· It’s knowing that the best team doesn’t always win, but the team that plays the best that day, always does.
· It’s knowing that it’s OK to lose, strike out, make an error or get shelled (as long as you learn from it).
· It’s putting your arm around a teammate that had a bad game (or didn’t get in) and sharing a similar past experience.
· It’s leading by effort.
· It’s dodging the credit and limelight occasionally.
· It’s other people talking about how good you are.
· It’s when you beat another team and they still talk highly of you.
· It’s when umpires and other teams are happy to see you succeed.
· It’s respecting everyone.
· It’s delivering a hard, clean hit on a running back and then helping him up.
· It’s calling a two shot penalty on yourself.
· It’s sincerely shaking hands with the umpires after the game that they cost you.
· It’s keeping your composure when you are pitching a no hitter.
· It’s keeping your composure when you are getting shelled and walking batters.
· It’s reminding yourself to stay positive when you realize your team is about to lose.
· It’s showing class regardless of the outcome of the game.
· It’s business as usual after making another great play.
· It’s a conscious effort not to show someone up.
· It’s never making excuses or blaming coaches, teammates, the mound, umpires, the ball, fans, etc, even if it’s their fault.
· It’s the joy of competing, not just winning.
· It’s just after the Army Navy football game.
· It’s a youth coach that provides his discipline in a fair and consistent manner.
· It’s a youth coach that provides constructive criticism through positive reinforcement.
· It’s never criticizing, complaining or condemning.
· It’s an attitude of .I will just have to give a little bit more. since my teammate committed a costly error.
· It’s feeling great after playing well and beating a better team 2-1.
· It’s feeling great after playing well and losing to a better team 2-1.
· It’s what you can give to your team, not what your team can give to you.
· It’s NOT John Rocker, Randy Moss, Dennis Rodman, Mike Tyson, or WWF Smack Down Wrestling.
Tim Hopkins