When Hank Aron was asked,”what was the secret to your success?”, he simply replied……”VISUALIZATION”.
Here is a quick visualization exercise that is guaranteed to help make you a more confident hitter in less than one minute:
Close your eyes, and then take 5 slow, very deep breaths – down deep in your belly. Feel your breath coming in and going out as you take them. With each breath, relax your forehead, jaw, shoulders, back, legs…
Pause at the end of the 5 breaths, and rest without breathing for 15-20 seconds. Just stay focused on the feeling in your relaxing body…
Start breathing normally again, and keep your eyes closed. Now make a picture in your mind of you being the best hitter on your team. Really feel how that would feel. Imagine the way your teammates perceive you. How the coaches respect you, and how the scouts are interested in your projection. Imagine how great it is to hit the ball hard to all fields. What sounds do you hear? What smells?
Have you grabbed that feeling yet? Great! Now keep your eyes closed and let that feeling stay for 5 seconds. Give it a color. What color is it? Now amplify it!
If you do this exercise regularly you will notice one thing: You can create unbreakable confidence by using visualization skills to help get the feeling of being successful. The “Law of Attraction” means this also increases the chances of that success actually happening.
Happy New Year to all DirtDog readers! Just a note from the Clubhouse to remind all that in the words of U2, “Nothing changes on New Years’ Day:”
If you haven’t already started an off-season training program to get ready for the Spring season, you had better get off the bench and move it because there is no time to waste. April 1st is now only 3 months (12 weeks) away, and you need to use every bit of that time from now on to condition your core and maximize your strength. There are plenty of resources on DirtDog Baeball that can help get you going.
If you are planning on playing school ball at either the Jr. Varsity or Varsity level, head’s up! In addition to hitting the schoolwork hard when you get back from vacation, you should be attending winter work-outs to prepare for school team tryouts, regularly using an indoor baseball facility if not living in a warm weather state, and attending holiday baseball camps (including at your preferred future college if possible). Also, you need to be looking ahead and doing the following depending on your grade level:
9th Grade
Send initial contact letter to preferred college baseball programs.
Student-athlete & family allowed to visit preferred colleges at own expense.
10th Grade
Student-athlete & family allowed to visit preferred colleges at own expense.
Send follow up letters & spring schedule to college coaches.
11th Grade
Student-athlete & family allowed to schedule unofficial visits to preferred colleges at own expense.
Research NCAA admission & eligibility requirements.
Send follow-up letter & spring schedule to college coaches.
Take un-official visits to preferred colleges.
12th Grade
Send follow-up letters to college coaches. (Include spring schedule).
Make un-official visits to preferred colleges, paid by family.
Take college prep courses.
Narrow down preferred school list.
Plan to take official visits (5 allowed) when offered by college coaches.
Official visits permitted after 1st day of class of senior year.
Student-athlete & family should assess financial costs for college.
Apply for Financial Aid.
Request official transcript, GPA, & class rank from guidance counselor.
Complete applications & write essays early to allow time for editing & mailing before deadlines
Remember, the harder you work, the luckier you get. This is true in all aspects of your life including athletics. Don’t spend your time sitting on your butt and patting yourself on the back for what you have already accomplished, always keep looking forward to the next goal you want to achieve. Then go and bust your ass for it.
Here is an outline of Matt’s 2011 off-season throwing program which is performed in conjunction with the Tuff Cuff program, individual pitching mechanics training and ongoing strength/conditioning work:
(Perform 3x per week with at least 1 day off in between)
The journey for baseball and softball players wishing to continue their careers at the college level begins on the first day of High School freshman year (9th Grade). Here is a timeline and checklist for players from The Baseball Resource for players to follow on the road to NCAA eligibility.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
Concentrate on academic performance.
Develop good study habits.
Budget time between academics, baseball & social life.
Take classes from your school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses.
Play multiple sports to develop the athleticism required for college baseball and softball.
Avoid drugs, alcohol & choose friends wisely.
Avoid problems with police, coaches, teachers, umpires & teammates.
Stay involved in volunteer & extracurricular activities.
Save & organize all awards and media articles to create an academic & athletic resume for college coaches.
Video all games to create a skill & highlight video for college coaches.
Save & organize all materials received from college coaches.
Contact baseball coaches at multiple programs to determine playing opportunities.
9TH GRADE (Freshman Year)
FALL
College baseball scholarship planning begins on 1st day of freshmen year.
Student-athlete & family should meet with high school coach & guidance counselor to assess academic progress towards NCAA eligibility.
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Write attainable athletic & academic goals for season & year.
Play fall baseball.
WINTER
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Attend winter work-outs to prepare for high school team tryouts.
Locate indoor baseball facility if not living in warm weather state.
Attend holiday baseball camp at preferred college.
Send initial contact letter to preferred college baseball programs.
Student-athlete & family allowed to visit preferred colleges at own expense.
SPRING
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working hard in classroom.
Play high school baseball.
Continue practicing baseball skills until summer league if cut from high school team.
Video games and edit skill & highlight video for college coaches.
Asses athletic & academic goal progress following school year.
SUMMER
Schedule evaluations with training coaches and scouts to identify mechanical problems & help determine appropriate college baseball division level.
Play in most competitive baseball summer league available.
Video games & edit skill / highlight video for college coaches.
Attend college baseball camp at preferred college.
Send contact letters to college baseball coaches.
Include fall baseball schedule & reference letter from summer league or high school coach.
10TH GRADE (Sophmore Year)
FALL
Student-athlete & family should meet with high school coach & guidance counselor to assess academic progress towards NCAA eligibility.
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Write attainable athletic & academic goals for season & year.
Play fall baseball.
Meet with high school guidance counselor to maintain academic progress for NCAA eligibility.
WINTER
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Attend winter workouts to prepare for high school team tryouts.
Locate indoor baseball facility if not living in warm weather state.
Attend holiday baseball camp at preferred college.
Student-athlete & family allowed to visit preferred colleges at own expense.
Send follow up letters & spring schedule to college coaches.
SPRING
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working hard in classroom.
Play high school baseball.
Continue practicing baseball skills until summer league if cut from high school team.
Video games & edit skill & highlight video for college coaches.
Asses athletic & academic goal progress following school year.
SUMMER
Schedule evaluations with training coaches and scouts to identify mechanical problems & help determine appropriate college baseball division level.
Graduate on schedule.
Attend summer school sessions to catch up if behind schedule.
Play in most competitive, baseball summer league available.
Video games & edit skill / highlight video for college coaches.
Attend college baseball camp at preferred college.
Attend local professional baseball try-out camp.
Attend national showcase event.
Send contact letter & fall schedule to college baseball coaches.
11th GRADE (Junior Year)
FALL
Student-athlete & family should meet with high school coach & guidance counselor to assess academic progress towards NCAA eligibility.
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Register for ACT & SAT standardized tests.
Select fall test date to avoid conflicting dates during high school season.
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center.
Write measurable, attainable athletic & academic goals for season & year.
Play fall baseball.
Send contact letter & updated fall schedule to college baseball coaches.
WINTER
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Attend winter workouts to prepare for high school team tryouts.
Locate indoor baseball facility if not living in warm weather state.
Attend holiday baseball camp at preferred college.
Student-athlete & family allowed to schedule unofficial visits to preferred colleges at own expense.
Research NCAA admission & eligibility requirements.
Send follow-up letter & spring schedule to college coaches.
Take un-official visits to preferred colleges.
SPRING
Student-athlete & family should meet with high school coach & guidance counselor to assess academic progress towards NCAA eligibility.
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Play high school baseball.
Video games & edit skill / highlight video for college coaches.
At completion of 11th grade, guidance counselor should mail official transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center.
Assess athletic & academic goal progress following school year.
Make un-official visits to preferred colleges, paid by family.
Contact summer showcase directors.
SUMMER (Summer between junior & senior year is CRITICAL)
Schedule evaluations with training coaches and scouts to identify mechanical problems & help determine appropriate college baseball division level.
Register with NCAA Eligibilty Center by July 1st after junior year to be eligible for official recruiting visits & qualify for Division I or II baseball scholarship.
Graduate on schedule.
Attend summer school sessions to catch up if behind schedule.
Play in most competitive summer league available.
Video games & edit skill / highlight-video for college coaches .
Attend college baseball camp at preferred college.
Attend local professional baseball try-out camp.
Attend national showcase event.
Send additional contact letter & updated fall schedule to college baseball coaches.
Prepare list of questions for college coaches, who are permitted to call after July 1 of junior year.
12th GRADE (Senior Year)
Take college prep courses.
Narrow down preferred school list.
Plan to take official visits (5 allowed) when offered by college coaches.
Official visits permitted after 1st day of class of senior year.
Student-athlete & family should assess financial costs for college.
Apply for Financial Aid.
Request official transcript, GPA, & class rank from guidance counselor.
Complete applications & write essays early to allow time for editing & mailing before deadlines
FALL
Student-athlete & family should meet with high school coach & guidance counselor to assess academic progress towards graduation & NCAA Eligibility.
Write attainable, athletic & academic goals for season & year.
Re-take SAT / ACT tests if necessary. NCAA uses best score from each section to determine cumulative score.
Complete Amateurism Questionnaire at NCAA Eligibility Center.
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Play fall baseball with team or friends.
Send additional contact letters to preferred college coaches.
Include updated fall schedule & reference letter from summer league or high school coach.
Make unofficial visits to preferred colleges, paid by family.
Early Signing Period duringNovember of senior year.
Begin unofficial visits to preferred colleges, paid by family.
WINTER
Take classes that match school’s approved core courses & continue working in classroom.
Attend winter workouts to prepare for high school team tryouts.
Locate indoor baseball facility if not living in warm weather state.
Attend holiday baseball camp at preferred college.
Send follow-up letters to college coaches. (Include spring schedule).
Make un-official visits to preferred colleges, paid by family.
SPRING
Play high school baseball.
Send mid-season follow-up letters to college coaches.
Send post-season follow-up letters to college coaches
Video games & edit skill / highlight video for college coaches.
After graduation, ask guidance counselor to send final transcript & proof of graduation to selected college coaches & NCAA Eligibility Center.
SUMMER (No Contact from College Coaches)
Do not become frustrated. Most high school baseball players are in same boat.
Remember that only elite players are receiving offers from top D1 programs.
Schedule evaluations with training coaches and scouts to identify mechanical problems & help determine appropriate college baseball division level.
Play in most competitive summer league available.
After MLB June draft, college coaches fill roster spots created by juniors & recruits that sign professional contracts.
Create new college list & be pro-active & contact schools via letter & phone call.
Ask high school coach, summer coach, or professional scout to recommend college programs that would be good fit.
Focus search on lower division colleges & JUCO programs close to home.
