I love the game but it definitely requires a sense of humor.  The game challenges you in every way so why not make time to laugh about it.  Enjoy!

In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept destructive criticism. Without 100 percent dedication, you won’t be able to do this.
- Willie Mays

Never bet on baseball.

- Pete Rose

Life is like a baseball game. When you think a fastball is coming, You gotta be ready to hit the curve.
- Jaja Q.

Looking at the ball going over the fence isn’t going to help.
- Hank Aaron

Baseball is the belly of society. Straighten out baseball and you’ll straighten out the rest of the world.
- Bill Lee

The only reason I don’t like playing in the World Series is I can’t watch myself play.
- Reggie Jackson

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer.
- Ted Williams

Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.
- Satchel Paige

I’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to keep playing baseball.

- Pete Rose

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

On a blustery, wintry day in the nation’s capital, San Diego’s boys of summer stepped out of the cold and into the limelight.  The Little League World Series champions from Chula Vista shook hands with President Barack Obama.  “This is going to be a treasure,” catcher Daniel Porras Jr. said by phone. “I’ll never wash my hand again.”

The 13-year-old Park View All-Stars and their coaches and family members toured the White House yesterday, then met the president in the East Wing. Obama walked down a line, shaking each player’s hand.  “It was pretty cool,” said outfielder Bradley Roberto. “We met the leader of our country.”  Previously, the players appeared on Conan O’Brien’s show, rode in the Rose Parade and were honored by the Padres and the Chargers.  Yesterday, each player — dressed in matching khakis and light-blue polo shirts — introduced himself to Obama by saying his name, the position he played and that it was an honor to meet the president.

Asked what the president said in return, shortstop Andy Rios said, “It’s very good to meet you, too.”  Porras added, “He said that he was proud of us for representing the United States.”  Obama then came to league President Rod Roberto and asked, “Are you one of the coaches?”,  “No Mr. President,” Roberto said, “I’m the president.”  After some laughter, Obama replied, “Maybe I should ask this guy for some advice.”

The Park View contingent consisted of about 60 people. The trip was paid for by Southwest Airlines and AT&T.  The team came bearing gifts, including a green-and-white Park View jersey for the president with “Obama” written across the back.  According to Rod Roberto, the president said upon receiving the jersey, “I better save this. It’ll probably be worth some money in the future.”  The team also brought jerseys for Obama’s daughters — Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8 — a signed baseball glove and a baseball cap made of Legos given to the team by Legoland California.

While walking down a White House hallway, the players were asked to step aside for a moment. Along came Malia and Sasha.  “They were dressed like you’d think young girls would be on a cold, winter day,” Rod Roberto said. “In sweatpants.” 

After meeting the president, the contingent trudged through snowy, wind-swept conditions to the Capitol building.  “We are walking through huge snow right now,” Porras said.  At the Capitol, the team was given a tour of the House floor by Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego.

The team is scheduled to attend the Atlanta Hawks-Washington Wizards basketball game tonight before returning home tomorrow.  Of yesterday’s experience, Rod Roberto said, “There’s nothing like the capital in snow. The trees, the snow falling. It was like sitting there watching a movie.”  Regarding the White House, he added, “It’s very patriotic. When you walk in there, see all the presidents on the wall, I don’t care what political side you’re on, you feel like, ‘Wow, all the decisions are made right here.’ ”

San Diego Union Tribune

It requires three baseball coaches to manage this high energy drill.  It creates game-like intensity while promoting an aggressive approach to hitting.  These fun baseball drills will become the favorite of every team you coach.

Coach #1 pitches from the front of the mound.
Coach #2 manages the hitters
Coach #3 manages the transition of hitters and fielders.

• With a 12 to 14 man roster, put a full defensive team in the field (minus a pitcher)
• Create a lineup of your remaining 4 to 6 players
• Coach #2’s job is to manage the dugout and lineup which without leadership can become chaotic
• With Coach #1 pulling balls from a bucket, pitch to the first batter.

• All batters start with 2 strikes on them
• A strikeout ends the batters term as a “hitter”
• Every hit is live and the defense is trying to end each batter’s term as a “hitter” by getting them out
• If the batter hits safely, he remains in the lineup at the end of the line
• Batters can stay in the lineup as long as they continue to hit safely

• If the hitter is out in any way (strikeout or in the field), he rotates back to the field (sprinting at all times)
• Coach #3 walks the field and upon any “hitter” getting out, he taps the next field on the head and they spring in to the dugout to get a helmet and a bat.  They then take their place in the end of the lineup.  They are replaced in the field by the baseball player that last got out.

This baseball drill re-creates “game like” intensity for both fielders and batters.  It also promotes a very aggressive mentality in your hitters while promoting a good eye and dramatically reduces your called third strikes throughout the year.

The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) has highlighted yet another poll of youth athletes to help coaches understand the motivation of youth athletes and their desire to play sports.  I have included some excerpts below for your information and conversation.  Enjoy.

The most surprising things result from PCA workshops. For example, a unique study of youth athletes as reported in this article by Mark Hyman in The New York Times. Peter Barston — the 15-year-old subject of the article, who has polled hundreds of Darien, CT youth athletes to learn their motivations for playing — exemplifies the ethos of a Triple-Impact Competitor^TM, intent on improving self, teammates and sport as a whole.