Championships

Just this afternoon I was sitting in the middle of my daily meditation and an inspiring thought jumped into my head.  I have been wanting to create more ideas to write more blogs and be inspired to do so.  I don't want to just write because I feel like I have to.  I want to write because it feels good and the words jump into my head and into my fingertips and then on to this little box you're reading right now.  Feels much better to do things that way then to struggle to sit down and make yourself do it.

Anyways, that is not the point of this blog so let me get back on track.  When I was sitting in my meditation I got the inspiration to write about championships.  What a cool word that is, CHAMPIONSHIP.  Feels so strong and powerful when you say it.  Like you are the best and you know it.  Like nobody else could ever take that away from you.  Like a whole bunch of things lined up along the way for you to create this accomplishment.  Like you are on top of the world and plan on being there a while.  You get my drift, right!!

Well, the thought that popped into my head while I was meditating was, "you know how you win championships?  You don't talk about championships"  There are many things that go into a team winning a championship and for the level I am at in Advanced Rookie Ball that is the last thing on our mind.  Now, I am not going to lie to you and say it doesn't pop in there from time to time because it is a great thing to daydream about, but what I mean is that the true focus is the process, not the championship (end result).  This can be a bit contradicting because in professional sports at the highest level the media are all over the players.  They ask questions all the time about winning and if they feel they are ready to win a championship or become back-to-back champs.  And for those "big boys" that may be so.  They are at a level where championships are expected and wanted by the fans, the media, the ownership and of course the players.  They don't have control of what goes on outside of their facilities.  But if you are at the level where I am and just starting along your journey to the big leagues, then championships are really the least of your worries. 

Ok, so now you ask me....So how do you win championships then?  And I say, by getting lost in the process and building momentum.  There is a really cool story I am about to tell later in this blog so just hang with me for a bit.  Let me start with the process and building momentum first.

During this last season we had just come off of winning a championship in the Appalachian League.  Something that had not been accomplished by the Cardinals affiliate at that level since the 70's I believe.  So when the season started there were thoughts of "what if we could do it again" but that was always talks the coaching staff had together, not from the coaching staff to the players.  The players need to learn that in the this tough mental game of baseball there is a way to survive the Contrast that shows up on a nightly basis.  The way to survive that 0 for 4 night or that 5 run first inning is to understand that it is a long season, a long process and you are fine tuning along the way.  ALWAYS fine tuning along the way.  So when you get into slumps or have a few tough outings in a row, you always can go back to the process and putting your focus where it needs to be.  This last year it just so happened that we had the same coaching staff as the year before and therefore were able to keep the same approach to the players as the year before.  The intricacies inside the process may change because of the personalities and such, but not the blanket process.  The process stays consistent and encompasses the entire season. 

So not only were we able to win a championship the season prior, but now we had the same staff and were able to create an ever building momentum on what we felt were ways to become successful.  As you are in the middle of creating a championship season there is an underlying feeling that starts to poke around and you can't help but notice.  It is like a quiet confidence where everyone knows what is going on and nothing needs to be said.  We need to stay on track and stay focused and not get caught up in anything else.  But this is the best part of this story.  When it got down to the last few days of the playoffs I KNEW we were winning the championship.  I didn't know how or in how many games, but I knew it.  The day of the clinching game it was rainy all day and we didn't even know if we were going to play.  I brought the pitchers together in the outfield prior to us doing our work because I just wanted to make sure everyone stay settled and kept a solid focus on what we were about to do.  It can be a bit nerve racking for pitchers, having all that time at hand and nothing to fill it with.  But what I said to the players was simple.  I told them we had already won the championship (yup, I swear I said it) Now, to most people that sounds crazy.  They would say that I did the one thing you should never do before an important game.  Kind of like telling a pitcher in the 8th inning that he is throwing a no hitter and good luck in the 9th...LOL!!  That is the cardinal rule of baseball and you are not supposed to jinx anyone.  But for me, there was no jinxing in this process.  To me it felt like a done deal, it felt like we were the champs and it was just a matter of time.  And I truly felt like the players felt the same way.  What I continued to tell them is that it is now time to just show up and play.  If your number is called on at any part of the game there is no reason for panic or worry or concern.  Just play out your part and the rest will take care of itself. 

Needless to say we won the game 4 to 1 to become back-to-back champs in the Appalachian League.  Not sure how long it had been since that happened but it was a long time.....trust me....LOL!!

Thanks for reading....see you all soon....and happy pitching!!!