Efficiency for Adult Ball Players

Most, whether they are adult baseball or adult softball players, approach me asking for help with preserving their game. Preservation is the perfect mindset to have as an adult player, but how does an adult ball player preserve their skills? Playing harder perhaps? Playing in younger leagues? When it comes to efficiency for adult ball players, these common approaches won’t help your game—they’ll only make you feel more rundown and frustrated. When I workout with my adult ball players (age 35+), my focus really rests on teaching them how to play more efficiently in order to remain effective. Ultimately, true longevity comes down to efficiency for adult ball players.

Be Honest, Is This You?

Let’s look at why efficiency for adult ball players is so critical. Take a defensive ball player whose reaction time to the ball didn’t start until the ball was mid-infield. In the past, the player had the speed, the agility, and the arm strength to make up for it. However, as the player got older, that explosive speed and whatever else they used to get the job done isn’t showing up as often as before. The player’s diminished timing, reaction, and setup to the ball are now noticeable and problematic. Without fail, that player begins to fill their head with the thought that opponents (and teammates) are looking at them as the team’s weakest link.

Did I Touch a Nerve?

If so, don’t sweat it! This is a common problem for the adult ball player, but it is one that can be corrected. What I do very well with my adult ball players is “reboot” their player mechanics. Some may have played for years and done pretty well with how they threw, fielded, or hit the ball.

Over time, however, the player notices the body is unable (or unwilling) to do what it needs to be doing. The arm becomes fatigued or sore after a short time, and “Ice Man” becomes your new team nickname. Pretty soon, it goes from an isolated problem to one that eventually impacts bat speed and power, agility, and, of course, stamina.

Is it time to take you out back like Ol’ Yeller?

Absolutely Not!

In fact, this is when most adult ball players quickly realize a better, smarter way of playing the game. Don’t tell yourself to work harder—you’ll burn yourself out! Instead, prioritize efficiency for adult ball players, and you WILL become an effective player again.

This usually means analyzing and, in most cases, reintroducing or reprogramming player mechanics. If this sounds difficult or impossible, you’re surrounding yourself with the wrong players and hanging on to a toxic mindset that will definitely have you hanging up the game you love.

If you’re not playing the game like you should, you are not alone.

If your body is taking longer to recover, you’re not alone. If you think it’s just time to hang it up… well, there you might be alone, because I have rarely ever met a player who actually wanted to give up the sport they love so much. I am not going to lie: playing the game as you get older will require a good, sensible player action plan. It sounds major, but all it means is you need to start taking care of the body that got you this far.

Here is the way to turn it around and master efficiency for adult ball players:

No, this is not where I push my training on you. I mean, sure, I would like that, but if that’s not your thing, then start adopting what I have listed below.

At least stretch for twenty minutes before a game.  Your stretches should include:

• Neck
• Arms
• Wrists
• Fingers
• Upper and Lower Back
• Hip flexors
• Legs
• Ankles
• Toes

pre- game Warm-Ups:

• Light throwing- work on release-points and throwing accuracy
• Play Pepper – with 3-4 team mates to warm up the legs, feet, and “seeing” the ball off the bat.
• Anything Goes – get a warm up partner and throw pop ups, grounders, and short-hops to eachother.
  ** This should be a fun, friendly team building warm-up, **\
• Friendly Warm up Challenge –  During “Anything Goes” keep track of the combined missed balls.  Next, multiply that number of combined missed balls by 3. So, if you both missed a total of 5 balls ….. 5 x 3 =15.  I usually do push ups, but you can do something else that will help get you ready for the game.I do this with my players and they really enjoy it!  Just remember, it’s what you make it – Have fun, but get it done! 😉