2-0 start for 17U in Johnson City! @TreeceJackson22 with a bulldog 10K CG effort on the mound. @FernandezMig33 , Tucker Webb, @GrahamCawthon24 , Ty Eichman
, and Grayson Crosby all with RBI's. Bracket Play tomorrow! #YardBall
Memorial Day question:
Who is the person in your son's baseball life — coach, mentor, family member , that you are grateful for today?
Tag them if you can. Gratitude shared out loud goes further than gratitude held quietly.
@TreeceJackson22 and @Waylon3Burgess. These 2 have played a lot of baseball together. Waylon graduated and will pitch at the next level. He is uncommitted. Sits 88. Touches 94. He had 123 Ks in 57 innings. Great young man and pick-up for somebody. Go get em Way-Way!
If you play this game long enough…
eventually you’re going to sit the bench.
And when that happens, a lot of players start thinking:
“I’m wasting my time.”
“I might get cut.”
"I suck"
“Coach doesn’t believe in me.”
I’ve been there too.
Over my baseball career...all the way to MLB... there were times I sat because organizations invested millions more into other players or college coaches simply went another direction.
Here’s what I learned:
The players who survive those moments don’t become bitter.
They:
- show up early
- stay late
- support teammates
- keep improving
- figure out what the team needs
- stay ready for their opportunity
Because eventually…
baseball gives chances to the players who are prepared when their moment comes.
The hardest thing about recruiting is not the recruiting.
It is watching your son figure out who he is in real time, with college coaches as the audience.
Be patient with the process. Be more patient with the kid.
Coaches who only correct never connect.
“Negative experiences without teaching kill morale.” - Nick Saban
The hard moment isn’t the problem.
Leaving it without a lesson is.
That’s what transformational coaching actually looks like.
The #1 question dads ask me: “Coach, does my son have what it takes for college ball?” Answer after 35 years: Does he love baseball more than the highlight reel? Skills can be taught. Obsession cannot.
4/23 🤔’s from AMI 🌅🏝️🌊🎣
Best quote I've heard all year:
"I don't walk away to teach people a lesson... I walk away because I learned mine." That hits. Because walking away isn't about revenge.
It's not about proving a point. It's about finally understanding your worth. It means you've outgrown the drama, the disrespect, the need to explain yourself. You don't owe anyone a performance.
Sometimes the most powerful move you can make... is choosing peace over proving. That's not weakness-that's growth.
Every player I ever coached was asking me the same 3 questions.
They never said them out loud.
It didn't matter what the lineup looked like.
It didn't matter what the scoreboard said.
They just needed to know 3 things.
And every leader, every coach, every parent is being asked the same ones.
Here they are.
Question #1: Can I trust you?
Trust isn't given. It's earned.
You earn it through transparency and honesty not when things are going well, but when things are hard.
How I built it:
• Do what you say you're going to do
• Tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear
• Show up the same way whether you're winning or losing
You lose trust fast. You build it slow.
Question #2: Can you make me better?
This one is on you as a leader.
They're not just asking about their swing or their stats.
They're asking: do you see me clearly enough to help me grow?
Question #3: Do you care about me?
This is the most important one. And you can't fake it.
You can't lead anybody if they don't believe you care about them beyond what they produce on the field.
Three questions. No stat tracks them. But they determine everything.
Last night was a good night for @LukeTreece_44 . Good job behind the plate, a double with 2 rbi. But also this being the post game norm at Lee University. Luke with teammates and an opponent tonight, but a teammate from his summer team. Baseball teaching life lessons everyday.
Baseball is such a great teacher about highs and lows. @TreeceJackson22 FT Walton Beach. 💣. Pitched a 3 hit shut out. Next game 1st K of year and 26 game hit streak broke. New day, new streak.