Happy Opening Day at NPS!
Opening day! What beautiful words to hear. The MLB and MiLB seasons have already begun as well as for most of Narrow Path Sports athletes. Mine however is starting today on April 21 st , 2022. Thankfully we are starting our season at home in Lexington Kentucky. This is my 15th professional baseball season and one that I am working on making one of my best. The game plan behind this is going to rely on staying disciplined, diligent, organized, and driven. The challenge is going to be difficult, but I think God has a plan for all of this.
"Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard."
The season is a culmination of the hard work and preparation executed in the offseason. It is much easier to enter the season and games that have meaning when the confidence is there because the athlete has followed through on putting in the work in the winter. Playing with confidence does not always lead to success, but it is a big mental buoy to hold onto when things go south. I am sure most of you would agree that when in school if you have studied and prepared for a test that you have confidence going into that exam. It is a much better feeling than going into the room knowing you did none of the work and are just hoping you can recall some of the information or guess well. One of my favorite quotes is “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” by Tim Notke. Putting in the work for any task or goal in life will put you in a better position to succeed without doubt.
Adopting Athletic Principles Means Hard Work
There are many aspects that go into an athlete’s training and off-season. In baseball, you normally get 3-4 months to really focus on your game and training to improve for next season. There is weight training, speed training, arm strengthening, diet and nutrition, recovery, flexibility, mobility, bullpens, and more that go into my off-season program. This is the lifestyle of a professional athlete and one that I had missed in my life for a couple of years. This is what I want to bring to this season. Now for my amateur and young athletes you can still adopt athletic principles that you can live by to achieve your goal of playing at a higher or professional level. This work ethic and drive lend itself to any aspiration or dream you are going after.
I am hoping that as my season goes forward, I can continue to update you all on what training I am doing, how games are going, or new insights I have found. Please reach out to me with any questions on anything even if it is life or faith based. I am blessed to have been able to play at a high level for so many years. I am hoping to honor God by returning to a lifestyle that will build the strengths that he has blessed me with. There is really not a linear path in life outside of time. Our lives have constant ups, downs, and twists. The one that has always kept me the happiest is the narrow path and I hope you will continue join me as I endeavor to #FollowtheNarrowPath
Thank you all
JJ Hoover
