Keep It Fun! A Day with the Palacios Brothers in Brooklyn

This past weekend, I spent some time in Brooklyn, NY with Major Leaguers Richie and Josh Palacios, who hosted an incredible baseball camp for a few hundred young players ages 10–12. The event brought together big leaguers, along with high school and college coaches, all with one goal - to teach, inspire, and remind kids why they fell in love with the game.

Throughout the day, I spoke with several players including Victor Scott II (Cardinals), Chandler Simpson (Rays), and Drey Jameson (Diamondbacks). Despite their different paths, they all shared a common message: enjoy the game and remember what it felt like to play as a kid.

The camp’s main theme was simple but powerful - keep baseball fun while focusing on the fundamentals. It’s a message that applies at every level, even in the big leagues. Too often, we get caught up in things that don’t really matter - the 12U batting average, the weekend tournament trophy, or a small mistake that turns into an argument. The reminder from these pros was clear: the love of the game should always be at the top of the list.

One of the camp’s founders and current Ray’s outfielder, Richie Palacios, summed it up perfectly:

“Anything that you want in life, anything that you work for is possible, as long as you’re putting the work in, as long as you’re not getting distracted, as long as you’ve got your head on your shoulders. We’re not just a figure on TV. We’re real people who worked hard to get where we’re at - and it’s possible to do whatever you want to do in this world.”

It was a powerful reminder that baseball is more than stats and scoreboards - it’s about passion, discipline, and believing in what’s possible.

As Richie and the other pros showed these young players, the game is meant to be enjoyed. And that message applies far beyond the field. How are you keeping your work fun?

Whether you’re in the classroom, on the field, or in the office - what are you doing to bring joy, energy, and purpose into your daily work?

Thank you for checking out this edition of the Big League Perspective Newsletter! Be sure to share with a friend, teammate, or kid who may benefit! In the meantime, be sure to connect on social media @billythebatboy. 🙌