I came in as a freshman at Shippensburg University, a Division II school in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. I thought I was perfect. I thought I was going to play immediately.
I thought I was a DI guy. Quickly it became apparent that I had much growing up to do.
I was playing against 22-year-old men who were more talented than I was. Instead of recognizing this and changing my behavior to grow, I self-destructed and went in the wrong direction. By November of my sophomore year, I had run myself off the team.
I then spent six months away from the game, trying new things around campus. This time was crucial; it completely changed my perspective of the student-athlete. From the outside looking in, I could see that the average athlete was ungrateful and didn’t appreciate how lucky they were to be playing at such a high level. I was the definition of that athlete.
Through some unique encounters and chain of events, I decided to dedicate myself to come back. My attitude was different, and the killer instinct was there. I wasn’t coming back to have fun; I was coming back to prove to myself and my peers that I could be a better teammate.
All of my boys that I came into Ship with were entering their senior years, and so was I. These were still my best friends. A comeback would prove to change our relationship forever. Instead of being labeled as a quitter, I needed my legacy to be different.
So many walk away from college athletics for various reasons. Pressure is too great, love for the game diminishes; that’s how I felt. Leaving the game makes you fearless. You have nothing to lose. .
Whatever you are doing to prepare yourself, know that it’s not enough. Someone out there is hitting frozen baseballs in the snow at 11 pm on a Friday. Someone out there is taking swings until their hands bleed. I don’t know if these actions are essential in becoming a better baseball player, but they sure will give you the edge in the battle that is life. Stare down the pitcher and know you’ve outworked him in every way, and you have no choice but to win the fight.
There is always something to do to improve yourself, and it doesn’t have to be physically related. There are books to read about the mental side of the game. Ninety Percent Mental, by Bob Tewksbury, changed my career. I will always say that his remarks transformed me from an average HS player into an everyday PSAC player.
I had already played the game before it happened. You have to see it and feel it before you do it. If you don’t, you will be surprised, anxious, and caught off guard. You know what’s going to happen. You know what you want to happen. Make it happen. No task is too great. Lead with your actions.
Please reach out to me if you are having trouble with your HS or college baseball experience. I would love to help any ballplayers out there. I can be reached through Instagram Zackzoller15.
It Takes What it Takes!
