Take Control of Your Actions

Andy Ferguson: Another Day, Another Double Play

When I get home from one of our Baseball Factory Player Development events, I am usually completely exhausted. We work extremely hard over long hours to try and produce a first class and memorable experience for each player. We are on the field early to prepare, keeping things moving during the day, planning for the next day in the evening, laundry and lineups at night, curfew checks and the occasional ER visit late night. The hours add up quickly.

I’m not complaining, it’s all part of the job. The only thing I ask in return is that each player gives an honest effort and behaves himself. That’s fair, isn’t it? Someone made an effort to get the player to the event, and the staff is making every effort to deliver a quality experience…the player has the easiest job doesn’t he?

Most of the time we have no trouble at all. Players show up, work hard, behave, learn and get better. However, a small number of players at some of the last couple of events I was involved with have left a bad taste in my mouth.

The two most common trouble areas are:

1. Lack of effort
2. Lack of discipline

Why wouldn’t those two things always be among the most important for each individual player? If you really think about it (specifically from a baseball player’s point of view), what else do you actually have control over? Nothing else, in my opinion.

You can have a great swing, but you can’t control whether or not you get a hit – sometimes they fall, sometimes you get robbed. You can throw a great pitch, but you can’t control whether or not you get an out – sometimes you get by with marginal stuff, sometimes you get lit up with great stuff. You can perfectly approach a ground ball, but you can’t control the hop – sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t.

So, what’s the moral of the story? Simple.

Wake up on time. Be on time. Make an effort. Look people in eye. Speak up. Don’t mumble. Follow instructions. Be responsible for your actions. Make an adjustment. Try to understand. Ask a question if you don’t. Treat others with respect. Respect yourself. Realize that at all times you represent yourself, your family, your team and/or the organization you are a part of. Be careful of the company you keep. I could go on, but hopefully you get the point.

You control all of these things. Someone may help you with certain ones now, but there will be a time when you will be on your own.

None of the items above have anything to do with baseball. However, they are all very relevant to life and to learning to be a quality human being and eventually a productive member of the work force. Keep in mind that only a very small percentage of baseball players will play professional baseball, and only a small percentage of those players ever make it to the Major Leagues.

Guess what. Late for stretch at camp may be no big deal, school may even be the same way a couple of times, but do it too many times at work and you’ll be in the unemployment line. Same thing with effort, and following instructions, and respect, and on and on….


Andy Ferguson is currently the Senior Director of Baseball Operations with the Baseball Factory. Ferguson joined the North Carolina State baseball team as a walk-on, and went on to solidify his role on a team that participated in four consecutive NCAA Regionals. He later coached with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and then served as an Associate Scout with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres.