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Don't give in...or up

infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Today, I read two great stories of young men who never gave up and never gave in, and the success they experienced in 2012 because they didn't.
The first is Ben Klimesh of Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. What I did not know until today was the fact he was cut from his HS team his junior year.
He got just 15 innings on the mound as a HS senior.
This year he was a 1st team D3 All-American and on Tuesday, Ben was drafted by the Reds in the 15th round.
This paragraph summarizes the why and how:
"When he got to Texas, Klimesh focused on everything he could off the field to make his on field play better. He put on 40 pounds of muscle, grew two inches, developed a long toss program and changed his mechanics. His efforts resulted in his fastball topping off at 96 MPH that he could locate in and out to go along with a power curve, change up and that super freaky splitter."

The other terrific success report is about Nick Lynch, a RS freshman from UC Davis, where our son coaches. Nick went to Davis out of HS. He failed to make the team in 2011. He was cut.
He didn't give up, didn't give in and didn't head a different direction.
He came back!
After just completing a stellar RS freshman season where Davis surprised more than a few with their in conference play, Nick was voted to the Louisville Slugger freshman All-American team as a DH, after being named 2nd team all Big West.
When I asked our son what position Nick plays, the response was: "HITTER!"

One can only imagine the amount of hard work and daily grinding each player has done to get this level of success, especially when we know about where they were when the journey started.
For those who don't give up, don't give in, remain mentally tenacious, and work very, very, very hard, success can happen.

'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'

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RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
quote:
Originally posted by dad43:
quote:
"When he got to Texas, Klimesh focused on everything he could off the field to make his on field play better. He put on 40 pounds of muscle, grew two inches grew two inches



Great stories....would love to know how he focused on growing two inches Smile

both players are role models
It's as fun as watching grass grow.
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
infielddad,

Thanks for telling us about those two guys.

I absolutely love reading stories like that and there are many of them. It doesn't make any difference what someone else thinks (even if it is us) What really counts is what the player thinks and how hard he is willing to prove himself. Kids like this should be the true role models.
55mom55mom1,000+ posts
Another story....

quote:
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist's Chris Perry has been selected in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Perry was the 540th overall pick in the draft and is the 12th player in Methodist baseball history to be drafted.

"I feel so honored to represent Division III baseball and Methodist University as a top-20 round pick," Perry said. "The draft is something I have been dreaming of since I was a little leaguer. I want to thank everyone at Methodist within the athletic department and the baseball program."

The selection is an incredible honor following a stellar season. Perry was a First Team All-Region and Third Team All-America honoree by the American Baseball Coaches Association. The junior from Cary, N.C. earned a 6-2 record with a 2.14 earned run average and team-high 132 strikeouts. Perry led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings at 12.6 and ranks second in strikeouts. Earlier this year he was named USA South Pitcher of the Year and received First Team All-Conference and All-Tournament recognition. He wraps up his career ranked fourth at Methodist in career earned run average at 2.33 and boasts an 8-4 record in 23 appearances on the mound.


Apparently this fella had no looks out of high school. Went to UNCW tried out in 2009 but was cut after the fall.
YoungGunDadYoungGunDadHSBaseballWeb member since 2005
I never tire of stories like this. Ever.

Someone has said on here before time and time again (PGStaff I think) that it doesnt matter what level a player plays in, it just matters what he does there once he is given a chance.

These young men all exemplify what can happen when you focus and really work hard.
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Originally posted by infielddad:
One can only imagine the amount of hard work and daily grinding each player has done to get this level of success, especially when we know about where they were when the journey started.
For those who don't give up, don't give in, remain mentally tenacious, and work very, very, very hard, success can happen.

Great post infielddad!

Knowing one player who has built his career on these type of traits, it is almost unimaginable how much effort it takes. That said, these type of players don't view the daily grind as work. They view it as a blessing and feel fortunate that they get to play a game they played as little kid's now that they are adults. One attribute I am sure they all have is a loving heart that will always love the game more than the effort they put into it.

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