Playing in college: is it more physical or mental?

infielddad,

Great question/observation! I think there is a great deal to be said for the mental toughness that a player must develop. My '05 is a great example of this. He was/is a player that has yet to develop to his full potential. No one thought he had any shot to play beyond HS/Legion ball. But he was determined, and he knew that he was better than what others perceived. Without any assistance or encouragement from his coaches, he was able to obtain a scholarship at a JUCO.

So he went to the JUCO last fall knowing that he would probably fall near the bottom of the talent pool, but determined to use the opportunity to develop. He did not get a lot of playing time in the fall, as we were expecting, but his attitude has been great. Even though he hasn't gotten the playing time yet, he has improved dramatically in his raw skills. The other freshmen that had been studs really struggled with the competition and coming to grips with not being the stud anymore.

If he ends up getting little or no playing time in the spring, he's okay with that because he feels like he is improving and making up lost ground. He is positioning himself to make a big difference next year as a sophmore.

Obviously, I am proud of his effort. I am also proud of his attitude. No matter what happens, he has put himself in the contest, and will stay there for as long as he can.

Infield - That is a great question.

It was definately the mental aspect that I focused on in preparing my son for college. Like you've said, they can all hit, run, etc. I think it's the mental edge that can set players apart. A big part of preparing for college, especially as an athlete is to make sure they know what to expect. HSBBW is a great resource for that. '03Parent gave me very specific advice on what to expect directly from the mouth of her son - I'll never forget that!

My son has also chosen to begin to pitch again. Attempting to do this at the college level after being a position only player for the last few years will obviously require some mental strength and focus. I'm trusting that he will achieve his goal, but if he doesn't, I'm very confident that he'll have the mental toughness to reach for another of his dreams.

While we parents are still there, at this point in their lives, we find out exactly what "tools" they've developed beside the physical ones. Mental toughness is something that our beloved game requires at all levels, but stepping up a level, definately requires them to be prepared, level headed, and determined.

Infielddad,
Did you know that my son forgot how to throw strikes the first few months out?

I would say for MOST entering college, there is mostly mental adjustment. There is no way that freshman can be in the same physical shape as upperclassman who have been working with trainers and coaches. It's the coaches job to develop them physically as well as mentally, properly and with patience. That's why freshman get redshirtedor see little paying time. Once in a while you find the exception to the rule.

Another thing to discuss in recruiting. What are expectations? Are freshman given more instruction (yes), more chances (should). These were things son discussed early on and we did know that a lot was expected, more than other freshman. He didn't have a year to redshirt. He did have great coaches who stood by him and helped him through the difficult adjustments.

Infielddad,
VERY good question and from my vantage point the answer is a definite YES! (mental).. The mental challenges can be and are often overwhelming. Coaches lead parents to believe the college environment is a controlled environment and they want you to leave knowing your son is in good hands. DON'T believe that. College students are basically free to do as they please and will be tempted with just about everything. Curfews for baseball are common but seem to disappear after the initial recruitment. Many young men will see the sunrise for the first time in their life as they’re coming back to their apartment or dorm after a party. Professors could care less if you bathe, show up, pass, or fail. Coaches are concerned about your ability to perform on the field and will only get involved in academics and their personal lives if a player does not, or can not, perform on the field. I feel as if academic failure has very little to do with a player’s lack of intelligence but the inability to manage time and his failure to focus on the “must do’s” of college life.
Infielddad, you’re right about these players never experiencing failure. Understand these are very competitive young men and failing is foreign to them. My son called me during his freshman year of college very upset with his baseball performance. His question was; “Dad, what am I going to do if this baseball thing doesn’t work out?” Most will think this is a humorous question but not so. To an eighteen year old that has lived baseball every minute of his life, this was a very traumatic experience. No one said it was easy growing up and the only way to do it is to experience the challenge. By the time they get through college they have experience the ups and down of college life and college baseball. They understand it comes with the territory and they have learned how to cope with it. Congratulate them because they did it on their own!
Fungo