As the entire country seems to be in deep freeze it can be pretty tough to think about the upcoming season. For some players, there is a little bit of time before things get under way. I know in New Jersey, the first Friday in March is the official start to the (high school) season. However in South Carolina, baseball practice starts February 1.
Regardless if you already have a starting spot in the line up or rotation, you’re trying to make a team, or even you’re looking to play beyond the level you’re at right now; the only time to improve upon your current skill and conditioning levels is right NOW… the off season!
However, there are obstacles… or should I say excuses players like to use that ruins a baseball off season training program. Here’s a quick list, as well as my thoughts on each:
The Holidays
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years. Even if you don’t celebrate one one or any of these holidays, they can have an effect on your off season training. Schools and even your local indoor training facility might be closed on one or all of these days, which makes it awful tough to get any work done.
The holidays could also mean travel, which can put in crimp in your off season routine.
At the end of the day however, it’s your responsibility to MAKE the time and find the room you need to be ready for the upcoming season. Don’t make these days an excuse to take multiple days off either!
I’m not saying this to brag, but I had no problem working out – whether in the weight room or taking swings in my basement or garage (or even throwing a tennis ball off a wall) – on the actual holidays themselves. If you want it bad enough, you will find the place and make the time.
Longer Baseball Seasons
Let’s face it. We are in the era of playing baseball nearly all year long. I don’t agree with it, but honestly, if I was given the option to do so when I was playing, I’d probably jump at the chance.
That being said, the problem with these longer seasons – particularly the extended fall seasons: the only time to get away from the game and take a break is the EXACT time you should be preparing for the upcoming spring season.
When I say take a break, I’m talking about a break from playing games, or traveling to tournaments and showcases. I am not talking about training. As far as training goes, to steal an old saying: “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.”
It’s been proven by people way more intelligent than yours truly, that when an athlete takes as little as two weeks off from training, that athlete will begin to lose both his peak fitness levels and the precision of how he executes his sports-specific moves… quickly. In fact, it’s also been proven that the time needed to get back what you’ve lost during your “break,” is DOUBLED the time of your actual time off. (i.e. Two weeks off equals four weeks of training to get back to where you were.)
Like I said, if I were a player these days, I’d have a hard time not taking advantage of all plethora of opportunities to play baseball. BUT, since I am older and wiser, and I know how valuable the off season is for developing both physically and technically, I’d steer clear of the extra games so I could be ready to go come spring time.
Playing a Winter Sport
First let me say this: There is nothing wrong with playing another sport. If I didn’t get cut from my high school basketball team my senior year (a team that went 30-1 only losing the last game of the year to the undefeated #1 team in the state btw 
.) I would have definitely played basketball in the winter. In fact, I did play pick up games at night… at my high school, as well as play in an intramural league run by a local small college.
But neither of those two activities kept me from training for baseball season!
But let me use another (maybe better?) example: Scott Burrell.
Scott Burrell was both a minor league (Toronto Blue Jays) pitcher AND Division I basketball player (UConn Huskies) … at the same time. (Note: He’s the first American-born athlete to be a first round pick in two major sports.) While UConn’s basketball team was on it’s way to the Elite Eight, Burrell would do his throwing either before or after practice. I hate to sound like an infomercial, but if he can do it…
Bottom line: If baseball is your primary sport, there’s no excuse not to find the room or the time to get your work in… even if you play a winter sport.
So I ask you, if NOW is vacation time, and isn’t the right time to get ready for the upcoming season:
- When will you find the time to make much needed adjustments? (i.e: shortening your swing, sharpening your secondary pitches, etc.)
- When will you get the chance to develop more speed and strength? (not only raw strength, but baseball strength)
- When will you be able to take the time to make your post season evaluations, create your off season goals as well as goals for the upcoming season? (If you’re not doing this, you’re missing out on a key to becoming the best player possible!)
Don’t wait ’til it’s too late! Get after it today!
Coach Bones
