Fall is upon us, and that means baseball season is here for all levels of competition. Postseason baseball has just started and, based on the first few games, it’s going to be an amazing run for the MLB.

As a Southern California facility, this is big time Dodger (and Angels) country, and by the time you receive this the Dodgers have either moved on or are shaking their heads as to how a 106-win team can be watching their dreaded rivals moving on. Whatever happens, I think either the Dodgers or the hated team from the north walks away with a World Series title.

College baseball programs have also begun their march to Omaha or other CWS sites for the elusive National Championship.

High school programs have either begun or will be starting games up here soon, which means many of our clients are working hard to transfer their gains here at Throwzone to the mound. All this in preparation to be their best for the spring season and then summer.

One of the most important tenets we live by here at Throwzone is preparation for the rigors of the game. Players can hope and dream about a magical season and securing a college scholarship, but as my friend Brent Strom of the Houston Astros says, “Hope is not a plan!”

We must continually strive to improve a little bit each day. Jay Johnson, head coach of LSU baseball, states that he has always asked his players to improve 1% each day, whatever it takes to do that. It’s wise advice because building strength, a powerful hitting stroke, velocity, or being a great teammate does not happen overnight. In fact, it doesn’t happen in a week or a month. It grows over time, day after day in both your words and, more importantly, your actions.

Think of some of the all-time great players, including current players who are first ballot candidates for the Hall of Fame: Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Max Scherzer, Buster Posey, and others. They weren’t always the best player in their league, let alone their own team. It took continuous practice and passion to become one of the best ever. I’m positive that one common characteristic each of them had was a burning desire to become the best. Every video, news article, or story I have ever seen about the best is that there was no second-guessing their choice to become the top in their field at what they do.

Michael Jordan was cut from his high school varsity team as a sophomore and came back the next year to make the team. Tiger Woods was so focused on his ability on the golf course that others didn’t appreciate his comments about winning every event he entered. Kobe Bryant was so sure of his skill on the basketball court, he wasn’t afraid of other players who continually put him down. But they all are wired to do whatever it takes to be the best, and this is the mindset our players need to have.

At Throwzone, we strive to put our players in the best position possible to succeed. After 20 years of working with players privately, I can usually do a good job of knowing which players will play at the next level. It has nothing to do with their skill set and has EVERYTHING to do with their commitment to improving. A young Trevor Bauer was laughed off by most people, including the coaches and players at his own high school, but he never let their comments or snide remarks keep him from attaining his goals. All these players demonstrate those same characteristics.

It takes courage and commitment to become the best at something. In fact, in my own life I had something similar happen to me in building this business. To make a very long story short, I had no choice but to make this business work as THE way of supporting my family. I was at the end of my rope, but through perseverance and an open mind to change my life and my children’s lives forever changed for the better. If you’re ever interested in reading my story, I wrote a book several years ago called “3 Strikes And You’re NOT Out!”

https://www.amazon.com/Strikes-Youre-NOT-Out-adversity/dp/1723491683

It tells my story of perseverance in the face of tough times. This could be a shameless plug, but it’s a quick read and was a labor of love and bucket list item in my life.

Allow us to help your child realize their goals. Through our proven program of arm care and health, plus increase in velocity, it’s everything you can hope for your son to become the best player they can be. This hope has a PLAN, and we welcome you to be part of it.

There’s class availability most days of the week. Contact us today at 661-644-8814 (office phone) or inquire through our website at www.throwzone.com.

I look forward to sharing postseason follow-up with you next month.

Until next time,

Jim