11U Black, 7-1 in AAYBA World Series

The 11U Black Longhorns team had a very strong showing in the AAYBA World Series finishing with the best record, 7 wins and 1 loss, winning the “Diamond” division bracket.  Three of the games would require late inning heroics, not necessarily something we are accustomed to doing but it did reveal strong character from every player on the team.  Read more

Individual commitment to a group effort

“Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Vince Lombardi.

Like no other team sport, baseball teaches individual responsibility for one’s actions. You booted it. YOU made the error. You K’d, YOU make the long walk back to the dugout. A player must EARN the right to have success playing baseball. No one ever just walked out onto the field possessing the skills to play the game well.

Recently, a young man introduced himself to me and reminded me he had played for me when he was 9. He had been new to the community. He had never played baseball. He just wanted to make new friends. I had challenged him to work to develop skills to be able to help the team. He realized that he didn’t want to let down his new friends and teammates so he worked hard to uphold his responsibilities to the TEAM. He only played a few years but wanted to thank me for helping him to become the man he is today. Although, 16 players that have played for me have gone one to make it to THE SHOW, I could not have been more proud of them than of the young Marine captain who was standing in front of me.

We are not just teaching kids baseball skills. We are not just about winning trophies. We are not supervising an aerobic playground activity. We should be challenging young players to strive to develop skills that will allow them to help the TEAM to be successful. We are teaching lessons in life from a little boy’s games that hopefully will help them to become successful doctors, or lawyers, or cab drivers or plumbers or MARINE CAPTAINS. Sempre Fi!

Yours In Baseball
THE COACH