Baseball Quotes:

 

There are two types of people, in this game. Those, who are humble, and those, who are about to be.

 

Clint Hurdle

 

I'm not concerned, with being liked, or disliked. I'm concerned, with being respected.

 

Jacki Robinson

 

 

It is not the critic, who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds, could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man, who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with dust, sweat and blood. Who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again. Because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who actually strives, to do the deeds, who knows great enthusiasms,the great devotions, who spends himself, in a worthy cause. Who at the best, knows in the end, the triumph of high achievement. And, who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place, shall never be with those cold and timid soles, who neither know victory, or defeat.

 

Theodore Roosevelt 1910

 

Visitor Poll
 
Sponsors
Support Our Sponsors
Number of Visitors:
102499
 

 

 

Friday May 18th Indoor Sessions: 

Coach Clark: Pitching

 

5:00 pm / Austin Berglund

5:30 pm / Cody Drolet

6:00 pm / 

6:30 pm / Corbin Craft

7:00 pm / 

7:30 pm / 

 

 

 

Coach Reagan: Hitting

 

4:30 pm / Austin Berglund

5:00 pm / Cody Drolet

5:30 pm / Shane Drolet

6:00 pm / Tanner Newsom

6:30 pm /

7:00 pm /

 

 

 

The Top 5 Exercises for Bat Speed!

 

RT Staff Note: The following is from BeaBetterHitter.com

by Dana Cavalea

Many studies have been done that say training must correlate directly to the movements that take place in sport. This is a wordy definition for the phrase: sport-specific training.

If we want greater bat speed we must replicate our swing dynamics using resistance to build strength, and speed training to build power. Strength and Power are directly related. Power in definition is really just fast strength.

With these two points being made, we now need to understand the mechanics of a swing.

When we swing a bat, the swing starts from the ground, up. Think of this ground up theory as a rubber band that is fully stretched and twisted as well. When a rubber band is fully stretched, it is filled with what we refer to as potential energy, meaning if we let go, that band will move. So if our rubber band is now fully stretched and twisted as well, if we let go, the band will move in a rotational manner. In essence this is what happens to your body, your body is this rubber band. As a hitter, prior to the pitch we load up and put our rubber band on stretch. Then just prior to our swing, we put force into the ground, the ground then pushes force up through our legs, hips, and abdominals. At that moment our rubber band (body) begins to un-stretch in a rotational manner pushing the force and energy we created towards to ball. The amount of force and energy that is put into the ball will determine the distance and speed in which this ball will travel.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the swing, we are able to tailor exercises to enhance our force and energy output. I recommend in terms of equipment all baseball players purchase a medicine ball of 4-10 pounds depending on your age and body size. I usually recommend starting with a 6lb ball for athletes over 100 lbs. I would also strongly encourage purchasing some resistance tubing with handles. With these two recommended pieces of equipment you can complete a comprehensive baseball development workout.

These exercises should be done 2-3 days per week. I recommend 2-3 sets of 8-10 repetitions.

Core Bridges- This is one of the best core stability exercises. This exercise will help with the transfer of force and energy from your lower body to your upper

How? While laying on the ground face down, bend your arms and place them directly under your shoulders. From this position, you should be able to lift your body up as if you were doing a pushup while resting your weight on your forearms. Hold this posture for 15 seconds to start and as you get better, increase the time of your hold.

Seated Bent Knee Med Ball Rotations- This exercise will begin to develop rotational speed and strength

How? While sitting on the floor, bend both knees so just your heels are on the floor. From this position grab your medicine ball. With the ball close to your body, begin to rotate by turning your shoulders side to side and tap the ball on each side of your body each repetition. When using the medicine ball you will have more of a strength focus. To enhance the speed of muscle contraction, let go of the ball and rotate side to side as rapidly as possible.

High to Low Standing Band Chops- This exercise will also be used to build strength and speed depending on the resistance of your band.

How? Prior to beginning this exercise, it is important that your band is fixed to an object that is a few feet taller than you are. This object could be a pullup bar, doorway, or a partner standing on a table or bench. While standing in your batter stance, weight should be equally distributed on both feet. Grab the handle of the band with your front hand, or the hand that would be closest to the pitcher, then place your other hand on top of the other. From this position you are going to chop down on the same plane you would if you were going to hit the ball off a tee. The movement should be slow and controlled if strength is your goal, if speed is your goal, use a lighter resistance band and speed up the movement to a rapid pace while still maintaining good mechancics.

Low to High Standing Band Chops- This exercise will also be used to build strength and speed depending on the resistance of your band. In addition this will enhance upper body trunk flexibility

How? Prior to beginning this exercise, it is important that your band is fixed to an object that is even with your back foot. This object could be a chair, leg of a table, or even the trunk of a tree. While standing in your batter stance, weight should be equally distributed on both feet. Grab the handle of the band with your front hand, or the hand that would be closest to the pitcher, then place your other hand on top of the other. At this point you will pivot your front foot and rotate your torso towards the object that is holding the band in place. From here, you will immediately begin to chop in an upward direction with your arms extended outward. While this is going on, your front foot will pivot to open up, while your back foot will pivot as if you were hitting and squashing the bug. Upon finish, your arms will finish high and you will look very similar to a golfer when they finish their swing.

Rotational Pushup- This upper body exercise will help develop upper body strength, stability, and flexibility all at the same time.

How? From the top of a pushup position, you will start a slow descent bringing your chest to the floor. Directly following you will push up from the floor while at the same lifting one of your hands and arms up towards the sky.

Utilize these 5 exercises three times each week and you will slowly but surely see improvements.
 

 

Baseball Player Mental Toughness Guide

By Jon Doyle, MA, CSCS

The game of baseball demands a unique mental attitude separate from other team sports. The pace of the game fools individuals into thinking that the game is laid back and slow. This could not be further from the truth. The speed and reaction time in baseball is second to none.

The ability to turn on physical tools in a split second starts with the mental outlook of the player. Many peaks and valleys take place in one baseball game, let alone an entire season. The player must learn to have an iron will and never get too high or too low, as the game of baseball will always give a chance at redemption.

What is Mental Toughness?

When I speak about mental toughness, it is a little different from other team sports. My idea of a mentally tough athlete is one who is calm and has a focused sense of self-worth and belief. As a hitter, you go up to the plate knowing you are going to make solid contact, not hoping to. As a fielder, you attack the ball, you don't let the ball attack you. Pitchers with mental toughness believe in every pitch that they throw. They throw a 3-2 back-door slider with the game on the line and everyone, including the hitter, expecting the fastball.

Players that lack self-confidence and mental toughness are exposed very quickly. Just as players who truly believe in themselves and KNOW, not hope, that they will get the job done succeed at a much greater rate than those who don't.

Muscle Memory

You must use visualization techniques before, during and after games and practices. When you do something good, such as making solid contact and feeling good at the plate, you must capture that feeling like you took a mental picture. Keep as much detail as possible stored in your mind. After the game or practice is over re-live that moment. This will force your body to reproduce great performance because it will be programmed to do so.

Visualize Success

Also, you must visualize what you are going to do before you do it. You will achieve much greater success this way. For example, I always pictured exactly what I was going to do at-bat before I got there. I already knew what was going to happen before I did it. Whether I had to move a guy to third, drive a ball to the outfield or just get my pitch and drive it I would visualize this happening both in the on-deck circle as well as immediately before I stepped into the batters box. Surprisingly to many, this simple, yet underused technique worked more often than not!

Using these techniques is not easy at first. You must work at it. However, when you get the hang of it, the techniques take a split second and then you are locked in for success. This may sound kind of quirky, but I promise you that it works big time! The key is getting as much detail as you can during your visualization.

The Power of Visualization

I have seen players at the high school and college level blossom quickly, often seemingly overnight. They went from average player to integral part of the team in one off-season. What was their secret? Hard-work and believing in themselves. The old saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a way." It could not hold any truer than in the game of baseball.

So the question remains, how does a player that lacks mental toughness and questions himself gain the iron-clad belief that they will be successful? I believe these values are learned through experiences, most importantly actual game play and off-field training. The mental toughness, physical ability and self-confidence can be developed.

There is nothing quite like being excited to get up to bat because you know that you are going to get a big hit and then actually doing it! Will it be easy? Of course not. However, I can promise you that the glory of winning and growing as a person will far outshine any tough moment you endured during training.

 

 

 

BE WHO YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE       

Jan. 30, 2008

 

 

Athletics and Life are simply making the most of the moments between the beginning and the end. In your life, these are very easy points to determine, your birth and your death; in the Athletes life it can be more difficult to determine. Sure, you could say it is merely the beginning of your career (little league, jr league) and the ultimate end whether it be high school, college or the professional ranks. 

 How we live this athletic life can be a wonderfully rewarding experience or it can be a very traumatic one.  How do you go about making the most of these moments?  I believe the easiest way to have success in your Life or your Athletic Life is simply to BE WHO YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

At the beginning of this journey, all players have potential. Your goal at the end of the journey is to NOT be one of those players that HAD potential and never quite lived up to it, or used it to your greatest ability. You have to find the way to perform each and every day to be the player you are supposed to be.

To do this you have to challenge yourself continually every day. You can never live in the present on performances in the past. Conversely, you have to quit thinking of what you could be and just BE IT – Be the player you are supposed to be. For everyone this is different. You have to find a way to perform to YOUR greatest ability and thus fulfill your potential.

A difficult aspect of this is to not judge yourself based on the barometer of others. You cannot base your life on pleasing the expectations of others. This is a sure fire way to fail.  Sure your coaches, parents, teachers, etc. will have expectations.  These expectations are an important part of your development and can be a component of the basis for your expectations of yourself. Ultimately though, YOU have to make the decision of what YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE. 

 You have to find who you are and commit to it. Determine what your goals should be and then go about striving to reach them every day. A key aspect is also to COMMIT TO THE PROCESS, NOT THE PATH.  

The path you take quite often will change based on circumstances and achievement. The only way you can fail in this endeavor is not by failing to achieve a goal, but failing to commit to the process. If you reach a goal, you need to immediately raise the bar and push the next goal higher.  If your current path to achieve a goal is not producing the expected results, you need to determine if the path must be adjusted.

In determining who you are supposed to be, you must BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE! You cannot fake this in life.  You have to find who you are at the very core of your being and determine a path to use this as a strength.  You have to truly believe and find commitment in the YOU that this represents. 

As an athlete, if you are not a RAH RAH type of player, you cannot force yourself to be that. Any attempt will come off to those you are trying to pump up, as fake, because it will not be who you can commit to being. If you are quiet and lead by example, then DO IT.  That is the essence of who you are and you need to use this to your advantage.

What does this all mean for an athlete? If you are a Pitcher and you don’t have a 90+ mph fastball, then it makes no sense trying to blow the ball by everyone.  Use what you have, hit spots, change speeds, force ground balls and GET OUTS. If you are a line drive type hitter with average power, stepping up to the plate and trying to jack home runs is not going to produce positive results. If you have been blessed with plus running speed, put the ball in play and make the defense throw you out. Pressure them and see what happens.
 
As a Leader on the team, if you’re not a RAH RAH guy, then lead by example. Be the first one out to practice, last one to leave, run on and off the field hustling everywhere you go regardless of the score or situation, etc.  If you are the RAH RAH guy, use it in the right situations and pick up those players around you.

Coaches often make a huge mistake in not understanding who their players really are and try to make them into something they are not. They can make their star player a Captain and then expect him to stand up and lead as a RAH RAH type player. If he is not this at his very core, he will never be successful as the leader they want him to be.  He will also not be successful as the Leader that the team needs him to be.  As Coaches we have to find the strength of each of our players and develop their roles along these strengths.  Communicating this with the Player is extremely important as well. 

Pete Carroll was quoted as saying “I just live out what I truly believe and everything takes care of itself from there”.  The commitment and identification of what you truly believe is the key ingredient in your ability to BE WHO YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.  And being who you are supposed to be will help you be a success in Life both inside and outside of athletics.

 

 

 

 

2012 Senior Commitments

 

 

Payton Baskette / FW Western Hills, commits to Grayson Junior College.  

 

Dane Evans / Sanger, commits to the University of Tulsa. (Football)

 

EK Everett / Southwest Christian, commits to the University of Texas at Arlington.  

Tyler Lewis / Southwest Christian, commits to Weatherford Junior College.

 

Adam Meyer / Azle, commits to the University of Arkansas. 

Kevin Smith / Lindale, commits to Richland Junior College.

 

Daniel Steinbrenner / FW Country Day, commits to Arkansas Tech University.


 

 

 

Gator Bait

2/4/2008

 

Baseball Wisdom 
1. Perseverance is more important, than talent .
2. There is a reason that the word STUDENT, comes first in student / athlete .
3. Respect the game as much as you want to be respected .
4. Tuck in your shirt .
5. Don't wear your hat backwards .
6. Practice hard because, you play the way you practice. 
7. It doesn't take any talent, to hustle .
8. Be a student in baseball. Learn the game - Study the history of baseball .
9. Help your team win whether you play or not , any given day.
10. Keep a daily diary of what you do at practice and keep notes of your observations. This will help you see the progress you have made.
11. Never argue with an umpire.
12. Agree to let your coaches train you. 
13. Don't cut class.
14. Maintain the grades that keep you eligible. 
15. Set high standards, along with knowing the steps to obtain them.
16. Don't tell people what you are worth, prove it to them.
17. Your girlfriend is not more important than your career.
18. Your parents love you, but they don't know more than your coach, about baseball.
19. Don't let anyone, make an excuse for you.
20. Maintain eye contact with all adults when they talk to you. Practice on your friends.
21. It is your coach's opinion of you that counts. He makes out the lineup. Fail to understand this point and you will soon be out of the game.
22. Life is not fair.  Regardless of what some people want you to think.
23. Be passionate about your teammates.
24. Love the game. 
25. Players are not the only people in the game. There are coaches, trainers, announcers, umpires, broadcasters and writers. All those jobs are honorable professions as well as keeping you young.
26. The only thing that coaches owe you, is HONESTY.
27. Body language screams. It never whispers. 
28. Balance makes champions. If you focus on hitting and ignore the defensive part of your game you will never be a complete player.
29. Be as diligent on defense as you are on offense.
30. Defense wins more games than offense.
31. Pitching sets the tone.
32. Games are lost not won. Mistakes lead to losses.
33. You can win a league with a few good pitchers. Well developed pitching staffs win the tournaments.
34. Work on your game every day of the year. The guy who beat you out for the starting job did and the team that always beats you also does.
35. Who you are today is a result of who you were in the past. Fill your past with smart work and good deeds and you will maximize your potential.
36. You don't have to be a great athlete to be a good baseball player.
37. Show off your talent to your current coach and your future coach by doing the following: (ALL THE TIME) o When you jog to warm up finish first. o When you stretch do it best. o When you play catch, throw to a target and hit it every time. o When you play catch, catch the ball or block the bad throw and keep it in front of you every time. o When you are doing a drill, do it perfect, every time. o Go hard all the time. Never walk on a baseball practice field. o As a batter/runner run to first as though it matters that you are safe. o Know the situation on defense and do the right thing.
38. Baseball reveals character it doesn't build it.
39. Character means doing the right thing when no one is watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLAYERS MAKEUP

The player's makeup is vital to his success in professional baseball. Often the player with the greatest desire will develop into a better ball player than the one with better physical tools. Most of the players when they sent to the minor leagues, are used to being the star on their team and often have never been in a slump or have lost a game before. This for many players is difficult to accept. For the first time in their lives, they are knocked out in the first inning or go 0 for 4. If a player can overcome this, they have a better chance of reaching their goal of playing in the major leagues.

One of the most important factors in a player's makeup is whether they can adjust to being away from home. Most high school players have never been away from home for any length of time and many are not prepared mentally to handle the long bus rides, bad lights, and poor playing conditions. For many college players, the minors is a step down from playing on good fields, good lighting, flying, and large attendance.

The college player often comes into the minor leagues more mature because he has been away from home, but a player with a college degree may quit after two years if he does not feel he is being promoted quick enough. It is very difficult for players to see their teammates being promoted while they are staying put. A player who works hard and puts up good numbers in the minor leagues will be noticed by the organization.

PLAYER CHECKLIST -- (what to look for in a player)

CATCHERS: Arm strength, agility and quickness, soft hands, aggressiveness plus leadership.

INFIELDERS: Arm Strength, speed, instincts, aggressiveness, soft hands, hitting ability (especially from the corners).

HITTERS: Strength, bat speed, plane of swing, absence of fear, aggressiveness, top-hand extension, and follow-though.

PITCHERS: Arm strength, velocity, movement, and a curveball with tight rotation, free arm action and proper delivery, with complete extension on the follow-though (basically a live, quick arm, aggressiveness, and the ability to concentrate.

MAKEUP: Strong desire to succeed, coachability, maturity, temperament, improvement, drive, hunger, consistency, knowledge of the game, competitiveness, (how badly does the player want to reach the major leagues and how well, he will work at it.)

PHYSICAL CHANGES: Has he reached his full height yet? Can he gain or lose weight? Will he become faster or slower? Has he filled out yet? Does he a have history of being hurt? How much has his skills improved from last year.

Does the player have the physical tools plus the strong make up to play in the major leagues. Only about 10% of the players who sign a minor league contract will ever play in the big leagues.