Batter up! It’s Ron Roberts!  A person that I consider a friend, a brother, as well as a mentor.  Ron always manages to help us keep in mind the larger perspective of what our involvement means in the lives of our players.  I enjoy Ron and I’m glad that he chooses to allow his family to be a part of our lives and baseball experience.  His better half, Carmen really likes fried chicken so we are friends for life (long live the bird).  His son Hollywood is one of the most confident players that I have ever met.  He is very concerned about results but realizes that he excels because he continues to master the mental aspect of the game.  Let’s here what Ron has to say about this great game of ours.

Name:  Ron Roberts
 

Child’s name:  Ryan Roberts (Hollywood)

Years your child has played:  1
 

Current Age Group:  13

Your Team Parenting Philosophy: 

Believe in God , your parents, teachers and coaches.  Believe that others have been put on your path for a reason even if you don’t know “Why”.  Listen to your coach, parent or teacher and study the game plan and techniques to become proficient at the art of winning.

When your time comes to perform, whether it is taking a test in school or in the public school of life, trust in yourself and your instincts – they will guide you through whether it is any team sport or sports such as golf or tennis,  they all build character that will shape your destiny.   You must lead, hit, catch or make a play, don’t wait for other team members, YOU make the play and make it stick. When you tell your story others will listen as no one can tell it like you. 

Don’t get distracted whether on or off the field of play and always remember “good enough isn’t good enough any more”.  The difference between the disciplined and the undisciplined is the pause between the thought and the deed. Only your very best will do otherwise you cheat yourself.

Best little league memory:  I was ten years old left hander.  My father, a High School teacher in the Inkster public School system, had purchased a catchers mit from Hudsons and (paid a lot of money for the mit in relation to the other gloves available I still have the catchers mit.) My coach had a player that was also a left handed catcher and a very good player much better that I was in my first year of organized baseball.  My coach insisted that I continue to bring my mit and glove to practice 3 times per week and the Saturday game even though I was not allowed to catch for the team even in practice.

My family was going on the planned vacation the weekend of August 1^st.  Coach told me to leave the mit with him to be used by the team or person of his choosing.  I informed him my Dad would have to be informed and that he should call him later in the day.  Coach came by our home and after a short conversation, my Dad informed the Coach that the mit would not be left in is care nor would I play for the team.  I was crushed.  Later that summer during the first week of school, this same coach was charged with some indecencies with a few of the children on the team.  Lesson learned — Integrity is not developed overnight nor destroyed with one incident.  But once your integrity is compromised you can never regain it to the place of being unblemished.

The next season I played for TriStone church league and was the MVP of the team in a losing season and had a great time catching and playing right field and first base.

Worst little league memory:  I always had a great time. 

Advice to coaches:   Treat you players as if they were your own child.

Advice to parents:  Let the coaches coach and if you don’t like what you see, become a coach and learn how to coach.

Advice to players:  Always listen to your coach they know much more than you or your parent.

Favorite coach or player from history:   Favorite player Hank Aaron ( I have a signed baseball)   Favorite Coach Funcoach Jerry Brown who treats all players as if they were his own son, Malik.  Coach Brown treats all parents with respect even during difficult times when the parent may attempt to become personally involved in the art of coaching.   Thank you Coach Brown

Batter up, it’s Braelon’s mom!  This was Shelia’s first year with the Cubs family.  Shelia helped us in a lot of capacities including, sign-ups, t-shirts, hats, and any other administrative things that we needed.  She even showed support when I accidently hit Braelon with a baseball, instead of just kicking my butt.  I have enjoyed coaching Braelon and I have appreciated the support from both his mom and dad.  Braelon is a wonderful young man and he has his parents to thank for supporting him along the way.  Thanks a bunch Shelia! 

Name:  Shelia  English
 

Child’s name:  Braelon English

Years your child has played:  8
 

Current Age Group:  12

Your Team Parenting Philosophy:  I want Braelon to have FUN and to learn as much as he can.  I also stress to him the importance of being a team player, respecting your coaches, team members, opposing team, and the game.  That means understanding the responsibility that he has to his team and coaches to come to practices and games and play his best, to win and lose with integrity and have FUN.  Attitude is key, although it is sometimes hard for the kids to not show their frustration with body language, etc…, it is important to learn how to deal with those frustrations and channel them in a way that can motivate them to try and do better.  Also, parental support of the team is important.   As long as Braelon has been playing and for a few different teams, I must say that this is the best time I’ve had with the kids and the parents.  We have a great and supportive Cubs family!!!!!!
 

Best little league memory:  Braelon played in the championship game about 2 or 3 years ago and hit what looked to be a homerun, but got caught in a rundown between third base and home.  I ran back and forth with him almost had a heart attack…but he made it.

Worst little league memory:  Probably one of the many time I have parents scream and yell at their children (or someone else’s child)…over the course of the past 8 years, several parents have ahd to be “talked to” by coaches (and sometimes other parents) because they were upsetting the children so much, that behavior sets a terrible example to all of the children.
 

Advice to coaches:  Have one consistent voice within the coaching staff.  Sometimes you have to be tough but a balance of toughness and encouragement goes a long way.

Advice to parents:  Sometimes we just need to shut up and allow the coaches to do their job.  I think our kids would rather have the coaches talkeing from the sideline instead of the parents.

Advice to players:  Respect yourselves, your team, your coaches, and the game.  Play with confidence, learn, and have FUN.

Favorite coach or player from history:  Braelon English…I MUST ADMIT, I WATCH BASEBALL ONLY WITH BRAELON AND I’M KINDA BIASED.

Batter up!  It’s Doug Nelson.  This is Doug’s second year with the Detroit Cubs Baseball Family.  He and wife Pamela have been a blessing to our group in many ways including food, drinks, and helping to manage all of the boys.  They have several kids of their own (with healthy appettites) to manage but always find time to help with our boys and offer much needed encouragement.  Thank for allowing us to be part of your family’s life.

 Name Douglas L. Nelson

Child’s name Hosea D. L. Nelson (Mr. Big Shot)

Years your child has played 5

Current Age Group 12 U

Your Team Parenting Philosophy I now not only allow my boys to play baseball(sports), I also encourage it.  I like to see the competitiveness and the drive they have in them to succeed.   I don’t always measure their success by the wins and losses of the team but  when they lost did they stop trying or did they try harder to improve on their areas of weakness. When they failed did they lay there and quit or did they get up.  Are they a source of  encouragement or negativity? I want the best for all the young men my sons are associated with and I will show it with a kind word or with a stern word when necessary. My goal as a father is to raise my sons to  be mentally tough young  men who are responsible, who can think for themselves and stand alone when that time comes and that time will come. Because one day they too will become husbands and fathers and have what seems like the weight of the world on their shoulders.  I am instilling in  all 5 of my children to first love the Lord our God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, reverence the Lord Jesus in all that they do, put him first in everything and the rest will take care of itself,  know that they were created with a purpose greater than themselves, they are special and loved greatly Pam and I.  

Best little league memory When Hosea was in coach pitch and learning to play baseball for the first time and I was an assistant coach. I saw a spark in my son that I had never seen before and although we fell one game short of the championship game. I saw in him passion for wanting to succeed and lead that has carried over throughout his life and is now rubbing off on my other 4 children on the field and in the classroom.

Worst little league memory When the team Hosea’s two younger brothers Caleb and Elijah were on this year, was one game away from the championship game to play the other team that was picked as the class of the division. My son’s team was leading 10 to 3 with only six outs needed to be in the championship game. The pitcher walked five runs in after getting two outs in the inning.  My son Caleb was brought in to stop the bleeding which he did after surrendering a run himself to a walk.  He eventually got them out. Caleb and Elijah’s team went on to get the lead again but the coach pulled Caleb out because he wanted to save him for the championship game the next day. So he brought another young man in to pitch with a 13 to 11 lead. That young man walked in 3 runs to send the Yankees onto the championship game. This was all done with  one hit in the entire game from the Yankees. I initially believed there to have been no hits by the Yankees but I was later reminded of hit in the second inning. Never the less the game was one by the other team 14 to 13 with them only getting one hit in the entire game.

Advice to coaches Always remember you can speak life to their spirits or death to their spirits. Because life and death are in the power of the tongue(our words).

Advice to parents Love your kids like there is no tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come and you only get one chance to raise them the right way, that would be pleasing to God.

Advice to players Have fun, this game was made for you to enjoy. Listen to the  parents and coaches that will lead you in the right direction and obtain as much knowledge as you possibly can. Be a leader and not follower. There is nothing wrong with being a chicken unless God created you to be an Eagle.   “Being wise is as good as being rich, in fact it is better. Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it’s important to know that only wisdom can save your life. “ Ecclesiastes 7:5-12 (nlt)  

 Favorite coach or player from history Lou Whitaker because he always seemed to be cool, calm, and collected.  He did not appear to be up or down just consistent and Jackie Robinson for his courage.

Batter Up!  It’s Dan Bully Sr. and Angela!  The Bully family joined the Detroit Cubs Baseball family this year and have made an immediate impact on making things better for our kids.  All of our families are great, but I wanted to be sure to recognize the Bully’s and their overall commitment to our program.  Anytime we have needed anything (food, gator-aide, hotels, laundry, advice, …) you have jumped in before we even asked.  Our kids are sporting very nice jerseys with their names on the back for the first time as a result of a sponsorship that Dan secured.  I am comfortable speaking for the other parents and coaches, we love you guys and hope that your family’s experience with us has met your expectations.  PLAY BALL!