Next Monday, the Spring sports begin. Baseball players break out gloves and batting helmets, track and field members sweat off the seconds around the track, and golfers used to swing their clubs and make their putts.
What effect does playing a Spring sport have on tennis season. Obviously, playing a Spring sport takes a player away from Open Court activities... but how much does it effect? Well, in the mode of statistics, I put together this analysis.
Winning Percentages (Over my coaching career)
Those who play Spring sports: 64.2%
Those who do not play Spring sports: 59.9%
So, as you can see, those who play a different sport in the Spring have a slightly higher winning percentage in the Fall. The question is, why?
Here's my guess. Playing a sport makes discipline mandatory. You have to show up at practice, you have to work out, you have to run. Not playing a sport allows for laziness. You don't have to go to Open Courts, you don't have to work out, you don't have to stay in shape. And in our undisciplined world, many who don't play a Spring sport find many excuses to not do anything.
On the other hand, those who haven't played a Spring sport and have stayed disciplined have made amazing improvements. Over the years, Jonny Shenk, Austin Loucks, Luke Hostetter, Daniel Buschert, and many more have taken advantage of the Spring season to get on the tennis courts. And their discipline has paid off.
So the name of the game is really hard work. Playing a Spring sport demands it. So if you are lazy and not self-motivated... go play a Spring sport!
If you are not playing a Spring sport, please take advantage of the time. Come play tennis at Open Courts, go play tennis on your own, lift some weights with us. Begin your maturity process for next season by showing discipline.
I'll look forward to seeing what we all do!
Currently playing Spring sports -
Baseballers: Kyle, Russell, Ike
Track and Field: Evan
Are there others?