GUARDIANS OF THE GAME

(The following words are part of the closing speech  I delivered at The 3rd Annual Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner, a celebration event for youth baseball and softball.  These words can and should be applied to every youth sport.)

I come to you today with one of the most important challenges you will ever be given.  The challenge of serving as a "Guardian of the Game."

In order to become a GUARDIAN OF THE GAME, we must  first understand and accept that the kids are # 1 in  baseball and softball.  The game is not about the coach, its not about the parents, its about the kids and only the kids.

Whether we are on a field with 20  tee ballers or across town at a high school game,,, we must always remember this game is for the kids and it will always be for the kids. 

We must remember to put more back into the game that we took out,, we must give the kids all they deserve to have and more.  If we don't do that our grandchildren and their grandchildren will not have the same opportunities we have been given.

We must also protect this game and our teams and associations from those that choose to make the game about themselves instead of the kids.  We can not sit back idly and watch people take from the game and more importantly the kids and not give back.  We cannot accept folks that portray themselves in one light and then do otherwise behind closed doors.
 We cannot stand for theft, misuse of funds, or anything that diverts one penny away from the game of baseball and softball and more importantly from the kids.

We must all be GUARDIANS OF THE GAME and protect it at all times.

I challenge you to open your eyes a little more, keep an eye out for these special sports and not let anyone or anything take more than they should. Speak up and protect these wonderful sports and the opportunities they provide to children.

If someone can’t make it about the kids, then its time to choose another sport.

I give thanks to everyone that has given everything they have to create opportunities for my 6 year old son, for your 18 year old daughter and everyone in between.

Walk away from these words and become A GUARDIAN OF THE GAME