In my two weeks here, the young Jays of the Greater Toronto Area have posted a record of 4-9. I have seen great strides made by the young pitching staff since my time has began. Those four wins consisted of three complete games (no CGs were posted by our hurlers before my arrival) and an all around increase in time put into not only the physical side of pitching but the mental side as well. Having put the staff on a regiment and a specific program, I hope to see even more impressive and improving performances out of our guys while we make our way through a tough tournament schedule.
I am undoubtedly already seeing improvements in my ability to relate to these kids and my abilities as a baseball coach. Baseball players, and all athletes for that matter, are a breed of their own. With each one having different qualities and personality traits. There is not one universal motivating factor that can be used on an entire roster. As a coach, you must be able to asses what drives and pushes each individual player to want to compete at a higher level; in an attempt to get the best performance possible out of them. This is something I think I have begun to really understand and take hold off. It can not only be shown in how you handle Starters vs. Relievers, but also in how you handle the pitcher who just threw a gem for you vs. the pitcher who struggled through an inning and a third; battling through walk after walk and error after error.
Seeing that I have started to experiment with different styles and philosophies on how to relate to each one of our players, I know that I will find success along the way but also failure. And in those times of failure, is when the best and brightest coaches shine. Which is being exceptionally demonstrated by OBJs Head Coach Kyle Sheppard. Although the results of his time and hard work may not reflect directly in our overall record, it does reflect in the improving attitudes and in both the increasing mental and physical talent our of players. Also by teaching these kids responsibility and holding them accountable to certain expectations both On and Off the Diamond, Coach Sheppard and the rest of the coaching staff is sharing with them some insight on what awaits them at the next level.
Through running a club program and coaching high school players just as they will be coached and treated in a college program, definitely is preparing these kids for the next step. The goal is by the time these kids step foot onto a college baseball field and more importantly a college campus, they already know what to expect and know what is expected out of them.
While I try to do my part in preparing our players for the reality check that awaits them, I am certainly humbled by the experience and the opportunity I have been provided. If this staff of young and vibrant arms can learn even one minuscule thing from me while I'm here then I can leave satisfied. Just as our head coach is doing, I am sharing my knowledge of the game with our guys and my experiences of having done what they long to; play college baseball.
No matter how old you are or how long you have been around/involved with the game of baseball you can always expand and increase your knowledge. As a coach, you hope your players can learn the most that they can from you; but you also hope to learn as much as you can from them. You are never done learning. And you will always be a Student of the Game. That is exactly what I am, still a student yearning to learn more and more about the game that he loves. And believe me, I fully intend on doing so for as long as I can.
Take Flight.