08/03/2021
We finished with a 20-16-2 record.
This was a longer season than normal because we began the arm-care training in late September when football players were losing their season to covid. All players had a four-day-per-week training schedule, with the exception of catchers who could go five days a week. The training activities were many and we saw considerable improvement in many players individual skill sets.
Thru these winter months we also introduce the boys to a light yoga routine. Anyone who goes on to play in college will see this become part of their daily routine. Most players tried it, and good for them to give it a chance at 13 years old.
Adding in tee work at home, and yoga on Wednesdays, there was something for players to do every day of the week ~
Sunday – Team Session
Monday – Tee Work at Home
Tuesday – Arm Care Program
Wednesday – 30 minute Home Yoga
Thursday – Arm Care Program
Friday – Team Hitting Session
Saturday – Catcher’s Workout
We continued this routine thru March, and in April we started to move outdoors. A couple scrimmages and some team outings to watch Orchard Lake St. Mary’s play high school baseball. OLSM would go on to be the #1 Ranked High School Team in the country. It was especially fun to watch Brock Porter on the mound, as his fastball climbed near 100 mph as a junior?!?
Late April and into early may was the “pre-season” hitting challenge, bringing a greater focus on swinging the bat as we worked into the start of our tournament season. We scheduled for (11) tournaments, expecting to be rained out of one or two? We played all of them – 38 games in total over the course of eleven weekends; almost 4 games a weekend. We did that with Memorial Day Weekend & the 4th of July off.
This year’s team was our best yet, finishing with a winning record playing better competition than in the past. We had (3) tournaments in Indiana, and the competition there was pretty strong. Those experiences give the boys a first-hand look at where their game is and what they need to do compete at a high level. Next year will be tougher still, moving to a full-sized field and playing even better teams.
Everyone has something to work on, something to improve. Every player should be evaluating their game, understanding their weaknesses, making a plan to improve them. This is what makes good players great. Every player who takes this approach will reach his full potential, and those unwilling to make the effort will not. The formula is that easy, but the path to get there requires commitment and sacrifice.
I wish every player the best, wherever they end up next season – especially those not returning. Doing what’s right for the team, makes it difficult to keep players who are behind the level of competition we see. It’s impossible not to love all the players, seeing them so often over the course of the year and getting to know them and their families like we do. We had GREAT FAMILIES this year too!
If you are behind right now, then work harder to catch up and be focused on the right parts of your game. If you are on next year’s roster, then build on what you have & take your game to the next level - you’re going to need it.
Always be the hardest working guy on the roster – that’s the only way you reach your full potential & the best way to insure your place in the lineup on game day.
Coach Borowski
