Hello All,
I love the beginning of our fall non-traditional softball season. It has been nice to get outside and feel the dirt.We have started and it has been going well. The players have been working really hard in the weight room, conditioning, and on the field. I am excited to see how we come together as a team. It will definitely be a challenge and leaders always thrive on challenges. We will only go as far as our leaders will take us.This brings me to the point of this blog-what is a leader?
Every single person on the team can hold a piece of this. Some players are fit to lead by example, some by their vocals, and there will be some that lead and won't even know that they are leading. A leader is not allowed to feel sorry for themselves, to be down or angry. Leaders must beat these emotions. Is there a difference between leaders stepping up or stepping out? I sure think there is. If a player has to step it up for a game then their mental, emotional and physical energy was not the same as it was before. We need our leaders to step out and allow themselves to give us 100% all the time. They can not take a play off during practices and games. We need them to not hold back because they are worried about failure. They stand out because they don't doubt, hesitate or question anything. They lead by example with their energy and attitude and they never question the necessity of that. Leaders find ways to win ballgames.
I am hoping that this year we have a team full of leaders and not just the ones we name as captains. We have the power as our own individual to control our energy and attitude. I look forward to embracing this journey and seeing what happens. Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
New Year, New Look, New Attitude
Hello All,
As we kick off the weekend with our fall sports in full swing with competitions, this means it is getting closer to our non-traditional season for softball to start. The summer has flown by and I believe a very productive one. We are getting ready to start classes on Monday to start the new school year. This brings me to my new theme for 2012-2013 which is NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK, NEW ATTITUDE. As each school year approaches it begins another new year for our softball team. We can't bring back the past or change it but we can learn and grow from it. As the new look part of the theme, this year we will be wearing new uniforms. We haven't established yet what type or any of that but we will be sporting new apparel. Here is the final part, new attitude. What I want is for us to start off with a new attitude. Changes are in place for this year that I know will make a positive difference in our team. Team chemistry will be a reflection of our attitudes. We want our players to be coachable, have a team first attitude, and committed. I believe the word committed is a crucial one for us if we want to make a change. Being committed means never being satisfied and wanting to do anything and everything to get the maximum performance level. With that being said, you need to be committed to the total package, committed to your teammates, committed to the coaches, committed to the classroom, committed to your performance and well being. We need committed players to make our changes and reach our goals. Like most things in life worth having, we have to work hard at it. As in the movie, "A League of Their Own", if it was easy, everyone would do it. Having a focused attitude every day in practice is a key. If you have respect for your teammates, coaches, the game itself, and yourself, then you will make sure as an athlete that you will be mentally prepared with the right mindset each and every practice/game. We only ask for a couple of hours a day to make softball the priority in our mind.The softball season is not a sprint, although sometimes it feels like that, it is a marathon. We have to establish our building blocks and work on the small things and eventually the big things will happen. Where we are in September and where we want to be in April will be a journey. It is a ride that I am looking forward to taking.
Until next time. . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!
As we kick off the weekend with our fall sports in full swing with competitions, this means it is getting closer to our non-traditional season for softball to start. The summer has flown by and I believe a very productive one. We are getting ready to start classes on Monday to start the new school year. This brings me to my new theme for 2012-2013 which is NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK, NEW ATTITUDE. As each school year approaches it begins another new year for our softball team. We can't bring back the past or change it but we can learn and grow from it. As the new look part of the theme, this year we will be wearing new uniforms. We haven't established yet what type or any of that but we will be sporting new apparel. Here is the final part, new attitude. What I want is for us to start off with a new attitude. Changes are in place for this year that I know will make a positive difference in our team. Team chemistry will be a reflection of our attitudes. We want our players to be coachable, have a team first attitude, and committed. I believe the word committed is a crucial one for us if we want to make a change. Being committed means never being satisfied and wanting to do anything and everything to get the maximum performance level. With that being said, you need to be committed to the total package, committed to your teammates, committed to the coaches, committed to the classroom, committed to your performance and well being. We need committed players to make our changes and reach our goals. Like most things in life worth having, we have to work hard at it. As in the movie, "A League of Their Own", if it was easy, everyone would do it. Having a focused attitude every day in practice is a key. If you have respect for your teammates, coaches, the game itself, and yourself, then you will make sure as an athlete that you will be mentally prepared with the right mindset each and every practice/game. We only ask for a couple of hours a day to make softball the priority in our mind.The softball season is not a sprint, although sometimes it feels like that, it is a marathon. We have to establish our building blocks and work on the small things and eventually the big things will happen. Where we are in September and where we want to be in April will be a journey. It is a ride that I am looking forward to taking.
Until next time. . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Courage to Compete
Hello All,
It has been awhile since I have posted and we have played quite a few games already. We started out the season with great confidence and a 3-1 record and since then we have played some good games and some bad. Our record definitely doesn't show what we are capable of. However, the past few doubleheaders have given me time to think about a few things. or maybe over think.
One is the fact that there is so much more to a player than just the fundamentals and mechanics of softball. There are the mental aspects like confidence, focus, the love of the game, concentration, etc. I believe though that an athlete can change her outcome based on confidence though. I also believe that if the love for the game of softball is there within you, it keeps you coming back for more. It makes it not easy to give up when it gets hard. But then there is something else I think about. . . courage. Our motto here at MBC is Courage to Compete. So what does that actually mean? To me, our team right now is better than the way we are playing. We aren't showing confidence out on the field, we are playing scared it seems.We don't play well the first game and the second game we play really well or vice versa. Why can't we put it all together instead of waiting one game to play well? What does it take to have the drive to compete? It takes courage. If you look up the definition of courage it says"the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or pain with self confidence, and resolution; the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs." We need the courage to lay it all out there each and every day. The courage to play hard no matter what the outcome. I think as coaches we need to help them find the courage. I don't want us to settle for just getting better or improving each day. It's great to be improving but I believe we can get complacent in that. I believe it is going to take the courage to embrace our weaknesses just as we need to embrace our strengths. We are going to make mistakes but being scared to make a mistake will in our world make us have more mistakes. Let's dig into ourselves and find the courage we need to play. Let's find the courage to go to the plate and hit with confidence, let's find the courage to quit playing scared and settling for just improving, let's find the courage to give all of our effort each and every day, leave it all out on the field. Let's find the courage within to believe that we can win. The mind can be a game changer. Courage is a powerful thing and maybe that is just what we need.
It has been awhile since I have posted and we have played quite a few games already. We started out the season with great confidence and a 3-1 record and since then we have played some good games and some bad. Our record definitely doesn't show what we are capable of. However, the past few doubleheaders have given me time to think about a few things. or maybe over think.
One is the fact that there is so much more to a player than just the fundamentals and mechanics of softball. There are the mental aspects like confidence, focus, the love of the game, concentration, etc. I believe though that an athlete can change her outcome based on confidence though. I also believe that if the love for the game of softball is there within you, it keeps you coming back for more. It makes it not easy to give up when it gets hard. But then there is something else I think about. . . courage. Our motto here at MBC is Courage to Compete. So what does that actually mean? To me, our team right now is better than the way we are playing. We aren't showing confidence out on the field, we are playing scared it seems.We don't play well the first game and the second game we play really well or vice versa. Why can't we put it all together instead of waiting one game to play well? What does it take to have the drive to compete? It takes courage. If you look up the definition of courage it says"the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or pain with self confidence, and resolution; the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs." We need the courage to lay it all out there each and every day. The courage to play hard no matter what the outcome. I think as coaches we need to help them find the courage. I don't want us to settle for just getting better or improving each day. It's great to be improving but I believe we can get complacent in that. I believe it is going to take the courage to embrace our weaknesses just as we need to embrace our strengths. We are going to make mistakes but being scared to make a mistake will in our world make us have more mistakes. Let's dig into ourselves and find the courage we need to play. Let's find the courage to go to the plate and hit with confidence, let's find the courage to quit playing scared and settling for just improving, let's find the courage to give all of our effort each and every day, leave it all out on the field. Let's find the courage within to believe that we can win. The mind can be a game changer. Courage is a powerful thing and maybe that is just what we need.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Weekend Warriors
Hello All,
Our softball team just came back from a weekend in Raleigh , North Carolina and we went 3-1 in the Triangle Classic. It was nice to be able to play in 4 games and see where we are and what we need to work on in game situations.
We left school on Thursday evening and the girls seemed very excited knowing they were getting the chance to play some games. We have been practicing for a while now. On the ride down, we put in a couple of movies, never really watching them through, until the usual Big Bang Theory got put in. I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of that tv show but I am now. I actually caught myself watching it this fall in the comfort of my own home. However, it is not just the show but the thought of softball as well because now whenever I hear Big Bank Theory, I will think about softball.
We get to Raleigh at the hotel and they had about 2 hours to settle down and then their life fell apart. I took their cell phones and lights had to be out at a certain time. I do that for the reason that I want them to get a good night sleep, have no distractions like breaking up with someone, etc. and to be focused in the morning for the game. I know this day and age we are all about technology. I have to admit I was very proud of the ladies. They showed the next day that they can be focused and they can work hard for something. That's why they walked away with 2 wins on Friday. What a gorgeous day it was as well-we couldn't have asked for a better day!
Later that evening we went to a mall and then to a buffet restaurant. I have to say at first I was worried about the girls eating. You know buffet is all you can eat. That is scary sometimes when you bring in a team of 21 people. Although, the players weren't who I was worried about. It was one of my assistant coaches. I believe she was born with a bread roll in her hand. I was worried we were going to have an intervention for her. Anyway, the team was very mannerly, polite, and having a good time. We proceeded on back to the hotel.
Next day, we took a win and a loss. Remember me saying that we had a gorgeous day previously, well not so much on this day. It was cold and windy. Of course, both teams had to play in it and we adjust first game and won but the second we didn't. As coaches, we got to see some people play in the field that we wanted to, some got to hit that we wanted to see, and all in all it was a great weekend. Every one did what we asked of them. As I was sitting on the bus on the ride home, I thought, this team is special and good things are going to happen if they keep believing in themselves, in each other, and do the little things that we ask of them each and every day. It is the little things that let the big things happen. We have started off well but we have to remember, it's a journey and it's not where we are early but where are we going to be later.
Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!
Our softball team just came back from a weekend in Raleigh , North Carolina and we went 3-1 in the Triangle Classic. It was nice to be able to play in 4 games and see where we are and what we need to work on in game situations.
We left school on Thursday evening and the girls seemed very excited knowing they were getting the chance to play some games. We have been practicing for a while now. On the ride down, we put in a couple of movies, never really watching them through, until the usual Big Bang Theory got put in. I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of that tv show but I am now. I actually caught myself watching it this fall in the comfort of my own home. However, it is not just the show but the thought of softball as well because now whenever I hear Big Bank Theory, I will think about softball.
We get to Raleigh at the hotel and they had about 2 hours to settle down and then their life fell apart. I took their cell phones and lights had to be out at a certain time. I do that for the reason that I want them to get a good night sleep, have no distractions like breaking up with someone, etc. and to be focused in the morning for the game. I know this day and age we are all about technology. I have to admit I was very proud of the ladies. They showed the next day that they can be focused and they can work hard for something. That's why they walked away with 2 wins on Friday. What a gorgeous day it was as well-we couldn't have asked for a better day!
Later that evening we went to a mall and then to a buffet restaurant. I have to say at first I was worried about the girls eating. You know buffet is all you can eat. That is scary sometimes when you bring in a team of 21 people. Although, the players weren't who I was worried about. It was one of my assistant coaches. I believe she was born with a bread roll in her hand. I was worried we were going to have an intervention for her. Anyway, the team was very mannerly, polite, and having a good time. We proceeded on back to the hotel.
Next day, we took a win and a loss. Remember me saying that we had a gorgeous day previously, well not so much on this day. It was cold and windy. Of course, both teams had to play in it and we adjust first game and won but the second we didn't. As coaches, we got to see some people play in the field that we wanted to, some got to hit that we wanted to see, and all in all it was a great weekend. Every one did what we asked of them. As I was sitting on the bus on the ride home, I thought, this team is special and good things are going to happen if they keep believing in themselves, in each other, and do the little things that we ask of them each and every day. It is the little things that let the big things happen. We have started off well but we have to remember, it's a journey and it's not where we are early but where are we going to be later.
Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
What does February bring?
Hello All,
What does February bring? For the softball team, the last week has been filled with players and an assistant coach's birthday. We have celebrated their birthdays with the singing of Happy Birthday (not sure you want the team to sing anytime soon) and the eating of cupcakes and cake. What better way to end a practice or take a break in the middle of building dugouts than to celebrate these people. To me this is what softball and any sport is about- friendships that are made along the way, coaches and players getting to know and care about each other. I'm not sure if we want to see another cupcake or cake right now, but it's just a small token of how much we care about each one. Until next time. . . GO SQUIRRELS!!
What does February bring? For the softball team, the last week has been filled with players and an assistant coach's birthday. We have celebrated their birthdays with the singing of Happy Birthday (not sure you want the team to sing anytime soon) and the eating of cupcakes and cake. What better way to end a practice or take a break in the middle of building dugouts than to celebrate these people. To me this is what softball and any sport is about- friendships that are made along the way, coaches and players getting to know and care about each other. I'm not sure if we want to see another cupcake or cake right now, but it's just a small token of how much we care about each one. Until next time. . . GO SQUIRRELS!!
Thoughts
Hello All,
It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted and I am sorry to my readers. Our softball team is working really hard on and off the field. We are about a week and a half away from opening our season and I can't be more excited to get started. I am passionate about this team and each person brings something in themselves to make this team better each day. Which brings me to my next thoughts.
As a coach, I know that our job is to help each and every player become the best that they can be while they are with us. I know this isn't easy. I have to put forth the effort to find what I need to do to help each player reach their highest level of performance and watch them go above and beyond what anyone thought they could. It is a constant effort even when I am frustrated, tired or out of answers for something. As a player, it is your job to put forth the effort that coaches ask you to bring to each practice/game. If you aren't willing to run a fly ball out in practice, what makes coaches think you will do it in a game? You as a player have to hold yourself accountable or you will be made accountable for the choices that you make. Are you the type of player that positively affects others, that makes other players raise their game and improve their performance?
As a coach and/or player, we need to look in the mirror at the person that can have the biggest impact on our success. It starts with ourselves. We need to stop blaming other people or outside circumstances. Anyone that has ever been successful, at some point, has been discouraged, out of their comfort zone, loss in confidence or felt like a failure. However, they overcame those and moved forward. It didn't mean they weren't worthy or weren't good enough. They just had to keep pushing forward. Whether we are a coach or a player, we have to keep pushing forward if we want to be successful. Part of being successful is being consistent in our performance. Doing the little things makes the big things happen. We only get out of something what we put into it and that goes for coaching or playing. I want our athletes to do everything that we ask of them to the best of their ability. We can choose to do what is right or we can choose not to. However, consequences come with both choices, good or bad. I read a quote the other day and it said "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort." For MBC softball, that's all we ask each of you every day- give us all your effort in whatever we are doing and we will win!
Until next time . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!
It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted and I am sorry to my readers. Our softball team is working really hard on and off the field. We are about a week and a half away from opening our season and I can't be more excited to get started. I am passionate about this team and each person brings something in themselves to make this team better each day. Which brings me to my next thoughts.
As a coach, I know that our job is to help each and every player become the best that they can be while they are with us. I know this isn't easy. I have to put forth the effort to find what I need to do to help each player reach their highest level of performance and watch them go above and beyond what anyone thought they could. It is a constant effort even when I am frustrated, tired or out of answers for something. As a player, it is your job to put forth the effort that coaches ask you to bring to each practice/game. If you aren't willing to run a fly ball out in practice, what makes coaches think you will do it in a game? You as a player have to hold yourself accountable or you will be made accountable for the choices that you make. Are you the type of player that positively affects others, that makes other players raise their game and improve their performance?
As a coach and/or player, we need to look in the mirror at the person that can have the biggest impact on our success. It starts with ourselves. We need to stop blaming other people or outside circumstances. Anyone that has ever been successful, at some point, has been discouraged, out of their comfort zone, loss in confidence or felt like a failure. However, they overcame those and moved forward. It didn't mean they weren't worthy or weren't good enough. They just had to keep pushing forward. Whether we are a coach or a player, we have to keep pushing forward if we want to be successful. Part of being successful is being consistent in our performance. Doing the little things makes the big things happen. We only get out of something what we put into it and that goes for coaching or playing. I want our athletes to do everything that we ask of them to the best of their ability. We can choose to do what is right or we can choose not to. However, consequences come with both choices, good or bad. I read a quote the other day and it said "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort." For MBC softball, that's all we ask each of you every day- give us all your effort in whatever we are doing and we will win!
Until next time . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
PEGS
Hello All,
As I mentioned in my previous post, we put up dugouts yesterday on our field. There was one part of the dugouts that I haven't mentioned yet so I thought I would in this post.
Our dugouts are constructed out of timber and the framing is put together with pegs instead of nails. It was really interesting watching it all come together from the plans to the final product. We had quite a lot of pegs that went into each dugout, over 100 probably, and so what we did was sell the pegs for an amount and with each peg, the donor could write whatever they wanted on the peg. Then it went into the dugout and will be there permanently. These dugouts will outlast our lifetimes.
So, it has been neat seeing what people would right on there pegs. Most people put their names, some put Bible scriptures, some put their softball years of playing and their uniform numbers on, etc. Some even went so far as to decorate and paint their pegs. But no matter what people wrote, painted, etc. on their peg, they all were a necessity for the dugouts. Without the donors of the pegs, the dugouts wouldn't have happened either. So I don't want to leave everyone out that contributed to the dugouts as it has been many. I can't name everyone but I want you to know that you made this happen as well for the MBC softball team and we really appreciate you.
If you are ever at MBC, at a softball game, or just curious, please take a look at the dugouts because you were definitely a big part of this project happening. I know times are hard for people now and everyone's money is a necessity but you found it in your hearts to help out-thanks!!!!
Until next time. . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!
As I mentioned in my previous post, we put up dugouts yesterday on our field. There was one part of the dugouts that I haven't mentioned yet so I thought I would in this post.
Our dugouts are constructed out of timber and the framing is put together with pegs instead of nails. It was really interesting watching it all come together from the plans to the final product. We had quite a lot of pegs that went into each dugout, over 100 probably, and so what we did was sell the pegs for an amount and with each peg, the donor could write whatever they wanted on the peg. Then it went into the dugout and will be there permanently. These dugouts will outlast our lifetimes.
So, it has been neat seeing what people would right on there pegs. Most people put their names, some put Bible scriptures, some put their softball years of playing and their uniform numbers on, etc. Some even went so far as to decorate and paint their pegs. But no matter what people wrote, painted, etc. on their peg, they all were a necessity for the dugouts. Without the donors of the pegs, the dugouts wouldn't have happened either. So I don't want to leave everyone out that contributed to the dugouts as it has been many. I can't name everyone but I want you to know that you made this happen as well for the MBC softball team and we really appreciate you.
If you are ever at MBC, at a softball game, or just curious, please take a look at the dugouts because you were definitely a big part of this project happening. I know times are hard for people now and everyone's money is a necessity but you found it in your hearts to help out-thanks!!!!
Until next time. . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!
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