Context before the contest is one of my most important blogs, so I asked Rachael Barron to help me with it. You will learn more about her shortly as well as why context matters.
Below is a recent tweet from Chan Brown, a former Georgia State University teammate of mine. He’s currently the head baseball coach at Parkview High School as well as a USA Baseball manager.
I’m in agreement with Chan, and blogs like this help develop a better generation of parents and baseball players.
Baseball needs context before the contest. Swing away Rachael.
One-on-one with Rachael Barron
Academic Coach for Executive Functions & Owner of W3 Connections
How were you introduced to baseball?
I was 9 years old living in Belgium. When we moved to Europe from the States, girls were not allowed to play soccer in Europe, so American baseball was the only sport available to me.
When my oldest son, Wilson, who has cerebral palsy was 5, we were told about a program at Buckhead Baseball for children with disabilities to enjoy the game. Originally called the Challenger Baseball Program, it’s now the Buddy Baseball Program. It was our family’s introduction to baseball.
Eventually, my husband, David, ran the program, which helps children with all types of abilities and disabilities enjoy the game. Buddy players are assisted by 12 year old major’s players with whom they were paired for the season. The children formed lasting bonds.
Our younger two boys started playing in the Buddy program. Both play to this day. Interestingly, our family’s introduction to baseball began with an athletic opportunity for our son with a disability.
Tell us your child’s name who trains with us.
Walker Barron, age 12
How many years has he been playing baseball?
Eight years of organized baseball, plus two tagging along with brothers.
Why does he play?
He loves and breathes it.
Why do you support his desire to play baseball?
Because he has a passion for it. He has goals he wants to accomplish. It teaches him discipline, how to develop skills and not just rely on talent.
How do you define context?
Setting, time, place, experiences
How would you teach the word context to a 5 year old?
Look around you, see your surroundings, see yourself in the picture? That’s context.
What does your son need to know about the context of training this winter? How will it help him prepare for 2017?
He needs to understand that his job during this window of time is to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. He needs to develop the grit to persevere [through] “unexciting” things to prepare for exciting things. He must begin to advocate for himself (understand his game) and make decisions about his game for the spring. He will learn that to become excellent takes hard work outside of the limelight, and that his investment will pay off.
The time he invests this winter has a direct impact on how he will perform in the spring/summer. He has access to a unique training and that context will set him apart for what is to come. It will mean more “becoming comfortable” with “being uncomfortable.”
What is his specific short-term goal (one to five years) for baseball in one to 10 words?
Make the USA team and play on the Woodward Academy Varsity team in 10th grade with a .300 batting average.
What is your son’s specific short term goal (1-5 years) for life in one to 10 words?
Make better grades in school As & Bs.
What is your son’s specific long-term goal (six-10 years) for baseball in one to 10 words?
Play for UGA with a 400 batting average
There is a lot of learning in the process and it’s not all about baseball. Development of a young player and child takes time, marathon not a sprint. Relationships matter.
What is his specific long-term goal (six-10 years) for life in one to 10 words?
Go to a good college and play baseball.
Why do you allow your son to train with us?
It is a privilege to work with C.J. He’s learning much more than baseball; he’s growing into himself.
How do you define success in baseball?
Accomplishing his personal goals, whatever they may be. Learning from setbacks, learning to persevere.
What are the top three things your son must do mentally this winter to have a successful spring/summer season?
Develop the confidence to fail and practice making adjustments; persevere. It’s not always fun.
What are the top three things he must do physically this winter to have a successful spring/summer?
Speed, strength and agility conditioning; catching increased speed of pitches; bat reps, core strength
As a mother, what are the top three challenges you face in preparing your son to reach his short- and long-term baseball goals?
Time is a finite resource. Sometimes he struggles to accept suggestions. Discipline is a practice to be developed across domains – academic, personal responsibility and sports. Don’t shoot the messenger.
How do you define a “great” coach?
Someone who invests him/herself into others for the up-building of the student/player or program. The coach must be able to “see” the weakness or skill deficiency and programmatically understand what steps the player must take to develop those weaknesses into strengths. Coaches hold players accountable, show them how to be successful and encourage.
Why does your son need a “great” coach?
Walker is a great kid and he has ambitious goals. It’s my job as a parent to help him find the people who need to be a part of his team to reach those goals. That also means challenging him.
What’s a question a coach should ask your son but never does?
What are your goals and what’s the best way I can help you reach them?
What’s a question parents should ask their child’s coach?
What are your expectations for my son at this time (the season, our engagement, etc.) and how can I help him the most?
What do you hope for my future as a baseball coach in one to 10 words?
Potent impact – every player; every organization that engages you.
What do you hope for me as a person in one to 10 words?
“That he continues to expand his knowledge, experience, perspective and influence.” – 1 Chron 4:10
What do you hope for your son’s future as a baseball player in one to 10 words?
Achieves his goals, demonstrates excellence, learns to lead, impacts others.
What do you hope for your son’s future as a person in one to 10 words?
That he becomes an example of our Lord by loving others, being generous, serving with integrity and an encourager.
How would you like your responses to these questions to be received by other mothers who are supporting the baseball dreams of their sons?
There is a lot of learning in the process and it’s not all about baseball. Development of a young player and child takes time, marathon not a sprint. Relationships matter.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.
BIO
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an area scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, CJ has more than 12 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and track record of success that can work for you.
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