The Challenge

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#2 Players have to continually make adjustments

Good topic Fungo(as usual). The best hitters in the world wear the sombrero(K3times) and even the golden sombrero(K4times), occasionally.

Hitters just sometimes have those kind of nights but never surrender to failure but rather refuse to accept failure and make necessary adjustments so it won't happen again.
Shep's .02

We never had those discussions--- he did his own thing when it came to what he did on the field---if he wanted to talk he talked but I never went into his "realm"---he shook off the "ofer days" on his own

Fungo - This is a great question and one that makes me reflect on my son's past year.

In HS, my son only had about five strike outs a year. Only had one year where he had an error. He left there feeling confident and big! Big fish in a small pond. However, at JUCO, his coach decided to make him a pitcher only. What this meant was giving up a bat, sitting, and listening alot.

He has since made a decision to move on to a four year where he will once again be given the opportunity to be a dual player which is what he wants.

However, he told me he has no regrets about this past year. He actually feels he will be a stronger hitter because of it. His words were "it's amazing what you can learn when you sit and listen to instruction". He would go to the hitters practice (had a very intelligent coach) and watch when he was done with his pitching practice. He's been hitting off of a tee since getting home.

I know I'm a bit of a proud parent as most of us are. What I think though that separates many kids is an attitude of "despite a challenge, I'll make the most out of whatever opportunity I'm given".

Look at Cleveland Dad's son. Plays for Coastal Carolina and was a RS. Ended up getting a jersey. Finally got a chance to come in a game. Then got a chance to start a game. Has been starting SS or 3B ever since!

So, in my mind - your #2 is right on! None of us ever get exactly the hand we hope for. That's what life is period - making adjustments!

FWIW… IMO

#1 Baseball is a game of failures

It’s also a game of successes. The one thing everyone brings up is if you are successful 3 times in 10 ABs you are a good hitter. On defense if you make three plays out of 10 chances you are worthless. If a pitcher wins 3 of 10 he is not doing well. Even worse if he is only getting 3 out of 10 hitters out. If a base stealer is successful only 3 of 10 attempts he is not doing well. As in all sports there are failures that the best seem to deal with better than others.

#2 Players have to continually make adjustments

This is probably the biggest secret to success IMO.

#3 Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.

Before discussing this we have to know what is meant when someone says “It ain’t broke”
If we are talking about a young boy who is hitting .500 in the 13 year old league with a bad swing that won’t work at a higher level… Do we fix the swing or do we say it ain’t broke? If we see a young pitcher who is winning every game as a 13 year old but he has bad mechanics that will probably limit his potential or worse yet, injure his arm… Do we fix it or do we say it ain’t broke?

Those who strive and work to get better each year are the most successful. If you’re a baseball player there’s always something that is broke and can be improved. It seems those who live by the rule “it ain’t broke so don’t fix it” are basically satisfied. I learned a long time ago that “satisfaction” is a baseball players worst enemy!

These are only my opinions and I don’t expect everyone to agree. Another great subject Fungo.

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I learned a long time ago that “satisfaction” is a baseball players worst enemy!

Don't think I really understood that thinking until recently and often have become frustrated with my son for expressing those very thoughts with himself! However, you're right on PG!!!

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I learned a long time ago that “satisfaction” is a baseball players worst enemy!

Absolutely! I have always said that the person who is hardest on my son is...my son. As long as they don't dwell on the mistakes, but instead learn from them, they can go far.

One of the more interesting ways of dealing with the "failure" aspect of baseball came from my son's 10-12 year old coach. He would tell my son: "if you go 1-3 for the rest of your life, I'll see you at your Hall of Fame induction." :-)

I'm recovering from a long weekend and an office move and was looking for some light reading while I'm catching up on some things. And then I read this!!!

Darn you Fungo!!!!