A couple of weeks ago, something really cool happened on the Elite Youth Tour. Something I never would have dreamed of happening when I began this tour in 2012.

I had the chance to send a couple of my EYT stars to a Major League Baseball White Sox game – to throw out the first pitch and present the game card.

When I walked onto the field with Landin Jordan and Gianna Brandolino (and their families), I felt so many things. Pride. Excitement. Disbelief. 

The nonprofit I built brought an opportunity for us to send a few standout bowlers to throw out the first pitch in a major league baseball game. I mean, what!?

For me, it was a bit of a “wow” moment – to have been able to create something so significant for the sport.

For Junior Team USA members, Landin and Gianna, who got to be on the field at a Major League Baseball game, it was one of those life-defining moments. As kids, we all dream of being seen and acknowledged for our hard work and talent. So, when it actually happens, it’s a dream come true.

Seeing Landin and Gianna on the field filled me up with so much pride – for them, for EYT, and for bowling.

As special guests at an MLB game, they were not only having the spotlight shone on themselves, but they were also bringing bowling to a whole new audience.

It felt like a celebration for bowling. To put bowling in the forefront of so many people’s minds – What a SUPER BIG WIN for bowling. 

Somewhere in that stadium, there were kids who went to watch a baseball game but possibly left inspired by bowlers.

This is what it means to have a real impact, and that is what Landin and Gianna are doing in our sport. As much as EYT is about bowling, we really are focused on raising leaders. 

Bringing the sport of bowling more exposure – and at such a significant sporting event – made me feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. That’s what bowling needs – more positive exposure.

Something else happened at that game that completely caught me by surprise. My Hall of Fame nod was acknowledged. I had no idea that was going to happen. I’m usually the one doing the surprising, but that day family and friends pulled off quite the surprise.

A lady working for the White Sox came up to me and said, “Okay, at 12:30, we need you to stand here and just look at the camera and wave.” I told her, “Oh, no no, today is all about these two kids in my organization. It’s not about me.” But she confirmed that it was actually meant for me this time. And as a video featuring my career played on the big screen, I was almost speechless. 

I’ve said this many times. I define success as having impact.

At that White Sox game, bowling had an impact. Landin and Gianna had an impact. I had an impact.

Yes, bowling gave me many titles over the years, including the HoF, but what it really did was show me what it means to have an impact. Bowling is how I realized my own power and potential.

With EYT and Beyond the Lanes, I aim to show others that they have that power too. More power than they know. Actually, when they’re truly being themselves, it is actually more like a superpower.

Young people often live in a bubble and don’t realize their power.

Landin and Gianna are realizing theirs. What they experienced out on the MLB field – a spotlight not just on two bowlers but two youth leaders – the world needs more of that.

I created my Elite Youth Tour to empower young bowlers and to form a movement of youth-leading youth. I wanted them to see that they can truly make a difference and be anything they want to be.

So, seeing young leaders like Landin and Gianna rise up is so fulfilling. Every single day. It’s why I do what I do.