You never know when you’re making a memory or leaving an impression.

Philosophy

We will run a high school baseball program that:

     - is sustainable over the long term,

     - our students take significant pride in, and

     - our students can fulfill whatever potential they are capable of and 

        they are willing to commit to working towards

 

We have 3 Goals for the season:

     1)  Every individual becomes a better baseball player

     2)  Every individual becomes a better teammate

     3)  Every individual becomes a better person 

 

We will remember that our #1 priority and focus is to help develop better people through competing in the game of baseball.  We want to give them learning experiences they can use the rest of their lives.  We're developing a person first, an athlete second.  If we win a Conference or Section championship; great; it will be very exciting, and we will celebrate!  But, if we do not help our players become better players, better teammates and better people in the process, then it will not be very meaningful...

 

We will coach within the framework of the overall high school experience and priorities, and we support and encourage multiple sport athletes. 

 

We will work with and support the Shoreview Area Youth Baseball organization and the Tri-CIty Legion baseball program.

 

We encourage parents to be involved as they are able and willing to help provide a positive and enriching experience for the players. 

 

We will have high expectations for all involved: Coaches, Players and Parents.  We will do everything within an environment of class and commitment.  The players will consistently hear these words, and we will talk about what they mean off the field as well as on it.

 

We will respect and leverage the significant success of past teams, coaches and players at MVHS.  At the same time, tradition doesn't win any games; good players, good coaching, and hard work does...

 

We will focus on performance, not on the outcome - we get better results when we focus on those things that we control, especially in an adversity oriented game like baseball.  We will talk in terms of being "not satisfied” versus “disappointed” if things don’t go well - viewing it as a “temporary setback,” not “failure.”  We hold ourselves accountable, we don’t make excuses, and we don’t focus on past events that have already happened.  The environment will be positive and enthusiastic.

 

We will emphasize three things that we control from a baseball standpoint; these essentially represent how we will evaluate our performance each game.

     - Execute with Fundamentals

     - Be Mentally Tough

     - Compete Aggressively ("With a Purpose")

 

We will emphasize defense - it's no secret that if you throw strikes and make plays, you've always got a chance to win a game.

 

From a defensive standpoint, we will be conservative.  “Make the routine plays,” “make an out of an out,” and “no play – no throw” are themes that will be constantly emphasized.     

 

Offensively, we will be “aggressive under control.”  We want to put “constant pressure” on the opponent’s defense.

 

We will emphasize and spend practice time on the mental part of the game of baseball: practicing ways to help deal with adversity, and developing and practicing routines that can be relied upon under pressure.

 

We will have fun.  Fun is working hard and getting better, and fun also is simply enjoying the game; it’s really fun to connect solidly with the bat, or to just play catch…

 

Coach Downey