Northern baseball and professional/personal growth

After over a week of games in the warm south, the reality of college baseball up north can hit us and cause us to count our blessings.  How many college students get to take a trip south on their spring break, with all expenses paid by the college and the added bonus of playing a sport they love?

After five days back in Michigan though, we just don't know from day to day if we are going to be able to practice outside or be forced (due to weather/field conditions) to work on our game indoors again.

Fortunately, this week at Adrian College, with the benefit of having Pro Grass Field Turf on our field, we have been able to get outside every day.  The position players have gotten defensive work done out there and then gone inside for their hitting.  The pitchers have been able to do all of their work outside.  It has given us an opportunity to do some good throwing, including our normal daily drills, and have important long toss sessions and flat ground work.

We are hoping to play an intrasquad game today and then have JV doubleheaders the next three days (Saturday through Monday).  This will be a great opportunity to get all of our pitchers (except two) some live action so that they are staying (or getting) sharp as we head into next weekend's two game series against #1 ranked Heidelberg College.

I've got to admit that I have felt a bit out of balance this week, though in my mind there is no good reason for it.  Twice this week I fell asleep on the couch at about 8:30, which is very unusual for me.  Fortunately, having a normal week of school and practice helps to keep me busy and grounded as I try to return to a daily routine.  I suppose that 22 hour bus ride back from Florida gave me a little jet lag.

One of the other nice aspects of my week (besides school and baseball) is the fact that I got to spend some time with both of my kids.  Tess is here in town on her last college spring break, and Eric is in and out during his season at Hillsdale College.  Tess is on her way to Chicago with friends for the weekend and Eric is leaving this evening for a weekend of games against the University of Indianapolis.

Eric and I have been able to share game experiences with each other now that our seasons have begun, and even as an old guy it is great for me to share baseball information and knowledge with Eric and with my young colleagues Luke Harrigan and Xander Younce at Adrian.  I can learn a lot from these young, passionate coaches!  I hope I never stop learning about coaching this great game of baseball.

Just like in life, sometimes I think that if I knew back then (insert whatever year you want) what I know now, I would have been a better coach and mentor for many of my teams and players in the past.  But since we can't go back, all I can do is continue to try to improve every day!!