Failure, We Forget, is the Point.

Embracing Failure — The Heart of Baseball

As coaches of young baseball players, especially 12U athletes, we often find ourselves trying to correct the simplest fundamentals: catching on the run, picking a pitch in an 0‑0 count, or battling back from an 0‑2 hole. Yet, even high schoolers and adults fight these challenges daily. This reminds me of one of Chipper Jones’s most profound admissions:

“Baseball is a game of failure. You’re going to fail way more often than you succeed.” - Chipper Jones

That line is a wake-up call. At our level, a botched grounder or strikeout shouldn’t feel like the end of the world, but rather part of the game’s fabric. Every misstep, as Chipper notes, is a lesson:

“Every at‑bat is a lesson learned. Success and failure are both great teachers.” - Chipper Jones

Our job as coaches is to frame errors as stepping stones. Fielding misplays or 0‑2 strikeouts don’t define a player—they teach resilience, preparation, and composure under pressure.

Confidence in Youth — “Necessary Arrogance”

Confidence is critical in baseball, yet it can be hard to nurture. Chipper captured this beautifully, discussing the concept of “necessary arrogance”:

“Chipper, you are really good,” she said. “Don’t let anybody ever tell you otherwise. When you walk out on that field, act like you’re the best player out there… That is where I learned what Mom, Dad, and I call necessary arrogance… I took that mentality to the plate from the time I was a kid to my last at‑bat as a Brave.” Ballplayer - Chipper Jones

For our players, feeling inadequate can spiral into tentativeness—at the plate or in the field. Teaching them to carry their presence confidently (without being disrespectful) helps them perform with belief and aggression. It's not arrogance—it’s preparedness and trust in their training.

Hand this mantra to your 12U athletes: "Show up with presence." Pretend you’re the best—because the confidence to swing or snag a liner can often be the difference between making it or not.

Humility, Learning & Continuous Growth

Chipper didn’t just preach confidence and resilience—he lived them. He understood baseball’s humbling nature:

“I think baseball has such a way of humbling you. You can go 20‑for‑20, and before you know it, you're going to go through an 0‑for‑30. It has that way of knocking you back down to earth.” Chipper Jones

This truth is essential for young players: success doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing. Teaching kids to stay grounded after a great day and fight back after a slump is crucial.

Equally enlightening is his scoreboard on personal development:

“I’m a better person and ultimately a better player as I sit here at 40 than I was at 25.” Chipper Jones

As coaches, we foster more than baseball skills. We mold character: teaching respect, drive, and accountability. If a player can look back and see growth not only in swing mechanics but also in attitude, that's a win.