My Inspiring Colleagues

I picked up a gig this summer.

It thought it would be fun, and it was. But it also was inspiring. I was an usher at Indianapolis Indians baseball games.

Why inspiring? Hold tight.

For years I privately joked that I’d be an usher when I retired from corporate life. The goal, of course, was easy access to hot dogs and free baseball. And then I actually had the opportunity, and I thought “Why in the hell not?”

I worked roughly 30 games. I saw the Toledo Mud Hens and the Omaha Storm Chasers (minor league teams have cornered the market on colorful names). I saw Paul Skenes – already one of the best pitchers in baseball now with the Pirates. And yes, I ate the hot dogs. I also tossed a few batting practice balls to kids too young to grab them on their own.

But I saw something more. I saw people everywhere working their tails off – night in and night out – to make the customer experience a little bit better. Wiping down seats. Mopping up spilled ice cream. Helping first-timers find their sections. Making sure no one got hurt on that foul ball into the seats. And here’s what I loved: some of the work was done by people who had every right to stay home and ask for help. Instead, they were the help. They were men and women well past the traditional working age - some in wheelchairs - who enjoyed contributing and helping others to have a nice evening. I met a widower who hated being home alone, a man whose life changed after a tragic car accident, and a man who officiated high school basketball games and wanted to stay busy on summer nights.

Work is hard. But when you see people from all walks of life setting aside their evenings and overcoming obstacles to help others find joy, you’re reminded that contributing to a well-oiled machine is worth the energy.