind—is often just one second of forethought.