Reality Check

Very interesting...I like this "Place a default in there to keep just so many from getting to the top". That is absolutely true.

I have found that the one's that are successful are determined, and blinded and deaf to the naysayers

 

Getting the feeling that some are taking this the other way. I showed this infomation to show what the players that we talk about week end and week out have to over come to get to the next level. It does show that you can not depend on just you baseball skills to go to college. And in some case even play. Coach 27, Braves and many others are always refering to working hard to get to the next level. This just shows how much work it does take. And we do not know how grades, test scores, even outside activities plays into this. Or if these numbers are using the lower roster size.

 

No...I think you made a good point. The opportunites to make it to the "show" is narrow. But every player has a dream

 

This absolutely "reality check"

Sugar coating anything is a recipe for disaster.

Platedad you have started a very excellent thread.

 

This reminds me of a quote that I like: "Don't let the fear of striking out prevent you from playing the game".

 

Surround Yourself With Your Supporters

This is for the young guys still playing.....

Surround yourself with those that support your efforts and want the best for you (usually your parents and a few select others).

Steer clear of those that have different intentions of motives.

Have a deaf ear for those that try to drag you down or tell you "you can't."

When presented with a conversation about another player when he's not around, be a guy of integrity. If you can't say it to him "face to face" keep it to yourself and don't allow anyone else to badmouth when you are around.

Leave the judgements to the HS and Showcase Coaches, the College Recruiters and Coaches and the Professional Baseball Scouts. They're the only ones that matter anyway.

Don't let anybody put you down! Stay busy working on your game and stay away from the naysayers.

When I hear a young player talking smack about another athlete I see it as a lack of Character. When I hear his parents do it to give the impression that their son is a better player than "so and so" I get sick to my stomach.

Be gracious and let the "talent evaluators" do their job.

 

My point is this

you should not be focusing on what you need to overcome to succeed. You should be focusing on what you need to do to be the best player you can be. In the end that is all you can control anyway. Focusing on how good everyone else is and what your odds are based on how good everyone else is, is out of your control. Focus on what you can control. And that is yourself. Be the best you can be and then let the cards fall where they may.

Its too easy to say "You know the odds are stacked against me making it." I choose to say "The odds are stacked against the other guys. Not me."

My only fear in baseball is I will not do everything I can to be the best I can be. So I am driven to make sure I do everything I can do within my control to be the best I can be. Worrying about the odds is pointless imo. Its kind of like saying its ok if I dont make it because the odds are so stacked against me anyway. No , there is no reason a kid can not be the best he can be. Then you have no regrets. And you know you did all you could do to make the dream come true. And you can live with that.

 

I would say Ok to that. But, if one is to seek any prize they still need to know the odds so that they can react if they need to adjust to claim that prize. It does not mean that they can not seek it. Look at people who become doctors, lawyers or even go to college from back grounds where the odds are not in their favor. The person who walks after an accident where the odds are against them. They know the odds and that gives them the drive to push harder to claim it. Of course this is IMO. It is always good to know the odds.

 

Im not sure Im following you

but thats OK. Everyone knows the odds of being drafted are slim. And if drafted , slim you will ever make it to the show. Alot of people know that the odds a kid will play at the next level after hs are slim. But what is the percentage or the odds for kids that really dedicate themselves to the game and the classroom? We will never know what those odds are. Because we have no idea how many really do this and how many think they are and how many are not willing.

My guess is the ones that do dedicate themselves in the classroom and at the game have a much higher degree of success (odds) than the ones that dont. What about you?

If I want to be a doctor I understand it is going to require a heck of alot more effort on my part than if I want to be a grass cutter. Should that stop me from trying to achieve this dream? I have 0% chance if I allow the odds stacked against me to determine my direction.

It takes talent , hard work , dedication both on and off the field to play at the next level. The odds are against you because the odds are most kids are not going to have these qualities that play in hs. But the ones that do have a much higher percentage of success than the ones that dont.

Percentage of kids that wont because they lack the needed qualities to succeed? Percentage of kids that will because they have the needed qualities to succeed? Two different set of numbers.

 

I agree with Gloveside. I don't think those odds look so bad. Sure it's a tough road but it were easy many more would be there.

I look back when I played golf. I used to love it when it would rain on the golf course during events. 90% of the players would quit when it rained. It's too easy to find an excuse. I was cold. My grips were wet. The ball wouldn't spin. I kept getting flyers. It goes on and on. So I loved rain because I knew right away if I kept fighting I had 90% beat right away.

I see the same thing here. People see those odds and say no way. Hey, somebody has to make it. Might as well be me. And you know what? If you do your best and bust your butt, I mean really work hard and don't play past high school or college. You did your best and developed a work ethic. Something good always comes from hard work.

I also really like Aguyyouknow's post. For some reason there sure are a lot of people out there that are quick to tell you it can't be done and quick to trash a player behind his back. But this isn't just in baseball. When I worked at GE it was part of the culture.