I am really enjoying watching this World Series unfold. I am a NL fan, but the Rangers are winning me over with their grit and approach.
We were discussing Quality AB's this fall as our goal of each AB, and one of our players told me that the Rangers have a definition of a Quality AB on their batting cages. You can see the consistent application of a practical mental-game approach that has brought guys like Matt Harrison from obscurity to the starting rotation in the playoffs.
And then we saw last night. The Cards seemed to have broken the Rangers' spirits after a 16-7 rout for the ages when Albert Pujols and Co. made history and seemed to turn the series in St. Louis's direction.
And then the Rangers put their fate in the hands of Derek Holland, a promising young lefty who had struggled through the playoffs with an ERA above 8 ... yes, 8 ... the next night. All Holland did was shut out the Cardinals for 8-2/3 while only giving up two hits to Lance Berkman. The series is now even, 2-2.
Here's a great recap of Holland's and Ron Washington's thinking that set the stage for last night's special WS moment:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2011/story/_/id/7141337/2011-world-series-derek-holland-star-performance-evens-series
So, the night after the Cards looked like they were incapable of being stopped ... a young lefty who had struggled through the post-season shut them down (and nearly out) because he stayed in the moment and remained committed to his approach.
If he keeps doing this, we'll come to expect it of him, too.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
R-E-S-T Redux
Okay, players ... here it is:
This is our DNA ... who we are ... and how we play on the HS level. Learn it. Live it.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Mental Game Building Blocks & How We Practice
Greetings All,
This fall we are going back over the the fundamentals of the game ... fielding, hitting, throwing, pitching ... along with what I believe is the key force-multiplier in baseball -- the mental game.
In addition, we are teaching our players how we practice, so that they understand our points of emphasis, can embrace them and get better.
Regarding the mental game, here are the core principles that I believe form the basis of all mental game training:
Responsibility -- Each player is responsible for his thoughts and actions. Umpires, opponents, other players, even coaches have no power to give you a poor attitude or make you have a poor performance. You have a choice to make each moment. You can, with God's grace and help, make a difference in your thoughts and actions. You can make an excuse or make a way.
Routine -- Every successful person has routines that work, from the big to the small. We have times for going to bed/getting up, what we eat, how we spend our time, what has to happen each day, etc. On the baseball level, we have how we prepare (especially on game day) to get ourselves mentally ready to play. On a micro-level, we have how we approach each AB, each pitch, each play in the field. A good player has a checklist that he consistently goes through that works for him. Over time, this breeds consistency and confidence. Confidence ultimately grows out of preparation, and routines are a big part of preparation.
Communication -- How we communicate to ourselves and each other is huge. H.A. Dorfman said that he never met a successful person whose mind wasn't "full of positive thoughts." Your thoughts are your communications to yourself. Listen to what you are saying to yourself, including tone of voice. How we communicate to others is key, as well. Telling some one what you want, in a positive way, is the best course, as opposed to "Don't this" or "Don't that." There is a place for restrictions, for sure, but there is also a better way to communicate that. We strive to be positive and clear in what we say. It leads to positive and clear actions.
Focus -- Learning what to focus on (i.e., the baseball, the situation, etc.) and how to focus upon it is critical. There are ways to increase focus during practice and games. Routine certainly helps, but the ABC's that we'll cover are key, as well (building these into your routine will reap huge rewards). Focus is practiced, too, in practice and on your own. It can and does improve, with proper attention.
Task at Hand -- The next pitch or play is where our thoughts are. What just happened, except how it affects the situation and thus provides needed information, is left behind. Keeping the game simple -- "one pitch at a time" -- makes the results we want attainable. Conversely, if our concern is first and foremost with the results -- "get a hit" or "we have to win this game" -- then ironically, the means for getting there is hampered. To be successful in baseball or life, focus on the very next task that God has put in front of you.
Perspective -- This is really the foundation of all our efforts. Starting with the understanding that nothing on the field ultimately defines who I am and that the world will continue turning regardless of the result frees me up to play my best. A healthy perspective, in other words, leads to success on the field. And as we learn to give each pitch and play our attention, then the "big" games are just like practice. And our performance soars on those moments, as a result.
Two Bonus R's ... Relentlessness and Resilience -- These concepts are key, as well, because they sum up a lot of the attitude that results from a good mental approach. If we are relentless in our work, our learning, our effort, then we will find success. It's a matter of time. Let's remember, too, that baseball is a tough game. Line drives get caught; bloopers fall in; umpires miss calls. Being resilient means that we will overcome these obstacles and get stronger. We expect bumps in the road. But we know we can overcome.
As for how we practice, here are the elements that we want to be distinctive about our Mustangs practices:
Athleticism -- Baseball players are athletes. A lot of modern baseball training (particularly at the youth/select levels) ignores this fact. Our practices are designed to both build and reinforce athleticism, particularly the kind required for baseball. You see this in our warmups and in how we work on throwing. We are building explosiveness and quickness. If we spend our time on conditioning (and we will), it will be spent on the conditioning that will make you a better baseball player.
Businesslike -- The practice field is our office. Baseball is on the agenda. That's what we talk about. That's what we do. We show up with a purpose -- individually and as a team -- and we work until our job is done for the day. Thus, we minimize distractions and we seek to make our time profitable. We show up ready to learn and improve. Practice is our meat and potatoes and we take care of so we are ready for desert (the games). We earn the right in practice to do what we do on game day.
Efficiency -- We want our players to be doing something -- learning, being productive, working on getting better -- during the entire practice. That is the goal. When we are teaching or reviewing, we want all players paying attention. We try to work stations and in groups to minimize standing around. We run to where we are going. We make every minute count. We watch while others are being instructed, as well, so that the learning becomes cumulative. Our practice time is valuable, and we act like it.
Game-like -- We come to games with practice faces. We play like we practice, so we make efforts to make practice more game-like. This takes a lot of forms, from live pitching like that we'll see in the games, to timing throws on the IF to simulate a runner, to measuring every bullpen. The key here is objective measurement (as opposed to subjective opinion as to how we are doing). We also look to create artificial stress to simulate game stress. We will be better on game day as a result.
Deliberate -- We work in such a way (always with a plan) to take advantage of and maximize strengths while eliminating/minimizing weaknesses. To do this, we need to be able to self-evalutate and also plan to consistently work on and perfect our approach while also shrinking those areas that are weaknesses.
Team Emphasis -- Our time is limited, so we take advantage of when we are together to focus principally on work that will benefit our team as a whole. We can and are working on our own, particularly on our weaknesses as we move toward turning these into strengths. We want to make sure that our team is on the same page in our approach, our schemes, plays and calls, and that each player understands where he fits in what we are doing.
So, there you have it -- how we think and how we practice, in a nutshell. As I have told the players, we could spend the whole fall talking about each one of the mental game building blocks. It's a process of season- and career-long learning. So, we'll keep at it.
I look forward to seeing you all on the field ...
This fall we are going back over the the fundamentals of the game ... fielding, hitting, throwing, pitching ... along with what I believe is the key force-multiplier in baseball -- the mental game.
In addition, we are teaching our players how we practice, so that they understand our points of emphasis, can embrace them and get better.
Regarding the mental game, here are the core principles that I believe form the basis of all mental game training:
Responsibility -- Each player is responsible for his thoughts and actions. Umpires, opponents, other players, even coaches have no power to give you a poor attitude or make you have a poor performance. You have a choice to make each moment. You can, with God's grace and help, make a difference in your thoughts and actions. You can make an excuse or make a way.
Routine -- Every successful person has routines that work, from the big to the small. We have times for going to bed/getting up, what we eat, how we spend our time, what has to happen each day, etc. On the baseball level, we have how we prepare (especially on game day) to get ourselves mentally ready to play. On a micro-level, we have how we approach each AB, each pitch, each play in the field. A good player has a checklist that he consistently goes through that works for him. Over time, this breeds consistency and confidence. Confidence ultimately grows out of preparation, and routines are a big part of preparation.
Communication -- How we communicate to ourselves and each other is huge. H.A. Dorfman said that he never met a successful person whose mind wasn't "full of positive thoughts." Your thoughts are your communications to yourself. Listen to what you are saying to yourself, including tone of voice. How we communicate to others is key, as well. Telling some one what you want, in a positive way, is the best course, as opposed to "Don't this" or "Don't that." There is a place for restrictions, for sure, but there is also a better way to communicate that. We strive to be positive and clear in what we say. It leads to positive and clear actions.
Focus -- Learning what to focus on (i.e., the baseball, the situation, etc.) and how to focus upon it is critical. There are ways to increase focus during practice and games. Routine certainly helps, but the ABC's that we'll cover are key, as well (building these into your routine will reap huge rewards). Focus is practiced, too, in practice and on your own. It can and does improve, with proper attention.
Task at Hand -- The next pitch or play is where our thoughts are. What just happened, except how it affects the situation and thus provides needed information, is left behind. Keeping the game simple -- "one pitch at a time" -- makes the results we want attainable. Conversely, if our concern is first and foremost with the results -- "get a hit" or "we have to win this game" -- then ironically, the means for getting there is hampered. To be successful in baseball or life, focus on the very next task that God has put in front of you.
Perspective -- This is really the foundation of all our efforts. Starting with the understanding that nothing on the field ultimately defines who I am and that the world will continue turning regardless of the result frees me up to play my best. A healthy perspective, in other words, leads to success on the field. And as we learn to give each pitch and play our attention, then the "big" games are just like practice. And our performance soars on those moments, as a result.
Two Bonus R's ... Relentlessness and Resilience -- These concepts are key, as well, because they sum up a lot of the attitude that results from a good mental approach. If we are relentless in our work, our learning, our effort, then we will find success. It's a matter of time. Let's remember, too, that baseball is a tough game. Line drives get caught; bloopers fall in; umpires miss calls. Being resilient means that we will overcome these obstacles and get stronger. We expect bumps in the road. But we know we can overcome.
As for how we practice, here are the elements that we want to be distinctive about our Mustangs practices:
Athleticism -- Baseball players are athletes. A lot of modern baseball training (particularly at the youth/select levels) ignores this fact. Our practices are designed to both build and reinforce athleticism, particularly the kind required for baseball. You see this in our warmups and in how we work on throwing. We are building explosiveness and quickness. If we spend our time on conditioning (and we will), it will be spent on the conditioning that will make you a better baseball player.
Businesslike -- The practice field is our office. Baseball is on the agenda. That's what we talk about. That's what we do. We show up with a purpose -- individually and as a team -- and we work until our job is done for the day. Thus, we minimize distractions and we seek to make our time profitable. We show up ready to learn and improve. Practice is our meat and potatoes and we take care of so we are ready for desert (the games). We earn the right in practice to do what we do on game day.
Efficiency -- We want our players to be doing something -- learning, being productive, working on getting better -- during the entire practice. That is the goal. When we are teaching or reviewing, we want all players paying attention. We try to work stations and in groups to minimize standing around. We run to where we are going. We make every minute count. We watch while others are being instructed, as well, so that the learning becomes cumulative. Our practice time is valuable, and we act like it.
Game-like -- We come to games with practice faces. We play like we practice, so we make efforts to make practice more game-like. This takes a lot of forms, from live pitching like that we'll see in the games, to timing throws on the IF to simulate a runner, to measuring every bullpen. The key here is objective measurement (as opposed to subjective opinion as to how we are doing). We also look to create artificial stress to simulate game stress. We will be better on game day as a result.
Deliberate -- We work in such a way (always with a plan) to take advantage of and maximize strengths while eliminating/minimizing weaknesses. To do this, we need to be able to self-evalutate and also plan to consistently work on and perfect our approach while also shrinking those areas that are weaknesses.
Team Emphasis -- Our time is limited, so we take advantage of when we are together to focus principally on work that will benefit our team as a whole. We can and are working on our own, particularly on our weaknesses as we move toward turning these into strengths. We want to make sure that our team is on the same page in our approach, our schemes, plays and calls, and that each player understands where he fits in what we are doing.
So, there you have it -- how we think and how we practice, in a nutshell. As I have told the players, we could spend the whole fall talking about each one of the mental game building blocks. It's a process of season- and career-long learning. So, we'll keep at it.
I look forward to seeing you all on the field ...
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Mental Game? We don't need no stinkin' mental game. What does this video have to do with the mental game?
We'll talk about it on September 6, when we get going with our fall program. We are excited to get started.
See you on the field ...
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Dog Days ... and the Beat Goes on ...
Here in the Mustang Nation, the beat goes on ... literally year-round.
Our JH is wrapping up tournament play for the first time ever. Our first-ever Alumni Game is in the books. And now ...
This month, we will finalize our plans for our fall program. Stay tuned. We begin workouts on Tuesday, 9/6, at 5:30 p.m..
Scheduling for a great 2012 is underway.
I am excited to get going.
See you on the field ...
Our JH is wrapping up tournament play for the first time ever. Our first-ever Alumni Game is in the books. And now ...
This month, we will finalize our plans for our fall program. Stay tuned. We begin workouts on Tuesday, 9/6, at 5:30 p.m..
Scheduling for a great 2012 is underway.
I am excited to get going.
See you on the field ...
Monday, June 13, 2011
My Charge to Coaches, Parents, and Players
Here are my final remarks from our End of Year Celebration on June 2 as I stepped off the field for the first time since 2003:
I'd like to leave you all with a few words tonight to encourage you, provoke you to thought and perhaps spur you on in this journey to be the very best homeschool baseball program in the nation.
First, I'd like to speak to my fellow coaches.
To do this job right, you need passion ... when you wake up in the morning ... when you go to bed at night. I want you to work harder than ever before. A lot of things that are not directly-related to your on-the-field work are required to make this go. Embrace these tasks ... scheduling, communicating with players and parents, being an ambassador for the program, etc. They are essential.
Also, to do what we do -- where we compete with less practice time and often with a few more challenges -- you have to be smart and efficient. Each practice and game must be planned. And those plans are part of a larger season plan. Know where you are going. Get and stay organized.
And be a student of the game, an intentional learner. Baseball is filled with guys who have stunted their growth (and their teams', too) because they have yet to take on a learner's mentality. The way you did it when you were a player or a kid is completely irrelevant to what we are doing here. Be open to change, and figure out what works. Keep reevaluating. Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
Remember your conduct before your players. If we as coaches fail, they will do the same thing, in spades.
Do your best and trust your instincts. Remember that there will always be 10-20 percent who will give you a hard time no matter what. I wasted a lot of time worrying about these folks in past years. Then, I figured out I was better off just doing what I believed to be best.
Most of all, love your players. This is the foundation of all good coaching: Care for your players ... all of them ... yes, the ones who get on your nerves, too. Once you care for them and they know it, then real growth begins.
Being a "real" coach has nothing to do with getting paid. Rather, being a real coach has everything to do with taking care of your players. The biggest challenge each year is managing the people.
Everything we do must be about team welfare, rather than a personal agenda. So, be above reproach in dealing with your sons, both in reality and even in appearance. Yes, let there be no hint of favoritism. Do you have people in your life who will tell you hard truths? Find these people.
Finally, enjoy each day you get to coach. It goes quickly. This is a fantastic opportunity. Remember what a privilege it is to coach the Mustangs and to work with young men. Enjoy each task, no matter how mundane. I honestly did.
If the foregoing sounds daunting, good. You are starting to get it. Starting. I will be here, too, to hold you to the standard. Most of all, I remain here as a resource. Know that you have my full confidence and support.
And now a word to my fellow parents ...
First of all, support our coaches and support our players.
As for coaches, let them, well, coach. That's their job. We all nod in agreement here, but what does this mean? It means that our cheering is just that, cheering, instead of giving hitting instruction before and during AB's, or pitching mechanic reminders ... or calling pitches. I have seen all sorts of foolishness in my eight years of doing this.
Please stay away from the dugouts and off the field immediately before, during and after games. Encourage your sons to come prepared, with water (food between games, when necessary or appropriate). Trust coaches to take care of players, too. No one has ever died from dehydration or hunger while playing for us. If you trust coaches and your young men to act like men and be responsible, you will likely find that they are.
Failing to honor team boundaries harms our reputation as a program, and other coaches have told me so. Also, it hinders your son's ability to bond with the team and gain the most he can from our coaching staffs.
Will coaches make mistakes? Of course, and that makes them just like players and parents. But we know that only those invited into our worlds can share with us on the journey as parents. The same principle applies to coaches. Let the system work, and it will work much better. Besides, just like the busybody who corrects your kid with their own standards and fails to understand what is going on (maybe, just maybe because you know your child and have been wrestling with his/her issues for years), the at-the-field busybody is often wrong, too.
Bottom line: Honor our coaches. If there is an issue, take it up privately and away from the field. If something is bugging you, communicate. That's the biblical model. But do it in a way that values and honors the person you are communicating with. Take a look at Proverbs 6 regarding what God hates. And you know what ... He really could care less who is in our lineup, and He has great days even on the rare occasions when we lose, too.
In short, folks, our sons are truly learning a lot more than baseball.
They are learning how to be part of a team, to be on a mission greater than their personal agenda, and to hang in there and get it done. What our sons need is our support, whether their performance is good or not, and whether they are on the field or not.
Let the petty things roll off your back. Time flies. Who cares who played the most, or batted 3rd rather than 7th? I mean ... seriously? God will work these things out. Enjoy the times with your son that are just flying by. The most special times as an athlete I remember were looking over and seeing my dad. And a lot of times I wasn't in the game. It didn't matter. He taught me that what mattered most was that I was there for my team and he was there for me.
So, value effort and character in your sons, before results. You have a lot to value.
Say thank you ... in word and deed. Build up Mustangs leadership in front of your kids. Find a way to serve that meets the needs of the organization.
And now a word for our players ...
Let me start by encouraging you with these gentle words: Get off your butts and work. Throw, catch, and hit the baseball. Do it again. Be smart about it. Work on your weaknesses, rather than mindless repetitions. Get out and run sprints and build core strength in the off-season.
When we were kids, we left the house when school was out, and we spent the whole summer outside. A lot of those summers were spent playing baseball. Stop wasting your time on the computer, X-Box, fiddling with your phone and such. Trust me, there is a very small market for "world-class thumbs."
While you pray like your working doesn't matter, work like God is not going to answer your prayers. People who work hard and smart create opportunities.
For those going off to college to play ... now, the real work begins. Work harder than ever before, and in a manner worthy of the great opportunity given to you.
Whether you are continuing to play baseball or not, remember where you came from and represent the Mustangs with pride. Always remember the privilege of being a Mustang. Stay in touch with the program. We will need people to beat in future alumni games ...
If you are a current player, I want you to watch baseball ... because you don't watch enough. How do I know? Because I watch you. Come over and watch a game with me. It's fun, but it's anything but mindless. Get your mind engaged and develop the habit of learning always. Learn the expectations of the game and exceed them.
Stay humble and hungry, but grounded. As one of my mentors Ron Wolforth said so well, "Strive to become a person of merit and value that far surpasses your ability to hit, throw, field, or run."
And meanwhile, be a good citizen of the jungle. What do I mean? When we played and one of our teammates did something silly (say, like getting a girlfriend during the season), we'd give him grief until we hounded the poor guy to change. The jungle came alive, in other words. Why? Well, a little bit may have been jealousy. But mostly, we protected our team -- our brotherhood -- from those outside who would threaten our unity and purpose. So, protect your team. Treat each other as brothers. Sometimes that means giving grief. Sometimes it means giving grace.
In short, be the kind of friend and teammate that you would want. You know, tuck your shirt in, straighten your hat, watch your dugout demeanor, fight hard on every pitch and play, and expect those around you to do the same. Play to a standard of excellence ... always.
Because I like them so much, I want to read to you four pieces of advice from Coach Wolforth to his daughter before she left for college. I think they are applicable to you all:
"1. Each day, read something that will inspire or enlighten you. Stay away from the salacious, the banal and the vapid. Stay away from the sewage, garbage and other types of poison or pollution;"
(Note: This next one explains why I leave Kirby alone) "2. Don't argue with fools or malcontents -- whether in person or on the internet -- it is a huge waste of time and others watching from afar can't easily tell the difference between you and the fool." (I love Kirby, as you know, and am just jerking his chain here.);
"3. Be nearly impossible to offend. The world is now full of people who are offended at the drop of a hat for almost any small slight or comment. In fact, victimhood is now a cottage industry in America. Don't join its ranks. It has NO future;" and
"4. Be nearly impossible to be discouraged. Be resilient. Be tenacious. Be persistent. Refuse to be denied. When faced with an obstacle, be obssessed with how you could go over it, around it, under it or smash through it."
In closing, I would offer the following:
Remember that God sees every act, every effort ... so play hard and do the right thing, both on and off the field. It will all come out in the wash. Connect your purpose in life with His and add service to others (which is usually included in His purpose, by definition) and then watch your life take off.
If you have worn our uniform and your last name is something other than Rutledge, please continue to call me coach ... because whether you see me on the field or not, that is what I will remain.
I remain here for you as long as you need me to be. Players, please stay in touch and let me know what is going on in your baseball careers and in your lives. Let me know how I can help.
Most of all, to all of our current and former players, remember that I love you. Thank you for the privilege of being your coach.
MtB Always ...
I'd like to leave you all with a few words tonight to encourage you, provoke you to thought and perhaps spur you on in this journey to be the very best homeschool baseball program in the nation.
First, I'd like to speak to my fellow coaches.
To do this job right, you need passion ... when you wake up in the morning ... when you go to bed at night. I want you to work harder than ever before. A lot of things that are not directly-related to your on-the-field work are required to make this go. Embrace these tasks ... scheduling, communicating with players and parents, being an ambassador for the program, etc. They are essential.
Also, to do what we do -- where we compete with less practice time and often with a few more challenges -- you have to be smart and efficient. Each practice and game must be planned. And those plans are part of a larger season plan. Know where you are going. Get and stay organized.
And be a student of the game, an intentional learner. Baseball is filled with guys who have stunted their growth (and their teams', too) because they have yet to take on a learner's mentality. The way you did it when you were a player or a kid is completely irrelevant to what we are doing here. Be open to change, and figure out what works. Keep reevaluating. Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
Remember your conduct before your players. If we as coaches fail, they will do the same thing, in spades.
Do your best and trust your instincts. Remember that there will always be 10-20 percent who will give you a hard time no matter what. I wasted a lot of time worrying about these folks in past years. Then, I figured out I was better off just doing what I believed to be best.
Most of all, love your players. This is the foundation of all good coaching: Care for your players ... all of them ... yes, the ones who get on your nerves, too. Once you care for them and they know it, then real growth begins.
Being a "real" coach has nothing to do with getting paid. Rather, being a real coach has everything to do with taking care of your players. The biggest challenge each year is managing the people.
Everything we do must be about team welfare, rather than a personal agenda. So, be above reproach in dealing with your sons, both in reality and even in appearance. Yes, let there be no hint of favoritism. Do you have people in your life who will tell you hard truths? Find these people.
Finally, enjoy each day you get to coach. It goes quickly. This is a fantastic opportunity. Remember what a privilege it is to coach the Mustangs and to work with young men. Enjoy each task, no matter how mundane. I honestly did.
If the foregoing sounds daunting, good. You are starting to get it. Starting. I will be here, too, to hold you to the standard. Most of all, I remain here as a resource. Know that you have my full confidence and support.
And now a word to my fellow parents ...
First of all, support our coaches and support our players.
As for coaches, let them, well, coach. That's their job. We all nod in agreement here, but what does this mean? It means that our cheering is just that, cheering, instead of giving hitting instruction before and during AB's, or pitching mechanic reminders ... or calling pitches. I have seen all sorts of foolishness in my eight years of doing this.
Please stay away from the dugouts and off the field immediately before, during and after games. Encourage your sons to come prepared, with water (food between games, when necessary or appropriate). Trust coaches to take care of players, too. No one has ever died from dehydration or hunger while playing for us. If you trust coaches and your young men to act like men and be responsible, you will likely find that they are.
Failing to honor team boundaries harms our reputation as a program, and other coaches have told me so. Also, it hinders your son's ability to bond with the team and gain the most he can from our coaching staffs.
Will coaches make mistakes? Of course, and that makes them just like players and parents. But we know that only those invited into our worlds can share with us on the journey as parents. The same principle applies to coaches. Let the system work, and it will work much better. Besides, just like the busybody who corrects your kid with their own standards and fails to understand what is going on (maybe, just maybe because you know your child and have been wrestling with his/her issues for years), the at-the-field busybody is often wrong, too.
Bottom line: Honor our coaches. If there is an issue, take it up privately and away from the field. If something is bugging you, communicate. That's the biblical model. But do it in a way that values and honors the person you are communicating with. Take a look at Proverbs 6 regarding what God hates. And you know what ... He really could care less who is in our lineup, and He has great days even on the rare occasions when we lose, too.
In short, folks, our sons are truly learning a lot more than baseball.
They are learning how to be part of a team, to be on a mission greater than their personal agenda, and to hang in there and get it done. What our sons need is our support, whether their performance is good or not, and whether they are on the field or not.
Let the petty things roll off your back. Time flies. Who cares who played the most, or batted 3rd rather than 7th? I mean ... seriously? God will work these things out. Enjoy the times with your son that are just flying by. The most special times as an athlete I remember were looking over and seeing my dad. And a lot of times I wasn't in the game. It didn't matter. He taught me that what mattered most was that I was there for my team and he was there for me.
So, value effort and character in your sons, before results. You have a lot to value.
Say thank you ... in word and deed. Build up Mustangs leadership in front of your kids. Find a way to serve that meets the needs of the organization.
And now a word for our players ...
Let me start by encouraging you with these gentle words: Get off your butts and work. Throw, catch, and hit the baseball. Do it again. Be smart about it. Work on your weaknesses, rather than mindless repetitions. Get out and run sprints and build core strength in the off-season.
When we were kids, we left the house when school was out, and we spent the whole summer outside. A lot of those summers were spent playing baseball. Stop wasting your time on the computer, X-Box, fiddling with your phone and such. Trust me, there is a very small market for "world-class thumbs."
While you pray like your working doesn't matter, work like God is not going to answer your prayers. People who work hard and smart create opportunities.
For those going off to college to play ... now, the real work begins. Work harder than ever before, and in a manner worthy of the great opportunity given to you.
Whether you are continuing to play baseball or not, remember where you came from and represent the Mustangs with pride. Always remember the privilege of being a Mustang. Stay in touch with the program. We will need people to beat in future alumni games ...
If you are a current player, I want you to watch baseball ... because you don't watch enough. How do I know? Because I watch you. Come over and watch a game with me. It's fun, but it's anything but mindless. Get your mind engaged and develop the habit of learning always. Learn the expectations of the game and exceed them.
Stay humble and hungry, but grounded. As one of my mentors Ron Wolforth said so well, "Strive to become a person of merit and value that far surpasses your ability to hit, throw, field, or run."
And meanwhile, be a good citizen of the jungle. What do I mean? When we played and one of our teammates did something silly (say, like getting a girlfriend during the season), we'd give him grief until we hounded the poor guy to change. The jungle came alive, in other words. Why? Well, a little bit may have been jealousy. But mostly, we protected our team -- our brotherhood -- from those outside who would threaten our unity and purpose. So, protect your team. Treat each other as brothers. Sometimes that means giving grief. Sometimes it means giving grace.
In short, be the kind of friend and teammate that you would want. You know, tuck your shirt in, straighten your hat, watch your dugout demeanor, fight hard on every pitch and play, and expect those around you to do the same. Play to a standard of excellence ... always.
Because I like them so much, I want to read to you four pieces of advice from Coach Wolforth to his daughter before she left for college. I think they are applicable to you all:
"1. Each day, read something that will inspire or enlighten you. Stay away from the salacious, the banal and the vapid. Stay away from the sewage, garbage and other types of poison or pollution;"
(Note: This next one explains why I leave Kirby alone) "2. Don't argue with fools or malcontents -- whether in person or on the internet -- it is a huge waste of time and others watching from afar can't easily tell the difference between you and the fool." (I love Kirby, as you know, and am just jerking his chain here.);
"3. Be nearly impossible to offend. The world is now full of people who are offended at the drop of a hat for almost any small slight or comment. In fact, victimhood is now a cottage industry in America. Don't join its ranks. It has NO future;" and
"4. Be nearly impossible to be discouraged. Be resilient. Be tenacious. Be persistent. Refuse to be denied. When faced with an obstacle, be obssessed with how you could go over it, around it, under it or smash through it."
In closing, I would offer the following:
Remember that God sees every act, every effort ... so play hard and do the right thing, both on and off the field. It will all come out in the wash. Connect your purpose in life with His and add service to others (which is usually included in His purpose, by definition) and then watch your life take off.
If you have worn our uniform and your last name is something other than Rutledge, please continue to call me coach ... because whether you see me on the field or not, that is what I will remain.
I remain here for you as long as you need me to be. Players, please stay in touch and let me know what is going on in your baseball careers and in your lives. Let me know how I can help.
Most of all, to all of our current and former players, remember that I love you. Thank you for the privilege of being your coach.
MtB Always ...
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Baseball Coach Figures it out ... Why the Mavs are Going to Win
To understand part of the problem with the James Media/PR Empire-Complex, check out the following short email entitled, "The Dallas Mavericks Will Win the 2011 NBA Championship ... Here’s the Two Reasons Why: Mostly LeBron" by Aaron Weintraub (leave it to a baseball coach to figure this stuff out).
There is also some great insight for you players (and non-players) as to the importance of self-awareness and continual, honest evaluation of how you are doing. That's honest evaluation ... the type that is often uncomfortable. Most of us want to hear how wonderful and lovely all we say and do are. However, the real work (and progress) in life begins when we are honest with ourselves and learn to embrace people in our lives going the same direction as we are that will spur us along on this journey.
Learn how to do this, and then you will find God's full potential in your games and lives.
Here is Coach Weintraub:
"First, the Mavs are playing very well, starting with Nowitzki. Dirk is much more mentally tough than he was in 2006. Back then, he pouted after every close call that went against him. Now he focuses on his job and does a great job of reading what is available to him. His teammates understand their roles, too, and they do a good job of getting themselves ready to give their best effort through the high stress and challenges of playing a more talented Heat team in the NBA Finals.
"Second, LeBron doesn’t know how to get himself ready to give his best effort. There are three steps that separate a best effort performance from a lousy performance, assuming that the athlete is trying hard in both. One is to create an ideal state, or get yourself ready both physically and mentally. Two is to know your job in controllable terms, and three is to focus and simply let it happen. It is the first step where LeBron and many others fall short. You see, without awareness, no adjustment is possible. Most athletes don’t know what leads them to play great, other than trying hard. Often, their coaches sense it better than they do and these fine coaches learn to put their players in the positions where they excel. Or, the athletes just play great when they’re comfortable, or juiced, or patient, or whatever it is. Perhaps night games at home lead to an ideal performance state, and that’s good enough for them to have what they consider to be success.
'Here’s what I see with LeBron. He’s in his ideal state when he believes that his team needs him to be their clear leader. When he takes the challenge of defeating his opponents personally and strives to carry his team on his shoulders, he gets explosive. Here’s the problem. He doesn’t know this. Without awareness, no adjustment is possible. He obviously needs to adjust, but his postgame comments after Game 5 make it clear that he doesn’t even know this. “My offense in the fourth quarter is fine.” Huh? No, it’s not.
"When you’re LeBron, having a feeling that your team needs you to carry them happens often, without any awareness necessary from yourself. Cleveland had nothing else. When Wade gets hurt and misses a few minutes (like in Game 5), you play better. But when Wade is on the court, LeBron strives to be the best “team player” he can be. There’s nothing wrong with that in concept – it just doesn’t lead to him performing the way he’s capable of performing. He’s trying to be a good guy, not the selfish guy he obviously is. ... He would play better if he would get selfish and carry his team, as we all know he can.
"Fortunately for the Mavericks, no one is likely to tell LeBron what he needs to know fast enough for this year. After he fails, he’ll look for answers and probably make great adjustments, but his personal values and judgments will not change over the next few days. Even without LeBron at his best, the Heat are very good, but to beat the Mavericks twice, they would need him in an ideal performance state a majority of the time.
"That’s not going to happen."
-Aaron Weintraub
There is also some great insight for you players (and non-players) as to the importance of self-awareness and continual, honest evaluation of how you are doing. That's honest evaluation ... the type that is often uncomfortable. Most of us want to hear how wonderful and lovely all we say and do are. However, the real work (and progress) in life begins when we are honest with ourselves and learn to embrace people in our lives going the same direction as we are that will spur us along on this journey.
Learn how to do this, and then you will find God's full potential in your games and lives.
Here is Coach Weintraub:
"First, the Mavs are playing very well, starting with Nowitzki. Dirk is much more mentally tough than he was in 2006. Back then, he pouted after every close call that went against him. Now he focuses on his job and does a great job of reading what is available to him. His teammates understand their roles, too, and they do a good job of getting themselves ready to give their best effort through the high stress and challenges of playing a more talented Heat team in the NBA Finals.
"Second, LeBron doesn’t know how to get himself ready to give his best effort. There are three steps that separate a best effort performance from a lousy performance, assuming that the athlete is trying hard in both. One is to create an ideal state, or get yourself ready both physically and mentally. Two is to know your job in controllable terms, and three is to focus and simply let it happen. It is the first step where LeBron and many others fall short. You see, without awareness, no adjustment is possible. Most athletes don’t know what leads them to play great, other than trying hard. Often, their coaches sense it better than they do and these fine coaches learn to put their players in the positions where they excel. Or, the athletes just play great when they’re comfortable, or juiced, or patient, or whatever it is. Perhaps night games at home lead to an ideal performance state, and that’s good enough for them to have what they consider to be success.
'Here’s what I see with LeBron. He’s in his ideal state when he believes that his team needs him to be their clear leader. When he takes the challenge of defeating his opponents personally and strives to carry his team on his shoulders, he gets explosive. Here’s the problem. He doesn’t know this. Without awareness, no adjustment is possible. He obviously needs to adjust, but his postgame comments after Game 5 make it clear that he doesn’t even know this. “My offense in the fourth quarter is fine.” Huh? No, it’s not.
"When you’re LeBron, having a feeling that your team needs you to carry them happens often, without any awareness necessary from yourself. Cleveland had nothing else. When Wade gets hurt and misses a few minutes (like in Game 5), you play better. But when Wade is on the court, LeBron strives to be the best “team player” he can be. There’s nothing wrong with that in concept – it just doesn’t lead to him performing the way he’s capable of performing. He’s trying to be a good guy, not the selfish guy he obviously is. ... He would play better if he would get selfish and carry his team, as we all know he can.
"Fortunately for the Mavericks, no one is likely to tell LeBron what he needs to know fast enough for this year. After he fails, he’ll look for answers and probably make great adjustments, but his personal values and judgments will not change over the next few days. Even without LeBron at his best, the Heat are very good, but to beat the Mavericks twice, they would need him in an ideal performance state a majority of the time.
"That’s not going to happen."
-Aaron Weintraub
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Up, and Coming ... Here: TCU Baseball
Take a look at this video by TCU Baseball. You'll recognize some familiar themes ... i.e., win this pitch ... and the approach will also resonate.
It's how you gain leverage -- a solid mental approach that values the process of how to compete. You want results? You want wins?
Do (and think) like this:
It's how you gain leverage -- a solid mental approach that values the process of how to compete. You want results? You want wins?
Do (and think) like this:
Monday, May 23, 2011
From Coach Aaron Weintraub ... Attitude is Everything
Received this from Coach Traub. Check it out:
"You have extremely little control over what goes on around you, but total control of how you choose to respond to it. It is in these choices that lay your freedom, your happiness, and your personal power. Choose wisely.
"Attitude is a choice and attitude determines altitude. You perform better when you are aggressive, confident, and having fun. So do you know how to create that specific attitude when your current environment is pulling you in a different direction? Most people sense that attitude comes from within, but they don’t specifically seize all their personal power by realizing that their attitude comes specifically from the direction of their thoughts. What you are focused on causes the quality of your attitude. Therefore, if you learn to develop an optimistic explanatory style, even when faced with adversity, you will have a clear edge over your competition. It’s not easy to remember that messing up is good for you, to change “I’m in a slump” to “I’m overdue,” or to embrace difficult challenges. But hey, if was easy, everyone would do it.
"Here’s your first test… which comes first: successful outcomes or a positive, confident, fun attitude? For many, success does, but for the greatest athletes in the world, their confidence and positive attitude precede and lead to their success. The next time conditions are poor or you just messed up, remember that this is a great opportunity for you to practice employing your personal power by finding a shred of optimism to emphasize in your mind. Then add in some positive body language and don’t be surprised when great outcomes follow."
"You have extremely little control over what goes on around you, but total control of how you choose to respond to it. It is in these choices that lay your freedom, your happiness, and your personal power. Choose wisely.
"Attitude is a choice and attitude determines altitude. You perform better when you are aggressive, confident, and having fun. So do you know how to create that specific attitude when your current environment is pulling you in a different direction? Most people sense that attitude comes from within, but they don’t specifically seize all their personal power by realizing that their attitude comes specifically from the direction of their thoughts. What you are focused on causes the quality of your attitude. Therefore, if you learn to develop an optimistic explanatory style, even when faced with adversity, you will have a clear edge over your competition. It’s not easy to remember that messing up is good for you, to change “I’m in a slump” to “I’m overdue,” or to embrace difficult challenges. But hey, if was easy, everyone would do it.
"Here’s your first test… which comes first: successful outcomes or a positive, confident, fun attitude? For many, success does, but for the greatest athletes in the world, their confidence and positive attitude precede and lead to their success. The next time conditions are poor or you just messed up, remember that this is a great opportunity for you to practice employing your personal power by finding a shred of optimism to emphasize in your mind. Then add in some positive body language and don’t be surprised when great outcomes follow."
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Walking Off as Winners
Last game ...Our HWS run had ended up differently than we had expected or hoped. After two dramatic and gritty wins versus good teams (one of whom ultimately finished 6th), we ran into a buzzsaw on Thursday -- losing 5-1 to the Raleigh Warriors (who eventually finished 3rd nationally) and also 7-4 to the perennial powerhouse Atlanta Barons.
Both teams threw their aces at us. Both aces threw gems. We battled, but we fell short. On Friday, we were emotionally drained and flat; we got outplayed in every phase of the game and lost, 7-1, to an HCYA team we had beaten twice previously during the season.
The foregoing left us playing for 7th place in Division II ... really playing for pride on Saturday, May 7, as we sought to finish our season the right way.
The night before, I thought that it would be cool to win our last one in a walk-off, but I wasn't sure my heart could take it. Let't not try that, after all.
So, we drove over as the sun rose and showed up at 7 a.m. for the ungodly 8 a.m. EST start. We had fun on the way over, and our team appeared loose and ready to go vs. Augusta. We had our usual pregame, the 40th such pregame of the season. Last thing I told them: "Remember, we love you."
Before the game started, I walked down the right-field line to collect my thoughts and think about the gameplan. I looked at my card of plays and defensive sets. I wanted to use everything today, if necessary, to get the win. These players deserved this, and I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure it happened. I got a little emotional thinking it would be the last time I would do this with these players.
I was confident we would play well. But then it started.
We played awful. We were behind, 3-0, before we came to bat. It's been a while since we played that poorly for several innings, but we did. I was having troubles of my own, too. Augusta surprised me and threw out one of our guys stealing and another trying to advance to 3rd on a fly ball.
We were throwing balls around, forgetting to cover bags, droppoing pop-ups, running bases like, well, they were trying to upset my stomach ... At the plate, we were trying too hard. We were understanably too emotional on this day. Meanwhile, the Crusaders were playing loose, having fun and building an 8-3 lead in the 5th.
Then, we started to come alive. Ben was pitching well on the hill, and the guys kept battling and piling up good AB's at the plate. Starting in about the 5th inning, we started to look like ourselves and play like the Mustangs. We scored two in the bottom of the 5th, and then three more in the 6th. Meanwhile, our pitching and defense were solid.
A 7th-inning rally fizzled and we went to the 8th. By this time, I had come to grips with the fact that I was going to be okay with however this turned out. Our team had acquitted itself well in battling back and showing pride and heart.
A mini-threat by the Crusaders in the top of the 8th was shut down and we came to bat in the bottom half. Shell led off with a pop fly that fell in between the LF, SS, and 3B. The LF overran the ball, too, and Shell advanced to second. Then, things started to fall into place ...
I went out during a timeout to talk to Shell. I told him he was going to score the winning run and I was going to chase him home. He better get going. He didn't think I could catch him.
Michael had asked me before the inning about bunting if Shell had gotten on. I told him we would probably do that. But with Shell already on second, we conferred during a timeout, and I told him I wanted him to hit. I thought we'd have a rocket to the OF and then all would be well.
But Michael, our #3 hitter and offensive leader for the last 4 years, popped out. I kicked myself, wishing we had bunted there.
Then Foxy came to the plate. He'd had a fabulous year and was looking better and better as this game wore on. John battled with a great AB, taking two close pitches to get the count to 3-1. Then, he hit a ground ball, a high chopper to the left side, and Augusta barely threw him out at 1B. Shell advanced to 3B on the play. Two outs.
Matt then came to the plate. Matt has had a lot of great AB's through the years, and truthfully, he is a great guy to have up there in that situation. He fouled off the first pitch straigh back, but he was under it. Hmmm. C'mon, Matt, I thought. I wondered what he was thinking, but he sure looked locked in.
And then ... ping. The most beautiful humpback liner that I think I have ever seen floated out over second base into CF. I did start after Shell (he beat me to the plate), and we all went over to meet Matt at 1B in the bedlam.
We hugged, we laughed, we experienced the joy that this team is so known for ... one last time.
In forming the line to go across and congratulate the Crusaders, we even hip-bumped. Serious air.
After the game, we all talked and shared ... players, coaches, parents ... for a long time. It seemed that no one wanted it to end. We talked about how much Mustangs baseball has meant to all of us. It was so fitting, though, that it ended that way.
If we hadn't lost three straight, we would have missed this game ... this game that ended a season and 7 seniors Mustang careers in perfect fashion.
And God honored them all in the process. It was a day that all our seniors played the whole game. They all contributed. Jacob had a good day at the plate and on the mound. Ben hit the ball well, was nails on the mound and got the win. Sauce was, well, Sauce. Shell played well at 3B, and he started the winning rally and scored the winning run in our last game. Foxy overcame a tough start to get a big hit and also threw out a Crusader runner late in the game to stop a rally, Reagan was great in the OF and hit an inside-the-park HR. And Matt ...
Well, the Lord tasked Matt with ending this thing on the right note ... with the Mustangs battling, as always, and finishing strong. Matt's hit gave the Mustangs their only lead of the day -- as the game (and season) ended. Just in time ...
It was so fitting, on so many levels. They walked off the winners that they are.
After the game, my head began to hurt as I considered that if we hadn't played so poorly that we would have missed that incredible ending. We will always remember what happened on May 7, but a better performance and it never would have happened. I was reminded of last year's "Centex Miracle."
I walked down to watch the Huntsville-Barons game, which was a dandy (won by Huntsville, 7-6 in 8 inns.). Afterward, I was visiting with Huntsville's Coach Gary Byrd, and we were talking about how our coaching careers had ended in pretty much perfect fashion. Today's finish marked win #100 as a Mustang coach for me.
I told my friend Gary that we were disappointed that we missed Division I, and we thought we had a good chance to compete and win there, but still ... I was unsure that I would trade it for the path we had taken. I was content.
Then, Gary said, "The sovereignty of God is a beautiful thing." I just smiled, and said, "Yes, it is."
For God in His sovereignty has allowed this little ol' baseball team to make a big impact -- on the field, off the field, everywhere.
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