The 17-Inch Rule

The 17-inch Rule: The Power of Accountability in Life and Business

In baseball, home plate is always 17 inches wide, whether in Little League or the Major Leagues. This fact might seem trivial until you consider what it represents beyond the game.

The late legendary baseball coach John Scolinos used this simple truth to deliver a powerful message about accountability. His point? In life, as in baseball, the standards don’t change. We either meet them, or we don’t. And yet, in many aspects of modern society—our families, schools, workplaces, and even our leadership—we tend to “widen home plate.”

What Does It Mean to “Widen Home Plate”?

Widening home plate happens when we lower our standards to accommodate shortcomings instead of expecting better performance.

• When a business allows excuses instead of results, standards slip.
• When parents overlook discipline to avoid conflict, children miss valuable lessons.
• When employees aren’t held accountable, workplace culture weakens.
• When leadership avoids tough decisions, organizations suffer.

The consequence? Decline. Just as a pitcher who can’t hit 17 inches doesn’t get to play in the big leagues, success in any field depends on meeting established expectations.

The Key to Success: Maintain the Standard

The best teams, businesses, and relationships thrive when accountability is non-negotiable. This doesn’t mean you need to be a perfectionist. It means committing to principles and maintaining consistency.

• Set clear expectations.
• Hold yourself and others accountable.
• Resist the urge to “widen the plate” when things get tough.

Coach Scolinos’ message wasn’t just about baseball, it was about life. Whether in sports, business, or leadership, the lesson is clear: If we keep making exceptions, we lose sight of what truly matters. So, the question is—are you holding yourself and those around you to the standard, or are you widening home plate?