Spring training is basically what you think it would be. Everything is designed to get you ready for the upcoming season. It’s a full-time job, 7 days a week. I’ve been waking up every day at 6:30AM, heading straight to the field, some days not leaving until after 5 pm.
One of the biggest things I have learned over the past two spring trainings is that the competition never stops. There is always a new batch of players coming in from all over the world, all competing for the same thing: to get to the show one day.
It can be chaotic at times, but it drives me to want to always be at my best. There is always somebody in front or behind you that plays your same position, so I just try to compete against myself, getting a little better each day.
My father (passed 2/4/14) would preach to me that I can never say I am great until I am a MVP in the major leagues. This is something that I live by; I strive to be the best I can be no matter what the circumstances are. Spring training, regular season, or the offseason, there is always improvements to be made and things to work on. Spring training is just another opportunity to be on the field.
I once was told by an old coach to get a cheap notebook and write down things that stuck with me from that day. I write down a couple things: quotes from coaches that I hear and want to adopt, the way my swing felt, things I noticed on defense, my at bats, what pitches I swung at and why, and what counts I was in. It seems like a lot, but it’s mostly just a couple of sentences. I also make sure the mental aspect is part of my daily routine.
Routines are key for success on the field, I think more mentally than physically. I know I am prepared when I have done my routine and that gets me feeling good and confident for the day’s game. During the season, my routine is to get there an hour or so early, get stretched out, get in the cages and get my tee work and extra swings in, and then be ready for our team meetings, stretch, defensive work, and batting practice.
Taking time mentally to learn from my mistakes and attempt to memorize the good feelings is something that I really believe helps get you to the next level. Everybody preaches how the game is more mental than physical and how the mental aspect is not worked on enough, so taking that time each day is something I take pride in doing.
After I close my notebook, I am done with baseball for the day. I don’t want to have my mind too wrapped up in the little things or else I may lose some of the enjoyment of getting to play this game for a living.
We don’t get off days, so I make a conscious effort to take care of my body so I am staying healthy and on the field. After leaving the complex, the only thing that really matters is getting ready for the next day. There are only a few hours each day away from the game, so I try and use that to my advantage. Most days I will go fish at local community parks (catch and release), hang with teammates, or play some video games. Downtime every day is essential for a successful spring.
I am looking forward to playing under the lights with a crowd and atmosphere again. Spring training is a grind to get you ready to perform. Some players think the extra fans in the crowd creates pressure to succeed. I couldn’t agree more. No, I don’t always play great, but there isn’t a day that I won’t enjoy the opportunity of getting to compete with the best on an awesome stage.
That’s really all it is: a stage to perform for 9 innings. Then the curtains close and you move on to the next day. I look forward to competing every night regardless of whether I’m coming off a great game or a bad game. The best part about baseball is that each day is a new day, a new pitcher, a new hero, and a new opportunity to compete. I try to take each game as I would on opening day, not worried about statistics or standings, just a new opportunity to give it my all to help the team win.
This spring has been great and I couldn’t be more excited to see what the 2017 season brings.
