High School team try-outs conclude.

      Today most high school baseball coaches will place a list of player's names on a bulletin board or an athletic office wall congratulating players who made the varsity and JV teams for the 2026 season.  This tradition has taken place for over 50 years, and many ball players will be excited to know they are part of the school's baseball program.  The anticipation from the time the player woke up this morning, until he actually reads the posted list, is incredible.  Some players know they are going to be a varsity starter and they are excited to see who else will be joining them as teammates.  Some are guys just hoping to get a uniform for Varsity or JV because they love baseball and want so badly to say they are baseball player.  Some played JV as a freshman and badly want to be listed on the varsity roster.  Many have worked so hard in the off season and are hoping that their effort has paid off to make the team. Whatever your personal story is, I congratulate all of you that have had that joy of seeing your name on that list.  For all of you, the real work begins today.  What kind of teammate will you be?  How hard will you work to improve your game?  What sacrifices will you make to represent your school this year? You only get four years to be a high school baseball player.  Will you get the most out of that opportunity?

     For the boys who didn't see their name on that list.  I encourage you to stay with baseball and keep working.  I personally have known many boys that were cut by their high school program and went on to do great things in baseball.  I have seen many boys get cut in high school and go on to play college baseball.  Get with a good summer program and develop your skills.  Use this entire next year to get in the weight room, develop strength.  Put together a throwing program and develop arm strength.  Use your passion for baseball and let it motivate you.  Sometimes the high school coach cut the wrong kid. I was a high school coach for many years and I know I made this mistake.  It is very difficult for coaches to know every kid in a short period of time.  They are human, and they make mistakes.  Sometimes coaches keep kids for the wrong reason.  Maybe it's a friend's kid, or a fellow teacher's kid.  There can be a lot of reasons you didn't make the team, but don't use those excuses to quit.  Use them to motivate. Larry Bowa's high school coach once told him he was cut because he was just too small to play baseball.  Larry Bowa went on to play 15 years in the major leagues with the Phillies and the Cubs.  Coaches can be wrong.  Feel sad over the weekend and then get up Monday morning and go for a run before school.  Start developing immediately.  This is not the end unless you let it be the end.