This is the first of my technical “in season” series of blog entries. It is surreal that we are actually departing for Spartanburg, South Carolina for our opening weekend games today. It seems like just yesterday we were practicing in September and the first game seemed like years away back then. Well, the time is finally here.
College baseball teams around the country will be opening up along with Army on Friday and I know everybody is anxious and excited to throw the cleats and jerseys back on and start competing against someone other than their own teammates for a change.
Our first series includes three games against Xavier, Dayton, and USC Upstate at Wofford. It has been a brutal preseason in terms of weather. The winter snow and cold came and did not leave. We are fortunate enough to have great facilities where we can practice and intersquad inside which have allowed us to conduct practice as normal. Our first time getting outside on a field will be tomorrow so we are definitely looking forward to getting back to getting back on an actual diamond.
Our program as with many others, believe that championships are won during the offseason. Whether it is in the weight room or in the cages getting some extra work, all will show once the season begins. I wanted this blog entry to be about one of the most important concepts of the game of baseball and that is confidence. Confidence starts with believing in all the extra work and time spent in the weight room. It begins before you start playing. It has to do with mental visualization and positive thoughts. It is a huge component in you and your team’s performance. The most resilient and successful teams have players up and down the lineup with confidence and positive thoughts. Confidence in yourself and your teammates is paramount.
I’ve put together three keys that I brought from the United States Army which can help develop this collective confidence. The first is disciplined initiative. This basically means that each player knows that they have a role whether it be getting a hit and run down, getting out of a bases loaded jam on the mound, or being a positive leader in the dugout. Each individual must understand their role and that it takes each pulling their weight together to have success.
Confidence.
The second component is shared understanding. Everyone must make individual goals because that is the only way you can achieve greatness but it is more important that your team has an ultimate goal. Whether it is winning the conference or winning in Omaha, a common team goal must be established and everyone must understand and buy in to the team concept first and foremost.
Confidence.
Lastly, mutual trust is the final component. Mutual trust means that I know the guy next to me will get the job done. This is sometimes difficult but showing that you believe in him is so important in building the confidence of that teammate and the total confidence of the team. Always keep a positive mentality in the dugout and the field as it will help in establishing this mutually trust. I firmly believe that these three elements will make a difference in where the team ends up in June. Confidence.
I want to wish all the guys and teams around the country safe travels and good luck in their opening weekends. I am excited to be writing again and look forward to touching base next week!
It doesn’t matter if you are 0-4 or 2-4, you have to walk up to the plate with the mentality that you are 4-4…Confidence matters!
Go Army,
AJ
