This is the time of year in which it is time to turn one’s focus toward next spring, which means making goals and working toward becoming a better ballplayer.

So set some goals.  If you don’t, it will be much harder to stay on track this winter as the weather turns sour, school starts to wear on you, and your comfy bed calls your name.

Get there.

I like to set my goals at the upper limit of what’s realistic, and I don’t worry too much if I don’t reach them, as long as I come close.  Many people need to do the opposite, and set many smaller, more manageable goals to act as stepping stones toward a final, better product.  To each his own.  But, no matter your method, there needs to be a finish line somewhere and the vision to reach it.

So for my winter, which lasts from now until March, my strength goals are the following:

-Reach 195 pounds while staying below 8% bodyfat.

-Deadlift 450×5

-8 Reps Rock Ring Chin-Ups with 45lb added

-Develop the core of a gymnast

My assault on these milestones is going to be pretty complex, so brace yourself: I’m going to:

-Deadlift, chin-up, and lift my ass off

-Eat like a man twice my size

-Only eat carbs for breakfast, and pre and post-workout

-Eat more vegetables than a vegan hippy

I also have pitching-specific goals, but they are more broad, not worth sharing, and really just sum up to: be the most polished, healthy and powerful pitcher I can be. That’s every pitcher’s goal, anyway.