By Curtis Pelletier
Hitting Coach and Director of Player Development
Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club
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As a coach that spends half my time recruiting, and half my time coaching I have begun to see that what a player brings to my organization is a direct reflection of where he came from. As we all fight this pandemic together and use new techniques to to coach and recruit what has not gone away is relationships. Recruiting and baseball is, and always will be a relationship business. Behind the scenes conversations, lengthy cross checks, and quick text messages have happened for years, and happen even more now. I spend a lot of my time researching and learning about the person I am recruiting as much as I do the player. With that I like to know about what organization they come from. What does that organization stand for? What is that organizations mission statement? Do they live up to it and practice that on and off the field? I can tell you from personal experience that I have MANY positive relationships through North America that work both ways. I get players, and I send players.. I can also tell you that there are programs I will not talk to. Not because of the players that play there.. but because I believe whole heartedly that that program is not run with integrity and honesty. There are too many good programs out there with great players to even bother risking brining in one potential bad seed.
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On the flip it is as important as a player to understand who you are playing for and what the organizational goals are for you as a player. Spending and investing too much time in the wrong environment can end a young baseball career before it’s even begun. Open lines of communication are the most integral component to any successful organization. If you find yourself as a coach or player asking who, when, where, what or how… and not getting clear answers… then I truly believe that is your answer.
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Young baseball players usually get one crack at college or pro ball… don’t put the fate of your future in uncertain hands. Bet on yourself and listen to your gut.
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