It happens every year. The air is buzzing with anticipation. Tryouts. You’ve dedicated countless hours to your craft, spending time in the cages at The Batter’s Den to perfect your swing and sharpen your skills. You know you can hit, throw, and catch. But what happens when the coach has to choose between you and another player with the exact same stat line?
The decision often comes down to one thing: swagger.
We’re not talking about arrogance or showboating. We’re talking about real swagger: the quiet confidence, the resilient attitude, and the positive presence that coaches are desperately looking for. Your talent gets you noticed; your swagger gets you chosen. This is your guide to walking that fine line between game-changing confidence and team-killing cockiness.
Defining Real Swagger (Confidence in Action)
Before you can show it, you have to understand it. Real swagger isn’t loud; it’s a powerful, internal force.
- It’s Resilience: This is the #1 intangible coaches evaluate. You just struck out or made an error. What happens next? Do you drop your head, pout, or throw your helmet? Or do you take a deep breath, learn from it, and get immediately focused on the next play? Coaches know mistakes are part of the game; they want to see who has the mental toughness to handle them.
- It’s Coachability: Confidence doesn’t mean you know everything. It means you’re secure enough to listen and learn. A player with swagger makes eye contact when a coach is speaking, absorbs feedback without making excuses, and has the courage to apply a new adjustment on the very next rep.
- It’s a Team-First Mentality: A truly confident player makes everyone around them better. They bring positive energy, they cheer for their teammates, and their presence elevates the entire group.
The “How-To” Guide to Confident Swagger
This is how you physically demonstrate the confidence you’ve built through your hard work.
- Look the Part: Your body language speaks volumes. Stand tall with your head up and shoulders back. Make eye contact with coaches when they speak to you. Look engaged, athletic, and like you want to be on that field more than anyone else.
- Hustle. Always. This requires zero talent and 100% effort, and it’s the easiest way to stand out. Sprint everywhere: on and off the field, to your position, back to the dugout. Be the first in line for every drill. Be the player who helps carry the water cooler or the ball bucket without being asked. It shows respect for the game and for everyone’s time.
- Communicate Like a Leader:
- With Coaches: It’s always “Yes, Coach.” Listen intently. If you have a question about a drill, ask a thoughtful one. At the end of the tryout, look them in the eye, shake their hand, and thank them for the opportunity.
- With Teammates: Be the one starting the chatter. Give a high-five to the player next to you for a good play. If someone makes a mistake, offer a quick “Hey, shake it off, you got the next one.” Positive energy is contagious.
The Danger Zone: When Confidence Becomes Cockiness
This is the fastest way to get your name crossed off a coach’s list, no matter how good your 60-yard dash time is.
- DON’T Be “Mr. Cage Hero”: Admiring a line drive you hit off a tee, flipping your bat after a good round, or acting like a drill is beneath you. Humility shows you’re focused on the process, not just your own highlights.
- DON’T Be The Blamer: Never make excuses. Don’t blame the umpire for a called third strike, the sun for a dropped fly ball, or a teammate for a bad throw. Great players take ownership of their performance, good or bad.
- DON’T Have “Lazy Body Language”: Slowly walking to your position, being the last in line for sprints, leaning on your bat, or showing any sign of boredom. It signals disrespect and a lack of competitive fire.
- DON’T Be a Bad Teammate: Never, ever roll your eyes when someone else makes a mistake. Don’t be the silent player who only cares about their own reps. Coaches are building a team, and they will cut a talented but toxic player every single time.
Be the Player, and the Person, They Can’t Cut
Ultimately, coaches are building a team, not just a collection of skilled athletes. Your physical tools earn you a look, but your swagger, character, and coachability earn you a spot on the roster. They want to invest in low-maintenance, high-character players who will be a positive force in the dugout.
The hours you spend with us in the cages are for building the physical tools that give you the right to be confident. But true confidence comes from being prepared for the mental side of the game, too.
That’s where our trainers come in. Every one of our coaches at The Batter’s Den has been in your shoes; they’ve felt the pressure of tryouts and know exactly what it takes to stand out for the right reasons. They’re here not just to perfect your mechanics, but to share their experience, help you build a resilient mindset, and teach you how to carry yourself with the quiet confidence that coaches can’t ignore.
We’re here to help you build the whole package. Now go show them the player, and the person, you’ve worked so hard to become.