Coach Ron Stott - Pitchers

LOGAN HIGH GRIZZLIES

2009 3A STATE CHAMPIONS

Maximum effort . . . even when no one is looking

Pitchers,

You’ve heard my thoughts several times about “focus” and how we should approach the game (and in reality, life). As we head into the 2009 season, I would like to remind you of some very important processes.

Both Coach Hansen and I love the game of baseball. We love it for several reasons, one of the most important being how it relates to life. Each game is like a 7-inning lifetime. It involves highs and lows, successes and failures, and gives all of us (coaches and players) a chance to “see who we are.” Sometimes though, we think that games are the only place where we can do that, the only time we really play at game (or life) speed.

You’ve heard “one speed” a thousand times. You know that that refers both to games and practices. Now let me add another place it applies. The “off-season” in many ways is every bit as important as every inning you play. Without a solid off-season, one in which you’ve prepared yourself to play, the season itself has no chance of being successful. And remember, there’s nothing you do (or don’t do) that only affects you. It all affects the team (and your teammates) as well.

Each of you has received a pitchers’ workout for November/December. We’re on the backside of December. How many of the past 50 days have you dedicated yourself to that workout, and our goal of a state championship? And when you answer that question, remember that this is as much about who you are as a person as who you are as a pitcher.

When we get together as a team after Christmas break, you will be given a new workout schedule that will take you up to the start of the season. We’ve had to trust you through the last two months to workout on your own. For the most part, we’ll have to trust you all season long to do the same. When the season starts we’ll know who has prepared themselves to be a part of a championship team. Those who have will be a part of our “journey” to the state title. Those who haven’t won’t.

Coach Stott

We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do.