CONGRATULATIONS
To our 2024 Commitments ..... More to come!
Katie Schuler - University of South Alabama
Presley Lively - University of South Alabama
Morgan Stiles - Mississippi State
Ashleia Coble - University of South Alabama
Taylor Au - Huntingdon College
Tenayja Thomas-Wallace State
Lily Lowery-Florida Atlantic University
We understand our program is not for everyone. If your student/athlete has a passion for the game of fastpitch and has the work ethic to develop her skills, Alabama Sparks Elite is the place for her.
Please contact Slade Stewart for further information
ALABAMA SPARKS ELITE 16U STEWART
2022 COLORADO 4TH OF JULY
16U SUPPLEMENTAL POWER POOL CHAMPIONS
Being a Good Teammate!
There are many things that we cannot control as a player but the one characteristic we can all succeed in is being a great teammate. We always talk about the players that are true team players and will do anything to help the team be successful. These are the players that show emotional stability, are unselfish, and know how to deal with people effectively. What a great life skill to have that will help you succeed long after your playing days. Employers today are looking for former athletes because they understand what it takes for team success, can motivate others, and know how to make others better and truly understand the team concept. I heard a great analogy that fits not only teammates but also our own circle of people we choose to surround ourselves with. It is nothing more than basic math. People or teammates can be put in the following categories: People that add to our team! People that subtract from our team! People that divide our team! People that multiply our team! Simply – Surround yourself with and be adder or multiplier! Stay away from people that subtract from the team because they are always the victim and will never take full responsibility. They always have an excuse and it is never their fault. The one that can ruin any team is the divider. These players will not only be miserable to be around, they will never go down by themselves. The divider will always take others down with them and will absolutely ruin team chemistry.It is a choice to be a great teammate and add to the challenges that make the game so rewarding. Being a good teammate is a choice and you can have a positive effect on everyone that crosses your path because you will multiply the key element to team success. “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!"
People always ask what are the most important traits that we look for in recruiting and without a doubt, the one thing that always surfaces to the top of that list is what kind of teammate a player will be. Let's face it, we play a team sport and no matter how good your skills may be, the key ingredient to success is having the best team that plays as a team and not a bunch of individuals. Being a great teammate has many intangibles that we cannot always see in a performance but for a team to have success, how teammates treat each other is the key ingredient to team chemistry. As they always say: Individuals win honors but teams win Championships!
I have had the honor of coaching for many years and have had the opportunity to watch some of the best to ever play the game. What makes a great teammate? A great teammate is someone that brings a positive attitude to the field every day and plays the game with great passion. They make everyone around them better by the way they prepare, play the game, and respond to the difficult times that every player will face during a season. This begins by accepting responsibility for their own actions and encouraging others to be the best they can be. Striving for excellence takes people around you that will be honest with you, push you, and provide encouragement when the game gets difficult. Great teammates have consistency in their approach to the game all the time.
