CHANGE

 

There are a lot of inspiring things in the world; individual humans being one of them. Inspiring people motivate others by their actions, their example and their words. They make a difference.  Before you can make a difference in others, make the necessary changes in your own life to improve, motivate and inspire yourself, to do better and be better. Find that self-motivation.

 

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

Winston Churchill

 

Working Hard

A little update on my Murrieta Mesa JV baseball team. We are now 0-3 in league, losing three straight. It's a tough thing losing, especially when we are playing better every game. We are making fewer mistakes, less strikeouts at the plate and limiting our defensive errors; we just can't get guys across the plate. We have opportunities to score, but just can't get that clutch hit, leaving guys on base. The ball just isn't bouncing our way and finding holes; but give credit to the other teams we are playing because they have made some critical plays to make a third out and get out of an inning when we have the opportunity to push guys across. We are getting great pitching from our starters, but all it takes is one inning for our opponent to put a few hits together and score a few runs and we are down, scrapping to get back in the game.
The guys are working hard everyday, in the cages and working live defense but to win we gotta work a little bit harder and get better everyday. Trying to keep the guys positive and focus on the things that we have been doing well. The hits will come, we just gotta keep swinging and stay aggressive. We are hanging close in every game, and there is no reason why we couldn't be 3-0 if we get a few crucial base hits here and there and stop giving up outs on defense.

Found this picture online this morning and thought it fits perfectly with the situation we are in right now as a baseball team. I printed this picture out to hang in the dugout and looking forward to see the boys reaction to it. Have a non-league game tomorrow against Hemet and two more games next week before spring break. Hoping to get a few wins going into spring break.

ABCA CONVENTION

 Last weekend I was able to attend the annual American Baseball Coaches Association Convention in Anaheim. It was AWESOME! Coaches, players and companies across the nation associated with baseball at every level participated and attended. I was able to attend 2 out of the 3 days, Friday and Saturday. From 8 am to 6 pm there were clinic sessions that you could attend. Clinics and presentations from top Division 1 coaches, professional hitting instructors, sports psychologists, athletic trainers, former coaches that are now motivational speakers. Anything you can think of dealing with baseball and athletics, it was covered. It was a great experience for me and I hope to be able to attend more in the future. I was able to take away a lot of information to be implemented into my coaching style; different drills, players relationships, leadership roles, offensive and defensive philosophies and the list can go on. I thought I was excited to start this baseball season a few weeks ago, but after attending this convention I am even more pumped to start my first year of coaching. It increased my desire to be a head coach at the college level to be honest. There are so many opportunities in the world of sports and athletics and that is what I love to do. I am happy I am taking the first step and have been given the opportunity to coach this year. I hope I can be an positive influence and be able to help young baseball players to become better people and leaders along with improving their skills as a basbeball player.

LOVE..... and BASEBALL

There are a lot of things that people "Love."  There are a lot of things that I love.  I simply love life and everything that it has to offer.  I love my beautiful wife Brooke, with all my heart and will for eternity.  I love my family unconditionally.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and so grateful for the love, joy, peace and knowledge is brings into my life.  I could make a long list of the things I love, but those are the few really important things I love in this life.

One of my great passions, and has been from the time I was young, is baseball.  I love baseball.  I enjoy playing a lot of different sports and being active but the game of baseball is special.  I haven't played an actual baseball game for a few years but I get my baseball fix by playing a lot softball.  It isn't quite the same but very similar.

I came across this simple quote and that is what inspired this blog post.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too."

I am really excited to get the chance to coach baseball this next season at the high school level.  I have never coached a team before and it will be a new experience for me. I am a little nervous, but I feel the skills needed to coach will come naturally and I have confidence in myself that I will be able to do the job.  

A COACH'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, guide me as

I try to coach this team;

to build each player’s character

and boost their self-esteem.

May I keep an even temper

and remember it’s just a game.

Let me not have favorite players,

but treat them all the same.

Grant me patience with them

as I praise them or correct,

remembering that I must work

to earn each one’s respect.

Lord, whether we may win or lose

may all who are watching see

the kind of coach at every game

that you would have me be.

Amen

By: Tony Alfonso

Last week while I was waiting to meet with the Athletic Director at Murrieta Mesa to turn in some paper work, I had a few moments to look around the school's gymnasium.  In the entrance lobby there were several cases that displayed team pictures, signed baseballs and footballs along with many awards achieved by players and teams.  In one of the cases I found the above Coach's Prayer.  I had never heard of it before but the words left an impression on me.  Simple words to remember but not always easily done.  I hope that within the opportunities I have to coach,  that I will constantly have this prayer in my heart and be able to focus on individuals as well as all the "small and simple things"  and let  "winning" be a byproduct of the hard work, dedication and determination.  It is very similar to how the Lord and the Gospel works in our lives. Alma 37:6-7  His purpose is "...to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  Christ has fulfilled is promise and we must continually strive to fulfill our responsibilty.  Through the small and simple things such as; repentance, saying our daily prayers, reading our scriptures, serving others and obeying His commandments, we will be on the "strait and narrow path" leading to eternal life.  If it is our goal is to return to live with our Father in Heaven and our Savior I know that these small and simple, not always easy, things will be apart of our lives and through them we will find peace and joy in this life and in the life to come.

LOVE THE GAME

I stummbled upon this quote and absolutely love it. I love sports and how they can relate to life in general. You can learn a lot of life lessons when participating in sports and being apart of a team.


"LOVE THE GAME. Love the game for the pure joy of accomplishment.  Love the game for everything it can teach you about yourself.  Love the game for the feeling of belonging to a group endeavoring to do its best.  Love the game for being involved in a team whose members can't wait to see you do your best.  Love the game for the challenge of working harder than you ever have at something and then harder than that.  Love the game because it takes all team members to give it life.  Love the game because at its best, the game tradition will include your contributions.  Love the game because you belong to a long line of fine athletes who have loved it.  It is now your legacy.  Love the game so much that you will pass on your love of the game to another athlete who has seen your dedication, your work, your challenges, your triumphs... and then that athlete will, because of you, love the game."


---Unknown

Lets try this again

So.... It has been over six months since I posted a blog on MY blog. That's a long time. I had pretty much given up on my own blog since Brooke and I got married because,

1.we made one together, which has been neglected for some time now, and

2. we didn't have internet at our new place for a few months.

But.... I have decided that I want to keep my own blog; talk about sports, church, random thoughts and inspiration that relate to me and do small post about what Brooke and I are doing these days and more about OUR family on the other blog. ( http://www.ryanbrookeridley.blogspot.com/ ) The blog of Brooke and I together will have more pictures and details. Well, thats my plan. Wish me luck.

I know I have tried to keep this blog updated before but I am making a more concentrated effort to really spend some time in sharing my thoughts and opinions about life in general, my experiences and sports.  So..lets try this again..........