The Day My Teacher Shut Me Down

A couple of months ago, I walked back into my elementary school for the first time since graduating. This time, I wasn’t a student - I was standing in the gym speaking to kids about my career in baseball and sharing stories from the Billy the Batboy children’s book series.

While I was there, I couldn’t help but tell them a true story from my own fourth-grade days - one of the first times I ever faced real adversity.

Back when I was in third grade, colored duct tape was the trend. I became obsessed with it. Before long, I figured out how to make wallets and other items, and an idea was born. I called it “Billy’s Colored Duct Tape Designs.”

I printed order forms, brought them to school, and classmates paid cash for my creations. In third grade, I got away with it.

Fourth grade? Not so much.

On one of the first days of school, my teacher shut the operation down. A letter went home to my mom explaining that I couldn’t sell products or collect money from students on school property.

At the time, it felt like failure. Like a door slammed shut.

But here’s the part I didn’t understand back then: that setback was actually a setup for a comeback.

The very next year, I became a batboy. That opportunity changed the trajectory of my life and eventually led to everything I’m doing today.

The lesson I shared with those students - and the one I’m reminded of myself is this:

Just because something doesn’t work out the way you hoped doesn’t mean it’s over. Sometimes God is redirecting you toward something even better.

A closed door today might be pointing you toward a greater blessing tomorrow.

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. 🙌