A Heads Up...

We are getting ready to go into Summer ball. There will be a lot of names posted and Showcase teams mentioned. If this is something that bothers you or if you would prefer to read about legion...I'll understand. But a lot of names will be mentioned and discussed and some people may not like it. If that is the case, come on back in the fall......we'll miss you.

 

This is a huge time of the year for these

09's especially. The college season is over for many and will be for the rest soon. The college coaches will be getting out there and id'ing the guys they will want to go after. There are some very talented 10's as well that will make their mark. Good luck to all these young men as they begin this journey.

#1- Do not play to impress anyone. Do not think about who is watching you or might be watching you. Just go out and play the game. Focus on doing the things that helps your team win. Play hard and have fun playing the game. Lose yourself in the game. Play to win not to impress anyone. If you lose yourself in the game and play to win everything else will take care of itself.

#2- Get out of the box! No one wants to see you pout because you hit a ground ball to the ss. Get out of the box. Take it back to the dugout. No one wants to see you pout because you got out. If you can not handle failure you can not handle baseball.

#3- Be early to the games. There is a rule in baseball. "If your early your on time. If your on time your late. If your late don't bother coming."

#4- Show up ready to play. Leave the flip flops at home fella's. Show up looking like a baseball player that is ready to take the field and get after it. Showing up with your shirt tail out , flip flops on , hat on sideways etc etc Wow thats a great impression your making on those college coaches as you walk up. Guess what they are saying about you? You think they are going to make sure they get a good look at you in the games? Not!

#5- Be respectful to everyone you talk to. Nothing turns a coach off more than hearing a player say "Hey Dad , go over there and get me a couple of Gatorades. Yeah the orange ones. Man come on!" How about some yes sir and no sir?

#6- Leave your parents alone during your games. How about the guys that motion to the stands to have the parent come down and bring a cold drink during the game? What message do you think that sends?

#7- Dont sit in the stands before your games and run down the other teams and players. Who wants anyone in their program that sits around and talks trash about other players? You would be surprised what some college coaches over hear at these games. Dont be that guy.

#8- Watch your language. Do you think dropping an "F" bomb as you run to first on a fly out impresses anyone? It will get your name crossed off a list faster than you think. And some programs list immediately for good.

#9- Get on and off the field. What does it look like to a college coach when he sees a guy walk onto the field between innings and walk off after innings? Do you think that is the kind of player he is wanting to take a second look at? How much effort does it really take to do it the right way?

#10- Play Hard!!! Get after it!!! Every coach I have ever met loves to see guys that play hard and get after it.

Good Luck Im sure we will be hearing about many of you during the summer and fall. And I look forward to watching you guys play.

 

It's all baseball, shouldn't matter to the majority of the state doesn't competitive legion programs.

 

I've got to stick Coach May's post. It's Hall of Fame

 

Yeah, but I spun off the Legion forum so we don't get a Us vs Them threads. Those guys do an excellent job with American Legion.

Mudcat- we've come a long way since you and I started here. We've gone from people complaining that most kids go unrecognized to now some complain about kids being over-hyped. Shoot, if that's the case, I'm okay with that. I remember the other way.

 

I agree 100%. It's just that there are truly only a handful of legion programs left in the state that could go into the national tournament and compete. Those programs have built community loyalty over the years and have made it special for the kids to participate. I bet we could look back 5 years from now and it will still be the same programs competing for the right to represent NC.

 

#5- Be respectful to everyone you talk to.

I'm glad you mentioned this. Recently, I was "big timed" by a so called stud. I overlooked it the 1st time, but he did it again. I wanted to take him behind the barn and ask him "What have you accomplished kid?" Next time I say Hi to you, your answer will not be "whatz up".....Wow, he shocked me and I will never mention him again.

 

What some kids dont realize

is there are alot of talented players out there. Coaches have to spend alot of time with these players. Yes its important that they have talent and be capable of helping them win games. But they also want to be around kids they truly like as people as well. No one wants to be around a $^#%^@&! Believe me they will find someone just as talented somewhere that they like and is a person of good character. Dont fool yourself into thinking they have to have you. No one is that good. Find me a program where they overlook a players character and I will find you a program that does not win. And I will show you a program where the kids with character will not attend.

 

This statement holds true for the players parents as well.

 

it doesn't take long for those programs to become exposed.