Jack's Law Office September Newsletter

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T PLAY 2 SPORTS AT A HIGH LEVEL IN HIGH SCHOOL?

SPECIALIZATION IS OUT-CROSS TRAINING IS IN AT GRANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, JUST ASK PETERSONS, WOLLENBURGS, GIBSONS, WORKMANS, UBLES, PARKINSONS...(AND THAT IS JUST MY SUMMER BASEBALL GUYS PLAYING  FALL SPORTS IN MY SMALL SURVEY-AM I PROUD OR WHAT)

I can hear it now. During the school year am confronted with this attitude...Can't play baseball (or soccer or whatever) because have to work out for __________-you fill in the blank. Your son. Your daughter.

And then during the offseason, I hear it often...my son needs to concentrate on soccer...on football...on ___________again, you fill in the blank. And then summer rolls around and I am told quite frankly,

Johnny isn't playing baseball anymore he has to focus on ________________. (And I started hearing this at recreation league 10-year colds) Really. Hum.

Well, I made my way to the opening night of Granville High School football last night and observed a remarkable "NEW" trend descending on the world of youth athletics.

The starting quarterback (a sophomore and a pitcher), starting wide receiver (sophomore and a catcher), punter and starting defensive back  (sophomore and a shortstop) and starting right tackle or was that guard (sophomore and a catcher) (I don't think I need bifocals but binoculars) all played on a very intense, very, very competitive summer baseball team this past summer.

We played a lot in a short period. We played big travel organizations that draw from all over Ohio. (Managed to beat Cincinnati, and almost beat Cleveland and Springfield for example)  

We played hard-even when it was 90 degrees and hotter on AstroTurf... We played fast. We didn't let up and then six weeks later it was over.

During this entire time, the boys I mentioned above, we're working out full go, full throttle (I watched them run 20-100 years dashes back to back as just part of their football workouts) during the morning and then dealing with me at full go, full-throttle baseball practice (you heard that right, we practiced) in the evenings.

We had one standard that was about a mile high and we hustled to reach it every day.

And then there was last night....under the lights, representing their school, their first high school football game, all of them starting, contributing, playing team ball, hustling.

COMPETING -TO THE VERY END.

And, remarkably, the sophomore pitcher throws a fastball to the sophomore catcher (I mean the quarterback throws one up to the wide receiver in the back of the end zone with 1.30 to play, 4th quarter, down 7), the receiver jumps, fights off the defensive back. TOUCHDOWN-GRANVILLE!

The crowd goes wild. Now, one to tie, two to win. The offense runs out on the field. Win or lose. The game is on.

Sweep right, and that starting right tackle mentioned above pulls, flattens the opponent and a speedy 9th grader tiptoes in for the two. GRANVILLE WINS!

Could not be prouder. Congratulations.

The next time someone tells you that your son or daughter should only play one sport-tell them this story. Tell them that maybe the benefits of youth and high school sports only come along once in a lifetime.

Tell them that maybe the cross-learning from coaches and teammates of other sports outweighs whatever extra practice will come from specialization.

Tell them that maybe your town and school need all the players it can get.

And that maybe being uncomfortable in the summer sweating it out and pushing oneself is a good thing.

Last night in  Granville, it was a beautiful thing. How about in your town? 

Leadership: It's Lonely At the Top...

but it is comforting to know that it has always been that way. 

 I just saw this article written in the Saturday Evening Post in 1914. Thought you might like it. What do you think? 

 ...in every field of human endeavor, he that is first must perpetually live in the white light of publicity. In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recognition, punishment, fierce denial, and detraction.

When a man's work becomes a standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few...failing to equal or to excel, the follower seeks to depreciate and to destroy-but only confirms once more the superiority of that which he strives to supplant.

There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world and as old as human passions-envy, fear, greed, ambition and the desire to surpass...If the leader truly leads, he remains the leader. ..

That which is good or great makes itself know, no matter how loud the clamor of denial. That which deserves to live-lives.  

Do not take the side of a 15-year-old when it comes to discipline. 15-year-olds are well-15. Want to erode trust fast and put adult feelings on to a minor-support your spouse-whether married or not!

Hold the minor accountable. The last thing this world needs is an entitled child that is rebellious and can split up a long-lasting relationship. The rebel stage usually ends-the relationship needs to continue and grow. 

LATEST FROM THE TRENCHES: 

Dad's (or Mom's for that matter)-do not move out. Do not agree to let your spouse move out of state with 3 minor kids-you may disagree with me now but in the end, you will love me.

Yes. Before I forget the department:  a big shout out to the family counselor the parents went to learn how to handle the divorce with the kids to the counselor and did what the counselor said what was right for the kids.

Avoiding all kinds of damage-that is right damage-to the kids and helped us resolve the kids' issues in their best interests!

Note that was OUTSTANDING and if you are a family counselor and reading this...let me know how we can do more of this...that was the greatest part of the whole case. Really. 

Case No. 2: Don't hire on the cheap. The client hires fast-talking cheap lawyer number one. Nothing good happens. Late to court. Missed-filings. But yes cheap. Lawyer number 2 comes in-(that is me) identifies immediately a very critical issue that no one is talking about and BOOM! The client saves over $50K and gets the case done at least 3 months early. Wow. 

Case No. 3: Do not be bullied. Just say NO! The client comes in spouse wants it all and then some. Give him or her what legally each can get in court and not a dime more or less-unless other issues can be helped even if it takes 14 months-even if the other side says to take it or leave it 5 days before trial! In my world, the game is not over until the fat lady sings!

And whatever you do, don't agree to pay the other side's attorney fees for 10K when the other side files frivolous motions that just raise the fees for both sides. Just say NO!

BNI NEWS:

It works. Recently finished a case for a BNI member...from 3 years ago. It works!

NO BS Baseball Academy News: Thrilled. Getting a list together of parents and leagues that would like to learn the game at a higher level and get their questions answered...if you know a parent of an organization that I could talk to, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

My List: If you know of someone who would enjoy reading this news, please help me by emailing me there contact information-please ask if it is OK to send them the news by email. I do. 

Lastly, If you have a legal question, pick up the phone and call me at 740 369-7567. Ask the scheduling coordinator for a phone appt. Usually on Tuesdays. We love to help people solve problems. That is what we do. Let's get started. 

Don't mess with me man, I'm a lawyer. " Robin Williams, Hook.

Jack's Law Office: "Any Lawyer Can Give You Legal Advice, Our Goal is to Change Your life." 

P.S. "With offices in Polaris, Delaware, New Albany, Dublin and Granville" “Personal referrals are the lifeblood of our business, we would appreciate a referral to family and friends. ”

P.S.S.S. What kind of attorney is Jack anyway? Everything else: Jack will find you an attorney in your area. Call my cell phone now if you have a question keeping you awake at night at 740 815-9001. I would love to help you.

_________

Worried about how much it will cost to settle your case?

Take the guesswork out of divorce fees. Click here to learn more.