As regular Baseball Roundtable readers know, BBRT invites and encourages guest contributions to its “Why I Love Baseball” page. Today, BBRT is pleased to present a post from Alex Smith – who has a strong affinity for competitive sports. Smith played baseball, football, hockey and golf in his formative years; was the starting quarterback for four seasons at SUNY Cortland; has coached football for more than a decade; and currently serves as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach for the Williams College football squad.
Smith says he honed his competitive nature (and baseball skills) competing against his younger brother Jon, who played seven seasons of professional baseball as a 1B/OF in the independent Frontier, Canadian-American Association and American Association leagues. In his final season, with the 2017 Rockland Boulders of the Canadian-American Association, Jon Smith hit .327, with 12 home runs and 35 RBI in 51 games.
Alex Smith – our guest poster – points to his experiences on the baseball diamond as playing an integral role in the development of his approach to coaching. In fact, he tells BBRT that he still uses baseball terminology in teaching football strategy to his quarterbacks. “Turn Two” is used to calal for a quick screen past and “Slide” informs playcallers to avoid a bit hit when scrambling.
Over the years, Smith has kept a special place for baseball in his heart as a fan; a fantasy baseball player; and through his website “Mind Fuse Baseball,” dedicated to providing insight to help ballplayers at all levels improve their performance. You can visit Smith’s site by clicking here or going to mindfusebaseball.com
So, let’s hear from Alex Smith (and maybe from you, reader, in the future).
Why I Love Baseball
By Alex Smith
Growing up in Western New York, where the winters are long and the summers are short, baseball was always something I looked forward to. It was a special time of the year because I loved everything about it. I’m in my early 30’s as I write this, but it’s amazing the memories that still flash across the screen of my mind when the baseball season rolls around each spring.
I can still remember my mom buying my first pair of baseball pants when I was six- years-old. I was the happiest kid in the world. Then, of course, my first bat, baseball glove and a ball cap! I was ready to take the field, just like my baseball heroes.
Being from New York, I have to admit that I’m a Yankees fan. I loved Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada. These guys were clutch players in key moments and it was really fun to watch. They were winners and great role models, who seemed to be at their best when the challenges were at their greatest. .
Photo by T.H.Li 
But I really had a host of baseball heroes. I used to practice swinging the bat like I was Paul O’Neil or Ken Griffey Jr. I loved Derel Jeter, Alex Rodriguez (when he was with Seattle) and Jimmy Rollins. The list of players who filled my summers goes on. Better yet, I loved emulating some of the best players in the world. I could see myself getting the big hit or making the game-saving catch, just like they did. Really, isn’t it cool that baseball is the one sport where you can copy a swing, or the way someone throws, or even the way an umpire calls strike three, and it’s fun doing it?
And, there is also the joy of playing the game itself. I remember fondly the exhilarating feeling of making a diving play, turning two and hitting a knocker the opposite way to drive in the tying run. I also remember important early ball field lessons learned about how individual performance can be integrated with the concept of team.
Baseball has been something very special to me. It has helped mold me into the man I am today. It instilled friendship and teamwork into my life at a very young age. One of the only reasons why I wanted to keep playing every year was because it was flat out fun.
Photo by JeepersMedia
Today, I coach football for a living at the college level. My brother just retired from professional baseball. Yet, every time we get together at family functions, we always talk about who won in Wiffle (c) Ball in the back yard – and, believe me, those contests were serious. Even though it was Wiffle Ball, we juiced up the balls and the bats to simulate real baseball pitching. We’d call our own balls and strikes and have the time of our lives!
The competitive spirit that I developed early in my baseball (and Wiffle Ball) experience remains a huge part of my life. I deal with wins and losses every year. Ebby said it best in Bull Durham, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.” It’s important to experience both sides of the spectrum. I mean, we all want to win, but I truly believe there are also important life lessons to be learned when you lose. It builds character, humility, patience, grit, toughness, perseverance, persistence and faith.
Baseball has provided me that opportunity for learning and personal development since first picked up a bat, ball and glove. If it weren’t for the game of baseball, I wouldn’t be where or who I am today. My relationship with my brother wouldn’t be as strong, and all the amazing memories and experiences would be dust in the wind.
Alex Smith and a Memorable Moment on the Diamond
One of the most memorable moments of my own baseball career took place in high school, when my team was facing off against a rival for the league championship.
My primary position was shortstop, although I also went to the mound occasionally as the closer. In this matchup, our starting pitcher simply couldn’t find the strike zone. He started the game by walking the first three batters. Our coach pulled him and threw me in there, where I was up against the cleanup hitter, with the bases loaded and no outs.
To this day, I still think about what went through my mind at that moment. I’m not sure if I even thought about the circumstances. They kind of just got lost, and all I saw was the batter, my catcher and the umpire. I guess that intense focus is what you now hear of as “being in the zone.” I knew right away I had good stuff that day. It was the hardest I ever threw, and I know that because there was a professional scout there evaluating our starter and the opposing team’s starting pitcher, who both threw in the 90-MPH range.
Anyway, with a combination of low-and-away fastballs, a 12-to-six curveball and a favorable umpire, I just couldn’t miss. I struck out the four-five-six hitters in order, stranding all three runners. And, the radar gun was registering my fast ball at 88 MPH. I rarely threw harder than 82-85 MPH. My curve ball was never that good. Yet, it all came together that day. I threw a complete game, minus the first three batters. I gave up zero runs and one hit. It was the most unbelievable feeling of being in the zone I have ever felt – to this day.
That on-the-diamond experience taught me to go in and fight no matter what the circumstances; to help your teammates out when things aren’t going well; to provide inspiration by performing at your very best; and to focus on the task at hand one step – in this case, one batter – at a time.
Alex Smith in his college days – focused on the task at hand.
I went on to play college football at SUNY Cortland, where I started at quarterback four straight years. There were many games and moments where I recognized the need to bring back that focus and to “find the zone.” Being ready for those situations on the college football field was made possible by the experiences I had in baseball. I learned the important of translating pressure into focus. I learned you can create success by focusing on the task at hand with full confidence and faith.
I continue to love baseball today because of what it provided me in terms of personal and professional development – as well as the memories that go along with the game. Watching baseball takes me back to my younger days – fond memories of teams I played with, competition with my brother and emulating my boyhood heroes. When I was younger, I didn’t really understand the true meaning of “America’s Pastime.” Well, this is it. For me, the excitement of watching baseball today is enhanced by the ability of today’s game to spur memories of past seasons, games and players.
Alex Smith’s View on Coaching … Opportunity and Responsibility
As a college football coach, I enjoy great opportunity and great responsibility both on and off the field. Every day, the young men I coach look to me for answers as to how to succeed against certain defenses – how we can accomplish our goals for the week, picking up first downs and scoring points. It’s not easy managing and entire offense, but it’s a great opportunity and it’s fun. However, there is more to it. Behind the scenes, I have a responsibility to help mold my players to become better people, men, teammates and citizens.
The most important price of advice I work to impart is “Love what you do and do what you love.” I always ask, “Why are you here? Why do you play football? Why do you play baseball?” That may seem like pretty simple advice and pretty simply questions, but you’d be surprised how many kids don’t know how to answer those questions.
There’s usually only a handful of players that know why they are playing the sport they have chosen. This exercise starts the thinking process. They really examine the “whys” and “why nots” of their decisions. This bit of soul searching raises the thoughtful and creative sides of their personalities. It’s when kids find answers deep within themselves and young men emerge. They make an informed decision, which provides direction and purpose.
Baseball has helped set the foundation for all the successes I have achieved in sports and in life. I can’t wait to teach my two-year-old son how to throw and catch, what a hit-and- run is, and what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself – a team.
As we grow older and really start to appreciate what baseball has done for us, it becomes clear that it’s time to give back. That’s why I created Mind Fuse Baseball (click here to visit). The main focus is to help current players improve their physical and mental performance by providing information on the best products and services that will help them succeed.
These are the reasons why I love baseball! I can’t wait to help the next generation experience all the wonderful things that come from being involved with baseball.
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Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
