Here's the reality: your son or daughter will forget most of their stats from little league. But they'll never forget the teammate who picked them up after they struck out. Or the one who celebrated their first hit like it won the World Series.

The games end. Teammate lessons last a lifetime.

In every dugout, there are kids who hit the most home runs or throw the hardest. But the players every coach remembers? The great teammates.

Being a great teammate is a choice. It takes zero talent, but it makes everyone—including you—better.

1. Celebrate Others
When a teammate gets a hit or makes a play, make noise. Be the first one out of the dugout. Energy is contagious.

2. Lead by Example
Hustle on and off the field. Show up early, stay late, pick up equipment. Effort is key.

3. Pick Up Your Teammates
When someone's struggling, they need to hear from you. A fist bump, "You'll get the next one," or just sitting next to them matters. The best teams don't let anyone struggle alone.

Watch: Example of a great teammate taking ownership – This is leadership in action. (32 seconds)

Why it works: Great teammates build trust and culture. Great teams beat great players.

💡 Parent Tip

After games, ask:

"Who did you encourage today?"

"Did you celebrate someone else's success today?”

"What did you learn from a teammate?"

Praise effort and leadership as much as performance. One habit: have your player thank a teammate or coach after every game.

Gratitude builds humility and respect.

🧢 Coaches Corner

Call out teammates who encourage others—do it in front of the group so players see that leadership matters.

Set a standard: No one walks off the field alone. Win or lose, teammates support each other. That's championship culture.

Watch: Duke Basketball Coach — on building great teammates. (12 seconds)

🔥 Weekly Challenge

Notice one teammate this week who's struggling or being quiet. Sit next to them. Check in. Pick them up.

The best leaders see what others miss.

⭐ Pro Tip

The best players I've been around all had one thing in common: they made everyone around them better.

I played with plenty of guys who never made it past college—more talented than some pros I know. The difference? The guys who made it were great teammates first, great players second.

You don't need to be a star to be a leader. You just need to show up with the right attitude.

Twenty years later, those are the teammates I still remember.

🧠 Mindset Rep

Before your next game, ask yourself: "What kind of teammate do I want to be?"

Then pick ONE person to show that to—the struggling kid, the quiet one, the star who needs support too.

You don't become a great teammate by accident. You choose it. Then you act on it.

One teammate. One game. That's how culture is created.

💬 Ask Coach Steve

Got a question? Hit reply and ask me anything—about coaching, player development, managing expectations, parenting athletes, or keeping kids in the game.

Let's figure it out together.

Help me keep more kids in the game. If you found this helpful, please forward it to another parent or coach.

Thanks for being here. See you next week Inside the Dugout.

-Coach Steve-

Steve Holmes
Founder, Inside the Dugout
2006 MLB Draft | All-American | Youth Coach | Dad