Individual Baseball Goals

Fungo, don't know if this is the answer your looking for but in my son's case playing college baseball is one of his goals as well as helping his team win. He also has individual statistical goals he would have like to achieve.Last year in his "junior" year he unfortunately got caught up in his individual goals and it affected his performance at the plate and did not achieve some personal goals. But he did help his team to 4th in the 3A.He was pressing so much because he thought he needed these stats to get him to the next level. This year I advised him to take the approach where he should play the game as each situation presents itself and not worry so much about the numbers at the end of the year. If he plays the game that way he will help his team win and probably reach most of his individual goals.

Just my thoughts.

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This year I advised him to take the approach where he should play the game as each situation presents itself and not worry so much about the numbers at the end of the year.

That is pretty good advice. In other words, let the game come to him. If the situation calls for a sac fly or a base hit to drive in a run, then don't try and hit a five run home run on top of it. Of course, no one will be upset if the ball just "happens" to leave the ball park at the same time

Similar to this advice, I would encourage kids to focus on their team and not individual goals. Set as a goal to be the most unselfish player on the team without any expectation to be treated in kind. Look for any way to help out the team in addition to on-field contributions. Be the hardest worker. Be the first guy to pick someone up who has made a mistake. Make sure you cover everyone else's back. Help groom the field before and after games. Help the younger players feel part of the team. Never hang your head and always project a positive attitude. There are millions of ways to help the team if you look for them.

The funny thing is, when you change your focus, magical things will rain down upon all the individuals involved. Fresno State last year and Oregon State the two years before that epitomized the principles I am talking about. See to it that your team succeeds and you as an "invidivual" will be overwhelmingly rewarded - personal goals or otherwise. A rising tide (team) lifts "all" boats (players).

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"
Epitomized the principles I am talking about.

See to it that your team succeeds and you as an "invidivual" will be overwhelmingly rewarded - personal goals or otherwise. A rising tide (team) lifts "all" boats (players).

I like that CD.
That's a good goal.

EH

My guy was totally team oriented----to an extreme at times---they won a huge tournament and he was named MVP--he felt the guy hitting behind him was the MVP and told the selection committee so---they gave a CO-MVP award due to his persuasion---he gave the trophy in hand to his team mate and had the second trophy sent to him at home

I see many individual player in batting cages, individual players in the gym working out, players taking recommended protein supplements, reading books on hitting, eating a proper diet, showcasing and attending camps. These are PERSONAL efforts for personal gains. I understand that baseball is a team sport but individual efforts, individual sacrifices and individual goals are necessary to succeed as a team. I know each player has individual goals or they wouldn't sacrifice as they do ---- or parents provide the support that they do. I see many baseball players that sacrifice and work hard during the off season not knowing at that time what summer team they were playing for. While I'm not talking about illegal and unethical means, there are those that will even do those PLUS violate team rules for personal gains. --- I can start naming names but you've read their names in the press. So would it not be accurate to assume that if well known pro players are driven to do illegal, unethical, immoral substances and activities that high school players are taking hitting lessons, pitching lessons, showcasing, or lifting a few weights for personal gains? I wonder if any Oregon State or Fresno state players showcased while in high school?

Good points Fungo, I understand what you are asking.
Although most of our kids play with team mentality, they don't work their butts off for their HS or travel team, rather to MAKE the team and then be better than the next player to receive a college scholarship or get drafted. They don't showcase, play tournaments where scouts and coaches come for any other reason than to be recognized to move forward. These are not based on team goals but personal ones.
When one enters college, although most guaranteed a spot on the roster, they have to work hard to make that starting position while buying into the strong team concept that exists in college baseball that it's all about the team and winning. Part of what college coaches look for are those that gel with others to make up good team chemistry, because we all know that helps win games. Your job in college sis to be responsible, make good decisions, get good grades because you were chosen for a specific reason, which was to help the team win. If you do not do that you are considered not a good team player.

I know that right now my son isn't in the gym everyday so whatever team he will be on will be a winning team, he is doing the same thing everyone else does only on a different level, working hard to make a team and work towards his personal goal which is to eventually make the bigger team.

This is a sport based on team mentality, working together. It is your job to be a part of the team when you make it and do your best, because winning brings rewards, but in reality, there is a whole lot of "me" going on.

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My guy was totally team oriented----to an extreme at times---they won a huge tournament and he was named MVP--he felt the guy hitting behind him was the MVP and told the selection committee so---they gave a CO-MVP award due to his persuasion---he gave the trophy in hand to his team mate and had the second trophy sent to him at home

So you're saying your son had NO INDIVIDUAL GOALS when it came to baseball. He had no goal to play college baseball? Did he want the guy that hit behind him to be better than himself? If he had been drafted would he have divided his signing bonus amongst his high school teammates?

Baseball is a team sport - no doubt. But, each individual has to be the best he can be in order to productively contribute to the team. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with taking extra BP, outside pitching lessons, long toss on your own, lifting, whatever to make yourself a better player. The difference is when you hit the field, you do what is called upon you which is in the best interest of the team.

That means executing a sac bunt, a sac fly, hitting behind the runner, etc. It also means if you have always been a shortstop, but the team is better served with you playing center field, you do it without question or complaint.

Basically, you make yourself the best player you can (which is an individual goal or mindset) so that you can help the team the best you can.

My son is and always was a huge team player.

However, looking back, I do believe he sacrificed some of his personal goals for the teams he played for and although things worked out well for him, some of the players that I saw who played more for themselves rather than the team made out better, in HS and in college.

But I don't think that he would do anything differently or change. JMO, he will never get where he wants to be if he doesn't put himself first at this point in his life.

I am not sure that anyone that wants to play at a higher level will say their individual goal is to be a better teammate than a better player. That (being a team player) should be a given, but not necessarily a priority.

Since I got into high school:
-Sign with a d1
-Hit .400
-Win a State Title

You can be a team player,and set goals for yourself and high expectations for yourself.Quite frankly,if you aren't confident in your abilities,and have a feeling you cant get a hit off of anyone,or strike someone out,I don't want that person as a teammate.

I can't beleive that parents spend money on instruction, top travel teams and showcases so their players will be better team players.

Team goals and personal goals are two seperate things, I think that is what this topic is about.

Fungo

Do not put words in my mouth---he has his own goals but the team came first, not him--in fact during the title game Fresno State called and left a message for him---he knew what he wanted --he just did not broadcast it

You closing line is totaly off base and ludicrous in my mind

TPM

You are entitled to believe as you wish


Personal goals can be team goals---if a player improves his game it helps his team does it not

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Team goals and personal goals are two seperate things, I think that is what this topic is about.

Thanks!

I asked my son this question just the other day. He's a soph. His first goal is to start on varsity. He was one of the last two cut as a frosh. He believes he accomplished this, first playing for the varsity coach in 18U fall ball and the winter workouts. As he's looked around the winter workouts he said he wants to be one of the top five players on the team. He wants to make enough of an impact as a soph to be a respected team leader as a junior. He wants to be a factor in turning around a program that was a failure for the previous coach.

My son doesn't set statistical goals. The season is too short to worry about hitting five balls on the nose right at a fielder. In high school and seventy AB's, five hits (or not getting them) can have a 75 point impact on batting average. One inning of getting shelled can ruin an ERA for the season.

Now if the stud senior pitcher can get past his academic issues the team should challenge for the conference title.

Add: A player interested in developing his individual talent to the highest level and then brings it to the team with the good attitude will be a good team player.

It is very important to be a team player.

However, if you are lucky enough and good enough you will play for many different teams before your done. Sooner or later someone will tell you that you are no longer a part of the team. At that point, being a team player doesn't much matter.

Baseball is a team game played by individuals. There is only one individual that you have full control of.

To me the goal should always be whatever the next level might be (your next team).

Others dictate what that is for any individual. A player’s goal should be to impress the decision makers. IMO That would include being a good team player, but that won’t be enough by itself. It is going to take much more than that from you as an “individual”.

If there are no plans to reach the next level, you don’t need to spend as much time trying to be as good individually. In that case, this will be your last team and then it should be team above everything individual.

You can be both and that is the best. Be a great teammate, a great team player, very coachable, a good person, and at the same time become the best possible “individual” player you can be.

For the most part… The first thing those at the next level notice is “talent”. Once they recognize the necessary talent, they start looking at all the other things. Yes, those other things count, but only if the necessary talent is present. The only exception to that would be the high academic schools like the Ivy’s. If they attend certain events… They might look at grades first because they know the talent alone means nothing, in their case. In the end, the individual talent, among the best students, is what everyone everyone is looking for.

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Originally posted by Fungo:

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Team goals and personal goals are two seperate things, I think that is what this topic is about.

Thanks!

No problem, I got it!

TRhit you can call it putting words in your mouth if you choose but the question I asked was in my opening post: I'd be interested to know what INDIVIDUAL BASEBALL GOALS high school baseball players set for themselves? And you said:

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My guy was totally team oriented

Totally means ----- 100% leaving 0%.
Let me pose a question directly to you. Did your son have any individual baseball goals such as:
Playing college baseball, playing pro ball, number of homeruns, speed, pitching velocity, batting average, strength or making high school varsity? If he did (or didn't) I would like you to comment on that.
Thanks,
Fungo

FUNGO

I will comment:

He never worried about his stats---he wanted to play college ball, pro ball if it happened
He never worried about HS varsity --he knew he would when he was in 8th grade

His attitude was that anything he did personally helped the team--he was about winning and doing what he could to make that happen

My son never had individual goals as a high school player as far as statistics go. His goals were simple. Play the game right and minimize mental mistakes, drive in runs with men on base which included giving himself up in the at-bat if it can get the run in. He at times sacrified his ability to hit the long ball because he figured it was more important to try and hit the ball hard somewhere than to try and jack one and have nothing to show for it. He was an aggressive hitter that took his hacks when he had to.

In a playoff game his senior year in HS, in a game that both teams pitchers were locked in a pitching duel where both pitchers spun 3-hitters, he was on the front end of a perfectly orchestrated double-steal after reaching on a BB where he gave himself up so that the runner on third would score. With less than 2 outs, he easily would have stole the since but the catcher is likely not throwing down, so he went on a delay and drew the throw, was put out but the runner on third scored which turned out to to be the winning run and move on to the next round in the tournament. After he got thrown out, he ran to the dugout and first thing he did was hi-five the runner on 3B who scored the go-ahead run. The play was mentioned in the news paper but it didn't mention my son being on the front end of the winning run but that stuff didn't matter to him.

I think it's understood that coaches don't want players to focus in on stats, most coaches will tell you to just play the game and let it happen, and get the stat stuff out of your head. Once a player does that he looses focus of the team concept amd the team goals. They even stress at times in lower minor league levels not to worry about your stats.
Most players enter into a team situation where they work hard so their team can win, go to playoffs or championship games. Coaches need to get everyone on the same page, that's what chemistry is, working towards a common goal. No one wants an all aobut me guy around in certain situations, I think that is naturally understood.

But that's seperate from personal goals, I can't beleive that players don't have personal goals other than just be a good team player. If that was true, why do we have an abundance of showcase promoters and tournaments throughout the country. I have never seen any advertising that states that their primary goal is to help make you a better team player. Their goal is to ofer you a stage where you can be seen for opportunities. Showcases are for individuals to show their skills, not to show that he is a good team mate. Is this correct or am I missing something?

Pretty simple in my sons case. Have fun, hang out with other buddies playing ball, and if someone thought he was good enough to play ball while he was getting an education, so be it, he would have fun for four more years. No strategies, no long term goal to play pro ball, just get an education and as long as they ask him to play, he will do so and give 100%. Baseball could end tomorrow or he could play ten more years, either way he would feel fortunate and change nothing.

TPM/FUNGO

I think you both are missing the huge picture---players can have inner goals but the end goal is to help the team win and not worry if he went 4 for 4---what good is 4 for 4 if you do not win---

I have seen us have our #4 hitter drop a sacrifice bunt in a crucial game situation---the young man coaches our team and he still talks about his sacrifice bunt--by the way he is 6 ft 10 inches/290 lbs---ask RJM or Coach Merc ---they have seen him--he went to be a JUCO All American with awesome hitting statistics

In fact we do not keep stats for our travel team and players do not ask what they are hitting etc---some sort of a unwritten rule with the team--they are part of a team---just do what you are asked to do.

Maybe I didn't understand the question/topic!

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Originally posted by Fungo:
I'd be interested to know what INDIVIDUAL BASEBALL GOALS high school baseball players set for themselves. How do they select their goals and what action do they take?. Since the goals of "Academic excellence" and "being a good teammate" are a given, let's avoid those. Let's talk individual BASEBALL goals. Is --- "to play college baseball" --- the #1 goal?

I don't think that I missed anything. I was trying to stay on the topic according to that first question asked.

I think everyone has, or should have, personal goals and that doesn't mean they are not team players.

If a team wins a tournament, and a kid doesn't get a hit or pitches poorly that weekend, he is happy his team won but unhappy with his own play. If the kid was a total team player without goals or ego he would be fine with everything and not feel he had to work on anything. If he has goals and ego he will work on what he thinks is wrong with his game. If he continues to do poorly and is content he will not be on the team for long. So he has to have personal goals.

Everyone wants to contribute and that should be everyone's goal. Each player contributes with the strength of their game. If a player is a power hitter he contributes by driving the ball and knocking in runs. If he goes into a game or season with the goal to hit a certain amount of HR then is putting pressure on himself and may take himself out of his game. IMO his goal should be to see the ball and put a good swing on it. If he does this within himself the chance are that he will get the outcome he desires. Samething for a pitcher. The goal should not be to strike out 12 this game. It should be to stay focused and hit his spots. If he does he might strike out 12. If a player does not contribute, for whatever reason, I don't think he will be totally happy regardless of what the team does.

Individual goals is any part of life are usually good things. Gives one something to strive for. Goals should be realistic and attainable. If each player reaches his goals playing within himself, and the team structure, the team will usually be successful and then he could be totally happy with his baseball.

If you ask 100's high school players this question (and I have) these are typical answers:
start on or make varsity
hit 300 or 400
make all-league
go to state
win league
win state

and you always get a few off beat answers like something about singing the national anthem, striking out a hated rival player, hitting a walk-off homerun, having some cute girl comment on his tight baseball pants, etc.

If you ask a 100 college players this question (and I have not, only about 30 or so in my 2 years), almost every goal will start with the word WIN

I think there are definitely individual statistics that directly relate to team success, that the player can work to attain without taking his focus away from the team. For my son, who is a pitcher, the main individual goal he has this year is to cut down on the number of hitters he walks. He has good strikeout numbers and has good enough stuff that he doesn't give up a lot of hits, but also walks more guys than he should. So that is something that shows up as an individual statistic that has a direct impact on how the team does. This fall, for the first time since he was a young kid, he did not play fall ball so that he could concentrate on his mechanics and conditioning. With the make-up of his team this spring, they may not be scoring a lot of runs, so that will put pressure on the pitching staff to cut down on free passes.

I think that is different than having a particular offensive stat as a goal, which as some said could lead to a hitter forcing instead of taking what comes.

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individual goal he has this year is to cut down on the number of hitters he walks ----- This fall, for the first time since he was a young kid, he did not play fall ball so that he could concentrate on his mechanics and conditioning.

Great example. Thanks.

My goal is to play college baseball, I'm not sure about my friends or anyone else but I just want to play somewhere on a full-ride. I don't care where at to be honest, I just wanna play.


My goal this year is to make JV at my high school, increase my hitting ability, be a better teammate, and end on a good note.