I truly believe we are a team comprised of good people who are also talented and smart players. I believe in the team and players, and I know we can elevate our game and get back on the winning track – we are too good, and have too much potential for anything else.

In order to improve, I am challenging our players to step up and become leaders – whether it be as a performance leader, a dugout leader, or a chemistry leader.

Performance Leaders:
Performance Leaders are the primary on field leaders. They take charge of our team in practice and competitive settings to focus players and keep them on task. As Competition Captains, they provide the strong vocal leadership necessary to help our team perform to its potential during practices and certainly come game day.

Performance Leaders need to be highly results-oriented. They set the tone with their own strong example and work ethic and make sure teammates play with a high level of intensity and accountability. Performance Leaders are typically the most committed and competitive athletes on the team. Because they tend to have a certain edge about them, they raise the level of play of everyone around them. They are serious about success and very motivated to accomplish something special with the team.

Dugout Leaders:
A lot of our success and failure is going on in the dugout. Our leaders are key to managing the dugout.

Dugout Leaders serve as the critical creators, champions, and caretakers of our team’s culture. Dugout Leaders mold, monitor, and maintain our team’s culture into one that is positive and productive for our team. In their role as Culture Captains, they determine and dictate what is acceptable and unacceptable to do both in the dugout and off the field.

Effective Dugout Leaders take pride in our team’s culture and do everything they can to enhance, protect, and preserve it. If someone acts in a way that is outside of what is considered appropriate, the Dugout Leaders will step in willingly and quickly address actions which are not aligned with our team’s vision, values, and standards. Effective Dugout Leaders may contribute more to the team’s success with their leadership rather than their individual physical talent. Following a tough practice or frustrating loss, the dugout is often filled with upset individuals, critical comments, and seeds of dissension. It is during these times especially when our Dugout Leaders need to step up, be vocal, and keep the team positive and productive.

Chemistry Leaders
Chemistry Leaders lead the charge on building and maintaining our team’s chemistry. They focus on the relationships of our team and how well people bond together. They look to connect with teammates on a regular basis. Inclusion is key. The Chemistry leader is obligated to build team support for each of their softball sisters, and plays a big part in how we are viewed as a team – our reputation.

If you believe you can be one of the needed team leaders, go for it. Show me through your actions. I believe any one of you can be the Performance, Dugout, or Chemistry leader. The question is, are you willing to take it on? I hope so.

Mission Statement
Also, I think it will be valuable for the players, coaches, and myself to review The Soderville Saulsbury mission statement of F.A.S.T.

F – Fun together, but Focus while on the Field.

A – Attitude positive, Always.

S – Sportsmanship – Show class, respect the game and everyone involved.

T – Teamwork, utilize each other’s strengths, win as a Team, lose as a Team, play as a Team. Evolve as a Team.

Remember that it is my goal, your goal, and our goal to be the example and not the exception.

We can overcome our recent challenges as a team, have fun, and play to our potential. I believe, and know we can do it! Go Bengals!