Be ready

I know this from having played college ball. But my son brought it up when he played. He commented at least half the guys not starting are mentally beaten and have one foot out the door.

He got six pinch running and defensive replacement appearances before getting an at bat. He said you have to stay physically and mentally prepared for the one moment.  Your future might be based on one at bat. Look good at the plate and you get a second chance. Look bad at the plate you may never get another chance. After starting two mid week games and looking like he had a plan at the plate he started against right handed pitching the second half of freshman year.

Another thing he said was avoid the players with one foot mentally out the door. They can be a bad influence on your mental outlook. Everyone in high school was a star. Not playing in college wrecks some guys mentally.

Good luck to JETson.

@JETSR71 posted:

JETSR71 son has been mostly catching bullpens in college. Getting a few at bats here and there. Hit .340 last year as a freshman with 40 ish at bats.  Top catcher got suspended.  Second game of the double header this w/e, JETson is in the bullpen when he's told to warm up the pitcher for the next game.  Comes into the dugout and finds out he's starting.

Goes 2 for 3.  Strike out. Go ahead bases loaded triple.  Man on second, home run.  5 rbi day. Batting .400 with 2 HR.

Earned the next start.

High school, asked coach what he needed to do to get on the field. Coach respects the ask and gives him a chance as a pinch hitter.  Grand slam.  Plays the rest of the year in RF.  Terrible outfielder with a great arm and great bat.

Don't know what the rest of the year looks like but when you get a chance, be ready.

Love the story! Your son got the opportunity through hard work, and patience.  He figured it out.  Now, he's got to keep the gig.    Best of luck the rest of the year.

My son also learned this is as a PO freshman. Several of his friends at other schools gave up in fall, just couldn't do the "work while you wait" thing. They couldn't mentally deal with not being the dude. In HS he was just like all his PO buddies, the ace, hitting in the 1-4 hole and starting every game somewhere on the field. He was aware going in that he would be working harder than ever to get an inning here and there, but he knew to be ready at any given moment. He is hours away from us, so we follow the team on GameChanger just waiting to see him get a shot. Well, his first chances were in the 5th or 6th inning of two games. First, he came in with bases loaded and got the one out. He shits the bed the next inning and was pulled. Well, his next opportunity he gets thrown in with runners on second and third, no outs. He proceeds to get a ground ball to third for the first out and then two K's and finishes the game. That moment earned him a start a week or two later. His coach said that last game, you went in and handled business in a rough spot, so you have earned your first college start. Well, he pitches well going six innings and giving up 3 runs (one earned) and got the dub. That kept him in the rotation, and he will have his third start this weekend. Unless you are a superstar (DUDE) it's a difficult transition mentally and a lot of kids cannot or choose not to deal with working hard to earn a spot. He said it was definitely a mental struggle especially being accustomed to starting and having a warmup routing etc. vs hey bud get loose, you may or may not go in the game at any moment. But he's beginning to understand how to be prepared even if he doesn't start.

As a College Coach, I prepared my players to be ready. Asking questions.

1. What side of the mound does the pitcher stand for his fastball, curve?

2. What direction is the wind? Is the grass long or short?

3. Is the catcher or coach calling the pitches.

4. What is the umpire's "strike zone"?

5. After the 5th inning I wanted my "pitch hitters" to be ready by swinging off a tee or in the bullpen tracking pitches.

6. I wanted my pitchers to have clean cleats for "light" feet.

7. During the game my extra pitchers studied the hitters for their weakness.

8. Our 3b and 1st coaches studied the "arm strength" from all defense players.

9. Is the catcher a one handed or two handed catcher?

10. What is the role of the "on deck" hitter?

11. NO CELL PHONES!!!

Bob