11/13/2025
🚨Open Letter To Coaches 🚨
Dear Coach,
I understand that you didn’t take this job for the money — and maybe not even for the fame. But at the end of the day, this game is built on players. It’s built on the people who step between the white lines.
It’s their careers, not yours.
And even though you might be at a holiday party tonight telling everyone you’re the head coach of the number-one 8U travel team in the country, I’m here to remind you — it’s still not about you.
As coaches, we have an obligation to carry this game forward — to pass down the traditions of baseball to the next generation, just as they were passed down to us. We have a responsibility to make this game about the players, not about ourselves.
Little Johnny started playing baseball for one simple reason: he loved it. My hope is that he continues to play because that love and passion still burns inside him. But too often, I see talented players like Johnny walk away from the game — not because they stopped loving it, but because of us.
Because of coaches who are overbearing. Coaches who scream and yell. Coaches who beat these kids down — not physically, but mentally — day after day. Most of the time, they don’t even realize the damage they’re doing.
So, I challenge you.
As we step into a new year, make it your resolution to put the players first. When a kid strikes out, don’t scold him — put your arm around him and say, “You’re fine. Do you understand what happened? Go get ’em next time.”
I challenge you, when you’re coaching third base, to say nothing but words of encouragement. Don’t talk about hitting mechanics, stances, back elbows, or squishing bugs. Just let them play.
I challenge you to write the lineup card for one game — and then sit silently the entire time.
I challenge you to make this game about the players, not about you. And if you can’t, I ask you kindly to step away. Not for your sake — but for theirs.
Because there are plenty of coaches out there willing to do it the right way.
And there are plenty of kids out there who can play this game really, really well — if we just get out of their way.
Love,
KW