Watching and Listening

When I was in elementary school, I would go with my Dad to his basketball team practices and watch him coach these older kids into being great and playing like a team. I was pretty young, but I would go home and try to do the things I had seen those older boys do. I was always watching. I also saw how my father attended coaching clinics and leadership events to try to discover new ways to help the kids on his team get better. He was pretty good at getting through to most players, but he wanted to nd ways to help ALL of them succeed. His ongoing process of trying to reach all of his players was something I consciously watched for as I grew older. He knew that some kids learned differently, and he looked for ways to differentiate his coaching, instead of just trying to make them conform to his way of teaching. In some ways it was about listening and trying new things.

As a kid in Linden or college athlete in Fresno pursuing my dream of being a professional baseball player, I was constantly watching how the pros played their sport and handled themselves both on and off the eld. Once I was a professional, I began reaching out to teammates and players that came before me to discuss how they see the game, and in particular hitting. I liked to hear the words they use to describe their approach at the plate and gain their perspective on the game. Perhaps their approach would never work for me, but by asking, I can learn about them, how they think and what is important to them. I learn their language. As a student of the game always striving to be better, I was always watching and listening.

The Team Report is published quarterly by Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation. Reproduction is prohibited without the permission of the publisher.

Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation

P.O. Box 992 Linden, California 95236

209-448-0993

AaronJudgeALLRISEfoundation.org

Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation is a 501(c)3 Tax ID# 83-1083207

Since being named the 16th captain of the New York Yankees, nothing really has changed in how I approach being a teammate. My focus in that role is being a friend and perhaps a resource. I still have those conversations with everyone. I learn their language of hitting, their humor, and their approach. I still watch how they go about their business and try to notice the little things they do that might have an impact. Perhaps, when they are struggling, I can have a conversation and repeat back to them that one key idea that made them successful in the past. Sometimes just that easy conversation with a friend, not a coach, is enough for them to nd the inspiration they were looking for.

The idea for ALL RISE came from that early observation of players and how they conducted themselves off the eld. As ALL RISE continues its mission to inspire youth to reach for their dreams, we recognize there isn’t one way to reach all kids. We are continuing to grow our programs and expand our reach. Through the ALL RISE Mini-Grants, our baseball camps, aspiring leaders programs and our upcoming reading initiatives, we are nding new ways to touch the lives of young people. We are watching and listening to today's youth and we think there is a lot to be excited about. We hope you stick around for the journey.

Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge, Founder

On May 10th, we partnered with the New York Yankees to recognize 10,500 fth through 8th grade students from districts 7-12 at the Bronx Educational ALL-Star Day (BEAD). Students received acknowledgement and awards from NYC public school administrators, leaders, and educators in three areas: Leadership and Teamwork, Academics, and Community Service. Jean Afterman, Esq., Brian Cashman, NYY General Manager, and Chancellor David Banks, NYC Public Schools, kicked off the event. Dr. Meisha Porter, President and CEO of the Bronx Community Foundation introduced the NYY Captain, Aaron Judge, to encourage the students to take their education seriously. Our student speaker, Noni Jacobs, representing the ALL RISE Foundation, #ICANHELP, and Spring 36 LLC (a recipient of our mini-grant), challenged students to be positive. Noni said, “There are so many ways you can make the world a better and safer place. Being an agent of good character and positivity can inspire others to pay it forward— good energy is contagious like that.” Kim Karr, Co-Founder for #ICANHelp and ALL RISE partner, echoed Noni’s words and introduced students to the value of being positive online and to delete negativity. NYY manager, Aaron Boone, was on hand to congratulate the students and reminded them that they are the future and a valuable part of the NYY Bronx family. This special day was rewarding and inspiring for Bronx students.