A Deeper Dive in Strategic Baseball Advantage Process Level 1 – Competitive Advantage
Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training On today’s show, we’re going to take a deeper dive into level one of our Strategic Advantage Baseball Process. competitive advantage.
Hey guys, welcome back to Strategic Baseball Podcast.
Last episode, we gave you an overview of our Strategic Advantage Baseball Process that we’re using here and Athletic Mission Baseball Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We mentioned on that show, the next couple episodes, we’re going to do, it’s going to be a deeper dive into the four levels of our Strategic Advantage Baseball Process, the competitive advantage, unique hitting and pitching skills, strategic advantage mindset and game day execution all of what makes up these Strategic Advantage Baseball Process. And today, we’re going to focus on competitive advantage.
Geoff and Darrell here and we help baseball players get to the next level with a strategic advantage, so that they can play with supreme confidence against the best players at any level.
In every episode, we promised to deliver value on the strategic side of player development to help your player to compete with players just as good, if not better than them.
Today, we are going to go a little bit deeper into the competitive advantage. If you caught our last episode, you got the overview of the Strategic Advantage Baseball Process, with the first level being the this competitive advantage. We explain how this is where a majority of baseball player development model is currently at and how we want to put this conversation forward.
Darrell, his a pitching strategy and Geoff a hitting strategist, and this is Strategic Baseball Podcast. If you are interested in joining our circle, head over to strategic-baseball.com You can find this in our show notes and submit your email that way you can get a reminder each time we release a new episode, a weekly tip from us, and a PDF transcription and visual of the previous episodes.
If you are a player, parent or coach who is interested in learning more about the Strategic Advantage Baseball Process for your unique situation, go ahead and email me at Geoff geoff@athletic-mission.com or Darrell at dc@starttpitching.com you’ll be able to find that in the show notes. We’d love to arrange a time to speak with you and see how we can help you.
So Darrell, you’re here man let’s How are you? How are you doing?
Doing great Geoff excited to dig into this competitive advantage in and take a little deeper dive into what guys are actually doing out there to to get ready to play at the next level man.
Awesome. Well, let’s get into the man as I mentioned earlier today, we have competitive advantage that being the first level of the Strategic Advantage Baseball Process. So let’s go ahead and dive in. And I’ll let you kick it off.
Yeah, well, I think that’s kind of where the as you stated earlier, where the majority of the baseball focuses on and I get it as you’re a young player, and you’re really learning the game or you’re really trying to decide whether baseball’s even a sport that you want to dig deeper into I think this is probably the initial focus so if parents take kids to a try out this is kind of the measurables and the different aspects of baseball that’s being judged you know how hard they throw in and how hard they hit a baseball or can they kill their position and and are they athletic and body type and all these different things that you hear.
Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training And again, as you move up and you start growing up in as we talked about around athletic mission as you start developing into your main body, you can start really trying to project some of that out but I think what happens Yep, way too early. That we get as parents and coaches and and maybe even as instructors we get so focused on the athleticism and and trying to build, strengthen, and really focus on that piece of it, that we’ve missed the baseball aspects of it that we got to teach the game. And I think that’s what you’re seeing a lot. I mean from the the improvements over the last 30 years in strength conditioning programs, and really individualized player specific training. It’s been amazing. I mean, players are bigger, faster, stronger, throw harder and Again, I’m not jealous of that I’m envious of it I’m glad that these players today are doing the work and do the things they need to do and there’s a lot of great trainers and coaches out there in this like mechanics development and strengthen conditioning and and a lot of players and can get information almost anywhere now the internet or are in your local training facility about that.
But I think what happens is when we start talking about what it takes to play at the next level, and and how do we make that transition from, you know, 50 foot or 54 feet to the 60 foot mount and then from junior varsity, varsity, and then for the players that want to move on and play college or maybe even pro ball one day, that that athleticism when they’re started to really be evaluated against kids that are just as good or better than them is not the differentiator anymore. It becomes more baseball specific skill specific. And and what you and I call unique skill specific. What what what do they do in their advanced baseball skills? So basically, what are we doing to take our athleticism, take our good mechanics take that that high velocity fastball, our fastball, and really develop it into unique baseball skills. So that would be off speed pitches and command and then honestly, understanding the situation and count and and how do we decide what is the absolute best pitch to throw. And I think that’s kind of where we took the the pitcher training and the end, the pitcher development team said athletic mission. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training And what you focus on here on the hitting side is really about now Okay, we’ve done a good job, the baseball world is doing a better job of get these guys ready. And and kids are bigger, faster, stronger now than they ever been. How do we help them then take that competitive advantage? Take that physical skill set, take those measurables and really turned it into becoming a complete baseball player based on whatever position they want to play? And then based on how did they take advantage of their physical skills? And I think that’s kind of where we’re seeing baseball. And coaches overall, start asking better questions about Yeah, man, we’re getting really good at developing baseball athletes. But are we truly developed in, you know, Game Day execution type of athletes, and really helping them complete and become a true complete baseball player? And I think that’s that’s where this conversation is going, Geoff. And I think that’s the cool thing about what we’ve done down here is we’re starting to get some positive feedback by us trying to explain that there’s more to baseball than your fiscal skill. And and I think one other thing I want to point out real quick, is that when we hear people talk all the time that that now baseball is 90%. Mental, I think that’s confusing to a lot of a lot of young players that are pretty good athletes.
The truth is, is once we get the base skill sets the fundamentals down, and we’re starting to grow and really develop out as a physically and mentally that there’s a strategic part of the game, that that makes baseball baseball. And it seems like we’ve just kind of glossed over that we kind of went through like that. It’s just like the natural evolution that, that if you are really good baseball player, you got the fundamentals down that if you just keep working harder and harder on the fundamentals, that it’s going to develop you out as a strategic player, which we define as somebody that knows how to study their opponent and create a game plan against their opponent. And I think that’s kind of the missing piece. But what’s also cool, is I think that’s where the games going. And I think now coaches and parents and players are starting to ask better questions about Okay, this is great, we’ve developed out this skill set, and my son can throw two or three pitches pretty good. Now how does that translate into having game day success?
Yeah, there you nailed it, this is a conversation that you and I have quite a bit. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training There are a ton of kids, coaches and instructor that are doing great work it really kind of amazing when you look at it, no, the kids are faster, stronger and bigger with access to a ton of information compared to when you and I played. But but but even with all of that there are players that are struggling at all levels, you know, the training and the informations is not getting guys ready for a baseball game. And you know, at the end of the day, that’s what matters. So that is where that and that’s what parents are looking for, for their kids. So you and I have been trying to fill that gap with our Strategic Advantage Baseball Process, helping guide make This next jump, though they can perform, perform in a real baseball game against an opponent who is good in a in a high pressure situation. And this is where you know, our guys tend to have the light bulb moment and realize, okay, maybe it’s not really all about the measurables, after all, because when you show up on game day, what you have is what you have. And you got to go out there and you got to compete, and you got to win with what you had, you got to execute.
Yeah, and I think, and I think it’s something that as coaches, we’ve never really took that piece on, we’ve always kind of framed it like the mental side. And, and again, there is a mental side of it, there’s a part that drives our thoughts and the way we think and the way we see things. But at the end of the day, it’s how we combine our physical skills, and the way we see things and turn that into a plan that is executable on game day. And it seems like that’s where the conversation in. So it’s easier when somebody is struggling, just to blame it on the mental side, or they’re not focused or they’re not thinking right, or they need to be more self confident. And the truth is, we see this all the time. Now we see the kids that in the bullpen, they’re pretty good man, they and they could do what they want, you know, with somewhat consistency. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training But as soon as we add that pressure, then that’s where strategy is gonna take over. And that way, it becomes more about what I’m doing on game day instead of if I’m good enough to do it on game day. And I think that right there is the switch. I call it from practice to pressure. Because a lot of the parents that call a lot of my remote clients that we have conversations about, it’s like, hey, they pitch really well. In practice, they do well in bullpens, they command it in practice games, but in scrimmages, but as soon as we cross that white line in a real baseball game, and the and the national anthem starts, then something happens. And so if we know they’re healthy, and we know they got the fiscal skill set, then the truth of it is it’s not positive self talk, it’s not clear in your mind, there’s going to go out there and let these guys compete under extreme pressure in a real baseball game. It’s got to be strategy. It’s got to be what they’re focused on, and what they know about their opponent that gives them that confidence to go ahead and execute the game plan. And so when we start putting it in that perspective, and what we’ve been doing over the last few months with our college prep guys here, you’re seeing them it’s a deeper conversation.
Yes. Is it a tougher conversation? I don’t think so. I think it’s just a matter of how we continue to level these guys up through these four stages. And these four levels of creating a strategic advantage mindset. And I think that’s the cool thing about this conversation and start to engage more coaches and players and parents about Hey, man, your son is really super talented or you got players on your team that’s underperforming, then we can’t just keep going back and changing their physical skill set. If their physical skill sets pretty good. Every time we make a change to them, it starts screwing with their confidence. So the reality of it is, is how do we sit here and honestly assess these guys and and say, okay, because every year, we’re going to have to go through these four levels. We’re going to go through an offseason training we’re going to do our preseason stuff to get ready for the season. And then we’re going to start games and so as we move through this competitive age and and really what is my unique pitching or hitting skills, and then into the strategy piece, that is the preparation piece that all these coaches talk about, but a lot of times we don’t really help these guys completely develop out what is the game day strategy where within that strategy can they make competent adjustments? And and that’s the reality of what happens in a real baseball game. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training So now how do we take that out to the field? And I think that’s the cool thing about strategic advantage baseball and kind of the conversation we’re trying to have is Hey, man, there’s a lot of good work being done at the strength and conditioning, the arm care the velocity piece, the exit velocity all the hitting side the swing, but now how do we really want focus on developing individual players and to how do we help them really create a game plan based on their individual skill set and take it out there and executed in a way that not only helps them perform better but it helps the team win and and overall the way we play the game better?
Yeah, and when we look around, you know more want to have this conversation. And what’s cool about our Strategic Advantage Baseball Process that we developed is that if they real process You know, profits is like a buzzword. And when you when you ask guide what their profit is, they can’t really tell you. So this is where our strategic advantage bait ball profit, which is a real step by step process. And really it’s designed to stack on top of work guides are really doing, you know, so it’s not meant to replace what they’re doing, but really meant to enhance what they’re doing and what they’re doing really well. And this is what you and I believe it really missing a real process. And then of course, we get into the hardest, how do you teach it, which is going to be the key. But another thing that you mentioned that I want to bring back up at the end, when we talk about the mental side, the mental side, you know, this competitive advantage, and even the unique hitting guilt, we’re gonna talk about the next episode. This is the you parts, you know, this is the you personally. You showed me the other day there was a poll on Twitter. And somebody asked what was what was missing? And the two choices what the mentor or the strategy. And, to my surprise, most of the majority people said it was the mental side, which is interesting. And I think it’s really just because the lack of clarity and understanding of what strategy really is. And so when we talk about the mental, we’re talking about you individually, which is important. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training And what you and I see, and this is okay, because this is the competitive advantage, and this is good, whenever you’re facing guides that are that you’re better than but the moment you start facing guides that are just as good or better than you, then this is where strategy mattered because it’s about it’s about them and their preparation against them. And that based on what they know about themselves,
What they know about that person, the the picture of the hitter individually. Now, I’m jumping ahead a little bit, but I think it’s important to understand that the competitive advantage goes to the unique or the advanced skills, and then eventually into the strategic advantage.
Yeah, and I think what we’ll do, just to see what you’re going to see, Geoff is I think this is a piece that not only are people ready to have a conversation about and and we’re not downplaying that here that physical skills, athleticism, all of that stuff will open doors and give you opportunities, don’t get me wrong, what we’re talking about is now how do we take those opportunities that those doors open, and then on the opposite end of that, with these younger players that are that are going to be more late bloomers, then how do we keep them playing the game, because I think I think we’re over projecting or under projecting or however you want to call it. And we’re running some really good baseball players young baseball players out of the game, because they don’t feel like they’re going to project out yet. And and what we drive home to these guys athlete mission, you don’t have to be really good until you’re 2021 you know, you just got to keep getting better, and there’ll be a place for you to play in college. Now, it might not be the one or it might not be at the biggest baseball school in the country.
But if you keep working that you don’t have to be, you know, judged and graded out by your, your measurables that 15 and 16 forever and so it’s just kind of keeping that mindset of how do we keep these players going and not being so hyper focused on measurables that we forget that baseball is played on the field man and that the the true serum of really the reality of how good you are is determined on how well you play on game day. And and the stuff that we do up to that point important. But at the end of the day, man, a lot of the calls that I’m getting now from you know, guys from outside of Tulsa is really about Hey, now I throw 90-91-92 and I’m still not able to go ahead and command my pitches are not having success I have on game day, what what is going on what is wrong? Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training And I think that’s what we’re hearing and getting feedback from coaches across this country too is that there’s a lot of guys that are really pounded into baseball and and but they’re not getting that game day success and kind of what is missing, you know, they got the physical skill set. But now all of a sudden, it ain’t translating into unique skills and they they translate into a strategy that is executable on game day.
Yeah, and that’s what makes this a very fun conversation with with a kid because it’s not all about Yeah, measurable and when they realize this, you can see them kind of just relax for a little bit. And now they can like really focus on their game and where they’re currently at and not get stolen. up with their name not being on that whiteboard for the highest exit velocity or that whiteboard for the throne velocity. And it’s cool because now you can see them really focusing on them. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training And not everybody else but they’ve really gotten out of this comparing and convinced mindset. They made the switch to what you call the compete and contribute mind that and make it all about them where they’re at and where they want to go.
And I think that that really ties up the competitive advantage piece of it, we see now man that you got to get out of that compared convinced mindset and really move into that compete and contribute mindset. And that kind of sets you free to go out. And, and again, the paradox of baseball is that it really is an individual team sport, you know, so you got to understand that concept that a lot of the stuff you have to do individually is going to impact the team as a whole. And and again, there’s nothing wrong with that it’s just the reality of the game that we play. And so do your work you know your individual skill set matters and and your athleticism and your physical capability is important to to be able to performance stay healthy, but at the same time, it’s the first step of being a really good baseball player. Tulsa Baseball Mental Game Training And and hopefully over these next few shows we’ll start breaking down the other three steps and taking a deeper dive into that.
Yeah, so that breaks down the level one of our Strategic Advantage Baseball Process, competitive advantage. Again, there’s a lot of people doing really good work, we just want to push the conversation forward. So I’m glad we’re having this conversation. Anyways, if you guys liked this content podcast this conversation please leave us a review. And again, visit our strategic-baseball.com and join our list. In the next episode, we’re going to talk about the neck, the second level of our caveman baseball process, would you do unique hitting and pitching skills don’t take that a little bit further and we will catch you all then.
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