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Friday, October 31, 2008

Chase Utley

Former standout UCLA infielder Chase Utley helped the Philadelphia Phillies win the 2008 World Series on Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park, as the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, to capture their second title in franchise history and first since 1980.
Utley, who starred at UCLA from 1998-2000, played a major role in the Phillies' success during the regular season and through postseason play. The former UCLA infielder keyed Philadelphia's World Series triumph in Game 1, belting a two-run homer to hand the Phillies a 2-0 lead in an eventual 3-2 victory. Utley finished the five-game, best-of-seven series with two home runs and four RBI. Utley's defense was exceptional the entire series especially in game 5 on the play at home plate.

Utley becomes the 12th former UCLA baseball player to have led his major league ball club to the World Series title. Prior to Utley, Dave Roberts was the most recent former UCLA ball player to have led his ball club to the World Series title. In October 2004, Roberts guided the Boston Red Sox to the championship, snapping Boston's 86-year drought without a World Series title.

Only two other former UCLA ballplayers - Chris Chambliss and Jeff Conine - have been a part of multiple World Series championship teams. Chambliss led the Yankees to the 1977 and 1978 World Series titles after having appeared in the 1976 World Series. Conine helped carry the Florida Marlins to the World Series titles in the franchise's only two Fall Classic appearances (1997, 2003).

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Off Season Baseball

With so many opportunities for a High School Baseball Team to play in the off season, coaches should count the cost carefully. Some fall leagues have multiple sites, with numerous teams, that play a 25 game schedule. Now, add a short winter league schedule of 10 to 12 games to that and the off season schedule totalls 35 to 37 games.

Additionally, some individual players also play Club Ball in the fall and winter which could add any number of games to an already taxing off season. By the time the spring season of 20 to 25 games is completed, a high school baseball player could have played 55-60 games rolling into the summer league schedule of an additional 15 to 20 games.

This may explain why Orthopedic Doctors and Rehab Centers are so busy during a recession. The prevailing philosophy of some coaches, that more is better, seems to fit well with the medical profession but not well with High School Baseball. More is not better, it's just more. More opportunity to wear down, get hurt, loose excitement for the game, get behind in school work and less time for fundamental development, strength, endurance and rehab.

Most high school kids are still growing and developing into their man bodies. To place the demands, of what amounts to a short season of minor league baseball (70-75 games) on them is not healthy nor profitable. In fact, it often pays deminishing returns. Yes I am an old school guy, but I am also someone who understands the value of moderation and development.

Monday, October 6, 2008

What Makes a Model Coach?

The CIF believes a model coach is someone who consciously Teaches, Enforces, Advocates and Models the Six Pillars of Character ideals found in, "Pursuing Victory with Honor."

The six ways to be a model coach are:

1)Remembering everything you say or do makes an impression on kids. What they don’t see they often sense. Kids are sharp they pick up on truth.
2)Remembering your measure of character is how you act when you think no one’s looking. You would be surprised what kids know, hear about, and discover by accident. Behavior speaks louder and more persuasively than anything you can say.
3)Keep in mind only a fraction of young people will play sports beyond high school, but most will become parents, employees, and citizens. By building their character, you’ll give them and the rest of society a permanent gift.
4)Enforce the rules on everyone. Treat everyone the same because young people are especially vigilant for unfairness and hypocrisy.
5)Remember, when the game is on the line, so is integrity.
6)If your are not sure how to handle a situation, ask yourself: Do I want my character judged on this decision?

For more information you can visit http://www.charactercounts.org .