faith

Tebow Continues To Inspire Us All

-David Strobach-

Tim Tebow’s first spring training is officially underway! Recently in a press conference, he responded to a reporter with an eye opening statement…

We're proud of you, @TimTebow. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/P1M6tOC1uh

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) March 1, 2017

What a beautiful statement…

This press conference reminded me to keep things in perspective. In our world today, we are often so self absorbed, spoiled, overindulged, and happy to be rewarded with participation trophies. The result is that we are often overly sensitive allowing the slightest correction or criticism to offend/hurt us. In sports, we feel so defeated about matters that mean nothing in the long run like making an error or being in a slump. How can we feel so pressured, so worried about ourselves when there are so many people suffering? There are people without clean water or shelter and we are worried about selfish superficial “1st world problems” like purchasing the latest cleats or high tech bats. There are much bigger things to worry about than my baseball games or being angry when my team loses in the playoffs. So much of our life is just a game filled with noise and stuff – it’s a social media profile. Life should be more than a stat line and likes/views on a post.

Let us all try to follow Tebow’s words as wanting to be a person that brings “faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.” The world is so much bigger than us and we must keep things in perspective. So let’s do better! Get out there and be someone’s home run while helping the less fortunate. It will result in the most rewarding stats of your life.

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Living Strong

-David Strobach-

In honor of the anniversary of my brother Zach kicking cancer’s butt, I wanted to post our story.

I was sitting at the kitchen table one afternoon, in early October, 2005 drawing a picture. My sister Delilah was at her friend’s house, my brother Zach went to a car show with friends, and my twin, Sophie, was home with me. The sun was shining, trying to add warmth to the crisp cool fall day. And, there I sat, carefree, enjoying the pretty fall colors, drawing leaves with assorted crayons of red, yellow, and orange. Then, my mother received a troubling phone call from one of Zach’s friends. His friend, Nate, with a sickening worry in his voice told my mother that Zach was having intense pain in his groin and lower back. He couldn’t even walk. I saw my mom put down the phone, knowing something was wrong from the look on her face. Even though I was only five years old, I could sense something wasn’t right. That was when the darkness came.

As soon as Zach got home, my mother rushed outside. I never actually saw Zach and that’s when I knew that it could be more serious. She told me she had to take Zach to the hospital. That’s when I flipped my picture over to draw something else. I started to draw a picture for Zach of him in an ambulance. I was hoping everything would be okay.

Looking back, I remember my mother telling me that she thought Zach may have just torn or popped something in his groin or lower back because he was a skater and may have fallen. She thought some movement may have made it “out of whack.” Zach had a slight pain for a little while before the car show day. He even went to a chiropractor for some physical therapy. This was a very reasonable and a logical thought. She was very wrong and the darkness stayed.

Mom transported Zach from his friend’s car to our car and rushed him to the hospital. There, they found a mass on one of Zach’s testicles. My mom heard a vague comment about Lance Armstrong, but was confused. They wouldn’t tell her anything other than to come back the next morning to see a specialist. They decided to do immediate surgery even without a biopsy. A biopsy was too risky because there was a risk that trying to extract this suspicious mass would cause some cells to fall into the bloodstream. If some cells fell into the bloodstream, it could spread throughout his body.

After surgery, the doctors reported to my parents that Zach had cancer for sure. It was called testicular cancer. They told her it was the most aggressive type of cancer cell. The doctors did say that they believed that they extracted all of the cancer. Zach was sent home and everything was thought to be okay. They also found nothing in his blood cells to detect cancer. They didn’t know Zach was “marker negative,” which means the cancer cells would not come up in blood tests. My mother thought it was strange that he was just fine. Maybe it was just the darkness, but she had a gut feeling that something was wrong.
Just to be sure, my mother wanted a second opinion. She took Zach down to Rush hospital in Chicago. The doctor they saw was a trained specialist in this field. He worked under the doctor that treated the famous biker, Lance Armstrong, who also had testicular cancer. After Zach was checked out, the doctors brought back terrible news. The cancer had already spread to parts of his abdomen and lymph nodes. It would be awhile before the light and laughter would return to our home.

It’s so weird how life can literally change in an instant. Before this, Zach was on top of the world. He had just turned sixteen, had a girlfriend, got a driver’s license, and he got a sharp little sports car. He had just started his junior year at Walden H.S. Then it came all crashing down on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The clouds and the darkness came in the form of cancer, an uninvited stranger in our home. If left unchecked, the cancer would have progressed to the lungs and to the brain. Zach again needed a very complicated and immediate surgery. If my mother didn’t trust her gut and didn’t bring him in for a second opinion, the doctors said Zach would have died within six months to 2 years.

My mom and dad, understandably, had trouble dealing with the news. They felt overwhelmed, depressed and shocked. They couldn’t process and learn all the necessary information fast enough. My sister, Delilah, was in fifth grade and adored Zach. She was scared, but young enough to be a little clueless. Sophie and I could sense something was wrong, but we were confused. Cancer was like having an unwelcome stranger move in, where everyone is acting differently, and I tried to be on my best behavior. Sadness clouded our family. We were scared that we didn’t know what was wrong. There many hushed phone calls and sleepless nights for us all. Zach was down mentally and physically, scared, exhausted, yet hopeful, and strong. It was frustrating for him to have to rely on everyone else to do things for him. Zach was used to being thought of as a good-looking guy and vanity wise, it began to hurt his ego. He just wanted life to get back to normal.

In the surgery they removed all of the cancerous areas that were shown on the MRI’s. Then, they ordered several treatments of chemotherapy to flush out all remaining cells. He was out on a six month plan which was considered short, but still treacherous. Chemotherapy is a variety of medicine that they put through an IV in your body to attack your cancer cells. But in fact, it really is poison that kills the fastest growing cells in your body which include the lining of your mouth, your intestines, white blood cells, hair, nails, skin, and finally cancer cells. So while you’re attacking cancer cells, you are attacking all of those other things. A lot of people think chemotherapy is one thing, but each phase is different. It’s specifically designed for each patient. There is also some trial and error because too much can harm you and too little wouldn’t help at all.

Just when you think having cancer is bad enough, going through the chemotherapy results in devastating side effects. When mom brought Zach to the chemotherapy section of the hospital she said it sucked the air out of her lungs and she couldn’t breathe. Everyone around her looked like they were dying. She realized Zach would look like this soon. Zach lost his hair everywhere on his body. He once said that you don’t realize how much you need you nose hair because when you bend over everything drains out. He laughed, a little bit of light broke through. His hair follicles even hurt. A vivid memory my mother still sadly tells me is when Zach was lying in the hospital bed and complained that his head hurt. When he shifted, a huge chunk of his beautiful, black, thick hair was now part of the pillow and no longer a part of Zach. It took my mother’s breath away and she was speechless as she started to tear up. When Zach lost his hair I remember being terrified of him. Until then, the scars and gory stuff was buried beneath bandages and clothes. Now, I could see the metamorphosis left behind by cancer. Sunken, lifeless eyes and pale grey, hairless skin moved into my brother’s body. Zach was so weak, so sad that his little siblings, including myself, were scared of him. He was frightened, not recognizing his own reflection in the mirror.

The darkness grew and black spots began to appear on his fingertips and toes. It was the chemo burning his body from the inside out. Also as a result of the chemo, Zach had painful ulcers in his mouth and intestines. He experienced nausea and brain fog. My mother tells me that one day Zach woke up screaming and peeing blood because of kidney stones caused by the chemotherapy. To try to counteract some of the side effects they gave Zach steroids. These at least provided some relief and gave Zach an appetite, but also resulted in a bloated look, further distorting his normal good looks. But Zach, my brother, my inspiration, was not going to be beat.

Glimmers of light started to appear and brighten our home and Zach’s spirits. We were all going to battle to fight this! Zach’s support from Walden was monumental. Students and staff sent him well wishes and bought him a PSP video game to occupy his time at home. Many of his friends were always there for him. At my grade school and church, St. Rita’s, we would pray for him every day. We were fortunate to have many friends and family that helped make and deliver meals to our house. The support and prayers from others helped us greatly as well. The doctors and nurses were amazing. They all began to provide hope, and a light at the end of the tunnel that drove out the darkness.

About a year later, Zach was finally done with treatment. It’s a bitter sweet, and somewhat fearful feeling that treatment is over. It didn’t feel like an endgame, it felt like a waiting game to see if “it” comes back. Zach wasn’t going to sit around and wait for anything, there was too much living to do. Zach went on to enjoy prom, graduate from high school and get a degree from Marquette University. He is happy, healthy, handsome again, and the bravest man I know. And here I sit, nine years later, at the kitchen table, not drawing but typing. The sun is shining brightly, adding warmth to a glorious cool day.

“You beat cancer by HOW you live, WHY you live, and in the manner in which you live.”

-Stuart Scott

Run or Slide to 1st? The Science Behind It

-David Strobach-

In many games this year, runners have been sliding to first on very close plays. Every time the announcer is heard stating that it’s actually faster to not slide. This sliding/diving into first has been occurring noticeably more to me this year, so I decided to research it. Let’s see what the truth is in this scientific breakdown done by ESPN’s Sport Science to see if sliding or running is faster.

Moral of the story after watching the science, always make sure to run through first!

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To Trade or Not To Trade: The Case of Jonathan Lucroy

-David Strobach-

Milwaukee Brewers catcher, Jonathan Lucroy, was already one of the hottest names on the trade market and with his return this year to elite status, everyone has an eye on him. The tough question for the Brewers is whether to trade Lucroy or not. Let’s examine the pros and the cons.

To Trade

Milwaukee’s farm system is already among the best in the league and a Lucroy trade would make it a top 3 farm system with ease. Catchers who rake and field their position well are rare so Lucroy’s value is through the roof. He is currently hitting 316/.372/.539 as of June 6, with 9 bombs and an OPS of .911 after a DREADFUL 2014. The Brew Crew would receive an elite prospect package, adding to the already impressive group of players featuring Orlando Arcia, Brett Phillips, Josh Hader, and Trent Clark. The Brewers also have the 5th overall pick in the upcoming draft, bolstering the farm even more. Luc’s contract is incredibly team friendly, making him even easier to move. The future is already bright, but with a trade and draft here, it gets even brighter, looking at possible young stars. Lastly, Lucroy has expressed interest in being traded to a winning team.

Top Prospect: Orlando Arcia Benton Reed/Biloxi Shuckers

To Not Trade

Jonathan Lucroy is a fan favorite with the “LUUUUUCCCC,” chants heard every at-bat. It’s hard to give up one of the faces of the franchise that is so well liked. Everyone thought the Brewers were going to be quite dreadful while rebuilding this year, but they’ve actually been playing well. They are working their way back to .500 with only a few games under now. The bullpen has showed it’s elite with the likes of Tyler Thornburg, Blaine Boyer, Will Smith, and the dominance of closer Jeremy Jeffress. Jimmy Nelson is coming into his own and looks like he could be a 1, 2, or 3 for the rotation for years to come. Overall, the rotation has been serviceable other than the liability of Wily Peralta on the mound. Ryan Braun has returned to his old self and is having one of the best years of his career. Hernan Perez keeps hitting his way into the line up and Aaron Hill has heated up since his rough start. Jonathan Villar has been an absolute stud, hitting over .300, leads the league in stolen bases, and plays an exceptional shortstop. Lucroy is a core player and a leader. Finding another catcher like him is almost impossible. He could be vital in developing young pitchers and will be a valuable bat in the line up. With the revelation of Villar and the elite bullpen, the Brewers could become more competitive sooner than people think. Top prospect Orlando Arcia will soon be playing gold glove caliber D at short and hopefully Villar gets moved over to second because his bat has to stay in the line up. A Braun, Phillips, and Domingo Santana outfield could be great. Josh Hader is showing ace flashes featuring an ERA under 1. It’s hard to put a timeline on young prospects like Trent Clark, but let’s say these prospects I’ve talked about make their way up within 3 years, it could make the Brew Crew competitive. Lucroy would be a central piece for the years to come if he can be retained. The Brewers are quietly putting together a solid core that Luc is crucial to.

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

My Verdict: To Not Trade

I see Luc being too valuable down the road to trade! The Brewers with their solid play this year may convince him to want to stay. He is more valuable to the Brew Crew for the years to come to help anchor a line up as well as help develop up and coming pitchers. He is one of the few “veteran” leaders on the team along with Braun – which also helps sell tickets. This is an incredibly tough decision that David Stearns will have to make. Would I be upset if he was traded and they received a great return? Absolutely not, I can accept their wanting to position the team for the future. Either way, there are positives and negatives to keep Luc. Personally, I would miss him – and so would my sister who cherishes his autograph and catches because of him.

What would you do as GM?

Baseball Mirrors Life

-David Strobach-

There is no sport that truly shows all aspects of life like the game of baseball.

Baseball is one of the only sports without a clock, but always has an end. There’s no telling how far the end could possibly be for a baseball game. This can also be said about life. We know we are living, but never truly know when the game of life will come to a close. Throughout the game of baseball, you may miss that fastball down the middle, your golden chance at success. In life, there are times you may have a great opportunity, but miss it. “Strike 3,” calls the umpire as you have your walk of shame back to the dugout after failing. You may sometimes have that bad day in life, but don’t worry, there is always another at-bat, there’s always another day. In life and baseball, it’s important to embrace our mistakes and failures, learn from them to make us all better for that next opportunity, that next at-bat. Go up to the plate after being 0-3 and take advantage of your next at bat, make contact or better yet, smack a home run. Don’t go down just “looking.” Flunk that test or bomb that job interview? There will be another. Go prepare, practice, and kill it when the next opportunity presents itself. Be proactive and don’t go down looking–with opportunities passing you by. Create an opportunity on the baseball field and in your life. You never know when the time will come, but always be ready. After all, baseball is a game of failure….and so is life with many unpredictable variables—But that’s what makes it exciting! Life and baseball can be disappointing and hard at times. So, take responsibility and action through practice, pushing yourself and trying new things. Play every game and live every day to the fullest because you never know when the last game or day of your life will come.

In baseball, a sacrifice bunt or sac fly can be difference makers in a game. In life, let’s say you have that big test Monday, but want to go to the football game on Friday. Maybe money will be tight for you and have to chose whether you spend money on those new shoes or save it for your family’s well-being. There’s always decisions to made about when and how to sacrifice something, in both life and baseball. You could look like a big shot with those Jordan’s and look like the hero hitting that game winning three run homer. Saving that money you spent on those J’s may help your family out a little bit, but you feel no pleasure or status since you don’t have those shoes. Laying down that sac bunt helps the team win games and you may not get any notice or love for it. You sacrificed a chance and your personal stats to look the hero for the sake of the team. Sacrificed those J’s that you think would get all the ladies in order to help your family. Sacrifices may not be easy, but in the end it’s what will make all the difference allowing many to benefit.

A popular saying is that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a team to win a championship. In baseball and life you can never be successful on your own without anyone helping. A strong supporting cast is always needed. So when things are going badly, reach out to your teammates, family and friends.

In life, you can never have full control of what’s going on. There are always roadblocks. When you go up to bat, you have to go with what pitches are thrown and make the most of it. In life, you have deal with the cards you’re dealt and make the most of it as well. Life and baseball can be incredibly frustrating. Sometimes you can do everything right in both and STILL fail. Sometimes things look like they’re going well for both, but change drastically in a matter of moments. From hitting a line drive straight to the CF, missing a home run by inches, having your bat break, or getting a bad call – baseball is unfair. In life, you may be doing great at your job and still get laid off. Everything in your family could be going well, and suddenly tragedy hits. It’s not fair. It’s how you deal with adversity that makes you who you are and how you will eventually succeed. So, get up to the plate, take action, and make something happen.

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Former Texas Ranger Gerald Smiley Giving All Kids A Chance To Play Ball!

-David Strobach-

I recently had the pleasure of being contacted by former Texas Ranger Gerald Smiley and his organization, the BLP Academy. As a result, I was fortunate to be able to conduct an interview with Mr. Smiley. Smiley played with the Texas Rangers for 5 years and after hanging up his cleats, he founded the Big League Prep Academy for kids, as well as share his knowledge in other coaching endeavors. Mr. Smiley will describe this great academy best himself in the interview below – It sounds like a great alternative to overpriced, political, “elite clubs.” He is doing great things and making baseball available to all kids, no matter their situation. I truly have enjoyed conversing with Mr. Smiley as he is a stand up man, plays/teaches in the name of his Faith, and is doing all the right things for the young generation of ballplayers. Make sure to check out their website HERE! Hope you enjoy the interview!

Tell me about your baseball career in the pros. Why did you choose baseball as your sport? Who did you look up to?

My career was good but way shorter than I wanted it. I had three surgeries, two on my elbow and one on my shoulder. It was the best time of my life though. I met lots of people, built lots of relationships, was mentored by some of the best coaches in the game and got to see how pros carried themselves as pros. I chose baseball at the age of 6 because my older brother played. I was good at basketball, football and baseball but knew baseball was my best chance to do it professionally. I look up to my brother, Carlos Subero, Bill North, Dusty Baker, Frank Neville, Frank Velasquez, Mark McLemore and Cam Walker.

You had three surgeries in your career. How did they affect your career? How did you mentally deal with these injuries and what advice would you give to any player at any age dealing with an injury?

My first surgery was tough mentally. The Rangers almost pulled my contract because they thought I lied on my medical history form and was hurt when I signed, which I was not. I no longer felt a part of the team after I got cut on. Kevin Harmon and Frank Neville helped me big time mentally. They made me believe that my faith had to be in my rehab process and trust it. I was scared to let it go 90-94 again after I got hurt until they talked with me. I recommend players trust their rehab, don’t slack off, do the things that got you strong during rehab, after your doctor says you are clear. Don’t be afraid to air out full speed after your recovery.

You ended up scouting for the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Mets, and Brewers. What were your experiences as a scout? Did you have a favorite organization that you were a part of? What did you learn as a scout? And did you scout or recruit any big name players?

It is a lot of travel and chasing kids around. A kid may get rained out today and you have to go back and see him tomorrow. Lots of time away from your family. It is a gift to go watch baseball games and scout talent. It is not considered work when you do the things you love to do. I learned how to really trust my judgement and utilize the 20-80 MLB Scale properly and how to write reports properly that the front office and area guys want to see. Also not being afraid of saying you don’t like a kid even though other clubs do and you know he may go in the draft still. Our job is to draft guys we think will get to the big leagues, not max out in the minor leagues.

You went on to coach college and high school baseball and found a passion in developing kids. What are the major differences among age groups? Other than pure mechanics, what mental errors do you see in kids and the various age groups?

Major differences are focus, desire, commitment,

What advice can you give to high school kids aspiring to play in college?

Get your reps the right way every day. Out work everyone around you no matter what. You must stand out amongst your peers or it will be tough to go to the next level. Do not allow yourself to make excuses why you could not train that day or why your performance was not your best that day. Accept full responsibility for your career. It is on you!

What is your overall coaching philosophy?

Play the game hard, follow a player development system. Don’t worry what others think, be yourself and be the best you. Be explosive in everything you do, run hard, slide hard, master your craft through unlimited reps. Review your work daily and require 100 percent perfection out of yourself during your side work and skill work.

Did you have a mentor{s} or coach that was significant to you?

Yes. Loren Colello, Carlos Subero, Bill North, Joe Staton, Lee Tunnel. They taught me life not just the game. Told me things other people wouldn’t and called me out when I needed to be held accountable as well.

With your passion of developing kids, you started the BLP Academy. How did you come to start this? What exactly is the academy and how is it different then any other club/academy/little league? What are your goals with this academy and how do people get involved with the organization? What does the future hold for you?

BLP Academy came about by the sickening business behind youth sports today and the vision the Lord put in my heart. BLP Academy is a FREE app with professional instruction, training and more all in one place from myself and other coaches and info around the world that will help train parents, coaches and athletes. We travel around the world and train kids, coaches and leagues professional player development.
My goal is to open indoor sports complexes through a unique strategy that I have to help all kids. Kids who can afford it and cannot afford it. We will turn no kid away who cannot afford it through our resources and the glory of God, and His love for His children.

Coaches, players and parents can download the #1 FREE Baseball Training app at:

Itunes App Store:
https://t.co/hPlS1LWQYS

Android Google Play Store:
https://t.co/uxZqu35o6g https://t.co/cwQjwHzeWq

The Greatest Gift

-David Strobach-

I’ve been reflecting on my favorite Christmas presents over the years and I have been blessed to have had many awesome gifts. But, my favorite is still this baseball cross plaque that my crafty and thoughtful mom made for me. I have shared this with many:

“This plaque that my mother made, helps me to remember to always get over errors and leave it all on the field. It reminds me to “give thanks” to God and to my family. It encourages me to become a better teammate, to listen to my coaches, and be a good sport. I like to live by the motto: “God, Family, Baseball.” God always comes first. What I see is that God has a massive hitting streak going (all the gifts he has so generously given us). It’s game seven of the World Series against all evil. God understands that we make mistakes and always will, which are our errors. He forgives us for the BIG errors, and we should forgive ourselves for mistakes, learn from them, and move on. With a runner on third, a sacrifice bunt will win the World Series, but what if Jesus only needed a hit to break a record? To save his team (the world), he sacrifices! He sacrifices to save us all!!!! We all need to remember this each and every day. So whatever your beliefs, have FAITH. It will get you further than any home run.”

Under the cross it says:
“EVERYONE COMMITS ERRORS, BUT HIS SACRIFICE WILL GET YOU HOME…”

Everyday I see it, it reminds me who I am and what I stand for as a Catholic. It reminds me that God is with me and helps me to be a better person. It helps strengthen my faith. We all will make mistakes, but that is ok. Forgive others, forgive yourself. Since Jesus died for us as his sacrifice to save us from sin, he will bring us home to heaven. During this joyful Christmas time, let’s keep Christ in Christmas. Let’s remember what Christmas is really about, the birth of the Christ child. It is a time of Peace and Hope. So during these troubled times, be a good teammate for the human race – God Bless You!!

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Living Strong

-David Strobach.-

In honor of the ten year anniversary of my brother Zach kicking cancer’s butt, I wanted to post our story!

I was sitting at the kitchen table one afternoon, in early October, 2005 drawing a picture. My sister Delilah was at her friend’s house, my brother Zach went to a car show with friends, and my twin, Sophie, was home with me. The sun was shining, trying to add warmth to the crisp cool fall day. And, there I sat, carefree, enjoying the pretty fall colors, drawing leaves with assorted crayons of red, yellow, and orange. Then, my mother received a troubling phone call from one of Zach’s friends. His friend, Nate, with a sickening worry in his voice told my mother that Zach was having intense pain in his groin and lower back. He couldn’t even walk. I saw my mom put down the phone, knowing something was wrong from the look on her face. Even though I was only five years old, I could sense something wasn’t right. That was when the darkness came.