Wanting to Win

The quote below inspired me to write up a message to my new team - it is a first draft.

Winning isn't the only thing, wanting to win is - Vince Lombardi.

There is no shame in wanting to win - it's the competition that drives us to be better.

Wanting to win means you work on skills that need improvement as well as fine tuning the skills you are already good at and that you never miss a chance to do so whether during a team practice or in front of the television on a rainy day - because the team that won last year's national championship had players that did this.

Wanting to win means that you take care of your body through proper nutrition, exercise, strength training and rest - because you know your opponents are one step ahead of you.

Wanting to win mean you show up at practice and games early not only well rested, but mentally ready - putting aside thoughts of school, friends, work and entertainment for a couple of hours -because you know that the opposing players are already doing this.

Wanting to win means you have a short memory during games - being able to dial yourself in every pitch and not have your mind wandering about the last play/at bat/pitch or weather - because the opposing pitcher/hitter/base runner is ready to take advantage of you not being in the moment.

Wanting to win means you respect the game, your coaches, your teammates, the umpires, your opponents enough that you give every practice rep and play your 100% best effort - because that is how you earn the reputation as a "Player."

If you follow the aforementioned advice - the wanting to win will lead to more wins than losses, but if you do lose a game you handle the loss with dignity and class never resting and thinking you did your best - thinking instead about the ways you can improve before the next game.

Love it... in fact, I'm going to print copies for every player on my team. Thanks

Some I have used over the years for the team.

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.
--- Russell Sanders

No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference.
---Tommy Lasorda

If you're confused about what to do,
it's a sign that your enemy is winning.

Oftentimes winning can become an addiction, whether good or bad, to the point where you would rather lose it all before you lose at all.

And if you need to distract the girls for a moment with a good laugh..........
I love teamwork. I love the idea of everyone rallying together to help me win. 


"The key is not the will to win... everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important." - Bobby Knight

Good post, but if it's a rough draft, let me question a couple of things -

If you follow the aforementioned advice - the wanting to win will lead to more wins than losses.

Not necessarily. First of all, everybody wants to win, but not everybody will win more than half. Second of all, you can have a team of great character and work ethic and still lose more games than you win, especially if you seek out the best possible competition.

And finally, we're talking about what 'wanting to win' means. But why is it important? Why should kids care whether they win or lose? I've found that some kids are naturally very competitive, others not so much. Why is it important? And if it is important, then how do you motivate them to want to win?

Sounds nice and fluffy, but misses THE MOST important part of what is needed to win.

Wanting to win means you, as a player, will have to sacrifice something. Your favorite spot in the field, your favorite spot in the batting order and be supportive. Sit the bench every once and a while for team unity. To take an active part in the development of the lesser players because eventually the team will need this lesser player to win a game for the team. Support another pitcher to come in and finish a game because another team has figured out the stud, and will get her the third time around. Even when you are sacrificing (because everyone is doing some of it) put on a happy face, and the parents are to do the same.

You will HAVE to sacrifice something.

This is what great teams do to win. And is the hardest thing for any individual to do and be happy with, but is the essence of a true winning team.

Unfortunately, in travel, is rarely seen. And is why I always prefer high school ball, as it most emulates college softball, if fortunate enough to play for a good high school team as we are.

And the reason the community, newspapers, and many unforeseen awards are heaped upon championship high school teams, while travel ball rarely makes the back pages.

I laugh at "great" players who have never won anything, ever. Sure they have great talent. But are they truly "great". My answer is a resounding NO. They have not figured out it takes "shared" sacrifice (and that means you, the stud, too) in order to win. Once you win, you want more of it, truly understand at its core, and will win many more.

My DD is not "great". She is a championship winner many times over though. Other great players want her on their teams. She gets IT.

We have another thread where the consensus is "never yell at college level players because it might upset their gentle nature." Then, we have this thread with quotes from Vince Lombardi and Bobby Knight.

If I want to win at checkers won't I learn to practice earnestly, study other players and pay attention to every move that is made? Won't that alone make me a better checkers player and thus allow me to win more times than lose?

I have never had a team of hard workers that lost more then they won.

Winning is important because it opens doors and teaches you how see things through. You cannot motivate them - what you do is siphon off the players that don't share that philosophy if that is the type of team you have.

CoogansBluff said:

"The key is not the will to win... everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important." - Bobby Knight

Good post, but if it's a rough draft, let me question a couple of things -

If you follow the aforementioned advice - the wanting to win will lead to more wins than losses.

Not necessarily. First of all, everybody wants to win, but not everybody will win more than half. Second of all, you can have a team of great character and work ethic and still lose more games than you win, especially if you seek out the best possible competition.

And finally, we're talking about what 'wanting to win' means. But why is it important? Why should kids care whether they win or lose? I've found that some kids are naturally very competitive, others not so much. Why is it important? And if it is important, then how do you motivate them to want to win?

Click to expand...

The only thing I disagree with is that HS ball is like college ball - not around here - it is more like an intramural program

Yes, you have to sacrifice something - TIME. Most of the first draft has an underlying message of sacrificing other activities for the game.

SCDad said:

Sounds nice and fluffy, but misses THE MOST important part of what is needed to win.

Wanting to win means you, as a player, will have to sacrifice something. Your favorite spot in the field, your favorite spot in the batting order and be supportive. Sit the bench every once and a while for team unity. To take an active part in the development of the lesser players because eventually the team will need this lesser player to win a game for the team. Support another pitcher to come in and finish a game because another team has figured out the stud, and will get her the third time around. Even when you are sacrificing (because everyone is doing some of it) put on a happy face, and the parents are to do the same.

You will HAVE to sacrifice something.

This is what great teams do to win. And is the hardest thing for any individual to do and be happy with, but is the essence of a true winning team.

Unfortunately, in travel, is rarely seen. And is why I always prefer high school ball, as it most emulates college softball, if fortunate enough to play for a good high school team as we are.

And the reason the community, newspapers, and many unforeseen awards are heaped upon championship high school teams, while travel ball rarely makes the back pages.

I laugh at "great" players who have never won anything, ever. Sure they have great talent. But are they truly "great". My answer is a resounding NO. They have not figured out it takes "shared" sacrifice (and that means you, the stud, too) in order to win. Once you win, you want more of it, truly understand at its core, and will win many more.

My DD is not "great". She is a championship winner many times over though. Other great players want her on their teams. She gets IT.

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing!

RayR said:

The only thing I disagree with is that HS ball is like college ball - not around here - it is more like an intramural program

Yes, you have to sacrifice something - TIME. Most of the first draft has an underlying message of sacrificing other activities for the game.

Click to expand...

I am not sure you will get it until you are made to sacrifice for the team. Sit on the bench, DH, play right field, be a pinch runner, or have to change positions as a senior to make the team better. When talking to other parents, the message is "thanks, welcome to the club, keep up the good work, everyone here has done something". That is why we win.

The pure joy of winning a championship beats any individual accomplishment, and it is not even close.

Once you win regularly, and feel the "magic", you understand the environment to get their. Sacrifice individually, for the team, and its acceptance is the answer.

Hard work, commitment, yada yada, everyone does. Not the answer.