As a life long Die Hard Cubs fan, I hate, admire, respect and am jealous of the St. Louis Cardinals. They have always been a great fundamental team. They get the little things right. That is why I was 
surprised when watching a Cardinals game on TV. The hitter hit a ball high off the right center field wall. The hitter was going to third. The relay throw sailed over the third baseman's head. No one was there backing up and the ball ended up in the stands. The hitter was awarded home base.
It probably seems like a little thing to some people, but to me it was a fundamental error. Someone (usually the pitcher) should have been backing up third base. Even as a Cubs fan, I took no joy in this lapse of fundamentals. That may be because they were playing the Pirates. I don't know. I am just a believer in getting right what you can control. When you do the little things right, the big things tend to fall in line.
Take MPG for example. I have worked with a few companies on MPG. Raising MPG is the goal. You reach the goal by doing the little things right. Reduce your idle time. Drive at a lower speed. Don't use the fuel pedal as an on off switch. Progressively throttle and shift. Follow the fundamentals and you're fuel mileage should increase.
Safety is the place where fundamentals are the most important. Pay attention. Maintain a safe following distance. Look out as far as you can, and anticipate. Never out drive your vision. Check your mirrors. Keep your equipment in safe operating condition. Follow these simple fundamentals and your odds of having an accident will be reduced.
Get out and look when getting into a parking spot or a dock. Roll down your window when backing up. Never be rushed into not getting out and looking. Backing into something will take a lot more explaining than why it took 2 minutes longer to get backed into a dock. Follow the fundamentals and your chances of hitting the wrong thing can be whittled down to zero.
Never walk behind a trailer that is backing up. Remember that the driver probably won't see you. If you see someone walk behind your trailer, stop until you regain sight of them. If you lose track of the pedestrian, get out and look. The pedestrian may have fallen behind you. Making the fundamental decision may safe a career and a life.
Be kind enough to help spot another driver into a tight spot. Make sure that that drivers sees you at all times. The driver should have the windows rolled down. Keep in a position so that the driver can see you, through the window or through the mirrors. The driver should keep the spotter in sight, If you lose sight of the spotter STOP! A fundamental mistake in baseball can lead to a big inning. In trucking, it can lead to a lot worse.