Are you an aspiring athlete with dreams of going pro? Do you possess speed and endurance, as well as the ability to spend hours studying the art of your opponent's game? If so, professional baseball may be just the career for you. If you believe you have what it takes to advance to the big leagues, read on to learn how to become a professional baseball player.

Becoming a professional baseball player does not happen overnight, but takes years of training, conditioning, discipline, determination, skill and talent. It is a game of strategy that lasts from the middle of February until the end of October each year, and since very few have what it takes to go pro, it is important that you determine how gifted you are before putting in all the time and energy that is required. Read on to see what's needed in order to make your dreams come true.

• Baseball is a game of endurance, one that stretches over a six month period (not including spring training or the post-season, which add an extra two and a half months to the season). It takes years of hard work and discipline, not to mention skill and talent. If you are one of the lucky few to advance all the way, you can expect to:

1. Play six days a week for six or seven straight months
2. Fly on airplanes constantly
3. Be away from your family for half the season

• Every aspiring professional ball player needs to start out early, preferably with little league. This will give you a chance to play on a daily basis and get to know the game, trying different positions before deciding which one to concentrate on.

• You will then want to advance beyond little league, playing with your junior high and high school teams. At this point there may very well be scouts attending games, and the more impressive you are, the better chance you will have to go beyond high school.

• Some skills to work on during this time are:

1. Hitting
2. Base running
3. Fielding
4. Conditioning: Always maintain a healthy physique and endurance level

• Some baseball players get drafted into a major league farm system right out of high school, while others attend college. Each has their own advantage:

• Attending college allows you to receive an education while still playing the game. This expands your options in case your dreams of major league ball never come to fruition. Also, you may have a better shot at getting drafted, especially if you are on a high-profile college team. Scouts attend games all the time, always keeping their eyes out for fresh new talent.

• College ball is also a time to:

1. Work at perfecting your skills against valid opponents
2. Gain tutelage from experienced coaches
3. Have more opportunities to impress professional scouts

• Every major league team has a minor league farm system into which it drafts future players. Some players prefer getting drafted right out of high school. This allows them to concentrate on the game rather than split their focus with academic studies. It also provides players a chance to start advancing through the minors, hopefully gaining access to the big leagues at a younger age.

• Once a player is in the minor league system, they will have the opportunity to advance through the following three levels:

1. Single A (A)
2. Double A (AA)
3. Triple A (AAA)

• The amount of time it takes an individual player to advance through the farm system varies; some advance in a single season, while others never make it to the major leagues. Most opportunities for minor league baseball players arrive in September, when every club gets to expand their rosters from 20 players to 40.

• Getting a chance to play in the major leagues is known as advancing to "The Show." It is the ultimate goal for any aspiring ballplayer, even if they only play in a single game.

• Becoming a professional baseball player takes years of hard work and practice, but for those with the raw talent and skill, as well as the discipline, it is a dream that can be achieved. Start out early and learn as much as you can, and you never know, you might just become the next Babe Ruth.

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