From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Carson wrote:
I’m fourteen playing little league allstars in Calgary, Canada. I’m the kid who is giving 110%, I hustle on and off the field and give it my all at practices. I also have the 7th best batting average on the team I have made an since the beginning of the season (5 games) and I have sat every game except one. I’m just wondering do I confront my coach or just play out the season.

From the Baseball Pro:
You must be careful when you confront your coach about playing time. You do not want to come across too bold and make the situation worse. But if you do it right there is nothing wrong with asking him a few questions. Maybe you could ask him if there is something that you need to improve upon in order to play more. Explain to him that you are doing everything you can to play your best and maybe he has some advice for you. I would start with a conversation such as this and see where it goes. I hope it helps you out.
Your Baseball Pro,Steve Holm

The season is well underway and our team has struggled to win games. We have won a few more games as of late but our record is still far below .500. This is the first time in recent memory that I have been on a team that has struggled so bad. In the beginning we just could not score runs. But lately we have swung the bats much better which is a sign that we might be coming out of it.

It is very tough to not let the losing get you down. But every athlete must learn how to lose because at some point you will do it and you need to know how to do it correctly. You have to be able to stay positive because otherwise the negetivity bleeds into everything you do. So if everyone on the team is able to stay positive the negativity does not bring everyone down. Although easy said this is very hard to do. But judging by the way we have been winning hopefully we are becoming more positive.
Your baseball pro, Steve Holm

P.S. Steve is one of the most positive players we’ve known….
Team Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Brian wrote:
Hi There,
I am currently entering my 4th year of college baseball. I spent 2 years at the division I level and recently transferred down to division III for academic reasons. My question is this: how do I get myself looked at or increase my exposure to get seen for the next level. Like any ballplayer, I would love to say that I did everything I could to get my shot at the next level, I just don’t know where to start. Attending a small college now, I believe it will be a little tougher to get seen. I would love any input you might have.

From the Baseball Pro:
I believe your best bet would be to look to see if there are any tryout camps. Sometimes teams hold tryout camps where players such as yourself can show up and take batting practice or throw off the mound. I am not sure when or where they are held but your coach might be able to find more out for you.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. Explore as many avenues as you can….
Team Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Ryan wrote:
How old can you start playing minor league baseball?

From the Baseball Pro:
If you are from outside the US you can sign at the age of 16. If you are in the US you must have a high school diploma. To my knowledge that is the earliest you can sign.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. As a parent, I wouldn’t want a high school player travelling with a professional baseball team. There are too many long days on the road, and an underage player shouldn’t be hanging out in bars. It’s best to get experience in high schools and colleges, particularly community colleges.
Team Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Jon wrote:
Is it difficult to find girlfriends or maintain relationships while away for so long?

From the Baseball Pro:
It is very difficult to maintain relationships while you are playing. Not only is it tough to have a
girlfriend but it is even more difficult to keep in touch with friends. Your girlfriend is easier because you can talk to her on your cell phone as well as she can come to see you. But it is your friends and family back home that do not spend money to come to see you during the season. You end up talking to them a few times throughout the season, then when you get
home, you have to start all over again.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. Baseball players get 1 or 2 days a month off during a six month season, plus they spend half of their time on the road. So they can’t travel anywhere…. Last year, Steve was within driving distance of his parents home in California, so he could go home on a day off. This year he is in Connecticut, with a 3 hour time change, and a long,long plane ride away from home. It’s not an easy life! Players really do have to love the game……..
Team Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Kim wrote:
My son is 9 first year of kid pitch travel ball and really struggling. Coach wants to keep him- sees lots of potential, but its really hurting his confidence. Should we go back down for a season in rec. ball? Not to mention its killing me to watch him. Thanks!

From the Baseball Pro:
This is a tough situation. The easy thing to say would be that they are 9 years old and it is supposed to be fun. But if you are a competitive person you do not have fun while struggling. One thing I do know is that when you struggle you really struggle with your confidence as well. So one thing you could do to build that confidence might be getting some sort of coaching. Maybe it is some hitting lessons at the local batting cage or pitching lessons whatever it may be. Other than that you know your son the best and if he is starting to not like playing, its not worth his time.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. How many 9 year olds are ready for travel ball? Kids mature at different rates, so another year in recreational ball and some coaching could make a world of difference. Also, playing another sport season can make a difference–soccer players make good baseball players, but there are other sports (my son plays volleyball as well). It’s key that he enjoy the sport and feel good about competing!
Host Mom, Jean

Each season we host a new ball player as players move up in the San Francisco Giants farm system. We miss the player from the previous season, but welcome another player. This year our baseball player is Wayne Foltin, who played on the Augusta, Georgia, Green Jackets single A team last summer. Wayne enjoys having a lot more fans in the San Jose Giants ballpark than the stadiums he played in last season. He’s happy to be back in California, since he grew up here and attended community college in Bakersfield. You can see his profile on the San Jose Giants website!

We enjoy seeing our ballplayers in games, but closing pitchers aren’t scheduled, so seeing them play is hit or miss!
Host Mom, Jean

Minor League baseball players work hard to move up the different levels of baseball, with the dream of making the “Majors”. Steve lived with us during the 2006 season, but now he has moved up to the San Francisco Giants AA minor league baseball team on the East Coast at Norwich. Many of his teammates from 2006 also moved up wth him, so we are hoping to see them continue to move up the baseball farm systemm and end up playing back here in the Bay area.

Check out Steve’s profile for this season at the Connecticut Defender website.

Also, check out an interview with Steve Holm at the Norwich Bulletin, the local newspaper, featuring minor league players. Hmmmm, he’s supposed to like seafood on the East Coast, not beef! We miss having him here in San Jose…..
Host Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Jarrett wrote:
I am the student who is doing the project on the effect of pressure on wanting to get to the big leagues. I had one more question. I was wondering if you played completely for the love of the game or for the chance at money. I am just starting my first year of baseball and am
extremely excited . Do you have that ambition? Also how do you deal with bad days not only on the field but family? Thanks!

From the Baseball Pro:
I play solely for the love of the game. You see while in the minor leagues you barely make enough money to eat, let alone buy big houses and cars. But that might not be the case for those in the major leagues. So for me, yes, I do play for the love of the game.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Jernard wrote:
Hey, I’m center fielder in 11th grade school and want to get scouted to play division 1 baseball. I know I have the talent and potential. It’s just my coach really doesn’t promote me and really doesn’t put me out there. So my question to you is how do I go about getting scouted? Do I contact coaches my self or is that too eager so please give me your input.

From the Baseball Pro:
If there is a school that you want to play at, you should write their coach and tell them that you are interested. Another thing that you could possibly do is to see if that school has a summer baseball camp. If you were to attend that camp and show them how good you are and that you were interested in their school then they would probably be interested in you.
Your baseball pro, Steve Holm