Was that I didn’t grow up sooner.
I wish I fully comprehended accountability sooner. I wish I understood the difference between the controllable’s and un-controllable’s sooner. I wish I actually knew how to play the game “one pitch at a time” sooner.
I spent too many seasons (from HS until my mid 20’s) wasting time blaming my teammates, whining about umpires, talking about coaches and thinking about any other reason to protect myself from the emotions of failure.
But I was fortunate the game gave me enough time to wake up before it was too late. Unfortunately that’s not the reality for most weak minded athletes.
Once I realized that for as many errors my teammates made behind me, they also saved me hits and runs with the unbelievable plays they made. For as many bad calls I thought the umpires made that hurt me, they also made as many they actually helped me. And it didn’t matter how I felt, the coaches decisions were what was best for the team in that moment.
Playing the game “one pitch at a time” means being all in, being completely present, in that moment. That pitch. I cannot throw that pitch with even a shred of thought about what happened on the last pitch that I thought was negative. That’s not being present. There’s no way I can throw this pitch with full conviction while still emotional about the last (even if no one can see it on my face or body language).
Longevity in the game demands mental toughness. It doesn’t care about your physical tools. When you meet your match and start competing regularly against those who challenge you day in and day out, it will be what happens between your ears that will allow you to keep moving forward.
I highly recommend starting this process towards mental toughness as soon as you can. Parents, be smart with the tones of your conversations. Coaches, be the example they need. Players, focus on the controllable’s and STOP MAKING EXCUSES!!
Founder of Baseball Dudes. Blessed with three beautiful children and an amazing wife. Baseball is my life, after my family, and I love sharing what I have learned from it. Thanks for taking the time to view what we offer here at Baseball Dudes.
