Higher Ed Comms Professional. Former Detroit Tigers Ground Crew. Retired NCAA head softball coach & AD. Team
@GALvanizeLife
. When you speak of me, speak well.
🧵🚨Baseball has given us so much to cheer about over many years. TODAY was a day far better than any win we’ve experienced. Today, at the last minute, we learned
@NolanMoore05
would throw the first pitch for his last home game—his first time back on the mound since his UCL….
HS dugouts should be team-only spaces. Why are parents still bringing snacks and water to their kids in/ at the dugout at this age?
Are these deliveries happening to a basketball bench? Football sideline? No.
Kids, you want to be recruited so start taking care of your own stuff.
16-year-old throws 100 pitches. Gets two days rest before getting run out to pitch again.
Help me understand how this is okay. Or, I’ll save you the time.
It isn’t.
9u baseball game-indoors-and the radar on the wall is turned on so everyone in the facility can see the 9-year-old pitcher’s velo on every pitch.
One guess where the kids are looking when the pitch is thrown—and it’s not at the batter.
*Why do adults have to eff everything up???
You’re going to strike out. So how about you take a brisk walk back to the dugout with your head up. Coach up your teammates with takeaways from your at-bat. Quit pouting, dragging your bat, showing up the ump and complaining. Then work harder next time.
I wish coaches wouldn’t coach mechanics when a player is in the box during a game. They’ve already got too much to think about in-game. Coach approach, leave mechanics for later.
Is there an age where boys/men can look at a roll of wrapping paper without seeing a sword/baseball bat/club and feel the need to beat the crap out of each other with it? 🤔
Too many HS teams lose a significant competitive advantage by not teaching the nuances of baserunning. Reading defenses, fielder arm strength, missed cuts and relays, learning pitcher moves & exploiting laziness can all be a huge separator. High baserunning IQ is a game changer.
HS dugouts should be team-only spaces. Why are parents still bringing snacks and water to their kids in/ at the dugout at this age?
Are these deliveries happening to a basketball bench? Football sideline? No.
Kids, you want to be recruited so start taking care of your own stuff.
The only thing worse than the end of a long travel ball season is having to clean out the cars after the 8 week whirlwind.
Seeds. Turf pellets. Protein bar wrappers. Water bottles. Athletic tape. Sock. (Just one.) DVDs. Air pods. Flip flops. Sunscreen. And dirt. So. Much. Dirt.
Got a text today from a “scout” (aka paid recruiting service.)
He said he “evaluated” my son and wanted to set up a call to discuss him
playing in college.
I asked where he evaluated him.
Spoiler alert: he didn’t-got his info from a website.
*Parents, don’t fall for these!!!*
Real question: Why do we tell our baseball athletes to play multiple sports and not throw year-round then host a gabillion exposure camps throughout the fall???
Is there a football/baseball player who can actually attend Sept./Oct. camps??
LOVE that our school hosted a wrestling meet during the school day with the entire student body in attendance. The team fed off the students-many of whom had never seen wrestling before-and absolutely dominated. Want to get more kids interested in sports? Do things like this.
24s/25s….college programs are publishing their new roster additions now that school has started. Do yourselves a favor and check them out. No question where a ton of recruiting is happening (transfers.) Be realistic and go where you are wanted and can compete day one.
6 years ago, my oldest had his 1st media interview after a big game. He was asked if he thought he should be batting higher in the order. His response? "Sure, I'd like to. But if Coach thinks this is where I should be, then it's okay with me."
At 12, he got what some never do.
Met someone tonight who didn’t know what the Catalina Wine Mixer was. I said, “It’s the f*cking Catalina Wine Mixer!” He still didn’t know. Yet another indication that civilization is on a downward spiral.
Heard a lot of crazy stuff while watching baseball Supers this weekend. However, none crazier than, "6th year Senior." Welcome to the current landscape of college baseball.
When you've found the right travel team for your son/daughter, you know. If you don't trust the coaches, you don't get excited to spend your weekends with the families, or you're not legitimately excited to see every player succeed, you are in the wrong place.
If your son/daughter has to be “talked into” pursuing college ball, you’re setting them up to fail. Every athlete has different goals and dreams. Don’t make yours theirs.
Sure, you can hustle on/off the field, play catch with a purpose, listen to your coaches and support your teammates because "you never know who's watching."
OR
You can do all those things because it's what having pride in yourself and being a great teammate is all about.
Let me introduce you to this man. I have endless admiration for his work ethic, his love of family, his focus and his desire to make a difference in the world around him.
@NickFord55
of the
@Jaguars
is going to do great things in this world. He’s
#MoreThanFootball
!!
#GALvanize
When your teenage son says, “Mom, let’s go to the
@tigers
game tonight.
@FaedoAlex
is back.” You go. Don’t ask questions. Just go. These moments are fleeting. Best night ever. Me and my kiddo. ❤️
Just witnessed a head coach call a parent to the dugout and tell him to move to a spot down the fence just outside the third base coaches’ box.
Why?
For the express purpose of heckling the opposing head coach.
And he did.
Someone stop this stupidity and just play the game.
When he hurts, I hurt. Wish I knew what to say to take the pain of a tough loss away. Sports parenting is next level some days. This is one of those days. 💔
Absolutely gutted for this kid. Proof that you can do everything right-train, prepare, eat, sleep—yet things happen.
@NolanMoore05
’s season is over after a UCL rupture on pitch 27 yesterday.
His character will carry him through. His WHO is greater than his DO. He’ll be back. ❤️
Reason
#3
,749 why you don’t need walk-up music at travel softball games:
Overly confident, mid-life crisis 1st Base Coach will rock out air guitar when Van Halen comes on—a visual needing to be experienced by exactly no one.
I just saw a “commitment” graphic for a 6th grader.
And, he was “committing” to the public high school he literally is required to attend due to residency.
Hey adults….it’s okay to ask your kids to earn their accolades and celebrate them in due time. This is not that time.
Remember when we begged for our fall sports & said we’d do anything to have them? Well, we got them. Quit complaining about masks, spectator restrictions, & the rules for 2020. Our kids get to play. Let’s do our part.
#LetThemPlay
#moms4football
Can’t lie, I got choked up when Coach sent me this video today. 257 days since surgery with a ridiculous amount of work to get back on that mound. No stopping him now. 💪🏼
#TJWarrior
#UncommonDrive
Why is arm care a big deal?
Because watching your son miss out on a senior year of doing what he loves sucks.
We did things right-as best we know-yet he still blew his UCL. You don’t think it can happen to your son until it does. Parents, advocate for your kids’ arm health!
Watching “The Roar of ‘84” and smiling from ear to ear. I have such incredible memories as a young teen following this team. That’s the team that made me a
@Tigers
fan for life.
@FOXSportsDet
In fact, a 6yo 2B who drops his glove & plugs his ears mid-game every time a train goes by can learn to love the game in his time w/o a hitting coach, a large $ investment & insane travel schedule.
He may even get a chance to play in college.
This one did.
Just let them play.
Two kids playing today means we divide and conquer. I pulled baseball and missed my girl’s first HS softball home run! The post-game FaceTime to tell me about “how it landed over the fence in the batting cage” was the best. Keep working, Maddie Mo!!
@SoftballSmcc
This 👇.
@GovWhitmer
do not let the work of our leaders in athletics be in vain. Countless hours and attention to safety protocols have been dedicated to a safe season. Cut off school sports and kids will play elsewhere. Give us a chance!
@MHSAA
#letthemplay
#moms4football
He’s headed home! Surgery was a success! He agreed to take the rest of the day off as long as we let him go to his team’s DH tomorrow. (Seems like a fair trade.)
@NolanMoore05
@BaseballSMCC
@MetroStars23_24
Friend sent me this a while back with the note, "I love watching Nolan on the field. He's always talking, always directing traffic. Doesn't matter the situation. He's always under control." There's no better compliment. The game has many intangibles. You can always control YOU.
Big day tomorrow-back to the Doc.
It’s been 298 days since surgery.
We already know he can’t pitch yet but he’s crossing his fingers that he gets cleared to play SS.
We’ve reached the crossroads of wanting it all without risking it all.
Good thoughts welcomed. 🙏
@NolanMoore05
5 month check up today was bittersweet.
He thought he had a plan. He thought he figured out a way doc would let him return for football playoffs. It didn’t work. In fact, it was a, “hell no.”
Instead, he got to start throwing. Small victory, but we’ll take it.
@NolanMoore05
Yet another slap in the face for those of us who sacrificed so much to support the advancement of girls and women in sport in the name of equitable treatment under Title IX. *Biological men are not—and never will be—women.
Male swimmer from Ramapo College sets another school record in women's event.
Now tell me again the strides women have made when society applauds a man for pushing us off our own podium...
Title IX literally means nothing at this point
Dugout culture is crucial. The dugout should be a sacred space where students of the game are created, great teammates are raised and a love of the game is nurtured based on a mutual respect for coaches, teammates, opponents and officials.
I know a kid who got home from a long tournament. He wasn’t happy with his performance.
Quietly, he dropped his bags & then left for the park as the sun set. Did some hills & sprints.
Got his head right.
Came home & hit while the rest of the family went to bed.
#NoExcuses
Two things I’ll never understand:
1. Adults bringing ball gloves to a baseball game (as a fan)
2. Adults painting their faces and costuming up for NFL games.
Not saying there’s anything wrong with it, I just don’t get the desire to do it. But hey, you do you and have some fun.🤷♀️
Nolan just got called back for pre-op and left his phone with me. When I went to put it in my purse I hit the screen to reveal his wallpaper.
Bookmark this tweet. Screenshot it. Whatever. He’ll be back, he’ll be better. It WILL happen.
#ShockEveryone
Wow. Another incredible weekend of baseball—7 games, 7 wins and they walk away Champs again. 30 teams started the Motor City classic and the Stars were the last one standing following a TEAM 10-2 WIN. Every kid contributes, every game. This is what ALL-IN looks like.
#Family
Nine wks played. Not ONE issue for our team. Sure some teams had some cases, but finishing fall means far fewer teams are playing & are playing for a reason. THEY EARNED THE CHANCE TO STILL BE PLAYING. Let them finish their seasons. COVID isn't spreading on playing fields/courts.
If
@GovWhitmer
really looks at the numbers,
@mhsaa
high school sports are not the reason COVID-19 is spreading. It's time to let football, volleyball and swimming finish their seasons.
#LetThemFinish
.
If you dare to dispute it, we will get out of our camp chairs, grab our Yetis and snacks, follow you to the parking lot and explain in great detail exactly why you’re wrong. (Then we’ll make sure you have enough water and suggest reapplying sunscreen.)
As another summer lived at ballfields winds down, I can't help but reflect on how huge the impact of sports has been in our lives since our three kids could participate. When people say, "HOW do you do it? WHY do you do it?" I can cite countless stories of victories🧵
Another milestone reached!
50 days out from surgery and the brace is now off for good!
Full extension and near-full flexion.
Progress!
Time = healing. Stay the course,
@NolanMoore05
. You’re crushing it!
Defensively, every player has a job on every pitch. Either:
1. Field the batted ball.
2. Back up the play on the batted ball.
3. Move to secondary assignment (cover a base, back up a throw or potential throw)
Way too many “advanced” HS bsb/sb players don’t do this regularly.
My friend’s husband passed away two months ago. When he knew he wasn’t going to make it, he secretly ordered her a birthday gift which was delivered to her on her birthday this weekend. I honestly can’t think of anything more beautiful. ❤️
From the first snap to the last, I’ve never left your corner. Thanks for taking me along for the ride,
@NolanMoore05
.
Now let’s go do that baseball!! ❤️
Many small colleges rely on sports to bolster admissions. By setting an arbitrary recruiting goal to build a budget you are setting up coaches to fail. A coach can’t keep everyone on a huge roster happy so retention suffers. You can’t build culture if you can’t retain athletes.
“Why would you travel all over if your son can’t even play?”
This kid.
This team.
These families.
It’s been a privilege to cheer for these exceptional young men.
@MetroStars23_24
thanks for the memories!
Another parent telling me my son is the kid they tell their son to “follow” and “be like” because of his effort and work ethic is one of the best compliments I’ve ever gotten as a parent.
7 mths ago I made a costly parenting decision.
Since then, I had teen girls “styling” me for this day.
Was told I had to learn songs, that there would be sequins, chanting and bracelets exchanged.
I have arrived at the threshold of hell.
It’s TSwift concert day.
Pray for me.
It’s easy to forget in January that the true measure of your baseball ability isn’t determined by your words, videos or your past performance.
What really matters is whether you PRODUCE when it counts. Will you be an asset to your team between the chalk? Winners produce results.
Ok guys, now we have to do this right. Commit to the safeguards. Follow the protocols. Be disciplined and proceed with intent. It’s like running the T..stay the course, grind it out, find the end zone. Be in it to win it. Make it work.
#FootballIsBack
#LetThemPlay
#moms4football
I just made the final college tuition payment for kid
#1
.
The euphoria in which I am reveling is matched only by the horror of knowing we start it all over again with kid
#2
in a few short months.
4 days.
6 softball games.
5 baseball games.
2.5 hour drive home.
20 minutes in the house then… “Mom, are you going to the grocery store any time soon?”
A few games into the HS baseball season & it seems a good time to remind parents: Your son’s performance isn’t a reflection of you, but your reaction to it sure is. Be supportive. Challenge him to be his best. Don’t tear him down when he makes a mistake. Tomorrow’s a new day.
Mother’s Day looks different for baseball moms. Five years ago this weekend we were at the ball field doing what we do. I was handed a note and a broken carnation—“It was in my bat bag, Mom.” 🤦🏼♀️😂
The kid won a trophy.
Shout out to the Moms who wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤️
Yesterday I asked a college coach his thoughts about the impact of transfers on college baseball recruiting and HS players. He cited building culture and transformational relationships (not transactional) among the reasons to invest in HS players. He gets it.
The real story here is not Cheryl’s illness. It’s her resolve to raise this young man with a sense of responsibility at any cost. She’s giving him the best gift any of us can give our children. God bless you, Cheryl. ❤️☘️❤️
“Dexter never once thought about leaving and going somewhere else after he was suspended. No. No. No. Dexter’s been taught to take responsibility for anything that he does. He did that, and he did it well.” — Cheryl Williams
18 days until the HS baseball season.
273 days out from full UCL reconstruction.
Hit another milestone yesterday, crushing 235lb. bench.
He knows. Consistent hard work is the only way to success. Early mornings/late nights. Cold days. Busy days. Work wins. Payoff is coming.