What makes freshman baseball so hard

Why Freshman Baseball Feels So Hard (and How to Get Through It)

You made the team. That alone is a milestone—one not everyone reaches. In youth ball, if you got cut, you could find another team. But not here. This time, making the roster means something—and staying on it means even more. The first cut wasn’t the battle; it was the beginning.

Freshman baseball is a different world. The standards are higher, the grind is relentless, and your name means less than your performance. Here are five reasons this jump feels so tough—and how to survive it.

1. Politics Are Real

Every level of baseball has politics. You’ll see certain players get more chances than others. Maybe they know the coach’s family, maybe they’ve been around the program longer, or maybe the coach just likes their style.

But here’s the truth: high school coaches need to win to keep their jobs. They might favor someone early on, but that loyalty fades fast if the player can’t produce. Talent and execution eventually dwarf favoritism.

Your move: When your number’s called, perform. You might only get one chance where someone else gets ten—but if you crush your one shot, you’ll earn more. Don’t waste energy complaining about opportunity. Prepare. Execute. Repeat.

2. Know Your Role and shut your mouth

You’re no longer the big fish in a small youth pond. Everyone around you has also been “the guy” somewhere else. You’ll bring knowledge and experience—but so will everyone else.

Two truths to keep in mind:

1. Whatever you’ve learned, your teammates probably know it too.

2. Even if you do know something they don’t, they probably won’t want to hear it from a freshman.

You’re not there to coach; you’re there to learn, contribute, and earn trust. Speak when asked. Work when told. Respect goes a long way—and it’s how you eventually earn a voice on the team.

3. Summer Ball Was Easy—This Is a Grind

Summer baseball is fun: warm nights, loud crowds, short sleeves, and no classes the next morning. High school baseball? It’s cold-weather workouts, limited daylight, and constant balancing between grades, practice, and expectations.

There will be mornings when the field’s still wet and the air stings your hands, and you’ll wonder why you’re out there. But stay the course. Those long, gray practices are what separate the consistent players from the casual ones. The fun returns—but only for those who stick it out.

4. Parents Are Frustrated (and That’s Okay)

Even if you understand your role, your parents might not. They’re used to showing up, grabbing nachos, and watching you play every inning. Now they’re watching you sit more than ever before, hitting lower in the lineup than you ever have.

On top of that, high school coaches don’t cater to parents. Many of your teammates can drive themselves—communication between coaches and families drops sharply. Suddenly, tomorrow’s 6 a.m. practice is announced at 9 p.m., and everyone’s scrambling. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the shift toward independence.

Your job: Keep calm, communicate what you can, and remind your parents this adjustment is normal—and temporary.

5. You’re the Last to Eat

Not literally—but close enough. Freshmen are rarely top priority. Coaches build practices around varsity performance, not freshman reps. If the varsity team botches a play twice, guess who’s repping bunt coverages tomorrow, even if JV ran them perfectly?

It’s easy to feel invisible. But don’t forget—you have a seat at the table. You made it. Plenty of players never got that seat. Your turn will come, but only if you keep earning it every day while no one’s watching.

The Perspective That Keeps You Going

On February 19, 2025, Striker Pence posted a video of his first high school outing. He hit 97 mph as a freshman. There is video. On 3/13/25 he has another post of his 2nd appearance. He threw 97mph and it was over 3 weeks before he pitched again. Let that sink in. 

Every freshman year is a test: of patience, persistence, and perspective. Don’t view it as a setback—it’s your foundation. Grind now so that, in a few short years, you’re the one others look up to and say, that’s the kind of player I want to be.