I think it's only naturally to be reflective around birthdays and at the end of the year - for me, these both happen in December and I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about balance.

Balance is a term I use over and over again as a coach. Being balanced during our pitching mechanics allows us to throw more strikes. Being balanced at the plate allows us to be more powerful and consistent. Being balanced while fielding a groundball allows us to react to bad hops. The list goes on.

But I've also been thinking about balance in terms of my life in general. There are tons of things I enjoy doing. I love spending time with my wife. I love my job. I love playing golf. I love reading. I love playing poker. I love traveling. A constant challenge, however, is finding the right balance in terms of how I spend my time. I love my job, but if I spend too much time focused on work, the other areas of my life suffer. I love traveling with my wife, but obviously can't constantly put the rest of my life on hold in order to take trips. I love reading, but when I fall into a great book, I literally get nothing else accomplished until it's finished. Playing a poker tournament is a blast, but means I'll miss time at home with my wife and dogs. And so on.

I'd like to think that as I get a little older that I'm doing a better job of finding balance in my life, but it's definitely not easy.

With the Little League season (and a new year) fast approaching, I think it's a good time to think about balance for our young athletes. I've always encouraged the kids I coach to play other sports. Why? Because the athletic balance is healthy. Getting after it in the classroom is incredibly important, but elementary and middle school teachers who assign 5 hours of homework a night are not allowing for balance. Spending time with friends away from the Little League diamond is a awesome, but 9 hour X-Box marathons at a sleep-over the night before a game is not a great idea. As parents, coaches, and teachers I think we should be encouraging balance for our kids.

Yes, it's almost baseball season and I want to spend as much time on the field over the next 9 months as possible. Why? Because I absolutely love being around the game and helping young players develop their skills and passion for baseball. But I also know that if I spend too much time at the field, the other areas of my life will suffer.

The same thing goes for a young athlete: spend too much time on one sport, and not only do we run the risk that it will stop being fun and exciting for them, but it leaves little time for other activities.

I know it's unusual for a baseball coach to say "go play other sports," but I've been around the game long enough to know that time away from the field (i.e. balance) is crucial to our enjoyment of and longevity in the sport.

My wish for 2013 is for all the ballplayers I coach to find a balance - school, sports, family, friends, just being a kid - that works for them.

Have a great Holiday and I look forward to seeing you on the field soon!!!!

- Dan