29 Saturday Oct 2011
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By that sound off the bat we knew it was gone. What a feeling! What a game! If this ain’t what they play for, then what is? Witnessing that walk off we all knew the Rangers had no shot. Yet again the hottest team with the best bullpen prevailed.
I hate that Washington lost again but he brought another good team to compete. Solute to LaRussa…the Bay Areas own held it down.
25 Tuesday Oct 2011
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All this talk about how he was dealing all year long and now this post season he’s been trash…let’s see what happens tonight. I think he’s going to get it done – plus the rangers are going to put up some runs tonight.
Is it me or should Pujols get the Barry Bonds treatment? He looks like he’s liable to go deep every time. That man can swing it.
24 Monday Oct 2011
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The title you would think addresses Napolis bomb which allowed the rangers a commanding lead – but isn’t about homers…it’s about pitching. Going 8+ in a world series game is beyond major. Just look around and see now a days how many starters even go 6, very few. To give your pen a break and compete at level for that long against some of the best is something to be noted. We saw what type of numbers both teams can put up.
Beltre might I add was stellar at 3rd…gold glove caliber for sure. A lot of balls were hit hard his way and he made them all, made them look easy too.
I was working with a high school freshman who plays first and pitcher earlier today and we were talking about an approach. Last week I was hard on him for not remembering the pitches he got hits and ones he got out on. We discussed the importance of knowing how you were successful, with success becomes self knowledge – which then we begin developing a plan at the plate. Players can learn where they like certain pitches, and what they are capable of doing with it. Today, I scolded him again, but this time it was about knowing what pitches he got players out on and what pitches he gave up hits with. He forgot if he even walked anyone… He knows me well so I can afford to give him grief about these things without it impacting his self esteem/confidence.
The kid is 14 so in reality of course I don’t blame him, he’s a kid! BUT he is capable of applying more detail to the game. In the next couple of weeks I’m going to have him keep a little note book where he records his at bats and his mound appearances.
The sooner young players pay attention to detail, the smaller their learning curve will be.
23 Sunday Oct 2011
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That’s a game changer. Bases juiced with 1 out…he throws home on the run and it costs them 2 runs. Looks like it’s over already in the 4th.
For my coaches and players…what could he have done different? In my opinion, he should have just set his feet and got one at home. He made the right read by charging and coming home but he was trying to turn it instead of letting the catcher turn it. Sometimes on the corners there’s this pressure to feel like we have to be quick – it’s just not true. Always make sure of one and you’ll
Iive to see another day.
Oh and by the way…the ump that call – terrible! Too big of a game to mess that up.
19 Wednesday Oct 2011
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Baseball, Browser Based, Coaching, Games, National Football League, Players, Premier League, Recreation, Sports, Video game
Working with these freshman players is pretty fun but it’s also petty challenging. Besides the obvious, many aren’t very good, many are physically just 9th graders. All the developmental stuff you know either will work in their favor or they’ll be finding another sport to play.
What I hate is that fact that some players just aren’t “there” yet – but who knows what they might be in a couple of years…how can you buy time as a coach?
Holding tryouts and determining your team is a tall order. There are the obvious no-doubters who make the squad but what about the player who is fundamentally sound yet they may not be ready for the big field yet?
What I look for when I’m assessing talent is their make up. How well do they present themselves off of initial contact? From their hat down to their shoes. Then I look at how they throw and catch (can they do those basics with a purpose?). More important than their results is their approach – both defensively and offensively. Are they shifting from pitch to pitch, player to player. Are they thinking about pitch sequence or situational hitting if need be.
Now I know that these are just 9th graders…but now is when the game becomes real. Technically they can compete with 18yr olds and they have to be able to hang. For you players out there, learn the game — observations, questions, and experience will tell/teach you a lot. Trust what you see and feel is instinctual. From a coach and educators perspective, we can always live with players making aggressive errors – shows us they’re confident and decisive. But there’s little tolerance for uncertainty and fear to mess up.
Trust yourself.
16 Sunday Oct 2011
Posted in sports
I’m happy Ron Wash is going back! He deserves it and his team is hitting like crazy! I wouldn’t really want to play them right now…they’re hot. Oh yeah, and why couldn’t the A’s hire him again?
Anyway, now it’s time to watch who they’re going to play – I’ll say the Cards…their poise is pretty special.
13 Thursday Oct 2011
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http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=GW2u06hOyaI
I remember sending one into the stands but my bat connected with this dudes face and he needed a bunch of stitches…felt terrible. It was a rainy game the pitcher had me fooled with something off speed. Next pitch though I went up top!
Dude tried to sue the team too…had to interview with the insurance folks – crazy ish. Signed bat from a minor leaguer wasn’t enough? Ha!
11 Tuesday Oct 2011
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I work with high school players 3 times a week. About 40 players that come from 2 or 3 school get skills training on all facets on the game from 2 other instructors and myself.
Last week we met a guy who stopped by the field because he’d seen us in weeks prior to ask if we would talk to him regarding his grad thesis – the black baseball player. Basically highlighting the lack there of. I agreed and thought it was a coincidence. I wrote my thesis in undergrad at Pomona on the demographics of baseball over the last 50 years – Latino was the new Black.
I haven’t met with him yet but I thought that was pretty cool. I’ll share what I can if we ever connect.
09 Sunday Oct 2011
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Alarm just went off! It is time to put in a little work before I relax on football Sunday. I have been working with this young man since he was about 8 years old. He couldn’t catch a fly ball and could barely make contact. He has a ways to go but he is progressing for sure!
Now he’s a freshman in high school and working to make a team.
Today’s plan: discuss his recent approach in games/practice, coming through ground balls at first, driving the ball the other way, and keeping the weight back on off speed.
Player development takes years…keep your mental toughness. Once that goes it takes years to get it back. Often time it’ll be too late.
09 Sunday Oct 2011
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It’s that time of the year that all baseball players and coaches love – the playoffs! It’s the only time when every pitch really means something. The marathon has been reduced to a sprint and the feared team is always on fiyah!
Last year it was the Giants…nobody saw it coming and this year it may be the Brew Crew. My predictions were thrown out the window. I had the Yanks and Phils but that was quickly canned. A-Rod and the gang just couldn’t get it done. As we are seeing all over the place, money can’t always buys rings (at least not the ones given out by the MLB). Phils, Sox, Angels, Sox all done! This should be an exciting finish – I wonder if the Rangers are ready?
The intensity is unmatched – relish these games – coaches makes sure your kids are tuning in, it’s baseball as its best.
