There’s more to pro ball then just playing baseball

Over the past few years there have been some very high level baseball talent to come out of the high schools in my area (Philadelphia).  Jesse Biddle and Sean Coyle were two high round picks that are currently playing in the minor league systems of the Phillies and Red Sox respectively.  When you add Mike Trout – a South Jersey native within 45 minutes of Philly – it is clear that my area has a lot to be proud of in terms of its production of baseball talent.

A minor leaguer’s “home away from home.”

Like everyone in professional baseball, these players are facing a multitude of challenges, some of which have nothing to do with their physical ability to play.  I talked about Mike Trout in a previous post called I belong at this level.  If you are a player who is moving up in levels, I highly recommend you read that post because it will apply to you as well.  With regards to Biddle and Coyle, I recently came across two articles that interviewed each player separately.  What they had to say was very informative especially for any player who wishes to play at the pro level.


The first article was in a weekly Philadelphia Inquirer piece called “Around the Minors.”  Here is a blurb from that piece. 

Biddle said he has received some good coaching, but one thing he wasn’t prepared for was the extended road trips.  “The hardest thing has been those 10-11 hour bus rides, which can really get to you.” he said.  “That is something you can’t prepare yourself for.”

In the second article linked HERE, Sean Coyle was interviewed at length about his minor league experience so far.  Here are some clips and quotes from that article.

“If you don’t love it, you can’t come out here and do it,” said Coyle. “There’s a lot of baseball to be played, a lot of baseball to be learned.”

“People say, ‘It’s living the life,’ but it’s a lot of hard work. People say, ‘Aw, you’re just playing baseball.’ But it’s beyond that,” he said. “Mentally, you’re locked in from the time you’re at the field until the time you leave.” 

In another article that accompanied Coyle’s interview, the reporter interviewed his mother who said,

“Sean said it’s very difficult to be on the road. He’s staying in hotels, trying to keep up with his nutrition.” 

Most jobs look very different when you are on the outside looking in.  Pro baseball is no different.  Although playing baseball for a living is an amazing experience, it is by no means easy.  Most people recognize the physical demands required of players in order to compete with the worlds best players.  Few people, however, see the other side of the job.  The bus rides.  The erratic sleep patterns.  The heat and humidity – especially in the South.  Being forced to eat at fast-food restaurants all the time because normal restaurants in small towns are closed after games.   They also are too expensive for players with very little meal-money (I got $11.00 per day my first year in pro ball).  Being away from home, family, and friends.


Speaking of bus rides, I played for Orlando in the Southern League (AA).  Here is a list of the times we spent on buses when traveling for away series:


Jacksonville, FL     2 1/2 hrs.
Greenville, SC        8+ hrs.
Charlotte, NC         8+ hrs.
Chattanooga, TN    8 1/2 hrs.
Birmingham, AL    9 hrs.
Zebulon, NC          9 1/2 hrs.
Knoxville, TN       10+ hrs.
Huntsville, AL      10 1/2 hrs.
Memphis, TN        13 hrs.


Don’t get me wrong.  I loved every single second of my time in pro ball and would not have traded it for the world.  The point is, at the pro level, there is much more to the job than just running out on the field and playing.  The grind of a professional season is very taxing both physically and mentally.  Jesse Biddle, Sean Coyle, and Mike Trout are all experiencing this and will need to make adjustments in order to deal with that side of the game.  


It won’t be easy but I’m hoping that all three do.