Your Season is Your Responsibility

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

All of the hard work you did throughout the off-season is for one reason: to have a great high school season!

Since you turned in your high school uniform last spring, you most likely have played summer and fall baseball, attended some player development camps and showcases and worked throughout the winter to prepare for this new season. Let’s keep in mind that this is YOUR season. You need to take ownership of it from the first practice through the final out of the last game.

When I speak with players in the midst of their high school season, I love to hear an excited voice on the other end of the phone telling me about a positive contribution he made to his team’s victory. What I don’t like to hear is a player making excuses for a lack of success. I understand that obstacles appear for a player throughout every season, but how you deal with these obstacles usually determines how satisfied you are with your individual performance at the end of the year. Although at times these obstacles are out of your control, how you deal with them is entirely your decision.

For instance, let’s understand going into the season that if you live in the north, you are going to play games in cold weather. A player with some mental toughness who embraces a cold weather game and is just excited to get a chance to play a game outside that day has a distinct advantage over the player on the corner of the bench shivering in a winter coat complaining that his hands are cold. I’ve seen teams beat much more talented teams on bad weather days simply because the less talented team wanted to play despite the conditions while the “better team” was upset to be on the field.

Another issue that arises this time of year involves the limited amount of time certain high schools practice. I understand that the amount of practice time or the actual practice itinerary may not provide you with the number of defensive reps, swings in the cage, or pitches off the rubber that you feel you need. In that case, find other ways and times to get what you need. Play catch with a teammate on the tennis courts, throw to each other at a local batting cage, find an open field and get someone to hit you ground balls or fly balls. You know when you feel prepared for a game; it is your responsibility to do the things outside of organized practice times that get you to that feeling of readiness.

I could go on and list every obstacle/excuse that I have heard over the years, but I think you get the idea. This is your career and you need to take responsibility for it. The beginning of a high school season is an exciting time. I’m sure you have both team and individual goals that you are striving to reach this spring. There will be ups and downs throughout the year and how you deal with them will usually dictate whether you reach those goals. I hope all of you stay positive, overcome obstacles and see successful results from all of your hard work. I hope all of you have a great season.

Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.