The ball is round and comes in a square box.

In a way, it may seem like rhetorical nonsense just to speak about it, but when we look at things everything comes in a square shape box. Yeah, I know rectangular boxes and many other shapes too, but you get the point. In Latin America and the Caribbean within the baseball community it is very common to hear "ball is round and comes in a square box", what do they mean by that, one can ask. Well, the answer is very complex; as you know many things can happen within the game of baseball at any given time, there are tangible factors that take place. Yet, there are intangible factors that often play great role in the outcome of a game. These can also have a positive or negative impact on a player's career, or simply during a single season. As the old baseball guys would say, nothing in baseball is written in baseball, it can be 2 outs, bottom of the 9th inning the team hitting losing by 5 can win it by 1, 2, 3, or 4 runs. If they are away and the lead can be even larger. As the old school guys would say, never underestimate any opponent and the game is not over until the 27th out is recorded. That is one of the beauties of baseball, the tangible and intangible factors will always be there to dictate the outcome.

When talking about playing games and the day-to-day when at the ball field, we must go back an old school approach. The new schooling approach, brings forward, with the wide-spread usage of social media, a sense that there are no shortages of “experts” and “gurus”. They are just a click or a search away. Everyone is in need of an approach, this is for everything, pitching, hitting, defense, even brushing your teeth. You got to have an approach! You aren’t going to talk to the girl of your dreams without an approach... You'd get shutdown immediately. Well, maybe not, but it can happen. When you are up to bat you must have a plan of action. Having a plan or an approach gives you the opportunity to work on something and stay focus through an at bat. Many tangible factors need to be considered Let's think a little here, are we home or away? Is it early in the game or towards the end of the game? (This will determine how aggressive you will be not only as a hitter, but as a baserunner.) Are we ahead or loosing? Knowing these types of situations will help you when the time comes. Remember that you are a valuable piece within your team and for you to shine, the team must shine first. Don't be that guy that is selfish within the team – “IT IS ALL ABOUT ME!” – it will come back to get you quick Remember, the baseball is round and comes in a square box.

Every player dreams about playing professional baseball and to be in the Major Leagues one day. Of course, game seven of the World Series, winning a championship ring is the goal. But playing there and having a career is a personal treat to almost every single athlete out there. Hey, not blaming anyone for having this dream, this writer was once there many years ago. The problem is learning to live with the reality of your dream. Many want to get there but the level of sacrifice, commitment, dedication, and hard work that is needed is something that little are willing to go through. Academic performance is low, excuses are high, “My teacher does not understand how hard it is?”, “My coach thinks it is easy to play and go to class.”, are all excuses we hear. Well, let me tell you excuses kill dreams... You need to go about business like there is no tomorrow. It is up to the individual what kind of effort you are going to bring today. Kobe Bryant was once asked when did, he knew he wanted to play basketball, Kobe’s stated, "At the age of 13 I committed to be one of the best basketball players". WAIT, WHAT? He committed to being one of the best at basketball at the age of 13! We have kids all over the world that can barely commit to wake up and go to class. Who can't commit to finishing two laps around the ballpark, yet still talking about going division I and playing professional baseball. ?YEAH, RIGHT! Stop living in a dream world and understand that everything comes with sacrifices. In order to achieve anything in life you must commit to it. This is why the baseball is round and comes in square box.

The baseball is round and comes in a square box. Nothing is given, through some may have an easier road handed to them, does not mean it was earned. Dream all you want but wake up and go to work for that dream, day-in and day-out. Have an approach because it is your chance to shine, plan before you execute. When the time comes, go with everything you have to offer. Be the best for your team, that is going to make you an excellent asset, which will set you apart from the mediocracy.

Edits credited to Kyle Houts. Thank you for helping me with edits here.