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.

Two well deserved inductions took place this weekend in Cooperstown for MLB’s Hall of Fame.  I have great memories of both players as one did it with a smile and the other did it with an intimidating look. 

Ricky Henderson seemed to be the best athlete in the MLB.  I had never seen anyone with as much speed and instincts as him play the game.  I always knew that he was having FUN since he did it with a smile.

Jim Rice was an intimidating figure and personality.  At one time he was the most feared hitter in the MLB.  I remember stopping whatever I was doing when he came to bat because I wanted to see him hit it over Boston’s green monster wall.  He was a real slugger.

As I say congrats to both, I can’t help but feel that someone is missing.  Hey Bud, enough is enough, reinstate Pete so that he can get his well deserved place in baseball history!

Batter up it’s Ironhead!  Ironhead continued to perform under the competitive pressure of this year.  He looks forward to his leadership role every year while helping other players as well as speaking up to/for the team.  His offensive numbers speak for themselves as he leads in most all offensive categories.  He was in a 3-way tie for the defensive award and was voted Best defensive player by his teammates by more than twice the vote.  His MVP award was a unanimous vote by the coaches.  I get a positive / inquisitive comment almost every game from either an opposing coach or umpire wondering “who is that kid?”.  Malik is a fiery competitor who comes to compete every day.  Congratulations Malik!

Name:  Malik Brown

Years Playing:  9

Age:  12

Why I play baseball:  Because it is the sport that I enjoy the most and that I am best at.

Best playing memory:  When I hit 2 home runs in one tournament this year.

Worst playing memory:  When I walked in 3 runs in a game to put us out of the playoffs several years ago.

Advice to coaches:  Make playing for your team FUN.

Advice to parents:  During a game, don’t give your kids instructions because most of the time it messes them up.

Advice to players:  Give 100% effort.

Favorite coach or player from history and why:  Drew Churchward from the WSU baseball team.  I like how he plays the game with fire.

Batter up, it’s “B”!  He is another modest Cub with exceptional skill.  It is always a pleasure to coach a gifted athlete but B is rare because of his modesty and sensitive nature.  B is a very coachable kid with an excellent attitude and high level of respect for fellow players and coaches.  His manners are impeccable.  It feels like he goes into another character as he takes the mound and becomes the other team’s worst nightmare.  He has been the most effective and consistent pitcher of the year.  It has been a pleasure to coach him.

Name:  Braelon English

Years playing:  8

Age:  12

Why I play baseball:  I like to have FUN and hang out with my teammates.

Best playing memory:  Last pitch of my last game.

Worst playing memory:  I got hit in the face with a baseball.

Advice to coaches:  Keep me in at pitching as long as I throw strikes.

Advice to parents:  Only let the coach talk not the parents.

Advice to players:  Support your teammates at all times.

Favorite coach or player from history and why:  Justin Verlander because he taught me how to throw super fast.

Batter up, it’s Mr. Big Shot!  Hosea is a typical 12 year old boy with an exceptional heart.  He really feels bad if he thinks that he disappoints his teammates.  However, he is the perfect example of 100% effort as he gives you everything that he has on every play.  This is his second year with the Cubs but in a lot of ways he is the model player for this team.  Some of his traits include:  High level of character, ultimate teammate, work ethic, modest, talented, and he smiles a lot while playing.  He is a lot of FUN to watch and coach.  Congratulations Hosea on a job well done.

Name:  Hosea Nelson

Years playing:  4

Age:  12

Why I play baseball:  Because I enjoy it.

Best playing memory:  When I dove and caught a ball.

Worst playing memory:  When I struck out looking.

Advice to coaches:  Keep doing what you do.

Advice to parents:  Be a little more punctual.

Advice to players:  Give 100% effort.

Favorite coach or player from history and why:  Satchel Paige because I like the way he played and respected the game.

Well what can I say, it’s the coach that we all call TOP.  Just in case you’re wondering how he got that nickname, I’ll tell you.  While in the U.S. Marines, he won several awards during and after his 3 tours in Vietnam, including the purple heart.  However, in the U.S. marines, when you reach the maximum rank (E9) in the field, they nickname you “TOP” as a sign of respect.

TOP has meant a lot our team and to me personally.  His combination of tough love and hilarious / off-colored jokes, entertains us all including players, coaches, and even parents.  If we ever need someone to get tough with the umpire or other team, he is our guy.  He definitely doesn’t mind protecting our team from others.  Personally, TOP was the guy who made sure that I stayed interested in baseball from an early age.  Back then, I went to a major league ballgame once a year which was when he visited Detroit.  I would literally count the days until his return from roughly the age of 5 until I graduated from high school because I knew he was going to take my brother and I to 1 MLB game.  

I owe all of my passion and unwavering commitment to kids in baseball to TOP.

Name:  Robert Young (TOP)

Years Coaching:  6 (Cubs), ??? (High school football, baseball and football in marines)

Age Group:  12u and adult leagues in the past

Coaching Philosophy:  What good is coaching if knowone can see it?  If a person has the ability to coach and doesn’t get involved, the skill is useless.  It’s like having faith without work, it’s dead.  Get involved.

Best coaching moment:  I was coaching in Japan, we were down 9 to 2 in the first inning.  We won the game 10 to 9.  Defense wins championships.

Worst coaching moment:  Too many to count.  I have had a lot of bad coaching moments in my day but I try to learn from them all.

Advice to coaches:  Before you prepare your team for anything, make sure you are prepared mentally and have a plan.  Keep it simple.  Remember, you will have a lot critics when things don’t go well.  Always keep everyone informed but focus on your team first.

Advice to parents:  Entrust your child to your coaches.  He has your child’s best interest and will development their skills.  I know it takes a village to raise a child but someone else is coaching, limit your coaching to outside the white lines.

Advice to players:  Come to practice as if you are in a game situation.  Focus on why you are there in the first place.  Whether you are a starter or second string, practice with enthusiasm, be courteous to other players and coaches.  Keep yourself in shape mentally and physically.  Enjoy the game, have FUN.

Favorite coach or player from history:  Pete Rose, he played the game with intensity and went to practice as though he was in the World Series.  He carried himself like a champion.  He looked out for his teammates both on and off the field.  His nickname was “Charlie Hustle”.

I once had a boss in a previous Sales Management job whose favorite quote was “Everything’s funny when your making money”!  It was his way of putting pressure on sales people to perform as well as letting us know that losing is no FUN.  No matter how much I developed people and increased the team’s morale he always said “so what, everything is funny when we’re making money”.   I always had mixed emotions about this attitude but it was based on the reality that as long as we made our numbers, everyone was going to be happy.  Executives got their bonuses, sales people went on club trips, family’s of employees took extended vacations, and the company paid dividends to investors.

Does this apply to little league baseball?  Are coaches, parents, and players happier when the team wins?  Would they rather see development of some skills and increased morale?  Would parents rather see they’re kid have an equal amount of playing time regardless of their kid’s ability or work ethic?

Honestly, which is more FUN winning or individual development?  Does the answer depend on whether your kid is one of the 9 starting players?

I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this one.  Let’s take the gloves off and have some FUN!

 These pictures bring back a lot of great memories.   This was the first time that this team stayed over night together for a baseball game.  Thanks to Dan Bully capturing these precious moments with our kids.

Batter up!  It’s Ryan “Hollywood” Roberts.  He’s the Detroit Cubs 2009 Most Improved Player.  Ryan has the gift of mental toughness that has allowed him to work hard all year in spite of his lack of experience.  This is Ryan’s first year playing organized baseball and he has stepped up to the challenge and embraced our 100% effort motto.  He also possesses the desire and ability to be a leader which is always a treat for any coach.  Ryan inspires his coaches with his fiery personality and competitive spirit.  Congratulations on a job well done.  Finish Strong!

Name:  Ryan Roberts

Years Playing:  1

Age:  12

Why I play baseball:  To have FUN and get some experience.

Best playing memory:  When I hit my first home run vs the Southfield Tigers.

Worst playing memory:   When I dropped a fly ball vs the D-town Tigers.

Advice to coaches:  Keep on encouraging players to do their best.

Advice to parents:  Get your kids to practice and the games on time.

Advice to players:  Hustle and give 100% effort.

Favorite coach or player history:  Coach Jerry Brown

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.