By: Brendan Dougherty

With so much uncertainty out there and what we can and can’t do is always up for discussion it is difficult to stay on a regular routine. What is the best way to stay ready and prepared for the possibility of Baseball starting back and being prepared to play when your summer season gets going.  Here are a few things players of all ages can be doing to prepare even if you do not have access to a field or facility. As we know many things are closed or we are not allowed access to the things that we typically use all the time.

Strength/Speed/Quickness and Agility
You may not have access to a gym or a trainer right now but there are many things you can be doing daily to get stronger and faster. Body weight workouts can be very beneficial, using things around your own house to workout with, push-ups, and much more. Create your own workout and you should use it daily. Mark off 90 feet in your street and work on your footspeed down the line. You can do change of direction drills as well. Herschel Walker did 500 push-ups and 500 sit-ups every day. He never lifted a weight until he got to Georgia. Be creative and get the most out of the situation.

Arm-Care/Throwing Program
Many people can continue their arm programs, but you should find consistency everyday in your throwing program. Make sure your arm is in shape for when baseball does start back up. The last thing you want to do is try to amp your arm up quickly. You should be ready to go once your season gets back and going.

Offense
It’s hard to replicate game speed reps, I get that but your hitting session at this point should be at a high intensity. However, you are doing it either on the tee or live you should treat every session as you are preparing for a game. Be creative with it! I saw an Instagram post where Wilson Contreras was hitting mini nerf balls being shot out of a nerf gun to get his reps in.

Defense
Find ways to get defensive work in. Use a wall or a board and challenge yourself. All positions can use a wall to get better every day. Angle the board so that the ball will elevate. You can get close to it and work on your first step quickness and angles. All position players can be working on little things so that they lead to bigger things.

Mental Game
This is a great time for you to work and develop a routine. They say baseball is 90% mental but we are always working on the physical side. We need to prepare the brain as well. There are so many great books and or videos that you can use to develop a better mental approach to the game. Stay in the moment and be prepared so that you are ready to go from day 1 when baseball returns.

BONUS
Recommended Book: https://amzn.to/2JiKxIw

These things should be done daily. You must use the time that you have been given to get better. This is an unprecedented situation we are in right now. The players that are going to have success once baseball returns are the ones that are prepared because they have prepared!!!