⚾ Why We Built the 806 Drive Code of Conduct

There’s a common trap in youth sports that every coach, parent, and program eventually faces: the temptation to build around individual talent. It’s easy to get caught up in one player's potential, one coach’s voice, or one parent’s expectations. But when we started 806 Drive, we weren’t building a team around a person — we were building a system, a standard, and a way of doing things that could outlast any one season, roster, or moment. That’s why our Code of Conduct is not just a formality — it’s the foundation of everything we stand for. It ensures that every player, coach, and parent operates from the same set of values, with the same mission: to develop young people through the game of baseball.

Joe Maddon wrote in The Book of Joe, “When there’s no structure, there’s no freedom.” That’s the paradox we embrace. Structure doesn’t restrict players — it liberates them. When players know the expectations, when the standards are consistent, when accountability is a shared language, it allows kids to play freely. They can be aggressive, creative, and confident, knowing that the boundaries are clearly defined. They’re not afraid of being benched for a mistake. They’re not confused about what’s acceptable. They know the Drive Way, and that clarity gives them room to grow. That’s the type of freedom real athletes crave — freedom rooted in purpose, not chaos.

That’s why we emphasize effort over outcome. Character over statistics. Commitment over shortcuts. We want our players to be gritty, coachable, focused — not just for one season, but for life. And that can only happen when the culture holds strong. Maddon reminds us, “A team is not a democracy. A team is a benevolent dictatorship — with a purpose.” That may sound strong, but it simply means we are led by values, not popularity contests. Our coaches lead with empathy and consistency. Our players are expected to lead each other. And our parents are our teammates in reinforcing those lessons.

The Matheny Manifesto echoes this beautifully when Mike Matheny says:

“We are going to be a team of uncommon discipline and uncommon humility. We’re going to be different — because different is what makes great teams, and great men.”That quote sits at the core of our Code of Conduct. We’re not just trying to win games. We’re trying to build something different. Something lasting. Something uncommon. We’re not interested in just putting good athletes on the field — we’re committed to putting good people into the world. Kids who know how to treat umpires with respect. Who pick up teammates when they’re down. Who understand that being on time, finishing schoolwork, and showing gratitude are just as important as a double down the line.

The structure we’ve created isn’t about control — it’s about identity. It ensures the culture doesn’t swing with the stats or emotions of the day. Whether we’re winning or losing, our behavior doesn’t change. Whether we’re playing our best or struggling through a slump, our expectations remain steady. That consistency becomes a compass for our kids. They learn to respond, not react. To lead, not blame. To stay rooted in process, not outcome.

We're proud of the culture we’re building — not just because of what it creates on the field, but because of what it creates in the hearts and habits of the players who wear our jersey.

We’re proud of the parents who invest in more than box scores. Proud of the players who ask for feedback, who lead from the dugout, who stay late to help clean up. And most of all, we're proud of the standard — because that’s what makes 806 Drive something more than a team.

It’s a mission.It’s a movement.It’s the Drive.

By Charles D’Amico, GM – 806 Drive Baseball