THE PITCH

Holder and O’Brate proceeded deliberately with their budding relationship.

There were calls and meetings, in Garden City and Stillwater. The Cowboys A.D. delivered a new Oklahoma State license plate holder for O’Brate’s car to replace the one with the Powercat logo representing Kansas State, which had become the school of choice for his grandchildren.

When the Cowboys reached the College World Series in 2016, Holder had O’Brate join him in Omaha. As rain delayed OSU’s opener against Arizona, Holder seized the opportunity, escorting O’Brate into the dugout for an up-close look — of the stage, sure; but also to provide a peek at coach Josh Holliday and his staff, a group the athletic director holds in high regard as mentors and leaders of young men.

“We’re educators,” Holder said. “Coaches are in the business of educating. I believe baseball is one of the best classes taught on our campus. And it’s about a lot more than skills, it’s about life lessons, about how to be a better father, how to be a better husband, how to be a leader in the community, how to be a risktaker and entrepreneur and change the world.

“Yeah, you came here because you had an interest in baseball. But oh, by the way, you’ve received life lessons that will go with you all the way to the grave.”

O’Brate watched the first few innings from his dugout seat. And he liked what he witnessed. Still does.

“I think he’s doing a good job,” O’Brate said of Holliday. “Educating these kids is an important job. It is to me, and it is to him.”

But was it all important enough to plop some money behind? A lot of money?

Holder would find out.