We are just past the halfway point of the season in Vermont, and it has been a summer of ups and downs, which is typical of any baseball season. That really is the beauty of baseball, even the best players in the game will experience failures and successes on a day-to-day basis, but there is always another game tomorrow. Professional baseball has taught me that no matter how good or bad one day or game was, tomorrow is sure to be full of its own successes and failures. It’s important to approach each day the same and not get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. Easier said than done — this game will test your mental toughness.
Minor league baseball is even more intriguing than most other levels because teams are made up of guys from all over the globe. My team has players from all over the United States and Latin America, and one player from Taiwan. It would make for quite the reality television show when you combine 30+ guys with their own personalities and cultures in one clubhouse and on one bus. Another aspect that is unique to minor league baseball is that your teammates and friends are literally competing for jobs. That is why it is important to focus on improving your own skills and let the rest play out however it will. And another thing that is different for most players in professional baseball is that some guys don’t play every game.
It’s tough for guys who are used to playing every game to be a backup and play every third or fourth day. I have experienced some of this in the past two summers, so I know that it’s important to be ready everyday, because when your name is in the lineup, it’s your time to shine. My dad says that you’re always one day away from being an everyday player.
As much as baseball will take you through the ups and downs, I’m definitely enjoying the ride. Last summer, I was fortunate enough to play in the Northwest League, where I spent most of the summer in the beautiful city of Vancouver and was able to see parts of the country I had never been to before. This summer, I’m much closer to my home in Connecticut and have played in some great stadiums all over the Northeast. Another perk of being close to home is seeing my friends and family everywhere I go on the road.
It has been so much fun leaving tickets for friends and family on the road, and then getting to spend time with them after the games. We are currently playing in Williamsport, PA, home of the Little League World Series. We have also played at some impressive stadiums in Troy, NY, Lowell, MA, Norwich, CT, Brooklyn, NY, and Aberdeen, MD. Many of these places, we have played in front of more than 5,000 fans a night. I think my favorite stadium thus far is Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen Ironbirds. For now, I’m looking forward to the second half of the summer — to the successes and failures that it will bring. I will be enjoying the ride, one day at a time.
