I love Summer Camp for more reasons than I can list here, but one of the biggest is that I get to see so many players perform in game situations.

During the lesson season, I never get to see my players in action on the field and there are so many teachable moments that occur during a game that I miss out on.

But at Summer Camp, my coaches and I get to teach the mechanics while also getting to see players function in a team dynamic, compete against their peers, and react to the many things that can happen during a game.

After almost two full weeks of Summer Camp so far, I can see that one of the biggest concepts players need to learn is how to deal with disappointment as a result of the things they can't control.

What I mean by "things they can't control" are bad hops, umpire calls they disagree with, balls they hit hard but that get caught, etc, etc. You can think of similar examples in all sports.

Most young players have a very difficult time reacting to negative results in a positive way, and as someone who made it all the way to professional baseball, I can tell you that I saw many grown men getting paid lots of money struggle with this very concept.

In fact, there were two great examples from professional sports last week that perfectly demonstrated the right way to react to disappointment and the wrong way to react to disappointment.

On Monday night, Oakland A's Pitcher Drew Pomeranz gave up 7 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. Obviously, we was upset with this performance after being taken out of the game, he was so angry that he punched a chair. He punched the chair so hard that he broke his hand and now finds himself on the 15 DL and unable to help his 1st place team for at least that length of time. That is one extremely negative reaction to an obviously disappointing outing.

On Sunday, young golfer Ricky Fowler started the final round of the US Open in 2nd place. After only 4 or 5 holes, Ricky made a very poorly played double bogey that in all likelihood made the already improbable task of catching Martin Kaymar nearly impossible. But rather that get upset over something he couldn't change (1 bad hole), he remained calm, made a quick birdie on the next hole, and finished out the round in fine fashion for a very respectable 2nd place finish.

In addition to bad calls and unlucky bounces, one other thing we NEVER can change is the past.

Being disappointed or frustrated by results we aren't happy with (a bad call, a bad outing, or just plan bad luck) is completely natural. But we don't have control over the past. Getting upset does not change the past. Throwing equipment does not change the past. Punching a chair does not change the past. We have no control over the past. What we DO have control over is HOW we react and prepare for the future.

I am not saying that reacting the right way is easy - it isn't. What I am saying is that trying to learn how to control our emotions when faced with disappointments is incredibly important not only because it says a lot about how we honor and respect the game, but also because positive reactions allow us to have more success on the field. Players who are thinking about the "last play" are not prepared for the "next play."

And in competition, all that really matters is the "next play."

In all sports, we will face struggles, frustrations, and disappointments. How we react (which we DO have control over) speaks the world about what type of athlete we really are.

So rather than throw our helmet after being called out, or kick our glove after making an error, let's work to realize that we can't change the past, and that remaining positive after poor results will only make it more likely that we do better on the NEXT PLAY.

See you on the field soon!