Are You Asking Yourself the Right Questions?

By: Coach Bob McCreary

When players self-analyze, they often limit themselves to a few basic questions like...

How many batters did I strikeout?
What is my batting average?
How many HR's/RBI's do I have?
What's my Win-Loss record?

Unfortunately, most players do not mentally travel past those questions.

For a player to more accurately gauge how well he is doing and how he stacks up against the competition, questions like the following will usually be more productive.

What are my batting stats (avg, strikeouts, walks, RBI's, etc.) against other teams' number 1 pitchers?
Do I pitch ahead in the count when there are runners on base or just when nobody is on?
When runners are in scoring position, do I make my best pitches in terms of location?
Do I drive the ball when runners are on base or when nobody is on?
How tough am I in my last at-bat when I already have two hits?
Do I get my best jumps at first on steals late in the game when it counts the most?
How well do I make the infield plays with two outs and a runner at third?
Do I have my best stuff from the first pitch of the game or does it take me a while to settle in?
Do I tend to make better pitches before or after an infield error behind me?
Do I make my best blocks behind the plate late in the game or early?
Do I run out to my position the same way when I'm 0-4 as I do when I'm 4-4?

These questions can be tough for some kids to ask. Some probably don't even want to know the answers. However, taking the time to honestly answer them can give a player a realistic look at how he is performing when it really counts as opposed to just in general.

...And for those who don't want to bother asking themselves these questions, keep this in mind...

Whether you ask them or not, the answers to these questions are exactly what college coaches and pro scouts are looking for when they see you play.