Beat

OK, it's definitely time for an update, as we are seven games into our season. The games have been OK, although we haven't won. It's pretty frustrating because for the most part we are playing good baseball but it's not all coming together at any one game. I'm sure it'll come, just have to keep playing hard and be patient.

As usual, I'm off to a slow start - definitely not as bad as last year though. I'm having good at bats, and hitting the ball hard, just not falling. And still under 25 at bats, so a knock here and there makes the world of a difference in the batting average. Not that I'm concerned about my numbers, but it's always nice to tell someone you are batting a high number. When I tell someone I'm batting .208, it really doesn't give the whole picture.

We just came off a stretch with four games in three days. I caught every inning, and my body is really beat. Luckily we have two off days before our DH Sunday. I can start to imagine the physical toll on professional baseball players, although I know I could go out get loose and play today, it's still incredible they play through six months of this. But I was thinking this morning as I sorely hobbled to the bathroom - imagine after all this, I got trucked by a 215 pounder in a play at the plate. I would wake up in a world of hurt - and still have to play.

The only thing really bothering me is that on Thursday (yesterday) my arm had nothing in it. It wasn't even that it was hurting, it was just dead. I don't know what to do at this point. Thankfully we have off days, but it's not comforting knowing that my arm can't play a week of baseball without losing some pop. And if you know me, pop in my arm is not something I have extra to spare. Another time to appreciate pro players.

I'd like to end off with a quote from Joe Crede, although it will be paraphrased because I can't find the official quote: The only time a baseball player is pain free is the first day of Spring Training.

No Fear

Season to start in two days. We are looking to rent a turf field, because our grass field we normally on is definitely not in good condition.

Anyway, with the season starting, it's time to focus more on the mental side of the game and less on the physical/mechanical. For me, and almost every ballplayer, we've just spent months upon months working toward this short season.

What I want to talk about is fear of failure. It's always frustrating to lose, but it hurts more when you've really really tried to succeed.

I don't think it comes down to getting in the box and being afraid of not hitting well, or stepping on the field and being afraid of booting the baseball. Instead, I think fear of failure hurts in a different way. I think after working really hard, you are so ready to just mash, you may get too anxious in the box.

It's very important to take note of the mental game and play very healthily from that perspective. At the plate, make sure you aren't hacking, but you are aggressive only at your pitches. On the field, just try to anticipate every possible situation and slow the game down for yourself.

I can't wait to play.