If I could go back at age 58 …. this is what I would tell my 16 year old self as a HS baseball player who wanted to play D1 and play in the Big Leagues. Big dreams for a very little guy…. Who graduated HS at 140 pounds with very little coaching or baseball IQ. I could switch hit, run well, had a plus arm (for my size)…but heavily needed my own advice below. It would have helped me tremendously to reach even a higher level of pro ball. Hope it helps someone on that same journey now… 1. You must be willing to be different. The best are the best for a reason. Sacrifice has a steep price tag and it is paid mostly in sweat equity. Shrink inner circle and eliminate weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to look bad when challenging yourself in drills to make them as game like as possible. 2. Every day is gift. If the day is wasted, it is gone forever and others (my competition) advance ahead of me in pursuit of my goal. 3. It’s about process, not about how I feel. Discipline over motivation … Get done what needs to be done daily and do it well. Rise early and compete. Even when I don’t feel like it. 4. Enjoy your teammates. Smile, laugh, don’t take yourself to serious and encourage my buddies, especially when they are down. 5. Take at least 200 ground balls and 200+ swings a day (above practice time). Find ways to make them challenging, competitive and game speed. Have as many bullets in my gun on both offense and defense. 6. Watch as much high level baseball as possible. Watch as a player, not as a fan. Study my position(s). Understand how to react correctly and on time to all game situations. 7. Lift with the purpose to improve my balance, coordination, quickness, body control, power, explosiveness, flexibility, grip strength and overall pure strength. Have a plan in the weight room then execute it to perfection. 8. Long toss… 3 times a week for eight weeks prior to the season and continue in season. Gradually increasing distance over the weeks. I would do low intent throwing on other days to improve short arm stroke, repeatability, accuracy…from all arm slots. Build up my bullets so my arm is ready for the demands of games and practices. 9. Get adequate sleep. 8 plus hours a night. Put my phone away and monitor screen time heavily. 10. Eat nutritionally with plenty of fruits, vegetables, protein and lots of quality water. 11. Know that age matters for the draft. Even though you are a very late developer physically, they won’t care or take that into consideration. So get physical. Be a fit and just as fast 185 … instead of the 163 you were when you graduated from UNCW. 12. Be more even keel. Save the emotion for when it is really needed. Don’t live and die with every game and base my personal worth on how I played each night. 13. Choose a degree that I’m passionate about and I will actually use. 14. Take time off each season to rest my mind and body. 15. Most importantly get to know God and get close to Him. Play every pitch for an audience of 1 “AO1.”