Why Coaches Play Their ‘Favorites’ — And How to Become One

Ever wonder what separates the starters from the bench in high school baseball? The answer might surprise you—it has less to do with March tryouts and everything to do with what happens in September.

The players who earn starting positions understand that the foundation is built months before the season begins. Physical preparation through consistent participation in team weightlifting programs doesn't just build strength—it demonstrates commitment while allowing coaches to evaluate work ethic directly. Smart players balance this intensity with proper rest and recovery, understanding that overtraining can be as detrimental as undertraining.

What truly separates good players from great ones is their approach to weakness. While most athletes naturally gravitate toward practicing what they already do well, future starters deliberately focus on improving their vulnerabilities. Can't hit a curveball? That becomes the priority. Struggling with backhand plays? Extra repetitions addressing that specific skill become essential. Coaches notice players who work to eliminate weaknesses rather than simply showcasing strengths.

The mental game represents another crucial differentiator. In baseball, where even the best hitters fail seven out of ten times, mental toughness becomes paramount. The off-season provides ample opportunity to develop this mental edge through reading, visualization practices, and learning how to handle both failure and success. Players who approach batting practice with purpose—working on specific situations like two-strike approaches or opposite-field hitting—develop game-ready skills that random swinging simply cannot produce.

Parents play a vital role in this preparation journey. Understanding that the process requires patience and perspective can make all the difference. Not every player makes varsity as a freshman, and not every upperclassman starts immediately. The players who ultimately succeed use setbacks as motivation rather than reasons to give up or blame others. The reality of high school baseball is simple but often misunderstood: coaches play their "favorite" players, but these favorites earn that status through reliability, consistent performance, and competitive practice habits.

Want to increase your chances of making the starting lineup this spring? Start putting in the invisible work today. Subscribe to Baseball Coaches Unplugged for more insider tips from coaches who make the decisions that determine playing time.

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• 0:00
• Introduction: Preparing For Starting Positions
• 3:10
• Physical Preparation and Team Building
• 5:54
• Academic Success and Addressing Weaknesses
• 7:54
• Mental Toughness and Purposeful Practice
• 9:58
• Defensive Skills and Pitching Preparation
• 12:38
• Advice for Parents and Closing

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction: Preparing For Starting Positions
• 3:10 Physical Preparation and Team Building
• 5:54 Academic Success and Addressing Weaknesses
• 7:54 Mental Toughness and Purposeful Practice
• 9:58 Defensive Skills and Pitching Preparation
• 12:38 Advice for Parents and Closing

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Hello and welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged In this episode. It's September and most baseball games for high school will not start until March of 2026. Question is simple what are you doing now to give yourself the best opportunity to be a starter on your high school team? When the season rolls around, mom and Dad, this message is for you too. You have no business going to the coach and requesting a meeting about playing time without listening to this episode. Next on Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

Speaker 2: 0:45

Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken Carpenter, presented by Athlete One. Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast for baseball coaches, with 27 years of high school baseball coaching under his belt, here to bring you the inside scoop on all things baseball, from game-winning strategies and pitching secrets to hitting drills and defensive drills. We're covering it all. Whether you're a high school coach, college coach or just a baseball enthusiast, we'll dive into the tactics and techniques that make the difference on and off the field. Discover how to build a winning mentality. Inspire your players and get them truly bought into your game philosophy Plus, get the latest insights on recruiting, coaching, leadership and crafting a team culture that champions productivity and success. Join Coach every week as he breaks down the game and shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories. Your competitive edge starts here, so check out the show weekly and hear from the best coaches in the game. On Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

Speaker 1: 1:42

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Speaker 1: 2:46

Be sure to look for a new episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged every Wednesday, starting at 5 am. Next week, we'll be having a coach on that is a state champion coach from the state of Delaware. Please be sure to tune in. If you enjoyed today's show, tell a friend, hit that subscribe button and leave us a review. Welcome back to Baseball Coaches Unplugged, the podcast dedicated to helping baseball coaches and players reach their full potential by gaining insight from some of the best coaches across the nation. I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter, and today we're talking about something that keeps a lot of high school players and their parents up at night.

Speaker 1: 3:30

How do you prepare to compete for a starting position on your high school baseball team? I know it's September and you have plenty of time before the first pitch in spring, but how will you spend that time? But how will you spend that time Whether you're a freshman trying to make the varsity or a returning player looking to secure your spot? The truth is this Preparation starts long before you ever step foot on the field for tryouts. And parents, this message is for you too, because your support and understanding of this process can make all the difference in your son's development.

Speaker 1: 4:08

Let me start with something that might surprise you a little bit. The best high school players I've worked with over the years don't just show up when the season starts. They prepare themselves almost year-round, if they're not playing another sport. I'm not totally sold on preparing year-round. You need to take that time off to recharge. But when they are in that preparation mode, they're doing it with intent and purpose. They understand that baseball is both physical and a mental game, and both aspects require dedicated preparation.

Speaker 1: 4:45

Let's talk about the foundation, your physical preparation. If your high school team has a weightlifting program, you need to be there period. This isn't optional If you want to compete at the highest level. The players who earn starting positions understand that strength, power and conditioning can give them an edge in every aspect of the game. When you're lifting with your teammates, you're not just building muscle, you're building team chemistry, accountability and mental toughness. Parents, if your school offers this program and they have coaches who coach it, or they have a strength coach make sure your son prioritizes it. It's often the difference between making the team and watching from the bench. The other thing to think about is the player who says I'm working out on my own, I have a personal trainer. You need to spend that time with your team. You need to work with your team and let the coaches see you so they can evaluate what you're doing in the weight room.

Speaker 1: 5:54

Here's something equally important that too many players ignore Rest and recovery. Take the time this winter to rest your arm and your body and to recover. Play another sport. The best players understand that rest isn't being lazy, it's being smart. You can't perform at your peak if you're constantly breaking your body down without giving it time to rebuild stronger.

Speaker 1: 6:20

Now let's stress something that the players think they can slide by on, and that's academics. Your grades matter, not just because of eligibility requirements to play on the team, but if you're someone who's wanting to play to the next level. College scouts and coaches look at grades because they indicate discipline, time management and commitment the same qualities that make great baseball players. The student athlete who excels in the classroom. Often that translates that same work, ethic and attention to detail. It goes over to the baseball field. Parents support your son's academic success as much as you support their athletic goals. They're not separate, they're connected.

Speaker 1: 7:08

If you want to separate the good players from the great ones, have them learn to start addressing their weaknesses. Most players love to work on what they are already good at. The kid who can hit for power loves taking batting practice and pulling every pitch. The smooth fielder loves taking ground balls. But the players who are in starting positions? They spend extra time on. Your weaknesses. Can't hit a curveball. That's what you work on. Struggling with backhand plays at short stop. That becomes your focus. The uncomfortable truth is that coaches notice who's working to improve their weak spots and who's just showcasing their strengths.

Speaker 1: 7:50

The next crucial ingredient is mental toughness. Baseball is a game of failure, and you've probably heard this a thousand times. You fail seven out of ten times up at the plate. You fail seven out of 10 times up at the plate. The players who thrive understand that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation. You got all winter. You got all winter. Pick up some books about developing mental toughness in sports. Study how great players handle pressure, failure and success. Visualization isn't just a new age concept. It's a legitimate tool that elite athletes use to prepare for high pressure situations. Parents, help your son understand that developing mental strength isn't a sign of weakness. It's preparation for success.

Speaker 1: 8:43

Let's talk about batting practice and skill development. Don't just go to the cages to hit balls. Have a plan. Are you working on hitting to the opposite field? Are you focusing on your approach with two strikes? Are you practicing situational hitting, moving runners, hitting behind runners or can the count? Random swinging might feel good, but purposeful practice creates game-ready players. The same principle applies to every position.

Speaker 1: 9:14

Speaking of positions, let's not forget about defense. In high school baseball, the players who can field their position consistently will earn playing time. Work on your defensive skills with the same intensity as you bring to your hitting. Know your position inside and out. Understand situational defense. Study the game so you know where to be before the ball is hit. Coaches trust players who can make the routine plays and if you get one of those spectacular ones, that's great. But routine plays are the key. Be able to make those Now for the pitchers out there. Listen carefully.

Speaker 1: 9:59

Don't start throwing at full intensity too early in your preparation. Your arm needs to be built up gradually and systematically. I've seen too many promising young pitchers hurt themselves by trying to throw hard before their arms are ready. Work with your coaches on a proper throwing program that builds your arm and strength progressively. And something I can speak to because I experienced it as a coach if you're going to a camp in the winter and you're a pitcher, make sure you're ready to go to that camp and pitch. Don't just go there and all of a sudden just start going 100%, because you're going to end up hurting yourself Once you start pitching competitively, focus on being a strike thrower.

Speaker 1: 10:46

High school hitters will get themselves out if you can consistently throw strikes. You don't need to be perfect with your location, but you need to be around the zone consistently with your location, but you need to be around the zone consistently. The pitchers who succeed at the high school level understand that competing means attacking hitters, not trying to be perfect. Challenge the hitters with your best stuff in the strike zone and trust your defense behind you. And for the parents, here's something you need to understand this process requires patience and perspective. Your son might not make the varsity as a freshman, or he might not start immediately, even as an upperclassman. The players who eventually succeed are often the ones who use setbacks as motivation to improve rather than reasons to give up or blame others.

Speaker 1: 11:39

The best high school players I've known share certain characteristics they prepare, they work on their weaknesses as much as their strengths. They understand that mental prep is as important as physical preparation, and they approach each practice and game as an opportunity to get better. Remember, earning a starting position isn't just about being better than everyone else on day one. It's about showing your coaches that you're committed to improvement, that you understand your role within the team concept and that you can be counted on in pressure situations, whether you make the starting lineup immediately or have to earn your way through hard work and patience. The preparation process itself will make you a better player and a better person. The habits you develop now dedication, perseverance, attention to detail and mental toughness that'll serve you well beyond your high school baseball career.

Speaker 1: 12:40

Mom and dad, you need to remember coaches play their favorite players. Those players are the ones a coach can count on. One who competes every practice, performs when he gets his chance is better than the backup and gives the team the best chance to win. Welcome to varsity baseball. That's all for today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged. Remember, champions aren't made on game day. They're made in the months and years of preparation that nobody sees. Keep grinding, stay committed to the process and trust that your hard work will pay off when it matters most. Today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged was powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707 or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom. As always, I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter. Thanks for listening to Baseball Coaches Unplugged.