Yesterday we had a game, it was for Gabe's Minors team. We played the Phillies, a good established team in that division. The expectation for the game was to compete and make it a good game. But what happened was very frustrating. Some of our players were not paying attention to the run and stop signs. They would stop mid run and get out, they were not paying attention to the game they were playing, they were busy focused on other things. No hustle, no heart, no fight. I got to thinking about what I am going to say to the kids on the last game I am there to coach them and I think I might have something.
Here goes:
"First off, thank you for the time that we have had this fall. We all faced a big challenge moving from the Farms division to the Minors division and we played some good, great and of course bad baseball. But this how this game works. This fall season was a relaxed one, we did try to push you hard to bring out the player that we see and believe in. We believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself. If you are to continue playing, just remember that Spring ball is a different level.
Playing in the Minors and above in Spring, it just gets harder. 1 day a week practice isn't enough. The level of competition is intense. Your responsibility to the team and to your teammates is key, your commitment to playing and practicing is key, working on all your fundamentals is key. In the Spring, this all counts, there are stats and standings, we are all fighting to win to represent San Lorenzo Little league in the Tournament of Champions. So, just showing up is not going to be enough. You have to want to get better and put in the work to help yourself and your team.
For some of you, you are going to move on to other teams, we don't know who we will have on our team. But just to make it clear, the expectation of the Red Sox does not change. We run this team and use these rules to create a culture like no other team.
1. Respect your teammates, do not touch, hit, bully or tear your teammates down
2. Respect your and your teammates equipment. These items cost money that your parents work hard for, please treat them with respect.
3. We show up on time, we don't walk, we run or jog
4. There is no asking to play positions. If you do, you are disqualified from playing that position for the game.
5. Always be ready and never say 'No' to where we put you, go out there and do your best
6. When coaches are talking, we listen and respond with 'yes, coach'
7. Have fun, play hard and don't quit. The game isn't over until the last out
8. Always pay attention, we do not want you to get hurt with a batted ball or in any other scenario
It's really that simple, baseball is a hard game, but it can be really fun. I wish you the best on your baseball journey. I will see you in our dugout or on the field. Even if we are opposite teams, I will always expect you to follow the rules we have as a Red Sox family and cheer for your success"
That is probably the base of what I will say, I hope we are able to keep the core kids that we want and are able to bring in some ball players. Some of the kids that we have now are ok, but they are not serious about playing or winning. They don't put the work in and it shows. I want Gabe to have a shot at TOC's and to win it. We can't have kids that don't want to compete on our squad if we want that. Depending on how the Spring season goes, we might do Fall again, not sure if Minors or Majors and we might have Gabe try out for the Majors division. Gabe and a few of our kids deserve the shot to represent the league and we have to figure a way of getting that for him and them. If it's with me on the staff or different coaches, the goal is the same. Put Gabe in the best possible scenario for him to succeed.
