Craig Markham - Building Confidence in Young Athletes

Professional athletes get to be the best at their positions because of their desire to improve and the effort they put into their game. As Craig Markham knows, work ethic and commitment are paramount to continuous improvement, but everything is tied together when players have one important characteristic: confidence.

Regardless of your skill level, confidence is what sets you apart on the playing field. A lack of confidence can hamper your growth and performance, thus reducing your ability to improve. When you feel confident, you play better. Just like physical skills, growing your confidence takes practice.
As a children’s judo instructor, Markham knows the importance of building confidence in young athletes. The following are some ways to do so.

Failure is part of the game

Well-rounded players know that things won’t always go their way. They understand they will make mistakes once in a while, but because they are confident of their abilities, they keep going. Young athletes should not fear failure.

Do your best

Whenever a player steps on the field, his/her desire is to emerge a winner. The desire to come out on top, however, should not overshadow the need to do your best. It’s usually the player/team that plays the best that wins.

There’s no shame in losing, especially if you played your best.

Invest in the team

You can’t play every position on the team, so appreciate the need to trust your teammates and have faith in them. If you want to be more confident in your game, help others get better.
With a police career behind him, Craig Markham volunteers to instruct children’s judo.

Craig Markham - The Various Positions in Baseball

Widely recognized as America’s pastime, baseball is a deeply-rooted sport in the country’s culture and history. Through time, the game has expanded beyond America and is now played in Canada, Asia, and South America. Craig Markham, a Canadian police officer by profession, played the game at the high school level.

Craig Markham

 On a baseball field, two teams take turns at playing offense and defense. Each team has nine players, with these players positioned in various spots around the field as explained below.

Pitcher

It’s the pitcher’s job to throw the ball (pitch) in a manner that makes it hard for the batter to hit. A pitcher has a strong arm and can maintain consistent throws over long periods.

Catcher

The catcher handles the pitches and is responsible for keeping track of strikes and setting up the defense. Catchers are quick thinkers and able to move flexibly.

Infield players
Infield players, positioned at the first, second and third bases, are quick on their feet and possess good hand-eye coordination. The third baseman and shortstop should ideally be good throwers since they have to throw the ball longer.

Outfielders

Outfielders cover lots of ground, so they are speedy players with sure hands. They have to catch fly balls on the run and throw balls for longer distances.

Craig Markham, a former Police Constable with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, played competitive baseball while in high school. He was a part of the national baseball team that competed at the Canadian Nationals in 1993.