Brandon Inge's All Star Appearance.

Watching the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby over the past two nights, I couldn't help but think back to when I had the chance to meet Brandon Inge this past February at Spring Training. He was sitting next to Matt Treanor getting dressed for a day at the park, when Matt introduced us and showed him my hitting aid. Jim Leyland, (the skipper), then came over to me and said, "Hey, did you invent this thing?" And after gulping, I said, "Yes sir." He then looked at me and said something I'll never forget. He looked over the lockerroom and said, "Hey guys, this thing is awesome! One of the best things I've seen in years. You all need to hit with it." And then he turned to Brandon and said, "Hey Brandon, you need to hit with this thing. It will help you." And Brandon looked up and replied, "Sure, skip." and the rest is history.

The Detroit Tigers later ordered seven Pitcher's Nightmare Swing Trainers from me and instantly became my favorite American League team (sorry guys, the Braves will always be my favorite team overall, but you guys definitely rule in the A.L.) and Brandon became one of my favorite players. Check out this great story on him from his Home Town newspaper, the News and Advance, http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/lynchburg_buzzes_over_brookvilles_all-star_inge/17660/.

And here's hoping he keeps tearing 'em up in the Second Half!!!

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Chris Coste.

The other day as I was eating breakfast, I happened to notice Chris Coste was picked up on waivers by the Houston Astros, or in other words, was no longer a Philadelphia Philly. (Old habits die hard. Ballplayers always check the transactions as you eat breakfast, because you never knew when your own name was going to be in there!)

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris this past Spring Training. The perennial back-up Catcher, who after spending 11+ years in the minors finally got the call up to the Bigs back in 2006, is an inspiration to all who never, ever give up! In fact, he wrote a book about his exploits, "The 33-Year-Old Rookie", which is available through Amazon.com, or through his website, http://www.chriscoste.com/.

Undrafted out of college, Chris began his minor league career in Independent ball, in a league that folded before even completing one season! After that, he kicked around for four more years in Indy ball, before finally signing a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians in 2000, and making it to the Bigs with the Phillies in 2006.

When I met Chris, I asked him, "why didn't you give up?" Was I asking this rhetorically? Probably...Because I remember the struggles of being a back-up catcher...Of watching the other guy play while catching bullpens...Of batting once in a while and catching Day games after Night games, so the other guy could rest...

And his answer was simple. "Chance, I never had a Plan B." Amen, brother. "Burn the boats. That way, you can never go back!"

Best wishes to you, Chris Coste. Here's hoping this unusual twist of events in life which have now made you a Houston Astro turn out to be a wonderful blessing. You deserve it.

Don't Ever Give Up!

The other night, I got a phone call from one of my students. He had just participated in the first of two games after being named to the Top 100 Underclassman by the Georgia Dugout Club, and unfortunately, to put it in his words, he had done "awful", "embarassed himself" and "wasn't going back." Now how many times do we all feel like that? I know there are times in life when I do.

My student had struck out twice, and popped up on the infield in three at-bats. He also committed the cardinal error of not hustling down to first on the popup, due to his digust with himself (something College Coaches will write you off quickly for). He also played briefly in the outfield, but luckily, with the night he was having, no one hit a ball to him.

After listening, I asked him, "Ok. So how were they pitching you?" He said "inside." And my reply was "Perfect. Now you know what to look for." So many times in life, we get lost in the moment, and we have trouble stepping back and seeing what we can learn from the situation. I also told him, "Remember, if a hitter strikes out four times, but hits a home run to win the game in his final at-bat, what does everyone remember?" Of course, the home run.

Finally, to reenforced my thoughts with him and said, "Now remember, if you don't go back, it says volumes about you. And if you do go back, it also speaks volumes about you in another way." Luckily for him (and me), he went back the next day, and played a much better game.