ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING

Why is it so hard for some people to do the right thing?

What makes someone “act out?”

Why do people not want to put in the work?

In athletics it’s puzzling to me.

Show up, put in the work, be coachable, be a great teammate.

Is that hard?

Go to school. Do the work. Don’t be a distraction

It’s a simple formula.

Be nice. Work hard. Stay positive.

Here’s an article on a high school baseball player who I have had the pleasure to be around the past three years. This guy is amazing. Outstanding baseball player; better person. Goes about his business every day.

By the way, he’ll be a first round draft pick in the upcoming MLB draft.

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/04/14/get-know-okemos-senior-mlb-draft-prospect-caleb-bonemer/73279725007

Always play the right way…

E-mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

LESS IS MORE

In the State of Michigan, high school baseball and softball teams play 38 regular season games. That’s way too many.

On most days, they play doubleheaders – that’s not right. 

WHY?

Think about this; A student attends class from 7:45 AM to 2:35 PM. Gets on the yellow school bus after school for an away game and travels to the opposing field. 

First game of the DH starts at 4. After two games we’ll say the second game ends at 8. (Darkness and cold weather also factor in.)

Back on the bus following the games, student gets back home at 9.  In some cases they can be at the field for 5 straight hours

That’s a long day. Too long if you ask me. 

Now he or she has to eat dinner and do homework.

That’s pretty taxing.

Let’s cut out doubleheaders and cut down on the amount of games played.

And you wonder why some kids struggle with not only academics but with mental health?

SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

YOUTH SPORTS

A popular psychologist once said to me, “parents have hijacked youth sports.”

This guy has worked with many pro and college athletes and has been a consultant for a lot teams. He’s seen and heard a lot.

This afternoon I went out to watch the district championship baseball game between the Okemos Wolves and Grand Ledge Comets. The Wolves came out on top 6-4. Caleb Bonemer smashed 3 home runs and pitched the last two innings to close the door. Earlier this week Bonemer was named Gatorade Michigan Baseball Player of the Year.

I work at Okemos High School. I see the entire team every day. I have built a good relationship with many of them. In a society that likes to bash youth sports and their parents, I am here to tell you there are a lot of good parents and kids out there.

If you have coached you have probably come across a few kids and parents who are awful. They make the job a lot harder. Constant complaining whether it’s an e-mail, text, or phone call. They’ll even take to social media and criticize you. I’ve been confronted in the hallway following a game. Always bickering about something. Pouting and whining. It’s tired. Usually it comes down to playing time.

The Okemos High School baseball team is amazing. Not just on the field but off it. They are respectful, humble and do very well in the classroom. This afternoon following the game I had the chance to meet a couple of parents and let them know they have done a great job with their boys. I often talk about how you can make a connection between good students…I want to meet the parents. It all starts at home.

Raise the kids the right way and you’re doing your job.

Always play the right way…

SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

THE CAPTAIN – DEREK JETER

Last night was the final episode of Derek Jeter’s documentary, “The Captain.” And like the previous six episodes, it was terrific.

Highly recommend everyone to watch it streaming on ESPN. Many lessons to be learned. Kids, parents, coaches…can all benefit. Jeter is an inspiring guy. A class act as well as his parents. They did a great job raising him. I have read two of Jeter’s books, love him!

Here are a few quotes taken from last night’s interviews.

“My parents were strict. Now that I am a parent I understand it. It teaches you discipline and responsibility. I grew up not making excuses. Treating people with respect. Who you are as a person has to matter.”

“Did he leave everything on the field?” Derek’s mom Dorothy was asked. “I think he did…” she added.

“Best thing I could ever experience was being a father.”

“The Hall-of-Fame never crossed my mind during my career. It was just do your job.”

“Nobody’s perfect. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes.”

“When you sit around and say what’s next, what’s next, you never get a chance to enjoy anything. Right now I just wanna enjoy each day.”

“Create your vision. Stick to that vision. If you believe in it, you’ll do all the necessary work that you need to do to make that vision happen.” -Michael Jordan

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

THE CANDY MAN

History of Hoops:

Many old school heads like to throw out names when discussing great players from the past.  Everyone has their favorite.  There’s a lot of talk lately about the G.O.A.T. in high school, college and pro.  It’s a team sport so I have moved away from claiming any one player the greatest of all-time.

One player that never gets mentioned for his accomplishments in high school is Brooklyn’s own,  John Candelaria.  Most sports fans know the Candy Man as a fine pitcher for 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, but John also was an outstanding basketball player at LaSalle Academy.   At the Lower East Side school John led the Cardinals to the city championship in 1971.   A New York City basketball bird dog told me he was one of the all-time best scorers and rebounders in the city.

In 1972, Candelaria was selected to play for Puerto Rico’s Olympic basketball team but passed on it.   Candy’s parents were born in Puerto Rico. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the second round so he went the hardball route.  Roberto Clemente was brought in to help sign him;  telling him to hold out for more money, because he was worth it.  Candelaria took his advice, the Pirates paid him more.  (Thanks to Matty White for the image of John at LaSalle)

E-Mail: Hoops135@hotmail.com

PURSUE YOUR PASSION

Tim Tebow held a baseball workout. Here’s his comments afterwards:

“You pursue what you love, right? Regardless of what happens. If you fail or fall flat on your face. If that’s the worst thing that can happen, that’s okay. When did that become such  a bad thing? When did pursuing what you love become a bad thing? Regardless of the result. I will make all the sacrifices to be the best I can be. A lot of people will say, ‘well what if you fail’? What if you don’t make it’? Guess what? I don’t have to live with regret. I did everything I could, I pushed it.