During the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons, you will hear our coaches repeatedly discuss teamwork, camaraderie, and sacrifice. In each opportunity, the individual ball player has a responsibility to his teammates to do his best in that moment. On the flip side, that player's teammates have a reciprocal responsibility to support that player regardless of the outcome of that singular moment - to cheer him on when he makes the play and to help him shake it off when he makes an error.
In the Winter, the conversation changes. The baseball off-season is all about the individual athlete driven to identify his weaknesses and overcome them. Independent training, without the advantage of a coach to push you or a teammate to commiserate with, is mentally challenging work. More than in season training, athletes working independent of their team in the off-season require maturity, focus and determination. It is no secret that no one likes working on breaking bad habits or learning a new skill. Overcoming these challenges often require the most effort and may take months before seeing results, making it difficult to stay with the program and see the training through to the end. But for the athlete that can overcome doubt and frustration, work through isolation, and maintain patience with isolated tasks aimed at eliminating weaknesses in his game, the rewards will be great.
In November, players were encouraged to meet with Coaches Jason and Dennis to outline their goals for the off-season. At the mid-point of December, we are encouraged to see many players stopping by after school or on the weekends for some tee work or fielding work. Some players are more inclined to work with coaches via private lessons or the specialized weeknight clinics taking place in December and January. Others are busy playing a second sport this Winter, which we fully encourage and support, knowing that cross-training is a valuable tool for any athlete. The off-season is about the individual. No matter how you train, train hard.
In the Winter, the conversation changes. The baseball off-season is all about the individual athlete driven to identify his weaknesses and overcome them. Independent training, without the advantage of a coach to push you or a teammate to commiserate with, is mentally challenging work. More than in season training, athletes working independent of their team in the off-season require maturity, focus and determination. It is no secret that no one likes working on breaking bad habits or learning a new skill. Overcoming these challenges often require the most effort and may take months before seeing results, making it difficult to stay with the program and see the training through to the end. But for the athlete that can overcome doubt and frustration, work through isolation, and maintain patience with isolated tasks aimed at eliminating weaknesses in his game, the rewards will be great.
In November, players were encouraged to meet with Coaches Jason and Dennis to outline their goals for the off-season. At the mid-point of December, we are encouraged to see many players stopping by after school or on the weekends for some tee work or fielding work. Some players are more inclined to work with coaches via private lessons or the specialized weeknight clinics taking place in December and January. Others are busy playing a second sport this Winter, which we fully encourage and support, knowing that cross-training is a valuable tool for any athlete. The off-season is about the individual. No matter how you train, train hard.
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