In Go for Third, Derek Volk brings together two worlds that might at first seem unrelated—girls’ softball and running a successful manufacturing business—to offer leadership insights that are both accessible and actionable. According to the book’s description, the lessons Volk learned coaching softball and leading his company, Volk Packaging Corporation, translate into something much bigger: how to lead in the workplace, how to take risks, and how to build a team with trust and purpose.

Published in 2024, the book is compact (around 162 pages) and structured so that each chapter ends with an “Action Plan”—thought-provoking questions or steps you can adopt.

What I Like

• Relatable Sports Metaphors: Volk uses the metaphor of “going for third” (like running from first to third base in softball) to illustrate leadership risk, initiative, and trust. It helps make abstract leadership ideas concrete. For example, “Keep your eye on the ball” and “Don’t swing a bat that’s too heavy.”
• Practical Structure: With each chapter ending in action items, the book invites you to reflect and apply the lesson immediately—not just read and move on. That adds value.
• Dual Perspective: Volk brings credibility both as a coach and a business leader (he leads a multi-million-dollar company) which gives the lessons real-world weight.
• Encouragement to Take Chances: The title’s message—“go for third, even when it’s a risk”—is a strong thread throughout. It encourages stepping beyond safe ground to make meaningful progress.

What Could Be Stronger

• Depth vs. Brevity: Because the book is relatively short and uses sports analogies, some readers seeking deep strategic business frameworks might find it lighter than expected.
• Specificity for Different Businesses: The examples are drawn from Volk’s experience in manufacturing and coaching—some applications may need translation for very different industries (e.g., service, tech startups).
• Overlap of Metaphors: If you’re not a sports person, some of the softball metaphors may feel less intuitive. That said, the author generally explains them well.

Key Takeaways

Here are some of the standout messages worth noting:

• Choose players (team members) for attitude, not just skill: A recurring idea is that competence matters, but mindset and trust matter more for long-term success.
• Keep your eye on the ball: Stay focused on what matters, don’t let distractions pull you off course.
• Don’t swing a bat that’s too heavy: Meaning: don’t take on projects, roles, or risks that you’re not equipped for yet—it’s about being ready.
• Encourage trust between players: Team cohesion and psychological safety are non-negotiable for performance.
• Go for third, even when it’s risky: Growth happens when you push yourself beyond comfort zones.
• Know your competition’s strengths and weaknesses: Applying sports strategy to business context reflects that knowing the playing field—and your rivals—is vital.

Who Should Read It

• Emerging leaders or team leads who want a down-to-earth, approachable leadership book.
• Coaches, managers, or entrepreneurs who appreciate sports analogies and want to translate them into business leadership.
• Business professionals looking for something motivational rather than deeply academic.
• Anyone interested in bridging life lessons (from sports, mentorship) into workplace culture.

My Verdict

Go for Third is a solid choice for a leadership read that’s both motivating and pragmatic. It won’t replace a heavyweight business strategy textbook, but it doesn’t need to—it offers vivid stories, actionable takeaways, and a clear message about risk and leadership. I’d rate it 4 out of 5 stars for its clarity, practical focus, and freshness of metaphor.