Stanford University’s 2005 baseball team was loaded with talent and potential, but the Cardinals had a major problem—no team chemistry. The intense competition for starting spots created a stressful and contentious environment, which left each player looking over his shoulder rather than bonding with teammates.

After a disappointing season, team leaders made a concerted effort to bring the group together for their 2006 campaign. Regularly scheduled team dinners and laser tag competitions helped them grow into a close-knit crew.

The Cardinals’ team-building efforts paid off, but their resolve was tested early in the season when shoulder surgery benched top hitter Adam Sorgi for the year. Needing brotherhood more than ever, the team rallied together and finished the regular season strong. They didn’t stop there. Stanford took the NCAA tournament by storm, knocking off the second- and third ranked teams on their way to a Super Regional.

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