It is that time of the year again! The hot stove is sizzling. Players are on the move and big money is being thrown at them left and right. 2 players may top $300 Million. Love it or hate it, free agency has long been a part of this game. For those who loathe the process, it is not going anywhere. It will only get crazier!

How can this impact you, the fresh faced amateur pitcher with HUGE dreams? Hell, even multiple 9 figure dreams! GO BIG or GO HOME, right?!?!

As organizations prepare for potential free agents, they do extensive research on whether or not players would be a fit for their team. That goes well beyond just stats. There are many factors that go into these mega contracts. Let’s look at 5 qualities of ball players which they are evaluated upon…and you too!

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
Character

First and foremost, Character is a great judge of what kind of a ball player one may be. Character is defined as not only what he will do—but also by what he will fail to do. One’s character is revealed by how he responds to failure–and how he responds to success. [1] This is a core point of judgement, for both on and off the field activities. Baseball comes with a great deal of adversity and pressure cooker situations. The proper response is vital to be considered for a MASSIVE payout, let alone a roster spot. Talent with lacking character will eventually be a headache for those involved. Many organizations will PASS. 

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
Work Ethic

This is no secret. The best and highest paid players in the game are the hardest workers. Don’t let the super freak exceptions tell you otherwise. Many may cruise to the Bigs, then reality sets in their second time around the league. Now it is time to make the necessary adjustments. Understand, it is more than just putting in the work. It’s a matter of knowing what/why/when/how to correct things. Doing so, with relentless pursuit of cleaning up your game. Free Agency occurs after the 6 (or 7) years of club control have ended. Organizations evaluate all of the intricate improvements players have made during that time. Just remember, not every top prospect makes it to their massive payday….Something to consider.

This game waits for no one and the instant feedback is honest. Stagnation in progression highlights hoards of peers moving ahead. There is always something to be improved upon. If Michael Jordan touted so that frequently, then who in the world are the any of the rest of us to be crazy enough to think we are above it?

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
Consistency

In a game of failure, consistency is an extremely InDemand commodity. Showing up everyday with the fervent intent to succeed and help the team win does not have it’s own statistic. However, it does impact what the back of the baseball card has to say. Combined with the aforementioned Character and Work Ethic, Consistency dictates a lot about how dedicated is a player. Those who Come To Play Every Day are leaders, winners, and motivators. This can all be done without even saying a word. Actions Speak LOUDLY!

Consistency in one’s approach is what gets a player through the days when the body is screaming NO. When the mind would rather be somewhere else. What pulls a player out of a slump to get the money making numbers back where they belong. Understanding obligation fuels consistency. The money is paid for more than just individualistic advances. There are a great deal of people involved.

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
Competitor

With the solid trio foundation covered, it’s GO TIME!!! Everybody wants to play, everyone wants to win. Unfortunately, those who do not know how, do not last long. It’s those who want the ball in the big spot, when everything is on the line, have the extra zeros on their paychecks. And the fierce competitor will ardently accept that situation which offers glory, every damn night! Getting roughed up over his last 2 starts, today is another day to be great. Blowing 2 straight saves, get me back out there. Not feeling his best that day, you still have to beat me! This intangible is the final 1% between winning and losing, playing 20 years or 4 years, accumulating 9 figures in wealth or _____. 

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
Community

As a prospective member of an MLB club, players would represent the team and the organization, along with the city/state. Now getting to the bottom line of all business, poor performance loses money. As can poor publicity. Needless to say, the front office brass will not invest copious amounts of cash in a player who is at risk to be in the newspapers frequently for the wrong reasons. Baseball is a business. In all businesses, they desire to hire not only the most skilled but the most qualified to fit their mission. With that said, the importance of character comes back into play.

Charity and community involvement have long been synonymous with baseball. Giving back to the community is paramount for reciprocation. It is also a display of strong personal values. Once again, obligation being essential. Those who autonomously espouse their commitment to the community naturally accumulate positive publicity. Thus, the bond between the fanbase and the team endures in longevity. As a result, more tickets are sold, a better experience at the ballpark is created, and loyalty is affirmed. Charitable contributions by an individual are a response to understanding accountability. As good deeds amass widespread altruism, the individual’s value rises also. Consequently, more doors are opened by those who wish to do business. Image is everything.

 

 

What Does This All Mean To YOU?

Baseball is a hierarchy. Those at the top are the most polished in their craft. Notably, from the 5 topics stated in this article. Evaluation of players is relatively the same on many levels. Just on a larger scale in The Show. So how can you interpret all this?

Character. In the adolescent years, it is often referred to as to maturity. With that means how well does he handle the situation? Basically, can he be trusted, yet?

Work Ethic. It isn’t always self explanatory. Get with a mentor who sees where you need improvement and can provide you with a game plan to do so. More importantly, they will teach you how to assess your own flaws and turn them into strengths.

Consistency. As you are learning how to handle a lot of things going on in your daily life, understand that consistent performance is the result of consistent behavior, which requires a consistent pattern of thought. [2] The on field results will take care of themselves.

Competitor. This can be a fine line. Aggressive behavior must be controlled while others may struggle to find comfort in letting out their ferocity. The more you step up and respond to fear and adversity, the sooner you will find your niche as a competitor.

Community. College applications ask for extracurricular activities, because they want to see what kind of person you are. How can you be an asset their institution? Are you willing to pay it forward?

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
2 True Stories

When I was in high school, I attended a winter camp with coaches from top tier Division 1 college programs. When asked about the recruiting process, one of the coaches said that they offered a player a scholarship from watching him play a high school basketball game. They were in awe of his tenacity, competitiveness, athleticism and leadership on the hardwood. They could see it translate over to the pitcher’s mound, and then some….as he played in the Bigs!

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2 high school players were finalists for the Gatorade Player of the Year award in their state. Both had very comparable numbers and both of their teams had shared the best record. The winner of the prestigious award was better academically and volunteered at a number of organizations within his community. That was what gave him the final push to win.

 

How Free Agency
Trickles Down to You
‘Earning The Dough

These free agents who get the mega contracts earn them wholeheartedly. Sure, the dollar amounts may be disagreeable. Nonetheless, it is not time to just sit on the money and sail off into the sunset. The next phase is peak performance through the duration of the contract. Those with the 5 best qualities mentioned here live up to to the hype. Never underestimate the sexiness of accountability. That’s how things get done!

 

Keep Dominating!!!

 

 

^[1] Dorfman, H.A. “The Mental ABC’s of Pitching,  A Handbook for Performance Enhancement”
Lanham, MD: Diamond Communication. (2000). pp. 48-50

^[2] Dorfman, H.A. “The Mental ABC’s of Pitching,  A Handbook for Performance Enhancement”
Lanham, MD: Diamond Communication. (2000). pp. 71-72