(Editor’s Note: Cam is a 2009 graduate of Hicksville HS, where he was selected by the New York Mets in the 34th round. He just finished his eighth season in the minor leagues. He is a member of the Miami Marlins organization. He has a career .383 OBP in over 1500 at bats)
by Cam Maron
Baseball is a game of constant adjustments. Balancing workouts, batting practice, games, down time, family time, and personal time is a constant battle during the season.
For those that have not been fortunate enough to play professional baseball, you may not understand how much really goes into it. Of course you have heard stories of players taking 1200+ swings in the batting cages, or lifting four to five times a week during the offseason. Yes, what we do as ballplayers during the game is a special privilege, but when it comes down to it, we are still regular human beings, with feelings and emotions. Dealing with those feelings and emotions on a minute-to-minute basis is something that is necessary in order to be successful at a high level. Seven months of being away from home and grinding out every single pitch, at bat, game and day does take its toll on you.
We are beyond lucky and blessed to be able to play at the level we do and we try to cherish every single moment of that, because we never know when it may be taken away from us. I know for me, spending time talking with my wife, Jenn, for an hour or two every night or speaking to my parents or my in-laws in the morning before I head to the ballpark is my saving grace. They have always been there for me and knowing that they will continue to be there as the years go on.
We try to enjoy ourselves during the season as much as we can, as often as we can. Making sure we get all of our work in on a daily basis is of the utmost importance, but we also find a way to unwind. Whether that’s a game of cards in the clubhouse after BP or hanging out at the hotel after the game, free time does mean a lot to us. The cut-throat environment that we compete in causes each of us to react differently and guys tend to handle it in their own unique way.
Achievements and recognition is something as human beings we all strive for, especially personal ones. I know for me, the proudest and happiest I have been as a ballplayer, specifically as a catcher, is when I see pitchers I have caught either move up a level or make it to the big leagues. To be able to help those guys on a daily basis is something I will cherish until the day I die. People talk about the pitcher-catcher relationship, but until you experience it for yourself, experience the emotions of working with someone that has a personality unique to them, its hard to understand the feeling of calling a shutout or winning a ring at the end of a season. Most of my best friends in the game (and in life) happen to be pitchers, for that exact reason.
