What does it take to make it at the highest level?

[Lunatic Fringe]

I have a friend who pitched in MLB who shared with me the biggest difference for him between playing in the Minors and making it in the Majors.

He was beat down continually, told he wasn't good enough, would never make it, don't know why you are still on the roster, the organization loves someone else more than you, yada, yada, yada. He concedes that he was never the most talented player on his team, going all the way back to rec ball.

He said the big jump from one level to the next for him was when he was able to put any outside noise out of his mind, the coach, the score, the weather, the crowd, being tired, who he was facing, and just focus on the job at hand. As long as he was on the mound, he still had a job, maybe for one pitch, an inning or a whole game. It did not matter. Do the job you are given. Make the pitch, hit your spot. That's it. If the catcher called the wrong pitch and your fastball went 400' to left center, not your problem as long as you made the right pitch in the called spot. Stripping away all the non essentials was the mental edge that got him to the Majors. Makes sense to me, although not from a sports perspective in my case.

I'm always curious from those who have achieved great things how they did it or what their process was. Anyone care to share?

[Fredegar]

Step 1: Some of it involves luck. Right place, right time. Many kids are playing in college because they happened to pitch/hit well when the right scout happened to be watching.

Step 2: Once you get seen, choose the right school to succeed. How many kids/families choose a school that's too big for them? As much as you want to have the glory of playing in the Pac12, Big10, SEC, you won't succeed if you're not good enough to play there. Choose the right school for your athletic ability and academic goals: whether it's a mid-major, D2, D3, or NAIA.

Step 3: Can't succeed without playing time. Work harder than everyone else. Have a good attitude even though you're on the bench more than you thought you'd be during your freshman year. As I always told my kid: Be the player the coach WANTS to put in.

[jonriv]

Had a couple of friend in HS that went into the minor leagues. One even had set some Ivy League strike out records(others went straight in fom HS) None got past AA. Combination of luck or just reaching your peak. Injuries ended it fo two of them. One's fastball was not as overwhelming at higher levels. All were hard workers.

Talent is always key, but talent alone can only take you so far. Combine talent with hardwork and drive and you have got something

[catcherdad]

We discovered this by accident but I wish we had learned it freshman year in hs. Elite baseball players use a tandem of trainers and ART chiropractors. So, a personal trainer, a batting coach, and an ART specialist combine to make your body stronger and able to perform under adverse conditions. The ones we found train MLB players and NFL players. Your dd gets faster, stronger, more balanced. I did not believe it at first, but they work on every muscle in your body to make you a better player. Major colleges have this inside their programs, but it really gives you a foundation for becoming a player at the elite level.

[hit4power]

He was beat down continually, told he wasn't good enough, would never make it, don't know why you are still on the roster, the organization loves someone else more than you, yada, yada, yada. He concedes that he was never the most talented player on his team, going all the way back to rec ball.

This was my kid's experience all the way along with a few exceptions. She never gave up believing in herself and just plain out-worked a lot of other kids, some with more raw talent than her.

I highly recommend the book "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales. It is collection of stories of survival under the most extreme conditions imaginable and interviews with the survivors afterwards. One common thread across all the stories is that those who survived never stopped believing they would live through whatever ordeal they were having to deal with.

[fastpitchdad05]

He was beat down continually, told he wasn't good enough, would never make it, don't know why you are still on the roster, the organization loves someone else more than you, yada, yada, yada. He concedes that he was never the most talented player on his team, going all the way back to rec ball.

This was my kid's experience all the way along with a few exceptions. She never gave up believing in herself and just plain out-worked a lot of other kids, some with more raw talent than her.

I highly recommend the book "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales. It is collection of stories of survival under the most extreme conditions imaginable and interviews with the survivors afterwards. One common thread across all the stories is that those who survived never stopped believing they would live through whatever ordeal they were having to deal with.

Talent is important of course...and to a large degree absolutely necessary. But if you asked me what I think the number one answer is, it would absolutely be desire. That and to a lesser degree the right kind of support from your family.

Desire, talent and support....in that order.

[3'sDad]

Back in the day in high school, when the Earth's crust was still cooling, we had a pitcher transfer in from another country. He was well over 6', long arms & legs and a very fluid motion. We could all see how much better and talented a player he was then the rest of our team.

What made us take notice is when the scouts began showing up mid-season. Our town
Had sent quite a few players into the Pirates organization as a result of a long term relationship dating back decades. The Pirate scouts came and watched, took notes etc. Then one day this kid was pitching, I had a career day 5/7 a hr, double and 5 or 6 RBI's made a great catch or two in the OF, name in the headlines of the local paper the next day kind of day. At that game were scouts from the Yankees, the NY Yankees! What a perfect day to have a great game!!

The pitcher gets called over, gets introduced to the Yankees scouts, business cards handed out. Me, coach said, " Hell of a game ThreesDad." Ugh, the hard truth at 17. Start getting ready to crack the books in college.

PS: the pitcher went on to a 12-13 year MLB career with the Pirates, Whire Sox, cards & Phillies.

Me: 7 years of college not wasted.

[fasterpitch92701]

Ok, a story to frame a viewpoint. Playing at the next level... you have to know what it takes. Really know.

Golf... yes, I know... it's not softball but that's ok. Bear with me. I played in the Open in 1971. Yep, The Open. Really. Ok... it wasn't the U.S. Open but I was in Europe and playing with an European Amateurs License. I was invited to play in "The Open" of a european country and represent the U.S. And I did. I played ok, have lots of fun stories about what happened but... most importantly I saw first hand what it takes to compete at that level against professionals who were attempting to make a living playing the game. It's incredibly revealing to see and experience just what it takes to be competitive in that environment.

What's the point? If you want to make it to the highest level do your homework and truly see what you must master in order to be competitive. If you really want it, and are willing to work for it, make it a personal goal to do whatever it takes to play at that level. Talk with those at the highest level, learn from them, set up your own game plan and don't give up. It CAN be done but requires practice, practice, practice. And talent. Accept that being a fanatic about it is ok and will be required.

Good luck !!

[fastpitchdad05]

Back in the day in high school, when the Earth's crust was still cooling, we had a pitcher transfer in from another country. He was well over 6', long arms & legs and a very fluid motion. We could all see how much better and talented a player he was then the rest of our team.

What made us take notice is when the scouts began showing up mid-season. Our town
Had sent quite a few players into the Pirates organization as a result of a long term relationship dating back decades. The Pirate scouts came and watched, took notes etc. Then one day this kid was pitching, I had a career day 5/7 a hr, double and 5 or 6 RBI's made a great catch or two in the OF, name in the headlines of the local paper the next day kind of day. At that game were scouts from the Yankees, the NY Yankees! What a perfect day to have a great game!!

The pitcher gets called over, gets introduced to the Yankees scouts, business cards handed out. Me, coach said, " Hell of a game ThreesDad." Ugh, the hard truth at 17. Start getting ready to crack the books in college.

PS: the pitcher went on to a 12-13 year MLB career with the Pirates, Whire Sox, cards & Phillies.

Me: 7 years of college not wasted.

Great story...Assuming you mean Kent Tekulve, did he wear those goofy glasses even back then in HS?

"We are family!..."

[fastpitchdad05]

Back in the day in high school, when the Earth's crust was still cooling, we had a pitcher transfer in from another country. He was well over 6', long arms & legs and a very fluid motion. We could all see how much better and talented a player he was then the rest of our team.

What made us take notice is when the scouts began showing up mid-season. Our town
Had sent quite a few players into the Pirates organization as a result of a long term relationship dating back decades. The Pirate scouts came and watched, took notes etc. Then one day this kid was pitching, I had a career day 5/7 a hr, double and 5 or 6 RBI's made a great catch or two in the OF, name in the headlines of the local paper the next day kind of day. At that game were scouts from the Yankees, the NY Yankees! What a perfect day to have a great game!!

The pitcher gets called over, gets introduced to the Yankees scouts, business cards handed out. Me, coach said, " Hell of a game ThreesDad." Ugh, the hard truth at 17. Start getting ready to crack the books in college.

PS: the pitcher went on to a 12-13 year MLB career with the Pirates, Whire Sox, cards & Phillies.

Me: 7 years of college not wasted.

Great story...Assuming you mean Kent Tekulve, did he wear those goofy glasses even back then in HS?

"We are family!..."

My bad, you're talking about Jose DeLeon. Don't forget about those 7 games he played with the Expos in '95.

Still a great story, 3's...thanks.