HS Baseball workouts/tryouts

If you don't go, you will never know.  You may look back in life and wonder "what would have happened if I went?"

1) Go to the workouts. It gives you a baseline as to what you need to do to improve. And it gives the coaches an impression of you and your performance. Now you may not like the impression you make on the coaches, but that works to your advantage. Here's why...

2) This winter, you're going to work your buttocks off to improve on your skills and size and speed. You're working 6 days per week, 2-3 hours a day. That includes a schedule of hitting (daily), fielding (daily), lifting (on even days), conditioning (on odd days), speed (3-4x/week) nutrition (every day). You'll build a state of mind that says nothing will stop you from getting in your workout each day. You're going to improve dramatically.

3) With 110% effort in preparation, you'll be going into tryouts supremely confident. And you're going to perform at a much higher level. More importantly, you're going to blow away the coaches' impressions of you. They're going to say, "is that the same kid?"

 

Assess the situation. Set goals. Create a plans to achieve those goals. Execute on that plan.

 

If this is something you really really want to do never let insecurities stop you.  I can't tell you how many things in life I screwed up because of insecurities.   Many of those things when I was your age.  I have been filled with regret over some things.  Regret is a terrible thing as you get older.  I am with godad, don't put yourself in the position of never knowing.  Go to workouts, work hard.  You have a lot if time til season.  Maybe you will get better than you thought.  But at least give yourself a chance.

If you make it great, if you don't it is not the end of the world.  All you can do is show up and do your best to follow directions.  I have seen many coaches take the kid who is trying hard over the kid that is better but is uncoachable.  MANY kids reach this level where they think they know everything about baseball.  They aren't willing to change their swing, how they run, how they catch...they are not willing to change any of it because they know best.  A coach wants players he can teach, if you fall into that category you have a shot.

 

Here is a thread from a VERY respected and knowledgeable coach on advice for High School kids who want to make their team.  Read it, live it, and if you don't make it you will know what to work on for next year.

 

http://community.hsbaseballweb...ou-want-an-advantage

 

 

Do your best and see where it takes you.  Better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.  IMHO, my best advice would be to never let your fear of failure keep you from trying to succeed. . .keep a positive attitude and savor and learn from the experience even when you will fail. After all, the game of baseball is known for being a game of failure. 

Kid,

 

 Google "Lorenzo Cain." 'nough said.

You will never know if you never try. And that is failure. Some of my most treasured memories of coaching come from players who were just like you. One in particular who didn't play in Middle School because he never made any of the All Star teams coming up in the local youth league. So when he got to Middle School and all the All Star's were on the Middle School team he simply didn't think he had a chance. When he got to HS he didn't come out his Freshman year because he didn't think he was good enough. So he just played football that year.

 

His Soph year he finally decided to try out for JV. To make a long story short he was All State his Jr and Sr years. Went on to play D1 baseball and was All Conference his Jr and Sr years. Got a degree from that college and had a tremendous baseball career. I love that kid. He celebrated a birthday yesterday. I called him and we talked several minutes about the old days and what was going on now. The best part of that story is he "knows." He doesn't have to live with any regrets. He doesn't have to live with "What if?"

 

No one cares who the best player was at 14. Baseball is not a sprint its a marathon. And really the most important thing is. YOU will know. So the most important question I can ask you right now is "Are you ready to get serious?"

 

Heck, you got me fired up, Coach!

Braves00,

 

It takes absolutely zero talent to hustle. If you hustle harder than any other guy at the tryouts/workouts your coach will most definitely notice. Coaches want hard working guys on their team who are not afraid to to the gritty work and lead by example. 

Be the first guy to every workout and practice.

Be the last guy to leave.

When guys are joking around, help pick up weights, baseballs, etc.

Pick up trash in the dugouts after practice.

NEVER go through the motions. Every swing, throw, ground ball, push up, squat, pre practice stretch (I could go on forever) take seriously and complete each task with intent.

When your coach is talking to you look him in the eye.

When your coach is speaking to you reply "yes/no sir."

Encourage your teammates relentlessly. Even the ones you're fighting for a spot with.

When you're on the field avoid walking from station to station. Always move with intent.

If you mess up, shake it off and come back with even more focus.

NEVER skip reps. Coaches count.

Work hard even when nobody is watching you.

 

At the end of the day you should be able to look back on your baseball experience and have zero regrets because you knew you gave it your best possible effort.