When I first wrote this list for Gamechanger a few years ago, it went semi-viral and believe was was their most liked and shared post of all-time, and eventually ending up on the LittleLeague.org website too. Take that, Instagram "influencers"!! :-)

With competitive games taking place for the first time in over a year in the coming days and weeks, I think it's a good time to re-post this Top 10 list so that we're doing our part as parents and coaches to give our kids the best possible experience during games.

1. The players are children playing a game they are still learning.

2. Use mistakes as an opportunity to teach, not to punish.

3. Yelling at a player is the best way to guarantee they don't have fun playing baseball.

4. Yelling at a player is the worst way to get your message heard.

5. Win with class.

6. Lose with grace.

7. The umpire is a human being and is going to make mistakes.

8. The player's attitudes will mirror your own.

9. HAVE FUN!

10. From Jim Leyland in a personal letter he wrote to all Tigers players after he was announced as the new manager in 2006: "I demand a lot from my players yet I want my players totally relaxed and having fun. This is not life and death, but simply a competitive game."

Have a great 2021 season! PLAY HARD, HAVE FUN!