COACHES' CORNER

The 2012 season was another memorable one for the Mustangs.  The 19-11 Mustangs finished 2^nd in District 6-5A with a 12-4 record and won a Bi-District Championship with a dramatic 5-2 win over Cedar Hill in round 1 of the playoffs.   Never has a season ended in such a dramatic fashion as this one.  The 12-inning “walk off” loss to Southlake Carroll was one of the best baseball games ever to be played anywhere.  The energy that was in the ballpark on that afternoon will be remembered for a long time. 

 The Mustangs will again play host to an exceptional field of talented teams at the Baylor Grapevine Classic.  This tournament honors the memory of Chris Gavora and provides the financial support for the annual endowment scholarship given in Chris’ name.  Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine has meant so much to this tournament through the years and again will serve as the title sponsor.  The Mustangs will again travel to Midland to compete in the prestigious Tournament of Champions, take part in the Highland Park Classic, play a non-district game versus Red Oak at the Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie, and play a rematch game against Southlake Carroll at our ballpark in April.  This competitive schedule will require us to be at our very best each and every outing. 

You will notice several improvements have been made to our ballpark this year.  The GHS Hitting Facility was completed in November and will provide our baseball and softball programs with a beautiful “state of the art” practice facility for many years to come.  This project is a great example of teamwork at its very best.  Thank you to our Tenth Man Club, the Diamond Dreams Foundation, and the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD for providing the energy and financial support to make this happen.  The facility will serve as a tribute to Chris Gavora and Mike Coolbaugh and the legacies that they have left on so many that have been touched by their lives. Additions to our memorial entryway, a permanent BBQ grill, and additional netting certainly provide a new look to the Ballpark at Grapevine.             

 For this to be a successful season it is important that we take NO Shortcuts!  Everyone wants to win, but not everyone is willing to prepare to win.  Hours and hours of work and dedication have been sacrificed in order to earn the opportunity to be successful.  The foundation has been laid.  It’s time to build on it. 

We will prepare to win but our number one goal as a program is to develop young men prepared to be successful in life.  The game of baseball allows young men an opportunity to learn many lessons that will prepare them for the road ahead.  A few qualities that will help insure future success are Work, Enthusiasm, Attitude, Respect, Integrity, and Toughness.  “WEAR IT” reminds each of us these key attributes that personify success.