So today started the last week of Spring Training. The teams are getting closer to their final rosters. We have made two rounds of releases so far and may have two or so left. There are some pretty darn good competitions left for the pitching side and there are sure to be some upset people as camp breaks.
You see, the competition for the younger guys is to not be left back in Extended Spring Training. Everyone who is invited to Spring Training has the goal of making a full season club. Now, for the older guys that is a given, unless of course they are getting close to the end of a career and may be released. But for the younger pitchers who are coming to Spring Training for their first or second time, they are hoping they make a squad so they don't have to stay here in Florida and work through the Extended program.
The Extended program can be quite tough. The games are in the early afternoon, under the lovely Florida sun and unforgiving humidity...LOL!! It is the same routine every day. They have to get up early, there are no crowds to watch them play, they play the same two teams for 8 weeks and they get paid next to nothing. For the athlete who is left behind here, in the little picture, there is nothing good about being in Extended. But from the coaches view and the bosses view, looking at the bigger picture, they are lucky to still have a chance to compete and develop. A lot of kids get caught up in the fact that they are in Extended when really they need to be focused on the fact they still have a chance to play professional baseball. I am sure some of you readers out there are saying, "gees Doug, these kids should be grateful for the opportunity. I would switch places with them in a minute." Well, you are right! And to be totally honest with you, that is why SOME of these guys, not all, but some of these guys are going to be down here in Florida for Extended. It is all about their focus and where it is at.
When you play professional sports the thing that separates the men from the boys, besides belief in self, is the focus. Focus is huge in any sport, especially baseball and especially in pitching. These players sometimes don't understand what type of opportunity they have here. They are only focused on what is happening to everyone else and how everyone else is getting special treatment and they are not or others are moving up and they are not. But the funny thing about all that crazy thought is it is all make believe in their own head. The players really never know why they get left in Extended or why things happen to them. There are many different reasons why a certain decision gets sent down from the big bosses. Reasons that these players sometimes never know about. But they spend half their day, pissed off, acting like victims, when they could choose to change their focus on the subject and move on. The biggest thing these young professionals don't understand is the more they focus on the politics of the game and the negative parts of this profession, the more that comes to them. You see it every day in anything you do. I am sure every one of you who is reading this blog can remember having friends who could just let things go and focus on the more positive parts of their day and stuff always seemed to work out for them. Then, on the other side of that, I am sure you all remember having friends who constantly bitched and complained about everything and then bad stuff just seemed to continually happen to them. They were always the "victim" in every circumstance. Well I am here to tell you that that is not the case. You get what you focus on no matter what. That is sometimes tough to hear but true. What these young professionals need to start doing immediately is taking their focus to what they can control and that is themselves. They can't control their teammates and their teammates career. They can't control their boss and what they decide to do with everyone else. They can't control the catcher they get stuck with in each game they pitch. They can't control the umpire and how tight or inconsistent the strike zone is. Do you see what I am getting at?? But what can they control? You can control your thoughts, emotions and how you want to feel on a day to day, moment to moment basis. And if you just start with that little bit, working on you and only you, things will slowly start to turn around for you and the next thing you know you are the kid that everyone says, "man, things just seem to always work out for that guy!"
Alright, I'm getting off my soap box for now. I understand sometimes these blogs seem a little scattered but what I am attempting to do is bring up subjects like focus and belief in these smaller, quick ways so that I can touch on them in more complete ways down the road. So hang with me and enjoy!!!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Belief Conquers All
A lot has been said this Spring Training, as is always the case when you get into a room with 20 coaches and bosses and roving instructors and all the rest. Each morning we go into a meeting before we head out to the fields and each morning a coach or boss or whomever is assigned a topic for the day so we can debate and discuss different things. Yesterday it was my turn and I discussed the word "startle". In short, "startle" is basically what happens to the body when it feels threatened in some way, shape, or form. The body is built for survival and it goes into survival mode when it feels the need. That is basically the definition of "startle"
So, who cares, right?? Well, basically it doesn't matter at all if you are a person who is not competing against 150 other professional players for a job in the big leagues. But, if you are one of those guys fighting for your livelihood and your life in professional baseball, then it does matter. "Startle" is something you can get in many different ways by doing many different things. For me, I go into "starle" each time someone mentions Batting Practice!! LOL...right now I am pretty bad with that!! But for these young pitchers on the mound "startle" is something that can be very serious and very real. Basically it is when you are on the mound and you feel as though you have no chance in getting anybody out. Or it comes up when the catcher drops down a sign to throw a curveball and you feel a shortness of breath because you have no feel for the pitch that day. Or it comes up when the manager walks out to the mound and points to the bullpen and the umpire runs over and says, "you're in!" However it comes up it all comes down to one thing and one thing only.........BELIEF!
The bottom line of all things in life is belief. If you truly believe in who you are, in what you are doing then "startle" is not an issue for you. "Startle" is just another word that some fancy shmancy coach uses to explain what goes on in the nervous system when the body feels threatened. And for those who do believe in themselves and their abilities that is what the word "startle" will always mean to them. But for the pitchers out there who do get freaked out when it gets tough on the mound or when a big time hitter comes to the plate or when there are too many people in the stands watching your every move, you need a way to deal with this so called "startle".
Well, belief is the way to go. Belief needs to be something you practice daily. Now I am not talking religion here and going to church and all that stuff. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this is not a blog on religion. The belief I am writing about is the belief, the knowledge in yourself and your abilities that no matter who is hitting or what the situation is or who is in the stands watching, none of that matters because you believe in you!!
People all the time debate on talent vs. hard work. I realize that talent and hard work are both equally important, but when it comes down to it, if you don't believe in what you are doing and in your own abilities, all the talent and hard work in the world will not mean a thing. In professional sports especially, you must be so locked in to who you are and what you are capable of or the game will eat you alive. The game is not forgiving, don't forget that. I compare it to the ocean and the waves in the ocean. Riding those waves out there the ocean seems so beautiful and fun, but you lose your focus on a big time wave for a second and that beauty can turn into pure fear in an instant...LOL!!
I guess what I am trying to get at with all this blabber is that belief can be learned. Belief is something that you can train yourself into and it is not just given to those who are gifted. Belief is something we all have in our bodies right from birth, it is just that some of us get trained out of that along the course of life. That is ok too, you just got to get back on course and realize who you really are and what you are capable of. I know I am giving a lot of eyewash now but don't worry, the belief sermon is not over yet....stay tuned!!!!!
So, who cares, right?? Well, basically it doesn't matter at all if you are a person who is not competing against 150 other professional players for a job in the big leagues. But, if you are one of those guys fighting for your livelihood and your life in professional baseball, then it does matter. "Startle" is something you can get in many different ways by doing many different things. For me, I go into "starle" each time someone mentions Batting Practice!! LOL...right now I am pretty bad with that!! But for these young pitchers on the mound "startle" is something that can be very serious and very real. Basically it is when you are on the mound and you feel as though you have no chance in getting anybody out. Or it comes up when the catcher drops down a sign to throw a curveball and you feel a shortness of breath because you have no feel for the pitch that day. Or it comes up when the manager walks out to the mound and points to the bullpen and the umpire runs over and says, "you're in!" However it comes up it all comes down to one thing and one thing only.........BELIEF!
The bottom line of all things in life is belief. If you truly believe in who you are, in what you are doing then "startle" is not an issue for you. "Startle" is just another word that some fancy shmancy coach uses to explain what goes on in the nervous system when the body feels threatened. And for those who do believe in themselves and their abilities that is what the word "startle" will always mean to them. But for the pitchers out there who do get freaked out when it gets tough on the mound or when a big time hitter comes to the plate or when there are too many people in the stands watching your every move, you need a way to deal with this so called "startle".
Well, belief is the way to go. Belief needs to be something you practice daily. Now I am not talking religion here and going to church and all that stuff. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this is not a blog on religion. The belief I am writing about is the belief, the knowledge in yourself and your abilities that no matter who is hitting or what the situation is or who is in the stands watching, none of that matters because you believe in you!!
People all the time debate on talent vs. hard work. I realize that talent and hard work are both equally important, but when it comes down to it, if you don't believe in what you are doing and in your own abilities, all the talent and hard work in the world will not mean a thing. In professional sports especially, you must be so locked in to who you are and what you are capable of or the game will eat you alive. The game is not forgiving, don't forget that. I compare it to the ocean and the waves in the ocean. Riding those waves out there the ocean seems so beautiful and fun, but you lose your focus on a big time wave for a second and that beauty can turn into pure fear in an instant...LOL!!
I guess what I am trying to get at with all this blabber is that belief can be learned. Belief is something that you can train yourself into and it is not just given to those who are gifted. Belief is something we all have in our bodies right from birth, it is just that some of us get trained out of that along the course of life. That is ok too, you just got to get back on course and realize who you really are and what you are capable of. I know I am giving a lot of eyewash now but don't worry, the belief sermon is not over yet....stay tuned!!!!!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pitching Inside
Today was the first day of minor league games in Spring Training. We played intersquad games where the AAA team matched up against our AA team and the High A team matched up with our Low A team. There were some great arms on the mounds today and it is nice to see some of the guys I had last year start up the new season.
Every morning before we head out to the fields for the day the coaches have a meeting to go over whatever is needed to prepare for the day or get the focus for the day that is about to begin. One of the portions of the morning meetings is saved for special topics. Today the topic we had a coach bring up was pitching inside.
Pitching Inside is such a taboo conversation because it is talked about a lot but performed very little or very badly on the field of play around baseball as a whole. It used to be where guys got knocked on their ass on a daily basis and nothing was thought of it. The pitcher tried to establish that he owned the inside half of the plate and the batter was not to disrespect that. "Old School" guys like Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, and I am sure there were many more, made sure of it that hitters never got too comfortable in the box. But if you really want to be a successful pitcher and pitch for a long time, you need to learn how to throw inside.
Whenever discussing any sort of topic there are usually two sides, the problem, or issue, and the solution. So, we know that the problem is that a lot of pitchers have a tough time pitching inside. Now, instead of going too far into it and figuring out when should I pitch in side and to who and in what situation, let's go right to the solution and let the rest of that stuff take care of itself as you gain more experience along the path.
The first step to pitching inside is understanding that it is something you are going to accomplish. You are understanding why it is necessary and that it is a great part to the game of baseball. This is a game and part of being a competitor is owning both sides of the plate. Remember, as the pitcher you are the one who is supposed to be intimidating the hitters, not the other way around. You are the one throwing the baseball, they are the ones standing there hoping to see the ball well enough to hit it. You can't be worried about hitting guys when pitching inside. Understand that it is part of the game and that you are not intentionally trying to harm anyone. But if you learn how to throw inside at an early age, this will never be an issue for you.
The second step to pitching inside is understanding the lane you can throw the baseball down. You must be able to see the path the ball should take to end up at the spot and through the spot you want it to go. Ignoring the plate at this point would be a smart idea. Understand that as a pitcher you want to throw the baseball to a glove, not to the plate. The plate is just there as a reference for the umpire but your job is to hit the glove. So if you can see the lane that your ball should go down to hit the glove and be on the inside part of the plate, you have come a long way in this process.
The third step to pitching inside is understanding the angle that the fastball needs to take as you throw it to the plate. A lot of pitchers stand on the mound and look to the inside part of the plate and don't see the angle the ball should take to throw properly to the inside part of the plate. Do your mechanics need to be pretty solid to make this happen? Well, of course, but we wouldn't want it any other way, right? So, what does the angle look like? If I am a right handed hitter, facing a right handed pitcher, I should see the ball working from the middle/inside part of the plate and continuing further inside as the ball travels towards me. The look of a 4 seam fastball should be constantly bearing down on a hitter. You do not want the baseball starting on the inside part of the plate and then working back towards the middle. If you work with the wrong angle it will make it a lot tougher to stay in on hitters and to not make mistakes over the middle of the plate when you are trying to go inside. Also, if the ball works back over the middle and the hitter hits the ball out in front of the plate, it will be a lot easier for them to keep the ball fair down the line.
The fourth step to pitching inside is going out and doing it. Take your Dad, your friend, or whoever you can get to the field and practice throwing inside. You could even purchase some padding for your buddies to wear. Anything you need to do to not worry about hitting someone while you are working on pitching inside is what you should do. If you have your friends there and they know you are throwing inside and they are ready for it then there should be no issue. They could even just stand there with a glove on so just in case you miss they can protect themselves. You are going to hit batters on your path to the big leagues. That is a definite. But the more you work at it now, the more comfortable it will become, the more you will recognize the arm path and arm stroke to use to that inside pitch. Practice with the understanding that you are working for the feel of the inside lane. You want to be aware of how it feels in your body to own that lane, angle and placement.
Owning the inside part of the plate and having the confidence to throw it there is a big part in becoming a successful pitcher. Stay positive, understand the process, and then go after it! Enjoy and we will chat soon!!
Every morning before we head out to the fields for the day the coaches have a meeting to go over whatever is needed to prepare for the day or get the focus for the day that is about to begin. One of the portions of the morning meetings is saved for special topics. Today the topic we had a coach bring up was pitching inside.
Pitching Inside is such a taboo conversation because it is talked about a lot but performed very little or very badly on the field of play around baseball as a whole. It used to be where guys got knocked on their ass on a daily basis and nothing was thought of it. The pitcher tried to establish that he owned the inside half of the plate and the batter was not to disrespect that. "Old School" guys like Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, and I am sure there were many more, made sure of it that hitters never got too comfortable in the box. But if you really want to be a successful pitcher and pitch for a long time, you need to learn how to throw inside.
Whenever discussing any sort of topic there are usually two sides, the problem, or issue, and the solution. So, we know that the problem is that a lot of pitchers have a tough time pitching inside. Now, instead of going too far into it and figuring out when should I pitch in side and to who and in what situation, let's go right to the solution and let the rest of that stuff take care of itself as you gain more experience along the path.
The first step to pitching inside is understanding that it is something you are going to accomplish. You are understanding why it is necessary and that it is a great part to the game of baseball. This is a game and part of being a competitor is owning both sides of the plate. Remember, as the pitcher you are the one who is supposed to be intimidating the hitters, not the other way around. You are the one throwing the baseball, they are the ones standing there hoping to see the ball well enough to hit it. You can't be worried about hitting guys when pitching inside. Understand that it is part of the game and that you are not intentionally trying to harm anyone. But if you learn how to throw inside at an early age, this will never be an issue for you.
The second step to pitching inside is understanding the lane you can throw the baseball down. You must be able to see the path the ball should take to end up at the spot and through the spot you want it to go. Ignoring the plate at this point would be a smart idea. Understand that as a pitcher you want to throw the baseball to a glove, not to the plate. The plate is just there as a reference for the umpire but your job is to hit the glove. So if you can see the lane that your ball should go down to hit the glove and be on the inside part of the plate, you have come a long way in this process.
The third step to pitching inside is understanding the angle that the fastball needs to take as you throw it to the plate. A lot of pitchers stand on the mound and look to the inside part of the plate and don't see the angle the ball should take to throw properly to the inside part of the plate. Do your mechanics need to be pretty solid to make this happen? Well, of course, but we wouldn't want it any other way, right? So, what does the angle look like? If I am a right handed hitter, facing a right handed pitcher, I should see the ball working from the middle/inside part of the plate and continuing further inside as the ball travels towards me. The look of a 4 seam fastball should be constantly bearing down on a hitter. You do not want the baseball starting on the inside part of the plate and then working back towards the middle. If you work with the wrong angle it will make it a lot tougher to stay in on hitters and to not make mistakes over the middle of the plate when you are trying to go inside. Also, if the ball works back over the middle and the hitter hits the ball out in front of the plate, it will be a lot easier for them to keep the ball fair down the line.
The fourth step to pitching inside is going out and doing it. Take your Dad, your friend, or whoever you can get to the field and practice throwing inside. You could even purchase some padding for your buddies to wear. Anything you need to do to not worry about hitting someone while you are working on pitching inside is what you should do. If you have your friends there and they know you are throwing inside and they are ready for it then there should be no issue. They could even just stand there with a glove on so just in case you miss they can protect themselves. You are going to hit batters on your path to the big leagues. That is a definite. But the more you work at it now, the more comfortable it will become, the more you will recognize the arm path and arm stroke to use to that inside pitch. Practice with the understanding that you are working for the feel of the inside lane. You want to be aware of how it feels in your body to own that lane, angle and placement.
Owning the inside part of the plate and having the confidence to throw it there is a big part in becoming a successful pitcher. Stay positive, understand the process, and then go after it! Enjoy and we will chat soon!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Process, Process, Process...
Life is a Process...
What does that mean? Well, since this is a blog for baseball let's relate it to that. Baseball is all about the process. You either have one and when you enjoy the process and follow it and believe in it and don't stray too far from it, the game will bring you success. But when you float around aimlessly and don't have a process and don't focus yourself on a daily basis, the game beats you up.
Take the professional season for example. It doesn't matter if you are in Low A or the Big Leagues, there is a process to each day that the manager and organization lays out for you. Everyday you come to the park you get into the locker room and sit down. There is time to say hello to your teammates or for the coaches to review the prior days work or what will go on for the current day. Then the players will dress for some early work and get some hitting in or perhaps watch film or do whatever they feel they need to get better each day. Then the team will meet together on the field and go through a warm-up, long toss session, fundamental for the day, BP, and bullpen sessions for the pitchers. After all the pre-game work is through the players and coaches will have a bit of down time to relax before the game. At about 30 minutes or so before the game the pitcher will go out with the catcher and pitching coach and start to throw and get loose for the start of the game. Usually all the games will start at 7:05pm right after the Star Spangled Banner. After the game the guys get into the locker room, they shower and then head out for the night hopefully getting something to eat on there own and then going to bed. The coaches will do their reports for the night and then go eat and replay the days workings in their heads to see if they could do something different or improve upon what they did the day before. Then it is off to bed for all so that we can all do it again the next day.
You can see from this brief description of a day in the life of a professional player or coach that the process is long and repetitive. But this is a great thing. What this does is, it allows the players a chance to get comfortable in their environment and surroundings so they can focus on what they need to focus on. What happens sometimes though is the players don't ever wake up and realize what their own process needs to be. What I mean by that is there is a routine layed out each day just like what was mentioned above, but the kids don't seem to realize that is not the exact process for them as an individual. You don't want to just be sucked in by the schedule and not know what you should be doing inside of that bigger schedule. Most players get caught just rolling along with the herd and doing the same old thing not understanding that each day is passing them by and there is no real work going on.
We all do the same type of drill work and the same type of preparation each day, so why are there some players that are soooooooo much better then others? Well, that's because they have a process of their own, inside of the overall process that is provided for them by each organization. The point of all this jabber is that you must be present when you do your work. And even before that you must have a process of your own that you follow each day. Then when you follow the process each day you must be awake and present and focused as you perform this process. The amount of repetitions, types of drills, skill work, physical training workouts, whatever it is that you are deciding to do that day, you must be present and focused for the session. The trick to training is not doing more then the next guy, the trick is to do it more focused then the next guy. Being more deliberate, more concentrated, more focused, more intense, more passionate then the next guy is what really matters. The physical work matters, but the mental and emotional approach to the physical work is much more important. This is something that is easily talked about and at times easy to understand, but tougher to actually do. Not that many people choose to want to be that aware of what is going on or be that focused on a daily basis. That takes much more effort then physically running through the process and performing a series of exercises. It is much easier to just shut your thoughts down and run on auto pilot through the workouts. That is the true reason starting pitchers need 5 days in between starts. Of course they need to recover from the physical workload, but even more so they need recovery from the mental focus they hopefully were using for the nine innings they were pitching in the game.
In closing, the process you choose in your daily life should be something you do with a trained focus that continues to make you better as a person and player everyday. You create the process, you decide what makes you tick, you go after it the way you want to go after it. But just don't forget that while you are in this process be aware, be present, be in the moment and take advantage of the process. Don't let the process take advantage of you!!
Spring Training rolls on. Games for the minor leagues start in two days. Talk to you soon!!!!
What does that mean? Well, since this is a blog for baseball let's relate it to that. Baseball is all about the process. You either have one and when you enjoy the process and follow it and believe in it and don't stray too far from it, the game will bring you success. But when you float around aimlessly and don't have a process and don't focus yourself on a daily basis, the game beats you up.
Take the professional season for example. It doesn't matter if you are in Low A or the Big Leagues, there is a process to each day that the manager and organization lays out for you. Everyday you come to the park you get into the locker room and sit down. There is time to say hello to your teammates or for the coaches to review the prior days work or what will go on for the current day. Then the players will dress for some early work and get some hitting in or perhaps watch film or do whatever they feel they need to get better each day. Then the team will meet together on the field and go through a warm-up, long toss session, fundamental for the day, BP, and bullpen sessions for the pitchers. After all the pre-game work is through the players and coaches will have a bit of down time to relax before the game. At about 30 minutes or so before the game the pitcher will go out with the catcher and pitching coach and start to throw and get loose for the start of the game. Usually all the games will start at 7:05pm right after the Star Spangled Banner. After the game the guys get into the locker room, they shower and then head out for the night hopefully getting something to eat on there own and then going to bed. The coaches will do their reports for the night and then go eat and replay the days workings in their heads to see if they could do something different or improve upon what they did the day before. Then it is off to bed for all so that we can all do it again the next day.
You can see from this brief description of a day in the life of a professional player or coach that the process is long and repetitive. But this is a great thing. What this does is, it allows the players a chance to get comfortable in their environment and surroundings so they can focus on what they need to focus on. What happens sometimes though is the players don't ever wake up and realize what their own process needs to be. What I mean by that is there is a routine layed out each day just like what was mentioned above, but the kids don't seem to realize that is not the exact process for them as an individual. You don't want to just be sucked in by the schedule and not know what you should be doing inside of that bigger schedule. Most players get caught just rolling along with the herd and doing the same old thing not understanding that each day is passing them by and there is no real work going on.
We all do the same type of drill work and the same type of preparation each day, so why are there some players that are soooooooo much better then others? Well, that's because they have a process of their own, inside of the overall process that is provided for them by each organization. The point of all this jabber is that you must be present when you do your work. And even before that you must have a process of your own that you follow each day. Then when you follow the process each day you must be awake and present and focused as you perform this process. The amount of repetitions, types of drills, skill work, physical training workouts, whatever it is that you are deciding to do that day, you must be present and focused for the session. The trick to training is not doing more then the next guy, the trick is to do it more focused then the next guy. Being more deliberate, more concentrated, more focused, more intense, more passionate then the next guy is what really matters. The physical work matters, but the mental and emotional approach to the physical work is much more important. This is something that is easily talked about and at times easy to understand, but tougher to actually do. Not that many people choose to want to be that aware of what is going on or be that focused on a daily basis. That takes much more effort then physically running through the process and performing a series of exercises. It is much easier to just shut your thoughts down and run on auto pilot through the workouts. That is the true reason starting pitchers need 5 days in between starts. Of course they need to recover from the physical workload, but even more so they need recovery from the mental focus they hopefully were using for the nine innings they were pitching in the game.
In closing, the process you choose in your daily life should be something you do with a trained focus that continues to make you better as a person and player everyday. You create the process, you decide what makes you tick, you go after it the way you want to go after it. But just don't forget that while you are in this process be aware, be present, be in the moment and take advantage of the process. Don't let the process take advantage of you!!
Spring Training rolls on. Games for the minor leagues start in two days. Talk to you soon!!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
First day in the books!
It is 4:44pm here in wonderful Jupiter, FL and I am sitting in the lobby of the local honda dealership so I can take care of my trusty automobile and continue to depend on it to take me wherever I go next down the road to the big leagues!!
Today was the first day we were on the field. The first two days were spent in meetings going over the entire minor league personnel, covering organizational philosophy, and getting reacquainted with all the staff. Today we got on the field with all the pitchers and catchers. It is nice to see all the guys you have had over the past years and see them grow more successful and also more appreciative of our relationship. It has taken me a bit to get to the level where I can be more of myself and really enjoy making relationships with some of the players. I don't mean buddy, buddy type of relationships either. I am referring to the type of relationship where the pitcher understands what I am there for and they are not threatened by me offering information. Also, I am referring to the type of relationship where the pitcher actually respects what you say and there is a mutual respect with what we are both working to accomplish. That is really what is so great about the game of baseball, and for me, the professional game of baseball. I love working with the best of the best and hopefully guiding them a bit to get even better. I would like to think I have something to do with some of these pitchers successes, but I also am fully aware that they are the true creators of their reality and they are going to determine, in the end, what happens to them in the game of baseball. But it sure is fun to watch the players grow and get better and reach the level of success they are aspiring to.
I did want to talk a bit about success today and why I feel it is no accident why guys get what they want and what they work for. Every year I get to come back to this Organization, I am reminded of the process of being a successful major league player. I get to see guys like Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Yadier Molina, and of course, Albert Pujols. People want to know out there how they are so good at what they do. To me it is very simple, they understand focus and they can keep it for the periods of time that it is most needed.
As I get older and have more experiences in my life I can see more clearly why certain guys fail and others succeed. But not only that, I can see it coming before it happens. Now, this is nothing new to a lot of coaches, especially the ones that have been around a while. But if you watch more closely you can see the ones who "got it" and the ones who don't. There is a presence, an aura, an energy around the players that "got it". But even more then that, the players that "got it" are the same ones that have a routine, who trust the process, who work hard at their craft, who understand focus and how powerful it can be. If you could have the opportunity to come down here and see Albert Pujols work in the batting cages you would clearly understand what I am writing about. This guy is just so darn good at focusing and knowing what he wants to accomplish with each workout and not settling when he works. He doesn't waste any of his time. He doesn't quit on his repetitions. He doesn't just go through the motions and hurry through his workouts. Everything he does has a focus and intention to it and that is why he is Albert Pujols. How did he get like that?? Not sure, that you would have to ask him. But if I had a guess at it I would say he got it from experiencing contrast at different points of his life and never wanting to feel a certain way again. He took all his focus and energy and put it towards what he wanted to accomplish and what he wanted to feel like in the game of baseball and then he did it. He never wasted his time sulking, feeling sorry for himself or being afraid. He spent all his attention and focus on turning into the player that he knew he was capable of being. Man is he good!!
More on this to come folks...hope all is well!!!!
Today was the first day we were on the field. The first two days were spent in meetings going over the entire minor league personnel, covering organizational philosophy, and getting reacquainted with all the staff. Today we got on the field with all the pitchers and catchers. It is nice to see all the guys you have had over the past years and see them grow more successful and also more appreciative of our relationship. It has taken me a bit to get to the level where I can be more of myself and really enjoy making relationships with some of the players. I don't mean buddy, buddy type of relationships either. I am referring to the type of relationship where the pitcher understands what I am there for and they are not threatened by me offering information. Also, I am referring to the type of relationship where the pitcher actually respects what you say and there is a mutual respect with what we are both working to accomplish. That is really what is so great about the game of baseball, and for me, the professional game of baseball. I love working with the best of the best and hopefully guiding them a bit to get even better. I would like to think I have something to do with some of these pitchers successes, but I also am fully aware that they are the true creators of their reality and they are going to determine, in the end, what happens to them in the game of baseball. But it sure is fun to watch the players grow and get better and reach the level of success they are aspiring to.
I did want to talk a bit about success today and why I feel it is no accident why guys get what they want and what they work for. Every year I get to come back to this Organization, I am reminded of the process of being a successful major league player. I get to see guys like Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Yadier Molina, and of course, Albert Pujols. People want to know out there how they are so good at what they do. To me it is very simple, they understand focus and they can keep it for the periods of time that it is most needed.
As I get older and have more experiences in my life I can see more clearly why certain guys fail and others succeed. But not only that, I can see it coming before it happens. Now, this is nothing new to a lot of coaches, especially the ones that have been around a while. But if you watch more closely you can see the ones who "got it" and the ones who don't. There is a presence, an aura, an energy around the players that "got it". But even more then that, the players that "got it" are the same ones that have a routine, who trust the process, who work hard at their craft, who understand focus and how powerful it can be. If you could have the opportunity to come down here and see Albert Pujols work in the batting cages you would clearly understand what I am writing about. This guy is just so darn good at focusing and knowing what he wants to accomplish with each workout and not settling when he works. He doesn't waste any of his time. He doesn't quit on his repetitions. He doesn't just go through the motions and hurry through his workouts. Everything he does has a focus and intention to it and that is why he is Albert Pujols. How did he get like that?? Not sure, that you would have to ask him. But if I had a guess at it I would say he got it from experiencing contrast at different points of his life and never wanting to feel a certain way again. He took all his focus and energy and put it towards what he wanted to accomplish and what he wanted to feel like in the game of baseball and then he did it. He never wasted his time sulking, feeling sorry for himself or being afraid. He spent all his attention and focus on turning into the player that he knew he was capable of being. Man is he good!!
More on this to come folks...hope all is well!!!!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Spring Training
Hello Passion for Pitching Family!! Hope everyone is doing well out there in the baseball world and that your seasons have started out as you would have liked them to. Currently I am in Jupiter, FL for the start of Spring Training with the St Louis Cardinals. I thought since this is the first year I have been doing this blog and it just so happens that I am starting the professional season, that I could change up the format a bit. For the next 6 months I have decided to let you the viewer in on what it is truly like to be a professional baseball player and coach in the minor leagues.
The daily work, the processes, the rituals, the long bus rides, the extended spring training season, the new draftees, the daily fundamental work, the sandwich lunches, the early mornings, all of it I will share with you!!
So, let's get started!! On March 3rd I started a long trek, 2600 miles cross country, to get from San Diego, where I live in the off season, to Jupiter, FL, where I will be for the next three and a half months. It took me three full days of driving to get here and now I am "home" for a while. The drive felt unusually quick this year. The days were sunny and clear, the mornings were exceptionally crisp and it was very nice to see the sunrise for the first time in a while. I never really get to see the sunrise when I am in San Diego, although I can't really complain because the sunsets make up for it!! Either way it was a nice change of scenery and it makes you remember how many different reasons there are to love this earth we are living on. Driving cross country gives me a chance to think a whole lot. There is nothing like being alone in a car for ten hours a day with nothing but your thoughts rolling across your mind. Sometimes it is nice to have that alone time to ponder on some subjects in your life and to gain a new perspective on things.
I arrived on the night of the 5th at about 10pm. The hotel we stay at here in Florida is a beautiful place. All the coaches get there own rooms and have plenty of room on the big King size beds to spread out!! Whenever I get to a new spot I immediately like to get unpacked and organized. I rolled the luggage carrier about a half mile around the hotel building until I finally arrived at my car for the unloading process. With all the "stuff" I bring I feel like a woman. (no offense to the lite packing ladies out there) I piled all my stuff about 5 feet high on the roller and then headed to the elevator and then on to my room. About 30 minutes later I was all set up and ready to get into my big, comfortable bed for the night.
The next morning came and it was March 6th, one day from the start of meetings and the first official day of Spring Training 2010. This is my third year with the organization so I am already familiar with the area and know exactly where all the best places are to eat. Breakfast is great, it is right across the street from the hotel and is only about 6 bucks to fill my stomach. It is a neat little spot. The owner is definitely from the northeast because he has banners up from the Yankees World Series win, the Patriots last Super Bowl victory and the Boston Red Sox championship from 2004. It feels good to be back in a place that is familiar to me although I can't lie that it is tough to leave San Diego. After breakfast it was on to the clubhouse to get set up for the start of Spring Training. It always feels good to first walk into the clubhouse and see all the coaches again and get reacquainted with everyone. We all look at each other in wonderment that we made it through another season and that we are crazy enough to do it again!! I don't mean that in a bad way because the experiences are well worth the grind, but it is funny what us coaches go through each year during a season. There are so many different emotions that come into play during a season and so many different personalities that you come across that it is definitely one of the most challenging professions a person could choose. The growth you take as an individual is truly amazing, as long as you allow yourself to take the growth of course. There is so much to learn on and off the field from the players, other coaches, the game itself that each year at the end of it all you are left in amazement at what you have been through and made it out alive...lol!!
Well, that is it for me tonight, it is time to make some phone calls to friends and family and then hit the sack. Tomorrow's day begins at 8am and it is another full day of meetings. I'll fill you in later!! Goodnight Passion for Pitching Family.
The daily work, the processes, the rituals, the long bus rides, the extended spring training season, the new draftees, the daily fundamental work, the sandwich lunches, the early mornings, all of it I will share with you!!
So, let's get started!! On March 3rd I started a long trek, 2600 miles cross country, to get from San Diego, where I live in the off season, to Jupiter, FL, where I will be for the next three and a half months. It took me three full days of driving to get here and now I am "home" for a while. The drive felt unusually quick this year. The days were sunny and clear, the mornings were exceptionally crisp and it was very nice to see the sunrise for the first time in a while. I never really get to see the sunrise when I am in San Diego, although I can't really complain because the sunsets make up for it!! Either way it was a nice change of scenery and it makes you remember how many different reasons there are to love this earth we are living on. Driving cross country gives me a chance to think a whole lot. There is nothing like being alone in a car for ten hours a day with nothing but your thoughts rolling across your mind. Sometimes it is nice to have that alone time to ponder on some subjects in your life and to gain a new perspective on things.
I arrived on the night of the 5th at about 10pm. The hotel we stay at here in Florida is a beautiful place. All the coaches get there own rooms and have plenty of room on the big King size beds to spread out!! Whenever I get to a new spot I immediately like to get unpacked and organized. I rolled the luggage carrier about a half mile around the hotel building until I finally arrived at my car for the unloading process. With all the "stuff" I bring I feel like a woman. (no offense to the lite packing ladies out there) I piled all my stuff about 5 feet high on the roller and then headed to the elevator and then on to my room. About 30 minutes later I was all set up and ready to get into my big, comfortable bed for the night.
The next morning came and it was March 6th, one day from the start of meetings and the first official day of Spring Training 2010. This is my third year with the organization so I am already familiar with the area and know exactly where all the best places are to eat. Breakfast is great, it is right across the street from the hotel and is only about 6 bucks to fill my stomach. It is a neat little spot. The owner is definitely from the northeast because he has banners up from the Yankees World Series win, the Patriots last Super Bowl victory and the Boston Red Sox championship from 2004. It feels good to be back in a place that is familiar to me although I can't lie that it is tough to leave San Diego. After breakfast it was on to the clubhouse to get set up for the start of Spring Training. It always feels good to first walk into the clubhouse and see all the coaches again and get reacquainted with everyone. We all look at each other in wonderment that we made it through another season and that we are crazy enough to do it again!! I don't mean that in a bad way because the experiences are well worth the grind, but it is funny what us coaches go through each year during a season. There are so many different emotions that come into play during a season and so many different personalities that you come across that it is definitely one of the most challenging professions a person could choose. The growth you take as an individual is truly amazing, as long as you allow yourself to take the growth of course. There is so much to learn on and off the field from the players, other coaches, the game itself that each year at the end of it all you are left in amazement at what you have been through and made it out alive...lol!!
Well, that is it for me tonight, it is time to make some phone calls to friends and family and then hit the sack. Tomorrow's day begins at 8am and it is another full day of meetings. I'll fill you in later!! Goodnight Passion for Pitching Family.
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