Opening Pitch
There’s a metaphor that captures a deep truth about the American political divide:
In open spaces, people want the freedom to go outside and swing a baseball bat. In crowds, they want the safety to walk around without the fear of being hit by one.
In just a few words, it reflects two deeply held but often competing values—freedom and safety—and how our environment often shapes which we prioritize. There’s an inevitable tension between liberty and security, between personal freedom and collective responsibility. One side prizes independence and the right to act freely; the other side values structure and the right to feel safe. Both instincts are deeply human, and both are valid.
But here’s the danger: when metaphors harden into stereotypes, they become stories we use to dismiss each other. To build a country that works for everyone, we must start with the recognition that both sides have something important to protect. More importantly, no one fits neatly into a single box.
Just like no two players bring the same skill set to a team, no two Americans approach political issues from the same life experience. Recognizing this individuality is the first step toward building a team that can win together.
Swinging Away
For many, freedom isn’t just an idea—it’s a way of life. It’s the right to make decisions without constant oversight. It’s the belief that government exists to serve, not to restrict—reflected in a strong defense of property rights, skepticism toward broad mandates, and a deep commitment to personal liberties. “Swinging the bat” means being trusted to act responsibly without unnecessary restraints.
But this isn’t just about restrictive ownership laws or government regulation. It’s about dignity—the belief that ordinary people are capable of governing themselves, that life flourishes best with as few fences as possible.
Protecting the Plate
For others, safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a daily necessity. Living in crowded, interconnected spaces means that personal actions aren’t private choices—they’re shared consequences. One person’s freedom becomes another person’s risk. In these conditions, values shift toward coordination and structure. Support for stronger safety measures, accountability in law enforcement, and public health protections aren’t just political preferences—they’re survival instincts in chaotic environments.
But those who want to feel safe aren’t weak or afraid—they just understand that peace doesn’t happen on its own. It must be built and maintained, often with rules that make space for everyone.
Hitting the Sweet Spot
When either value is taken to the extreme, things breaks down. Freedom without limits can overlook the margins and become a game where only the privileged get to swing. Safety without balance can stifle initiative and build systems that punish instead of protect.
The real challenge isn’t choosing between freedom and safety. It’s refusing to accept that we have to choose at all.
A healthy society needs both: guardrails and open roads, the ability to act and the wisdom to hold back. The best solutions don’t come from picking sides. They come from understanding context. What works in one place might not work in another. That’s not hypocrisy. It’s nuance.
This is why local governance matters. The founding vision of American democracy wasn’t for the federal government to impose sweeping rules on everyone, but for states, counties, and towns to have the power to reflect the values and realities of their people. Local decision-making isn’t a retreat from unity; it’s a mechanism for it. National coordination is sometimes necessary, but where flexibility is possible, localism offers a way to balance principle with practicality.
We can:
- Craft policies that support responsible freedom while protecting the vulnerable.
- Support law enforcement while also demanding transparency and accountability.
- Celebrate individual liberty without mistaking shared responsibility for tyranny.
- Demand social protections without crushing personal initiative.
It’s about knowing when to swing for the fences and when to take a pitch—because sometimes the coach down the line has a plan for the team.
The key is mutual recognition—the belief that the “other side” isn’t out to destroy the country, but to protect a version of it that they love.
Sharing the Field
The problem isn’t that we want different things. It’s our belief that wanting different things makes us enemies.
We are fed a political diet of fear:
- They want to take your rights and control your life.
- They don’t care if you get hurt or if you go broke.
These messages don’t illuminate—they inflame. They twist the baseball metaphor into something darker:
- They don’t want you in the game.
- They’re swinging just to hit you.
But most Americans aren’t trying to harm each other or limit freedoms. Most want a life where they can thrive—with dignity, with safety, and with a voice that matters. And they’re willing to share the field.