Just finished up my college baseball career last month, so I figured I would share some advice I wish I knew before I started my college career. These are based on my opinions and experiences, so if you disagree with some of these feel free to share your opinion.
Very few, and I mean very few kids belong in D1 baseball as freshmen. Even less belong in P5 baseball.
With that being said. Every time I see a kid post a commitment to a junior college, D2, D3 or NAIA school, I think, that kid got good advice.
The kids that do belong in D1, and most especially P5 schools out of high school are the kids that are legitimately deciding between a pro contract and school.
The percentage of kids that get meaningful playing time as freshmen at D1, and most especially P5 schools advertises it's not a great decision for most.
The best college coaches expect players to.
Love practice.
Love structure.
Love expectations.
Love extra work.
Love the weight room.
Love conditioning.
Love competition.
Love the game.
Love the required sacrifice.
They expect players to be all in.
Players
Did I describe you?
Are you all in?
Players
Bring attention to yourself.
Stand out.
Be noticed.
How?
Keep your mouth shut.
Play hard.
Play with energy.
Play with toughness.
Wear the uniform right.
Don't show boat when you do something good.
Don't hang your head when something doesn't go your way.
Be a great teammate.
Play with class.
Respect your opponents.
While others act like fools, you act like a real player that's been raised right and respects the game.
Players
You have to be able to play competitive games.
and
Be addicted to the weight room.
At the same time.
This is not arguable.
Every season is weight room season.
Players
Quitting isn't an option.
If you don't get to play, don't quit.
Don't play the right position, don't quit.
Don't like the coach, don't quit.
Practices too hard, who cares, don't quit.
Quitting is a habit.
The quit gene is real.
Don't quit.
Years ago we had four kids that were going to the same college quit on the same day.
Every one of them went to college and you guessed it, quit.
College baseball isn't convenient.
It's highly competitive and uncomfortable at times.
It requires resilience.
Don't quit.
Finish what you start.
One of the hardest parts of being a coach is seeing your guys with the uni on for the last time. Thank you seniors for the memories. Remember they can't take away being District Champs!!!!!!