As the school year ramps up again, it’s important to remember how much kids need to learn what real leadership looks like. Leadership means not feeling pressured to do the same thing everyone else is doing. It means being willing to step up, do what’s right, and make someone else feel valued.

Be the student who is kind when others are making fun of someone. You never know what another person may be going through. Don’t laugh along when someone is being put down just to get a reaction. Be the friend who steps in when someone else is having a tough time. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, or in the hallways, those small choices matter.

Last school year, I was brought into a school in North Jersey to speak specifically about lifting others up instead of tearing them down. There was a strong bullying culture, and the environment had become toxic. One of the things I emphasized was that behavior is learned. Kids often model what they see from the adults and people around them, which makes it even more important for us to set the right example.

I shared examples from professional sports and talked about athletes like Aaron Judge. Great teammates don’t make the people around them feel small. They encourage, support, and challenge others in a way that helps the whole team get better. That’s what leadership should look like in a school too.

This is also the message I’m bringing into schools this year. Through my elementary, middle school, and high school programs, I talk with students about leadership, kindness, perseverance, and making a positive impact on the people around them.

I’m currently booking school visits for the 2026–27 school year. If you’re a teacher, principal, librarian, counselor, coach, PTA member, or know someone who works in a school, I’d love to connect.

Interested in bringing me to your school? Reply to this email or reach out to learn more about available programs.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Tonight’s starting pitcher for the New York Mets is Robert Stock.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to catch up with Robert at Citi Field. It was a meaningful full-circle moment because 10 years earlier, I had been his batboy while he was playing independent baseball in New Jersey.

When Robert played in my hometown in 2016, he carried an unmistakable confidence that he would one day step onto a Major League mound. He didn’t know when it would happen or which path would lead him there, but he believed it would happen.

That is one of the hardest parts of pursuing a big dream: You rarely know exactly how the journey will unfold.

Players working toward the Major Leagues don’t know which opportunity will change their careers. They don’t know how many setbacks, roster moves, injuries, long bus rides or difficult conversations they will face along the way. That uncertainty can take a tremendous mental toll.

Robert kept working through it. He relentlessly searched for ways to improve and earn another opportunity with an MLB organization. Eventually, that opportunity came. He has since spent parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues, and tonight, he will take the mound for the Mets at Citi Field.

Robert’s journey is a reminder that uncertainty does not mean your dream is over. Sometimes, it simply means the story is still being written.

There will be moments when you question the timing. There will be days when the next opportunity seems nowhere in sight. You may not know exactly how everything will work out, but you can control whether you continue preparing, improving and showing up.

Ten years ago, Robert Stock believed he belonged on a Major League mound. Tonight, he gets another opportunity to prove it.

Keep showing up. Your next opportunity may be closer than you think.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center hosted a sold-out screening of Boss’s Batboy, the documentary chronicling Ray Negron’s journey and the mentors who changed his life.

Children from the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon joined the audience for a story of perseverance, forgiveness, and helping others.

The afternoon opened with the national anthem performed by Broadway actor Ciarán Sheehan. After the screening, Ray spoke about his relationship with George Steinbrenner, the guidance he received from Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson, and his experiences with many other members of the Yankees family.

Maria Cooper Janis, daughter of legendary actor Gary Cooper, also attended. Her connection to baseball history was especially fitting, as her father portrayed Lou Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees.

Ray and co-author Billy Pinckney then signed copies of their new children’s book, Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True. The book tells the story of Major League pitcher Fernando Cruz and the people who believed in him before the world recognized his potential.

Filmmaker Bill O’Connell brought Boss’s Batboy to life alongside actor and producer Chazz Palminteri and his wife, Gianna.

“I needed to work on this project because George Steinbrenner believed our lives mirrored each other,” Palminteri said.

The film and book share a central message: one person’s encouragement can change the direction of another person’s life. Ray’s story shows the lasting power of mentorship, kindness, forgiveness, and faith in someone’s potential.

“If this film can impact the youth of our country, then I’m all for it,” Negron said.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Ray Negron & Billy Pinckney at the Boys & Girls Club in Mount Vernon, NY, on July 21, 2026.

Last week, my co-author Ray Negron and I had the opportunity to visit the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, New York. We spent time speaking with the kids about hard work, helping others, treating people with kindness, and making the most of every opportunity.

Visits like this are always meaningful because you never know what a young person may be going through. Some children face difficult situations at home or in their communities. Others may be struggling with confidence, searching for direction, or simply needing someone to believe in them.

That is why positive encouragement matters.

When people involved in sports take the time to speak with young people, the kids often listen differently. Sports can help create a connection, but the most important lessons go far beyond winning games. They are lessons about character, discipline, responsibility, and how we treat the people around us.

One of the strongest messages Ray shared with the kids was about love.

He told them how important it is to love. Love the people around you. Love the opportunities you have. Love the work you do.

That message may sound simple, but it carries tremendous meaning.

When you truly love the people around you, you begin to look for ways to encourage them, support them, and help them succeed. When you love the opportunities you have, you stop taking them for granted and start approaching them with gratitude. When you love the work you do, you are more willing to give your best effort, remain committed, and keep going when things become difficult.

Love is not weakness. Real love requires strength, patience, sacrifice, and action. It means showing up for people. It means treating others with respect, even when they cannot do anything for you in return. It means using your gifts and opportunities to make someone else’s life better.

I also shared a lesson that has become increasingly important to me. Many years from now, your friends may not remember everything you accomplished or every specific thing you did, but they will remember how you made them feel.

People remember who encouraged them. They remember who believed in them. They remember who treated them with kindness when they were having a difficult day. They remember the people who made them feel seen, valued, and capable of becoming something greater.

We also encouraged the kids not to spend their lives worrying about fitting in with everyone else. There is often pressure to follow the crowd, especially when you are young. However, making a real impact sometimes requires you to stand out.

Be different. Be kind when others are cruel. Work hard when others choose shortcuts. Help someone when there is nothing in it for you. Have the courage to make the right decision, even when it is not the popular one.

Every child has gifts, potential, and a purpose. Sometimes, all it takes is one person offering encouragement to help a young person begin believing that for themselves.

Ray and I are grateful to the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon for welcoming us and allowing us to spend time with such an incredible group of kids. We hope they remember our message, but even more importantly, we hope they remember that we cared about them.

Love the people around you. Love the opportunities you have. Love the work you do. Then use that love to make a positive impact wherever life takes you.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Last week, Ray Negron and I had the opportunity to visit the grounds of the Old Yankee Stadium and spend time with young ballplayers from the International Baseball League in the Bronx.

Each player received a free copy of our children’s book, Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True. We are incredibly grateful for the impact the book has already made and for every opportunity we receive to share its message with the next generation.

We were also honored to be joined by Maria Cooper Janis, the daughter of legendary actor Gary Cooper. Her father famously portrayed Lou Gehrig in the classic film The Pride of the Yankees, making her presence on those historic grounds even more meaningful.

There is something special about knowing that a story you helped create could make a difference in someone’s life.

A young athlete may be on the verge of quitting. Another child may be facing pressure to go down the wrong path. In those moments, they might remember a story we shared, a lesson they learned or a book someone placed in their hands. That memory could remind them to keep going.

Sometimes, all it takes is one source of inspiration, one person who believes in you or one opportunity to keep you moving in the right direction.

These young athletes play on the grounds where the Old Yankee Stadium once stood. When you are there, you can genuinely feel the history and legacy of the legends who played on that field. It is a powerful place to teach children about perseverance, character and believing in their dreams.

Our mission is simple: to inspire the next generation and help get more kids off the streets and onto the field.

Part of the proceeds from every copy of Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True benefits Little League players in the Bronx. By purchasing a book for yourself or a young person in your life, you are helping us continue that mission.

Click here to purchase your copy and help us place more books, bats and balls into the hands of young athletes.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

One thing every young athlete needs to understand is that your mind can only carry so much at one time.

Recently, I realized this in my own life. I had several loops open: videos I needed to edit, conversations I needed to have, and tasks I kept putting off. None of them seemed impossible on their own, but because I left them unfinished, they kept running in the background of my mind.

Once I finally closed those loops, I felt lighter.

The same thing happens to young athletes.

Sometimes, without even realizing it, you have too many “tabs” open in your life. You are thinking about practice, schoolwork, homework, your performance, your playing time, your next game, what your coach thinks, what your parents expect, and what your teammates are doing.

Some of those things are real responsibilities. Others are things you cannot fully control.

And when too many of those loops stay open, they start to weigh on you.

You may feel more tired. You may feel more stressed. You may have trouble focusing. You may even start to lose some joy for the game because your mind is constantly running in the background.

That is why it is important to learn the difference between what you can control and what you need to let go of.

You can control your effort.

You can control your attitude.

You can control how prepared you are.

You can control whether you do your homework, pack your bag, get enough rest, respond to a message, or show up ready to compete.

Those are loops you can close.

But you cannot always control the lineup. You cannot control every opinion people have about you. You cannot control whether you get a hit every game. You cannot control how fast your journey moves compared to someone else’s.

Those things should not become open tabs that drain you all day.

A young athlete grows when they learn to take care of the responsibilities in front of them and stop carrying things that were never fully in their control.

If you have schoolwork to finish, finish it.

If you need to practice, practice with purpose.

If you made a mistake, learn from it and move forward.

If you need to have a conversation with a coach, parent, or teammate, handle it with maturity.

Do not keep delaying the things you know you need to do. The longer you leave those loops open, the heavier they become.

Closing loops gives you peace. It clears your mind. It helps you focus on the next pitch, the next play, the next rep, and the next right decision.

The best athletes are not just physically prepared. They are mentally disciplined. They do not waste all their energy worrying about things they cannot control. They focus on what is in front of them, do it well, and trust the process.

So close the loops you can close.

Take care of your responsibilities.

Stop letting small unfinished tasks pile up in your mind.

And for the things you cannot control, learn to release them.

Your job is not to figure everything out at once.

Your job is to be faithful with the next step, the next practice, the next opportunity, and the next decision in front of you.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

I love asking pro athletes this question:

“What do you wish you knew when you first started?”

A lot of them say something along the lines of, “I wish I had more fun,” or “I wish I didn’t put so much pressure on myself.”

That always stands out to me.

But I’ve noticed they rarely say, “I wish I didn’t work so hard,” or “I wish I didn’t spend so much time on it.”

Because even if their career didn’t go exactly how they planned, the time they put in still mattered. The work shaped them. The habits they built through sports translated into other parts of their life.

Work ethic. Teamwork. Problem-solving. Handling failure. Showing up when things aren’t easy.

Those things matter everywhere.

Recently, someone asked me a similar question:

“What is something you wish you had known when you first started your journey in baseball and media?”

When I thought about it, I’d probably say patience.

There have been a lot of things I wanted to happen that didn’t happen as quickly as I thought they would. Some goals took longer than I expected. Some opportunities didn’t come when I hoped they would. And sometimes, I wondered if they were ever going to happen at all.

But looking back, some of them did happen.

They just took longer than I thought.

That’s been one of the biggest lessons for me. Just because something isn’t happening right now doesn’t mean it never will.

I’ve had to learn how to be patient and persistent at the same time. That’s not always easy. Patience can feel like waiting around, and persistence can feel like trying to force something. But I think the balance is continuing to show up, continuing to get better, and not quitting just because the timeline looks different than you expected.

Special things have happened in my journey.

Not overnight.

Not always as quickly as I imagined.

But they have happened.

So if you’re working toward something and it feels like it’s taking longer than it should, don’t take that as a sign that it’s not going to happen.

Keep going. Keep learning. Keep showing up.

Be patient, but don’t stop being persistent.

Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it never will.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Ray Negron, Billy Pinckney, and Fernando Cruz on June 6, 2026 in Yonkers, NY.

I’ve known Fernando Cruz since I was 13 years old, and one thing has never changed... his unwavering faith. Whether he was battling through years of independent baseball or achieving success at the Major League level, Fernando has always remained grounded, giving God the glory every step of the way. His humility, perseverance, and trust in God have inspired countless people, including me.

That’s why it has been such an honor to publish Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True alongside my mentor, Ray Negron. This book is more than a baseball story... it’s a testament to faith, resilience, mentorship, and the power of giving back.

Even more meaningful, a portion of every book sold on Amazon will benefit Little League programs in the Bronx, helping provide young people with opportunities, guidance, and positive experiences through baseball.

Our mission is simple: more bats and balls, fewer guns and knives. By investing in our youth and creating safe spaces where they can play, learn, and dream, we can help keep kids off the streets and on the field - where character is built, friendships are formed, and brighter futures begin. ⚾🙏📖

This past week, Fernando, Ray, and I were humbled to receive proclamations from Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers, New York, recognizing our efforts to make a positive impact on the community and the lives of young people. It was a meaningful reminder that when we combine faith, service, and a commitment to our youth, we can make a lasting difference.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this mission. Together, we’re helping dreams come true... one child, one book, and one baseball at a time.

If you’d like to support and purchase the new children’s book, please click here!

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

This week has been one I’ll never forget.

I’m incredibly proud to officially announce the launch of Batboy Publishing, a new publishing company built around stories that inspire, teach, and remind people that dreams are possible when you combine hard work, faith, and perseverance.

Even more exciting… Alongside a mentor and friend Ray Negron, we released our very first book together:

Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True

Most people think a batboy just picks up bats.

But in Batboy’s Glory, one young batboy discovers that baseball is about so much more than the game itself.

Billy watches, listens, and learns as he follows the journey of Fernando Cruz, a pitcher chasing his dream through hard work, setbacks, and unwavering faith. Guided by mentor Ray Negron and inspired by stories of Yankees legends who understood what it truly means to stay ready, Billy begins to understand the deeper lessons hidden inside the clubhouse and beyond the field.

Through moments of adversity, growth, and inspiration, Billy learns powerful lessons about character, perseverance, and believing in yourself - especially when things don’t go your way.

And when Fernando finally gets his opportunity in the major leagues, it becomes a reminder that success isn’t just about talent. It’s about preparation, faith, and how you respond when your moment finally arrives.

Batboy’s Glory is ultimately a heartfelt story about mentorship, resilience, and the life-changing impact of believing in someone before the world does.

This book is perfect for:

• Young athletes

• Students

• Parents and grandparents

• Coaches and mentors

• Dreamers everywhere

Our goal with Batboy Publishing is simple: create meaningful stories that inspire the next generation to keep working, keep believing, and trust that their moment will come.

This is just the beginning.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. We can’t wait to share more stories with all of you.

If you’d like to check out Batboy Publishing or purchase a book, visit batboypublishing.com!

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Jazz Chisholm Jr. & Billy Pinckney in NYC on May 14, 2026.

Last week, New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s foundation hosted the Tunnel Fits & Kicks fundraiser event, bringing together style, community, and purpose to make a difference for kids and families.

During the event, I asked Jazz how he’s leaned into his faith through both the highs and lows of life and baseball, and what God has taught him through the work he’s doing through his foundation.

Jazz spoke honestly about the importance of staying grounded in faith no matter what season of life you’re in.

“Just to keep your faith, man. There’s gonna be hard times, there’s gonna be great times, but you can’t ever falter.”

He shared how prayer has helped guide him through personal challenges behind the scenes.

“You just gotta keep on praying and asking God to just take you through it, guide you through it every day… life is hard.”

Jazz also reflected on a difficult situation he experienced recently and how he’s relied on God through it all.

“I had something happen about a couple weeks ago that I don’t really wanna talk about in the public eye, but I had something happen and God has been taking me through it every step of the way.”

What stood out most is that Jazz understands the challenges many young people face today, and he’s using his platform to be a light for others. Through his foundation, he continues to invest back into the community in meaningful ways.

Last year, the foundation helped donate a new computer lab to a school in the Bronx, creating opportunities and resources for students who need them most.

Events like Tunnel Fits & Kicks are bigger than fashion or baseball. They’re reminders that influence can be used to encourage, uplift, and serve others.

How can we be a light in the lives of others each day?

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Batboy Billy Pinckney and members of the New Jersey Jackals pro baseball team at Yogi Berra Stadium in 2016.

Now that youth baseball season is in full swing, I’ve been seeing clips from games all across the country. And honestly, some of them make you stop and ask, what’s going on here?

You see parents screaming at umpires, coaches getting ejected, people cursing across the field over a 9U baseball game. Listen, I grew up around professional baseball. I’ve been in dugouts since I was 11 years old. I’ve seen heated arguments, ejections, and emotional moments at the highest levels of the game. That’s part of professional sports sometimes.

But when grown adults are acting like that at youth games, it misses the entire point.

Too often, the pressure at youth sporting events has less to do with the kids and more to do with the adults. Some parents and coaches get so emotionally wrapped up in winning because their self-worth becomes attached to their child’s performance. For some, it’s an attempt to relive their own glory days. For others, it’s trying to live through their son or daughter.

Kids can feel that pressure.

And the sad part is that it can take the joy out of the game.

One thing I’ve learned from being around professional athletes for so many years is that the best players usually aren’t the ones putting the most pressure on themselves or everyone around them. In fact, almost every pro I talk to says the same thing: keep the game fun. Let kids enjoy it. Remove the unnecessary pressure.

The ballpark should be a place where kids build confidence, friendships, resilience, and memories. It should not become a stage for adults to lose control or chase validation.

Young athletes are always watching. They learn from the behavior of the adults around them. If parents and coaches want to develop better athletes, they also need to model better character. Be respectful. Show composure. Encourage effort. Teach accountability without humiliation.

Be a pro.

Not because the kids are professionals, but because they deserve mature role models who understand what youth sports are really about.

At the end of the day, most kids won’t remember the score of a random game years from now. But they will remember how the adults around them made them feel.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

A few weeks ago, Major League Baseball kicked off its season with Opening Day, one of the most electric days in all of sports. I was at Citi Field for the Mets’ opener, and like always, the energy was unmatched. Fans were locked in, hopeful, and fully invested. There is something about Opening Day that brings out the best in people. It feels like anything is possible.

After that game, I wrote about the importance of treating every day like Opening Day, showing up with energy, focus, and belief regardless of what is going on in your life.

Then yesterday, I went back to Citi Field. Same stadium. Same team. Completely different atmosphere.

The Mets ultimately won the ballgame, but the energy earlier in the day was just not the same. It felt quieter, flatter. The excitement that filled the stadium just a few weeks earlier had faded. And it made me think. Fans, just like people in everyday life, are quick to bring high energy when things are new or when hope is at its peak. But once reality sets in, once things do not go exactly as planned, that energy starts to dip. The optimism fades. The attitude shifts.

It is easy to show up fired up when everything feels fresh and promising. It is a lot harder to bring that same level of energy when you are in the middle of a grind, when things are not going your way, or when the excitement has worn off. But that is where the difference is made.

Anyone can bring energy on Opening Day. Not everyone can sustain it.

So here is the challenge, show up with energy, effort, and enthusiasm every single day. Whether you feel like you are on a losing streak or riding a winning streak, your attitude still matters. It affects how you perform, how you lead, and how others respond to you.

Life is not always going to feel like Opening Day. But if you can bring that same mindset into ordinary days, or even tough days, you separate yourself.

Because in the end, it is not about how you start. It is about how you show up every day after.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Billy Pinckney & Bobby Witt Jr. at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2026.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to chat with MLB star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. before batting practice at Yankee Stadium. Players were going through their routines as the stadium slowly filled up, and I asked him a simple question: what would he tell his younger self?

“Just being able to control the controllables. Knowing what you can control, your preparation, your work ethic, what you do before the game. Then once you go out and play, you’ve already done it. Just enjoy the game.”

In a sport like baseball, that mindset is everything. You can do everything right and still not get the result you want. That is where frustration creeps in for a lot of players. Bobby’s perspective cuts through that. Focus on the work you can control, then trust it when it is time to compete.

I also asked how he keeps things fun when the game gets difficult.

“I just gotta know that I have this opportunity every single day. Just gotta make the most of it. Yesterday is the past. Tomorrow is the future. That’s why today is the gift. It’s the present.”

It is a simple idea, but not an easy one to live out. Even at the highest level, staying present takes discipline. It is easy to think about what is next or dwell on what already happened, and in the process miss the moment you are in.

For younger athletes, there is often a mindset of enjoying it later, once they reach the next level. But that moment keeps moving. The reality is, the opportunity in front of you right now is something you once worked for.

Control what you can, trust your preparation, and do not wait to enjoy it.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

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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. 🙌

Earlier this morning, I visited Parisi Speed School in Fair Lawn, NJ, where my former professor and mentor, Dr. Rob Gilbert, was speaking to a group of student-athletes.

Dr. Gilbert asked me to share lessons I’ve learned growing up in baseball and to pass along messages from my interviews with professional athletes - lessons that go far beyond the game.

One of the biggest messages I shared with them was the importance of having strong convictions. During a 2019 interview, former big leaguer Richie Shaffer once told me that you have to be so firm in your beliefs that other people’s opinions don’t shake you. That stuck with me, and it’s something I’ve carried ever since.

When I was in high school, there were a lot of voices in my ear as a ballplayer - and not all of them were positive. Opinions come from everywhere: teammates, coaches, and others. I had to stay grounded in what I believed about myself and my abilities, and keep moving forward. Being coachable matters. Listening and making adjustments matters. But when too many voices start competing for your attention, it can become a problem if you don’t know who you are.

At one point, Dr. Gilbert asked me to share something that holds players back from reaching the big leagues. The answer came to me immediately: distractions.

Distractions quietly destroy a lot of dreams. Not always in obvious ways, but through small, repeated choices that pull you off track over time. Lately, I’ve been open about the fact that I’ve never had a drink, never smoked, and never used drugs. In your 20s, that’s not very common. But for me, it was a decision to stay focused and avoid the kinds of distractions that derail so many people before they ever get close to their potential.

If you want to separate yourself, it’s not always about doing more - it’s about being disciplined enough to avoid what pulls you away from where you’re trying to go.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Last week, I was at MLB Opening Day at Citi Field as the Mets took on the Pirates. It was one of those perfect late-March afternoons in Queens. It’s the kind that reminds you why you fell in love with baseball in the first place.

Before the game even started, you could feel it. The energy. The anticipation. The belief. Fans were buzzing, convinced this could be the year. A record of 162-0 doesn’t feel crazy on Opening Day. Players were healthy, locked in, and ready to compete. Everyone in the stadium carried a sense of hope. A fresh start. A new opportunity.

But if you’ve been around the game long enough, you know what happens next. The season unfolds. Injuries happen. Games slip away. Slumps come and go. The energy that once filled the stadium starts to fade, and frustration begins to creep in. Fans grow restless. The excitement isn’t quite the same as it was on Day One. And that’s when something clicked for me.

What if we treated every day like it was Opening Day?

What if we showed up with that same energy, that same belief, that same passion… no matter what the circumstances looked like? Because the truth is, it’s easy to be excited at the beginning. It’s easy to bring energy when everything is going right. The real test is what you do when things don’t.

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to live this out. You can bring that kind of energy into your classroom. Into your work. Into your home. You can choose to show up with effort, positivity, and purpose - even when others don’t understand it. And yes, some people might think you’re a little crazy. That’s fine. That’s what separates people who coast from people who win.

So when adversity hits, you have a choice to make. Are you going to lose your energy and give in to frustration? Or are you going to keep showing up like it’s Opening Day? Because the people who stay consistent, who keep their energy high, and who refuse to let circumstances dictate their attitude… those are the ones who stand out in the long run.

Bring the Opening Day energy. Every single day.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

A few weeks ago, I was signing a book for a student at a school in Garfield, New Jersey. After I wrote his name inside the cover, I asked him, “What’s your favorite subject?”

“Gym,” he said.

I laughed. “That was mine too for a lot of years.”

Then I asked, “What’s your least favorite?”

“Reading.”

I smiled. “Me too. But I ended up writing books.”

His eyes widened - and that’s exactly why I love visiting schools.

Growing up, math was tough for me. But reading had its own story. In first grade, my parents had to meet with my teacher because it seemed like I was struggling with reading comprehension.

The truth? I understood the words.

I just didn’t care.

I was bored. The books didn’t connect with me. I didn’t see purpose in them, so I didn’t give them effort.

Fast forward to my early 20s: I’ve now published seven books and spend much of my time visiting schools, reading to students and encouraging them to grow in leadership, kindness, and perseverance. The kid who didn’t like reading now writes and shares stories for a living.

What changed?

I found purpose.

When I began working in professional baseball, I fell in love with stories - players chasing dreams, overcoming setbacks, proving doubters wrong. Reading and writing stopped feeling like assignments and started feeling like tools to inspire others.

Here’s what I’ve learned: everyone develops at different rates.

Just because you struggle with something now doesn’t mean you always will. Just because you don’t enjoy something yet doesn’t mean you won’t one day build a life around it.

Growth takes time. Interests change. Skills develop.

And sometimes, the thing you once avoided becomes the very platform you use to make a difference.

Book Billy for a School Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Something two of my former professors, Rob Gilbert and John McCarthy, used to say often was: “The best team doesn’t win; the team that plays the best wins.”

At first, that might sound simple. But if you watch sports long enough, you realize how true it is.

Every year there are teams loaded with talent - teams that look unbeatable on paper. The roster is full of stars, the expectations are sky high, and everyone assumes they’re destined to win a championship. Yet many of those teams fall short.

A recent example came in the World Baseball Classic matchup between United States national baseball team and Italy national baseball team. On paper, the United States roster was filled with more recognizable superstars. Most people would assume they had the clear advantage.

But baseball isn’t played on paper. Italy played a gritty, disciplined game. They paid attention to the little details, executed when it mattered, and ended up winning the game. In that moment, they weren’t the “best team” on paper - they were simply the team that played the best that night.

I saw the same thing when I worked in independent baseball with the New Jersey Jackals. The year we won the championship, we weren’t the dominant team all season. We finished in third place and were only a few games above .500. But when the playoffs came, something clicked. We played our best baseball at the right time. The team executed, competed, and found ways to win when it mattered most. By the end of the season, the standings from the regular season didn’t matter anymore - we were the last team standing.

Talent and potential are great, but they don’t guarantee results.

What matters most is preparation, focus, and execution when the moment arrives. The teams and people who succeed are the ones who show up ready to perform, even when others expect them to lose. In sports and in life, you don’t have to be the most talented person in the room But if you bring effort, discipline, and the right mindset, you can still be the one who plays the best when it counts.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Billy Pinckney speaking to an elementary school in Garfield, NJ, on March 3, 2026.

When I visit schools, I’m always thinking about stories that stick - the kind students remember when they’re facing a tough moment. One story that recently came back to me was a conversation I had a decade ago with former New York Yankee Ben Heller. I interviewed him in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while he was grinding through the minor leagues, chasing his dream of reaching the big leagues.

During our conversation, he shared something powerful. Growing up, he had coaches and teachers tell him he wasn’t very good — that he’d never make it to the Major Leagues.

“I would just say don’t ever give up or let anybody tell you what you can or can’t do,” Heller told me. “You kind of have to persevere through adversity and keep working hard if it’s something you want.”

Think about that. A Major League pitcher was once told he wasn’t good enough during his younger days on the mound.

That’s a message students understand. Many of them have felt doubt - maybe from others, maybe even from themselves. But what separates people who reach their goals isn’t that they avoid criticism. It’s that they don’t let it define them.

Heller kept working. He kept believing. He drowned out the noise.

Eventually, that perseverance led him to make his Major League debut at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox - one of the most historic stages in baseball. From being told he’d never make it… to pitching at Fenway. That’s what resilience looks like.

When I share this story with students, I want them to think about their own dream - their own “Big League” moment. There will always be outside noise. There will always be setbacks. The question is whether you’ll let them stop you.

Ben Heller’s advice is simple: don’t give up. Keep working.

Sometimes, that decision makes all the difference.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Last week, I visited a middle school here in New Jersey to speak with students about leadership lessons I’ve learned and observed throughout my years in and around the game of baseball. One of the leaders I highlighted during the talk was Aaron Judge and what true leadership actually looks like.

Growing up, leadership is often confused with volume. The loudest player or the one with the biggest personality is frequently named captain. But at the professional level, and in life, leadership goes far beyond who speaks the most. While Aaron Judge is undeniably a generational talent, what stands out to me most isn’t just his ability on the field, but his character, consistency, and emotional discipline.

No matter the situation, Judge maintains a calm, steady presence. Whether he hits a walk-off home run or strikes out to end the game, his response is the same. He doesn’t overreact. He doesn’t allow a single moment (good or bad) to compromise him emotionally. As I shared with the students, that kind of emotional control makes it much harder for adversity to derail you or cause a downward spiral. When you stay composed, you stay in control.

That idea led into an equation my college professor, Dr. Rob Gilbert, emphasized often:

E + R = O

Event + Response = Outcome

We don’t always get to choose the event. Challenges, setbacks, and unexpected moments are part of life. But what we docontrol is our response. Too often, people experience an event and react immediately - sometimes emotionally, sometimes negatively - and that reaction creates an outcome they later regret.

Strong leaders pause. They respond with intention. They understand that their response has power. By choosing how we react, we give ourselves the best chance at producing a positive outcome, even when the situation isn’t ideal.

That’s the kind of leadership I hope the students took with them - not being the loudest voice in the room, but being the most steady when it matters most.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌

Billy Pinckney alongside youth athletes at the Las Vegas festival on January 16, 2026.

Last month, I had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas for The Baseball Convention, a unique event that blended competitive youth tournaments with an unforgettable experience at the Luxor Hotel. It wasn’t just another weekend of games - it was a celebration of baseball in its purest form.

Yes, the kids were there to compete. They played hard, battled with their teammates, and gave it everything they had on the field. But the true purpose of the weekend went far beyond wins and losses. The goal was to bring the fun back into baseball and remind young athletes why they fell in love with the game in the first place.

Throughout the weekend, baseball content creators, respected coaches, and even the original baseball content creator, Domingo Ayala, were on site engaging with the kids. They weren’t just teaching mechanics or fundamentals - they were creating moments. Laughing, learning, joking, and connecting with the players in a way that made baseball feel light again. The focus was on joy, creativity, and curiosity, not pressure.

Watching these kids interact was powerful. So many youth athletes today feel an overwhelming sense of pressure - to perform, to be noticed, to validate their worth through stats or outcomes. Events like this serve as an important reminder that baseball is a game, not a burden. The excitement on their faces said it all. You could see kids rediscovering confidence, smiling during glow-in-the-dark baseball, and remembering that their value isn’t defined by a scoreboard.

It was refreshing and encouraging to see an environment that prioritized love for the game. A weekend that emphasized passion over perfection. Joy over judgment. Moments like these don’t just make better baseball players - they help shape healthier, more balanced young people.

If we want kids to stay in the game long-term, we have to continue creating experiences like this. Ones that remind them that baseball isn’t just about how you perform - it’s about why you play.

Book Billy for an Author Visit!

Billy is currently scheduling author visits at elementary and middle schools throughout the NJ/NY tri-state area, where he reads from his children’s books, leadership guide, and shares inspiring lessons from his baseball career. His visits highlight themes such as teamwork, leadership, and kindness - encouraging students to be thoughtful classmates and positive role models.

https://www.billythebatboy.com/author-visits.html

Check Out Billy’s Books & Merch!! 👀 

Visit Billy the Batboy’s Locker to purchase books and merch!

https://batboyshop.com

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. 🙌