What is player development?
Player development is a term that gets thrown around a lot in today’s travel baseball world. But…what is true player development?
Player development encompasses skill development and improving knowledge about how to play the game. It is a year-round process and a huge facet of determining how much a player further develops. The development of a game plan (an approach to achieving more success) to improve on strengths and convert weaknesses into strengths is what separates those who want to make it from those who actually do make it. It begins with a passion, is reflected by enthusiasm and is achieved with hustle.
Three key factors that separate successful players from the rest of the pack include their ability to: anticipate the situation; make all the routine plays; and, strive for consistency in performance.
The Physical
Physical strength, speed and agility are all physical factors that must be continually worked on for a player to truly develop. Obviously, a player’s age is a big variable that determines what skills should be attacked at a specific age.
The Mental
Baseball is perhaps the most cerebral of all sports. The game must be studied and, if possible, this should start at a young age. Starting to learn the game at a young age allows for a natural progression of skills that can be built upon at appropriate intervals.
Learning the game and having an approach on how to attack each individual facet of the game (hitting, pitching, defense, etc.) is the key.
The Emotional
Baseball is a game of failure. The sooner that a player realizes this and learns to deal with adversity, the better position he will be in to succeed.
For example, good hitters understand that a Quality At-Bat (QAB) is the means by which many judge a hitter’s effectiveness and success. Hitters need to learn that there are many ways to help the team short of getting a base hit. This all goes back to having a plan and approach.