By Pierce Jones –
As a new baseball season begins, coaches step onto the field with the responsibility of developing players not just physically, but mentally as well. This past week, I spent some time studying different teams and organizations and how they incorporate this from within. I want to share some key takeaways in this week’s blog.
One of the biggest challenges is earning a player’s trust. Why would a player buy into a system they don’t understand? Why would they make adjustments if they don’t see the bigger picture? As coaches, our ability to communicate clearly, set expectations, and define success plays a crucial role in a player’s development.
Trust starts with transparency. Every player has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s the coach’s job to help them navigate both. At the beginning of the season, taking the time to have one-on-one conversations with each player can set the tone. Discuss their strengths, what they do well, and how they can continue to refine those skills. Acknowledge weaknesses but frame them as “opportunities for growth” rather than “deficiencies.”
Beyond individual player discussions, setting clear team-wide expectations is just as important. Players need to understand what is expected of them—both on and off the field—and how their role contributes to the overall success of the team. A well-informed player is likelier to trust the process and commit to improving.
One of the biggest mistakes coaches make is failing to define success. If success is only measured by wins and losses, players may struggle to stay motivated when adversity inevitably hits. Instead, outline what success looks like beyond the scoreboard. Is it a pitcher executing their gameplan? Is it refining and utilizing their arsenal? Is it being able to recover consistently and reduce arm pain to compete continually? When players have a clear picture of what progress looks like, they have a target to aim for, making it easier to stay engaged and climb to the next level.
This also means giving players immediate and constructive feedback after games. Highlight what worked well and reinforce the positive habits and decisions that led to success. Equally important is pinpointing areas that need improvement. A vague “we need to be better” doesn’t help anyone.
Trust deepens when players can see and feel their own progress. Throughout the season, track individual and team performance in different ways. (Think of it as a game inside of the game.) You can implement different weekly or monthly checkpoints that are leaderboards for players to watch. Observe what happens as accountability and competition start to take place.
At the end of the day, players don’t trust what they don’t understand. It’s up to coaches to bridge that gap. Clear communication about strengths, weaknesses, and expectations provides players with direction. Defining success gives them a goal to work toward. Measuring progress throughout the season keeps them motivated and engaged.
I hope this helps! And while it might be messy at first, I believe the long-term outcomes will be of great benefit.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Important TBR Updates
- The “Early Bird” Registration deadline for our 2025 “Summer Intensive Development Program” is fast approaching. Visit www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/events to take advantage of the $500 savings! The Early Bird deadline is March 17th.
- Would you like to participate in the Ranch Summer Program but can’t find 2+ weeks in your schedule? We have an option for you! Attend one of our 3-Day EPBC’s and add the summer program week after. It’s seven days of training and is a great option for those players with an extremely busy summer schedule. Give us a call and we can provide you with more details – (936) 588-6762.
- The dates for our 3-Day Elite Pitchers Bootcamp for this summer include:
May 24-26 (Sat-Mon)
June 6-8 (Fri-Sun)
June 20-22 (Fri-Sun)
July 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
July 18-20 (Fri-Sun)
Aug. 1-3 (Fri-Sun)
Aug. 30-Sept 2 (Sat-Mon)
To register or learn more CLICK HERE
- Have you been considering attending one of our 3-Day Elite Pitchers Bootcamp but are still on the fence? To help, we have a detailed information package entitled “What Makes This Boot Camp Different”. If you’d like to receive this package and start making plans for the summer, email Jill@TexasBaseballRanch.com and request a copy.
- Check out this video on our YouTube Channel: “Beyond Velocity: What Actually Gets Pitchers Promoted”. Watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__pvqhzeKwk and share your opinion in the comments.
