Winning with Class

by Don English

   I'll never forget the first time I put on a baseball uniform. I was a wide-eyed six-year-old who thought Santa Claus had come early!  My church, Shiloh Terrace Baptist, was sponsoring my first baseball team. As I rushed to try it on my little league frame, I was overcome with anticipation Will I look like a real ballplayer?  Will I be allowed to wear it to bed, to school, to church, and the baseball diamond!? Every conscious thought centered on the game of baseball.  The opportunity to play my first-ever organized, uniformed baseball game could not, would not, arrive soon enough. 
   Any memories flood your mind?  I am sure they surfaced quite easily.  Let us never forget our first time to wear the uniform and play the great game of baseball.  Throughout my long career in baseball (How lucky I am to have never left!), I have been blessed with many other wonderful experiences as well.  The fine men, who shaped my career in baseball and in life as a whole, will never be forgotten.  Gordon Markel and Dolph Regelsky are two who taught me much more than the fundamentals -- hard work, determination, perseverance and a genuine respect for the game and for those who teach, play and officiate it.  Their passion for the game rubbed off on me, and Lord willing, my passion for kids and the great game of baseball will leave an indelible mark on other young men I associate with today.  We will all leave an indelible market can be one that is uplifting and life-enhancing or one that tears down and ultimately destroys.  We have an incredible tool in which to mold young men.  How we wield that tool is up to each one of us.
     I believe my responsibility to the young men in Coppell is three-fold: first, to build character; secondly, to win ball games with class (wining with class is much more fun than winning with no class or losing altogether); and finally, to help those who dream about playing in college, even professionally, to do so.  To do this I must teach life lessons and baseball fundamentals daily, with a firm but loving hand (tough love when necessary).  I must never become complacent in my personal or professional growth.  I must constantly strive to become a master-teacher not only of the game of baseball, but more importantly, life itself.  I must prepare for each minute of my time with kids and fight anyone or anything which prevents me from doing so.  The kids must know Ill consistently have an effective plan to implement daily--essentials to learn and ultimately master. The key to this orchestrated effort involves repetitive drills, creative workouts and lots of hard work.  Teaching is done primarily during practice, this way game time is relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable. 
     Coppell Baseball can and will be the best and brightest.  It will take all of our efforts to make it so. Our kids deserve the best baseball environment possible.  Lets stop using I and me and start using we and us.  Its been said, One man with a passion, can do more than a 100 men with an interest.  This is true, but one man or even a few men and women cannot do all that is necessary for kids.  We need an army of men and women who have a passion for kids and baseball, and who are willing to sacrifice time and monies to ensure that youth baseball will always be an integral part of this great city.