Tag Archives: Motivational Nuggets

Independent Ball, My Life

Mr. Motivation – CJ Beatty is a Mentor On and Off the Field

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“Never be afraid of failure…because without failure SUCCESS becomes nearly impossible.” – CJ Beatty 

My last blog post on player Tim Henry and his baseball story, Holding On To A Dream In The Pecos League, featured a “Motivational Nuggets” video produced by CJ Beatty.

CJ, a member of the Chicago White Sox organization, is many things. He is a man of God, a talented baseball player, a business owner, as well as a motivational speaker and life coach with a story to tell.

I first met CJ in 2013 while he was with the Washington Wild Things, and we have since formed a friendship that is irreplaceable. Personally, he has been the motivation I needed to get into shape and take control of my life. I lost 50 pounds, ran my first 5k, and gained a new outlook on life thanks to him. He has been my motivator, confidant, supporter, and my friend.
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Me and CJ in May 2013 and again in August 2014 (the day that his contract was purchased by the White Sox.)
“Champions are not born at the end of battle…Champions are born in the midst of battle.” – CJ Beatty

CJ is a lot of things to a lot of people and has helped so many with their dreams.

He’s the perfect example of how a baseball player should be both on and off the field. Often times, he is the first one at the field for extra practice, and the last one to leave after games, always taking the time to meet and talk to his fans.

He is an exceptional motivational speaker and can reach everyone through his words and videos. He has been through adversity, been tested in his faith, experienced the ups and downs of baseball and life, and has lived through failure and success.

CJ is more than open to tell his story and share it with anyone who is willing to listen.

On the baseball side, CJ was drafted out of North Carolina A&T State University by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 26th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He played two seasons with the Cardinals, reaching High A Palm Beach, until his release before the 2011 season.

Not wanting to give up his dream of playing professional baseball, CJ turned to indy ball. He spent the 2011 season in the North American League with Edinburg and San Angelo. In 2012, he started the season with the Lincoln Saltdogs in the American Association but ultimately ended up back in the North American League with the Fort Worth Cats.

After the 2012 season in America, CJ headed to Australia to play for the Brisbane Bandits over the winter. His performance in Brisbane led him to sign a contract with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League for the 2013 season. He spent the entire 2013 season and the 2014 season with the Wild Things until he was signed to a contract by the Chicago White Sox in August 2014.

After being named an All-Star twice and tearing up the Frontier League, CJ earned a second chance at affiliated ball.  He finished out the 2014 season with his home town team, the High A Winston-Salem Dash, and then once again headed down-under to play with the Brisbane Bandits.

He plays the game with true heart and is always the biggest supporter for his teammates. I have witnessed first hand how he can help a team come together and become a band of brothers.

“Support others around you to MAINTAIN your balance in life.” – CJ Beatty

Baseball is what he does, but it also doesn’t define who he is. That is what led him to start his own business, Motivational Nuggets. CJ uses his experiences in baseball to tell a much bigger story as a motivational speaker and life coach.

CJ’s energetic and passionate speeches are designed to motivate and inspire a wide range of audiences. Everyone can benefit from his “Motivational Nuggets” – athletes, students, and anyone else just looking to improve their life.

CJ has been a true inspiration to me and to many others I know.  I am eternally grateful for everything that he has done in my life.

Check out the Motivational Nuggets YouTube Channel and see his inspirational videos for yourself!  

You can also follow CJ on: Facebook, Twitter, and on his website.

“I am God’s instrument…and I’m not afraid to be played.” – CJ Beatty

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Independent Ball

Holding On To A Dream In The Pecos League

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Much has been said, especially on this blog, of the harsh realities players can face in the Pecos League. But much more can be said about the guys that are there just trying to live out their dreams.

Life is what you make it. So is the Pecos League.

This is something that 2014 Alpine Cowboy infielder, Tim Henry, knows first hand.  Despite a successful high school and college career, Henry lost focus during his senior year and wasn’t drafted following his graduation from Ithaca college.

He could have completely given up on baseball and continued down the wrong path in life, but he didn’t.

When he received the opportunity to play with the Alpine Cowboys in the Pecos League, he jumped at this second chance.

“I knew what I was getting myself into, which was playing for only $60 a week, but the fact of the matter is that I knew and believed that the opportunity to play professionally in front of passionate fans for the game and for the kids was way greater than how little money I was playing for.

“It’s a matter of what you make of the opportunity and how you see it. I took advantage of it and worked hard. I understood that if I played well and helped the Cowboys win, then I would continue to get more opportunities.”

All around the baseball world, players who thought they would get drafted will be left sitting at home without a phone call. What they do after the disappointment is the true test.

Many, like Henry, see the Pecos League and independent baseball as their chance to get better and prove themselves.

“I don’t want kids to give up on the dream, even if they don’t sign or get drafted,” Henry explained. “Playing independent baseball is an amazing opportunity and so much fun.  You’re playing with a group of guys who don’t play for the money, but play for the love of the game.”

These players live, train, and play with others who have the same dreams and desires. They experience the highs and lows together which creates a bond and “brotherhood” that cannot be broken.  Memories are made and lessons are learned that last a lifetime.

With the Pecos League located in the heart of the southwest: Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play professional baseball in a beautiful area of the country that the players normally wouldn’t get to see if it wasn’t for the sport.

A lot of players cherish having another platform to showcase their skills and to earn a chance to play at a higher level. The experience a player takes away from independent baseball is entirely up to them.   It can fulfill your biggest dreams, or become your worst nightmare. It’s really depends on the player and his attitude towards the situation.

Henry made the most of his time with the Cowboys. He worked hard, played hard, and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Pecos League.  He used his experience there to earn a spot on a team in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia this winter and is looking to move up in the independent ranks for the 2015 season.

However, being able to continue playing, training and improving his skills this off season was only one reason that he decided to head “down-under.”  He also wanted the chance to be outdoors and experience all that Australia had to offer. Henry is currently working as a coach, giving lessons to aspiring young Aussies while helping the popularity of the sport grow.  Working with young players has helped him realize that what he has is special.  He doesn’t plan to ever make the same mistakes off the field that had once jeopardized his professional career and the support he has from his family.

The Pecos League isn’t glamorous, but it could be that second chance – that one opportunity to put someone back on the right track.

Henry still has dreams of reaching an affiliated organization and isn’t ready to give it up just yet because he knows what life is like without baseball in it.

“Baseball saved my life because I know that without it, I’d probably be nothing. I’ve had a lot of failures, trials and tribulations in my life, made a lot of mistakes, and it’s baseball that’s honestly really kept me out of trouble.”

Henry was also recently featured in a “Motivational Nuggets” video produced by Chicago White Sox prospect, CJ Beatty.