1. You must be coachable: Able to take criticism without and excuse. You must be willing to improve everyday. Listen to your coaches, work hard, and strive to become better.

2. Be a positive contributor to the team: Contribute with your attitude as well as your play. Use every opportunity to bring the team up. Don’t be supportive when were ahead, and negative when we’re behind.

3. Play hard until the last out: You must be a competitor to play in this program. It should bother you when you don’t feel you’ve given your best effort. The fear of letting your teammates down with a sub par effort should drive you to never quit.

4. You must be mentally tough: When we are behind a run in the 7th inning, are you thinking about the ride home or how you will find a way to score? Does the screaming crowd or crucial situation shake you up or make you rise to the challenge? Don’t make excuses, get the job done.

5. Be someone who handles pressure: You must be able to concentrate on what must be done regardless of the situation. Be someone who is able to forget previous failures, personal insults, or fear. The thought of failure should NEVER cross your mind during the defining moments of a game.

6. Strives to improve: Even professionals work daily to improve their skills. You are nowhere near as good as you can be. Success isn’t free, you must pay a price in sweat to become a champion.

7. Be an overachiever: There are lots of talented teams with losing records… they are underachievers. Every person on this team MUST play better than they think they can every day if we are to experience success.

8. You must be selfless: Baseball is a TEAM sport. As coaches we are not concerned with an indivual’s wishes. You will be called upon to make selfless acts for the team. How will you respond? Will you lay down the bunt to help us win? Will you come off the mound and pout, or help your replacement get the job done? We can’t win with 12 individuals. We will win when we stick together and work in towards our goals.

9. You must be dependable: You hurt us if you are someone we can’t count on. As coaches, we will not sit and wait for someone to embarrass the team. You MUST live by a higher standard to remain with us. If you choose to neglect your responsibilities, you will not remain with us. There isn’t a single individual more important than the team. Any player can be replaced if they don’t do their part.

10. Treat everyone on the team like family: Even if you don’t participate with a game winning hit, or great catch, you can help by having a great attitude. This doesn’t mean you act foolish, or do silly pranks. It might be making a great effort, or picking a player up after they fail. Celebrate being on this team… there are people who would gladly trade places with you!

We will practice these ten behaviors daily. It is the expectation that you improve on all of these areas. Our success this season depends on it. We look forward to the time we will spend together this spring! Let’s make some lasting memories!