Tell Them, Tell Them What You Told Them, And Then Tell Them Again

Over the years, we have seen two types of players that make it to the next level. The quiet leaders and the vocal leaders. Both are great for team morale and team unity. The vocal leader is the spark in the dugout that keeps everyone loose with upbeat banter and funny comments. He also is the guy that can back it up with his work ethic. These guys are coaches dreams and will carry that confidence into a great career someday..and we are not just talking a baseball career.

The other leader is the quiet leader. He isn't as vocal, maybe not as out going, but is respected because he shows his leadership on the field. This player is highly competitive and finishes first in all of the drills and is the first to arrive and the last to leave practice. He is incredibly coachable and makes up for his lack of vocal skills with keen listening and attentiveness. He too is every coaches dream and will be a success in the classroom and in the business world.

But as different as they are from a personality standpoint, they are quite similar with their work ethic and the humbleness. Great leaders are humble and while the vocal leader is loud in the dugout...off the field you would never know how really good he is. It is the same with the quiet leader. That's why they are leaders. They are well liked and well respected that way. It's this humble attitude that sometimes gets in the way of a good recruiting campaign however. We have seen players be way too humble in touting their accomplishments to college coaches. They think it's bragging.

Yes, it IS bragging if players beat their chest at school or at a party by telling everyone about their stats and press clippings. No one likes that guy.

It IS NOT bragging if players are writing a letter to a college coach however.

If a player leads the league in hitting, RBI's, ERA or fielding and is awarded some post season accolades, they need to put all of that information into a letter or profile sheet. Our post two days ago talked about the need to sell a players abilities and talents. Well a player needs to realize that the "product" he is selling is himself and in order to make that sale, he is going to have to give that coach all of the features, benefits and facts to convince that coach to "buy".

And like any good salesman, players need to be persistent. They need to tell the coaches, tell them what they told them and then tell them again and again and again. It's not bragging guys. It's exchanging important information that will hopefully impact the future of the college coach's team.

So, when you sophomores and juniors send out your profile sheets, letters and emails to coaches, don't be afraid to give them all of your stats, accolades and accomplishments. Back it up with clippings, stats from your College Development Program or high schools web site too. Pitchers, infielders and catchers can benefit by showing video of their fielding and pitching technique and all hitters should do the same.

Players don't have to hire a company to do this. In this You Tube World we live in, a player can produce his own video...just don't go crazy with it with music and graphics. This is the time for both sophomores and juniors to ramp it up. Coaches are in a good position to read letters and watch videos this time of year...Good luck
RT Staff