So you want an advantage?

Great post Coach! Nice to see you again!

Another tremendous post, my friend!

 

About to send it to another coach we know. Am certain he'll react the same way.

 

Man, I miss those sideline chats down the first baseline in Boshamer!

 

Wishing you and the family the very best during this special season!

Hey Buddy. Boy do I miss those times. I am hoping one day we can do it again. Tell that certain Coach I said Hello. And Merry Christmas to your family!

<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: HS Baseball Web <alerts@hoop.la> </div><div>Date:12/17/2014 8:00 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: SITOF <chris@romanias.net> </div><div>Subject: Post By Coach_May: So you want an advantage? </div><div>

Great post, Coach, and it's good to read somebody talking about high school baseball!

 

I hope you don't mind if I add a few that would get my attention, if I was a HS coach.

 

1 - be the first one out of the dugout going after a foul ball.  Coach should not have to say "somebody on that"  more than once per season.

 

2 - After an away game, make sure you're carrying a bucket or a bag to the coach's vehicle.

 

3 - Keep your grades up. Don't make the coach wonder if you'll be eligible next quarter.

 

4 - If you're a bench player, anticipate the game situation, and be ready. Don't be scrambling for your helmet when coach puts you in to pinch run.  If the catcher is on base, be ready to grab a catcher's mitt and mask.

 

5 - 100% focus during games.  If the coach turns to you to confirm what the count is, and you don't know, you've let him down. If you're batting with an 0-2 count and you don't know what the pitcher's been doing in that situation so far, you've let yourself and your team down.

 

6 - Know the signs. Call time if you're unsure.  There's no excuse for a HS player to miss a sign.  But it happens all the time.

 

7 - Be a student of the game.  Know the situation and what it means.   There's no excuse for a HS player not to know what base he's throwing to or how many outs there are. But it happens.

 

 

Be a leader. Not everyone can be a vocal leader. Players without tenure haven't earned the right to be a vocal leader. Some players don't have it in their makeup to be a vocal leader. But everyone can lead by example. If you do the things Coach May suggests you are a leader. You're setting an example with how you carry yourself.

 

When my son played high school ball, coming off the field saying, "Let's get some runs" was a big outburst for him. But he outworked everyone. He high fived anyone who did something positive as small as grounding out to move a runner. It's how he was trained by his travel team growing up. Positive attitude is contagious even without being loud.

Thank you Coach_May!

Am I the only one that wants to print off all of coach May's posts. Put them in a binder. Then hand them out to every HS player in the US. hahahha

To the point he was making. At a tryout this fall after my sons 5 swings at the plate the coach stopped him and asked him how he thought he did. My son replied the thought he did ok. The coach told him he didn't pay attention and didn't care how he did. That he was the first player all day to run to the batters box then run back to the dugout. He said he didn't even give him an evaluation he just circled his name.

Coach_May,

 

As always, words of wisdom to live by for anyone who wants to play HS baseball and beyond. A team full of players living by these rules would be a tough team to beat. Thank you for sharing!

Coach May, WOW!!  That's really all I can say.  I read this to my 2015 last night.  He was very appreciative of this as well.  Very sage advice for any ballplayer of any age.  JCG additions are spot on as well.  Very nice!!

Outstanding. Seems simple when you read it, but still oh so difficult for many young men to apply. Hopefully, a lot of youngster's eyes see that post.

Great post. This really helped me a lot because I am going into high school next year with a new coaching staff. Thanks so much. I'll try ti keep all of these things in mind.

Kenny should go into the coaching consulting business. No one understands the game more. When he was a high school coach he turned a bad program into one of the best in the state.

I am going to feature this topic.  We are heading into the spring baseball season and kids and their parents can refer to this for an EDGE - on baseball and life.

Thanks Coach May. I forwarded on our remarks to the HS basebal coach when I read this the other day. When I stopped by last night at the hitting barn (thats what they call the hitting cages at the HS), Your words were in poster size, framed, on the wall.

 

I saw 3 young freshman reading them as I was there. Once again your incredible words and thoughts will help young men succeed.

This is a post that ,with a little tweaking is a great formula for life. But you guy's already knew that.

 

 Thanks for all your lessons coach.

Been out a while but here are my 2 cents

 

Do what your told when your told.

Do not be a whiner. 

Don't make excuses. Make the play.

Be on time. 

 

Be accountable for your actions. Look coaches in the eye. If they shake your hand, shake to break. Show them a strong grip. These things show maturity.

I agree with the list but in my experience talent trumps just about any of these. I can think of that kid who hit a couple home runs but when he strikes out he slams his bat down throws his equipment around the dug out. The senior who has a shot at the MLB draft and has given up on his grades. The kids whose every other word is F***. Maybe some coaches will make it clear this is unacceptable but I see these kids start every game and get the praise of the coach in the local paper. Sure the kid with less talent but lives up to this list will get the "coaches award" but he'd rather get more playing time.