I received this list from a high school baseball coach and thought it would be a great start to our "How To Make The High School Team" segment.
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Persistence is more important than talent
There is a reason that the word STUDENT comes first in student/athletes
Respect the game as much as you want to be respected
Tuck in your shirt
Don't wear your hat backwards
Practice hard because you play the way you practice
It doesn't take any talent to hustle
Be a student in baseball. Learn the game - Study the history of baseball
Help your team win whether you play or not
Keep a daily diary of what you do at practice and keep notes of your observations. This will help you see the progress you have made
Never argue with an umpire
Agree to let your coaches train you
Don't cut class
Maintain the grades that keep you eligible
Set high standards along with knowing the steps to attain them
Don't tell people what you are worth, prove it to them
Your girlfriend is not more important than your career
Your parents love you, but they don't know more than your coach about baseball
Don't let anyone make an excuse for you
Maintain eye contact with all adults when they talk to you. Practice on your friends
It is your coach's opinion of you that counts. He makes out the lineup. Fail to understand this point and you will soon be out of the game
Life is not fair. Regardless of what some people want you to think
Be passionate about your teammates
Love the game
Players are not the only people in the game. There are coaches, trainers, announcers, umpires, broadcasters and writers. All those jobs are honorable professions as well as keeping you young
The only thing that coaches owe you is HONESTY
Body language screams. It never whispers
Balance makes champions. If you focus on hitting and ignore the defensive part of your game you will never be a complete player
Be as diligent on defense as you are on offense
Defense wins more games than offense
Pitching sets the tone
Games are lost not won. Mistakes lead to losses
You can win a league with a few good pitchers. Well developed pitching staffs win the tournaments
Work on your game every day of the year. The guy who beat you out for the starting job did and the team that always beats you
Who you are today is a result of who you were in the past. Fill your past with smart work and good deeds and you will maximize your potential
You don't have to be a great athlete to be a good baseball player
Show off your talent to your current coach and your future coach by doing the following: (ALL THE TIME)
When you jog to warm up finish first.
When you stretch do it best.
When you play catch, throw to a target and hit it every time.
When you play catch, catch the ball or block the bad throw and keep it in front of you every time.
When you are doing a drill, do it perfect, every time.
Go hard all the time. Never walk on a baseball practice field.
As a batter/runner run to first as though it matters that you are safe.
Know the situation on defense and do the right thing.
Baseball reveals character it doesn't build it.
Character means doing the right thing when nobody's watching
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Darrin McComas
Head Baseball Coach
Burroughs High School
Ridgecrest, California
