Ninth-Inning Edge: Repeatable Plays Deliver Outsized Results Over Time

In the ninth inning, when your team has the lead, who do you trust to get the last three outs? Your closer—a late-inning specialist with ice in his veins, who thrives under pressure.

As a Tigers fan in the 2000s, there were nights I dreaded one sight: Mariano Rivera jogging in for the Yankees. The bullpen gate opened; “Enter Sandman” rolled like thunder. To Yankees fans, Rivera wasn’t just a pitcher—he was inevitability in pinstripes. With him on the hill, the game—barring a miracle—was over. You didn’t have to like it, but you respected it. Opponents felt it, too. The psychology shifted the moment the closer crossed the foul line.

Mariano is a great friend but I wish I could get a few hits off him. Like a lot of players, I’ve gotten used to making outs against Mariano.” — Miguel Cabrera

Own the Outcome by Winning the Margins

Running a business is like a full 162 game baseball season—hot streaks, rainouts, red-eyes, and plenty of tight spots that you just have to grind through. The businesses that consistently win, know how to manage the moments and win the details.

Barter plays a similar role. It’s not your whole operation—just like a closer doesn’t pitch every inning—but when used strategically, it protects your margins and leads to more opportunities to win. Bartering is a unique but powerful strategy that helps you move excess capacity, conserve cash, and gain new business—and it's a tool that competitors often overlook.

For the Yankees of the late ’90s and 2000s, Mariano Rivera was arguably the defining difference-maker. In October he was otherworldly—141 postseason innings, a 0.70 ERA, just 11 earned runs—so rare that more men have walked on the moon (12) than scored on him (11)!

Trade Network delivers that kind of edge for small businesses. Imagine plugging into a 1,000-member network where new business finds you, slow days turn into paid work, and essential expenses get covered—without draining your cash flow. You earn trade by serving one member, then spend it with any other. This built in reciprocity builds trust, drives referrals, and keeps good seasons moving forward.

When the Theme Music Should Play

Rivera didn’t need six pitches—just one, thrown a thousand ways. Hitters knew the cutter was coming; it didn’t matter. Barter can be your one go-to pitch. Simple. Repeatable. Effective.

Here are some ways smart Trade Network members put barter to work when it matters most:

• Fill capacity during shoulder seasons: Use trade to keep crews booked and projects flowing—without discounting.

  
  

• Cover major expenses: Fund marketing, web upgrades, uniforms, and repairs on trade to preserve cash for payroll and growth.

  
  

• Launch something new: Use trade to cover branding, design, video, ads, and email campaigns—so you get noticed fast without spending cash.

  
  

• Move idle inventory or fill downtime: Turn excess stock or open time into full-value trade revenue instead of markdowns.

  
  

• Fund employee perks: Provide team rewards, outings, or recognition on trade to boost morale without draining cash.

• Handle daily expenses: Use trade for ongoing costs—supplies, repairs, or services—to preserve cash for payroll and growth.

Don’t Bench Your Mariano

Being part of a barter network and not using it is like leaving Rivera in the bullpen with the game on the line. What manager would do that?

Barter works when it’s active——used often, not just in emergencies.  When bartering becomes part of your company's regular practice, you unlock its strategic value. Used with intention, it doesn’t just help—it reshapes how your whole season plays out.

Final Pitch

“There’s only one Mariano Rivera… No one does it like him.” — Jorge Posada

Same goes for you. No one runs your business like you do. So have a closer’s plan. Use your best pitch. And trust that consistency—not complexity—is what gets the job done.

If you haven’t bartered before and want to see how it fits, let’s talk.

Already trade? Here’s how to make your October count:

• Prepare for Opportunities: Keep a live top 10 list of what you’re ready to buy and scan new listings weekly so your trade dollars don’t sit idle.

• Keep the Right Mindset: Barter isn’t giving things away—it’s a strategic payment method. Treat trade just like you would for any other payment method. Communicate clearly, follow your usual processes, and treat fellow members with the same level of care as you would for any customer. It’s how you fill downtime, win customers, and move forward while cash covers the essentials.

• Stay engaged: Check your account weekly, skim emails, and send your broker a quick monthly note—what you’re selling on trade now, what you want to buy next, and any promos. Keep your profile current so you don’t miss out on great opportunities.