During Little League, I was taught the basic fundamentals of the game: use two hands when catching or fielding the ball, hit your target in the chest with every throw, keep your eye on the ball when in the batter’s box and run hard whenever you stepped between the lines.


It was basic instruction like this that allowed me to relax and have fun while I played. Who can’t use two hands to catch a ball? Or run as fast as they can to first base? That’s the easy part. But as I got older and other players grew taller and stronger, I needed to figure out how I was going to compete.


What I have learned over the years is how to take hold of what is in my own control and to not worry about what I cannot control.


The first thing is pregame preparation, what I need to do to be ready to play. I hit in the cage or off a tee before batting practice on a daily basis and take ground balls at full speed during batting practice, making sure nothing hit at me during the game will be a surprise.


I go over the other team’s lineup in order to place myself in the proper position for every hitter that will come to the plate that day. It’s important to know which players are fast or slow, and which hitters tend to pull the ball more. If while on defense you are wearing out the same patch of grass or dirt for nine innings, you are not prepared to play the game.


The same hitter should not get four hits on ground balls between the shortstop and third baseman in the same game, and if they do, that means someone is not paying enough attention to the game. It doesn’t matter if you are the star player on the team or the last guy on the bench, everyone can attain the highest level of preparation.


The second thing I’ve learned is how to be mentally prepared for nine innings of baseball. Players need to challenge themselves to concentrate on every pitch of the game. Before every pitch I think about what I am going to do with the ball if it is hit to me.


If there is a runner on first and the ball is hit hard enough I want to turn two. If the ball is hit too slow, I want to be sure to get at least one out. I don’t want anything to catch me off guard. Before every pitch I am also thinking about what I am going to do if the ball doesn’t get hit to me.


If the ball is hit to the third baseman I am going to back him up in case of a bad hop, if the ball is hit to the outfield I want to be in the correct cut-off spot for a possible relay throw. All of these thoughts are things I can control.


I am angrier at myself for not backing up a base than I am for making an error. Physical mistakes I can work on during batting practice tomorrow, but mental mistakes keep me up at night.


The third lesson I have learned to do and am still learning to do is to not compound one bad at bat or play in the field into another. It’s OK to strike out, just don’t bring it out in the field. Everyone makes errors, but don’t make a second error because you are still mad you made the first one.


Once you make an error or strike out, that play is over with, you can’t get it back. Being mad or feeling sorry for yourself only keeps you from being ready for the next play.


Trust in your preparation and remember the game is not that easy. Before every game my Dad would tell me to be prepared, play hard, and be the best player I can be, and whatever the result he was proud of me.


Sometimes that is all the instruction you need to have fun.