Robbie "The Vulture" Ross is the modern incarnation of Phil Regan

Yes, that's a great thing for the Texas Rangers. Phil "The Vulture" Regan had a phenomenal season as a reliever for the 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers. Robbie Ross is showing flashes of having the same type of season for the Texas Rangers this year. He'll be fun to follow the rest of the way. Battle on, Robbie.

More Yu

Yu's habit of pulling his glove away from his body during his delivery increases rotary inertia and decreases hip rotation. The Rangers have already made great strides in improving his mechanics compared to what they were in Japan. His glove hand actions should be an easy fix and will add to his career longevity.

Texas Rangers' Yu Darvish

Have noticed that Yu's mechanics have improved in comparison to what they they were in Japan, and what they were in the early stages of change in his first spring training outing with the Rangers. He must be fairly intelligent as that and the number of reps are important in bio-mechanic changes and muscle memory development. If he could improve his glove side actions during delivery and follow through, he'll reduce rotary inertia and increase his hip rotation. This improvement will increase his inning workload for each season and prolong his career. The Yankees' David Robertson would be a good  mechanically sound "fellow righty" for him to model.

More Thoughts On Phil Hughes' Mechanics

Still having difficulty throwing strikes and with his high pitch count. Speculating as to whether or not his back is bothering him in some capacity as he still can't rotate completely...shoulder to shoulder. For a pitcher, wherever the back shoulder ends up pointing to in the follow through is where the pitch will end up. His short arm delivery is another matter...for another day.

The Benefits Of Overload And Underload Bat Training To Increase Bat Speed

Have to agree w/underloading and overloading training being beneficial. Personally prefer the Jaime Cevallos' MP28 and MP30 training bats for overloading, and I haven't used anything heavier than his bats for some time now for overload training. For underloading, I use a progressive weight system and emphasize that hitters maintain a slot position swing.
The on deck circle is void of any weight or device due to the negative effects that weights present later during the at bat.

Hitting In Reptilian Mode

Humans and injured animals can drop into reptilian mode. Can this technique be applied to hitting?
In some martial arts a technique is taught that allows an individual to control their state of mind in defense scenarios. It is believed that everyone reacts defensively differently depending on which of the three states of mind they’re in: human (cerebral), animal, or reptilian. I’ve seen demonstrations of each mode in action…so I believe that if a human can get into a reptilian state of mind where there’s no thinking involved…only reaction, then, so can animals when injured.
I can see a practical application with this technique in self defense for humans. However, since hitting involves some thinking during an at bat, it's no brainer to forget about this approach to hitting...pun intended.

My Answer To The Following Question That I Was Asked: How Can I Get An Associate Scouting Position?

My answer to a 10 year coach today seeking to get into professional baseball scouting that already had contacted each MLB organization, but didn't receive a reply from any scouting director or scout:

Next step would be to contact territorial scouts in your area and let them know of your interest in becoming an associate scout. Naturally, you don't want to bother them while they're watching prospects...maybe after the game if they're not rushed.<bg>Get a Baseball Bluebook to get the scouts' email addresses. I've helped a non division 1 coach get an associate scouting position through my recommendation this year already or I'd offer to help you. (I don't like to push/recommend more than 1 a year).
It would also help the organizations and scouts to know that you wouldn't card or do reports on position players or pitchers below a 50 OFP...unless they asked you to because they're on a follow list, but I don't know why they'd ask you to. Your job is to help your organization win a championship by finding 50-80 OFPers.<g>