I have a friend, Bob Muzikowski. He started the world’s first inner city little league in New York City.

You’ve probably never thought about it, but kids in the inner city don’t “do” little league. Their non-soccer-mom moms don’t have soccer mom vans and they have no money for baseball uniforms.

And since all the “men” are selling drugs on the street corner, there ain’t no coaches either. Nobody’s got a baseball mitt and baseball bats are used for gang banging, not baseballs. Sad state of affairs.

Bob, who was a reasonably well-to-do financial planner in the Big Apple, decided to do something about this.

He bought a stack of baseball bats and packed them in long rose boxes. He shipped them, one at a time, to friends and clients with an anonymous note. The note said, “To find out who sent you this baseball bat and why, come to Luigi’s restaurant at 6:30 pm on Wednesday. Bring your baseball bat with you.”

So all these guys show up at the restaurant with baseball bats in hand, wondering what the heck this is all about.

Bob  shakes their hands as they come in and feeds ‘em dinner. He explains how an inner city little league would really help these kids, it would give them structure and things to look forward to and alternatives to gangs and drugs.

The only problem, of course, is that these kids can’t afford gloves and uniforms. He asks for a show of hands: “How many of you guys would be willing to sponsor a baseball team and pay for their uniforms?”

A bunch of guys stick up their hands. They all live in the suburbs and make regular contributions to their retirement accounts. No problem.

“In order to donate, you have to coach. You all just volunteered to be a coach, too. Congratulations and thank you.”

That’s how he got the world’s first inner-city little league off the ground. There’s one in Chicago now, too.

The movie Hardball, starring Keanu Reeves, is based on Bob’s story. As a matter of fact Bob sued Hollywood and won, for misrepresenting himself and portraying the inner city kids as mouthy and vulgar when in fact they were mostly respectful and cooperative.

Ballsy people accomplish ballsy things. Be ballsy. Remember, sometimes flower boxes need to come with baseball bats. Boldly recruit the players you want and stoutly defend your turf. Seize the day.

Perry Marshall

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About the Author

Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.

He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.