by InTheKnow » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:24 am
Note to all the Class B'ers out there with hopes of playing college baseball. College ball practices and games are run NOTHING like 99% of the HS programs in the state (Schwabe from Langdon fits in that 1%). It is not just throw out the bucket, play some catch, take some home run derby (not true batting PRACTICE), take a lazy infield, and then go home. You WILL have your eyes opened to another level of baseball and things like structure of practice, pregame, in-game, post game, off season, fall season, etc... When you point and laugh at a team that is doing EVERYTHING as a team (stretching, catch, pregame timming off of a pitcher, between inning running), be prepared because that is what is done at the college level. You WILL need to make changes to your swing, throwing mechanics, fielding mechanics, etc... Your old bad habits will lead to failure at the next level because your .500 batting average (0x4 vs the all conference pitcher that throws 82, and 4x4 vs the soph throwing 70) means nothing at that level. Players will come from Canada, California, Puerto Rico, etc and will bring a DEPTH (order 1-9, bull pen, etc) of tallent you have never played before. In the DAC alone you will see pitchers throwing 87-91. You will see position players running a 4.4 40/ 6.4 60. So make a point from this moment right now if you truely want to play college baseball you show up at practice and work hard at your WEAKNESSES and play as much long catch as possible stretching it out further and further each day. You dont need to show off your strengths at practice if you are already a higher level varsity performer but improving your problem areas will make you a complete player. And understand that the commitment that will be required of you is far and beyond anything you have had to deal with before. If you take this to heart you will be giving yourself a much better chance not only to play college ball, but be able to CONTINUE playing college ball.
***This is comming from a Class B'er who had his eyes opened wide to the fact that his "state hall of fame coach" and one that in the baseball circles is highly regarded was not teaching mechanically or structuring practices anything like the colleges. I have been there, seen it, and want others who from the time they were 5 had hopes and dreams of playing college ball to have that chance to continue playing and not quit because it "isnt what they thought it would be"***