Leadership Insights with Rick Bosley

Meet the Bosley Boys Ep. 1 - Bradley: From Wanting to Quit to Leading the Team

• Rick Bosley

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Welcome to the first of three mini series of "Meet the Bosley Boys" - a special three-part interview where Rick Bosley sits down with his three sons to talk about baseball, life, and the lessons learned along the way.

In Episode 1, meet Bradley (10 years old), Rick's oldest son. Bradley's five-year baseball journey is a masterclass in persistence, failing forward, and the power of not giving up even when you want to.

Bradley's story:

  • Age 4 (T-ball): Thought practice was a "play date." Hated it immediately.
  • Age 8 (Rookie pitch): Got ZERO hits all season. Wanted to quit.
  • Age 10 (Now): Led his team in hits. Loves the game. Can't wait to bat.

What changed? Nothing magical. Just showing up. Practicing even when it wasn't fun. Learning from mistakes. And understanding that results don't equal enjoyment in the moment—but persistence eventually creates both.

Bradley shares wisdom beyond his years:

  • "Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn" (not "sometimes you lose")
  • "I just forget about it and move on" (processing mistakes)
  • "I'm excited to go up to bat because I know I'm gonna hit" (confidence from repetition)
  • "Just keep going, and eventually you'll get better"

This episode isn't just about baseball. It's about sticking with hard things. It's about the difference between individualized and team coaching. It's about improving yourself 1% every day. And it's about what happens when parents push their kids out of their comfort zones—even when the kid says "I want to quit."

KEY MOMENTS:

  • The "play date" that turned into a five-year journey
  • Bradley's zero-hit season (and the one hit that didn't change his mind)
  • The moment he moved from hiding at third base to seeking action at first base
  • Processing errors and mistakes: "I can do better next time"
  • The coaching advice: individualized attention + team environment + aligned goals
  • Bradley's definition of his job: "I improve myself and others"

ABOUT THE SERIES: "Meet the Bosley Boys" is a special three-part series featuring Rick's sons Bradley (10), Jack (9), and Christopher (7). Each episode captures authentic father-son conversations that started about baseball but became powerful lessons about persistence, fear, habits, and success.

Episode 1: Bradley (This Episode) Episode 2: Jack (Coming Next Week) Episode 3: Christopher (Coming Soon)

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Subscribe now so you don't miss Episode 2 with Jack, where we'll tackle fear and the middle child mindset!

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Rick Bosley

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