More Inspiration From Baseball

Before this year's World Series, the Los Angles Dodgers did the required due diligence by carefully studying the New York Yankees to find their strengths and weaknesses. The masses of data were summarized in one simple sentence - "The Yankees are talent over fundamentals."

The scouts noted that the Yankees were the worst baserunning team in baseball, that their outfield was often positioned poorly, and that they regularly mishandled routine plays. The Dodger players were advised to be constantly on the lookout for opportunities that were sure to present themselves.

Fast forward to game 5 with the Dodgers one win away from being World Series Champions. The Yankees' bats finally came to life and after four innings they had a huge 5-0 lead and a 96% chance of winning.

Unfortunately, in the top of the 5th the Yankees proceeded to prove that the scouting reports were accurate by making two errors and one bone-headed play, all leading to FIVE runs for the Dodgers. The Dodgers scored two more in the 8th and held on for a 7-6 victory and the Championship.

Some of you may have heard me preaching previously about one of my non-negotiable rules in pickleball, and I even used baseball as my inspiration and example.

MAKE THE ROUTINE PLAYS.

And the only way to do that is to drill them properly. I don't care if you are a pro or a beginner - to get better, you must drill the routine stuff. No fancy drill games, no fun shots, just the boring, routine stuff - get every dink OVER the net, get every serve IN, return every serve DEEP, make every third shot EFFECTIVE.

Making another unforced error may not cost you the World Series, but wouldn't it be nice to know that you are properly prepared for every routine shot?

​Michael Gauthier