Recruiting Character or Characters?

Greetings All,

I have enjoyed being back on the field, and I have been reflecting on where we are as a culture and a program.

I love the Mustangs so much.  I love the game, and I love our players and families who make this thing go. Still, I am constantly challenged as to how we thrive and continue to grow.

The answer lies, I think, in continuing to attract good baseball families and players of character. The foundation  for any great organization starts with good people.

And let's face it, we are in a culture awash in entitlement ... a culture that seemingly wants to know first and foremost, "Where is mine?"  We see more and more kids influenced by the false notion that success comes easy, or is only for those to whom have been gifted with a select set of genes. For those who believe it really is all about having "talent," I would encourage you to read the excellent book by Geoff Colvin:  "Talent is Overrated."  Another excellent book on the same theme/subject is "Bounce," by Matthew Syed.

Another challenge today is that our attention spans are more and more gnat-like.  I mean, how could they not be?  Everywhere we turn, some one is staring at an electronic device, perhaps looking for their entertainment du jour, such as the precise show and season to binge-watch on Netflix ... and on it goes.

We have been blessed to have relative peace and prosperity in these United States for a long time.  That is a good thing, for sure.  But with ease comes the natural acclimation to easy conditions.

Indeed, to grow, we need challenges to strive for. We need obstacles.  Adversity is ultimately the friend of any one who wants to do great things. We need to strive and struggle.  We really do.

The video below features Geno Auriemma, the coach of the University of Connecticut Women's basketball team, the most successful program of its kind for many years:



I wonder, how do our own standards stack up against Coach Auriemma's?  UConn is merely playing to win basketball games and championships.  What are we playing for?

Answering that question will determine what kind of players we attract and retain.

Ultimately, kids are kids.  I have observed that they haven't changed much over the life of this program.  That means it is up to us as parents and coaches.  And ... we can get this done, as we have before. 

See you on the field.