• Persistence is more important than talent.
• Respect the game as much as you want to be respected.
• Dress like a ballplayer. Tuck in your shirt, wear baseball or softball pants, cleats and a hat or visor.
• It doesn’t take talent to hustle.
• Help your team win whether you play or not.
• Never argue with an umpire.
• Listen to your coaches.
• Your parents love you, but they don’t know more than your coach does about baseball or softball.
• Players are not the only people in the game. There are bat boys/girls, coaches, umpires, announcers, scorekeepers, etc.
• Be as thorough on defense as you are on offense.
• Games are sometimes lost, not won. Careless mistakes lead to losses, but everyone is going to make honest mistakes. Remember that working hard in practice is the best way to eliminate mistakes in your game. Cal Ripken, Sr. always taught his Major League sons Cal, Jr. and Bill, “practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”
• You don’t necessarily have to be a good athlete to be a good baseball or softball player. If you work hard at the game and learn the game and the strategy, you can be a very good player.

• Make sure you have the proper clothing and equipment to look official, and that you wear your uniform and equipment in a manner that shows you are serious about your professionalism!
• Attend all pre-tournament meetings. There will be discussion on the rules and ground rules.
• Re-acquaint yourself with the rulebook. Read it over and over.
• You represent the game, so act professionally.
• Be at the game early, not just on time.
• Have a pre-game meeting with your partner(s).
• Ump big! Sell every call.
• Do not become a dictator in blue. Do not over-umpire.
• RELAX! Let the game come to you. Allow players to make mistakes, and then react to them.
• Above all – USE YOUR HEAD AND EXPERIENCE. You will be surprised how smooth your games will go.

AND let’s not forget the parents – As a parent of a tournament player, you really need to show your children what being a “good sport” is all about. You should cheer for all children, even those on the other team. Remember to thank the officials. Try to stay away from the blame game. As parents, it doesn’t take much for us to lose control and start screaming on the sidelines, yelling at the officials and displaying poor sportsmanship. Showing our children that we can interact in a positive manner with the other team and with the umpires sets a good example.

Tournament play is very exciting and fun for the players, coaches and parents. Tournament play is also very demanding. It will undoubtedly be hot while we ask each player to dig down deep to go that extra distance. All coaches and parents should be alert to signs of unusual fatigue or heat illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke) that might indicate a player has reached his/her limits.

Usually, kids are very resilient; however, you should always be prepared. Surprising as it may seem, the most important part of an athlete’s diet isn’t always what they eat; it is what and how much they drink. Remember to bring water (sports drinks, too, as they replace electrolytes) for your child. A spray bottle with or without a fan is a great way to cool the face and neck. Hydration before, during and after a game is vital to make sure your child has enough fluids. (Players should never be given salt tablets as they don’t help performance; they contribute to dehydration by causing extra water to enter the stomach which draws it away from other body tissues; they increase the risk of heat illness, and they irritate the stomach lining and can cause nausea.)

Tournament play may sound like a real ordeal; however, it will be one of the most enjoyable and memorable times of your and your child’s life. Follow the above tips and have fun!

On another note, since this is a very busy time of the year for all of us, this will be my last message until the start of World Series competition.

Until then… I want to thank each of you for your cooperative efforts in helping make 2006 another great baseball and softball experience for our kids!!