The post-season is here. This is what we have practiced for and visualized since we exited the Regional Tournament last year. During my years as a head coach, I had a sign in my office that said, "Peak in May," and that is an important thing to try to do when a team has the privilege of playing in the post-season.
During winter practices (and several times in the spring) I repeat to the pitchers each year that we have to go from point A to point B, and during the steady uphill climb to point B there will be some peaks and valleys. This is a year that as an entire team we have gradually improved from the first week of March until now. Our offense, defense, and pitching have all gotten better throughout the season, as has our awareness of game moments.
Our last couple of weeks were very good, and though we are the number two seed entering the MIAA Tournament, in tying with Hope College for the conference championship we have now won five consecutive MIAA regular season championships. That is an accomplishment that none of us take for granted. Now, it is a privilege to again compete for the MIAA Tournament Championship and the honor of advancing to another NCAA DIII Regional Tournament.
In order to achieve our next goal, we have to do several things. As a pitching staff, I'll repeat what our pitchers hear several times each week. We have to throw first pitch strikes, get leadoff batters out, close out innings, manage damage control effectively, attack the running game, and give our team a chance to win. There is no reason not to believe that one of our pitchers will be on the hill getting the last out of the tournament on Friday!! If we can imagine it, it can happen.
Of course, there is more to winning the next championship besides the goals of our pitching staff. We know that our hitters are going to get more at bats in these nine inning games against quality teams than they did in the seven inning games during our conference season. We also know that our hitters are going to enter each game with the confidence of champions, because that is what they are.
In winning any kind of championship in the post-season, the athletes must believe in themselves and believe in each other. In addition, it is important for each individual player to check his thoughts, to make sure that any thoughts this week about themselves on the field, their teammates on the field, and the performance of the team are positive thoughts. Practicing positive thinking and positive body language are crucial, especially when the potential for intense game situations in the post-season can possibly bring a little more stress to each pitch and each inning.
Ultimately, our players know that they have been there before, whether it was this season, in previous seasons, or in their visualization, and they have executed successfully and come out as champions when they have kept each other united.
I have already been picturing the field in Holland, Michigan, the green grass, and the confident demeanor of our players as they focus, execute, and compete for 250 or so pitches each game. When we visualize success in crucial situations, it is easy to execute it again on the field. I love seeing our guys walking like champions!
During winter practices (and several times in the spring) I repeat to the pitchers each year that we have to go from point A to point B, and during the steady uphill climb to point B there will be some peaks and valleys. This is a year that as an entire team we have gradually improved from the first week of March until now. Our offense, defense, and pitching have all gotten better throughout the season, as has our awareness of game moments.
Our last couple of weeks were very good, and though we are the number two seed entering the MIAA Tournament, in tying with Hope College for the conference championship we have now won five consecutive MIAA regular season championships. That is an accomplishment that none of us take for granted. Now, it is a privilege to again compete for the MIAA Tournament Championship and the honor of advancing to another NCAA DIII Regional Tournament.
In order to achieve our next goal, we have to do several things. As a pitching staff, I'll repeat what our pitchers hear several times each week. We have to throw first pitch strikes, get leadoff batters out, close out innings, manage damage control effectively, attack the running game, and give our team a chance to win. There is no reason not to believe that one of our pitchers will be on the hill getting the last out of the tournament on Friday!! If we can imagine it, it can happen.
Of course, there is more to winning the next championship besides the goals of our pitching staff. We know that our hitters are going to get more at bats in these nine inning games against quality teams than they did in the seven inning games during our conference season. We also know that our hitters are going to enter each game with the confidence of champions, because that is what they are.
In winning any kind of championship in the post-season, the athletes must believe in themselves and believe in each other. In addition, it is important for each individual player to check his thoughts, to make sure that any thoughts this week about themselves on the field, their teammates on the field, and the performance of the team are positive thoughts. Practicing positive thinking and positive body language are crucial, especially when the potential for intense game situations in the post-season can possibly bring a little more stress to each pitch and each inning.
Ultimately, our players know that they have been there before, whether it was this season, in previous seasons, or in their visualization, and they have executed successfully and come out as champions when they have kept each other united.
I have already been picturing the field in Holland, Michigan, the green grass, and the confident demeanor of our players as they focus, execute, and compete for 250 or so pitches each game. When we visualize success in crucial situations, it is easy to execute it again on the field. I love seeing our guys walking like champions!
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