Professional baseball has expanded its opportunities over the last two decades. The growth of independent leagues, winter ball, and international teams accepting import players has provided more opportunities to fulfill the ultimate childhood dream. There is more incentive to work hard to get to another level, instead of just accepting the terms that it is over when the college eligibility expires. The silver lining of this all, is that players continue to push themselves to see how good they can be. Thus, they allow themselves to be humbled, what this great game does so seamlessly, while still marching on. When one has an opportunity to run with the big boys, they then know where they rank in the game. The result creates authenticity.

Consequently, when it is all said and done as a ball player, an inner harmony from personal achievement sets in. This eases the transition process as life moves onto the next phases. You can leave the game without regrets and pass on the knowledge acquired to the next generation of hungry ball players.

Nonetheless, one could argue that the platform is being spread too thin and the talent does not equate to the prestige of professional baseball. That discussion if for another day. The bigger facet of this topic, is that the game benefits long term from the expansion. More professional baseball. More widespread knowledge of the game. Here is how:

 

Why The Expansion of Professional Baseball Matters?
More Direct Links
to Big Leaguers

The trickle down effect of anything increases advancement. It builds awareness of how to properly perform, operate, and execute the necessary tasks for success. Therefore, the more direct links to big league players, coaches, and managers…The Better! Whenever the opportunity arises to pick the brain of those who have performed at the highest level, you would be crazy to not cash in on it!  There is a right way to play the game and a wrong way. The more higher ups one can be affiliated with, the more one learns what really is the right way.

A Major Leaguer brings a very special aura to those who look up to him. He possesses the talents, experience, connections, and lifestyle that wide eyed young ball players idolize. When a man of that baseball status cares to pass along his wisdom, everyone involved benefits greatly.

There are 3 things that I have learned from my experience being around Major League players, managers, and coaches.

SIMPLICITY

Some of the greatest people I have ever met are coaches within Major League organizations. They are well rounded individuals who are passionate about their job in the game, developing players. They have paid their dues and learned how to teach the game in simplest terms. Make it basic and make it understandable, in order to make the execution more consistent. The season is too long to waste time on jargon.

COMMUNICATION

Communication is extremely important in baseball. In order to manage 25 players on a revolving door roster, all while still keeping the clubhouse in tact, coaches have to be able to communicate. It is vital to let them know how to improve, what their role is, why one is not playing, etc. It all relies on effective communication. Experienced coaches understand every player has a different personality. Their job is to get through to them efficiently. Players are too wise nowadays for the Because I said so routine.

ACCOUNTABILITY

No Excuses, No Complaining, No Blaming. There is absolutely No Room in baseball for that nonsense. When you screw up, admit it, own it, and move on. Understand that players do not make it to the Show and sign the 9 figure contracts on talent alone. They earn these positions by taking the initiative to show up and put in the work every day. By accepting the circumstances that they have a responsibility to everyone involved, it is up to them to be ready to play and produce. Many a Major Leaguer will blow you away with how they approach tasks. For many that signed out of high school, they have the experience and demeanor similar to that of a battle tested CEO. They know how to do the right thing and stand by their decisions. That gumption rubs off on their proteges.

 

Why The Expansion of Professional Baseball Matters?
Better Coaching for SURE

Bad coaching is detrimental to all involved. The bad coaches who manage to maintain a job in baseball are very good at keeping their players in the dark as to how bad they are. The used car salesmen tactic. Thankfully, with the expansion of professional baseball, these coaches are being phased out. More and more players every year are making the transition to coaching with a ton of knowledge to pass along and advance the game even further. These coaches are showing up at the high school and college levels along with the training facilities and travel ball circuit.

Proper fundamentals and mechanics are no longer a secret. Neither are strategy tactics. One aspect of coaching that experienced players bring, is how to handle adversity in the smoothest and quickest of ways. Upgraded navigation through setbacks while retaining focus is a priceless commodity in this game of failure. It is a prerequisite to making faster adjustments. A key to climbing the very precious baseball ladder.

Why The Expansion of Professional Baseball Matters?
Keeps Good Baseball People in the Game

For most of us, once we have a taste of how awesome this game truly is, nothing else in the world carries the same weight. It’s been our whole life since the formative years. Baseball has taken us to a lot of great places, introduced us to tremendous teammates, taught us life lessons on warp speed, and brought irreplaceable levels of dopamine hits and adrenaline rushes. How in the world will an entry level 9-5 job be able to entice us after all this phenomena???

With the expansion of professional baseball has also brought upgrades to amateur baseball which were not available 20 years ago. More college baseball programs are now profitable. Every well populated area has a multitude of baseball training facilities. Advanced technology in development is only getting larger. As a result, there are now more paid baseball positions to be filled by qualified candidates. When coaches carry professional baseball status, the credibility of these organisations increases drastically. The more knowledge and experience one has from the top, the more InDemand their services are. The acquired accountability from baseball has taught us how to deliver, as failure is never an option.

HIGH END CONTRIBUTIONS

Baseball teaches us a lot about giving back. This great game can provide it’s players with so much in both monetary units and life experience. Therefore, it is pertinent to pay it forward with the knowledge amassed. Naturally, those who find passion in developing players do a great service to the game. Add more understanding of how the game flows, and baseball continues to get stronger and BOLDER.

Keep Dominating!!!