Are you a Guardian of the Game?

I had a few people ask me to post my closing speech from the 3rd Annual Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner. I used this opportunity to deliver one of the most important messages around. This is about protecting our game from those that look to steal, cheat and take from children without giving back. We all know people that are here for the wrong reasons and we need to do all we can to make sure they are not allowed to hurt the game of baseball.


These words can be applied to every sport




(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.)



GUARDIANS OF THE GAME

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

 

Great words, Tripp...your passionate delivery of these words at the dinner made the message even more resounding.

 

Thanks!

I love the true spirit of "the game". I love to hear the laughter, the sound of the ball in the mitt, the ball on the bat, the fans, etc.

We need to remember these words as another season starts.

Can I get your permission to share this with our coaches, team and parents?

 

Great Words Tripp - Here is one that was posted last year:

THAT'S MY BOY DOWN THERE!​

Please don't curse that boy down there -
He is my son you see;
He's only just a boy you know,
He means the world to me.

I did not raise my son, dear fan,
For you to call him names;
He may not be a super-star
But these are their games.

So please don't knock those boys down there,
They do the best they can;
They've never tried to lose a game,
They're boys and you're a fan.

This game belongs to them, you see,
You're really just a guest;
They do not need a fan that gripes,
They need the very best.

If you have nothing nice to say,
Please leave the boys alone,
And, if you've forgotten your manners,
Then please just stay at home.

So, please don't curse those boys down there,
Each one's a parent's son,
And win or lose or tie, you see,
To us, they're number one!!!