Things to know before starting your journey to be the next Roger Clemens

We all dream of that loud crowd, roaring your name, pumping your veins with pride and power, and elating you to the highest cloud possible. And then you throw the baseball of the century, and then repeat it again and again, leading your team to a historic win. Doesn’t it sound dreamy and wonderful? But it all starts from a dream they say. And most of us surely do dream of becoming the next Roger Clemens. Well, strap on your cleats and get ready for the ride of your life! But before you start dreaming about striking out batters and hoisting championship trophies, there are a few things you need to know.

• • Most people think that a strong arm is all you need to make the batters swoon. But if this were true, won’t the arm wrestlers be making history in the field of baseball? Yes, having a strong arm is important, but there's a lot more to pitching than just throwing the ball hard. You need to work on your accuracy, your mechanics, and your mental game. Don't let the power in your arm make you neglect these other areas. Focus on the strength of your arm, surely, but then let your brain guide this power to that precision.
• • As you get drunk at the pleasure of playing baseball, don’t forget your body. You need to take care of your body too. Pitching is something that sucks out a great amount of energy through your arms. This is why you need to do a few things to take care of your body. Stretching, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest are all crucial to avoiding injuries and performing at your best.
• • You'll face failures and maybe lots of failures. This is not meant to put you down but to prepare your mind for reality. Even the best pitchers have bad days, and you will too. This does not mean that you do not hold that knack for throwing those godly deliveries. Don't let a few bad outings get you down. Instead, use them as motivation to work harder and improve. The more you improve, the more these failures will come down.
• • Don’t think that pitching is just a physical game. It is also a mental game. You need to be able to stay focused, control your emotions, and make smart decisions on the mound. You might be making batters out every other delivery while practicing, but when you are in between a crowd of thousands, roaring and chanting toward glory, emotions are too high and might take over. Don't neglect the mental aspect of the game. And this is not just about the professional game. When playing baseball, try to meditate upon it and be one with it.
• • And last, know that it takes a lot of practice. You're not going to become a great pitcher overnight. It takes hours and hours of practice to perfect your craft. Be patient, stay dedicated, and keep working hard. No book on legends has a prologue around luck and fortune and ends within a few happy pages. It takes much more than you can imagine. So, be ready for the worst days, months, or even years possible.
• • Invest in the right equipment. This will make you love your game more. Choosing the wrong equipment might easily make it harder for you to sail through and thus make you hate the game. If these sporting goods are costly, look for eBay alternatives to seek the products at a lower price.

Whether it's through playing in local leagues, coaching, or simply watching games with friends, baseball can bring a lot of joy and fulfillment into your life. So, my dreamers, dream, but keep practicing too. Keep learning, and keep enjoying the game. And who knows, maybe one day you'll find yourself on the pitcher's mound, ready to strike out the competition.