Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Take me out with the crowd!
Buy me some peanuts and Crackerjacks,
I don’t care if I ever get back. For it’s root, root, root.
For the home team
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out!!
At the old ball game
Batter up! Yes, it’s springtime, fans, and that can mean only one thing, America’s pastime, baseball is back! And, this year, the Cabrini Cavaliers baseball team kicks off its inaugural season and Mother Cabrini is right in the midst of the team’s spirit and work ethic.
Mother Cabrini, first American citizen saint, Patroness of Immigrants, and… baseball mentor? Really? Let’s explain.
Two years ago, Cabrini University acted on its desire to launch a men’s baseball program. Head Coach Nick Weisheipl was hired and began to recruit his team. Being new on campus, as an integral part of his on-boarding, Nick attended an interactive orientation on Cabrinian mission that highlights Mother Cabrini, the Missionary Sisters and our worldwide network of ministries. During the orientation presented by Nancy Costello of the Stella Maris Province Communications Office, she shared key Cabrinian terms and concepts such as: charism; missionary; internationality; Sacred Heart spirituality; hospitality and…DISPONIBILITA’, an Italian expression of Mother Cabrini’s which Nancy defined as flexibility; an openness, a willingness to do whatever is needed to be done.
At the conclusion of the orientation, Nick approached Nancy to ask more about the term disponibilita’. He was intrigued. Nancy was delighted with his interest and offered further insights. Nick left the orientation deep in thought. A couple weeks passed and Nancy received an email from Nick saying that he continued to ponder disponibilita’ and disclosed he had decided to take the word as the team mantra. Having said that, he shared a prototype of the team’s uniform baseball cap and there, emblazoned on the back of the cap for all to see… DISPONIBILITA’. So at practice and on the field, Mother Cabrini will be right there with the players, inspiring their mental game and encouraging the team to do what ever needs to be done to support one another on and off the field.
Coach W recently shared some of his thoughts…
Why did the word “disponibilita’” resonate with you during your orientation and why did you decide to take that word as your team mantra? Disponibilita’ immediately struck a chord with me during my orientation because of the life of service and selflessness Mother Cabrini lived and how that echoes my life as a coach. Being giving of yourself for the advancement of others is an honorable, and all too uncommon way to live.
How do you use the phrase as a motivator and inspiration with your team? We design our drills, schemes and strategies in a way that demonstrates how facilitating your teammates’ successes will ultimately develop personal success. If playing for each other is the norm you always have 25+ guys behind you, rooting for you, looking out for you and doing their best to help you achieve.
How have the players come to understand the word as it applies to baseball and teamwork? They understand disponibilita’ as being available to do what is necessary for the team even if it’s beyond their normal scope of responsibility and possibly at the sacrifice of their individual motivations. An idea of selflessness.
What does it mean to you, personally, to be coaching at Cabrini University in this Cabrinian culture? To be in a service industry (coaching/education) at an institution that was founded by, named after, and advanced by those who are completely dedicated to serving others couldn’t be a better match or a more splendid recipe for success off and on the field.
What are some of your hopes and dreams for the team? We are going to be national champions while maintaining our commitment to positive, responsible and engaging culture on the field, in the classroom, on campus, and in the community. We will be the flagship program and the blueprint for how a NCAA Division III program should function.
Coach W (c.) and team, with the inspiration of Mother Cabrini, we wish you a most successful season. GO CAVS!