If there’s a local dream team, the 2011 Mount Si High School baseball team is it. The senior-heavy varsity team’s long-awaited return to state was 14 years in the making—a lot of the team has been playing together since middle school; several of these young men traveled in winning Little League seasons.

With so much talent, a lot of pressure was on new head coach Elliott Cribby to deliver results. Deliver he did, but he’s quick to share credit with the people behind the scenes: the fans and volunteers, the boosters and financial backers, and the community at large—all of whom can take pride in our Wildcat athletic accomplishments.

Cribby and his staff instilled an aggressive work ethic on the diamond, while contributions outside the field fence also made a mark.

“I want to succeed and win, but it’s a lot more than that,” the head coach told me. “It’s getting everybody involved.” That ‘everybody’ includes the volunteers who keep the diamond pristine, the financial supporters whose banners grace the stadium, the fans who cheer at games, even the media.

No coach can do it alone. Parental involvement plays a big role in the success of any youth program, and Cribby credits the senior parents as key helpers.

Cribby takes his role very seriously, and carries himself in a professional manner. When he meets parents and fans, he thanks them for the help, for coming to games and supporting the team. A winning season always brings in the fans, but Cribby recognizes that support is optional, never guaranteed.

What happens next spring? Hopefully, more of the same. As the seniors move on, that means a changing of the guard, not just on the bench, but also in parent involvement.

As the underclassmen step up, and the freshmen, sophomore and junior players transfer to new leadership roles, their parents will, too.

Cribby said his younger players have seen what’s going on at the top level. There is no reason why they can’t do it, too. Same goes for the folks off the field—the fans, parents, boosters. That amazing cycle of growth is what powers youth athletics.

So, stay involved, and we’ll see you next season.