This is an old adage in baseball and I assume other sports as well, but it is a true statement, and one too many players forget.  It does not matter if you are the superstar or the defensive replacement, you can bust your butt every time you get a chance, and you should because the game deserves it.

Hustle separates the people from the pack, the superstars should hustle to set an example and the backups should hustle to try and earn a spot.  There is no excuse to be lazy.  Baseball is a sport in which not doing little things come back to haunt you and getting the little things done wins games.  Hustle non stop, if you hit a fly ball you should be busting down the line, not jogging, if you hit a ground ball to the pitcher you should run like you hit a double in the gap.  The great part about hustle is it requires absolutely zero talent, all you have to do is play the game the right way, which is another topic we will discuss at a later date, but remember there is no place for lazy in this game.  Lazy sits the bench, lazy complains about playing time, lazy causes problems with team chemistry.  Don’t be the lazy baseball player, hustle you butt off, and if people call you a show off or say things like “hey All American, what are you trying to prove”? just keep hustling, because sooner or later they won’t be there to bother you.  Obviously we all know that hustle alone will not make you a great ball player, you need talent and a certain skill set, but if you hustle while you are on the field and at practice chances are you will get better.  Also, there is a good chance you will push others therefore making you team better.  It is the one skill we all possess so use it, and remember anyone who makes fun of you for hustling will be gone soon anyways.