Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fall Baseball
I've watched several fall league baseball games the last few weeks and it seems to me that a lot of players are playing without a purpose. It's as if playing fall ball is the thing to do, but why? Is it because they think it's expected by their summer league or high school coach? Are they playing because their buddy is? Is it something their parents want them to do? With few exceptions, they just seem to be taking their turn at bat and walking out to their position.
And pitchers, I'm very disappointed in their pre-game prep. I know most teams don't have the luxury of a pitching coach or a bull pen coach and the pitcher is left to prepare on his own. But, they often just start firing away in the bull pen! I'm sure that most of them have been instructed to use a Bull Pen Routine to help them prepare the arm, find their rhythm, work on location and find the feel for all their pitching grips. Most hitters can crush a fastball, if you ever watch a major league game, even the elite hitters have trouble with off speed pitches when the situation is set up properly. So pitcher,why don't you throw your bull pen the way you've been instructed. There should be a sequence off pitches featuring your fastball, change and curve ball. Fast balls should be thrown at 3/4 speed concentrating on mechanics, grip and location.
If possible, the pitcher should have a hitter standing in to make the bull pen game like. Wait until your last 4 or 5 fast balls to "air it out".
Another waste of time and effort is the warm-up pitches between innings. This is an opportunity to work on that pitch that's not quite working or to see if you can get a little more movement or to work on location. Yet I see pitchers doing little more than just playing catch with the catcher for 5 pitches. During a seven inning game, the pitcher gets a minimum of 35 pitches to work on something.
And hitters, there's so much you could and should be working on. Can you sac bunt with confidence? The drag & push bunt are important bunting skills that must be practiced. How about working on hitting behind the runner when the situation calls for moving the runner? How about learning to drive in runners from third base with less than two outs? Where are the infielders playing the hitter? If they're in for a play at the plate, you should be working to drive the ball to the outfield, If the infield is playing back, work on hitting ground balls to the middle infielders. There isn't a player that couldn't benefit from working on his base running skills. How about working on an extended lead? Reading the pitcher and getting better jumps? More aggressive secondaries? Practice cutting the corners tighter?
Outfielders can also work on their weaknesses. Many young outfielders have trouble taking the proper angle to a fly ball, work on it in your fall games. Play a few steps shallower than normal to work on fly balls over your head. How about "do or die" ground balls?
Baseball is a tremendously demanding game that requires many skills, fall ball is the ideal time to work on all aspects of your game.
Remember, "you never know who may be watching"!
Bob Harris
Former Pro Scout
And pitchers, I'm very disappointed in their pre-game prep. I know most teams don't have the luxury of a pitching coach or a bull pen coach and the pitcher is left to prepare on his own. But, they often just start firing away in the bull pen! I'm sure that most of them have been instructed to use a Bull Pen Routine to help them prepare the arm, find their rhythm, work on location and find the feel for all their pitching grips. Most hitters can crush a fastball, if you ever watch a major league game, even the elite hitters have trouble with off speed pitches when the situation is set up properly. So pitcher,why don't you throw your bull pen the way you've been instructed. There should be a sequence off pitches featuring your fastball, change and curve ball. Fast balls should be thrown at 3/4 speed concentrating on mechanics, grip and location.
If possible, the pitcher should have a hitter standing in to make the bull pen game like. Wait until your last 4 or 5 fast balls to "air it out".
Another waste of time and effort is the warm-up pitches between innings. This is an opportunity to work on that pitch that's not quite working or to see if you can get a little more movement or to work on location. Yet I see pitchers doing little more than just playing catch with the catcher for 5 pitches. During a seven inning game, the pitcher gets a minimum of 35 pitches to work on something.
And hitters, there's so much you could and should be working on. Can you sac bunt with confidence? The drag & push bunt are important bunting skills that must be practiced. How about working on hitting behind the runner when the situation calls for moving the runner? How about learning to drive in runners from third base with less than two outs? Where are the infielders playing the hitter? If they're in for a play at the plate, you should be working to drive the ball to the outfield, If the infield is playing back, work on hitting ground balls to the middle infielders. There isn't a player that couldn't benefit from working on his base running skills. How about working on an extended lead? Reading the pitcher and getting better jumps? More aggressive secondaries? Practice cutting the corners tighter?
Outfielders can also work on their weaknesses. Many young outfielders have trouble taking the proper angle to a fly ball, work on it in your fall games. Play a few steps shallower than normal to work on fly balls over your head. How about "do or die" ground balls?
Baseball is a tremendously demanding game that requires many skills, fall ball is the ideal time to work on all aspects of your game.
Remember, "you never know who may be watching"!
Bob Harris
Former Pro Scout
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Catchers - Block Pitches
Catchers Block All Breaking Pitches -
Catchers, make it a habit to block all breaking pitches in the dirt, even when there are no runners on base and even with less than 2 strikes. Keep in mind that your #1 job is to make your pitcher look good. Blocking pitches is very important and emphasizes your generalship of the game.
Here are some key points:
Make it your goal to block 100% of the balls in the dirt. This will increase your pitcher's confidence.
Your pitcher may want to throw a curve ball in the dirt to try to get a hitter to chase it and he knows you won't let it get past you.
Don’t show pain or disgust when your pitcher throws balls in the dirt.
You must practice blocking pitches often. Each pitcher's breaking pitch is a little different. Practice with every pitcher on your staff. Use your bullpen time for practicing blocking balls.
By blocking these pitches the entire game, you are ready and have confidence that you can do the job in the 9th inning with the game on the line.
Thanks to Rob McDonald for these tips. Rob is the head Coach at Murray State University
Catchers, make it a habit to block all breaking pitches in the dirt, even when there are no runners on base and even with less than 2 strikes. Keep in mind that your #1 job is to make your pitcher look good. Blocking pitches is very important and emphasizes your generalship of the game.
Here are some key points:
Make it your goal to block 100% of the balls in the dirt. This will increase your pitcher's confidence.
Your pitcher may want to throw a curve ball in the dirt to try to get a hitter to chase it and he knows you won't let it get past you.
Don’t show pain or disgust when your pitcher throws balls in the dirt.
You must practice blocking pitches often. Each pitcher's breaking pitch is a little different. Practice with every pitcher on your staff. Use your bullpen time for practicing blocking balls.
By blocking these pitches the entire game, you are ready and have confidence that you can do the job in the 9th inning with the game on the line.
Thanks to Rob McDonald for these tips. Rob is the head Coach at Murray State University
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