I'm gonna lay it all out:
I was in 7th grade and I had never played baseball more than a day in my life (outside of T-Ball). It was my birthday and I was getting more and more interested in the sport. My dad bought me my first real glove.
We would go to the closest local Jr. High school and play catch, and do some drills. I had a really, really strong arm. For the most part, I didn't know anything about what my body was doing, I was just making plays.
I started my 8th grade year and decided to go out for the team. By the way, I am an awful hitter. It looked as if I was primed to make the team before the last day in which we started hitting and I sucked.
I got cut from my Jr. High baseball team.
I then entered a LL to gain more experience, and I was getting better at astronomical rates. I was throwing hard and accurately, and yet, I still couldn't touch a baseball with the bat. I ended up making all-stars.
I started high school and was immediately interested in playing baseball. I thought, I knew I had to get better and I went to talk to the coach. My high school was brand new and nobody knew who the coach was… let's just say he can be a little intimidating. So I though no biggie, and signed up for the fall program.
When I first started practicing with them, I lost confidence, ability to throw a baseball altogether, and I'm sure I gave the impression that I was an idiot.
Really talented players from other major high school transferred to our school and really changed the dynamic of the team.
When it came time for the regular season, I got cut.
OK so far, two tiems tried out for a school team, and twice cut.
During the summer, I decided I wasn't going to give up and signed up for the summer program. I didn't get much playing time at first base and one of the coaches said that I should think about pitching (due to how weird I threw). My confidence problems continued to plummet as teammates would continue to comment on my throwing mechanics (I knew I threw A LOT different then before, but it just lowered my self-esteem).
After the summer program, my father sat down with the head coach and pretty much asked what I needed to do to make the team.
I took those things after the summer program, and I goet better in incriments. I had developed some nice off-speed pitches.
When I started the fall program for a second straight year, I tried to start off with a new swagger. I tried to feel like I was fitting in (even though I knew I wasn't).
The coach threw me out on the mound during one of the fall games and I completely stunk it up. One of my fastballs actually bounced to the plate and the next couple of school days some of the JV teammates told varsity "He actually bounced a FASTBALL". My self esteem issues continued to plummet.
During the school year, my weight training class became such a burden and I found myself just wanting to give up.
I did.
I gained weight, and did not try out for the team.
I entered a recreational league just to have some fun and stuff. During this re-vitilization experience I regained my proper throwing technique and became a dominating force on the mound.
My ultimate goal was and is to play high school baseball.
Recap: I was really progressing as a player when I first started out, got cut twice (during in which my baseball confidence was non-existent)(once Jr High and the other was High School), cut MYSELF and regained everything I once lost.
Here are my questions:
I feel like I have the tools to play high school ball, but is it even worth trying for?
To even have a shot, I'm going to have to lose all of the weight I gained and be able to have confidence when I walk on that field again.
The competition is going to be numerous, but the LHP talent isn't spectacular.
What do I say to the coach? He cut me my freshman year and I cut myseld my sophomore year, and now I want back in? That's his perspective.
I'm a lefty first baseman and usually coaches tend to make a big deal out of lefties. Here are your options: Practice pitching (take lessons, not catch with your dad), OR get really good at 1B and then you will have to work on your hitting.
Set up a net and hit off a tee. I hit off my tee everyday for about 50 swings and I see improvements every few weeks. Your lucky you have a decent arm. If I had a somewhat good arm, I would go all out on pitching. I'm 14 and I throw like 65mph. That's why I'm a first baseman. I got cut in 7th grade and then I spent hours taking ground balls, throwing, and hitting and I made the team in 8th grade and 9th grade.
If you don't want to continue with pitching, and playing first base and hitting are too much, I would suggest to the outfield (less work, but still some work.) Then you would be able to to focus more on hitting. On losing weight, RUN. First off, it will help you lose weight and it is so convenient to have extra speed/stamina when you are running either to first base or to get a fly ball.
If you are going to do weight training, DON"T WORKOUT YOUR BICEPS. I spent my entire winter working out my abs and biceps (Thinking that if I look strong, then I'm probably going to be stronger at baseball) WRONG. My arm got messed up and it barely improve my swing. Baseball players aren't JACKED or RIPPED.
Workout you LEGS (helpful if you continue to pitch or play first base) and your FOREARMS. Forearms help give your swing it's main source of power. You would think biceps but no. Look at A-Rod (bad example) yea he has big biceps (for the ladies) but he forearms are huge also. Also workout your triceps and abs ( to making the motion of pitching easier and running easier.) So here's your list of workout nessecities:
-Running, SPRINTS.
-Tricep workouts.
-Forearm workouts.
-Leg workouts.
You can find specific workouts at www.scoobysworkshop.com I know your frustrated, but I had a bad season offensively, and it drove me to working hard so I can bat above 7th next year.
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