Wonder what it takes to play like Pi?
I’m gonna be real with y’all. I’m not a natural born athlete. But I am a top athlete. The difference is I’ve always had to outwork others to earn my positions.
In fact, I’ve had to earn starting positions on every team I’ve ever been on. I’ve done this so many times that it has become my work ethic. I may not be the most talented athlete in the beginning, but I’ll outwork every girl on the team to earn my spot.
Rinse & Repeat: Join the team, work, work, work, get my opportunity and never let it go.
But it hasn’t been easy:
- On my first travel-ball team, the coach told me I wasn’t a Catcher; but she taught me how to play 3rd base.
- On my middle school recreation team, the coach told me I wasn’t a 3rd baseman; but he played me every inning behind the dish.
- On Warrior Academy, the coach told me I wasn’t a Catcher; but she taught me how to play 1st base.
- On my high school team, the coach told me I wasn’t an infielder; but he played me as Catcher.
What’s the common denominator?
I’m whatever player the team needs me to be. The result is now I’m a great Catcher, 3rd Baseman and 1st Baseman.
How to Play Like Pi
I’ve found success by working hard. And, if I found success, other girls can too. You don’t need to be rich, have access to top trainers or play for a top team to Play Like Pi.
Along the way, I’ve figured out what works for me and maybe these concepts can help you too:
- Talent is nothing without work ethic – when you’re young, you can get by with talent alone (eg only work in practice) but somewhere along the way effort counts more. You need both!
- Take action (even if you don’t feel it) – like anyone else, working out and getting reps isn’t my favorite thing to do at 6AM. But I also don’t like popping up at an 8AM game on Sunday. You gotta put in the time to be a GOAT.
- Every day matters – more importantly, today matters. You can rest tomorrow, but today is the time to put in the work.
- Turn adversity into strength – every loss, every strike out, every error, every bad apple… is an opportunity to get better.
- Redefine success – coaches used to ask me why I wasn’t angry when I struck out. The reason is I’m not trying to win one at bat, I’m chasing legendary success. That’s not something you hear from “regular” players. But I’m not regular and neither are you.
- Never settle – the bottom line is you’ve got to be your #1 fan and continually advocate for yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re less.
- Insane confidence – to succeed in this game you’ve got to overcome a lot of adversity and that’s gonna require a lot of positive energy. I’m chasing dreams beyond limits and you can too!
The difference between the me and the top player on the team is nothing more than an opportunity for me to improve. Working on hard at practice doesn’t cut it so I’ve taken it to another level:
Monday
I like to start the week with hitting with my hitting instructor Kiko Garcia. I play almost every weekend so I’ve always got something that I want to work on with Kiko. I’ve got school until 3:PM and my Lesson at 7 (with an hour’s drive to get there) so I grab a bite to eat after school and do my homework before we leave.
Tuesdays
Coaches seem to practice on Tuesdays so that’s my team practice day. If not, I’ll do speed training on the hill behind house. Did I say hill? Seems more like a mountain most days. Here is my typical speed training routine:
- Single Leg Hops
- Frog Jumps
- High Knees
- 1X 60 Yard Dash 50%
- 1X 60 Yard Dash 75%
- 1X 60 Yard Dash 100%
Wednesdays
Wednesdays are for Catching Class at the Catching Academy with Brett Thomas. Class goes from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM so, like Mondays, fuel and homework gotta get done beforehand.
Thursdays
If I don’t have practice on Thursdays, then that’s my Power Lifting day. Cleans and squats are a must; I gotta get ’em done on Thursday because otherwise I’ll be sore during weekends during games (I hit legs on Friday at California Strength once and paid the price the next day when I caught three games).
- Cleans (5×5)
- Regular Squats (3×8)
- Deadlifts (3×5)
- Box Squats (3×8)
During the pandemic, my family built a powerlifting gym in our garage. Now it’s a great place for my friends to come over and lift.
Fridays
I used to take Fridays off but recently I’ve been training young girls on Friday evenings. I don’t really consider this to be working out but it is part of my weekly softball routine.
Everyday
- 400 dry swings
- 100 contact
- 100 extension
- 200 full swings
- 100 balence slower swings
- 50 dry swings (inside)
- 50 dry swings (outside)
- 150 wrist strength bat
- 150 lower half mechanics
- 150 upper mechanics (specifically hands)