Yeah

...

it was for me.

You know, it was kind of all just starting out at that time, you know, becoming kinda what it is today.

And, um, you know, and that stuff doesn't make or break you.

You know? If you don't do well at some of that stuff, like, that day or, um, doesn't really matter.

Y- You think it does as, like, a kid where we're like, "I have to do so good today," or, um, I feel like kids probably feel a lot of pressure when they go to that stuff to, like, try to get, like, a ranking or, you know, think that today is gonna decide, like, my whole baseball future.

Right.

... what does that feel like?

It was a weird feeling because-I don't know.

Like, I still think I'm, like, just, like, regular, you know? Like, normal guy hanging out with your friends, like, all that stuff, and then, like, your life changed so quickly to where, um, it was just different.

But from, like, a baseball standpoint, it was more of just...

You know, it's m- looking back on it, you, I think you always kinda think, like, it was just, like, a smooth ride, like, everything was going good.

But there's, like, ups and downs throughout it.

I think the end of the season, a lot of the times it was just, like, you just feel, like, super locked in, like you're in the zone.

It, like, almost turns into, like, a month, into two months, into a season, um, where I think, like, when I go and see, like-

What do- what do you think is the responsibility of leadership that a guy in your position needs to take on?

You know, I think a reason why a lot of the young guys play really well when they come up here is, like, th- they have clarity on- on what's expected from them and, like, what they need to do.

They don't need to be a hero.

You know? It's like, "Hey, just come up here and- and, like, be you.

Do what you do well." And then, you know, there's a little bit of a learning curve as far as, like, playing the game in situations and, like, learning the game of baseball, obviously.

But we have good veteran players that- that try to speed up that learning curve, and I think just taking those guys aside and talking to them and, you know, not giving them a hard time about anything, but it's just, like, if you want to win, if you want to be on a winning team, like, you need everybody to be a part of that and you need everybody to feel comfortable.

And you need guys to understand, like, what the goal is and what we're working towards and why- why we do certain things a certain way.

So who's on the council? How often do you all meet? What's a typical meeting like? Are- are there snacks?

I- do you think it's an advantage at all for hitters that, like, pitchers have to go f- like, at a different pace?

No, I think everyone's pretty used to it now.

I think before people would forget about it.

Now you see, like, one or two of those a month, like, for both sides.

It, it very rarely happens now.

But I think it's been good because it just, you know, keeps the action going, keeps the game moving.

There's no minute, like a whole minute in between pitches, you know, so that's good.

(laughs) I mean, I- I try, you know? But...