Washington Wild Things: Cut Day

Today was the final Exhibition game of the 2013 Spring Training. We finished a brief road trip 2 1/2 hours away in Cleveland, OH vs The Lake Erie Crushers. A lot of positive things came from this weekend. Pitchers pitched well, hitters made key adjustments during at bats and we played as a team. We were finally jelling as a team. Everyone would encourage everyone. When someone seemed down, a player would race over to pick his spirits up again. We shared many laughs and stories together on and off the field. Great times! But today, our momentum as a team took a punch in the stomach. TODAY……WAS CUT DAY…

As we loaded the bus to head back to Washington, PA from Ohio, skip (manager) stood up to make a few announcements. He said, “Great job today fellas. You really played well despite the elements. (It was FREEEEEZING out there today lol) But unfortunately, today we have to make cuts. So when we get back, nobody leave the locker room”. Once Skip said that and sat down, I could feel the bus shrivel like a balloon slowly losing air. It hurt knowing that someone you grew close to could possibly never be seen or heard from again. The next 2 1/2 hours on that bus was not colorful, it was only black and white.

We arrived at the locker room and to no surprise…NO MUSIC was playing and nobody wanted to make eye contact with each other. The coaches went into their office and closed the door. Players quietly sat in front of their lockers waiting impatiently for the verdict. 5 minutes went by and the coaches door opens up and skip walks out and pulls the first guy on the list. Door shuts. After 2 minutes of silence, the door opens and out walks the guy with a pail face and pink eyes. He walked to his locker trying to keep his head high but you could read and feel his hurt. 

One by one they continued to pull players in and every reaction was basically the same. Unfortunately, we had to cut 8 players from our roster today so you could imagine the mood in the locker room for 25 minutes straight. Just close your eyes and try to vision your friend packing up his bags right beside you. It really hurt me because me and this guy worked out together and talked for hours about finally making it to the next level. So it crushed me.

I had to clear my head so I walked outside in the cold to clean my cleats. About 10 Minutes later, one of the players that got cut walked out with his bags packed and headed for his car. Approaching me I could notice that he was crying in disbelief. I knew that he was a rookie fresh out of college and his hopes and dreams were just stepped on. Something had to be done, so i asked him to take a seat right beside me. I asked him if he desired to play again and he said, “heck no”. I told him that he was only 23 years old and so much life ahead of him. If you quit now then you will forever be a quitter. You have come too far to give up now. Dont throw it all away just because someone told you that you wasnt good enough. Many famous people only became famous because a lot of people told them NO! Then I told him to pick his head up! You got NOTHING to be ashamed about. This is the beginning of your comeback. Nobody wants to hear your story if you didnt go through anything. Just know that this is not the end of you! I ended on this quote and then walked away. “A man is only defeated when he believes that he is defeated”.

By the time I returned to the locker room, everyone had left. The room was not only empty, it felt empty.

 

Image

CONCLUSION:

No matter who tells you that you arent good enough, tall enough, smart enough, fast enough or even pretty enough…lied to you! God doesnt make mistakes. He created you from scratch to become something great. Dont worry if things does not work out the way you intended for them to work out. Keep dreaming and remember to keep God first. He will see you through any tough time.

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE. EMAIL THIS TO SOMEONE IN NEED OF CHANGE

Be Blessed

 

My First Un-Official Home Run as a Washington Wild Thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNRbUICPqc4

I got real lucky and caught up with a high fastball. Im just glad the wind was blowing a little bit lol. But we are getting ready for our first game on May 17th make sure you check back daily for updates on how my season is going 🙂 I PROMISE TO KEEP IT HOLLYWOOD BABY!

Tiny Nuggets: “No more excuses” ft. CJ Beatty

Are you tired of things no changing for you? Are you ready for a change? Well check out this new Tiny Nuggets episode I did sunday morning before practice…dont forget to share!

Before I went to practice today I had to share something that has helped in my transformation. I no longer walk in fear of the world….I only walk in fear of God…check out this episode and leave me some feedback!

Be blessed

CJB44

Observer-Reporter “Wild Things Beatty a traveling man”

 

 

Image

Article by: Chris Dugan (Sports Editor)

The résumé of C.J. Beatty reads like something that should be published by Rand McNally. There are summer stops in Johnson City, Tenn., Lincoln, Neb., Davenport, Iowa, Palm Beach, Fla., and San Angelo, Edinburg and Fort Worth in Texas.

Most recently, there was a six-month winter stop in Australia.

For five years, Beatty has been keeping the dream alive. Five years of not giving up on baseball, even when some in the game gave up on him. Such is the life of a hitter.

These days, Beatty’s travels have led him to Washington, where he is trying to land a spot on the Wild Things’ opening day roster. This will be Beatty’s first experience in the Frontier League, which is one reason why he’s here.

“I’ve heard this is a very competitive league and that the Frontier League is heavily scouted. There is a lot of young talent here,” Beatty said.

No doubt he heard much about the Frontier League from the person who made the Wild Things aware of Beatty’s availability. That would be pitcher Chris Smith, who had a sparkling season (9-6, 2.92 ERA) last year with Washington and is now in the New York Yankees’ farm system.

Smith and Beatty, a 24-year-old utility player, were teammates during this past winter with the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League.

“The first road trip we played together, we played in Adelaide, in south Australia. The closer came in the eighth inning, and I was able to hit what they say was one of the longest home runs in that stadium. Chris immediately got on the phone and called Washington. He said, ‘You’ve got to do whatever it takes to get him to come to the Wild Things. … It came down to three teams: Lake Erie, Traverse City and the Wild Things.”

The deciding factor was location. Beatty is from Winston-Salem, N.C., and most of his professional baseball pit stops have been far away from home.

“This is only a five-and-a-half-hour drive from North Carolina. I’m happy to have family and friends make that commute on weekends to see me play,” Beatty said.

Beatty comes to Washington with a strong reputation as a hitter. In two seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals’ system and two more on the independent circuit, Beatty has a career batting average of .284. As an independent league player, Beatty has 79 extra-base hits and 30 stolen bases.

Beatty’s bat should be a welcomed addition to the Wild Things, who were last in the Frontier League in batting average last year, and last in runs scored in 2010 and 2011.

Drafted by St. Louis in the 26th round in 2009 out of North Carolina A&T, Beatty was an outfielder in the Cardinals’ system. After his release, he switched to the infield. He’s played three infield positions in independent leagues.

“When I was released, I was given some great advice by (the Cardinals’) staff. They told me to come back as a different ballplayer,” Beatty said. “I took that advice to heart and wanted to come back at a position that makes sense for my style. My speed, I’m not a burner for a center fielder. I don’t have the power to play the corner outfield positions. So what position would be best for me to get back to affiliated ball and be valuable to a team? With my size and speed, I said I could bring some power to the second base position.”

Beatty will have some competition at second base, where Shain Stoner returns after leading the Wild Things with 10 home runs and 58 RBI last year. Center fielder Darian Sandford, who set the Frontier League record with 71 stolen bases last year, was switched to second base this spring while in minor-league camp with the Chicago White Sox. He took some ground balls at second Thursday during the opening day of Wild Things camp.

Baseball Players Need More Tee Work….PERIOD!

5/3/13
Today was perfect baseball weather in Washington, PA. Im not sure where you are from but I really do not think the weather comes close to here. See some people will argue and say thats bias but having a baseball background of 20 years and 4 years Pro…..I think I can say what i want about the weather lol

Day 2 at the 2013 Wildthings Spring Training and the energy is still great! Guys are motivated and hungry to prove that they belong in between the lines. Bart Zeller (Manager) really keeps everyone grounded and focuses on doing the little things right. Todays practice was basically the same as Day 1. FUNDAMENTALS. Middle infielders really focused on getting to know either the shortstop or second baseman better. This is very important when turning the DOUBLE PLAY. Some guys prefer the ball tossed a little out in front of the base to guide them across the bag. Some just like for you to simply shove it in there chest lol So far I’ve learned to embrace team chemistry. Bart is very big on that and I’m proud to be apart of this process because its creating a better ball player, friend, teammate and man.

Today at batting practice I got off to a rough start. According to Coach Rich, I was casting my hands out to quickly and not letting the ball travel. He gave me some pointers and it started to click again. Thanks Rich see ya tomorrow big guy. But I came up with the title while riding back to the hotel. I began to think about the art of hitting. I was blessed to speak with Albert Pujols one on one before I was released by the Cardinals. The one thing he said that hit me hard in the face was…….”I hit good because im addicted to swinging off of the tee”. From that day on I said, “if pujols can be viewed as a hitting machine, then i must change my routine and hit more off the tee”. I learned a valuable lesson from the #1 Income earner in all of Network Marketing Mr. Holton Buggs. He is clearing 12million dollars a year. He said, “people fall short in life because they waste time trying to recreate the wheel. All you have to do is find a wheel thats going where you want to go or at least in the same direction”. THAT QUOTE ONLY CONFIRMED WHAT PUJOLS SAID TO ME. We must remember that successful people copy successful people.

From the age of 8 all the way to professional baseball, players dread hitting on the tee. Cal Ripken Jr. was notoriously known for taking thousands of hacks off the tee prior to a game. If it worked for him then why not for you? Manny Ramirez was known for placing hoola hoops inside the cages and hitting balls off the tee through the hoops. If it worked for him then why not YOU? From my personal experiences ive learned that hitting off of a tee gives you confidence, less strikeouts, less foul balls, more backspin, etc. So when I feel like Ive lost my swing, I know where to visit. The one place where my swing is waiting on me……. At Mr. Tee’s house lol

CONCLUSION:

When you don’t make it in life, there is nobody to blame but yourself! In this day and time, resources are available to the Rich and the Poor. God is not expensive. So no excuses. Its time out for feeling sorry for yourselves. Get off your butt and go create a new plan so your goals can lead you to your dream.

http://www.cjbeatty.com
http://www.youtube.com/motivationalnuggets
http://www.motivationalnuggets.tumblr.com
Instagram me: cjbeatty44
Twitter: @cjbeatty44

Peanut Butter Sandwiches are a Minor Leaguers Steak

Well today was the first official workout for the Washington Wildthings. We had to be dressed and ready to go by 9:30am. My manager for this year is Bart Zeller. He kicked us off with a team meeting that explained the rules of the clubhouse and the organization. As I looked around the lockeroom during the introductions I slowly began to smile. I noticed how we have a 36 man roster now for spring training and rookies have to double up (Share lockers) with another rookie. I remember having to do rookie duties like doubling up on LONG BUS RIDES….or taking all the equipment out to the field before every practice. Rookies are responsible for all equipment and basically ANYTHING the veterans or coaches say to get. Glad that chapter has closed for now. But if i do make it to the big leagues, I’m sure my rookie days will take on a new chapter Lol.

After the meeting we hustled out to stretch with our strength and conditioning coach (Steve) and shortly afterwards began a traditional practice. Infield outfield. Batting Practice. Conditioning and surprisingly……an Indian run lol. At the end of the conditioning everyone was pooped but excited. We were all excited because after practice Bart explained that the Washington front office provides post practice meals for you after every workout. Today at 4pm we were eating at a steak house buffet. Now if you are not familiar with the minor league life style then let me quickly inform you. WE MAKE NO MONEY!!!!! Let me say again…..WE MAKE NOOOOOOOOO MONEYYYYYYY! So when a ball club provides meals at a steakhouse…..WE DROOL lol.

Which brings me to why the title is called, “Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches are a Minor Leaguers Steak”. Ok after everyone filled their bellies with salad, potatoes, yams, greens, grilled chicken, and ice cream we all met at our second home……Walmart. In my opinion Walmart was designed for Minor League baseball players to feel good about themselves lol. We all got out the car super excited to walk in. One guy jogged in. One guy walked in screaming, “Im Baaaack”. And the others just walked in with the look of confidence lol. We met in the produce section as a mini team and planned aloud what our budget was. One guy asked when we got paid and I said, “listen rook (short for rookie) you do not get paid during spring training. You have to make the team first and play in games to get paid. Hence why we are here balling on a budget in Walmart”. Lol

This is where the years of experience hits the road right here. So we are walking together. I reach out and grab bananas, nobody else does. We then agree to buy some breakfast foods. So we look at each other and say simultaneously, “JIMMY DEANS”. Lol We arrive at the frozen breakfast isle and i notice that a box of Jimmy Deans are 8.49 the guys start to buy them in twos. I was shaking my head and said, “Guys yall do realize that if you keep this up, you will be broke from shopping at walmart”. Walmart will do it to you lol its designed to give you extra low prices but you end up buying way more. So i refused to let Walmart defeat me again. I went to the “Minor Leaguers” section of Walmart and bought what every minor leaguer enjoys….PB and J. Lol I bought one loaf of bread, spicy mustard, pringles (bbq), mayo, bananas, ham and cheese.

14.57 was my total….and i must say it was an accomplished feeling. Everyone else spent 50+ dollars and felt terrible lol but Rookies will learn eventually. I know i had to! QUESTION: Do we get tired of PB and J sandwiches? Heck yeah we do! But we learn how to tolerate them because of our budget at this level of play.

CONCLUSION:

I just learned to be thankful for you have. There are thousands of people wishing they had my life right now. Stop complaining about what others have and just SHARE what you have!

http://www.cjbeatty.com
http://www.cjbeatty.mlblogs.com
Twitter: @cjbeatty44
Instagram: cjbeatty44
Facebook: cj beatty