There are two things about me that have remained consistent, even as I’ve gotten older: I’ve always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, and I’ve always wanted to help others reach their potential. As a young girl, I thought I could do anything and be anyone that I wanted to. I credit my parents for instilling this quality in me. My father led by example, while my mother always encouraged me to do my best. They empowered me, which is why I believe I am a confident person today.
Culturing Talented Athletes
arena4 - Across the board... One of the obvious secrets to culturing talented athletes is teaching our youth, not only how to play the game, but how to enjoy playing the game as well. Listen up! This is done by reducing the fear of failure and instilling self challenge into an inexperienced athlete. Simply said, this is one of the fastest ways to individual improvement.
Fear of failure and a lack of self confidence is clearly the number one reason why a kid will not improve and eventually quit playing sports. This is followed only by kids with physical limitations.
The Natural Process - Youth Sports
This article is written to help parents understand the various levels of youth sports programs such as, starting out in local community sports and moving up to more competitive club sports programs and it's importance to eventually playing at a college. Because College is what all this ultimately amounts to. We are calling this the natural process of youth sports. This article is not intended to discourage anyone from playing sports at any age level in anyway, but rather to simply assist parents of the natural process of the various levels of sports. Because, to a new comer, it can be somewhat intimidating. We hope to break this down to a more understandable process and help you recognize the importance of getting your daughter involved in sports.
Girls... if your playing sports, your gonna wanna condition.
Girls! Big and small... if your playing sports, your gonna wanna condition.
It has become more apparent to me that many athletes, especially girls between ages of 12 and 18, think that because they already play sports... they don't "need" to condition.
And when asked to condition, the shoulders slump, their knuckles drag and the whining begins...
Female Knuckleballer Honored by Hall of Fame!
A few weeks ago we wrote about Chelsea Baker, a 13-year-old Florida girl who’s in a league of her own.
Now Chelsea, a knuckleball pitcher who has thrown two perfect games against Little League boys teams, has been honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Chelsea donated the Brandon Farms jersey she wore in her April 9 perfect game to the Hall of Fame as an artifact noting the importance of women playing baseball. Her jersey joins one in the hall worn by another young female knuckleballer, Eri Yoshida, 18, whose play in the pro Golden Baseball League also earned her the honor this year.
Baker’s jersey will be on display in the Today’s Game exhibit before moving eventually to the Diamond Dreams exhibit for the rest of the year. More...
The measure of a good teammate
So how far would you (or your daughter) go to be a good and caring teammate? Not to mention a good friend? I found out something the other day that really struck me as an example of what being a teammate is all about.
We were in what turned out to be our last game at Northern Nationals. It was a 1-1 game at that point, so the head coach and I agreed we were going to stay with what was working. That meant three of our players were probably not going to get into that game unless something changed.
Girls Can't Play Sports! That's a Boy Thing...
You have girls! Girls can't play sports! That's a boy thing! You don't want your daughter growing up to be like a boy! Well... as a father of two daughters, I use to think just that. I NEVER would of imagined that my daughters could be athletes. Let alone really good athletes. If you still think like I did... It's time to wise up. Because girls, and yes I mean the girlie girls as well, are becoming fantastic athletes. If your a parent keeping your daughter out of sports because she's a GIRL, it may be time to seriously change your way of thinking. Stay with me on this...
Mackenzie Brown on Baseball!
Mackenzie Brown Tells How She Got So Good, Why Girls Who Love Baseball Should Ignore Critics — and What She Was Thinking When She Threw Out the First Pitch at a Mets Game.
On April 21, Bayone, N.J. Little Leaguer Mackenzie Brown pitched a perfect game, retiring all 18 boys who got up to bat; she was invited to throw out the first pitch a Met’s game a few days later.
I started playing baseball for the Cal Ripken League in Bayonne when I was six. I really enjoyed baseball so when I was nine, I decided to play in Little League as well as the Cal Ripken League. There are a lot of practices when you play in two leagues. Sometimes I have two in one day, but I love it.
When I am not practicing with my teams, I practice at home with my older brother, Daniel. He has taught me a lot about pitching because he pitches, too. Practicing every day is what makes me good. I like to pitch because it makes me feel like I am in control of the game.
When I was nine, I moved from rookie league to major league and that’s when I realized that there were only two other girls playing baseball. They were both a few years older than me. All of the other girls played softball. At first my mom wanted me to switch to softball, but when she saw that I loved baseball she was fine with the idea. It never bothered me that there were no other girls my age that played baseball. I knew I could keep up with the boys.