Pitching a Safe Culture: Why Accountability is Essential on the Mound and the Road

As an incoming college freshman and an NAIA baseball pitcher, my life revolves around focus, preparation, and making good decisions under pressure. Every time I step onto the mound, I know one mistake can change the outcome of the game. If I lose focus on my mechanics or stop paying attention to what is happening around me, I put my team at a disadvantage. When I get behind the wheel of a car, that same level of focus becomes even more important because the consequences are much bigger than losing a game. Safe driving is not just about following traffic laws. It is about taking responsibility for your own life and the lives of everyone else on the road.

Being a pitcher has taught me how important awareness is in everything I do. On the mound, I cannot just lock in on the batter and ignore everything else. I have to pay attention to runners on base, listen to my catcher, understand the situation, and adjust based on what is happening. I also have to control my emotions and stay calm under pressure. Driving requires the same mindset. A defensive driver is always scanning ahead, checking mirrors, watching for sudden changes, and preparing for what other drivers might do. Just like in baseball, being reactive is not enough. You have to think one step ahead.

One of the biggest dangers on the road today is distracted driving, especially cell phone use. My generation has grown up with phones in our hands, and it is easy to underestimate how dangerous that can be behind the wheel. A quick glance at a notification might feel harmless, but even a few seconds of distraction can change everything. At highway speeds, looking away for five seconds means traveling the length of a football field without seeing the road. As athletes, we understand that focus is everything. I would never pitch while looking at my phone, so I treat driving the same way. Before I start driving, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and set it aside so I am not tempted to check it.

Another major issue is impaired driving. This includes alcohol, drugs, and extreme fatigue. All of these are preventable, which makes them even more serious. Too many accidents happen because people think they are fine to drive or do not want to ask for help. A big part of safe driving culture is accountability between friends. That means planning ahead before going out, using rideshare services when needed, volunteering to be the designated driver, and stepping in when someone is not fit to drive. It also means being willing to take someone’s keys away if necessary, even when it is uncomfortable.

Driver education is another important piece of building safer roads. Learning how to react in emergencies, understanding safe following distances, and knowing how weather impacts driving are skills that can save lives. Things like hydroplaning, tire blowouts, or sudden stops are not situations you want to figure out for the first time in real life. Just like baseball players repeat fundamentals until they become automatic, safe driving habits need to be practiced until they become second nature.

I also believe experience matters. This fall I will be moving to Kansas to attend Bethany College while continuing my baseball career. I will be driving long distances across state lines, which comes with more responsibility. Every time I get behind the wheel, I am not just thinking about getting from point A to point B. I am thinking about the people on the road with me and the responsibility I have to stay alert and make good decisions.

My perspective on driving has also been shaped by my father, who is a Battalion Chief in the fire service. Through him, I have learned what happens when people make careless decisions behind the wheel. He has responded to crashes caused by distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. Hearing those stories has made it real for me. These are not just statistics. These are real families whose lives change in an instant. That has shaped how seriously I take driving.

At the end of the day, safe driving is about respect. Respect for your own life, respect for your passengers, and respect for everyone else on the road. Every time we drive, we make decisions that affect more than just ourselves. That responsibility should never be taken lightly.

As I move into the next chapter of my life, I plan to carry the same discipline and focus I have developed through baseball into every mile I drive. Whether I am on the mound or behind the wheel, I know success comes from preparation, awareness, and discipline. I cannot control every driver around me, but I can control my own decisions. By staying focused, avoiding distractions, and making responsible choices, I will do my part to keep myself and others safe on the road.