Happy Thanksgiving

Greetings, all. Well, even we here in the Mustang Nation must admit that it's football season now. Still, the preparation for 2011 will be ongoing over the break. Players will be hearing from team captains soon. I am excited to see how it will all come together when we hit the field in January.

In the meantime, though, I think it's great to pause and give thanks to God for the incredible blessings we all enjoy. I love Thanksgiving, which is a distinctively Christian and American holiday.

It's funny how we are wired, that is, expressing gratitude seems to always give us more for which to be grateful. Similarly, in losing ourselves we find our place in life. Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."

I am really thankful for the Mustang Nation and the special players (young and younger) that wear the red and black. I am thankful for the new players and families that are joining us this season. This is how we continue to grow and get better.

I am thankful for the opportunity to play a lot of quality opponents, and I am really grateful for our friends outside the program who have allowed us to play as good a schedule as any homeschool program.

I am thankful we get to play on some of the best fields in Houston ... and in Texas. Heck, I am even thankful for Barton.

But seriously, just the opportunity to do this and experience the great ride that we will go on together brings me great joy. Each of you players, parents, and coaches is a part of this. So, thank you.

Be thankful for everything ... for the opportunity to play baseball ... to live in America ... to have dreams ... to have all you need ... to have families that love you. Players, thank your parents.

And remember ... it will be baseball season soon. There's another reason to be thankful.

See you on the field in January.

Great Fall in the books ...

It's hard to imagine, but a great fall has come and gone ... wow. Things seem to pick up speed as we get older, I tell you.

But we had a blast wrapping up our Fall Training with a first-ever "All Mustangs Scrimmage." You just never know around here. And we also had a great camp put on by former pro players Kevin Castleberry and Chris Burton ... along with current Minnesota Twin Danny Lehmann.

I learned some great new stuff, and I saw players learning, too.

I've had some great discussions with a number of our players and parents about the nuances of hitting mechanics, instruction and the like, after our camp. For sure, there is a certain degree of "art" (as opposed to science) in teaching this game. Of course, there is "science," too, if you will. But there are shades of gray.

Later on, we'll discuss some of these, and why we teach certain things the way we do.

But for our players, here is an important mindset to take with you whereever you go (in and out of baseball): The learning never stops. You can learn something from every one. Work hard to find what works and then work some more. None of us has a lock on all knowledge in any field; accordingly, it behooves us to stay hungry and stay humble. Most high achievers in any field are continuing to grow; they are transforming from students of others into students of themselves as they mature and grow.

It's "more than baseball," you might say.

So, stay hungry and humble. Such an attitude will serve you well on your mission in life.

Tryouts are Sat., 11/13 at 9 a.m. (Spring-Klein Rothwood). Directions are on our website.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Courage's Cousin: Adversity

Courage's cousin ... that is adversity. Adversity brings forth an opportunity to display courage. Will you? I believe you ... and we ... can.

I learned a long time ago that adversity is akin to a fire. When it comes, it burns away all that is perishable, and you are left with those things that are truly valuable -- namely, your character.

Put another way, rather than making us adversity reveals who we really are. So ... are you experiencing a little adversity on the way to a particular goal? Injury? Illness? Something even worse? Has some one changed their plans to where you are no longer a part of them, or at least the way you thought you were? Have you discovered that fallible people will let you down ... and maybe, just maybe an umpire will blow a call? I just, but you get the point.

That's life, and life is often unfair. But God is just, and He has a plan. I take comfort and draw strength from this truth when I encounter rough waters. I know God is working out his plan in me.

And He also has His hand on the Mustangs. I am excited to see what He is going to do.

Remember ... everything you may experience today, whether on the field or off, He has undergone in some form or fashion ... and in truth, He has gone through far worse ... and for you. He loves you more than words can say. And He believes in you.

So, get up. Dust off.

Let's roll.

See you on the field,

On Courage ...

From Coach Aaron Weintraub, who gets and teaches mental game concepts as well as any one:

"You display amazing courage in many circumstances. Let us not downplay it's importance, though, in everything we do. Courage is the strength of will to do what is difficult. When courage and motivation are combined, mountains will be overcome one step at a time, and then look like molehills in the distance behind you. Without courage, even a molehill is insurmountable. With courage, an ingrown toenail is irrelevant during a performance. Without courage, the injured athlete loses intensity, focus, and balance. Without courage, adversity is bad and represents the end of the road. With courage, adversity is actually sought out because mistakes are viewed as critical components for growth and happiness. With the courage to admit mistakes, weaknesses become strengths. Without it, weaknesses continue unabated or even grow until they blow up in your face. With courage, we can create new habits and make excellence second nature. Without it, we can make excuses. Without courage, the fear of failure can debilitate. With it, fear helps us push our own limits and reach new heights of personal or human achievement. This is because courage reveals fear and pressure for what they really are: the shadows of great opportunities.

This is why Winston Churchill said, 'Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning.' If motivation and courage are sufficient, you will find a way!"

Take a deep breath: R-E-S-T

I'd like you players to get the R-E-S-T formula, as we have discussed, and get it into your bones -- your DNA, if you will. Let's more than memorize it. Let's play it on each play.

Here goes:

R (Defense) =

Realize the situation. Where are the runners? Where is the play? How many outs? What is the count? The hitter? Is it a bunt or a steal situation? The score? What are you going to do when the ball is hit to you? Get that news ticker in your brain going and check it.

Repeat yourself ... which is another way of saying: Communicate! Talk to each other about the situation, changes in coverage, your intentions, important reminders that you see on the field ... and, oh yes, CALL for balls in the air and let fielders know when you are taking charge of a play, i.e., an unassisted double-play.

Routine plays. Make them. Do this and we'll be fine. Play good defense. Our defense needs to be good rather than perfect. Web gems are great for ESPN but not required.

Remind yourself of the situation again. Check the ticker one more time. A good defensive player and team has the mind working always. We can rest after the game.

E (Hitting) =

Expect your pitch and hit it where it wants to go. Know exactly what you are looking for and expect to see it, a la Al Oliver in "The Mental Game of Baseball." If you think our approach is passive, you have yet to understand it. We are aggressively hunting for the pitch we want to hit and then hitting that pitch hard where it tells us it is meant to be hit hard. Do you think an ambush is passive? We are planning an ambush at the plate, and it builds throughout the game.

Every one has a two-strike approach, which is both a mental and mechanical adjustment. That is, our hitting zone with two strikes becomes the strike zone + 2-3 inches. We also make a mechanical adjustment -- every one of us -- to enable ourselves to be quicker and be able to cover the whole plate.

Eyes -- Always remember to use your eyes -- broad to fine focus. This is a slump buster and the most important element of hitting.

Expand your approach if/when the pitcher has shown that he is able to deny or alter our ability to find our pitch. Make an adjustment -- it could be physical or mental -- to get to your pitch and remain the aggressor on offense.

Remember: Our goal at the plate is to have a Quality AB (6 or more pitches, a hard hit ball, and/or get on base) each time. Following our approach helps us get there.

S (Baserunning) =

Situation -- Know it. How many outs? What is the count? Where is the force? What am I going to do when the ball is hit? Consider the options.

Sign -- Get it. No conversation with the 1B. Get it quick before the opposition zeroes in on the coach.

Stretch your lead. Rather than simply happening, leads are worked for. Getting an extra step could be the difference in a stolen base vs. and out or a run. Work on the field. Always.

Say it again. Keep the ticker going. Develop a habit of self-talk re: the situation and what is happening in the game. Use positive self-talk to coach yourself as to what you are going to do before it happens. A prepared runner is an effective runner.

T (Pitching) =

Three-pitch approach. Our goal is by the third pitch to achieve the following: We want the runner ON, OUT, or the count at 1-2. We do this because we want to throw strike one, make the hitter hit our pitch and then get hitters into pitchers' counts. We also want to manage our own pitch counts and keep the number of pitches seen by the opposition as low as we can under the circumstances. The odds are in the pitchers' favor, so we use these odds. At two strikes, we either throw a pitch to get the hitter out or we are setting up a pitch to get him out on the next pitch. Remember ... and think ... tournaments. Here, we are seeking to have our opposition do the opposite on offense as we are doing (see "Expect" above).

Tempo -- We keep the game moving, pitching at a reasonable pace (albeit our own) so that our fielders stay ready and engaged. "Human rain delays" are hard on defenses. Also, when runners are on base, we keep our minds on the hitter but we get to the plate quickly and also vary our tempo to give our catcher a better chance on steal attempts.

Target -- As with the hitter and his eyes, the pitcher must remember to use his eyes to locate the target and remember to throw at it. Sounds simple, but if you are struggling throwing strikes (as with hitting), go back to using your eyes and focus. You'll be amazed at the results.

Task-at-hand -- A lot happens on the baseball field that is outside a pitcher's control. All a pitcher can do is focus on the task-at-hand, that is, throwing the next good pitch. Our pitches need not be perfect; good will do. Once the pitch is released, the pitcher has done his job. Now, it's on to the next pitch. Rather than umpires, fielding miscues, the on-deck hitter, or coming out of the game, the pitcher must stay on task. As he does so, then the results get easier to attain.

Remember ... As pitchers, our goal corresponds to our goal as hitters. That is, our goal is to prevent the hitter from getting a Quality AB. Following our approach helps us attain our goal.

So, there you have it ... R-E-S-T. Got it? Now you can relax.

See you on the field,

It's Labor Day, which means ... it's Baseball Season!!

Greetings, all.

I am super excited to get going on 9/7 ... 5:30 @ Barton ... as we kick off Fall Training and begin preparations for the 2011 season in earnest.

You'll see some old and some new. You'll see some changes, some new drills, some familiar concepts, and some new ones, too. That's what growth is all about -- taking what works and employing it again, tweaking and improving always, and implementing new ideas to get to the next level.

That is what we've been doing around here for some time, and now we are poised to have our best year ever. We are going to have three good teams, with a solid foundation in place to sustain a level of excellence on the field in the coming seasons.

So, I am pumped. But actually, I am always pumped to work with and, really, just be with the Mustangs. There is no other baseball program like it in the world.

So, enjoy each day. And be ready. It's still hot outside, but ... fall is upon us. And that means it's baseball season. And that means it's time for the Mustang Nation to shine once again.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

"Remember the Ice" by Bob Nicoll

Just finished a great little book -- "Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts" by Bob Nicoll.

In a lot of ways, the book reminds me of "The Mental Game of Baseball", in that "Remember the Ice" is really the mental game of communicating.

Learning to communicate better can improve your life and the lives of every one you with whom you come in contact. It's that important. So, what will you do about it? I highly recommend this book as a great place to start. Open your mind to some new and powerful ideas about how to communicate more effectively.

What follows are some excerpts and takeaways -- some are paraphrased and direct quotes from the book are noted -- that I hope will give you a taste of the power of saying what you mean clearly:

If you want to remember something, tell your self to "remember." Sounds simple, right? It is, and it works.

Here are the seven "knotty" words that tie up speech and are to be avoided: Not, Don't, Won't, Wouldn't, Can't, Couldn't, and Shouldn't.

Note: People fail to hear "not, " so when you say it, you are in actuality communicating the opposite of what you intend.

"'Will' and 'would' are empowering words."

"Positive reinforcement is a much more productive and powerful way to inspire some one to achieve."

When you describe a situation as something "we" are facing, "you put yourself in the bullpen with them."

"When some one who is trying to be helpful says, 'I couldn't find it,' and you find it irritates you, it's because it sounds like they were saying, 'I could have found it (if I tried).'"

"'Should' traps people in bitterness and disappointment. ... It has little to do with intention; it has everything to do with projecting your judgment onto some one else." My comment: Wow. Ouch. We in the Christian community "should" a lot, I think.

"'Fail to' is a good temporary fix-it, as is 'unable to.' ... Later, 'I fail to understand (instead of 'I don't understand') will evolve into 'Could you please explain that another way?'"

"Your word choice has the power to persuade some one to your point of view."

"Dump the word 'should' from your vocabulary, your dictionary, your thoughts, and your feelings."

Try this instead (of "should"): "I would like things to be different."

"Everything in your life is exactly as it should be because it is."

"If you want to change behavior, drop the 'shoulds' and try again."

"There are many ways to play the 'should' game without saying the word 'should' ... i.e., "if you really wanted to do X, you would do (what I want you to)."

Beware of absolutes such as "never," "always," and and "every."

"Using 'never' wipes out the times when he has [gotten the job done]."

"Be especially alert around verbally negative people."

"There is power in every word you say to yourself. Use that power for good instead of evil."

"As you physically move toward what you want, you actually foster a pattern of attracting more of what you want in your life."

Respectful elegance in your speech ... "Start with 'please,' and 'thank you,' and 'excuse me' and the other polite phrases that demonstrate respect."

Try saying 'thank you' instead of just 'thanks.' My comment: This is a profound little change. Try it and be blessed with the results.

"Be mindful of your tone of voice."

"It is extremely important that you stop, think, and choose the best possible words that describe how you feel."

Being clear and specific demonstrates respect.

Our physiology communicates, as well. If our body language communicates something different then our words, problems ensue.

"As human beings, we dislike these false displays of emotion. It only takes one encounter with a person playing this game to embed a deep mistrust of their character in both our conscious and subconscious opinions of them."

"Faking it will get you nowhere."

Check out this gem: "There is power in the congruency of your articulation. When your beliefs, values, thoughts, physiology and words all support the same message, it is the most empowering way to communicate. It is so empowering that it is actually contagious. You can influence and even change the beliefs, values, thoughts, physiology and words of the people with whom you are speaking. Throw in anticipating good things, and you can move mountains."

Your own smile lightens the mood. Raising your line of sight and posture make you more positive.

"The simple act of controlling your breathing holds tremendous power."

"If you dedicate yourself to improving your conversation skills, the rewards will be enormous. You will find that as your ability to hear, thoughtfully interpret and appreciate what is being said increases, your ability to be truly heard will also increase."

"If you understand that [your] request comes with an equal opportunity for a 'yes' or 'no,' then you are fine."

"Say what you mean, and mean what you say, and above all, employ respectful elegance when you say it."

"You choose whether you will dread Monday morning, or whether you will look forward to waking up to a fresh week full of energy and purpose."

"Have you noticed that good things seem to happen to people who look for good things in everything that happens?"

"Word choice will only be effective if it is congruent with your beliefs and values."

"Circles have no sides, and neither do facts."

Label something a situation rather than a problem. Situations can seemingly be approached from more angles.

"Since it is a privilege to be here (on this earth), it just makes sense that you have a responsibility to be a contributor, and these are the only seconds you get to do so. What kind of mark do you intend to make here? How are people going to remember you?"

Good stuff, huh? It's more than baseball. Think about how you talk to your teammates, coaches, friends, parents, family, and yes, even umpires. Even umpires.

Check out Bob, send him an email ... or better yet ... order his book at www.remembertheice.com.

See you on the field,

When is it time to steal?

Well, let's make it simple ... it depends ... or, it's when you get the sign.

So, what am I thinking? I'll tell you. A lot of it is hunch. Hunches are knowledge in raw form, and a lot of mine are formed after watching and studying you players and our opponents intently.

First of all, we are assuming that we have a runner on base that is stretching his lead, is engaged and working to get a good jump, and has enough speed to steal the base.

But what specifically am I looking at and for? First, I am looking at the catcher. What does his throw down look like? Is he quick? Is he accurate? I am always looking at the opposing catcher throwing down between innings. And I encourage you to do the same. And you catchers ... I encourage you to mean business on your throwdowns, both to build good habits and send a message. No time for playing, tempting or decoying. I want the opposition to be counting the cost. The opposing coaching staff is watching.

Also, I am looking to see what the pitcher's move looks like. Is he quick to to the bag? How quick is he to the plate? Is he predictable in his move pattern, looks, etc., and/or his pitch pattern?

What is the count? Usually, the first pitch can be risky, unless we have seen the pitcher for a number of hitters. We are looking for a good running count, and what is that? This always used to perplex me, because it's one of those things that baseball people talk about but don't explain. Plus, it's different in MLB than high school. So, what is a good count to run? In high school baseball?

I think a good count to run is one in which -- in our judgment -- the pitcher is going to give us a pitch that gives us a reasonable opportunity to take the bag. Does that help? Let me explain further.

One thing I am looking for is a count when the pitcher is likely to throw a breaking ball. A lot of high school pitchers have predictable patterns in this regard, so you know the drill. Sometimes, a pitcher will make a move (or two) to the bag before throwing a curve to hold the runner close.

We also are looking for a count where it's unlikely the opposition may pitch out, although the pitchout is used infrequently in high school baseball.

A couple of counts that can work to steal second ... 3-1 and 3-2. In either case, if the pitcher misses we are there, any way. Also, both are hitters counts so a good pitch is likely to be swung at, as well, and create another visual obstruction for the catcher.

Yes, there are a number of factors. And yet, there's more.

What about the situation? Are we stealing second or third? How many outs are there? What's the score? Where are we in our lineup? Is our hitter a lefty (makes it easier for us to steal 2B) or a righty (makes it easier for us to take 3B)? Is the pitcher struggling, i.e., is he likely to walk our hitter and get us to the next base for free?

Let's break down a few of these variables ... who is up for us? Are we at the bottom of our order? All things being equal, we want to start innings with an ideal situation, i.e., our leadoff hitter starting the inning as compared to #8 or #9.

Also, consider ... is the hitter at the plate ... and maybe the one on deck likely to knock in the runner from where he is now? Do we need to move up? And ... here's another one ... is the catcher a weak receiver and/or the pitcher wild such that he might give us the opportunity to move without risking a stolen base?

On the other hand, getting to a position where we can score on one of those passed balls/wild pitches can be big, too.

Wow, can you tell there is a lot to be thinking about and absorbing? That's why we are paying attention when we are in the dugout. On deck. On base. Everywhere.

Moving to second when we can is almost always advisable. Why? Well, a single is going to score most runners from second. If we have two outs in the inning and we are in a good spot in the order to begin the next inning with the hitter on deck ... and our runner on first has some speed ... it's an opportunity to take second. Consider, too, that taking second removes both the double play and the easier force play in the middle of the diamond on a ground ball. It forces the defense to go all the way across the diamond to first for the out.

But what if it's a lefty on the mound? What if we can't get a good jump? What if the catcher is excellent? Well, we factor in all of that, too.

Third base presents a different set of circumstances. As a general rule, we want to avoid making either the first out (slowing a rally) or last out (ending a rally) at either third or home.

But this is a general, not an absolute, rule. Also, we generally want to steal third with a right-hand hitter at the plate, rather than a lefty. Why? The lefty affords the catcher a clear view of third base.

Pitchers will forget that runner at 2B and create an opportunity for us. Be ready.

Then again, if the pitcher is allowing the runner to get a huge lead off of second, then ... that's another factor.

Getting to third base in high school baseball is more valuable than getting to 3B in MLB or college ball. Why? Defensive lapses (opportunities for us) are more common, and a tag play at the plate can be challenging for a high school defense. Also, passed balls and wild pitches -- great scoring opportunities for us -- are much more common, as well.

Keep your head on straight ... Situation, Sign, Stretch (your lead), Say it again ... keep that ticker going ... as well as the parade around the bases.

And if you ever get the green light ... keep it to yourself. You know what I mean.

See you on the field.

Training Like We Play

Just like practice. Ah, you remember that. Just like practice ... one pitch at a time ... have fun. We'll say and do that again ... and soon.

Regarding this concept, I was thinking about how we may be doing tee work. What do I mean? Well, if you are working on hitting a pitch in an "unsweet" spot ... say, you like it up-and-in, but the low-and-away pitch is tough for you ... then what should your swing look like on that l0w-and-away pitch?

What do I mean? Well, let me ask this: What is your pitch? If it's not low-and-away (few hitters are looking for this pitch, although some are), then you will probably only be swinging at this pitch when the count gets to two strikes.

So, what should your swing look like? It will be your two-strike approach and swing. So, you are working on making your adjustment and hitting this pitch hard where it wants to go.

In other words, you are training like you'll swing the bat in a game.

So, when you have two strikes and we are in a game, you be just fine.

Just like practice.

Coach Traub: What is Discipline?

"It's hustle and sweat and fighting through pain. It's eliminating excuses. It's attention to details. It's consistency. It's hard work without having to be asked. It's more... I am afraid that too many teenagers lack a clear concept of what discipline really is. I was well past my teen years when I discovered Dr. M. Scott Peck's book, The Road Less Traveled. In it, Dr. Peck suggests that discipline is scheduling painful things now to enhance pleasure later. It is accepting responsibility for the results I am getting, and dedicating myself to reality so that I can figure out what's working and what isn't. This requires stringent self-examination, a willingness to be challenged, and relentless honesty. Then, choosing one course of action over another requires flexibility, good judgment, and courage. With discipline, I will work hard and smart. 'Life is difficult' claims Dr. Peck, but with discipline, he believes we can 'transcend the difficulty of life.'

"Red and Me" by Bill Russell

I recently finished "Red and Me" by Bill Russell; the book chronicles Russell's friendship with the longtime coach with the Boston Celtics, Red Auerbach. It was a Father's Day present from my wife. Principally due to the rough language, I can't endorse the book or recommend it to you players. However, there was some interesting thoughts from the book that provides insight into the best coach-player tandem in professional team sports history.

I found some great insights as a coach. For one thing, Auerbach was really ahead of his time, in a lot of ways ... for instance, in embracing the role of black players in the NBA. He also was a basketball "Moneyball" guy, in that he was most concerned with production rather than aesthetics and/or conventional wisdom.

Here are some of most noteworthy quotes:

"A man has to draw a line inside himself that he won't allow any man to cross."

"He (Auerbach) was willing to buck current conventional wisdom to suit his own vision of how to win. Also, he trusted and respected the advice of his friends and had enormous confidence in his own instincts."

"He (Auerbach) was a mathematician of the highest order. He understood the efficacy of equations, especially in terms of problem-solving."

"My ambition as your friend is that my friendship has a positive influence on your quality of life. If I am able to accomplish this, it will enhance my quality of life."

"It is far more important to understand than be understood."

"We recognized that disagreements were not obstacles to our mutual respect, but rather stepping-stones to understanding."

"Let the first thing out of your mouth be your second thought. It will greatly reduce the number of apologies you have to make ... "

Red didn't care what other people thought of him. "All he did was stay true to himself and try to do good work."

His methods were "always geared to the team over any one player."

"Good friends must be confident in their own skin."

"In a true friendship, nothing about your principles is up for debate."

"My attitude, in difficult situations, is to keep moving forward positively."

Funny, but I wasn't crazy about reading a basketball book. But I found it to be "more than basketball", if you will.

See you on the field,

From Coach Aaron Weintraub: Humility Breeds Consistency

Here's another look from Coach Traub at a key ingredient to have the consistent performance that we all want:

"I look for role models. I've met or studied many high achievers who appear to have earned the right to be satisfied with what they already know. However, the highest achievers are consistently the people who are the most eager to learn more. For example, Michael Johnson didn't stop improving when he became a World Champion sprinter. It was his continuous drive to be the best he could be that allowed him to set World Records and stay on top for his entire professional career (all 19 of his medals in the Goodwill Games, World Championships, or Olympics are Gold Medals). It's an interesting fact of life that the people who need the most humility usually have the least, while the people who seem to need it the least usually have the most.

Life really is, as author of Peter Pan Sir James Matthew Barrie says, a "long lesson in humility." I've been learning... Experience teaches that when I am performing great and I get over-confident, something will happen very soon to cause me to lose my "flow." If I am not open to criticism, someone else will surely learn what I missed and pass me on the way up the ladder. If I am not respectful of others, I will forfeit my chance at the teamwork it takes to approach my own potential. Even in individual sports, I am much more powerful with the support of others. If I am not intense in my approach because I start believing this won't be that difficult, I will not give a best effort performance. If I lose my sense of urgency because I don't think the opponent is capable of humbling me, I sometimes get lucky - or I often pay a hefty price and lose when I easily could've (most would say "should've") won. Why take that chance?

Does the importance of humility defy the importance of confidence or interfere with aggressiveness? Not at all. Great athletes are confident, aggressive, and humble. They respect that giving a best effort performance is always difficult. Life and performance are balancing acts, but champions don't fall over because they maintain a hunger to learn and an eagerness to work. It is their preparation that allows them to consistently perform at a high level. Performance will always have ups and downs because people, by definition, are imperfect. However, with a disciplined, humble approach, great athletes achieve superior consistency because their dips in performance are shallow declines, not deep "slumps" while their peak performances occur more frequently and last longer. Their humility breeds their consistency!"

Put another way ... Selflessness breeds consistency. Humility is closely related to losing one's self in a cause greater than one person. Think about it.

To be the player you want to be ... to have the team you want to have ... be THAT guy.

Stay humble. Stay hungry. Make it about a mission larger than simply yourself.

And then watch where God takes you.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

ESPN.com on Trevor Bauer

"Bauer performs a long toss in the outfield shortly before his starts, can be seen stretching with a javelin-like device in the bullpen ... "

Yes, that "javelin-like" device is the shoulder tube that we use. Trevor Bauer, the NCAA strikeout leader, is now in the CWS final series vs. South Carolina. What do both Bauer and the Carolina teams have in common? Both have been influence by Ron Wolforth and the Texas Baseball Ranch.

The entire SEC has bought into training explosiveness and its member teams are employing Coach Wolforth's methods in one form or another. As for Bauer, he has trained at the ranch for years, yes, coming all the way to Magnolia, Texas from California.

We've been doing our share here, as well ... in our stretching, training, bullpens, ladders, sprinting instead of long-distance running, long-toss, developing athleticism, etc., etc.

So ... maybe we are primed for a World Series run of our own ...

The full blog entry from ESPN.com is here.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

John Wooden is still teaching

I just finished a great little book -- Wooden, A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court by the late John Wooden with Steve Jamison. I think Coach Wooden was the greatest coach of all time, in any sport, and this book reinforced that opinion.

Coach Wooden was, in many ways, way ahead of his time. He was talking and teaching the mental game before modern sports psychologists knew what the mental game was. It's funny, because a lot of the foundation of his unparalleled coaching success is rooted in old-fashioned American values and wisdom. I was struck by both how profound and simple he was.

The following are excerpts of some of my favorite quotes from this book, which I highly recommend that you check out:

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are. Reputation is what people say you are."

"Early on, I came to believe you should learn as if you were going to live forever, and live as if you were going to die tomorrow."

"Seek individual opportunities to offer a genuine compliment."

Regarding the desire to win, the correct question is: "Did I give my best effort?"

Regarding those who don't perform well under pressure, "They're thinking about living up to the expectations of everybody else instead of just doing the best they can."

"Mix idealism with realism and add hard work. This will often bring much more than you could ever hope for."

"The team is the star, never an individual player."

"We're all underachievers to different degrees."

"Understand that the harder you work, the more luck you will have."

On playing aggressively and to win, "The team that makes the most mistakes will probably win."

"I valued a player who cared for others and could lose himself in the group for the good of the group."

"I think neatness and courtesy make you feel good about yourself. I think individuals who feel good about themselves are more productive."

"Promise yourself to let your friends know that there is something special in them and that you value."

"Success is the peace of mind that comes from the knowledge that you did the best of which you are capable."

"You respect every one. You simply make the strongest effort to prepare to the fullest extent of your abilities. The result will take care of itself, and you should be willing to accept it."

"In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail." -- Wilfred A. Peterson

"I consider it (coaching) a sacred trust."

"I believe when an individual constantly works under pressure, he or she will respond automatically when faced with it during competition."

"Develop a love for details. They usually accompany success."

"If you get caught up in things over which you have no control, it will adversely affect the things over which you have control."

"You're just as good as any one, but you're no better than anybody."

"Industriousness and enthusiasm are the cornerstones of the pyramid of success."

"Enthusiasm ignites plain old work and transforms it into industriousness."

"In the many years before we won a championship I overcame the disappointment by not living in the past. To do better in the future, you have to work on the 'right now.' Dwelling in the past prevents you from doing something in the present. Complaining, whining, and making excuses just keeps you out of the present."

"You can't have poise and confidence unless you've prepared correctly."

"What is competitive greatness? It's being at your best when your best is needed. It's enjoying the challenge when things become difficult, even very difficult."

"It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it."

"Earn the right to be proud and confident."

"Don't permit the fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all."

"We are many, but are we much?"

"Make each day your masterpiece."

See why so many revered Coach Wooden? He will be missed, but his wisdom lives on ... and continues to make an impact.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

THAT Guy

Here is the excerpt* I read to our team before our last summer ball games:

"On some teams there is a guy who leads. A guy who makes everybody better.

A guy that can bring everybody up.

There are MANY different ways to be THAT guy and it doesn't always involve having to be a "rah rah" guy.

But what it DOES require is being able to rise above yourself and your needs as a single player.

If you are STUCK on you ... you can't be THAT guy.

You must play and respond bigger than just a highly talented, gifted, self-absorbed prima donna.

Barry Bonds is not THAT guy. Jason Varitek is THAT guy.

Alex Rodriguez is not THAT guy. Derrick Jeter is THAT guy.

After a teammate's mistake ... THAT guy ... finds a way to pull him back in and help get his mind right.

After a personal mistake... THAT guy accepts full responsibility ... and says ... THIS WAS MINE ... NO ONE ELSES ... I'm OK ... I'll battle through this ... Right now I need your help ... Let's rally the troops, circle the wagons, blow the bugle ... and all pull on the same rope, the same way ... at the same time ... I'll start ... follow me.

THAT guy ... is constantly celebrating things he wants to see more of.

It doesn't have to be a big celebration ... it could be nothing more than a nod ... a wink ...

THAT guy ... is constantly reminding his teammates of their unique gifts, skills or abilities and that the time is NOW to execute them ... especially if things are heading south.

THAT guy is the first to recognize or notice the small contributions or sacrifices made by others ... and shows his appreciation for such.

When THAT guy is given credit ... he offers a sincere THANK you for the compliment and then proceeds to credit all those around him that lead to the accomplishment.

THAT guy doesn't throw others under the bus ... instead he pulls people out from under the bus.

THAT guy is infectious in his optimism and his belief about himself and the others around him.

THAT guy plays the part of the older, wiser brother.

THAT guy respects the game.

THAT guy plays the game with joy.

My advice to you ... learn to be THAT guy.

It will change your life."

Be THAT guy -- today.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

*Special thanks to my friend and mentor Ron Wolforth for sending this along

Any one like to honor their teammates?

Then get to work ...

See you on the field @ Cooper vs. the Houston Power on 6/7.

The Centex Miracle: Character Rewarded

Have you ever needed to see something, but you didn't know it until you saw it? And then the joy of the experience just enveloped you? I have.

Let me tell you about the "Centex Miracle".

First we'll talk about the game, and then I'll tell you about what the Mustangs and I talked about before this game started to get the full picture.

In the first round of Gold Division play, we faced the Central Texas Chargers. We were in the Gold Division as a result of our disappointing loss to HCYA, 12-2. We did not play well, and the Eagles whipped us. We knew we could win, but we didn't. The disappointment hung in the air.

We took the field against a team that was pretty good. The Chargers had narrowly lost to the Raleigh Warriors, 4-2, in their qualification game. Their lineup contained three regular players from the West Houston Thunder (added to enable to the Chargers to compete in Florida). These were good players, and they also provided valuable scouting intel to Centex. So, we had our work cut out for us, probably more than our players realized.

We started off the game strong, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Then, the wheels began to fall off in a difficult second inning. After a combination of strange plays and mistakes, the Chargers capitalized, going ahead, 4-2. A great catch in left by Gomer kept the damage from being much worse.

The stands were pretty quiet during the middle of the game. I heard my wife cheering consistently, but I could tell our fans were down. I understood. I was disappointed, too. A day that had started with so much promise and excitement was going inexplicably badly. Our players looked lifeless. The Chargers' pitcher continued to pitch well and keep the ball down. Having established the strike zone, he got calls, too. Our fate looked bleak.

It got worse as the Chargers tacked on several more runs late. Reagan came in and stopped the bleeding in the top of the 6th. The inning ended on a double-play, with a Charger being called out for interference. We needed all the help we could get. We were down, 8-2.

We came to bat in the bottom of the 6th. I don't remember what I said in the huddle, but I was pretty much at a loss for words at this point. I went out to third base and looked at my phone for the time. We had about 14 minutes left in the 2:10 time limit.

Our first two batters went quickly, so I thought I would not have to deal with the difficult decision of asking a player to take a quick out/strikeout to run the clock out and start over in the 7th.

But then, funny things started to happen.

Krush came up and hit a grounder to SS. It looked like he was going to be out, but the SS bobbled the ball. Krush was hustling to first and he beat the throw. We were under 10 minutes, but I was still a ways off from having to decide which way to go. Then, Foxy had a great AB and walked.

Centex started to stall. I was, let's say, mildly upset. They made a couple of trips to the mound, etc., etc. Passed ball and runners were now on second and third.

Ian came to the plate, and I looked at my phone. He had missed the first half of the tournament with an academic commitment and was about to get his first World Series AB. We still had time to take an out and get to the next inning. But we had runners on second and third.

Then ... practically fresh off the plane to Florida, Ian lined a single into right-center and it was 8-4. Then, the 9 hole was due up. It was Crumbles. I thought it would probably be wrong to ask him to take three cuts to get to the next inning. Uncertainty and I were well-acquainted at this point.

Then, we had another mound visit, throws to first, etc., etc. I got more agitated. Some one forgot to tell Crumbles to be nervous or whatever, because he then shot a single into right, and we had runners at 1st and 3rd.

The time went under 5 minutes as the top of the lineup rolled back around.

I didn't know what to do but keep us going. I have learned that when it's fuzzy to stand pat. Usually, this is the right way to go. But the truth is that I wasn't sure what to do. But the team seemed to know.

The Mustangs wanted to finish this rally.

We were at about 2-3 minutes left with Reagan at the plate when it happened. I looked up and Crumbles was trying to steal second. Then, a million crazy thoughts went through my head. Was he or Coach Fox trying to get thrown out and get us to the 7th? But wait ... that would have been my call. Turns out we had a miscommunication and, let's just say, I was scratching where Crumbles was itching. He thought he had a steal sign. So he ran for his life ... and made it.

Now we had runners on 2nd and 3rd. Reagan had a great AB, and drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch.

Ben was on deck. The Chargers changed pitchers. At some point during all of this, the time expired. So, this was going to be it after all. I guess the right call was to press ahead with the inning, after all, or at least, we would find out.

As Sauce, Ben and I watched the new pitcher warming up, we looked on the next field over. HCYA, who had dealt us our disappointing loss earlier that day, had just defeated Raleigh to advance in the Platinum Bracket. "Wow, HCYA won," I said. Sauce looked at me and said, "We are about to win, too." Ben smiled.

Indeed, Ben went to the plate and absolutely crushed the first pitch thrown to him. It was a liner down the left-line, and it rattled around in the corner some 325 feet away. With Reagan on 1st, I knew we had three runs. Ben ended up on 2nd with a bases-clearing double, and the score was 8-7. The fans were making some serious noise, I do recall.

Sauce then came up and then drew his second intentional walk of the tournament. The Chargers elected to pitch to Matt. But Matt was up to the challenge. He was exceptionally patient in taking off-speed pitches off the plate and drew a walk on 3-1. Gomer went in to run for Matt at first.

With Matt's walk, the tying run was on third and the winning run was on second.

Then Zig came to the plate, and I remember thinking ... "Even if we don't do it here, it's been a great rally. I am really proud of them for continuing to battle. But wow, wouldn't it be something if ... " I almost dared not think it.

Zig was looking for his first hit on the night. The first two pitches were off-speed and apparently off the outside corner, but they were called strikes. The next pitch was in the dirt, and Zig laid off ... the fans were amped.

I saw the Centex catcher calling for the ball up, apparently to change Zig's eye level after three low pitches. The pitch did come in up, and in, but not very ... Zig hit a chopper toward the middle with incredible topspin. Each time the ball hit the ground it increased in speed and bounced seemingly higher. The shortstop got close but didn't have a chance to stop it. Once the ball bounced into center, it was clear Sauce would score from second.

And he did ... Mustangs 9, Chargers 8. Ball game.

As Michael slid home, a wild celebration ensued. I made merry myself, moreso than any time before. The wild, emotional ride of the day made it fun, but what had happened before the game is what really got to me.

You see, I've been doing this a while. I've seen lots of Mustangs teams with great players and young men who I wanted to see rewarded for their efforts on the field with a great result. But life doesn't always work out that way.

This night it did.

Before the game, we sat by the gate to the field and talked. Actually, I talked. I talked turkey about how I was disappointed at how we had played against HCYA, but it wasn't the end of the world, either. Adversity is not so important, but how we respond to it reveals our character. It bothered me to see players moping around in the dugout about subpar performances rather than picking themselves up and getting after it. I wanted individual concerns to fade away and see us pull together like never before.

Nothing that happened on the field on Saturday was life-or-death. We needed a perspective check. I challenged them to see what they were made of. I told them that I was going to be watching to see who was sticking with it until the end of the next game. I reminded them of the definition of success, which is doing your best with what you have.

Specifically, I told our team, "I know you are disappointed about the last game. I am, too. But we have to move on. I don't care about the result of this game. I really don't. But what I do care about is how you play, and that you keep after it until they tell us this game is over. How you respond and play this next game will tell you a lot about where you are as a man right now."

So, as exciting as the game was, what happened before the game and how the Mustangs responded to adversity and their disappointment with heart and character -- and finished -- is really why I was so pumped afterwards.

It brings tears to my eyes thinking about it, even now. That one is locked into the ol' memory bank, and I will treasure it always.

I am just honored to be their coach.

See you on the field.

Florida Pictorial Recap

Here are some pictures from the last half of our trip to the World Series in Florida.



On Wednesday, some of us went down to Madeira Beach near St. Pete. Texas is out there somewhere.

All-Tournament Mustangs ... Sauce, Reagan, and Ben ... stop for a pic with me on a beautiful Florida afternoon.

The Dallas Angels and the Atlanta Barons played one of the all-time great World Series' games in the Platinum Championship, with the Barons winning, 7-6, in 9 innings.

Mustangs and our fans hung around to pull for our Texas brethren.

On our drive home, Reagan was kind enough to photo his bad toe that he played with during the week.

We took a detour and headed up the west coast of Florida through Crystal River on the way back.

We got on U.S. 98 and went up the Florida coast for miles and miles ...

... and miles and miles ...



We saw some Falcons fans flying back ...

Here we are crossing the bay into Apalachicola.

Coming over the bridge into Apalachicola, we immediately saw signs of life.



We drove down the main drag of beautiful Apalachicola, Florida, the Oyster Capitol of the U.S..



We ate at the Apalachicola Seafood Grill on the square ... THE best fried oysters ever. I hope to be back next year, probably on the way there. Meet me here and maybe I will buy you dinner.



I headed north over Choctawhatchee Bay east of Destin. I was cruisin' and Reagan was snoozin'. See you next year, Florida.

Foxy and Ian do their first gig in FLA ... stick around for the "sick" solo

World Series Recap

Greetings All,

Well, I am back and the sunburn is still fresh. So are the memories of a great week of Mustang baseball.

Here is the recap:

Game one (Pool play) -- In the first game of pool play, the Mustangs defeated/run-ruled the Montgomery, AL Saints, 12-0. The Saints defeated the Mustangs last season in Dallas and advanced to the HWS in Pensacola. This year was quite a different story. It was as impressive a game as we played all season. Bats were electric, as was Zig's arm, and Foxy behind the plate. Zig struck out 11 and went the distance.

Game two (Pool play) -- The Mustangs rallied to defeat the SW Dallas Spartans, 6-5, to win their pool. The game was the morning after the emotional and thrilling start vs. Montgomery. The Spartans scored three to take a 3-0 lead in the first, and Mustangs were left scratching and clawing all day to get back. The Mustangs finally drew even at 5-5 in the bottom of the 6th. In the 7th, Sauce knocked in Foxy as the Mustangs won in walk-off fashion.

Game three (Qualifying game) -- In the qualifying round, the 5th seeded Mustangs faced the 12-seed HCYA Eagles and their ace, Brodie Brown. It was a difficult day for the Mustangs in all phases. For the Eagles, Brodie was outstanding all day and pitched 6-2/3. The Eagles pitched and hit the ball extremely well and made some key defensive plays on their way to the 12-2 victory. The Eagles played extremely well at the HWS and went on to a 4th-place finish in the Platinum Division.

Game four (First Round of Gold Division play) -- On the night after the difficult loss to HCYA, the Mustangs rallied to defeat the Centex Chargers, 9-8, in the last inning. To be more specific, the Mustangs scored 7 runs after two outs in the last (6th) inning to defeat the Chargers in what is now known as the "Centex Miracle". I'll have a separate post coming up on this game, which was a real highlight of our trip and the entire tournament.

Game five (Semifinals of Gold Division play) -- The Mustangs again trailed as their game vs. the Baton Rouge (CHEF), La. Patriots headed into the late stages. The Patriots led the Mustangs, 1-0, as the Mustangs came to bat in the top of the 5th. Truett gave a second strong pitching performance of the week to keep the Mustangs close and set up the rally. And then, the Mustangs then broke the pinata with their bats and scored 17 runs in the top of the 5th to win, 17-1, and advance to the Gold Division Championship.

Game six (Gold Division Championship) -- The Mustangs faced a traditional HWSA power, the Huntsville, AL Falcons, in the championship game. The Falcons had advanced to Pensacola 7 of the previous 10 years under the prior format and had a fine team and pitching staff in Auburndale this year. It was a well-played and great game, with the Falcons prevailing, 5-2 . The Falcons made the game's only error, and the hits were about even. However, the Falcons ace pitched a complete game gem. Once again, the Mustangs mounted a late rally, scoring once in the 6th and having the tying run on deck in the 7th.

Final standings -- The Mustangs went 4-2 in Florida and finished second in the Gold Division, or 10th nationally. They did this without any seniors, as well (of the 23 participating teams in Auburndale, only Baton Rouge had no seniors.) The Mustangs trailed in three of the games they ultimately won. In fact, the Mustangs trailed in the 5th inning or later in all three of their comeback wins.

The Mustang Nation was loud and out in force. Thank you, fans.

Once again, the Mustangs showed tremendous heart and played some of their best baseball in HWSA competition, setting the stage for an exciting 2011.

I am working on it already.

Most significantly, we received some special feedback about our team and program that I look forward to sharing with you all at our party on May 24. We will celebrate this great season right.

I will have some pictures from Florida coming soon, so check back.

Two Outs ... 6 Runs Down in the Last Inning ... No Problem

Florida Recap Coming ...

For those of you super-dedicated Mustang fans and friends, I will have some more complete thoughts on our recently-completed trip to the HWSA World Series soon ... maybe in the morning.

We lost to the Covenant Christian Academy (Huntsville, AL) Falcons today, 5-2. It was a good game against a great program that had been to the HWSA in Pensacola under the old format in 7 out of 10 years. The Falcons' pitcher threw a complete-game gem at us. So, we finished second in the Gold Division, which equates to a 10th place finish nationally.

Our players are disappointed they didn't pull it out today, but they leave here with the satisfaction of taking this program to a place it has never gone before. We now have earned respect on a national scale. I will report back later with more.

We saw and experienced some remarkable things this week. Truly remarkable.

God is good.

Talk to you soon.

MtB Always ...

What a week ...

We head to the Gold Championship Game tomorrow vs. the Covenant Christian Academy Falcons from Huntsville, Alabama. They are a very good team, great people, and we are looking forward to the challenge.

What a ride to get here ... After the disappointing loss to HCYA, we faced the Central Texas Chargers (Plus). They were "plus" because they played us with three West Houston Thunder starters in their lineup. So, we were facing a pretty good team that had a good working knowledge of our team.

A lot of you have heard tale of the "Centex Miracle," where the Mustangs scored 7 runs with two outs in the last inning to beat the Central Texas Chargers. Well, this deserves its own post. We'll come back to it another day. There were a lot of life lessons bundled into and learned from the Centex Miracle.

And by the way, HCYA defeated Raleigh. They are playing well, and will be playing for third place in the Platinum Division tomorrow. The Dallas Angels are in the championship game vs. the Atlanta Barons. Texas teams are acquitting themselves well here.

Tomorrow, we are wrapping up a great week here. We expect to play well, like we have most of this week.

Catch the radio broadcast of our game vs. the Huntsville, AL Falcons at www.hwsa.net. First pitch is at 10:30 AM CST.

Near Perfect Florida Images

Here are some pics from the first part of our trip to the Sunshine State:

This is Stadium Field at the beautiful Myrtle Park Sports Complex in Auburndale. It has been fantastic baseball weather this week under a blue Florida sky.

For the first time in their history, the Mustangs are in the house ... in Florida.

Here are the Mustangs at the Opening Ceremonies. Twenty-three (23) teams from around the country were introduced. Only two teams had no graduating seniors introduced. Only one of those teams is in the qualifying round of 16.

Check out the footwear some of these dudes from Tennessee wore to the Opening Ceremonies. Nice socks, too.

It's still a great state, even though alligators are everywhere.

Hey, we play tomorrow at 2 p.m. EST vs. HCYA. All three Houston-area teams here have made the qualifying round. We are looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Mustangs in Florida ... through Pool Play

For those of you following along at home, you know that we've won our first two pool games and now it's on to the Qualifying Games on Thursday. It's been a blast here so far. We had the hot start against the Montgomery Saints, followed by the battle against the Southwest Dallas Spartans ... where we trailed all game until we finally won it in the bottom of the 7th.

Really, it was just what the doctor ordered for us. We're learning a lot about ourselves, and we are finding we can compete... overcome adversity ... and have success ... under a lot of different scenarios.

The environment here is a lot of fun. I think it's a vision-expanding experience for our team. We've got 23 teams here from Texas to Wisconsin ... from Virginia to Louisiana. Our fans are bringing it and continuing to make a name.

We've got a lot of baseball to play. We're taking it one game at a time ... really one pitch at a time. Our motto for the week is: One pitch at a time ... just like practice ... have fun. And this is what we are doing.

We are off tomorrow, as folks are taking it easy and some are taking in a movie and others heading to the beach for a bit.

We've got two games on Thursday, one Friday and one Saturday.

But for now, the next one we'll be thinking about is our opponent on Thursday.

Opening Day in Florida

Well, we made it. After a 27-game season with twists, turns, trials, tribulations ... and triumphs, too, this youngest Mustangs Varsity ever is here in Auburndale.

Getting here was an adventure, too, with a car breakdowns and sickness along the way. In a strange way, I feel confident this morning that we've got them right where we want them.

I really enjoyed our time together with the parents last night. What a blessing.

Today we have Opening Ceremonies at 10 AM EST. Our first game is vs. the Montgomery, AL Saints at 7:30. The Saints defeated us last year in pool play, and they are a Number One seed. We play the Southwest Dallas Spartans at 10 AM tomorrow. I think we'll be ready.

After last night's thunderstorms, the weather for the rest of the week looks good.

Our team believes they are going to have a good week here. You can see that in them.

I do, too.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Whatever it takes ...

Don't you want this guy on your team?

Embrace the Process ... finishing strong and continuing on

I was talking to one of our parents the other night, and I told her that I am enjoying this season very much. But I also love the off-season. It's fun and rewarding to work toward doing one's part to help make a better better than before, yes, even better than ever. I really love doing this year-round.

As we come down the stretch, I would encourage you players to be working hard each day on your On-Your-Own assignments. You each have a lot of things you can be doing to stay sharp and get even sharper down the stretch. Are you working in a way that inspires and encourages your teammates?

And also, think about fine-tuning your routine on game days. How do you prepare to perform at an optimum level? You probably know this by now. If not, well, pay attention and put in place the pieces of an outstanding routine. If you have questions in this regard, talk to your teammates who consistently perform at a high level. See what they are doing and incorporate what works for you.

Looking into May and the summer, for those of you who want to take your game to the next level, I would highly recommend you look into playing baseball this summer and/or fall. And by that, I mean look into playing beyond our games in the Cooper League. The Cooper League is great, but I would highly recommend you look into playing more this summer and fall, and also you should look to play with quality players and against quality opponents.

Of course, each of us have things to work on and improve upon in the off-season. But playing in the offseason gives you a practical opportunity (especially against quality opposition) to measure where you are and get better.

In this regard, I am reminded of a story about the great Tom Seaver when he was warming up for Red and was about the Mets ... his old team. A teammate walked by the bullpen and told Seaver that his fastball "looked good". Seaver kept working. Then he looked at his teammate, motioned over to the Mets dugout, and said, "They'll tell me if my fastball is good."

See you on the field,

Lots to look forward to ... Lots to play for

Here's what's coming down the stretch ...

4/15 (Thurs) Varsity vs. Cooper -- Under the lights, we'll get another crack at our friends at Cooper. I expect an inspired effort by the Dragons and a battle that will prepare us for what is ahead.

4/17 (Sat) V/JV vs. the Angels -- That about says enough, but there's more. It's Family Day, with food between the games and a chance to visit with and welcome our visitors from Dallas. Also, the Angels are sticking around to play the West Houston Thunder's Varsity after our game.

And, oh, yeah ... the Angels value their relationship and rivalry with us so much that they are skipping the finals of the Texas Tournament to be here and play us.

4/19 (Mon) Varsity vs. the Power -- We finally return to Barton Park for a home game vs. the Power. Expect a battle and for the Power (who have beaten us twice this season) to come with a great effort.

4/22 (Thurs) JV/V vs. the West Houston Thunder -- Our JV and home finale at Barton. Our friends and rivals with the Thunder have been playing great baseball over the last half of the season. Last time we played them, they beat us, 13-8. This will be a great send-off for Florida.

4/26 (Mon) - 5/1 (Sat) -- Varsity competes in the Homeschool World Series in Auburndale, FL. This will be our first time to play out-of-state, and with the new format the field will be wide-open. Also, for those of you interested at the next level, HWSA informs me that there will be college scouts in attendance. As for us, we look at this as a great time to celebrate our season, play well (we always play well when we get to HWSA competition), and set the stage for the great things we have before us next season.

But hold on ... we have great things before us even now. Let's go get them.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Why I do what I do ...

Imagine a faraway field in Florida ... So, goes the story told by a man (still a kid inside) in his 40's:

"A team and its fans await the result of a year, no years of labor.

And a Mustang hitter in red and black waits on deck. It's the bottom of the 7th. It couldn't be, could it? Could it all come down to this? It seems it could, because it did.

Yes, this player had had his moments through the years and his baseball career. There had been ups. There had been downs. There had been in-betweens. And now it all came down to this.

The team had talked about preparing for moments such as these -- that the key was to treat it "just like practice" and stay in the moment. Go pitch by pitch.

Still, this was the moment. The Mustangs were down by one run in the last inning of the last game of the season. A championship was on the line.

As he was on deck, memories of the years of work, sweat, great days at practice, and tough days, too, were there. He laughed about how one teammate would always say the most amazing things that would make every one laugh at the right times, well, mostly the right times. Sometimes he irritated the coach, and the players laughed about that ... when the coach wasn't around.

He went over a few mechanical reminders in the on-deck circle as the opponent changed pitchers. Yes, it would be the opponents' ace to try and close it out. A few fans gave well wishes, and then a most amazing thing happened. He was calm and ready. It was amazing, but the practice, the off-season work, the ABC's, the practice and preparation had led to a quite confidence in this tense moment.

Sure, there were nerves. But they were the nerves of ready excitement.

Bases loaded, two outs, and the Mustangs trailed, 5-4. We were out of pitching. It was do or die. Two runs now to win, or lose either in this inning, or later.

Deep breath. Wait, another deep breath.

He stepped into the box. The Mustangs' fans were as loud as they had ever been, but to him they were so much background noise in this moment of moments.

First pitch. Strike one, but it wasn't his pitch. It was a fast ball at the knees on the outside corner. He stepped out of the box.

Next pitch. Ball one. A curveball up and away. Deep breath.

Next pitch. A ball. Wow, a close pitch on the inner half where he likes it, but just inside. 2-1.

But then the pitcher threw his pitch ... inner half at the thighs ... a fastball at about 84-mph.

And he swung. Right. Through. It. 2-2.

He stepped out. It was a "yellow light" moment. A = Act confident. Remember that time when he got a big hit vs. the Angels, and the ball seemed the size of a grapefruit. Ah, yes. That's the ticket. B = Deep breath. And control the breathing at the plate. C = Control those thoughts. "I'm the man. Next pitch is mine. Line drive up the middle. Let's go."

Back in the box. "Make my two-strike adjustment. Bring it."

It was then that everything just seemed to crawl to a near stop. The pitcher did the unthinkable. He threw that nasty curveball. It broke toward the outside corner ... nearing the knees.

But this Mustang hitter had been locked in on the ball seemingly for a baseball eternity, indeed, since it left the pitcher's hand. He had picked up the pitch and spin immediately, so when it struck his bat and resulted in a solid "ping!", he was not surprised. The line drive headed up the middle, just past the diving shortstop.

Runners were flying, and coach was frantically waving the winning run home from third.

Then there was the play at the plate .... they hit the cut-off, the relay was there, the slide ...

And ... SAFE!!

Mustangs poured out of the dugout in a mad celebration. They mobbed the game-winning hitter at first base. As his teammates headed toward him to mob him, even in that moment he remembered ... even in that wild moment ... to run the play out and make sure he got to first base so there would not be a force out.

The dog pile started between 1st and 2nd. Every player got on.

The coaches just looked, laughed, and hugged each other.

Mustangs fans cried. And they hugged. They cried some more. The coaches cried.

At the bottom of the dogpile was the Mustang who had got the game-winning hit. Amid the crushing weight, whooping, and laughter of his teammates, he thought how the best part of all was that he had done this with his friends.

Everything was worth it now. Everything.

Relationship with each other, their coaches, with their families, and ultimately withe Jesus Himself had held this team together and gotten them to this special moment. Now he knew. Now, he understood.

Winning was great, but it was better to have done it the right way, for the right reasons ... and with the Mustang Nation."

As the story above drew to a close, the former Mustang wiped tears from his eyes. Remembering that moment with his teammates was special, even more than a quarter of a century later.

And oh ... The former Mustang told this story now to his team ... the team that he now coached. And he concluded with this:

"And boys, no men, that's what I remember about being a Mustang ... that what we accomplished together was for a purpose higher than ourselves. We did it for each other. Ultimately, we did it for Christ. We worshipped together on the field, on that day and many others. Lives were touched and impacted for eternity. God was honored and I hope, no, I believe that He smiled at us.

Now, you go do the same."

And so it goes.

Easter and Baseball

What does Easter have to do with baseball? Well, let me think a bit.

I love them both, for one thing. They both take place in the Spring, for another.

I guess, most of all, they remind me of limitless possibilities.

You players have heard my tale of how I played for a team (8th-grade) that once scored 12 runs with two outs in the last inning. I started the two-out rally with an infield hit. The next time I came up to bat, I walked. I scored twice in the inning.

And we lost ... 13-12. The game ended with the bases loaded. Strike out ... swinging.

That game also marked the last day of my pitching career. My coach figured he couldn't do any worse with me, so he put me in to pitch with us down, 11-0. I gave up two runs and was relieved to get out of the inning with us down, 13-0. Just goes to show that every pitch and run are important.

I was almost the winning pitcher. I coulda been a contender.

I remember another game where I was listening to my favorite broadcaster, Gene Elston, call the Astros on one hot summer night when I was in junior high school. I spent a lot of my summer nights this way, listening to the Astros on the radio. This was before the days when all the games were on TV. Gene was a factual, mild-mannered broadcaster, the anti-Milo, if you will. He rarely got excited.

But on this one night, the Astros (who were hopelessly out of the division race) were down 5-0 and mounted a furious two-out rally to beat the Expos, 6-5. As Enos Cabell's single chopped through the left side of the Astrodome turf, Gene "the cool machine" became ecstatic ... screaming, for the first time ever, I think ... "Astros win! ... Astros win! ... they did it! Given up for dead, they scored 6 runs with two outs to beat the Expos!!"

I did the same, running through the house to report the result. If Gene was excited, it was time to party!

Oh, the beauty of this game. You know, even with a time-limited game, the game doesn't have a definite ending point. Some one has to get the last out. Until that last out is made, all things are possible.

We've seen Mustangs teams pull this off before, too, like our 6-run, two-out rally over Parker-Tarrant -- against a pitcher who just got drafted in last year's MLB draft -- in the Texas Tournament in 2007 ... like our 7-run rally in the last inning to beat St. John's in the 2008 Cooper Tournament.

You might say Jesus was "given up for dead", too, except He really was dead. The beauty of the resurrection story is that Jesus rose from the dead. People just didn't think He was gone from this earth; He was. But then He was back!

When I got my mind around this truth while I was in college, it literally saved my life.

If Jesus conquered death, then indeed all things are possible. It's never over, no matter how dire the situation. There is always hope. There is not only hope, there is a chance and a way.

With Jesus, the game is always still going. So, let's "play ball," if you will.

Happy Easter, every one.

Mustang Offense ... Misconceptions and Conceptions

So, why put this up here? What if people are reading? Well, I hope they are. No, really I do. I'll explain later.

But here's the bottom line: If we execute our offensive plan as a team as we continue to grow and improve, it won't matter so much what our opponents are doing.

At the plate, remember, it starts with the three "E's" ... Expect your pitch and hit it where it wants to go ... Every one has a two-strike adjustment ... and, Eyes ... broad to fine focus.

Focusing on these three elements of hitting will keep a hitter on track and out of prolonged slumps. When a team buys in ... that is, each player is executing the three "E's" consistently ... then special things start to happen. We have made progress and seen bits and pieces of this during the season. We've got a ways to go still.

So, let's talk about a few key concepts.

First, our approach is not ... I repeat, is not ... passive. Rather, it's controlled aggression. Remember, we expect our pitch. We are not surprised to get it. Go back and read the Hitting Chapter from "The Mental Game." As Al Oliver expected his pitch, he thus saw it more.

I liken what we are doing to turning down sparrows while we are on a big game hunt. We are aggressive, but we know what we are hunting for. We decide, not the opposing pitcher.

Regarding the two-strike adjustment, keep the following in mind ... every one has one (meaning we make a mechanical adjustment to give us more plate coverage and a quicker bat while expanding our hitting zone to cover the whole plate). Also, we are not trying to "just put it in play." While making our adjustment, we are still trying to hit the ball hard.

But doesn't the two-strike adjustment run counter to "Moneyball" theory? That is, aren't we now hitting more on the pitcher's terms and adjusting our general approach of looking to hit our pitch? Yes, indeed. But we are doing so to neutralize the pitcher's advantage with two strikes. Furthermore, the value of putting the ball play is much higher at the high school level than MLB.

As we continue to work our approach at the plate, some times our offense will appear methodical as the innings roll along. But ... the excitement is usually on the way.

Here is what we are seeing, over and over. Our offense continues to improve and get stronger as the game goes on, as we continue to put pressure on the opposing pitching staff and defense. When it's late in the game and things are getting interesting, we are often ready to play our best offense of the game.

This happens for a number of reasons. For one thing, when our hitters are seeing pitches, so is the rest of our team in the dugout. Also, we tend to get into bullpens sooner. When we get to tournament time, the benefits of what we are doing is amplified even more.

So ... buy in.

Our stock is rising.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

So, you want to play in college?

Some of our players want to get to the next level and play. If this is not for you, that is perfectly fine. My encouragement to all of our players is to commit their best in our program to become the best Mustang they can be. And do it for the Lord and your teammates.

Through the years, though, we've also had a number of players who have expressed interest in playing baseball at the college level. This post addresses what it takes to get there.

First of all, we have compiled some great information regarding the nuts and bolts of what it takes to get to the next level. I'd encourage you to check out the "College Bound Athletes" tab on our website.

Beyond the great info contained on our website, I'd like to offer some advice based on my research, experience as a high school coach, and myriad conversations with other coaches, scouts, and other people in the know regarding what it takes to play college ball.

To play in college, the following is strongly encouraged/recommended:

1) Work on your game year-round. If you lack the passion to work on your game in the off-season on a regular basis 4-5 days/week, you likely like the passion needed to succeed at the college level. This doesn't mean you're a bad guy. It just means that you are probably not cut out to be a a college player;

2) Related to 1), make sure that you play in the off-season, as well (at least in the summer or fall, if not both). By this, I mean that you play more than the very short summer season at the Cooper League;

3) Earn respect and cultivate relationships in the game, but especially with coaches. Guess who are the first people contacted by a college coach;

4) And guess what a college coach wants to know ... What is the player's work ethic like? How does the player handle adversity? What kind of student is he? What is is GPA? (You know, these coaches want players who will succeed academically and not become academic casualties.) Is he respectful and a good teammate? Does he have a presence on the field? What kind of young man is he? These considerations are not secondary ... they are primary. Wow. Think about this for a minute. Once a college coach realizes that a player has the ability to play college ball (there are lots of players such as this), he wants to make sure that the player is the kind of young man who can succeed in college and in a game/environment with many pitfalls; and

5) Most fundamentally, cultivate your character. To succeed at anything worthwhile, a person needs relentlessness and a commitment to his chosen mission. If God has called you to play baseball, then get to it ... and with no apologies. I don't apologize for being a coach; I do apologize for being a lawyer, but that's another story. But really, I jest. I realize that my calling from God is just as sacred as if I were on the mission field. It's what He made me to do. Be relentless. Be positive. Be the kind of young man who refuses to be discouraged. You will get opportunities, as a result. In fact, I believe you will be a magnet for them.

Finally, I am reminded of a passage from "The Mental Game": "A winner knows that the verb 'to be' must precede the verb 'to have'."

All of us would do well to work harder and more deliberately at what we are called to do.