Jim Foster is a leader. He has one of the best baseball minds I've ever been around. He knows more about the game than most could imagine. I've only known him as a coach, but I'd imagine if I knew him during his playing days, he'd be one of those great teammates you'd never forget. The guy that would always pick you up, be the first one out of the dugout if it called for it, the guy you could always count on.

In two years, he helped transform me from a kid who dreamed about getting drafted into a player who led the country in ERA and went in the 5th round. Not by focusing on my mechanics or trying to increase velocity, but by teaching the stuff that really matters.

The game within the game. How to attack hitters. How to compete. Why body language matters. How to be a great teammate. All of the things I try to pass on to my kids and their friends.

Because that's what ultimately matters. Not the stats. Not the records.

Jim Foster's Baseball Journey:

This is his story about what it actually takes, what parents get wrong, and why the locker room matters more than the stats.

In this feature, Coach Foster breaks down:

Here's our conversation.

Take me back to Little League. Were you a standout kid or a late bloomer?

I grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island, playing in Warwick American Little League. What I remember most is how badly I wanted to win. I was incredibly competitive. My mom would have to harness me in once in a while, but I couldn't get enough. I get that from my dad. He was a very good athlete and very competitive, and I followed him everywhere when I was a kid.

When baseball season ended, I played everything: football, basketball, street hockey. I was a good-sized kid, but not the biggest. I was a late bloomer physically. I went from about 5'9" to 6'1" in high school, then 6'1" to 6'4" in college.

When did baseball start to get serious for you?

As a kid, my goal was to be better than my dad. He always told me, "Be better than me and do something you love." He never compared me to anyone else. He put it on me and what I could do better, and kept me going. Work hard, keep improving. That shaped how I approached the game. I didn't really compare myself to others.

From there, it was Big East baseball, summer ball on the cape, and constant questions: Can I start? Can I excel? It was always about winning, relationships, earning each opportunity, and proving yourself. I was doubted a lot, but if you keep getting up and moving forward, that will take you a long way.

At what age does baseball actually start to matter?

For me, it mattered most when I had a wife and kids to support, and baseball became my job. Before that, it was something I loved.

For kids, it has to come from within. Parents should support them and be honest, but let kids play multiple sports, have different experiences, and enjoy being young.

Don't obsess over All-Star teams, travel ball, or rankings. Focus on learning life lessons, becoming a great person and athlete, surrounding yourself with good people, and challenging yourself. The rest will take care of itself.

You were the 1997 Baseball Weekly Minor League Player of the Year. What separated you from guys who got called up?

That year I drove in 125 runs while playing at three different levels with the Orioles. I had opportunities, but big league call-ups require timing, health, and someone in your corner. It's a business.

Who were some of the big leaguers you played with? What separated them from others?

I played with some of the best:

What separated them wasn't just talent or tools, it was routine, consistency, and mindset. At the highest levels, everyone is very good. The mental game becomes the separator. How you think and go about your business is who you are.

You were a 22nd-round pick. How important was self-belief?

It was everything. It's very tough to keep going when others don't believe in you, but you have to believe in yourself and keep getting up and doing your best. You have to trust in the work you're putting in and believe. Others' opinions can't affect your attitude, effort, or performance. If you don't learn how to deal with that in college and pro ball, you have no shot.

How did you deal with staying in AAA while others got called up?

You need timing and support, and I didn't always have that. But I prayed for a good family and I got that. I met my wife during winter ball in Australia in 1995. Baseball gave me a life I wouldn't trade for anything.

I wouldn't trade a day in the big leagues for the family I have.

Baseball gave me my family, friendships, career, and lifelong memories and relationships. The locker room, the bus rides, the competition in practice and games. That's what you miss and what teaches you about life the most.

After 9 years at URI, what were you trying to teach players that goes beyond baseball?

Routine. Accountability. Belief. When players came from good families and were willing to work, incredible things happened. Development is about structure, communication, and mindset.

What drew you to Army West Point?

After 2016, I went to Army West Point to raise a young family and help restore a proud program.

General Robert Caslen, the Superintendent, asked me to teach the guys how to win because when we as a country and Army put boots on the ground, we are always on the road, and we have to win. There is no other option. I took that message to heart and wanted to make a difference.

At Army, players balance baseball and military training. What did that teach you about what really matters?

At Army, there was a big learning curve for me. These future leaders had four to six classes a day plus military training and commitments year-round. We needed to find players who wanted to serve but also loved playing baseball at the highest level. We succeeded at that, what we call the Army Baseball Family.

We love our country, our families, and baseball.

We did whatever we could to keep the love of baseball in them as they took on this huge commitment. We trained like professionals and supported them each day in everything they did. The transformation you saw after four years was incredible.

What kind of player succeeds at Army? And what does that tell us about what actually matters in baseball?

You need grit, accountability, toughness, resiliency, selflessness, a sense of service for others, and a desire to be a part of something bigger than yourself. You need a high moral compass and a desire to make a difference. You have to love being part of a team, competing, and winning. All the best qualities.

You’ve recruited hundreds of players. What separated the kids who succeeded in college?

The ones who make it and succeed in baseball and life are the ones who keep going. They know how to compete and get up when they're knocked down. They learn from mistakes, communicate well, and always try to make it better for others. They have a sense of team.

Whatever team you're a part of, always remember: the one with the best locker room wins. It has to come from them.

What's the biggest mistake you see parents making?

Don't push them to the point where their sport becomes a burden and they resent it later. It has to come from them. Let them be kids and have fun playing different sports and activities growing up. As they get older, they can lock in on whatever they want.

Kids should put more effort and energy into becoming the best athletes they can be—getting stronger and faster as they get older. It's a very physical world out there. You have to pass the eye test and be really good to play at the highest levels.

What do parents overvalue in youth baseball? What should they focus on?

They overvalue travel ball, Perfect Game rankings, and Prep Baseball Report.

They should focus on family time, player development, teaching life lessons, being honest, and setting realistic goals when it comes to college and getting a great education.

When does recruiting start to matter?

Nothing matters at 12-14 except having fun, developing your skills, and loving the game. Play other sports to become a better athlete, and get in the weight room. Be smart with how you work and who you give your money to.

Walk me through the recruiting timeline. What should kids focus on at different ages: 12, 15, 17?

12: Just play and have fun. Be the best athlete you can be, develop a love for the game, and get better at your skills.

15: More time in the weight room and focus on nutrition. Grades really matter, do as well as you can. So many more opportunities will be there for you with good grades.

17: You have to decide what you want and go for it. You have to be held accountable for taking the actions necessary to achieve what you want. It won't just fall in your lap. Ask questions, come up with a plan, and be honest about your goals. Getting a great education and playing the sport you love as long as you can is what matters.

What should parents focus on if they want their kid to play college baseball or just love the game long-term?

Time together with family is what matters most. The love and support you receive, the lifelong relationships and memories you build, that's what it's really all about in the end. Your family, the friendships formed, and the opportunities and experiences you never would have had without sports shape who you become. The lessons learned along the way stay with you forever.

That's why you love the game, the competition, the locker room, the travel, the stories, and the brotherhood. Those shared moments are what you miss the most.

Jim Foster has been one of the most influential people in my life. His mentorship, his discipline, his humility. These are all things I try to carry forward, both as a coach and as a parent.

But here's what stands out most: Foster spent 10 years grinding through the minors, won awards, played with future Hall of Famers, and never made it to the big leagues. And he doesn't talk about that with bitterness. He talks about his family, the locker room, the relationships, the life lessons.

If you take one thing from Coach Foster's story, take this: the obsession with travel ball, showcases, and Perfect Game scores at 12, 13, 14 years old? It’s misplaced energy.

What matters is whether your kid still loves the game at 17. Whether they've learned how to compete, how to get back up, how to be a good person, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves.

The locker room wins. The family wins. The relationships win. Everything else is just noise.

Let them play. Let them grow. Let them fail.

Let them fall in love with the game. The rest will take care of itself.

A Note from Jim Foster:

"I want to thank Steve Holmes for having me. I hope this helps some parents and players out there. Holmesy was one of the best players I ever coached, a tremendous player and person. With Inside the Dugout, he is truly making a difference and giving back. It's great to see. Happy Holidays and best wishes going forward to all!"

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