Of Focus and Facial Hair: Relentless Commitment to Approach + Relentless Commitment to Team = Championship Baseball

Post-season MLB baseball brings us the best players in the world playing the greatest game in the world at the very highest level.   

And oftentimes, the post-season teaches us the game while the world watches.  

Yes, the 2013 World Series was also teaching. But were you watching? And studying?

The much-anticipated match-up between the Cardinals and Red Sox brought us the NL's best vs. the AL's  best, the teams that so many wanted to see.  This WS was considered to be a fairly even, and it featured a number of classic games.  

And in the end ... the better team won. Sorry, Cardinals fans.  That is just how it is ... and was.  But the real gold here is found in digging deeper.  Why were the Red Sox the better team?  

In my view, it was their relentless commitment to two things ... their approach and their teammates ... that carried the day.  This comment is meant as no disrespect to the Cardinals, who had a great team and season, but it is merely a recognition that in the end a superior approach and chemistry won out.  

When I was watching pivotal Game 5, I knew ... I just knew ... that the Cards were done.  This was a different team than the 2011 world champions.  Indeed, the Cards were missing two key pieces from that team -- Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman.  And not so coincidently, those two hitters and team leaders reminded me in their approach of the two leaders of the 2013 Red Sox - David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia.  

On Approach ... 

In each game ... every game ... the Red Sox made the Cardinal pitchers throw more pitches as they relentlessly hunted to get a good pitch to hit. What this meant was that Red Sox hitters saw more pitches, and thus got better and more prepared as each game (and the series) continued, all while getting deeper and deeper into the Cardinal bullpen and wearing the opposing pitching staff down.

  
And Pedroia and Ortiz led the way, like they always did.  Indeed, David Ortiz was having a series for the ages, and so the Cards eventually decided to pitch around him and avoid having the big guy beat them.  Ortiz's response?  He stayed within himself and his approach and let the Cardinal pitchers walk him (sometimes on 10-11 pitch AB's that ended in 3-2 walks), thus elevating pitch counts, knowing that eventually the dam would break.  And it did. It broke in pivotal Game 5.  

In Game 5, it was ace vs. ace -- Lester v. Wainwright -- and after about 5 innings Boston's Lester was at 60 pitches and St. Louis's Wainwright was well over 80. The breakout was inevitable, like gravity, especially since this was the second start for both of the series.  

And so it came in the 7th inning, after the Red Sox had worked Wainwright to the point where he exited.  Then, David Ross got the go-ahead single in the 7th, off of what had previously seemed to be an unbeatable Cards' bullpen. (But Boston had seen these guys by now ...) And then, the Red Sox were then in the driver's seat as the series was coming down the stretch. 

On Team ... 

In spring training, the Red Sox showed up prepared to put a horrible 2012 behind them.  How soon we forget, but Boston lost 93 games in 2012.  Yes, they finished last in their division and were one of the worst teams in the AL just a year prior to winning the WS. 

After 2012, the Red Sox took stock and jettisoned three high-paid players who, although talented individuals, were net team negatives overall -- Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Adrian Gonzalez.  In return, they added guys like Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, and Johnny Gomes.  And this was a positive for the Red Sox?  You bet.  It was Gomes' 7th-inning HR that pulled the Red Sox even in the series in Game 4 when things looked bleak. 

Indeed, the players who came to the Red Sox brought a hunger and work ethic ... and a love of the game while embracing the daily grind necessary to be a champion.  The difference was felt immediately. 

Napoli and Gomes even started growing beards in Spring Training.  Others followed, for fun, superstition, or whatever.  But as the team continued to played well, the length of the beards grew.  

To be clear, rather than advocating facial hair for any team (including ours!) I am simply pointing out that the beards were evidence of a commitment to the team and each other.  

After the Game 5 win, the Red Sox went back to Boston and did what they usually did.  On their supposed day off, they practiced.  They were back at the ball yard, taking BP ... together.  I watched the TV reports as a group of about 8-9 players stood around talking, smiling, having fun, working ... comparing notes.  They respected each other and liked being teammates.  So, coming to work was, well, not much like work at all.  It was fun.  And they hit pretty well, too, didn't they?  The AL's best team had its best offense. No surprise.  

They worked at it.  And respecting each other made the environment easier to do so.  

And now, the team that used to be under the Curse of the Bambino has won more World Series titles than any other MLB team in the last decade ... by doing what they do.  Let's learn from them.

So ... here's to relentlessly committing to doing what we do in 2014. 

See you on the field.  

Off-Season = Prime Time for Developing a Routine for Excellence

One of the individuals who I follow and pay close attention to is mental conditioning coach Brian Cain.  Brian is high-energy, 100% positive, and right on.  He is anything but polyanna, as most good mental game coaches are.  So, I enjoy hearing what he has to say.  What follows is an excerpt from an email I recently received from Brian.  Check it out: 

... The highest earning and performing individuals I coach do some very specific things in the morning as part of their routines built for excellence.
MORNING ROUTINES

• They read from good books each morning.

I suggest a short daily reader (my Daily Dominator Book will be out in July), and I read John Maxwell’s Daily Reader, Sean Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens Reader, and Tony Dungy’s One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.  Reading these each morning helps me to jumpstart my day and get the right mindset going first thing.  This whole process takes about 5 minutes each morning.

• Make your bed

Chip Kelly, former football coach at The University of Oregon, not with the Philadelphia Eagles, challenged his players to make their bed first thing in the morning.  Making your bed first thing when you get out of it does is three critical things: 1. You show attention to detail 2. You show discipline over yourself 3. You act differently than how you feel.  Cementing these three actions within one minute of waking up will help you to, as Coach Kelly says, Win The Day.

• Wake up 15 minutes earlier

Waking up 15 minutes earlier than you normally do is the ultimate excuse exterminator for morning “excuseitis,” the disease of making excuses.  When you wake up 15 min earlier you will have created the time to implement a morning routine of excellence.  If you don’t have a morning routine of excellence already… what are you waiting for?  Remember, it is the start that stops most people.  Get started with your morning routine of excellence TODAY!

• Books on tape vs. talk radio and music

On your morning commute, trade your talk radio and music for a book on tape.  If you have a 10 min commute each way, you can easily get through a book a week if you are relentless in listening on your way to and from work or the field.  If you were to pick one topic area, let’s say leadership, and listen to a book on leadership in your car each day for an entire year, you would be a World’s leading authority on leadership in a year or two and COMPLETELY change your life.  Pick a topic, pick a book and GET STARTED… The quality of your life depends on it.

• Success hotline – 973-743-4690.

Dr. Rob Gilbert is one of the greatest motivational speakers and sport psychology professors in the world.  His commitment to excellence, teaching and daily discipline is unmatched by anyone in the field.  For almost 8,000 consecutive days, he has left a three minute motivational message on his success hotline at the number above.  I have called this daily since I first heard him speak in 2006 and it has had tremendous positive impact on my life.  I call the success hotline after I read my morning books mentioned above, take notes and apply his teachings in my daily life.  I HIGHLY suggest you do the same.  It will change your life. ...

You can check out Brian's blog here. I highly recommend it.  Flood your mind with constructive thoughts and ideas ... and then act on them.  Build a routine for excellence.  The time to start is now.  Each morning, each day, is precious.  Make it count. 

See you on the field.

So, it's Florida time ... Tme to get pumped up? Time to get ready and take it another level for the "big" games?

No.  

Wait a minute ... are you serious, coach?  Yes, I am.  Please let me explain.  

Players, fans, coaches ... every one ... will be excited (some of us perhaps a little too anxious or excited) when we get to Auburndale to play.  So, actually, it's time to keep it on an even keel and just enjoy the ride.  

In doing this for a number of years, I have watched a number of our teams prepare to go to regional and later World Series competition, and what I have become convinced of is ... you find a process and plan that works during the season and you keep refining it during the season ... and then working it when you get to Florida. You use the same process, and you work it again.  And this ... works. 

So, we joke about "big" games with our players, because we teach them that every game is big.  If you make things too big, it's a good way to play small.  And we want to play big.  So, we play like we practice. Indeed, the mentality we are trying to bring is one of practice ... businesslike but relaxed, purposeful, fun ... getting the job done ... routine.  It's a mistake, in my judgment, to try to change things up now in any event.  A dramatic turn at this point, even if it were warranted, would be impossible and counter-productive.  So, we keep grinding and keeping on.  No rah-rah speeches ... Just get to the field and play. 

Here are some things to keep in mind as we head for warmer temperatures in the Sunshine State and the World Series: 

1) Routine -- All successful players and teams have these.  We do, too. You fans will recognize what we do in Florida ... ladders, stretching exercises, pregame, etc. For instance, you will note that we will do our in-and-out just like we do before all our other games.  We do this intentionally throughout the year, knowing that there will be no on-the-infield pregame in Fla.  Our pregame warmups will start 50 minutes before game time in Fla, just like we do in all our other games.  We continue to do what we do. Individual players ... work your Saturday game routines.  What a deal! Each day in Florida is like a Saturday (no school) with baseball.  So, work your routines accordingly.  Keep it as much as possible like you do in Texas.  Keep it routine; 

2) Expect and be prepared for it to be warmer in Florida -- We will all recognize what the temperature is, so players, please keep such observations to yourselves.  Note that it will be the same temperature in the other dugout, too.  Note also that it has been cool all over the country this spring (global warming?  Ha ha.), so every one is making the same adjustment.  Drink water ... early and often.  Be proactive in taking care of yourselves. 

3) Eat a good breakfast each day ... Players, this means eat more than sugar and bread.  During the day when we are playing later ... be smart in what and when you eat.  

4) Players, we are there to play baseball.  So, stay off your feet and out of the sun as much as possible when we are not playing.  And get good rest at night.  We will probably encourage lights out for players by 11 p.m. for a.m. games and midnight for afternoon games. 

5) Players, fulfill your contracts.  Parents and fans ... bring the same spirit and police your own.  

6) Remember your P's:  Keep everything in perspective.  Things will seem to go wrong in nearly every game ... even those that ultimately work out right.  But ... if you think this is life-or-death or the end-all-be-all of your life or baseball career, a) you're wrong; and b) you will play tighter than a drum and underperform.  So, keep it routine, focus on the next pitch and play, and play just like practice.  And finally, commit to and work our process or plan -- at the plate (the E's), on the mound (the T's), in the field (the R's), and on the bases (the S's).  If we do these things, we will be just fine; and (this is the really cool part) ....

7) Our players are prepared to play well, without question.  We always have been, and we will be this time, too. So, know this ... be confident, and remember ... please remember because these great times pass so quickly ... to have fun.  

See you on the field in Florida, 

Bunting ... Another cog in the wheel of our offense

So, I figure since TWCA executed two squeeze bunts on us in one inning in our opener Friday -- yes, two squeeze bunts in one inning -- it is time for me to expound upon my expertise in the area of bunting.  Yes, my tongue is firmly in cheek ... not about the two squeezes, but about the rest of it.  

It's interesting because we have made bunting a point of emphasis in the off-season, but TWCA was the team who used the bunt to make a real difference in the game the other night. So, hats off to them. Side note: If we executed our defense in those situations, we would have defended both.  Actually, we would have stopped the first one, and there would have likely been no second attempt.  But we will learn and move forward.  

Still, the squeezes and watching teams in general utilize the bunt has made me think more about our own philosophy and how and when we bunt.  As I have stated before, I believe in the general premise of "Moneyball," that is, that it is unwise to give up precious outs.  Our goal offensively, stated simply, is to have a quality at-bat each time up to the plate -- either by working the count (six or more pitches), hitting the ball hard, or getting on base.  It is simple.  We look for our pitch to hit, and then when we get to two strikes we make our two-strike adjustment. I can understand this approach, and the players can, too.  Plus, this philosophy works at all levels of baseball, too, when a team buys in and executes it up and down the lineup.  

So where/how does bunting fit into our offense?  My view is that every hitter in our lineup is a hitter.  In other words, we are more akin to an AL team in MLB than a NL team.  There are no automatic outs that you may want to use to sacrifice.  On our team, if a player is batting, he can hit.  So, when (if ever) do we sacrifice?  Let's put it this way:  We have a bunt sign.  Unless we have a squeeze on (which we rarely do), we are almost always trying to both move the runner and get the bunter on base.  Make sense?  That is, we want our bunter to square around not quite so early -- probably when the pitcher is delivering the ball -- but we also want him to resist the urge to get in a hurry, too. In high school (really, in college, too), a good bunt -- as opposed to a perfect bunt -- is adequate to get the job done. A bunt placed where at least two fielders can reasonably make the play places pressure on the defense to make the play.  

In addition, we will certainly utilize the bunt to get a base hit.  We will do this with some frequency.  But when we do so, again, we want to try to work to show it only during the delivery and slow down a bit with the emphasis on laying down a good bunt. We want it away from the plate and the mound, where two fielders could arguably field it. 

As for squeezes, my own view is that (absent having the ideal personnel at the plate and on third base) a squeeze in high school is usually too high of a risk for the potential reward.  Why?  I accidentally discovered a few years ago that a safety squeeze is just about as effective in terms of scoring. And we have on many occasions executed a safety squeeze without risking the runner breaking from third.  Again, a good bunt puts pressure on a high school defense, especially those who are changing bunt coverages often and moving a lot of players when the ball is put in play.  

So, essentially, we are working on utilizing the bunt to both generate base hits and move runners.  We are rarely only trying to sacrifice -- although we might do (and have done) this very thing in a specific situation -- and we doing the foregoing within the context of trying to rack up quality at-bats and get on base.  

See you on the field,  

How the Tide Keeps Rolling ...

The guy in the picture celebrating with all the Alabama football players is no football player.

He is Trevor Moawad, a guy who Coach Nick Saban has had hanging around his program since 2007.  The results speak for themselves.

So, who is the little guy in the white windbreaker?  He is a mental game coach.  Alabama is one of the few programs who has a full-time mental game coach.  Moawad also consults for Jimbo Fisher's Florida State team, and they are doing pretty well of late, too.

But wait a minute ... Nick Saban, the Prince of College Football Darkness, is a mental game guy? Can I be serious? Absolutely. He is one of the best.

Coach Saban is a true student and teacher of the mental game, and you can see it in the way he (and his team) talk and prepare as they approach "big" games.  For instance, they are all about process ... as opposed to obsessing over results. As I listened to A.J. McCarron in the days before the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame, he talked about how the Tide's focus was on themselves and their respective jobs.  He said that they needed to focus on the task-at-hand, as opposed to worrying about what the opponent might do.  I would say they did pretty well in that regard.

How important is the mental game training and coaching that the Tide is doing overall to their success?  Well, their schemes and execution are pretty good ... to say the least. But Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart says that the mindset of players is most important to their success.

More and more, when you scour the sports landscape to find great performers, you find that they are almost without exception intentionally developing a winning mindset. This is more than platitudes, too.  There are specific thought patterns and things to do in this regard. 

For instance, in many ways the fulcrum of a winning mindset is a good plan and routine.  A good plan is how a team (and individual players) order their thoughts to give them the best chance of success.  A routine is how players consistently behave -- on a macro (i.e., a day) and micro (i.e., games, pitches and plays) level to execute the plan. 

When watching the pregame of the BCS National Championship Game, I noticed that some Notre Dame players were warming up and on the field hours before game time.  Meanwhile, Alabama rolled up at the same time that they always do ... following their normal routine.  It is a little thing, but I knew Notre Dame was in trouble.  Sure, Alabama was better. But the key here is that they played better, too.  They got the most of what they had by following their routine and executing their plan.  They had practiced a winning mindset all year long, and it showed.  Meanwhile, Notre Dame was tight, and when things started to go badly, it got ugly.  Alabama, though, stayed on task until the end.     


It was instructive to watch.  These things happen intentionally. 

As the the crux of the daily grind of mental game preparedness is plan and routine, we are going to master both this season.  Our plan starts with R-E-S-T.  Players, memorize it.  Let it soak into your DNA and affect your game in every facet.  We will have team routines, too.  But to get where we can go, our players will be required to establish -- and execute -- their own routines. We are going back to basics to make our routines work to serve our plans this season.

Next time, we'll talk about some of the great things happening with TCU baseball along the same lines.  

See you on the field ...