Many young people dream of becoming professional athletes, but few understand the trials that await them on theroad to the top. Integrating sport psychology with the personal testimonies of baseball players, this helpful guide offers a step-by-step overview of what it takes for a boy playing little league baseball to work his way to college ball, the minor leagues, and beyond. Throughout, emphasis remains on the mental challenges players face over the years and ways players can prepare for these challenges, both on and off the field. From college scholarships to meager minor league salaries, from getting traded to getting injured, this handbook will help athletes and parents navigate the many choices that must be made to pursue elite baseball and give fans insight into the mental aspects that give the game of baseball its unpredictability and vitality.