The Lion and the Gazelle

In Africa there is an old proverb that states "When the sun rises the lion runs...  But so too does the gazelle."  Our question to our Rangers players is, are you the lion or the gazelle in this proverb?  Understand that they both run, but why do they run?  

The lion runs because it is hungry. The gazelle runs because the lion is hungry.  The lion stops running because it is no longer hungry.  The gazelle stops because the lion has eaten.  Are you the lion or the gazelle?  Right now, we the coaches, are the lions. We tell you when to run, when to hit, when to catch. Because you are not always doing what baseball players should do. You need to use all five tools: run, catch/field, throw, hit for power, hit for average.  Do this with purpose and urgency.  

When the lion walks out on to the savanah everyone know he is there.  When we take the field we should be like the lion and take it with confidence and purpose.  What does this mean?  We throw like we mean it, we catch like we have done this a hundred times before, we move like we are at home on the field.  So again I ask, are you a lion or a gazelle?  And this time I will answer it for you.  Many of you are becoming lions and the coaches are very proud of you.  There are others that will take more time and we are willing to wait.

Let us become LIONS.

Coach Dan