I do not want to use the HSBBWeb as a place where I can come and boast about my accomplishments on the field, and therefore I've largely avoided speaking about myself and the positive attributes I feel that I bring to the field when I am playing baseball. However, I am writing this post for no other reason than personal satisfaction.
This past summer was rough for me. A person should typically be very excited for their senior year of college under the situation I was in. I'd been the Friday night starter for my college team as a junior, yielding a conference-leading 1.61 ERA and garnering a hefty collection of post-season awards. I had all the chips falling for me in all the right ways, and life was good.
Unfortunately, my elbow hurt. The MRIs revealed I needed Tommy John Surgery. I underwent the operation on July 21st. Normally a year-long recovery, that placed me missing the spring season.
I dredged along to physical therapy, enduring some grueling workouts and painful weakness in the arm. I slumped around at the baseball field knowing that I couldn't be a part of the team I'd become so close to and had done so well for in the past. I knew I'd pitch again in the future (I will be redshirting this year and playing in grad school elsewhere), but it wouldn't be the same. This is my senior year. And now there'd be a void.
We had our first team meeting tonight to discuss the fall season, which will kick off on September 7th. It was a pretty regular informational meeting...lots of paperwork and "championship" talks. There were over 70 kids in attendance, between walk-ons, recruits and returners, all vying for a maximum of 35 roster spots.
I knew I didn't have to be at the meeting. After all, I won't be playing in the spring. But I still want to show support for my teammates. So, I showed up and sat through the talk. At the end of the meeting, Coach asked me to come talk to him and the coaching staff as the other players walked out. I slowly walked down the stairs of the lecture hall to talk to him.
Coach- "How's the arm feel?"
Me- "A little sore but not awful."
Coach- "That's good."
Me- "Who is going to wear my number this year?"
Coach- "You."
Me- "I can't play, you know that."
Coach- "I want you to coach."
I got caught off guard at that comment. Coach? I'm 21 years old, I'm still in college. A few months ago I'd been pitching on our field. Now I'm supposed to coach a college team?
Coach- "I want you to be a volunteer assistant coach. I spoke to the NCAA, you won't lose any eligibility as long as you aren't paid. Interested?"
I was shocked.
Me- "I don't have any authority. What can I help with?"
Coach- "You can help with the mental side of the game. No one thinks through a game like you do. You're a pitcher in every sense of the word. You can provide so much to the guys on the team by helping them learn to think their way through the game."
Me- "So you want to make this, like, official?"
Coach- "Absolutely. You've earned enough credibility in your performance. I know what you can do and I know how talented you are. I want you to do this."
So that's it. As of a few hours ago, I suppose I can add "assistant college baseball coach" to my resume. Coach wants me predominantly staying with the pitchers throughout the fall, helping discuss pitch grips, consistent mechanics, and the thought process of sequencing through at-bats. I will also assist him in maintaining video footage of my teammates and add another set of eyes for evaluation between the coaching staff.
I am extremely excited about this opportunity. First off, it will test my ability to balance professionalism with social life. It could be a true test to be able to walk the fine line between authoritative figure (which I am not, I am a friend in the eyes the members of the team) and re-enforcer of the positive mental aspects of the game. Second off, I believe it will help me in my baseball career. I've learned a great deal up to this point and being able to see the game from a different perspective, a coach's perspective, will enable me to learn so much more. I'll be afforded the opportunity to continue my rehab amongst my teammates, and be able to stay involved in the game in a mental way and advance my knowledge level even more. Thirdly, as I mentioned, it will be a good thing to put on a resume. I've always imagined myself continuing in the game once my playing career is over, and the ability to say I helped coach a college team at the age of 21 hopefully will open some doors.
Most of all, I am thrilled at the offer because of the level of respect it shows that Coach obviously has for me. I would imagine that coaches would typically be skeptical asking a 21 year old to join their coaching staff, even one with experience and success in the program. But he truly believes that I have enough prowess, maturity and knowledge that I will be able to help the team even when I'm not on the mound. He and I have butted heads in the past (spending three years with someone will eventually cause some sort of animosity about something), and for him to extend this offer is a true measure of the respect he has for the dedication I have to my skills, the program, and the game of baseball as a whole.
Despite all the bumps I've gone through, this is something I am looking forward to. It is a very positive turn in a somewhat gloomy experience, and something I plan on taking full advantage of.
So, that's it I suppose. Thanks to all for letting me share my pride and boast a little bit. I try not to do it but I just felt the urge to share it somewhere.
Oh and PS, you all can still keep calling me JH or Josh. You don't need to call me Coach or anything. I HIGHLY doubt any of the players here at school will call me Coach, it would be weird.
