Play Ball!

Well, it’s that time of year again! Opening day of baseball! For fans everywhere, there is a new excitement for the season to come, renewed hope, a clean slate. Today is a day where everybody cheers for their first place team. But…things will change. There will be wins and there will be losses. Some teams will catapult to the top, others will dive to the bottom. There will be excuses. Some will blame injuries, some will blame travel schedules, some will blame the weather, some will blame the coaches, some will blame the umpires. Sad, isn’t it? If it REALLY is the league’s fault for creating an unfair travel schedule…well…then you might as well just give up. You’ve got no control over it. Life’s a lottery ticket…and you just lost. However, ask a coach of a losing team what the problem is, and you’ll likely hear them say phrases like, “lack of consistency, getting back to basics, missed opportunities”. And that’s the simplicity of it. Be consistent, don’t forget the fundamentals, and take advantage of opportunities. Sound familiar? This opening day, be reminded of the excitement, freshness, and anticipation of what lies ahead. But be sure to remind yourself that it’s a marathon, and not a sprint. There may be some shortcomings along the way, but by staying focused, consistent, aware of opportunities, and open to taking calculated risks, you will dramatically improve your chances of achieving your long term goals. Here’s to a successful 2010 season! Play to Win, Coach Jig