I value humility, so I don't share this lightly. But this scouting report proves a point better than any story I could tell.

Here's what MLB scouts wrote about me prior the 2006 draft:

"Holmes did nothing but win in college, with average stuff. A bulldog mentality, his fastball sits 89-93 with command along with two 'OK' breaking pitches. Holmes is polished, but does not figure to get much better than he already is, which means his upside, other than being a fourth or fifth starter, is limited."

Let me translate:

What they were really saying: I competed every pitch. I prepared like a pro. I found ways to win with average stuff.

That bulldog mentality got me drafted — not my velocity.

Every coach says 'compete,' but most players don't actually know what that means.

Competing isn’t about having the most talent. It’s about your mindset — how you prepare, how you respond, and how you handle adversity when you’re not the most talented player on the field.

The truth is, most players want to win, but few truly know how to compete.

⚡ This Week's Play: What Competing Actually Means

It Starts with Effort

Every rep, every inning, every at-bat is a chance to win the moment.

Example: You’re down 8–2 in the last inning. It’s freezing. You’ve had a rough day.

0 for 2 with a strikeout. You hit a routine ground ball to short. Everyone in the park knows you’re out. But you sprint to first anyway.

That's competing — because effort is a choice, even when results aren't.

The scoreboard doesn't determine your effort — you do. Here's the thing, college coaches and scouts notice who runs out ground balls in lopsided games.

Competing isn't about the situation — it's about your standards.

Competing is a Mindset

Anybody can look confident when things go right.
The best competitors stay calm when everything goes wrong.

Here’s the truth, competing starts between the ears. You can’t control the umpire, the weather, or whether you get a hit.

But you can control three things:

Helmet slams after a strikeout? That’s wanting to win.
But competing means taking a breath, learning from it, and being ready for the next at bat.

When I pitched, my routine was simple: one deep breath, find the target, trust my stuff.
I couldn’t control the hitter. I could control my process.

That’s what competing really is — staying locked in on the things you control, no matter what happens around you.

💡 Parent Tip: Know the Difference

Here's what this actually looks like:

Wanting to Win vs. Competing:

See the difference? One is reacting to what happened. The other is controlling what's next.

After games, shift your questions from outcomes to controllables.

Instead of: "How did you play?" or "How many hits did you get?"

Try asking: "Did you compete today?" | "Did you give your best effort?" | "What did you control out there?"

When kids learn to compete with the right mindset, the results take care of themselves. Help them understand: competing isn't about chasing outcomes— it's about owning their response.

Try this for one week and see what changes.

🧢 Coaches Corner: Compete in Practice

Competition doesn't start on game day. It starts in practice.

Turn reps into challenges:

When you compete in practice, games feel easier.
The pressure’s familiar. The intensity is normal.
That’s how you build players who want the ball in big moments.

The goal isn’t to embarrass anyone — it’s to raise the standard.

Coach’s Tip: Reward effort and focus, publicly. Correct quietly. Competing grows best in confidence, not fear.

⭐ Pro Tip

The best players — the ones who make it to the next level — all have one thing in common: they move on. Immediately.

Gave up a hit or a walk? | Move on.
Struck out the side? | Move on.
Made an error or a great play? | Move on.

Mistakes are part of the game. The quicker you reset, the better you’ll be.

Competing means staying even-keeled.
Don’t let success make you arrogant or failure drag you down.

Next pitch. Next play. That’s the bulldog mentality.

Mookie Betts had only 4 hits in 29 at bats (.130 AVG) in the World Series – but he never stopped competing. Elite defense, stayed ready, helped his team win.

🧠 Mindset Rep

After your next practice or game, rate yourself 1-10:

Effort | Energy | Attitude

If you’re not at an 8 or higher on all three, you didn’t fully compete.
Be honest. Then pick one to improve tomorrow.
That’s how you build the habit.

💬 Ask Coach Steve

Got a question? Hit reply and ask me anything—about coaching, player development, managing expectations, parenting athletes, or keeping kids in the game.

Let's figure it out together.

Help me keep more kids in the game. If you found this helpful, please forward it to another parent or coach.

Thanks for being here. See you next week Inside the Dugout.

-Coach Steve-

Steve Holmes
Founder, Inside the Dugout
2006 MLB Draft | All-American | Youth Coach | Dad