Spring Training

The business of baseball. Brutal.

This is the side most people don't see. It is also why I rarely use the word "greedy" when it comes to players. The realities you explained above is the everyday life of 90% of pro ball players. When a guy finally gets to a point where he now has the power, I'm all for him getting all he can.

When a player is sent home or decides to hang them up, everyone at home will undoubtedly ask "why didn't you make it to major league ball?" There are a million behind-the-scenes answers to that question, none of which will be understood by the average fan.

My standard answer is "I wasn't good enough." Not only is that answer true (in my case) but it's the only answer that doesn't sound like sour grapes or take an hour to explain.

Best of luck to all you players (and their families) still plugging along and chasing the dream. It's not easy.

BaseballByTheYard.com

quote:

My standard answer is "I wasn't good enough." Not only is that answer true (in my case) but it's the only answer that doesn't sound like sour grapes or take an hour to explain.

I like this.

My son is one of those plugging away.NDFA picked up out of college as a senior.Had a good first summer in Rookie ball.

Has been invited back for Spring.He knows the odds.The general population has no idea what these young men go through.

There are good players who dont make it as TPM said,only so much room at the top.

I had a converstaion at a dinner party last year when my son signed.The guy is a successful lawyer.He asked me why I was letting my son waste his time,make no money when the odds are that he will never earn a living from baseball.


First I told him,1.my son is an adult and it ishis life

I tried to explain passion,dreams,opportunity,It was like talking to a alien.He couldnt understand why my son would not just go get a job and start his professional career.

As well most people dont think he or most will make it.

The player has to have the fortitude to go against all the naysayers.But it builds character.

It is something others dont understand unless you have been through it.

I wonder how many have regrets at the end of their careers.

So glad to hear that Matt is going to spring training, he did too well to not get a chance at a full season.

The positive thing about it is that at this point in time, he is given the opportunity just like all of the other players, even if a FA.

Hope that you are doing well.

quote:

just go get a job and start his professional career

Sorry for the length of this but the quote above strikes a nerve. I once read a story of a soldier who came home from Iraq and went on a job interview. His job in Iraq was, in essence, to be the mayor of a small Iraqi town during its rebuilding. He dealt with and had to negotiate daily with religious factions in the town who wanted the other faction dead. He dealt with water, food, power, and housing issues for the townspeople. He had to delegate and put people in the proper roles. Everyday was problem solving 24/7 where the variables rapidly changed by the minute and where wrong decisions meant people died. And it all came back to him.
The interviewer listened to all that and then asked "so ... have you ever had a real job?"

The lawyer fanofgame mentioned shows the same incredible ignorance.

When I finished playing, for a short time I worried that I was going to be far behind everyone else my age who had "started a real job" years earlier than me. Since then I have realized how wrong I was.

My time in pro ball taught me the following "real-job skills":
- When the ball is in the air, it makes no difference where you went to school, what degree you have, how much money you have in your account, whether you live in the hills of Tennessee or the desert of California, or what you look like. It's about skills. All the bonus money or the law degree means nothing if you can't keep pace with the game whether the game is on the field or in the boardroom.
- Everyone has value. I played all over the country and the nicest people I ever met were those who had the least. They had little money and little eduction but they more then made up for that by having a doctorate in character.
- You better know how to think for yourself. The game happens too fast to keep relying on the coach for direction. Think and adjust fast or your career is over. Workers who rely on a boss are exhausting and will be replaced just as fast as the players who do the same.
- In the long run, success has more to do with consistency than talent. It's a long season. Lots of talent goes nowhere. Regardless of what you did the day before, you have to wake up, go to the park, and do it all over. And watch out because the competition is one day smarter than they were yesterday.

I could go on but you get the point. I didn't "waste my time" playing. Although I made "no money" playing, I've earned a good amount using the skills learned in the game. And finally, although I never "earned a living" playing baseball, I've carved out a pretty good life because of it.


BaseballByTheYard.com

Great post.Agree with all that you wrote.

TPM thanks for the support.We will see how it goes,as you said it is an invitation to try to make a team.Hope David has a great year as well.

He has never been to a spring training so this will be a new experience.He was able to choose a roomate and he is rooming with a guy from last year.The guy is shipping his car so he will have a way around,chip in for gas etc.He is getting pretty pumped to be there and continue the battle.

Son had couple jobs this fall.Invited back for both next year so thats taken care of.He actually was able to save money.

It is fun watching him figure it out,and everything we have asked of him he has respectfully accomplished.

I agree that its all preparation for future in baseball or not.

Good luck to everyones boys(men) going to ST this Spring.You have lots of people here watching and cheering for you.

Nice thread, TPM.

Bum, Jr. will be reporting March 2nd. He had a fantastic first year going 7-3 and moving up from Rookie to Short Season A to A ball, doing well along the way.

But humility is in order. You're only as good as your last start.

Just got in the house after taking my son fishing today. He caught the two largest fish, a very nice Redfish and an big Trout. He had a blast!

On the way in one of the folks fishing with us that was his coach in Little League asked him what he disliked about playing baseball. He could not think of one thing. He said he plays with the same excitement he had when he would wear his All Star uniform to bed before games as a kid.

It was a nice day.

Best of luck to all our guys! Fanofgame's son, Bum Jr., TPM's son, CD's son and everyone else that has a son reporting to ST.

My guy got an invite to a mini camp before spring training begins, so he flys out on 2/20. He is pumped and ready to go and continues to enjoy the game he loves.


http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v...youtube_gdata_player

quote:

When a player is sent home or decides to hang them up, everyone at home will undoubtedly ask "why didn't you make it to major league ball?" There are a million behind-the-scenes answers to that question, none of which will be understood by the average fan.

The better question is of the guy who made it, how and why, since it is so rare.

quote:

Originally posted by Dad04:

quote:

When a player is sent home or decides to hang them up, everyone at home will undoubtedly ask "why didn't you make it to major league ball?" There are a million behind-the-scenes answers to that question, none of which will be understood by the average fan.

The better question is of the guy who made it, how and why, since it is so rare.

I agree, many times it is being in the right place at the right time when someone unfortunetly got hurt.

Those websters having sons reporting include southma (twins),jerseydad (pirates), justbaseball (nats), itsinthegame (twins), DB2BMom (twins), baseballmom (the evil empire.... sorry couldn't resist ), OPP (nats).

If I missed anyone I apologize.

Edit: TMM_Dad's player (royals). Anyone else?

Lets All Have A Great Season!

Mine reports on February 14th in Phoenix. He has a 2200 mile trip from Myrtle Beach to Phoenix and I hope he leaves by the 10th. His college buddy, who is already a big leaguer for the Cubs, will be traveling with him.

The 14th sounds like a good report date! Best of luck this season to your son!

quote:

Originally posted by floridafan:
The 14th sounds like a good report date! Best of luck this season to your son!

Thanks and same to yours!

Looks to me like the group of players going to spring training from the hsbbweb is a pretty small group. Best wishes to all of them.

quote:

Looks to me like the group of players going to spring training from the hsbbweb is a pretty small group. Best wishes to all of them.

Same to you Dan.Look forward to watching Tyler,excting report date for sure!!!

Hope all is well!!!

quote:

Originally posted by fanofgame:

quote:

My standard answer is "I wasn't good enough." Not only is that answer true (in my case) but it's the only answer that doesn't sound like sour grapes or take an hour to explain.

I like this.

My son is one of those plugging away.NDFA picked up out of college as a senior.Had a good first summer in Rookie ball.

Has been invited back for Spring.He knows the odds.The general population has no idea what these young men go through.

There are good players who dont make it as TPM said,only so much room at the top.

I had a converstaion at a dinner party last year when my son signed.The guy is a successful lawyer.He asked me why I was letting my son waste his time,make no money when the odds are that he will never earn a living from baseball.


First I told him,1.my son is an adult and it ishis life

I tried to explain passion,dreams,opportunity,It was like talking to a alien.He couldnt understand why my son would not just go get a job and start his professional career.

As well most people dont think he or most will make it.

The player has to have the fortitude to go against all the naysayers.But it builds character.

It is something others dont understand unless you have been through it.

I wonder how many have regrets at the end of their careers.

Great post! From the heart. Truthful representation of what a lot of us know.

Best to your son. He's a really good player and he has a shot and thats all any of them wanted in the first place.

I love these stories and could read them all day. Good luck to all your guys.

quote:

thats all any of them wanted in the first place.

Thanks Justbaseball.

fanofgame, a very heartfelt post.

Go tell that lawyer to sue himself.

These young men are playing baseball because of a dream. It matters not if the dream comes true.
What's the point, get a job, pay the bills, then ask what could have been?

I'd rather live in a trailer than have no dreams.

Albeit double-wide.

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
fanofgame, a very heartfelt post.

Go tell that lawyer to sue himself.

These young men are playing baseball because of a dream. It matters not if the dream comes true.
What's the point, get a job, pay the bills, then ask what could have been?

I'd rather live in a trailer than have no dreams.

Albeit double-wide.

Nice post Bum. Believe it or not, there is money to be made as these kids move up in the minor leagues. My son has learned how to make a living at being a professional baseball player all year around. His salary has gone up each year. In the off-season, he works several camps. He has worked for Baseball Factory and his college Coastal Carolina. He has managed several endorsement deals which also contribute to his income. Made several thousand last year signing baseball cards, for example.

All his equipment has been earned through endorsements. The only catch to endorsements when you are a lower round guy or free agent is you have to go out and produce on the field for several years before they take notice. He has also learned to live well within his means. No outstanding debt so what he ends up making for the year is more than enough. He lives in a condo on a golf course in Myrtle Beach in the off season. I'd love to live his lifestyle.

PS - forgot to mention that he has played winter ball each year since he has been in pro baseball and that has allowed him to keep earning a salary into December each year.

quote:

He has also learned to live well within his means.

Have noticed the same thing with my son. I'm thinking this is a pretty good skill in itself for life in general.

...and Bum, really great post yourself!

Mine reports March 1, 2013 (Rockies). So glad that this is his second year as you learn soooooo much the first year. He knows what is expected, what to expect and what he needs to do in the off-season.

Hope the players have a healthy, productive and fun 2013 Spring Training!!!

TPM, thanks for starting this thread. It's exciting to see so many of our kids living their dream.  Good luck to all our guys!

 

Preston reports Feb 12. Got his invite to BL pitchers camp, so we are all thrilled! I just have to figure out a way to haul that trailer Bum is talking about! I'd love to have a small RV or camper so Heidi (Yellow Lab) & I could take to the road to watch him play in Spring training! Wouldn't that be a hoot?

It's been a good while since my last post (a lot has happened since then), but my son reports to the Mariners mini-camp Feb 15 and is looking forward to his first full year in pro ball after a relatively successful debut. I'll be heading to AZ sometime in March to catch a few games...can't wait!

Just stopping by to wish all HSBaseballWeb-associated professional players the very best in Spring Training and beyond!

 

When a casual fan has difficulty appreciating the competitive environment of pro ball, I often suggest that if they go to either the Cactus or Grapefruit Leagues, they do more than just go to a game or two. I recommend that they go out to a team's training facility in the morning and watch what's taking place on the practice fields. They'll see more talented baseball players in one spot than they'll ever see anywhere else. Roughly 250 excellent players; all following the same dream!

 

Best wishes!

Got messed up with the passwords

Nice to see everyones comments about their sons and I wish them all the best this year.

 

Bum,nice post,thanks.

 

Trying to rehab from the hip surgery.2 more weeks on crutches out of 6.

What a great thread!  

 

Thanks, everyone for sharing, and best wishes to all these young men who have the wisdom to pursue their dreams with their entire strength.  The return may not be immediately apparent, but time spent giving your absolute best to any honorable pursuit is seldom wasted.

Last year at this time, my son was reporting on a minor league contract for the first time in 6 years. He approached last season with the correct attitude and is getting ready to report to Nats camp next week, once again on a MLB contract.

 

Best of luck to everyone else's sons this year.

 

p.s. OPP Jr. said Erik Davis was a great teammate. 

Our son reports on the 12th however he is leaving on the 8th to visit his sister at school in South Carolina.  This is always a tough time of year for us as a family.  We are happy to see the hew season approach however we are also a little sad that his days at home are numbered.

 

I don't think most people realize that these young men leave in Feb/March and don't come home again until Sept/Oct.  There are very few days off and there is certainly no coming home for a visit.  While most would give anything to get a shot at chasing their baseball dream it's certainly not without sacrifice.  

 

All the best to all of your sons...may they all have breakout seasons!!!

OPP - I shoulda sent you a message months ago, but believe me when I say that the feeling was VERY mutual from Erik.  Told me back in September that Zach is a really great guy and a fantastic mentor to the younger players.

 

Funny, he's sitting next to me right now and I mentioned OPP Jr. again and he said, word for word, "Yeah, he's a really good guy."  

 

My hope is that sometime, this summer, you and I get a chance to share a beer in DC.  

 

Nothing but the very best wishes for Zach this season.  This family is a fan...forever!

OPP- I interviewed with the Nats advanced scouting department last month. One of the questions they posed was: "We need a lefty reliever...who should we pursue?"

 

I wasn't prepared, so I had to think quick on my feet. Growing up watching a lot of AL East baseball, I became accustomed to JP Howell throwing well for the Rays out of the pen. So I threw his name out there first...and they nodded in what I hoped was agreement. There was an awkward silence and then the director of the department asked for another name.

 

I was stuck. I was blanking on another name and didn't know where to turn. My head skimmed through a bunch of different options until I remembered reading some posts here on the HSBBWeb and remembering your name come up. Bingo.

 

"What about Zach Duke? He could be a middle relief guy that eats good innings and spot start at the back end too. Put up really good numbers for you guys in Syracuse last year and made an All-Star team a few years ago."

 

They smiled warmly and the director of the department looked at me and said, "we just signed him, literally, just before this. Look online when we're done here I'm sure you'll see it."

 

The interview went on. "OPP Jr." got a contract. I got a job offer.

 

This place is pretty cool. 

Did you take the job? From what I understand, they are a class organization.

 

If you do work for them, make sure to connect with OPP Jr. when you get a chance....HSBBWEB connections ring a bell with him.

OPP- I did. I'll send you a PM (or a dialog...whatever it's called now) with the details.

OPP how are YOU!  I miss you!

 

How is your daughter? Is she still in Boca?

 

Always keep tabs on ZD.  Best of luck to him!

 

Your players play for a great organization!

Great to see you back OPP! Sure hope you stick around!

I am just fine, hope you and your's are also.

Not much into baseball anymore, sorta like my father never could really keep up with where my life was leading me while still managing to live his own. I follow my son, just as a very interested, distant fan now. Have not attended a game for over 2 years, TV/internet offers much better views(IMHO) than I get from a stadium seat, plus I don't have to listen to some guy hollering derogatory things about my son and his ability!

I spend time these days on a horse in a wilderness area as much as possible or rough-housing with daughter's 3 year old since they moved back to Texas 13 months ago. 

 

I guess I've got a lot of HSBBWEB catching up to do but have no recent personal baseball involvement to offer perspective on.

 

Hope your's are all doing well.

 

OPP, Welcome Back.  We all miss you.

Mine is headed out west today and will be driving across the country - something I've never done.  He's driving to Nashville from Myrtle Beach today and will spend the evening with a friend.  The first leg is a 10 hour drive.  Tomorrow, he is off to Oklahoma City where he will spend the second night of his journey at a friend's.  The second leg is an 11 hour drive.  On Friday, he'll drive into Phoenix where he is sharing a room with his college teammate from the Cubs.  The third leg is the most grueling at 15 hours.  Of course I told him to rest as often as he needs to.  

 

He got two new tires on his car, a new battery, oil change, and new South Carolina tags before leaving.  He still drives the same car he had in high school - a 2004 Saturn ION that only has about 85,000 miles on it.  Told him to keep that car just like David Eckstein kept his.

 

On the baseball front, he is popping at the seems with excitement and cannot wait to get after it.

 

All the best to everyone's players this year.   

Arrive safe Tyler and best of luck.

 

 

Here's to all of the players about to report. 

 

Wishing them all of the best.

 

TPM and a couple of others have shared stories about kids we know going through the whole minor league process. It is hard, but very few can say they played professional baseball. The ones in it, and their families understand the business aspects, most on the outside have no idea. 

 

Many colleges have things arranged so Jr's drafted can come back in the fall for classes and get their degrees after 1-2 years in the minors, and for those who want to, can go back and get a master's degree the same way, so not all is lost as far as developing a back up career should baseball not pan out. 

 

Their are also internships and all kinds of ways to help earn money away from the game, so I would never characterise a few years in the minors as losing out on a career.

 

Safe travels and all of the best to those kids who will be reporting soon!