Play The Game “One Pitch At A Time”

When I was a sophomore, my Riverton High School team made it to the state playoffs. After losing to Jordan High we were put in the loser's bracket, where the road to the championship game got a lot longer. As we were taking batting practice before going to Utah Valley University to play Lone Peak, Coach Jay Applegate approached me and told me that I would be making my first varsity start. I was overwhelmed with excitement. I called my mom and dad to tell them, and my dad got off of work so he could come watch me. The day before, another sophomore had a chance to pitch by the name of Tanner Draper. He pitched a complete game and got us a win. I wanted to follow his lead and pitch a complete game against Lone Peak. Coach Applegate talked to me again before the game started and gave me this wise council. "Barton, we only need 2-3 innings out of you. Take this one pitch at a time and get us through the first few innings." Being 16 years old, I failed to see the importance of his words. My focus was pitching the complete game. Long story short, I was chased out of the game after giving up 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings. We ended up losing the game and our season ended. If I had heeded Coach Applegate's council, I would have had more success in my first varsity start.

I have started a small business for myself modeled after what Coach Applegate told me that day. It's called, "One Pitch at a Time" and I coach young baseball players. I hold personal pitching and hitting sessions focusing on winning each pitch. If you would like to schedule a pitching or hitting session, you can text me at 801-657-8966 or visit jaredbbarton40.wixsite.com/onepitchatatime and submit your information.

I've learned and understood the importance of taking the game one pitch at a time. If we approach a big game with big expectations, like pitching a complete game in your first varsity start, it can be very overwhelming. I was disappointed with my performance because I wasn't able to overcome the challenges of each inning.

As I've thought about this principle, I've thought about the commandment to "endure to the end." We're taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is 1. Faith in Jesus Christ 2. Repentance 3. Baptism by Immersion 4. Confirmation to Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands) and 5. Endure to the End. Enduring to the end can seem like a daunting task because it seems to make us focus on eternity as a whole. In some cases we may spiritually take days off because we have time to rededicate ourselves later. Instead, I like to think of a one pitch at a time mentality. I like to change it to endure to the end of each day. If we can win each day, we will stay on the straight and narrow path. Spiritually taking a day off is like letting go of the iron rod saying, "I can come back later." Mosiah 5:15 says, "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good words, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through his wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen." Likewise, Matthew 6:34 reads "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

The next time you're on the mound, remember to win each individual pitch. If one doesn't go your way, bounce back the very next pitch. If you have a bad morning at work or school, bounce back and make it a good afternoon. We are in control of our happiness and confidence.