Like life, baseball doesn't fit into a neat little package

One of the keys to growth in baseball ... and in life ... is to keep reevaluating and changing. You have to, because just when you think you have it wired, you see one of those things that just sends you back to the drawing board and scratching your head.

Ron Wolforth and I were discussing recently the whole process v. results debate. Ron says he is a results guy; that is, he is a practical guy who is after results in working with players. I want results, too, but I think that the best way to get there is to focus on a solid process.

Ron's point was, though, that your results will ultimately tell you whether your process is working. That is, if your process is messed up, it doesn't do much good to focus on it. For instance, you can focus all you want on hitting with your eyes shut, but that's a questionable process that will be borne out in the results you'll get.

I agree with Ron.

So, the challenge for each of us as players and coaches is to evaluate how we are going about our business. How are we going after the results we seek? Are we doing enough of what we know is required? Are we doing those things that we know will lead us where we want to go?

Always strive for excellence. Ask yourself and others questions about what you're doing and why.

If you are continuing to have bad at-bats, then that's a cue, isn't it, to ask why? If a particular skill or play remains difficult after much practice, then maybe it's time to examine how we are practicing that particular skill.

For that matter ... are we practicing it at all? How much are you doing on your own to get better each day? A little progress each day makes a huge difference over time.

For me, I strive to keep all things on the table always. Remember players what we committed to at our retreat. We told each other that we'd give our best and do whatever was in our power to help this team get to its maximum potential.

So, when we seem to run up against obstacles we find ways to go around them, to grow, to adapt, and overcome.

If the game weren't mysterious and fraught with difficulties and inexplicable challenges, you know, it wouldn't be nearly as fun.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

A New Year ...

Well ... congratulations, Mustangs on winning the Lutheran South Baseball Bash. Oh, wait. That was last year. So, it seems there was a little delay in getting us our plaque for the first tournament that a Mustangs Varsity team has ever won.

But ... better late than never.

This year, we didn't get the results of 2009. However, we actually played better baseball against a much-improved field. Pasadena First Baptist and Westbury Christian were much improved, and St. John's (who was not even in this tournament last year), always presents a challenge.

So, it's a new year. There are new challenges. And teams that might have given the Mustangs a pass and rested better pitchers and players are not going to do so. It's time to for us to step up to the challenge and keep working -- deliberately working on those things we need to improve upon -- to get better.

An exciting week lies ahead, weather permitting. The key to having a good week on the field is to not look at either the past week ... or really the games ahead. It's always the one play ahead.

When things get tough and tight, life and baseball remain real simple -- one pitch and one play at a time. When we feel the yellow light coming on, then we go to our A-B-C's. We work our approach consistently, and things start to make sense. It sounds simple, and it is. If we execute such a plan, though, we'll survive and even thrive.

Hey, a verse came to mind after we saw ourselves being required to mature this weekend -- 1 Tim. 4:12. Check it out.

Now, let's get back to it.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Remaking ourselves ... or making adjustments?

After a tough first week that saw us drop our season opener in resounding fashion at TWCA and then have our home opener rained out ... well, one might be tempted to be a little discouraged. I understand the feeling, but we still have the foundation in place to get where we want to go.

A start of a season doesn't define a season. A season is the accumulation of all of a team's games ... and a team's games are the accumulation of its mindset, approach, and preparation.

Mindset, approach, and preparation -- these make up what mental game teachers refer to as "the process" of the game. Most players, coaches, fans in the game are focused on getting the results they want. But the irony is that to give yourself the best chance for the results you want on the field, you have to focus on the process rather than the results.

So, the results of 2010 will be a by-product of our process. We'll get back to honing this on Monday at practice.

Adjustments need to be made. Some are obvious. We have an approach that we've discussed at the plate, on the mound, in the field, and on the bases. Our approach works when we employ it. When we don't, then we tend to drift.

We also encourage routines on and off the field. When things don't go as we would like, we teach our players to employ the "A, B, C's". I wonder how many of us were using these against TWCA.

A player without a consistent approach really can't make meaningful adjustments. He is riding a a wave of chance and feelings. Baseball can be cruel enough without setting adrift on its seas without a rudder or sail.

Always remember that in one of the greatest seasons at the plate ever Ted Williams was "mired in failure" 60% of the time.

A consistent mindset and routine is absolutely essential to thrive in this game. We continue to grow through the peaks and valleys of emotional plays and games when we stay focused on a winning process. We prepare -- that is, we work on our approach in practice.

Those without a plan (we are all here from time to time) don't merely make adjustments. We can't. Instead, we often remake ourselves in an emotional response to events. Sometimes we get lucky and it works for a while.

At the other end of the spectrum, with an undue focus on results we think all is well because we won a particular game, got a hit, made play, etc. But ultimately, without a consistent underlying process trouble is right over the horizon.

Indeed, without a consistent approach, over the long haul the game catches up to us (usually sooner, rather than later) and we are right back on the stormy seas again.

The very good news is that we have a solid approach to the game that we are teaching -- at the plate, on the mound, in the field, and on the bases. All we need to do is either a) get back to it; or b) make adjustments within it.

Stay focused on the process and let the results of the game come to you.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Opening Week Thoughts

The opening of the baseball season is one of my very favorite times of the year. That it coincides with the coming of spring provides one more bit of evidence that the Lord is indeed a baseball fan. But this was proven to me long ago.

Opening Day (actually night) is Thursday vs. our friends from The Woodlands Christian Academy. We follow that with a JV/Varsity DH vs. Dallas Angels, a perennial homeschool powerhouse. It's a challenge to get going against these two great programs with the youngest Varsity team we have ever fielded. But you players are up to it.

The weather this week looks dicey. That's typical this time of year. So ... Semper Gumby (Always Flexible). About the only thing good about rainouts is that they cause you to reflect on how much we love to play.

As we take off into our best season of Mustangs baseball yet, players, keep in mind our commitments to each other from our retreat. Remember that contributing to our team is hardly confined to those nine who happen to be on the field at a given time. Keep the mindset of your teammates' welfare at the forefront and all else will fall into place.

Keep in mind, too, that the lineup we start the year with often changes as we twist and turn through a busy schedule on our way to Auburndale, Florida. If you want to be in another spot in the lineup or in the field, get after it and show that's where you need to be. If you do and that's what is best for the team as a whole, you'll get there.

Also, lineups change, too, as different pitching/defensive combinations are used. Stay alert and ready. I seem to recall that all of you players want us to do our best to give this team its best opportunity to play at its highest level. That's what we as coaches intend to do.

One of the great things about baseball is that it is difficult. It wouldn't be fun, after all, if you succeeded every time at the plate, for instance. In fact, it would get boring pretty quick. So ... expect adversity. It will come.

After all, adversity came to Ted Williams 6 out of 10 at-bats in the greatest season at the plate in half a century. Do you think we might see a challenge or two ... or three? I'm just sayin'.

But also expect this -- expect that we can and will work though that adversity ... by working a good routine, by using our ABC's, by taking responsibility for our thoughts and taking each thought captive, by staying positive, and, most of all, by remembering that what we are about is much more than any one of us alone.

Remember: We are enough.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

101-Inning Game Week

Mustang Nation, this week we take to the field to play our annual 101-inning game at Spring Creek Park in Tomball. It's one of the zaniest, darnedest, most fun events you'll get the chance to participate in at the ball field.

Question: Will we play 101 innings? Answer: Yes. Question: How? Answer: Well, let me explain ...

We'll divide the players from all of our Mustang teams (both JH and HS) into two teams -- red and white -- and then the teams will get their vests, warm, and get ready to play. Each batter gets one pitch (good, bad or ugly) to hit and try to get on base. No exceptions. If the batter doesn't get on base, he is out. To keep the game moving, each team will bat 5 innings at a time, and we'll clear the bases after three outs are made in each inning.

We'll keep it moving. Players and coaches need to keep players coming in and out. We'll break at about the halfway mark for lunch.

A few logistics: When the JH players on each team are batting, JH players on the opposing team will move into the infield, and likewise, when the HS players are batting, then HS players on the other team will come into and play the infield.

But what about pitching? That's where it gets interesting ... and fun. Dads are our pitchers for the 101-inning game. Every dad who wants to pitch can ... and will. And yes, we'll have the "L" screen out there. I've been blasted in the shin one too many times.

Players ... look at this as a great "bad ball" hitting drill. At the end of the day, players from each team will vote on the "Cy Old" award, for the best dad pitcher of the day.

Do we keep score? Absolutely. It gets interesting about the 80th inning. Trust me.

In the last inning, each team will pick its pitcher, and we'll keep track of balls and strikes. Batters will get a regular count in this inning.

One more thing ... due to the field quality and long day, we won't be sliding during the 101-inning game. So, be smart.

Expect crazy and/or winterlike weather. It is winter, after all.

As for the food and festivities during the day, that is still TBD as of this writing. Through the years, we've done lots of things, i.e., ordered pizza, cooked burgers, made soups and desserts ... so, stay tuned. Whatever we do as to food, it will be a great day to get to know other players and families in the Mustang Nation. So, take advantage of it.

Of course, as the day winds down we'll find out where we stand with our fundraising efforts. This is always exciting. God always provides for us.

I get excited this time of year. When we get to our 101-inning game, the season is upon us and another great year of Mustangs baseball is getting underway.

Enjoy the ride.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Another Great Retreat in the Books

Wow. I really enjoyed our retreat. Hard to imagine we have been doing this for 4 years now. It is a real highlight of our season, and it's the time when our team really begins to come together.

Here are some of the highlights that we covered (aside from our signs, which of course, are tied to Coach Fox's wardrobe):

Offensive Philosophy --

Our goal of each AB is a QAB (Quality At-Bat). We are trying to: 1) Hit the ball hard; 2) get on base w/o the benefit of an error; or 3) work the count -- 6 or more pitches.

The most important stat is OBP, followed by slugging percentage.

We work our routine, starting several batters before we hit. When we are on-deck we are reminding ourselves mechanically and locking in on the pitcher. When we get to the box, we are working free and our minds are clear. We are looking for our pitch. The only reminders at this point will be simple adjustments, i.e., "quicker on the trigger," "raise my sights," etc.

Expect your pitch (and hit it where it wants to go). Every one has a two-strike adjustment. Eyes -- use 'em ... broad to fine focus.

Baserunning Philosophy --

Three words: Hair. On. Fire.

Good baserunning is really the combination of hustle and good judgment.

Every pitch our mind in engaged. We get the sign early.

Situational awareness. Sign. Stretch the lead.

Defensive Philosophy --

We went over cut-offs and priorities on balls in the air. We should all know this at this point.

Remember: Realize the situation. Repeat yourself (communicate). Routine plays (make 'em).

Pitching Philosophy --

Remember the three T's.

We work our approach in measured bullpens. Pitchers, we are taking it one pitch at a time, in an effort to pile up Quality Innings (18 or fewer pitches with 0 runs or 15 or fewer pitches with 1 run).

Pitchers (and all players) know the balk rule. Following are balks: failure to come to a complete stop; fakes while on the rubber to 1B; dropping the ball while on the rubber; being on the mound without the ball; coming past half-way and then coming to 1B (LH) and the opposite at 3B for RH.

When a pitcher is off the rubber, he becomes an infielder.

Effective velocity -- Pitch on the inside corner is effectively 4 MPH faster than a pitch on the outside corner, due to where a square barrel match is. Because of the position of the hands and the relative ease to drop the bat -- as opposed to raise it -- a pitch at the top of the strike zone is effectively 4 MPH or so faster than a pitch at the knees. Pitchers, we can create (or remove) nearly an additional 10 MPH of effective velocity on a pitch by simply changing location.

Catchers ... target smart on two strikes. If we hit our target here, it will be strike three.

Starting pitcher and catcher ... should get with coaching staff to discuss game plan.

Mental Game Philosophy --

Overall idea is this: Take responsibility for thoughts/actions, using your mind as God intended.

Find your ideal mental state (i.e., some guys are better with an edge) and work your pre-game routine to get there. Each player should have a routine for pitching, hitting, defense, base-running, everything. Find yours, and work it.

Keep your eye on the process (how you approach each play or pitch), as opposed to the end result.

When you feel a yellow-light moment (when you might be tempted to press) coming on ... work the ABC's. A = Act confident. Recall your best moments on the mound, at the plate, etc., and act that way now. B = Breathing. Concentrate, and control your breathing. C = Now, control your thoughts and self-talk. Tell yourself what you want to do here.

Remember why you compete ... and work each day to be remembered as a player in the way you want to be remembered when you have finished playing baseball.

Remember the circle of blessing ... each of you players are valuable to us.

Remember to have the attitude of a a learner, and be in control. Listen to and trust your coaches. Give both players and coaches freedom to make plays, decisions, and mistakes. When teams are free, they are loose. And good things happen.

Little things are big. If you want to contribute, you always can -- whether on the field or not.

The irony of results is that the individual/team focusing on the end result inordinately can't attain it. Meanwhile, the individual who works the process and is not consumed with the end result will play better and have a better chance at winning.

These are some of the times of our lives. Let's embrace and enjoy them.

We are enough.

See you on the field.

Off and Running ...

An exciting week is ahead. We start our second week of practice. By the time we get to next Friday night, we will have our whole offense, defense, and signs in place. Maybe that sounds like a lot, but really, we are honing simple systems that all of our players are going to master.

Think R-E-S-T, players. We've introduced the "E" and the "T". After next weekend, we'll talk about them all right here. So, if you need a quick refresher, this will be the place to come.

I thought Friday's practice indoors was sharp. All of our pitchers threw measured bullpens. Every one hit, worked count cage, and two-strike approach. Our tee and toss work was productive, too.

Keep this in mind: Our goal is to make everything we do productive; that is, we want our work in practice to prepare us for executing our approach in games. I think we are on the way.

Practice is where it's at.

I am really excited because this Friday night is our fourth annual High School Retreat. We will talk philosophy so that you players all understand what we are trying to accomplish. We'll also take some time to share prayer requests and goals. I really look forward to hearing from all the coaches. This is a time for each of us to share our hearts with you, as well as our visions for the coming season.

We'll also hear from our Chaplain Lee Rushing. I always look forward to hearing from Lee.

Plus, I will own you all in late-night basketball.

After this weekend, we'll be united and ready to roll into our season. It's a good thing ... because it's coming fast. We scrimmage The Woodlands Christian Academy on Monday, Jan. 25.

Get ready.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut

Time to practice ...

It's baseball season again, and all is well. At least it feels that way. I'm looking forward to seeing the Mustangs out on the field today.

I thought I'd take a few minutes to tell you about how we practice, or rather, how we want to practice. We are seeking the perfect practice always. Like perfect days and churches, however, perfect practices are reserved for a heavenly field. But in any event, here is what we are looking for:

When we practice, we come prepared to work. We are on time, and the practice starts on time.

Everything we do at practice has a purpose. The talking and teaching always have a purpose. Warm-up is vital and a learning tool itself. We are working each moment on the task at hand because each task matters.

When the coaches or another teammate is talking, we are listening. Every minute and experience of our practice time is valuable. Our practice time is precious.

Each player is important at practice. We need our teammates to have a good practice. Our focus at practice is primarily on those things that are team-oriented, or require teammates for the best results.

Unless we are taking a short break, we are not standing around. Instead, each one of us is working ... always. If we are not working for some reason, that is about to change.

If you look, each player is involved in an exercise/drill/teaching event in some way. Even our on deck hitter is getting ready by practicing his routine. Instead of ten players standing around shagging balls and talking like some teams do, we might have three, or even two. And these players are working on fielding, too. Also, a coach will often be hitting balls to the shaggers between BP pitches.

We go hard. We understand that (unless we are warming up) for an exercise to have value, it must be done at or near full-speed.

When teaching is going on, we are listening. We are also listening when our teammates are being instructed. This is so very important, because often such teaching allows us to objectify our own situation and learn something really valuable. We know that we can learn a lot at all times, and we are looking for that opportunity. Again, practice time is precious and we are looking for ways to maximize this practice time always.

The days of mindless hacks, throws, and infield practice are over. Everything we do has a purpose.

As players and coaches, we are always looking to improve the way we are doing something. We ask questions of ourselves first.

BP is different. Each swing is purposeful, just like a game. We allow time between pitches for a batter to use his routine, breathe, and focus. In games, we are not able to ask the opposing pitcher to put a meatball right where we want it; so, we practice accordingly. We work on our approach, looking for our pitch, hitting the ball hard where it wants to go, and mastering our two-strike approach. We learn to make opposing teams adjust to us, rather than the other way around. We become comfortable with our approach and working the count. We work on this in practice.

If we need more swings or throws, we find a way to get that done in a way that allows our teammates to stay focused on the task or exercise at hand. We remember the importance of our work at home.

Practice is a great time to practice becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Excellent performers know the importance of this.

We learn to love practice, and thus we get better. Even if practice is not going as we would like on a particular day, we find a way to make the practice better for ourselves and our team.

Fielding practice emphasizes making routine plays as they will be made during the game. In a game, a fielder can't loop a ball to first with no game pressure. So, we limit such activities in our practices.

In all things, we are trying to simulate game-like conditions.

Our bullpens are measured. We chart every pitch. Why? This is what happens in games. Our charters stand in the box. Our pitchers are used to throwing with batters in the box. Catchers use bullpen time to work on their skills and blocking balls. We are going to be able to throw a strike at least 2/3 of the time, and then we move on to master other areas of the plate. We work our off-speed pitches as we would in a game.

If we make a mistake, we may do pushups or run. Why? It's certainly not to embarrass or prove that we are "hard". Rather, we are learning to play as in a game. Mistakes in games usually have consequences, too. Remember, our goal is to be prepared to play in a game. If we are afraid to make a mistake, mistakes will ensue. We aren't afraid of mistakes, so we are free to succeed. That's the mindset we are cultivating.

We jog between stations and drills. We never walk on a baseball field. We respect our teammates, opponents, and the game too much to walk on the field.

We work on our weaknesses and learn to make them strengths. We know what our strengths and weaknesses are. We find our "unsweet spot" and focus on it on our tee work.

We are always learning, always trying to get better. We adopt the mindset of a student. We set goals for what we want to work on in practice. We come up with a personal practice mission, and then we check ourselves: How did we do?

We want to have success when the games start, but we know that success begins today ... on the practice field.

Success is found in disciplined, unrelenting focus on the task at hand.

This is how we practice.

We are seeking excellence ... on the field ... off the field ... everywhere.

We are the Mustangs.

See you on the practice field ...

Coach Rut

Camp Takeaways

We just finished up another great Fall Camp. Kevin Castleberry and his team of instructors were outstanding and at the top of their game. Here are some of my notes from Friday's session:

On Picking Up Clues During the Game --

To pick up what kind of pitch might be coming, take a look at how the catcher is setting up. Is he preparing to block something in the dirt? Moving up?

Defensive issues --

Real key for fielders is to not only have the glove toe on the ground, but also to bend the wrist back to get as much glove coverage as possible in front of the ball.

Communication --

Communication on the field is key. The better and more advanced a team, the better it will communicate with itself. In addition to our own set of signs, players should communicate with each other regarding all manner of things -- i.e., coverage issues, who has bag, what pitch is coming to increase readiness.

Baserunning --

A lot of Coach Burton's reminders here were key: Baserunners should get the number of outs and sign before each play. Coach suggested looking to outfield position, as well. This would be the third priority. First two are mandatory and part of our S-O-L-D approach.

Key to getting a good jump on steal is not so much pegging the move, but learning when a pitcher is going to the plate. This is when we are going. This analysis should start in the dugout and continue out onto the field. Note: Is he a one-looker, two-looker, what? Does he go after the first look each time? Pick up the pattern.

When stealing a base, shorten the distance by making sure you are not leading off behind a straight line between the bases.

Also, open up slightly with the right foot a little bit behind the left (to where the toe of right shoe is even with the heel of left shoe). This gives us a little advantage in getting up to full speed quicker.

Explode low and get arms in sync with legs as fast as possible.

If a sign is on and you move and then ball is fouled off, look over to coach ASAP so he doesn't have to give you sign while every one is watching.

Slide aggressively and away from tags.

When on 2B, to get better angle around 3B and increase chances of scoring, move back toward LF a step or two. If stealing, you should be looking to make it the shortest distance between 2B and 3B.

Throwing issues --

To learn your teammates' throwing strength and particular style, throw with a different teammate each day in warm-ups.

In general, if consistently missing high lengthen your stride, and vice-verse (shorten to throw higher). If missing left or right, make sure you are pulling through with glove side and also that your head is remaining still. My note: Are you focusing on the target?

Middle-infielders and the double-play --

Balls hit to you or between the bag and you should usually result in a flip; balls hit to the right of the SS or the left of the 2B should be a throw. Always follow your throw, no matter what type of throw you are making. This increases accuracy.

SS waits for the throw a step or so behind the bad (because he can/will use momentum to throw to first); 2B waits for the throw on the bag.

Move chest to the ball, and communicate when flipping/throwing.

Middle-infielders should, as much as possible, receive the throw on the LF side of the bag to shield themselves from the runner.

Throws should be "uphill", that is, from low to high. This is much easier to handle than a low throw or one in the dirt. Receiving IF should be prepared for bad throw.

On ball to his left, 2B should either jump turn to throw or drop step (drop right leg and step with left). Again, these techniques allow us to throw "uphill" and give the SS a good feed to handle.

Okay, that's all for now.

See you on the field at tryouts.

Yanks Secret Weapon: Nick Swisher (But Maybe for Different Reasons Than You Thought)

From Rick Reilly @ ESPN.com:

"Charles Barkley joins Augusta National. Wanda Sykes is elected to the Supreme Court. "Dilbert" cartoons hang at the Met.

That gives you an idea of what it's been like having Nick Swisher suddenly join the New York Yankees.

Swisher is a guy who won't stop laughing even when he brushes his teeth. The only time he says "no" is when they ask him if he's had enough. He could make a colonoscopy fun.

It's actually a problem for the Yankee right fielder. "I smile so much, my cheek muscles are too built up and it makes my face look fat," he says.

Not a problem you usually find with Yankees, who are generally stiffer than the center field monuments. Even moreso: the Yankees clubhouse, which has always been just slightly tighter than Jerry Jones' face. Bounding into all this stodginess came the unsinkably happy kid from Ohio State and nothing's been dull since.

"The first couple days I was here, it was a little stuffy, everybody was a little quiet, not talking too much," Swisher says. " ... I guess the Yankees were more known for having a corporate-type atmosphere."

Not anymore. Everything's more fun since Nick at Night. For instance, he has 24 different home run handshakes -- a different one for each teammate.

"The weirdest one is with A.J. (Burnett). There's some snapping, some fist bumping and it ends with some howling, like a wolf."

He has more hairstyles than gloves: The Mohawk, the Fauxhawk, the Swishhawk and the Light Socket. "I saw Johnny Damon's Jesus cut and I just decided to branch out," he says. "Soon as we can grow facial hair again (banned on the Yankees), I might go with the full Jake Plummer Grizzly Adams."

He is the Yankees' version of Kevin Millar, the crazy on the 2004 world champion Boston Red Sox team who made the clubhouse a nuthouse. Without Swisher, the Yankees aren't this deep in the playoffs. He's a human pressure-release valve.

That's his collage poster every player walks by on the way to the field. He works on it nearly every day. It's a shine shrine. Everything on it is upbeat articles and photos reminding his teammates how great he thinks they are.

"My locker is the last one you see before you go out on the field," he says. "So if a guy's having a bad day, he can go by there and maybe get a little pick-me-up."

Swisher's been more than a little pick-me-up for the Yankees. He's had one of the best seasons of his six-year Swish-hitting career (.249 in the regular season, with 29 jacks and 82 RBI), played all three outfield positions and first base, even pitched one shutout inning. ... "

My thought: What's interesting is that Swisher is positive and fun-loving, but it obviously has a purpose ... and an effect. He is not simply having fun or being goofy in a vacuum. He is a valuable, valuable teammate.