Ohio Storm Rodawalt

As we put a bow on the summer of 12U we also want to talk about the families and parents of our kids. We’ve talked about the culture we want on our team and how that will always be a priority and something we protect with our program. That includes that message being echoed and shared by our families as well. The kids work hard and pick each other up and we ask our parents to do the same. Be their biggest fans pick them up when they’re down and encourage them. It’s a tough game, a game of failure and how you react to that failure makes the difference. It’s hard to “let go” and know that growth comes from failure and bouncing back because we all love our kids and just want them to succeed but our parents have done a tremendous job buying into that as well. Whether it’s bribing
them with ice cream parties, making signs and cheering from the outfield, grandparent stepping in to help and be there even for out of town games, riding roller coasters, hitting a train horn for big plays or playing silly card games making them laugh so hard water comes out of their nose these girls have great families that are enjoying the ride while it lasts as they get older. There’s a lot of time energy sacrifice and resources spent by families for these kids to enjoy playing a game they love and make these memories and grow as athletes and people and our kids are lucky to have committed families pushing them as well!

Tomorrow we have bracket play and the last games of 12U for these kids. We talk a lot about culture and today I was able to capture some of what we mean by that and am able to highlight it.

In the video we have our catcher Kora. Who because we’ve been short handed has caught 90% of the innings for us and never once complained. And in the second to last inning of the last game of the day in 90 degrees in the sun is still (despite us telling her to save her energy lol) trotting out to the circle to celebrate a strikeout with her pitcher.

And in the photo we have Kensley who received two MVPs in today’s games. She had no idea I was around to overhear her chasing Kora down to try to give her one of her MVP medals because they see how hard Kora works for her teammates.

They celebrate each others successes and care about each other. Those things don’t show up in Box Scores but we notice and we’re proud of them! Great job girls!

💪🏼🌪️🥎