Bryn Smith- Played major league baseball.
Ray Morowski- Played minor league baseball
Clayton Kershaw- Currently playing major league baseball (role model)
Vince Sagisi- Professional baseball scout
Chris Stevens- Allen Hancock College's baseball coach.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Masterpiece Essay #1
There are so many career paths to choose from and as of right now I am choosing to pursue my dream of playing baseball in college and beyond. Most people will say it's a long shot, but it is a risk I am willing to take. I have chosen to take this path because I have played for twelve consecutive years, I have the ability to compete at the next level, and most of all I enjoy playing.
At age six I started playing baseball competitively and to just quit now would leave me with feeling empty. Over the twelve years I have played I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The highs are what I keep chasing and the lows are something that I have learned to cope with. Baseball is a game of failure and you can't spend to much time dwelling on the negative aspect or it will effect your performance. I will continue to chase the highs of baseball because I have already invested so much time into the game that it would wasteful to give up now.
Because I have played for so long, I have developed the skills necessary to compete against almost everybody. During the past few Summers, there were times where I pitched against college players. Some of the time I was successful when pitching against them and other times they got the better of me. The fact that I was occasionally successful against them means that I do have what it takes to compete at that level, I just have to refine my skills. My coaches always taught me that it is better play against tougher players and sometimes lose the battle then to play against mediocre players and always win the battle. They said this because if you always win you will think there is no room to improve, but if you lose you will try and get better so that you will succeed more often. For that reason I love to play against top notch competitors.
Lastly, baseball is the path I have chosen because it's what I enjoy doing and I can see myself doing it in the future. I have heard plenty of stories about people that hate there job and wake up every morning dreading driving to work. Personally I want nothing to do with a job like that and I will do everything I can to avoid ending up in that position. As I look ahead to the future I can see myself climbing out of bed and heading over to a baseball diamond to play some ball and that is why I ignore the people who doubt me and just focus on improving my game.
Overall I think my reasons for choosing this path are now clear. Life without goals is a dangerous thing and my goal of playing baseball in college and beyond keeps me in check. It keeps me motivated to keep up my grades and continue working hard. We all have something in life that defines us and baseball is what defines me.
At age six I started playing baseball competitively and to just quit now would leave me with feeling empty. Over the twelve years I have played I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The highs are what I keep chasing and the lows are something that I have learned to cope with. Baseball is a game of failure and you can't spend to much time dwelling on the negative aspect or it will effect your performance. I will continue to chase the highs of baseball because I have already invested so much time into the game that it would wasteful to give up now.
Because I have played for so long, I have developed the skills necessary to compete against almost everybody. During the past few Summers, there were times where I pitched against college players. Some of the time I was successful when pitching against them and other times they got the better of me. The fact that I was occasionally successful against them means that I do have what it takes to compete at that level, I just have to refine my skills. My coaches always taught me that it is better play against tougher players and sometimes lose the battle then to play against mediocre players and always win the battle. They said this because if you always win you will think there is no room to improve, but if you lose you will try and get better so that you will succeed more often. For that reason I love to play against top notch competitors.
Lastly, baseball is the path I have chosen because it's what I enjoy doing and I can see myself doing it in the future. I have heard plenty of stories about people that hate there job and wake up every morning dreading driving to work. Personally I want nothing to do with a job like that and I will do everything I can to avoid ending up in that position. As I look ahead to the future I can see myself climbing out of bed and heading over to a baseball diamond to play some ball and that is why I ignore the people who doubt me and just focus on improving my game.
Overall I think my reasons for choosing this path are now clear. Life without goals is a dangerous thing and my goal of playing baseball in college and beyond keeps me in check. It keeps me motivated to keep up my grades and continue working hard. We all have something in life that defines us and baseball is what defines me.
Spring Vocabulary #7
composure- the state or feeling o being calm and in control of oneself
Bob kept his composure when things got crazy.
index- an indicator, sign, or measure of something
A team's record may serve as an index of a coach's effectiveness.
recuperate- recover from illness or exertion.
It took a while to recuperate after running 10 sprints.
brisk- active, fast, and energetic.
I briskly jogged to the store.
contrary- opposite in direction, nature, or meaning
Contrary to popular belief, I am a hard worker.
urgency- importance requiring swift action.
As the season goes on, the urgency to win increases.
determination- firmness of purpose
My determination to be successful keeps me positive.
endorse- declare support of something
I would endorse the company who made my glove.
paramount- more important than anything else
Don't walk around as if you are paramount.
comprehensive- of or relating to understanding
You have to be comprehensive in the classroom as well as on the field.
refine- remove impurities or unwanted elements from
Refine your skills to become the best player possible.
poised- having a composed and self-assured manner
It's important to stay poised in hectic situations.
implement- put into effect
Have the new rules been implemented?
tendency- an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior
Some pitchers have a tendency to throw a curveball with two strikes.
deceptive- misleading
It's good for pitchers to be deceptive.
Bob kept his composure when things got crazy.
index- an indicator, sign, or measure of something
A team's record may serve as an index of a coach's effectiveness.
recuperate- recover from illness or exertion.
It took a while to recuperate after running 10 sprints.
brisk- active, fast, and energetic.
I briskly jogged to the store.
contrary- opposite in direction, nature, or meaning
Contrary to popular belief, I am a hard worker.
urgency- importance requiring swift action.
As the season goes on, the urgency to win increases.
determination- firmness of purpose
My determination to be successful keeps me positive.
endorse- declare support of something
I would endorse the company who made my glove.
paramount- more important than anything else
Don't walk around as if you are paramount.
comprehensive- of or relating to understanding
You have to be comprehensive in the classroom as well as on the field.
refine- remove impurities or unwanted elements from
Refine your skills to become the best player possible.
poised- having a composed and self-assured manner
It's important to stay poised in hectic situations.
implement- put into effect
Have the new rules been implemented?
tendency- an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior
Some pitchers have a tendency to throw a curveball with two strikes.
deceptive- misleading
It's good for pitchers to be deceptive.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Spring Vocabulary #6
Colleague- a person with whom one works
John is going to be my colleague for this project.
Proverbial- referring to something well known
He stuck out like a proverbial sore thumb.
Methodically- arranged or proceeding in regular, systematic order
Jim methodically goes to the gym and then goes swimming.
Goading- provoke or annoy someone to cause a reaction
I always goad my brother.
Paralysis- the loss of the ability to move and sometimes feel anything in part or most of the body
Paralysis can be the caused by illness.
Tentative- not certain or fixed
Take a look at the tentative lineup.
Desperate- feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.
I'm desperate for money.
Lousy- very bad or poor.
We had to use lousy equipment.
Nourish- provide with food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
My parents do everything they can to nourish me.
Adequate- acceptable in quantity or quality.
I pitched adequately last weekend.
Optimal- best or most favorable
What is the optimal decision?
Void- no valid
The contract was void.
Diuretic- causing increased passing of urine
Drinking a lot of water causes people to become diuretic.
Maximize- make as large or as great as possible
I'm trying to maximize my potential.
Lethargic- feeling sluggish
After eating a big meal I felt lethargic
Stimulus- causing something to happen
The electricity acts as a stimulus to light bulbs.
Ballistic- relating to the flight of a projectile.
The birds flight was ballistic.
Regimen- a medical or dietary way of life.
I need to change my eating regimen.
Hinder- create problems for someone resulting in delay or obstruction
The injury hindered the mans abilities.
Mimic- imitate typically in order to entertain or annoy
It's annoying when people mimic me.
John is going to be my colleague for this project.
Proverbial- referring to something well known
He stuck out like a proverbial sore thumb.
Methodically- arranged or proceeding in regular, systematic order
Jim methodically goes to the gym and then goes swimming.
Goading- provoke or annoy someone to cause a reaction
I always goad my brother.
Paralysis- the loss of the ability to move and sometimes feel anything in part or most of the body
Paralysis can be the caused by illness.
Tentative- not certain or fixed
Take a look at the tentative lineup.
Desperate- feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.
I'm desperate for money.
Lousy- very bad or poor.
We had to use lousy equipment.
Nourish- provide with food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
My parents do everything they can to nourish me.
Adequate- acceptable in quantity or quality.
I pitched adequately last weekend.
Optimal- best or most favorable
What is the optimal decision?
Void- no valid
The contract was void.
Diuretic- causing increased passing of urine
Drinking a lot of water causes people to become diuretic.
Maximize- make as large or as great as possible
I'm trying to maximize my potential.
Lethargic- feeling sluggish
After eating a big meal I felt lethargic
Stimulus- causing something to happen
The electricity acts as a stimulus to light bulbs.
Ballistic- relating to the flight of a projectile.
The birds flight was ballistic.
Regimen- a medical or dietary way of life.
I need to change my eating regimen.
Hinder- create problems for someone resulting in delay or obstruction
The injury hindered the mans abilities.
Mimic- imitate typically in order to entertain or annoy
It's annoying when people mimic me.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Welcome to the Interdisciplinary
Studying psychology is interdisciplinary to playing baseball. Baseball is 90% mental so it's definitely a good idea to basically become your own psychologist. You have to know how to deal with failure and be innovative in figuring out ways to be successful.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Resources:1
1. http://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting-tools/college-baseball-recruiting/baseball-recruiting-guidelines/baseball-pitcher
-Requirements to play at different levels of baseball in college.
2. http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_workouts.htm
-Different pitching workouts that will help me gain more velocity on my pitches.
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryn_Smith
-Bryn Smith played 12 years of Major League Baseball and is an expert I personally know.
4. www.umpirebob.com/data/scouts_pitching.htm
-What baseball scouts look for in pitchers.
5. http://www.active.com/baseball/articles/baseball-player-mental-toughness-guide
-The mental toughness it takes to play baseball.
-Requirements to play at different levels of baseball in college.
2. http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_workouts.htm
-Different pitching workouts that will help me gain more velocity on my pitches.
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryn_Smith
-Bryn Smith played 12 years of Major League Baseball and is an expert I personally know.
4. www.umpirebob.com/data/scouts_pitching.htm
-What baseball scouts look for in pitchers.
5. http://www.active.com/baseball/articles/baseball-player-mental-toughness-guide
-The mental toughness it takes to play baseball.
Launch
What do you really want to do?
-Play baseball and improve everyday during the season.
How can you use the tools from Fall?
- I can use social media to contact people who can help me fulfill my dream.
What will I need to do so that in June I have no regrets and feel awesome?
-I need to have the best season of my life and become a league champion.
What will impress/convince others?
-My performance on and off the field.
What are you doing to make your idea a reality?
-I'm working harder than I ever have in my life to make this a reality.
Building a community.?
-I have a lot of peers pursuing the same dream as me. There are a ton of public facilities and people who are there to help (camps, showcases, etc.). Lastly, I'm in contact with experts who have played at the highest level and who are there to help guide me.
-Play baseball and improve everyday during the season.
How can you use the tools from Fall?
- I can use social media to contact people who can help me fulfill my dream.
What will I need to do so that in June I have no regrets and feel awesome?
-I need to have the best season of my life and become a league champion.
What will impress/convince others?
-My performance on and off the field.
What are you doing to make your idea a reality?
-I'm working harder than I ever have in my life to make this a reality.
Building a community.?
-I have a lot of peers pursuing the same dream as me. There are a ton of public facilities and people who are there to help (camps, showcases, etc.). Lastly, I'm in contact with experts who have played at the highest level and who are there to help guide me.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Spring Vocabulary #5
Intangible- not having physical presence
You can't be intangible as a pitcher.
Potential-showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future
He may not be that good right now, but he has potential.
Stamina- the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort
It takes a lot of stamina to do cross-country races.
Consistent- unchanging in achievement or effort over a period of time.
You need to be consistent if you want to be successful.
Prototypical-a pattern of similar things.
Exercising is prototypical.
Repertoire- a supply of something
Pitchers have a repertoire of different pitches.
Aspiration- hope or ambition to achieve something
I have aspirations to be successful.
Ethic- a set of moral principles
I sign an ethic code of conduct every year.
Misconception- an opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty understanding
It seems there's been a misconception.
Plyometric- a jump training exercise that exerts the most force in the shortest amount of time
Today we are doing plyometrics.
Emphasis- special importance, value or prominence given to something
My mom put emphasis on the fact that I had practice to do.
Precaution- a measure taken to prevent future danger, or harm in the future
Take the proper precautions to ensure prolonged health
Isolate- cause something to be apart from other things
Isolate your muscles during workouts.
Oscillating- move or swing back and forth at regular speed
The swing set was oscillating.
Stabilize- make unlikely to give way
Doctors stabilize patients when they are sick.
Maintain- cause to continue
I maintain my above average GPA.
Inform- give someone facts or information
I informed the man of his punishment.
Debut- a person's first appearance in a particular role
The man debuted on the first week of July 2015.
Implement- put into effect
The new law was implemented last week.
Innovate- make changes in something by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
Society needs to innovate if they are looking to improve.
You can't be intangible as a pitcher.
Potential-showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future
He may not be that good right now, but he has potential.
Stamina- the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort
It takes a lot of stamina to do cross-country races.
Consistent- unchanging in achievement or effort over a period of time.
You need to be consistent if you want to be successful.
Prototypical-a pattern of similar things.
Exercising is prototypical.
Repertoire- a supply of something
Pitchers have a repertoire of different pitches.
Aspiration- hope or ambition to achieve something
I have aspirations to be successful.
Ethic- a set of moral principles
I sign an ethic code of conduct every year.
Misconception- an opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty understanding
It seems there's been a misconception.
Plyometric- a jump training exercise that exerts the most force in the shortest amount of time
Today we are doing plyometrics.
Emphasis- special importance, value or prominence given to something
My mom put emphasis on the fact that I had practice to do.
Precaution- a measure taken to prevent future danger, or harm in the future
Take the proper precautions to ensure prolonged health
Isolate- cause something to be apart from other things
Isolate your muscles during workouts.
Oscillating- move or swing back and forth at regular speed
The swing set was oscillating.
Stabilize- make unlikely to give way
Doctors stabilize patients when they are sick.
Maintain- cause to continue
I maintain my above average GPA.
Inform- give someone facts or information
I informed the man of his punishment.
Debut- a person's first appearance in a particular role
The man debuted on the first week of July 2015.
Implement- put into effect
The new law was implemented last week.
Innovate- make changes in something by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
Society needs to innovate if they are looking to improve.
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