Dealing with Failure

Do not say the dreaded saying...

“Baseball is a game of failure”

Possibly the most annoying phrase uttered consistently around the game of baseball. 

We get it… hitters get out ¾ of the time and are still considered good. 

But…

A pitcher who gets 70% of hitters out is not good. 

So what really is failure? Because it's certainly something deeper than just going 0-3 one game and it's certainly deeper than walking the house when you pitch or giving up a bunch of nukes.  

If you're “good” according to league average then are you **really** failing? Not really in my opinion. A hitter hitting .450 still gets out over half the time, but no one with any baseball knowledge would say they are failing. 

Failure is relative to the environment you're in. Obviously the longer you play the more likely you are to have slumps, bad outings and tough stretches of the season where nothing goes right. 

A kid who spent the last 9 months training his guts out to make the Varsity team doesn't need to hear “baseball is a game of failure kid, shake it off”

Someone who spent the entire year hitting .110 and striking out half of his at bats does not need to hear that

Someone who gets cut from their dream college after having a tough transition their freshman year doesn’t need it either.

Your players deserve better than a “yeah man failure is a thing here you just gotta deal with it”

It's time for you to level up your advice, because players drastically need good advice now more than ever before. 

A teammate of mine was struggling. They walked the house in back to back starts and didn't make it out of the first inning. 

It wasn't the time for “baseball is a game of failure”, because pitching isn't. Pitchers don't walk the house and they certainly aren't supposed to get canned in the first inning in back to back starts. He deserved better, and that's a lazy answer. 

But!

He was 18. And pitching is hard, it's even harder when you're 18 and way over your head talent wise and competing against players that are 2-3 years older than you. Being thousands of miles from home and taking difficult college classes for the first time doesn’t make life any easier.

He was worried about getting benched (Fair), getting cut after the season (fair), and that he wouldn't have what it takes to get drafted and play professional baseball. 

So here's what I told him. Paraphrased to be family friendly. 

“Dude you're literally 18, a year ago you were trying to find a date to prom and now youre fighting for your life against people who are months away from getting paid millions to hit baseballs.”

“The strike zone is smaller, the hitters chase less and they foul more pitches off. OF COURSE you are gonna walk more guys.”

“When I was 24 years old I had a start in which I went 2 ⅓ innings, walked 4 hitters and drilled 6. I was half a decade older than you, facing worse hitters that day and I hit 6 hitters in less than three innings **and still managed to make it to play professional baseball**. You have time to figure it out. You are closer to being in 8th grade than you are being the age in which I had a worse outing than you've ever had, you'll be alright.”

“All you have to do is improve by the smallest margin from outing to outing and you will be light years ahead of me. Don't press the panic button.”

Some choice words were added sparingly throughout the spiel to drive the point home, but thats pretty much what I said. 

And it's the truth. 

I was nearly 24, and had such a bad outing I was apologizing to players mid game because I kept drilling their hitters. I think I hit 3 in the head and was an absolute liability to the wellbeing of the other team. 

And ya know what? I still got signed. I am still playing professional baseball and fortunately I am much better for having an outing of that magnitude. 

Now imagine how an 8 year old pitching for the first time feels. They feel terrible when they fail and their parents often feel just as bad. 

The Eight year olds likely havent had an outing that bad, and even if they did…..

**THEY HAVE TO TRIPLE THEIR AGE TO BE THE AGE I WAS WHEN I PEGGED 6 HITTERS IN 2 ⅓***

All i have to say is that i am glad my coach never said:

“Baseball is a game of failure John it's totally okay that you almost set the record for NCAA hit by pitches in less than 3 innings”

I probably would have fought him. 

Not really… he was like 6’5 260, but I would have wanted too. 

Want a hitter example?

I once saw a hitter hit .049 over the course of months and then hit .600 against harder competition.

Baseball is weird man, I really don't have explanations for all of it. Some things just happen and then it'll click and you'll be the best player you've ever been. 

Now…

Here is some more straightforward words on failure by a friend of mine: 

(He uses the cliche I just trash talked for a whole newsletter)

Baseball, often referred to as a game of failure, demands resilience and mental fortitude. Even the most accomplished players encounter failures on the field. However, how one handles setbacks and learns from them can make all the difference. 

Failure is an inherent part of baseball. The most important step in dealing with it is accepting that failure is not a reflection of one's self-worth or abilities. Baseball presents numerous opportunities for both success and failure. Developing resilience allows players to bounce back after a setback, maintaining a positive mindset and focus on the next opportunity to excel. By embracing the reality that failure is an integral aspect of the game, players can free themselves from the fear of failure and channel their energy into continuous improvement.

Instead of dwelling on failure, players should view it as an opportunity for growth. Analyzing the reasons behind a failure, whether it's a strikeout or an error, can be immensely valuable. Assessing one's performance objectively, seeking feedback from coaches, and studying game footage help identify areas for improvement. By focusing on specific skills or techniques that need refinement, players can turn failure into motivation, ultimately enhancing their overall performance on the field.

Baseball is as much a mental game as it is physical. Players must develop mental preparedness to deal with failure effectively. Techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and mindfulness can help maintain focus and confidence during challenging situations. By visualizing successful outcomes and adopting a positive mindset, players can overcome the fear of failure and remain mentally resilient throughout the game. Developing mental toughness allows players to bounce back quickly from failures and stay motivated to achieve their goals.

A strong support system is crucial for handling failure in baseball. Whether it's teammates, coaches, or family members, having people who understand the challenges of the game and provide encouragement and guidance can make a significant difference. Surrounding oneself with individuals who believe in one's abilities and offer constructive feedback fosters a positive environment for growth. Sharing experiences with teammates and learning from their perspectives can also provide valuable insights and build camaraderie. A supportive network helps players stay motivated and resilient in the face of failure.

Dealing with failure in baseball is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development as a player. By accepting failure, analyzing mistakes, and utilizing mental preparation techniques, players can turn setbacks into stepping stones toward success. With a strong support system in place, athletes can overcome challenges, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and reach new heights on the baseball diamond.