Baseball is no doubt a tough sport to play. Bad pitches, bad swings, bad calls happen all the time, and it’s easy to start doubting yourself in those times. It’s important to remember that some things you can’t control, and to remember you always have another chance to try again.
“It’s very easy to start doubting yourself in baseball whether that’s because of a bad outing or because you’re in a slump,” Alejandro Morales (11) said, “Personally, I tend to doubt myself when I have bad outings and how to get over it is simply getting back out there and trying again. Not every pitch is [going to] be perfect but as long as I try my best, and control the things I can control, I will be content.”
When it comes down to playing the game, it’s the players’ responsibility. Mistakes happen, and it’s important to remember that the team has each other’s backs no matter what.
Baseball isn’t just tough physically, but mentally too.
“Baseball is a game of failure,” Preston Camp (11) said, “If you get a hit 3 out of every 10 at bats, you are considered to be a very good hitter. You have to put mistakes that you made in the past and focus on the next pitch very quick. Failing multiple times in every game makes baseball a very tough game and makes it harder to feel good about your performances.”
Remembering the bigger goal for the team is that everyone is in it together. So even if a player is in a mentally tough space while he plays, simply remembering who or what one is playing for is rewarding.
Everyone has their “thing.” Whether it’s throwing salt over your shoulder for good luck, or a breathing exercise, it’s a “thing.” The Wylie High Varsity baseball “thing” is the group prayer. Some feel as though it brings them good luck, and some feel a connection with God.
“A tradition that we do that I enjoy a lot is team prayers,” Camp said, “It gives us a chance to connect with God and focus on who we’re really playing for. It also helps us connect as a team right before we go out and play together.”
In the end, everyone’s future is different. For Morales, he simply wants to enjoy the game of baseball and see where it takes him. But for Camp, he doesn’t plan on continuing baseball in college, but as of right now he wants to help the Wylie Pirates win as much as he can. Even though Morales’ future and Camp’s future may be different they still share the same passion for the game of baseball.