Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins recently offered sound advice to little leaguers who cannot play baseball games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Life has been anything but normal in recent weeks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and that goes without saying for athletes. Daily routines that players have followed for most of their lives have shifted dramatically.
RELATED | Phillies Appear to Trust Alec Bohm, Rhys Hoskins Long-Term
During his recent MLB The Show Players League livestream, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins was asked what advice he would give to a little leaguer, specifically, who cannot play baseball right now.
Hoskins’ response could not be more perfect.
Turn that volume up and listen to this advice @rhyshoskins gave during the #MLBTheShow #PlayersLeague. pic.twitter.com/Opd1i9mFZq
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 16, 2020
Hoskins said he would tell little leaguers to play in their backyard, driveway, and street when they can. “Play catch. Play as much as you can,” he says. “Get a tee. Get a net. That’s what I’m doing right now. I got a net and a tee, and I’m hitting as much as I can.”
While the three-year veteran recommended to continue practicing to the best of the little leaguers’ abilities, he also stressed the importance to spend time with family during this time.
Just a couple dudes who enjoy Dingers! Big Al, you are the man!!! #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/K8aFEKNa4Y
— Rhys Hoskins (@rhyshoskins) August 19, 2018
“We don’t get to spend a lot of time with our families normally,” he says. “As much as this has been a travesty and tragedy — it’s been hard on everybody — we just get to spend a lot of time with our families.”
“I think that something that gets lost in all of this. You should take advantage of it.”
During the second annual Little League Classic in 2018, Hoskins connected with several of the little leaguers in Williamsport. “It’s kind of refreshing to go back and see the pure joy on these kids’ faces, knowing they’re just playing a game and are out there to have as much fun as they can,” he told MLB.com. “People are competitive, but at the end of the day, it’s cool to see the sportsmanship, the handshakes.”
“You see kids hanging out between the games. Little things like that put it back in perspective.”
While little leaguers cannot currently hang out, Hoskins’ recent advice to them during his MLB The Show Players League livestream surely shows his compassion and empathy for what they are going through. This, too, shall pass.