06/05/2026
I love listening to Danielle Laurie - always so thoughtful. She gets it. She lived it.
A few things the 2026 WCWS reminded me ofā¦
Depth still wins.
We spend so much time talking about aces, superstars, velocity, and home runs. But when you get to OKC, everybody is talented. Everybody has players capable of changing a game.
The teams that separate themselves are the ones that can keep finding answers when things donāt go according to plan.
Pitching still drives the busā¦but it canāt be the entire vehicle.
The teams that played deep into June got contributions from everywhere. Big-time defensive plays. Timely at-bats. Players coming off the bench ready for their moment. The people willing to embrace a role instead of chasing a spotlight.
And toughness?
Toughness isnāt yelling louder.
Itās staying steady when 12,000 people are watching.
Itās recovering from a mistake and refusing to let one pitch become three bad innings.
Itās believing in your preparation when the pressure is trying to convince you otherwise.
Texas showed exactly what championship toughness looks like. Not perfection. Just an unwavering belief in who they are. When moments got tight, they stayed connected. Thatās why they found themselves holding the trophy again.
Texas Tech showed what happens when belief becomes contagious. They walked into OKC with something to prove and never backed down from the moment.
Oklahoma reminded everyone that championship standards donāt disappear when rosters change. The expectation is still the expectation.
Tennessee showed grit. UCLA showed resilience. Every team that got to OKC had a story built on adversity long before they ever stepped onto that field.
And maybe thatās the biggest takeawayā¦
The WCWS doesnāt always crown the most talented team.
It usually crowns the team that stays the most connected when things get hard.
Because in Oklahoma City, talent gets you there.
But toughness, trust, and culture are what give you a chance to leave with the last dogpile.
