Wake Forest coach encourages ALWS players to ‘be part of something bigger than you’
Each year, even if it’s only for one game, Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter makes time to visit the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C.
This year, he got to Shelby a night early, serving as the keynote speaker for Wednesday night’s Host City Welcome. The annual event the night before the tournament begins gives the teams a chance to meet many of the volunteers who help make the ALWS happen each year, as well as Legion officials from across the country.
Walter had high praise for those volunteers for helping make Shelby the permanent home of the ALWS. And he singled out three locals — American Legion National Finance Chairman Gaither Keener, local teacher Linda Horn and her late husband, Jim — for helping bring Walter and his Wake Forest team to Shelby for a game each year.
“Jim Horn was a gentleman’s gentleman. … He exuded kindness and dignity and those things that truly matter,” Walter said.
Walter discussed versatility and leadership during his speech to the eight teams and the volunteers attending the event at Shelby’s LeGrand Center.
“Sixteen hours ago, I was in Los Angeles, SoFi stadium (at the Taylor Swift concert with his daughter and friends),” Walter said. “That’s versatility: one night, Taylor Swift, SoFi Stadium; the next night, Keeter Stadium, Shelby, N.C. You’ve got to be able to do it all.”
Walter told the players that being versatile is important not only on the ball field, but in life as well, where they have to be comfortable sitting with people from all backgrounds and stature.
He also encouraged them to learn from those who have been leaders, quoting the findings of Dr. George Carlo, who found three things elite leaders have.
“There was no winning and losing with elite leaders; it was winning and learning,” Walter said. “They have a 360 degree view of everything that’s going on around them. … That’s called empathy. … (And) they trust their gut.”
Walter also encouraged the players to “make a decision about the mission of your life and commit to that.”
“Whatever you do, be part of something bigger than you,” he said.
The event also included guest speaker Joe Grahe, the 1986 American Legion Baseball Player of the Year.
