Fall Ball just ended so i’m starting a exit velocity program during the off-season. Baseline EV off the tee was 83. Individual program goal set at 86-88 by the beginning of the spring season but still shooting for 9️⃣0️⃣. #CoachGravesGuys@Coach_GravesSr
Report Cards are out for High School and Middle School Baseball players. Several players with 4.75 gpa’s such as @dixonmonk5 and @Jayden__John and 4.63 from @JaydenPritche10 on the High School Side. On the Middle School side Kaden Graves and Jackson Busby both 4.0 gpa’s.
Showcased my 2-strike approach was able to hit a low line drive back up the middle that got past the defender , landed for a double and brought in a run. Swinging my 33in wood bat during fall to prepare for spring 💪🏽.@lvlumberbats@Coach_GravesSr#CoachGravesGuys
@_KadenColbert_ Class of ‘26 OF 4.15 gpa, 6.8 60, can switch hit also. 2 base hits during @FutureStarzBB Shippensburg University Showcase today for @lvlumberbats 16u team from Maryland. College baseball coaches take notes now on this young man. #CoachGravesGuys
Class of ‘26 @JaydenPritche10 from 16u @lvlumberbats team out of Maryland w/ the bases clearing double during @FutureStarzBB Shippensburg University Showcase. College coaches he has a 4.25 gpa OF/C/RHP and runs indoor track. More footage available. #CoachGravesGuys
Two Leadoff singles that got things going and led to runs on the board for @lvlumberbats showcase team. Showcasing my 2 strike approach in the second video. @Coach_GravesSr#CoachGravesGuys
Team not playing well in “big games?” Individually you struggle against highly ranked teams/players? … The secret to overcoming both? … learn to compete against “Nameless, faceless opponents.” … Let me explain.
Many players allow “who they play” to create anxiousness, doubt, worry, and even can create anxiety. This is a big problem … because tension is the enemy of athleticism. As a result, we make more mistakes and start to struggle. For example, player and team rankings, player reputation, program traditions… even uniform colors or the physical size of opponents can all induce tension which negatively impact team and personal performance.
One way to reduce, or eliminate all of those unnecessary tension builders and distractions is to simplify. Baseball is really about “competing against the game,” not people or groups of people (team). When a ground ball is hit to you, it does not matter who hit it … it’s just another ground ball. When a pitch is thrown, it does not matter who released it … it’s a ball in flight.
You have prepared in team practice, and on your own, to succeed. 1000’s of ground balls on a 4.0 second clock. Facing 1000’s of high velo or nasty breaking pitches off a machine… So in the game, trust your preparation, and do what you do.
When an entire team learns to implement the mindset of “nameless, faceless opponents,” you will see the team begin to overcome hurdles. Meaning start beating teams that you just seem to never beat and start having success against those high ranked pitchers.
Individually, players start performing better in “big moments” because they are simply performing skills they have prepared for since they were kids. Field the bouncing ball, throw the ball to the target, hit the ball in flight, spit on the bending ball in the dirt, etc.
The key to being your best at baseball is a combination of preparation, focus, playing relaxed and competing. That’s it. When you love doing those things with your buddies, you have fun and win a lot more games. And personally you play better, more often. Consistency.
So next time you play a big rival or step in the box vs. the #1 ranked pitcher in your state or the country … the Vandy commit … let that all go … just breathe, see the ball in flight and barrel it up! Compete! Who you are playing against simply does not matter. Just compete! Be You!