The game of baseball is a beautiful thing. It teaches you things like dealing with failure, paying attention to detail, individual effort leading to teamwork, putting in work and having nothing to show for it, and many more life lessons. Perhaps, the life lessons taught within the game of baseball are what make it such a beautiful thing. This passion that I have for baseball is what I wish to spread with as many people that want to listen. Living out your dream of going to college and being a professional athlete is a special feeling. However, it only means something if you live in the moment and enjoy each step along the way. Being able to understand this throughout my journey and analyzing each part of it has allowed me the knowledge and relationships to put together this book. As my playing career comes to an end and another chapter of my life waits, I only grow more anxious to see what will come next in life.
Not anxious because I don't know what to do with myself, but because I can't wait to learn and master whatever I do next. This trait as a lifelong learner, led to the idea of this book. As I enter the coaching world, high school and local club teams, I've already noticed a few flaws. The one flaw that I wish to address is the idea of using baseball as a moneymaking scheme and a lack of coaching while doing so. The goal of this book is to provide a general understanding of how to play baseball and go about your business in the right manner. The intent is that coaches, players, and parents can use this a universal guide to help them succeed in the "baseball world". All of the baseball information within this book is the same stuff that my coauthors or I were taught throughout our professional careers. The coauthors are trusted friends and family that play the game and carry themselves the right way.
My brother, Alex Burnett, was my role model growing up. David Fletcher is known everywhere he goes as being, "the best defender I've ever seen". Jeremy Martinez is "Mr. All-American", shown by his work ethic and character. David, Jeremy, and I played on the same travel ball team (OC Juice) for six years coached by Joey Martinez, where a lot of our common principles were engraved into us. A lot of what makes me the person I am is my mom, Lisa Moore. The life lessons I've learned have all stemmed from the way that she raised me. I felt like this book wouldn't be complete without her.
She has been with me along the entire ride and has dedicated so much of her life towards my wishes. As every single mother knows, it can't be done alone. That is why I want to thank everyone that has been apart of my life and playing career. I love all of you! God bless you!.