We were lucky to catch up with Alex Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

Playing in the Minnesota Twins organization, I had the privilege of working with coaches and sharing the field with players from every corner of the world. Each culture has its own perception of how the game of baseball should be played and how information should be communicated. It was fascinating to see how different yet the same the styles and values were on and off the field. For years I was emerged in this melting pot and learned how to see different perspectives, take criticism, and communicate with individuals in a group setting. My time in professional baseball has equipped me with the tools to give a worldly view on the intricacies of the game and the detail that goes into being great at something. Being able to provide that experience to the communities aspiring baseball players is something I take great pride in, hoping they’ll better themselves as a ballplayer and a person.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

After retiring from the Minnesota Twins organization in 2021, my family and I opened The Yard Baseball Academy in Essex, Maryland. As a University of Maryland Baseball Alumni (2015) it felt right to stay in the state that had given me so much opportunity. Alongside my brother Nick Robinson, we train baseball and softball players of all ages and skill levels. Nick is a University of Maryland Baseball Alumni (2022) and currently on the coaching staff with the Terps. We are excited to provide a high level of coaching to the community backed by both our recent playing and coaching experiences.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2018, I suffered an arm injury that led to my retirement from the Minnesota Twins organization in 2021. Since I was a child I ate, drank, and slept baseball, in a way it was all I knew. My ability to play the game that I loved so much was finished and it became time for something new. After I retried, I took a remote sales job, and after two weeks I realized I had more to offer the game of baseball. If it couldn’t be playing, it had to be another way. From there the idea of The Yard Baseball Academy was born and we haven’t looked back.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

“Good” by Jocko Willink is a video that really changed my perception on adversity in life. The video talks about using the word “good” as the response to obstacles or challenges in life. It challenges us to use the adversity as an opportunity to solve a problem or find another solution, rather than looking at it as a negative. Baseball is the only sport where you will fail more than you will succeed, and be praised for it. It’s a game meant to challenge your mind and spirit and reminds you that you that you can be on top of the world and at the bottom of it all in one game. After my career ending arm injury the word “good” allowed me to move onto what was next in my life, and it’s the same attitude we take at The Yard.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theyardbaseball.net
• Instagram: @theyard_baseballmd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyard.baseballmd/
• Other: [email protected] 410-213-5400

Image Credits
The Yard Baseball Academy