By Jill E. Wolforth –
One of my roles with Ron Wolforth’s Texas Baseball Ranch is serving as Director of Marketing. Each year, I try to make it a priority to attend a major marketing and business growth conference to learn, recharge, and bring back new ideas that help us continue to improve what we do for athletes and families at the Ranch.
Over the years, those conferences have featured some incredible guest speakers, people who are not only well-known, but have built remarkable success in their fields. Past speakers I’ve heard included Ivanka Trump, Gene Simmons, Joan Rivers, and even baseball legend Cal Ripken.
But one of my favorite speakers of all time was country music star and songwriter John Rich, from the duo Big & Rich.
His story is pure grit. He grew up in a trailer park in Amarillo, Texas, and now lives in Nashville with, believe it or not, a pool on the roof of his house. It’s easy to look at that and think, “Man, what a lucky break.” But once you hear his journey, you realize there was nothing lucky about it.
Before John Rich ever had a hit song, he had written over 500 songs. That’s right, five hundred. Most people would have quit long before that, saying things like, “It’s just not meant to be,” or “I’m not getting any breaks.” But he didn’t stop. He kept writing. He kept improving. He kept pushing until something hit.
What struck me most, though, wasn’t just his persistence. It was what he said about what happens after you start seeing success.
He said, “A lot of people, once the ball starts rolling, just watch it roll. Don’t watch the ball roll—kick it! And after you kick it, strap a rocket to it and light it.”
That’s powerful. When things are finally going your way, that’s not the time to coast. That’s the time to press harder, to build on the momentum instead of settling into it.
And then he added another point that really stuck with me:
“If the ball’s rolling so fast you can’t keep up to kick it, get others to kick it for you.”
That’s leadership. That’s growth. As your vision expands, you can’t do it all yourself; you’ll need others to help keep that ball moving faster and farther.
Of course, it all starts with you. It’s your ball. You have to get it rolling before anyone else can help keep it going.
So here’s to all of us getting in some great leg workouts—kicking the ball, strapping on a rocket, and sending it flying.
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Important TBR Updates
- Spots still remain in our Fall/Winter Elite Pitchers Bootcamps. These are a great opportunity to get prepared for the spring season. Dates include:
Nov. 22-24 (Sat-Mon)
Dec. 28-30 (Sun-Wed)
Jan. 17-19 (Sat-Mon) Martin Luther King Day Weekend
Feb. 14-16 (Sat-Mon) President’s Day Weekend
To register or learn more CLICK HERE
- Attention Catchers! You’re invited to join us for our 7th Annual Elite Catcher’s Bootcamp – This year’s event will be held on December 12-14th. Early Bird $500 Savings until October 31st. Space is limited. To learn more and register visit www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/
catcher
- Our Alumni/Advanced Pitching Camp is taking place January 3 & 4, 2026. Early Bird Savings available until October 31st. Spots going fast. CLICK HERE to secure your spot.
- Coach Wolforth is hosting a special 90 minute webinar – “The Velocity Code: 3 Secrets to Improving Velocity and Staying Healthy” on Thursdays at 7pm CST. If you’d like to attend the next webinar, CLICK HERE to register.
- Coach Wolforth is also hosting another webinar – “The 4 Pitching Pitfalls that Sabotage Velocity, Arm Health & Long-Term Success” Mondays at 7 pm. CST. CLICK HERE to register.
- Attention Houston area athletes – Join us for our Fall classes! Classes are held Monday & Wednesday and will run monthly through January. Spots are limited. Registrations for November now being accepted. CLICK HERE to download the registration form or call to reserve your spot. If you have any questions email info@texasbaseballranch.
comor call (936) 588-6762. Can’t attend twice a week? Not a problem. We have a once a week option. Give us a call.
- NEW VIDEO on our YouTube Channel: “Baseball Mindset Training Revealed”. Watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEhN9maFGw8 and share your opinion in the comments.
