Games started this week and I think now is the perfect time for a quick reminder on a few important concepts that will help everyone enjoy the season as much as possible. Please share this with your son and if you're a parent and/or coach, please feel free to share it with the other adults on your team as following these guidelines will create as positive an environment as possible for the kids!

For Players:

1) Baseball is hard, stay positive!

2) The umpire is human and will make mistakes - be kind to him.

3) You are human and you will make mistakes - be kind to yourself.

4) The only play that matters is the next one.

5) The harder you hustle, the more fun you'll have.

6) Always thank the ump after the game.

7) Always thank your parents after the game.

8) Always support your teammates.

9) Always be a good sport.

10) HAVE FUN!

For Parents:

1) Celebrate your son's effort and sportsmanship ahead of results such as winning and losing.

2) Do not coach from the stands.

3) Never yell at the ump.

4) Never yell at the other team or their coaches.

5) Stay away from the dugouts during the game.

6) The umpire is human and will make mistakes.

7) Cheer positively.

8) Root for the whole team, not just your son.

9) HAVE FUN!

10) "Your child's success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of parent you are. But having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient and tries their best IS a direct reflection of your parenting."

For Coaches:

1) Your 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 make sure he doesn't have fun playing baseball.

4) Yelling at a player is the worst way to make sure your message is heard.

5) Win with class.

6) Lose with grace.

7) The umpire is human and is going to make mistakes.

8) Your player's attitude will mirror your own.

9) HAVE FUN!

10) From Jim Leyland in a personal letter he wrote to all the Tigers players after he was announced as the 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.