The Backyard Rule

The Backyard Rule in it’s simplest definition means that we are here to play.

Since 2015 we have been on a mission to build teamwork and spread sportsmanship. Easier said than done when hosting competitive events, all of which end with one winner and many losers. We use the Backyard Rule to ground ourselves when playing get difficult and arguments arise. In the 10+ years and 500+ events of navigating this rather difficult subject, one think I have learned is that winning is a choice.

Have you seen someone lose then refuse to shake hands with their opponents? They complain how unfair things were, point fingers, and dodge all accountability. Not just in sports, but in work, relationships, and day-to-day life. We’ve all seen them and have been them too. If they do stumble upon a win, they spitefully rub it in their opponents faces and obnoxiously relish in victory as if it is a rare occurrence and must be savored. That is the attitude of a loser, and it is a choice.

Have you ever seen someone lose in a fair or blatantly unfair scenario, then humbly shake their opponents hand and congratulate them? All blame is pointed in their own direction the outcome is accepted without accusations. When they win it is well earned and followed by a cordial celebration that suggests they’ve done this before and are not surprised with the outcome. That is the attitude of a winner, and is also a choice.

Here to play is an appreciation for the opportunity to win and the understanding that you may not. All of your hard work guarantees nothing. You will encounter opponents who cheat, play unfair, or argue every little thing their way and it has absolutely no effect on your attitude. You meet their negativity with kindness and let them have it their way. You remain in pursuit of the undisputed win, so when you do stomp them out… Even they cannot deny that you were simply the best.

My name is Nathan Fudala. I am the owner/founder of Backyard Rule. Nothing brings me more joy than the opportunity to share my love for the game of Baseball with others. I’m so excited that you are taking a look around our website to learn more about my business!

Although Backyard Rule was formally started in 2015, our story begins in 1990s. I was the third born of four boys to my loving parents, Ron and Cindy Fudala in Cincinnati, OH. As you can imagine, four boys in one house in the 90s was a little crazy. One of the many neighborhood games we played was Wiffle ball.

There she is, our own backyard ball field. A home run to right field was over our house, to center field was on the deck, and to left field was blasted well into the neighbors yard. You cannot see them, but there are even fog lights tied up in those trees for night games. What began as a few bases thrown down on the grass ended as a backyard field of dreams.

I remember the day I decided to grab a shovel and start digging up the grass around the bases. I knew mom would say no, so decided not to ask permission. About halfway through the first base area she stormed through the porch door, scolded me, production came to a screeching halt. That night I can remember my dad coming to the rescue and talking her in to letting us do it.

Every year we would grab the rakes and shovels to get to work. Ripping up the grass and maintaining this taj mahal of a ball field was brutally hard work, usually accompanied by blistered hands halfway through the process. The end result was worth it, as almost every night kids would gather and spend hours upon hours playing, arguing, working it out, and playing some more.

Unknown to me at the time, it was on this field where the foundation and culture for Backyard Rule was set.

A few years go by, I graduate high school, and I get blessed with the opportunity to play Baseball at Flagler College in this beautiful place called St. Augustine, FL. After four amazing years, I entered the “real world” and found work as a high school teacher and Baseball coach. With what little money I had saved, I chose to invest in my dream of starting my own business. I purchased several turf mats, home run fencing, and other items that contributed to a very unique mobile ball field setup.

Torn between stability and “what if?”, I took the entrepreneurial leap and began promoting events. Since then, we’ve earned a reputation in Florida as the go-to for hosting fundraiser Wiffle ball events and have also built up our summer camps, after-school programs, and more! We are so thankful for the support this community has shown us look forward to the future!

Thank you so much for your interest in Backyard Rule and my story! If you are at all interested to hear how we could work together on an event please reach out to me anytime.

-Nathan Fudala (Owner/founder) email: nate@backyardrule.com

Testimonials

For inquires about pricing, availability, and more please contact nate@backyardrule.com