LEGION: Post 11 needs to find intensity, desire, heart as postseason begins

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 3, 2016 1:47 AM

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Earlier this week, the basketball world lost Pat Summitt.

Her passing, which remains surreal at times, has drawn me to the internet moreso than any other coach that writers have reminisced about through the years.

One article on Summitt caught my attention.

The legendary coach developed a 'Definite Dozen' rules for success.

Once I began reading them, it amazed me as to how these rules reflect not only sports but every day life whether you're a coach, a teacher, a professional in some capacity, a teammate or a member of your community who selflessly volunteers your time to help others.

As I continued to read through the list, I thought about this year's edition of the Wayne County Post 11 baseball team and those in years past. Every single rule that Summitt describes can be attributed -- in some way -- to every player who currently wears or has worn that blue-and-gold uniform at some point in the respective career.

* Summitt describes respect and says that individual success is a myth because not a single person succeeds by themself and must have respect for those around them.

* Coaches always talk about accountability -- hold yourself responsible for your actions. Admit your mistakes, which improves you as an individual and builds respect among your peers.

* Communication is, perhaps, the root of all evil. Talk to your teammates. Be aware of body language -- yours and theirs. Always make eye contact. And silence helps, too.

* Self-discipline is a taught trait. It's one that catches a coach's attention and the average fan who attends a game. It gives you the ability to finish your job and separates excellent work from average work.

* Be passionate about your work and see yourself as self-employed. It's your job to produce on the court, whether you're a starter or a role player. One is just as important as the other and once you work together, success comes.

* Work hard and smart as you learn your strengths, weaknesses and needs. When you understand each other, you're able to maximize the best out of your team.

* Putting team before self allows common people to obtain uncommon results. Not everyone is a born leader. There are alphas (leaders) and betas (followers) in this world who must work together as a cohesive unit.

* Maintaining a positive outlook leads to a winning attitude and competitive edge. Each is a choice and it separates achieving athletes from average athletes. You're also able to influence the opposition because you impose your will on them that nothing they can do to you will affect how you play the game.

* Be willing to change who you are and take risks. Handle success like you handle failure. Examine what made you fail and, in turn, set new goals for yourself.

Wayne County Post 11 is 14-7 overall and just a few days away from playing its semifinal-round series in the Area I East Division playoffs. It's a group with some new faces, but also some seasoned players who understand what it means to play in a program that is considered among the elite statewide.

It's a team that could also take a lesson from Summitt. The Naismith Hall-of-Fame coach instilled heart, pride, determination, dedication and the passion for her sport into every team she coached for nearly four decades.

Summitt made her players understand that putting on a uniform is not a privilege, you have to earn it. And once you wear it, the responsibility becomes great -- how you act as an individual when things may not go your way, how you represent your family, how you interact among your teammates, how you respect your coaches and opponents and how proud you make your community.

You do those same things in life every day.

So, the message is simple.

The potential has been there all season Post 11.

It's time to reach deep into your soul, channel your inner Summitt spirit and fuel that burning desire to be everything that you want to be as a baseball player. Accomplish that and you'll become a formidable, confident opponent who can handle and respond to any adversity.

That self belief -- in turn -- will send the message "you will not beat me today" to any team that you play along the way.