No one ever said it better than Aretha! No matter your age, or background you have heard these powerful letters recited many times. The word respect gets thrown around a lot but I think it is worth a little reminder from time to time.
Respect your parents!
Players you are starting to piss me off and I can’t candy coat it! Your parents brought you into this world and if they do nothing else for you, ever, they deserve your respect. When they are carting you around, paying for lessons, traveling all over the country to allow you to play ball, paying for a new glove or bat, they clearly deserve your respect.
When you disrespect your parents, you are really showing the world just how little you really are!
Respect your coaches!
You signed up to play for this team, didn’t you? If you choose to play for a team, you choose to play for the person who coaches it. Back stabbing, undermining, lack of effort, lack of discipline and generally showing the world that you think this coach, that you chose to play for, is not worthy of your time just shows everyone how childish you are!
Respect your instructors!
Just because your parents are paying for you to get a lesson doesn’t mean it is OK for you to disrespect the person giving it. The people who are working to share their knowledge with you deserve your best effort, your attention and your willingness to work hard. When you half-ass your way through a lesson, often times because you are already in a pissing match with your parents, just shows how immature you really are.
Respect the game!
There is a right way to do everything you do. Play the game hard, give maximum effort, hustle, listen to your coaches, treat your teammates, parents and umpires with respect. When you do those things you really are showing the world who you aspire to be.
Players, you have a very simple choice to make. RESPECT or lack of respect.
You know the right choice, MAKE IT!!
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
