Both of my children, Sydney and Davis, love sports. Sydney's sport of choice is Lacrosse, Davis plays baseball - and they both have a mean jump shot. I was bragging on my kids one day with a friend of mine and a few hours later received "The Rules of Baseball" - he told me I needed to share them with my kids.
After reading the rules, thought I would share with everyone. I may have sent this to you via email, if so, hope you passed it on! There are some of the rules that apply specifically to baseball, but if you look hard enough, you will see how it fits. Don't know who to give credit to for drafting such a fine document...so whoever you are, nice job and thank you.
You will know what I mean after you've read the rules...enjoy!
The Rules of Baseball
1. Persistence is more important than talent
2. There is a reason that the word STUDENT comes first in student/athletes
3. Respect the game as much as you want to be respected
4. Tuck in your shirt
5. Don't wear your hat backwards
6. Practice hard because you play the way you practice
7. It doesn't take any talent to hustle
8. Be a student in baseball. Learn the game - Study the history of baseball
9. Help your team win whether you play or not
10. Keep a daily diary of what you do at practice and keep notes of your observations. This will help you see the progress you have made
11. Never argue with an umpire
12. Agree to let your coaches train you
13. Don't cut class
14. Maintain the grades that keep you eligible
15. Set high standards along with knowing the steps to attain them
16. Don't tell people what you are worth, prove it to them
17. Your girlfriend is not more important than your career
18. Your parents love you, but they don't know more than your coach about baseball
19. Don't let anyone make an excuse for you
20. Maintain eye contact with all adults when they talk to you. Practice on your friends
21. It is your coach's opinion of you that counts. He makes out the lineup. Fail to understand this point and you will soon be out of the game
22. Life is not fair. Regardless of what some people want you to think
23. Be passionate about your teammates
24. Love the game
25. Players are not the only people in the game. There are coaches, trainers, announcers, umpires, broadcasters and writers. All those jobs are honorable professions as well as keeping you young
26. The only thing that coaches owe you is HONESTY
27. Body language screams. It never whispers
28. Balance makes champions. If you focus on hitting and ignore the defensive part of your game you will never be a complete player
29. Be as diligent on defense as you are on offense
30. Defense wins more games than offense
31. Pitching sets the tone
32. Games are lost not won. Mistakes lead to losses
33. You can win a league with a few good pitchers. Well developed pitching staffs win the tournaments
34. Work on your game every day of the year. The guy who beat you out for the starting job did and the team that always beats you
35. Who you are today is a result of who you were in the past. Fill your past with smart work and good deeds and you will maximize your potential
36. You don't have to be a great athlete to be a good baseball player
37. Show off your talent to your current coach and your future coach by doing the following: (ALL THE TIME)
o When you jog to warm up finish first.
o When you stretch do it best.
o When you play catch, throw to a target and hit it every time.
o When you play catch, catch the ball or block the bad throw and keep it in front of you every time.
o When you are doing a drill, do it perfect, every time.
o Go hard all the time. Never walk on a baseball practice field.
o As a batter/runner run to first as though it matters that you are safe.
o Know the situation on defense and do the right thing.
38. Baseball reveals character it doesn't build it.
39. Character means doing the right thing when nobody's watching.
Thought you would like it!
Jack Walsh
Lotus HR and My Kids Dad
