In the military we would count the days until we would return home [e.g., 365 and a wake-up]. A countdown to something we looked forward too, and as you prepare for your first year I believe you should have the same excitement. Prepared and ready to go!
Yet too many incoming freshmen start their first year of college baseball physically beat. Some come in as damaged goods. Adrenalin carries them for a day or two, but it won’t be long the pressure of being away from home, combined with a rigorous academic/athletic schedule, wears you down. Worse, what is a coach suppose to think?
- Velocity is down. How does a coach judge a tired arm?
- Sore Arm. What can a coach expect in the spring?
- Bat speed down. Power not there and you begin to press.
- Legs are tired. No longer one of the quick ones.
Too many athletes fail to realize they are a freshman academically, but athletically they are a baseball player! So be prepared to play versus preparing to red shirt or be a back-up player.
It is important to recognize how significant it is for an incoming freshman to make an impression. An impression that makes a coach glad he offered you a scholarship and places you in the mix. So go into the fall expecting to be a starter, do your job, and keep getting better.
The summer is the first step to establishing what it takes to make the impression for a new coach, new team, and new school. So focus more on getting better, being well rested, and ready to play.
This begins with playing fewer games and spending more time establishing a great workout ethic focused on getting better.
- Rise Early. [e.g., No school does not mean sleep till noon]
- Eat well means eat right. [Try and establish 6 meals a day. Healthy food, not fast foods]
- Morning Physical Workout – Combination of lifting, Aerobics, Plyometrics]
- Technical Workout – Fine-tune your position working on technique
- Mental Exercise – Relax, but do so studying every aspect of your position.
- Play or Simulate a Game – Work on implementing techniques.
- Relax with Yoga or Tai-Chi
- Get a good night sleep.
Remember baseball is an Individual Game in a Team Concept. No excuses. You want to be the individual the coach puts on the lineup card.
Start today and make tomorrow-another opportunity to get better.
Until next Blog,
Al McCormick
