As youth baseball players in Babe Ruth, Little League, high school or college we can learn a lot from our neighboring community of Corvallis and the Oregon State “Beavers” baseball team. As Scott Sanders, OSU Baseball Outfielder 1988-1990 commented, “They have a refuse-to-lose attitude, whether they’re down six-to-nothing or eight-to-nothing, they believe they can come back and win every game they’re in.”
Sure the Beavers have had their ups and downs as many teams have. The Beavers won national championships in 2006 and 2007 followed by a couple of difficult years. This year’s team is really special though not only in skill but even more so in attitude. Injuries do not stop this team for if one player is injured another youth steps up to support the team. Several points behind at the end of an inning – is not going to convince the Beavers that they have lost the game and instead they rally to make up the loss and pull out a win.
Not a perfect team for even the No. 3 Beavers have had a game or two where they allowed their emotions to fail them such as losing to the unranked Oregon Ducks baseball team. The Beavers have shown though that an off game or an emotional lapse does not make a team. Instead these youth are able to learn from a loss. Yes, the Beavers baseball players are winners in every way that all youth and also adults can learn from.
I may be a Ducks fan but in this case I am pleased to say, “Go Beavers!”
~Terry W~
