Dedication

Websters Dictionary defines dedication as self sacrificing devotion.

I want to know why this vocabulary word is not in kids minds today? I never had a problem with this. If I said I was going to do something, I did it. If I was part of a group or a team, I did everything I could to be the best at what I was doing. Especially when it came to sports. I was dedicated to my team. You would never hear me say, "Are we still playing (practicing) today?" Instead you would hear me say, "I hope this weather stays nice so we can play, do you think it will coach?" I always was at practice and at every game!!!!!! In fact I remember toward the end of basketball season, I would leave basketball practice and head straight for the softball field sothat I would not be behind in conditioning.

Never in the 4 years I have coach have I ever heard anything like that. It just seems like students today just don't care. I am so tired of having players that are not dedicated on my team. I have girls that don't want to be at practice, don't tell me they are not going to be there, leave practice early for stupid reasons (and usually doesn't tell me), won't show up for games, or leaves games early just because I didn't play them one game. That is NOT DEDICATION!!!! So what that I don't play you? If I don't play you then I have a good excuse. It is probably because you aren't doing something right!! Did you ever stop and think about that? It is not because I don't like you, it is usually because you don't try hard or care enough for me to trust you out on the field. I need 9 players that are going to give me everything they got for 7 innings and if that means playing a 7th or 8th grader over a 11th or 12th, I will!! I have to have somebody out there that is dedicated to this team and willing to practice hard and get better!!!!!!!!

I also can't stand it when I have people mad at me for yelling at there kid or the kid gets mad at me for yelling at them. I can forgive you once, maybe even twice, but when you do it over and over again don't expect me to baby you! I can not tell girls that they will get it next time or that it is okay!!! No one should do that. IT IS NOT OKAY!!! I can't stand it when parents think it is!!! It is not okay to lose time and time again, but apparently that is what I am suppose to tell these kids. That it is okay to lose! Some of these girls have the ability to be good, but it is all up to them. There's that DEDICATION again. Coming to practice everyday, working hard, and WANTING to get better. That is dedication!!!!!!!!!!! Don't expect me to play girls and tell girls that they are doing good when they don't try to get better. That is the way that I coach and if you have a problem with that then I don't need you on my team. I will not resort to babying anybody. No matter how bad you think I need you!

I am sorry that I had to write this, but I think it clears up alot of stuff that has been on my mind. I am doing all that I can to make this team better, but I can't do it with out the players wanting to get better and the parents helping me out with the kids attitudes. I want to keep these girls working out throughout the summer and fall, but I am sure that I won't be able to do it because no one will want to be there. There is that dedication thing again.... It's all up to you. I am dedicated to this team. Are you?