The Woman in the Arena

"The Man In The Arena" - Theodore Roosevelt From a speech at the Sorbonne Paris, France April 23, 1910 

"It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

The game is about the players. Former manager Earl Weaver said, "You're never as good as you look when you win or as bad as you look when you lose." The best players bring the same intensity, focus, and effort every day - practice or game - regardless of the results.

Everyone gets chances. You get opportunity every day at tryouts, at practice, and selectively during games. Take advantage of those chances. Earn Coach Scott Celli's trust by performing at a high level. 

Dare to excel.  

Lagniappe. "For studying courage in textbooks doesn’t make you any more courageous than eating cow meat makes you bovine." - "Skin in the Game," by Nassim Taleb