Anyone who’s ever fallen into a routine knows how quickly it can sap your motivation. Doing the same thing day after day—even something you love—can start to feel like drudgery. Baseball practice is no exception.
Repetition is essential for mastering fundamentals, but when players start going through the motions, improvement slows down and enthusiasm fades. Fundamentals are like vegetables—necessary for growth and long-term health—but that doesn’t mean they have to be bland or unappetizing.
Think about Brussels sprouts. For years, they had a bad reputation—overcooked, mushy, and dreaded by kids everywhere. But chefs didn’t change the vegetable; they changed the approach. With new preparation methods—roasted, caramelized, tossed with garlic or bacon—they went from dreaded to delicious. The same logic applies to baseball practice: when you make small creative adjustments, the same “basic drills” can suddenly become something players look forward to.
So, how can you breathe new life into your practice routine? Over the next few sessions, I’ll share three ways to make skill work as engaging as it is productive.
Let’s start with the first one: competition.
The Power of Competition
Nothing boosts energy like a little friendly rivalry. When players have something on the line—even if it’s just bragging rights or a sandwich—it instantly changes the tone of practice. Focus sharpens, intensity rises, and players naturally push themselves harder.
I’ll never forget a morning during spring training with the Rangers. The infielders were running through a simple “around the horn” drill—catcher to third, to second, to first, and back to home. It’s a basic warm-up, but that day the energy was flat. Throws were sloppy, balls hit the dirt, and even seasoned pros were making mistakes at just 90 feet.
Our infield coach noticed it too. Without saying much, he pulled out a stopwatch. Suddenly, the mood shifted. We split into small groups and turned it into a race: whichever team completed the drill the fastest would win, and the losers had to buy lunch for the winners.
Instantly, everything changed. Every throw was crisp, every catch clean. Communication kicked in, and the quiet, halfhearted drill turned into a lively competition filled with laughter, chatter, and just the right amount of trash talk. By the time the drill ended, the field was buzzing with energy—and yes, my group won. That post-practice turkey sandwich never tasted better.
Turning Routine into Reward
That’s the lesson: competition transforms the ordinary. You don’t have to reinvent your entire practice plan—just add an element that challenges players to perform under pressure. It fuels focus, builds camaraderie, and makes fundamentals feel meaningful again.
The next time your team seems to be dragging, don’t scrap the drill—add a stopwatch, set up teams, or keep score. You’ll be amazed how fast the energy returns.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore another creative way to make baseball practice something players can’t wait to show up for.
