When asked for signs of spring, some say, “Buds on the trees.” Others, “Warmer weather, longer days.” I reply, “Baseball.”

        This year, I've done something I've wanted to do for a long time — I went to spring training. I'm a big fan of the San Francisco Giants, so I flew down to Scottsdale, Ariz., to watch the boys of summer get ready. It was great fun, and it was also educational — as a businessperson.
       

Practice, practice
        As I sat in the warm Arizona sun, I realized that the concept of “spring training” can apply to business as well as baseball. Here they were — million-dollar professionals in the prime of their physical life — yet they needed weeks of practice. But many of us in business think we have to be perfect the first time out. There's no such thing as practice in business.

        So this year, why not allow yourself “spring training” in your business? Think about the things that happen. Players:

        • Refresh their abilities.

        • Learn new skills.

        • Stretch.

        • Work with a coach.

        • Play.

        • Practice, practice, practice.

        As I watched the teams play (the Giants won both games, by the way), I thought about the different kinds of baseball players there are. My favorite Giant is Jeff Kent. He's not a big home run hitter, like Barry Bonds, but a dependable guy who consistently gets base hits, and helps his team score. And don't think a guy like that can't be a star — last year, Kent was named the National League's Most Valuable Player.

        Sitting behind home plate in Scottsdale Stadium were about 10 scouts from major league teams, tracking lesser-known players for possible acquisition. I spoke with a scout for the Baseball commissioner's office. These scouts weren't looking just for players who could be big hitters, or league-leading strike-out pitchers. Teams need all kinds of players to win.
       

Team components
        Just as there are different types of successful baseball players, there are differing types of successful business people. You can be a star without being a home run leader. Which kind do you want to be?

        • Babe Ruth: Aims for the fences. People admire and follow you; you're larger than life. You win big, but you also lose big. Remember, the Babe had 714 homers, but 1330 strikeouts. One Babe Ruth is a star; a team filled with Ruths is a disaster.

        • Cal Ripken: Shows up and gets the job done. Ripken played in the most consecutive games ever. He doesn't hold any hitting records, but he “batted in” more than 1,600 runs. Remember what Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”

        • Jackie Robinson: Blazes new trails. Your skills are great enough to enable you to change the rules, and you're willing to make the many personal sacrifices that go along with being first. You make the future possible for others. You're a hero.

        • Sandy Koufax: Seeks perfection. Koufax is arguably the best pitcher in the history of baseball, but perfection came at a price. His career was cut short by injuries. He also had the courage of his convictions, refusing to play in the World Series on a religious holiday.

        • Don Larsen: Shines for a moment. Larsen is the only person who ever pitched a perfect game in the World Series, but overall he had a mediocre career.

        • Rickey Henderson: Makes the most of what he has. The all-time leader in stolen bases, Henderson didn't need to hit homers to make a contribution. In the history of baseball, only Ty Cobb scored more runs than Henderson.

        • The Alou Brothers: You stick with family. Matty, Felipe and Jesus Alou played in the same outfield together. Together, they were stronger than any one Alou alone.

        Or perhaps you see another role. My assistant, Deborah, told me she wants to be “Lou Seal,” the Giants mascot. Deborah sees herself as the cheerleader, helping everyone refocus his attention. “Remember,” Deborah said, “This is supposed to be fun.”

        Rhonda Abrams is the author of The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies and Wear Clean Underwear: Business Wisdom from Mom. For free business tips from Rhonda, register at www.RhondaOnline.com or write her at 555 Bryant St., number 180, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

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