Adults: Within 5-10 years after our kids graduate HS, most will become spouses, homeowners, parents, employees, business owners, etc. Be careful of making the outcome of youth sporting events bigger than it is. It’s part of their growth. It’s part of their experience. It’s part of their process. That’s really it. Keep it all in perspective. Breathe, control YOUR emotions and enjoy this temporary phase in THEIR life. It will be over before you know it.

10 Things to be Cautious of: 1. Self proclaimed experts. 2. Coaching from the stands. 3. College camp invite letters/emails. You’re one of hundreds/thousands to receive the same “invite.” 4. Tournaments that use innings/outs as guidelines for “protecting” pitchers. 5. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) 6. Thinking “former college player” means “college level coaching.” 7. Thinking “former professional player” means “professional level coaching.” 8. Adult emotions taking the game away from the kids experiences. 9. Keep your expectations realistic when working with kids. 10. Allowing and encouraging players to give and make excuses for poor performance.

"How Do I Help You Understand?" It just doesn’t matter. There is a GREAT chance they will never remember. It’s NEVER as bad as we think it is…The wins, the losses, being on a losing team, playing with what we believe to be talent below our child’s ability. It just doesn’t matter!! I’ve been there. Blessed with the opportunity most will only get to dream of. Played with guys who came from NOTHING. Played on the worst team in the league. Played on the team that walked away with the ring. Had middle infielders behind me who led the league in errors and fielders who ended up being big league all stars. I played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball. Played no more than 2 to 3 dozen games in a season as a youth. Had coaches who were over the top. Had coaches who genuinely cared. Played for coaches who had no sense being in the position they were in. Played for coaches who didn’t teach. You name it, there is a good chance I’ve been through it personally or have seen and worked with others who have gone through it. We have this obsession with playing on THE BEST team. We think being on a sub .500 team is a travesty. We think playing with and against average, or below average, talent will stunt our players growth. We think… We think a little too much at times. We try to control everything a little too much at times. WE need to chill out! I’m going to be honest and I know a lot won’t want to hear or admit this, but this is an adult issue. We get frustrated watching sloppy baseball. We lack patience for all of it. We drink the kool-aid and are sold on “this is what you should do” instead of taking the time to educate ourselves. SLOW DOWN! That poor baseball, those L’s, those W’s…They just don’t matter. What does matter…Passion for the game, determination to get better, using the lessons, being a great teammate, raising leaders, how we behave as parents, how we behave as coaches, the example we give, what we talk about at home with our kids, how we help them deal with failure, how we help them handle success…What does matter is the people we are raising. Adults, we must check ourselves. Stop making the GAME bigger than what it is. Stop making the game about OUR feelings and emotions. Help them get the most out of the ability they were born with. If they truly love the game, you will see it in their eyes. You will see it in how they work. You will see it when they are on a losing team just as you would if they were on a wining team, BECAUSE THEY LOVE THE GAME. It’s a game and we are always out there to come out on top but remember this, those wins, losses, trophies, seeding, ranking…Nope, they just don’t matter in the big picture. Mom, Dad, Coach, Grandpa, Grandma, your mindset matters. Your leadership matters. Their Character matters. Baseball is temporary, but the lessons are forever. Use the GAME to prepare them for LIFE. That’s what matters.

Dear Parents: We all know many coaches can be better at how they plan and utilize team practice time. But let’s make sure we are clear about something, your athletes development is not solely on them. In fact, they are just a small piece. To blame them for your athletes lack of production, is a big mistake. Before even second guessing your athletes coaches, answer these questions: • How much does your athlete really love their sport(s)? • How much time do they spend on their own daily/weekly practicing their sport(s)? • What is their attitude like when with their team and things aren’t going well? • Are they a good teammate? • How’s their focus? • Are they able to apply what they are learning? • Are they in the right situation for their ability level? • Are they accountable for their mistakes or do they have a habit of blaming and excuse making? Great coaches can make a huge difference for players BUT they are temporary. Check your athletes habits before anything else.

When we get so caught up in the umpires calls, the coaches decisions or our teammates performance, we become blinded to our personal weaknesses. Our flaws. How we need to be better. Weakness blames and points fingers. Greatness requires honest self evaluation, accountability and GRIT.

Dear Coach, If a 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 year old shows respect, works their butt off, loves the game, has tremendous character, is a great teammate, has a great attitude BUT hasn’t yet hit the growth spurt their teammates have, is a bit slower and their hand/eye coordination is a bit off with a growth spurt and/or puberty immanent, why would you not give them every possible opportunity?? In this “Me” world and constant “What have you done for me lately” attitude, let me remind you of a few truths… 1. That kid very well could grow 4-6 inches in the next year, put on 20 pounds, grow into their feet and develop their fast twitch muscles, but the way you treated them, the way you ignored them and pushed them to the side, they no longer love the game because you, their coach/leader, told them (with your actions) that they were no good and that it doesn’t matter what type of person you are or how hard you work, all that matters is your talent. Now they don’t play the game any longer and have a bitter taste towards the game and other coaches. 2. By sitting this kid but giving all of the playing time to the kids who have attitude & effort issues, you are instilling that “Me” attitude and entitlement in those poorly led kids you are giving the opportunities to. 3. You are showing your true colors. As all coaches do, you love to use the word “Development.” When you treat players different based on their talent level, who their parents are or whose parents donated the most time and money, you are not a developer. 4. Stop it with the attitude that you are “Teaching them what real life is all about!” Just because you had a hard nosed coach that yelled at everyone and used running as punishment, doesn’t mean you have to be that coach too. It’s time to stop that cycle. These are kids, some not even teenagers, yet you expect them to walk, talk, act, behave and perform like a adult. They will get there, let it happen and stop trying to be that “tough guy” who thinks they can force it. 5. Just because you show compassion, give the underdog the same playing time and treat them all with respect, it doesn’t mean you are soft or developing soft people. This actually means that you have respect for the people in front of you, all of them. You are conscious of their emotions and considerate of their age and aptitude. You are the type of coach who will most likely have the biggest positive impact on them, in their lives. When they are done playing Baseball and reflect on their time playing, your name will be remembered in a positive light. 6. Little League, Pony, Elite, Travel, Tournament, Babe Ruth, etc…It’s youth Baseball, not the big leagues. Let them enjoy the game. Be more serious about development and less focused on winning being the end all. Stop being so cut throat. Be the coach you would want to have. Be as coachable as you want them to be, if not more, and lead by example by being the best person you can possibly be. We are there to serve THEM. Provide them with the knowledge, opportunity and the experience they deserve. This is our OPPORTUNITY to be a part of a young life and affect them in a positive way for their future. And sometimes that positive impact may be calling them out for their bad attitude and poor effort. Be the LEADER they need!!