07/16/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EVGzkYp1N/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Why is it that every time I say stop chasing wins and develop your players, there’s always someone in my comments acting like that means we don’t want to win?
Let’s clear this up:
Developing players and winning are not mutually exclusive.
When you actually focus on developing your players — teaching them the game, pushing them to get better, building real fundamentals and confidence — your team gets better. And when your team gets better, guess what?
YOU WIN MORE.
But if all you care about is the trophy pic for Facebook, you’ll shortcut the process. You’ll pitch kids too many innings. You’ll neglect mechanics. You’ll chase players just to fill a roster and rack up rings… all at the cost of actually making them better.
It’s the same as a hitter saying “I’m gonna hit a home run” and then popping up. Or a pitcher thinking “just don’t miss, just throw a strike” and losing velocity. When you obsess over the outcome, you miss what creates the outcome.
You might place 5th in a tournament but play great softball and get better.
That’s a WIN.
You might not go home with a ring, but if your players learned to handle pressure, fix a mistake mid-game, or come back after an error, that’s a WIN.
Because no college coach is ever going to ask what your kid did in 10U. They care if she’s coachable. If she has solid mechanics. If she works hard and pushes through when things get tough.
That’s what you build by focusing on development first.
The rest takes care of itself.
And by the way… all those trophies you’re chasing?
They’ll end up in a box in the attic — or the trash. Trust me.
(The only trophys I have left are my first one and college ones)