I tweeted this morning that baseball started out as a game I played for fun with my friends and it ended up changing my life. The truthfulness of that statement really hits home every time I think about it. To be honest, my parents had to DRAG me to baseball practice when I was 7 years old. I think I even ended up not finishing the season that year. By the time I was 12 years old, you couldn’t pull me away from the game. Double header?  ”Dad, can we toss in the backyard after the game?” It was fun, I was good at it, and my friends played it. That’s what kept me in the game. Now, on the morning of my 9th professional season and my 8th professional opening day, I sit here writing this post in complete awe of where my life has gone. Baseball has changed my life.

I grew up playing this game. Most of you know my story. Little League to travel baseball. Travel baseball to high school baseball. High school baseball to professional baseball. Drafted at 18 out of high school by the Texas Rangers. Thrown into the world of professional baseball having never left home. Standing in front of a hotel washing machine for hours contemplating which button to mash first. Talking to my girlfriend (now my wife Jillian) on the phone for hours knowing she was 2,000 miles away and I wouldn’t get to see her for 3 months. Striking out my first professional hitter. My first pro win. I guess you could say that this game is all I know. Maybe that’s true.

Baseball has taught me more than just baseball. Dedication, work ethic, perseverance, time management, self-control, nutrition, and respect to name a few. I’m a big believer that you have to be thrown into something to truly learn what it’s all about. Sure, reading a book or studying can help prepare you for what’s coming, but actually going through it teaches you the most. Now, as I sit here writing this post, I can’t help but be so thankful to everyone that has played a huge role in helping me along.

My parents and brother sacrificed thousands of days and dollars to help me achieve my dream. Lessons, equipment, traveling, tournaments, showcases, and hard metal bleachers. Their support has kept me going when I didn’t have much else. My friends that wanted to play a pick up game in the backyard kept me interested in this great game and were great teammates. My coaches along the way that showed me how much better you could get with hard work. The Texas Rangers organization for taking a chance on me in the 2004 draft. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity. Dr. Keith Meister and the Texas Rangers Medical staff and the Gwinnett Medical Center for helping me continue my dream as a pro baseball player by surgically repairing and rehabbing my right shoulder. All of my current and former teammates that each taught me a little bit about the way the game is meant to be played. Last but not least, a huge thanks to my wife Jillian and her family. Since the moment I met them, they have supported my dream and have been by my side the whole way. It’s great to have family like that.

Today, as I drive to the stadium, I’ll be thinking about all those hours I spent practicing with my Dad in the backyard. I’ll be thinking about the countless games on those little league fields with my friends, and the hours I spent working hard on that high school field. I’ll be thinking about the first professional pitch I threw and the one that almost ended my career. I’ll be thinking about the first pitch I threw after surgery, and the many sacrifices my wife has made to be here by my side day after day. I’ll be thinking about how tough this life can be, yet how rewarding it can be at the same time. I’ll be thinking about the many great friends and teammates I have made, and I’ll be thinking about those that aren’t playing anymore and wish that they could be. All the while, I’ll be thinking about how incredibly blessed I am to be playing such a great game. It doesn’t get much better than baseball, folks. Have a great day!

Michael Schlact

Welcome to another edition of the Schlact Stories. Many people have been asking me about free agency. What’s it like? How do you handle it? Are you scared? Those are all valid questions. Yes, free agency is scary. You are correct, I have no idea what next season will bring. Sometimes yes, I get nervous about the future.  There is however, certainty within the uncertainty.

As a professional baseball player, I have become conditioned to the routine that comes with the job. For instance, I know that I should start throwing the baseball right around my birthday (December 9th). I also know that I’ll be way behind on my conditioning if I haven’t started running by new years. Regardless of the team or the situation, these things remain the same. Spring Training comes every spring. The season lasts until right around Labor Day. The more routine I can keep in my schedule the better. There is no point in focusing on what may or may not happen. As my wife so boldly and lovingly pointed out, “If you love the game, you’ll play it. Somewhere. Take the opportunity that’s given to you.”

There are few things that are certain about the life of a baseball player. Especially one who is grinding his way through the minor leagues or independent ball. Where will I play this season? Where will my wife and I live? Will we make enough money to live? What about our place back home? How much “stuff” should we bring with us for the season? What if I get signed or moved mid-season? How will that affect my wife? What if I get released? I could go on and on. These questions are a tiny snapshot of the uncertainty surrounding the game I love. The certainty, as I pointed out earlier, can be found within the uncertainty. I will begin throwing on my birthday. I’ll start running on new year’s day. I’ll hop on the mound for bullpens February 1. In March, I’ll head to spring training. July 4th, I’ll be playing baseball and there will be a fireworks show after the game.

Focusing on the certainty helps me cope with the uncertainty. As a creature of habit and routine, it’s really all I can do. I love baseball. This game has given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have doing anything else. I’m blessed and thankful for all of them. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve seen, and the scenery that I’ve soaked up through charter bus windows is all part of the wonderful journey I’m on. I don’t know what tomorrow brings. I do know, however, that you can probably find me at the gym or on a baseball field preparing for it!

Michael Schlact

Where to begin. It’s been a while since I’ve posted, obviously. For that, I do apologize. This season was amazing for me on many levels. I’ll use this blog entry to fill everyone in. Thanks for checking in and keeping up via Twitter and Facebook. I can honestly say that I have the best fans in the world.

As many of you know, I had shoulder surgery in July of 2009. That was life changing for me. If you want to know the whole story, read the rest of my blog entries. Coming into my first full season after the surgery (2011), I didn’t know what to expect. I did know, however, that I needed to prove to MLB teams that I was healthy and back to the way I used to be. I had a few goals going into this past season. Throw 100 innings, E.R.A under 5, and less than 40 walks. I accomplished all of those and more. I’m not using this platform to gloat or to sell myself. I’m just taking everyone on a journey through my mind and letting you in on what I was thinking. I finished the regular season 6-4 with a 4.60 ERA in 107.1 IP. I made the Atlantic League All-Star team, and more importantly showed MLB teams that I was healthy again. I am so thankful for all of the strides that I made this year. I have my teammates, training staff, and coaches to thank for that. Our coaching staff was fantastic. The wealth of baseball knowledge that I was surrounded by daily made me a better player. The talent of the players around me helped me to step up my game each night. All you have to do is check out  atlanticleague.com and see all the names that play there each year.

As I enter the 2011-2012 off season, I am a free agent again. Another winter of the unknown. Another winter of hoping that phone rings with an opportunity to play the game I love. Another winter of training as hard as I can to be ready at the drop of a hat. But, in all honesty, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I feel blessed to play the greatest game in the world as my job. The unknown is just part of the gig. My dream is to play baseball in the major leagues. As I’ve said before, I won’t stop chasing that dream until I physically can’t, or “they” rip that uniform off my back and won’t return it to me.

Thank you to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for such an amazing opportunity in 2011. There are so many people that become involved in a baseball player’s season. Instead of naming them all individually, I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to each of them. I can assure you that I will update my blog more often. Feel free to comment, ask questions, and send idea requests for any future blog entry topics. Thanks for reading, and until next time….have a great day!

Michael Schlact

The moment that every ballplayer works toward each winter is opening day. It’s when all the hard work pays off. It’s what makes those cold, dark days seem worth all the trouble. It’s like when that final bell rings at school letting all the kids out for summer break. Get it? Opening day is awesome. Also, for myself and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, it’s tonight.

I’ve been training with this team now for a few weeks, and I’m very impressed with everything. The caliber of play is some of the best I’ve been around. Every guy on this team brings something very special to the field. Also, all the guys that our manager has put in that clubhouse are exceptional people. In a nutshell, I’m really looking forward to spending my summer with these guys on this team. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to be signed back in to affiliated ball. That’s everyone’s goal. However, if this is where I end up playing all season, I’d be totally fine with that.

Thank you guys for all the encouragement and kind words throughout this off season. Thank you also for reading this blog, and for spreading the word about it. You’re the reason that I write it! My goal is to bridge the gap between player and fan, give you all an insight to this game like nowhere else, and hopefully give you a sense that I’m just a normal guy with a really cool opportunity. Follow along with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs all season long here: www.somdbluecrabs.com or www.atlanticleague.com

Thanks again for reading, and play ball!

Michael Schlact