Buying In to the Team

Throughout the course of a baseball game there is always a play or few which decide the winner and loser. It might be a home run, sac fly, double, error, missed opportunity, etc.  Obviously the score at the end of the game is what matters the most but there is much more that goes into that.  College baseball is about playing at a high level and buying in to the team concept.  There aren't many programs that draw the attendance to feed off the crowd like football and basketball.  Generally, the teams that play at a higher energy level win close games.  It takes all 35 guys to be fully invested in the program and the team to win games and ultimately championships.  This can be a tough concept to grasp-- especially pulling for the guy playing in front of you.  But that's what it takes to win.  I'm not talking about sounding like a softball team and cheering for three hours.  I'm talking about paying attention to the game so when you get your opportunity you give yourself the best chance to succeed.  We all went through the same preseason, lifts, runs, and even punishment runs-- together.  Every game matters during a 56 game regular season and the difference between the top and the middle of the road teams is minimal.  I've been on some great teams but I've also been on some not so great teams.  Sadly enough the difference between these teams was not talent.  The winning teams were unselfish and bought in to the team concept.