Skip to main content

18 replies

am i good enough?

NH nick hernandezMember
im 14 and going into my freshman year of high school. im 5'9 142 lbs with 72 mph fastball, good curve ball and good change up. i live in south florida where baeball is very competitive and the high school team is very good. i was just wondering if i need much improvement or im good enough to make a high school team.

(note:there is a fresh, jv and varsity team)
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

BumBum1,000+ posts
Hi, Nick, and welcome to HSBBW! You've definitely come to the right place for advise.

First of all, based on personal experience with my own son, I can say that if you are willing to work hard enough, and want it bad enough, you have a chance to make it happen! If you want to pitch, I recommend you follow a solid long-toss program, find a solid pitching instructor to perfect your mechanics, and stay in great shape by doing cardio, core, and even some sprints (for leg drive). When you turn 16 you can get more serious about weight lifting (but shy away from shoulder-straining exercises like bench presses and lat pulldowns). Good luck!
PopTimePopTime500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by nick hernandez:
i was just wondering if i need much improvement or im good enough to make a high school team.

Nick, welcome. You should always be looking to improve no matter what level, or what goal you're shooting for. Not knowing what kind of competition it is that you're up against, though I have a pretty good idea given where you're from, I don't think any of us here can honestly say if you're "good enough" to make a team down there. You just have to keep working hard to get as good as you can be and hopefully yes, that will be good enough. There's some good info on this site about "Making the High School Team". It helps. Good luck.
PopTimePopTime500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by TRhit:
I would reverse the thinking---" I am good enough to make it---prove to me that I am not"

Always do more than what you think is "enough". You never know what a coach is thinking. You may think you've got a club made when actually you could be "on the bubble" in a coach's mind. Leave no question in the coach's mind. Be a "slam dunk".
CM Coach May1,000+ posts
If you blend in with everyone else you are in trouble. If you do what everyone else is doing you are going to be average at best. If you want to be special then do more than everyone else your around. Be willing to work way harder than everyone else. You have to stand out to be noticed. There are many ways that happens. You show a great arm. You show great speed. You show you can hit etc etc. If you do not show above the average guy in these areas there is no excuse in not doing it in everyother way. First guy at practice. Last guy to leave. First guy to the cage. Last guy to leave. First guy in line , last guy in the line. Hustle harder and work harder than anyone there. Show the coaches that you want it more than anyone there. Show them that you are hungry to learn and hungry to get better. Separate yourself from the crowd in anyway that you can. If guys are standing around talking then you are not. You are preparing for the next station. Etc etc. Sometimes your baseball skills will not make you stand out above the other guys. But there is no excuse in not standing out in the ways that it takes no talent to do so. Believe me talent is great. But the desire to be the best you can be and the desire to be a part of the team will show if its true and not a show. Look the coaches in the eye and listen to them. Good Luck
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
Coach May is right. Not every coach is a good judge of talent and some coaches put kids they like, or happen to know already, ahead of more talented players.

BTW, if you've got decent control, a bit of movement and decent mound presence your size and velocity are plenty entering freshman ball. Making JV or even varsity is then dependent on how good your program is and what the needs of the team are.
Last edited by CADad
BumBum1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by TRhit:
A player cannot go out for a team thinking maybe---he has to think I am good enough at all times---confidence is what wins it for you


I agree 100%. I would add that I believe this confidence is mainly derived from experience. Find a good Summer and Fall team and play as much ball as you can, within reason, and against the best competition available. You will learn not to fear failure.
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Coach May:
If you blend in with everyone else you are in trouble. If you do what everyone else is doing you are going to be average at best. If you want to be special then do more than everyone else your around. Be willing to work way harder than everyone else. You have to stand out to be noticed. There are many ways that happens. You show a great arm. You show great speed. You show you can hit etc etc. If you do not show above the average guy in these areas there is no excuse in not doing it in everyother way. First guy at practice. Last guy to leave. First guy to the cage. Last guy to leave. First guy in line , last guy in the line. Hustle harder and work harder than anyone there. Show the coaches that you want it more than anyone there. Show them that you are hungry to learn and hungry to get better. Separate yourself from the crowd in anyway that you can. If guys are standing around talking then you are not. You are preparing for the next station. Etc etc. Sometimes your baseball skills will not make you stand out above the other guys. But there is no excuse in not standing out in the ways that it takes no talent to do so. Believe me talent is great. But the desire to be the best you can be and the desire to be a part of the team will show if its true and not a show. Look the coaches in the eye and listen to them. Good Luck


Coach,

Probably the best "in a nutshell" post I've ever read.
itsinthegameitsinthegame5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Coach May:
But the desire to be the best you can be and the desire to be a part of the team will show if its true and not a show.


So many players (and coaches) nowadays just dont understand what Coach May has written. And many dont care even if they do understand.

It is the heart of any sport.
It is what makes achievement - however you measure it - real.

And all the nonsense and hype and marketing in the world will never replace it.

If you dont follow Coach May's wise words - you will find yourself in Palookaville sooner rather than later - IMO.

Add Reply

Post
.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×