"Just win, baby."
"You play to win the game."
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
The quotes are everywhere, printed on t-shirts, plastered all over locker rooms around the world. Winning. It's what we play the games for. It's the root of one's competitive fire. And it's something that is much bigger than sport- life is a competition, with people constantly trying to better than the person next to them.
Competition is seen in all walks of life, and minor league baseball is no different… or is it?
Contrary to most competitive sports, the environment found at Minor League ballparks - especially at the lower levels - is not one where coaching staffs are doing everything they possibly can to win every single game, but rather doing everything they possibly can get their players better. Our primary focus is on player development … winning is secondary.
About USA Baseball
USA Baseball has been the national governing body for amateur baseball since 1978. It represents more than 12 million amateur players in ballparks and playgrounds across the country. USA Baseball is a resource center for its various membership groups, fans and players and is also responsible for promoting and developing the game of baseball on the grassroots level, both nationally and internationally.
Other Articles by USA Baseball
Keeping Injured Players Involved
- By USA Baseball 09/05/2017, 9:30am PDT
Arm Care and Injuries
- By Daryl C. Osbahr, M.D., USA Baseball 08/21/2017, 2:15pm PDT
What Can We Learn From Baseball?
- By Dr. Anne Shadle, Ph. D., USA Baseball 06/21/2017, 4:45pm PDT