Out of the Park: Small Ball
Baseball is a game of moments, but more often it's the small ball that swings a season. After dropping six straight, the Royals broke through on a Sunday in Detroit, and not because of anything flashy.
It happened in extra innings with the placed runner on second, what some call a ghost runner. Jonathan India grounded to the right side, advancing the runner to third and putting the Royals in position. There’s no stat that gives credit to a player for advancing a runner, but in that dugout, he received a hero’s welcome.
One batter later, Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a sacrifice fly to win the game. The Royals snapped the slump without recording a hit in the inning. It was the purest kind of small ball, and the beginning of a six-game winning streak.
Since then, it has been fun to watch momentum build. Part of the rhythm that never gets old is seeing young players make their debut, like Tyler Tolbert and Even Sisk did earlier this month. And it’s always a good sign when the Salvy Splash returns, soaking players (and me) and bringing smiles after another win.
But through it all, the real story stays the same: the little things always matter. It’s why I talk so much about small ball.
If April taught us anything, it's that details can change the outcome. Whether you are in the dugout or watching from home, that is a reminder worth carrying with you, inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium dreams
A strange twist to the 2025 season has been seeing the Tampa Bay Rays play their regular season games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. It was a move forced by Hurricane Milton after it ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field, making it unplayable for now.
This is my 43rd “big league” stadium, even though that feels like a stretch. Steinbrenner Field is beautiful, intimate and rich with history, making it a jewel for spring training. But the venue was not built for the grind of a full MLB season, especially with Tampa’s summer heat and daily rainstorms. Though despite its shortcomings, it’s still nicer than the Trop.
It was surreal to see Rays signage mixed with Yankees logos, Monument Park tributes and minor league side fields just steps away. The vibe is a reminder that baseball always finds a way, even in less than ideal settings.
If you are a fan chasing stadiums or looking for an unusual baseball moment, this is definitely one for the memory book. Just be ready for some Florida summer weather as the season heats up.
Local flavor
One of my favorite parts about life on the road is exploring a city before heading to the ballpark. It’s a rhythm that never gets old, especially in New York City. In the past, I’ve captured some of the city’s vibrant energy. But this trip, the little things stood out most.
Like a real New York bagel with cream cheese from a corner shop, eaten slowly in Bryant Park. Tucked away behind the library, it’s a place where somehow the city feels quiet.
A few blocks later, I walked through Grand Central Station, full of constant, buzzing motion. It’s history, it’s light, it’s ceiling and it’s many areas to explore still manage to get me every time. And I’d like to give a special shoutout to former Rounding the Bases podcast guest Ben Guttman for giving me a glimpse of life as a local.
These in-between moments before the clubhouse and the interviews are part of what makes the road so special. They’re a chance to unplug, breathe and take in all in before the game begins. Just like in baseball, little things matter. Though off the field, small ball is about noticing the quiet wins, walks between landmarks and finding space to reset before showtime.
Dugout dialogue
Some players talk about history. Others go out and experience it.
Tyler Tolbert made his Major League debut for the Royals in Milwaukee on March 31. Two weeks later we were in New York for Jackie Robinson Day, so I asked him if he wanted to visit Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem. It wasn’t required. It also wasn’t easy, and the outing meant giving up his free time to navigate cabs, subways and city chaos. But as a Birmingham native with deep roots in Civil Rights history, Tyler didn’t hesitate at the chance to go.
Later that night at Yankees Stadium, like every player in baseball, Tolbert wore number 42. But for him, it wasn’t just a jersey. It was a fitting conclusion to a day that began by honoring Jackie’s legacy, and ended by living out a dream made possible because of it.
Jackie Robinson played small ball in every sense. On the field, he advanced runners, stole bases, and created pressure with his presence. Off it, he carried the weight of history with quiet strength, doing the little things right in the face of enormous pressure. It’s why his number still matters, and why moments like Tyler’s matter too.
Of course, small ball isn’t just for the baseball field. Check out my monthly chat with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to find out why small wins and daily habits matter more than ever in leadership and business.
speaking engagements
April has been filled with meaningful moments, and I’ve had the opportunity to share Small Ball Big Dreams in some special spaces.
It began with the honor of being interviewed by KCTV5’s Carolina Cruz at the Junior League of Kansas City’s annual event at Union Station.
I also joined Kiona Sinks for a powerful conversation at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s Coffee with Champions. We spoke in front of a packed house about stories and themes from the book, and I’m proud that Small Ball Big Dreams is now available in the museum’s gift shop.
Next up is The Trust Progression, an event I’m hosting on May 15 alongside Jeff Utecht and Dan James at Chief of Staff KC. You can learn more at trust2progress.com.
I’m excited to continue blending baseball, storytelling, and leadership in rooms like these throughout the season, whenever the schedule allows.
If you have a game changing event coming up, it’s time we play ball. To inquire about my keynote series, event moderation or custom video content, just click the link below. A member of my team will get back to you right away.
Rounding the bases rewind
How to play small ball looks different to everyone. It’s the reason I ask all of my guests on Rounding the Bases what it means to them. For some, its in the habits. For others, its in the attitude. One guest this month demonstrated how to make it an expectation.
Dave Rosenberg is a former F-14 naval officer and founder of Locked on Leadership. As the premiere expert on radical accountability, he equips military-minded leaders with tactical strategies to build teams that rise to the expectation of excellence. He does more than transform individuals into self-directed achievers. He creates a culture of high-performance that is perpetually mission ready, long after motivation has faded.
If you missed its release earlier this month, be sure to listen now.
As always, I appreciate every one of the incredible guests who made time to join me on the podcast this month:
Our schedule is already booked into the summer, but we are always looking for interesting guests with standout stories. Would you or someone you know make a great guest on Rounding the Bases?
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email my Executive Producer Ashleigh Sterr: ashleigh@joelgoldbergmedia.com.
Keeping the score
Small ball is about the little things that add up to big results. In concept, it originated on the diamond but in practice, the impact goes well beyond. Over the course of nearly 20 seasons broadcasting for the Kansas City Royals, I’ve learned a few things about dodging buckets of Gatorade. But I’ve learned even more about the trust, teamwork, resilience and more, the small ball, it takes to win. One recent guest on Rounding the Bases found a way to leverage the little things for even bigger results.
His name is Justin Roethlingshoefer, an industry-leading human performance expert who has cracked the code to winning in business and in life. For nearly two decades, this author and TedX speaker has driven consistent change by living differently. Using holistic data mixed with real-world experience, he empowers high performers to own their success and add life to their years. Not by working more, but by working right.
It’s one of the best illustrations of small ball I’ve heard in a long time and has truly put him in a class of his own, personally and professionally. What’s his secret? Read on to find out.
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