TRhit offers sage advice, and a great perspective, to anybody building or leading a team.
Character counts. Since my son started playing travel baseball in 2005 he has had the opportunity to play for (and against) many teams. The best teams, and most cherished experiences have come from his experiences with teams that operate like TRhit describes.
We have traveled from coast-to-coast so that southpaw_son could play with teams and coaches who keep this bigger picture in mind. He has had the good fortune of playing for Steve Cosgrove and the Boys of Baseball - NTT; Scott Luke, and the So Cal NTT; two top quality programs, run by top quality people who keep the bigger picture in the forefront of what they do.
Just a couple of weeks ago we traveled north to Long Island so that he could play for TRhit's College Select team. What a great experience. Another top quality program, run by top quality people, who remember there are some things more important than just winning a youth game.
The more programs that can keep the bigger picture front and center, the better off our kids and game will be. All of these kids want to go as far in the game as they possibly can; but even if they have a Hall of Fame career, they will spend a lot more of their life off a baseball field than on it. The best teams are the ones run by organizers and coaches who understand they are preparing kids to compete and win in a much bigger game ... the game of Life.