Riley Presnell

I signed to UCLA my junior year of high school and was told I was going to start Day 1. Opening Day at UCLA? I was sitting the bench. 😭 I had 2 choices: 1. Complain, pout, and blame the coaches OR 2. Find the holes on the team and become valuable. So for 3 weeks, I sat the bench. I showed up early. Stayed late. Cheered for my teammates. Dragged the field every 3rd inning. Meanwhile, I studied the team. The middle infielders were doing well. Third base wasn’t. So I told the coaches: “I can play third.” Then I noticed something else: Offensively, we were either hitting home runs or getting out. I saw the gap. If I could become a tough out, get on base, and bring energy to the team… I could create value. Then we played Miami. The starting third baseman was hitting .115. They gave me a shot. I went 2 for 3 with a walk. Played solid defense. Brought energy. I never sat the bench again. Eventually, I became team captain… and we were ranked #1 in the country. One thing baseball taught me: Opportunities don’t always go to the most talented player. Sometimes they go to the player who becomes the most valuable.

One of the more beautiful plays you’ll see in life.

Skipppperrrr @justinscali19 !!!! How bout them Lions!!! I’m so proud and happy for you!!! Let’s freaking go!!

WANT TO PLAY COLLEGE BASEBALL? YOU BETTER....... -FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WEIGHT ROOM -FALL IN LOVE WITH THE DAILY GRIND -EAT RIGHT -WORK WHEN NOBODY IS LOOKING -LONG TOSS -WORK WHILE YOU WAIT -OPEN TO CHANGE (your way isn't always right) COLLEGE BASEBALL ISN'T FOR EVERYONE

You won't be good enough to ever beat another team by yourself. But you can, by yourself, destroy your own team with a bad attitude.

Need to get this one off my chest… transfers, don’t say “due to unforeseen circumstances” you will be transferring. If you had a 3 WHIP, the circumstances were very foreseen…

Chipper Jones favorite ejection story of Bobby Cox will always make a room laugh. RIP to a Legend

“Good people are happy when something good happens to someone else” - Dean Smith

If you just put the ball in play, you will score more runs and win more games. It ain’t rocket science! K’s are going to happen, it’s inevitable, some pitchers have nasty stuff… But, when a TEAM shrinks it’s K percentage, they instantly are better. Take pride in putting the ball in play! #BaseballTruth

Parents: You have a lifetime to work. But your kids are only young once. Leave work early. Go to that game or performance. You won't regret it.

College baseball players play 50–70 games in the spring season. Then go play summer ball for another 30 - 50 more. If a HS player “needs a break from playing” in the summer what do you think happens when they get to college?

Best of luck to @PULionsBaseball & Coach @justinscali19 today in the CCS Tournament Championship. Go make a regional!

Being coachable means you're willing to consider feedback even if you don't like what you hear. It means resisting the urge to make excuses or get defensive when challenged. Getting better is more important than your ego. You'd rather get it right than be right.

When MJ did not make his Varsity basketball team, his Mother did NOT: 1) complain to the school 2) call the coach 3) demand a meeting with the AD Deloria Jordan simply told MJ “work harder.” ~ via @JMMontgomeryCo

“It’s never as good as it seems and it’s never as bad as it seems. Focus on the present moment regardless of what happened yesterday.” - Roy Williams

“But Roy there’s not a game. You said we could go to the beach.” “Wanda I said this won’t take long and I’d get you a cookout shake after, dadgummit.”

EVERYBODY will go through adversity in life. However, NOT everybody will embrace it, learn from it, or become better because of it. The adversity you face can be an opportunity in disguise.

JV season comes to an end. Started off slow but finished with a .364 batting average. I also had had 5 stolen bases on 5 attempts. Looking to keep the momentum going into travel ball season.

“I wish at [my player’s] age, I would’ve gone much deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ… To me, the most important thing is to God with all my heart, soul, & mind.” - Tennessee HC Rick Barnes (via @TreyWallace)

Sure was.