Monday, December 30, 2013

In your opinion, who was the greatest Astros hitter?

Andy asked

my response:


Staub and Morgan were great career hitters...wished their career time with the Astros would've been longer. Berkman, Bagwell, and Biggio were fun to watch, too. Cedeno had all the tools to be a HOF'er. In a clutch hitting situation, I'd have more confidence in having Cheo Cruz at the plate as the ONE to be able to get that needed hit.

Are hitters in your opinion too selective at times?

Joe from Canada inquired

My response:

Generally, no. It's preferable to take a pitcher high in the count to run up his pitch count, but the goal for the hitter is still to get a good pitch to drive somewhere HARD.

Hitters are taught to narrow the width of the plate from 17 inches to the middle 10 inches, and expand back out to 17 inches when there's 2 strikes in the count. They recycle their approach in each at bat usually with the minimal idea that each pitch is their pitch, and expect fastball and adjust to the curve.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

How to become a mlb player when i live in the uk?

Jaydyn's interrogative and statement:
"I live in the UK, England, and as you know here baseball isn't popular so what are the ways of me being able to make it into the majors?"

my response:

Well, sir...surely you jest. In fact, there ARE baseball teams, leagues, coaches, and even some associate scouts for MLB teams in your country. While baseball may not be the most popular sport, the opportunity to play and be scouted does exist.

Japanese Baseball...More Fun Per Yen

"Why does Japanese baseball seem more entertaining than Major League Baseball?

    Drose asked and commented:
This is my opinion, but Japanese (Nippon) baseball appears to be very entertaining from a player's and fan's point of view. I cannot understand a word they are saying, but they make baseball very fun to watch. Major League baseball players are generally better than their Nippon counterparts, but I still find a Japanese game to be more entertaining from a spectator point of view."

my response:
Might it be they tend to NOT play for the 3 run homerun? They generally play 'fabrication' ball by manufacturing runs. You'll see bunt and run, run and bunt, hit and run, run and hit, double steals, etc. No wonder Bobby Valentine did so well with his managing style over there. The closest MLB team that comes to mind that played more to that style would have been the 1980 Houston Astros. 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

How long should my lessons last?

Owen asked and continued:

"So I would like to tryout for baseball this year at my HS, I've never played on a team before(or played very much) but I love baseball and my uncles think with a little work I could make it, so I decided why not try. A local college baseball coach (D-III) has agreed to work with me for $50 an hour, or 25 per half hour. How long should each of these lessons last, because I only have 250 dollars that I can spend on this, and that is about 5 days and an hour each day. Is that enough, like how much can actually get done in that amount of time?"

my response:

It can take up to 16 weeks to gain a skill and muscle memory...depending on how many reps you put in and which side of the bell curve you fall on. The smarter you are...the faster you learn...despite what others think and say. 

Limit the amount of time you spent on each skill during a session. Mind mush and innervation begins after 10 minutes of work on a skill. You can always come back to it later for another 10 minute increment session. 


There's a ton of incorrect information passed around the internet as fact these days. So research everything you are given as advice by everyone...including me.

The Land Of Shade Tree Hitting And Pitching Instructors

I've come to the conclusion that the US has an abundance of bass ackward amateur (and professional) hitting and pitching instructors, and they will defend their destructive, incorrect training methods, mechanics, and ideas to the death.

Caveat Emptor

For better baseball/softball,
Del Pittman

People Living In The Ozone

I'm not even going to "dignify" this person's rant directed towards me. I'll post a couple of other responses instead. Names have been withheld to protect the guilty and the innocent.

Lawrence ranted:

"50% of MLB pitchers go on the DL every year these days because todays owners don't want to take a chance of being sued by one of these clowns who stub their toe, then are put on the 30 day DL. Doctors pay a ton of their salary for mal practice insurance, baseball owners don't want to have to do this and worse… then  be sued for 200 million dollars because some pitcher wants to rip off an owner claiming his manager made him pitch when he was injured (and ruined his career) when he really wasn't. The justice system has become a sport like battle between two skillful lawyers and the one that impresses the judge the most wins. It's not a matter of who is right or wrong anymore. This is why most billionaires do not want to own a baseball team."

'others' responses:

 Del- I see zero truth to that statement. Who said that?
When an MLB team comes up for sale, billionaires line up for the chance to buy it. Owning a professional sports team is the ultimate status symbol.
As far as the injury lawsuit goes, it hasn't happened yet to my knowledge--A-Rod included. I think most players know that if you try a move like that you better win the lawsuit because you'll never play in MLB again.

Del, 
Today's baseball as in the past, MLB is covered by an Anti-Trust Exemption which is in place so players and teams can’t sue each other, and all the rules were held within. Otherwise there would be lawsuits galore.

Friday, December 27, 2013

The Blame Game

"Gibbs" commented:
"There are only so many talented pitchers around. Just like there are only so many top level golfers or tennis players. With 30 teams all with staffs of around 13 pitchers each there simply aren't enough quality arms to go around. You can't necessarily develop top level talent. Some of it has to be God given talent to start with."

my response:

Scouts would argue that there is more than enough talent...it's up to player development people to develop that talent. The 50% injury rate is primarily due to poor mechanics in one or more of the phases in their delivery. Just fyi, the majority of relievers (not all) were starters at one time, but failed at correcting their mechanical flaws. As a group, they also a have a high injury percentage during the season.

I spent 8 years splitting time between 2 professional baseball organizations, and I heard the scouts and the player development people continually blaming each other for the failings of the organizations…ad nauseum.

Why is the quality of american pitching so poor?

Why is the quality of american pitching so poor?

    Jim asked and added:
"This is evident by the fact that tanaka, a guy who hasn't thrown a pitch here is expected to be handed an enormous contract. Teams are desperate for quality pitchers. We develop so few."

my response:

Without sounding like I'm brown nosing, you've actually brought up a valid point. When 50% of starting pitchers are injured during the season, that sends up a red flag to people that are having to pay the bill...so to speak. The Orioles are to be commended for being the first organization trying to decrease the number of injuries to pitchers in their organization. From the bottom to the top levels, each pitcher is now filmed and analyzed with bio-mechanical software to correct and polish deliveries to reduce injuries and lengthen careers. I have to point out that the new software being used has come a long way since Tom House's. As an alternative to bio-mechanical software, a few organizations are using the OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation tool to determine injury probability. I won't name names because I don't want to jeopardize a person's career, but Tanaka had a 47% OIP. That is considered very risky for a long term investment. Top pitchers with very sound mechanics like Kershaw, Verlander, and Cliff Lee have an OIP of 10%...just because injuries happen in baseball...sometimes from playing flip or slipping on a step in the dugout and not just from a throwing wear and tear related injury.

How to make it as a pitcher in the MLB?


Jack asked and then added:
"I know there is no surefire way but it's my dream to pitch in the MLB. I live in a cold and snowy winter and can't practice outside. I am really willing to do anything. Thanks for your consideration!"

my response:

Hopefully, you can find a place, like a gym, that will allow you to do your sequence pitching sessions with a catcher... inside. No reputable pitching coach would have you wearing extra clothing or even a jacket during your practice sessions...inside or outside. You'll need to have a person grade your mechanics, either in person or by video, to ensure your pitching mechanics are correct and polished. Plus, add core work to your work load along with proper cuff training like S.Ellis' Tuff Cuff or another one that's highly rated. Additionally, it's to your advantage to chart your pitches...half from the stretch and half from full wind up during the sequence pitching pitch count sessions to simulate game like conditions. Above all, attitude and desire plus work ethic play a big part in attaining your dreams. Battle on.


Addendum:

First thought that helps minimize injuries is that pitching is more than just throwing. Use the strike zone to your advantage...change speed and location of your pitches to disrupt the hitter's timing.

Learn the hitting flaws. Most lineups only have a few grooved hitters even on the pro level.

Learn how to take advantage of the flaw and pitch to that specific flaw.

If you’re at the Little League level, eventually your catcher will learn the flaws, too. Right now he’s learning to receive, block pitches, set defenses, and busy watching the hitter’s feet and bat speed while tracking your pitch.

Pitching coaches and pitchers have their own language and sayings to get the message across:

Sit and Drive…Land at a 45  
“Sitting” helps you to not “rush”, but instead, stay balanced in your delivery. As you step toward home plate, stride so that the ball of your lead foot and toe will land at a 45 degree angle. This ensures proper hip rotation after your lead foot lands, and that you’ll be using your legs as well as your arm in your pitching mechanics.

Push, pop...over the top...leaves you with pep in your step*
The push is the balanced push off of the pitching plate (pitcher’s rubber). Pop is a term for the hip rotation after landing the front foot at a 45 degree angle during the delivery.
“Over the top” is the action of the trailing foot in a complete follow through (this happens naturally after your pitching arm elbow passes by the opposite knee following your delivery). Hence, after your elbow passes your knee in your follow through, your throwing side foot will rise above your throwing side hip without any extra effort on your part. This is what pitching coaches actually mean when they say “bend your back” in regards to a follow through.

*More on leaves you with pep in your step
This just means that you’ll have more endurance/stamina because you’re using your legs and your body to pitch with…instead of just using your arm which will make tire faster and can lead to injury.

Shoulder to shoulder makes your pitches bolder
For control of your pitches, your front shoulder heads (points) to the location you want your pitch to go. After delivery, your back shoulder will point toward the same target that your front should was targeted at… which greatly improves control accuracy and will occur naturally with the correct follow through. This is what pitching coaches call “full rotation”.

Bolder pitches means that you’ll spot your pitches to areas that hitter’s have trouble hitting solidly (they prefer to hit the ones that are thrown over the middle ten inches of the plate in the strike zone).



Pitching to a dime* makes the hitter bitter
The mitt is not the target for the pitcher. It is better to throw (not aim) to a smaller target. A dime target is small, but if you miss- you’ll miss “small”. [Remember a pitcher targets areas away from the middle ten inches of the plate.] Instead of pitching in the middle of the plate, you’ll focus on the catcher’s knees and shoulders since they are usually outside of the middle ten inches of the plate. Therefore, visualize and concentrate (focus) on a dime located on the catcher’s knees and shoulders as targets before and during the delivery of your pitch. *Also, contrary to some coaches’ thinking, you’re never too young to develop this kind of concentration skill… especially when pitching.

Any coach, on any level worth his salt, routinely has his pitchers practice pitching to a designated catcher. At each league level, from Little League to MLB, pitchers follow a Sequence Pitching Schedule. This is another important process to help pitchers develop arm strength, confidence, and command & control. During sequence pitching sessions, it’s imperative that the pitcher’s pitches are charted by a helper. This promotes a game like atmosphere…to simulate game like pressure.
Also, during the throwing session, the pitchers usually alternate throwing 5 pitches from a full windup and then 5 pitches from the stretch. The number of pitches thrown during a session depends on the number of days until the next scheduled appearance in a game. Once the number of pitches to be thrown during the session is determined, the catcher will call the type of pitch and the location for each pitch. On the Little League level, 1 is a fastball and 2 is a change. In higher levels of  competition, more types of pitches are thrown, and the pitches are numbered respectively. Locations are also numbered on the catcher. The right and left knees of the catcher are numbered 1 and 2 & the right and left shoulders of the catcher are numbered 3 and 4. On a side note, since the pitcher is getting valuable feedback from a capable helper after the session, make sure the helper has a clip board with a pencil and paper that have rectangular strike zones with cubes inside the rectangles to note the location and type of pitch thrown during the session. For the benefit of the pitcher’s focus, the helper shouldn’t interact with the pitcher until after the throwing session. The helper will silently circle pitches that miss their spot and mark pitches that are on target during the session. It is recommended that punishment of some type for missing the called location be used to make the session more competitive among the pitchers on the team.

GRIP
With seams, the pitch will sink. Across the seams, the pitch will not sink as much. Some will suggest that gripping a ball across the seams will make it rise. Even the best power pitchers don’t really have the ball rise when their grip is across the seams due to physics.
Choking the pitch will reduce the velocity. Also, choking the pitch is better for younger pitchers because it produces a natural change up. When a pitcher matures, usually when they start shaving, a pitcher can learn breaking pitches and other grips for a change up.

Your ultimate goal as a pitcher is to keep the hitter off balance by changing the speed and location of your pitches. Be stoic & never show your emotions in a game when you are pitching. Do this and you will have an edge over the hitters you face.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Petlius Peevii

Some of my pet peeves in regards to hitting...pardon my poor latin skills (pig latin would've been easier).<g>

Swinging a weighted bat anytime or anywhere (see bat weight and slot position muscle memory destruction blog). 

Over 10 minute Drills or isolated skill work...hitting or otherwise (See Innervation/Mind Mush blog...again, destruction of good muscle memory)

Lack of a professional approach to hitting (not having a plan, i.e., no Timing Activation or Recycling during an at bat is a plan for poor performance...see Timing Activation and Recycling blogs)

Not putting in the work (see 70% Mental, 15% Vision, & 15% Vision Hitting Formula blog)

Not narrowing the hitting zone to the middle 10 inches of the plate and expanding out to 17 inches until there's 2 strikes in the count (see hitting approach blog).

Being a hands hitter instead of a slot position swing hitter (see slot position swing blog).

The biggie...harmful advice or instruction,...especially bio-mechanical, dynamic vision, physics, etc., that's not research based via science or education and offered as factual.


Gaijin Extraordinaire

Who was the American who played an active part in Japanese baseball?

Nogami asked


My response:
Leron Lee...and he wrote an impressive book on hitting years ago that I purchased. In the book he breaks down the phases of hitting in specific detail.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

I Need More Power

"How to increase swinging power and speed?

    JD asked
what are some exercises i could do with weights?"
my response:
Lead hand extensions using progressive isotonic training along with Jaime Cevallos' MP30 Training Bat and core training will give you the pop you desire as well as develop your slot position power swing.

May The Force Be With You

Thank you Thomas S. for posting on a hitting website and sending people my way. I welcome those that promote me. Appreciate it. I've copied and pasted what you posted.
DP

"May the Force be with you, and you can learn via the link below how to develop the slot position swing with Jaime Cevallos' MP30 Training bat instead of the swing you currently have.
Thomas

Source(s):

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Sidearm Throwing OF'er From Down Under

"Should I keep throwing sidearm in the outfield?

I have been playing baseball for a few years now and even before that no matter what I threw I always did it sidearm. Once I started playing baseball I became a centre fielder, and I still threw sidearm no matter what distance. Is this extremely bad for my arm. Throughout the season on and off i get pain in my elbow."

my response:
No...stay on top of your OF throws to keep them on a line. You're throwing sidearm because it's your strongest release point so it's not bad for your arm...it just plays havoc with your your cutoff man and throws to a base or home plate. Again, you need to throw on a line, and you can't do that by throwing sidearm.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Chance And Probability Usually Travel Together

"Do i got a chance still at baseball?


I'm entering my 3rd in high school baseball with east high school. My previous 2 years I played with montbello playing in C-team my freshman year and JV. Then my sophomore in JV and Varsity. I play Left field, catcher, and 1st basemen. My dream is to make it too MLB!

Do i still got a chance?"
Joshua
my response:
You always have a chance. The amount of desire and talent you have determine the probability.

Major League Scouting Bureau tryout camps info:

"Who all can go to the major leauge scouting berua?
is it invitation only or can you walk on sign up and try out?"
Zachary B 


http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/tryout_us.jsp

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Doesn't Have A Snowball's Chance In...

"What can I do to get noticed by mlb scouts to get drafted for the 2014 draft?

  • Connery asked 
If I am not playing high school baseball, what can I do to get noticed by pro scouts to get drafted for the 2014 draft?"

my response:
You'll have to be seen somewhere in a game or game like conditions and receive a 50-80 OFP on your scouting report. I'm wondering if you are willing to go to showcases where you can be seen. Tryout camps? Not too many are signed at tryout camps, but if you fall into the 50-80 range...
    Addendum:
    No, I'm not that mean, but in reality, there's only a small probability of being drafted in this case and others like it. Hard to draft someone when they choose limited evaluation options to be scouted.

To Play Or Not To Play? That Is The Question

"Is 16 too late to start playing baseball?

  • Daron asked
I've heard that if you don't play a sport at a really young age you won't be as good the ones that did i mean i did play baseball at a young age but never really joined a team just played with some friends at a sandlot everyday but i want to know if joining a team at this age is a waste of time or should i go for it?"

my response:
Join a competitive team that plays against other competitive teams? From my experience the coach is obligated to put the most competitive team on the field because he owes it to his opponents, etc. You would not get much playing time in that scenario, but if it's a casual, just play for fun league (if that sort of thing actually exists)...then, absolutely, join that team to learn the game w/o pressure until you're ready for the next level.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Tanaka Followup

  1. Now I know why the renewed Tanaka interest. I didn't realize that he had made a press announcement in Japan stating he was wanting to pitch on a MLB team in 2014. My bad.

  2. Well, I still believe he'd be a risk for a long term investment because of his pitching mechanics issues. Very questionable future...more suspect than prospect.

Redundant Question With A Short Version Answer

Is Masahiro Tanaka worth the hype?
Robbie asked

my response (short one...since Tanaka's OIP Pitching Mechanics Breakdown is posted elsewhere on this blog):
has a live arm...the bad news is his pitching mechanics. He's almost all arm. Masahiro is a future candidate for heavy scar tissue build up in his rotator group. 

Leg Extension: -10 
Hip Rotation: -15 
Follow Through: -12 
Reduces Rotary Inertia: -10 


OIP: 47%

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Torquing...Not Twerking Your Throwing

Sit and Drive…Land at a 45  
“Sitting” helps you to not “rush”, but instead, stay balanced in your delivery. As you step toward home plate, stride so that the ball of your lead foot and toe will land at a 45 degree angle. This ensures proper hip rotation after your lead foot lands, and that you’ll be using your legs as well as your arm in your pitching mechanics.

Push, pop...over the top...leaves you with pep in your step*
The push is the balanced push off of the pitching plate (pitcher’s rubber). Pop is a term for the hip rotation after landing the front foot at a 45 degree angle during the delivery.
“Over the top” is the action of the trailing foot in a complete follow through (this happens naturally after your pitching arm elbow passes by the opposite knee following your delivery). Hence, after your elbow passes your knee in your follow through, your throwing side foot will rise above your throwing side hip without any extra effort on your part. This is what pitching coaches actually mean when they say “bend your back” in regards to a follow through.

*More on leaves you with pep in your step
This just means that you’ll have more endurance/stamina because you’re using your legs and your body to pitch with…instead of just using your arm which will make tire faster and can lead to injury.

Shoulder to shoulder makes your pitches bolder
For control of your pitches, your front shoulder heads (points) to the location you want your pitch to go. After delivery, your back shoulder will point toward the same target that your front should was targeted at… which greatly improves control accuracy and will occur naturally with the correct follow through. This is what pitching coaches call “full rotation”.

Bolder pitches means that you’ll spot your pitches to areas that hitter’s have trouble hitting solidly (they prefer to hit the ones that are thrown over the middle ten inches of the plate in the strike zone).



Pitching to a dime* makes the hitter bitter
The mitt is not the target for the pitcher. It is better to throw (not aim) to a smaller target. A dime target is small, but if you miss- you’ll miss “small”. [Remember a pitcher targets areas away from the middle ten inches of the plate.] Instead of pitching in the middle of the plate, you’ll focus on the catcher’s knees and shoulders since they are usually outside of the middle ten inches of the plate. Therefore, visualize and concentrate (focus) on a dime located on the catcher’s knees and shoulders as targets before and during the delivery of your pitch. *Also, contrary to some coaches’ thinking, you’re never too young to develop this kind of concentration skill… especially when pitching.

Any coach, on any level worth his salt, routinely has his pitchers practice pitching to a designated catcher. At each league level, from Little League to MLB, pitchers follow a Sequence Pitching Schedule. This is another important process to help pitchers develop arm strength, confidence, and command & control. During sequence pitching sessions, it’s imperative that the pitcher’s pitches are charted by a helper. This promotes a game like atmosphere…to simulate game like pressure.
Also, during the throwing session, the pitchers usually alternate throwing 5 pitches from a full windup and then 5 pitches from the stretch. The number of pitches thrown during a session depends on the number of days until the next scheduled appearance in a game. Once the number of pitches to be thrown during the session is determined, the catcher will call the type of pitch and the location for each pitch. On the Little League level, 1 is a fastball and 2 is a change. In higher levels of  competition, more types of pitches are thrown, and the pitches are numbered respectively. Locations are also numbered on the catcher. The right and left knees of the catcher are numbered 1 and 2 & the right and left shoulders of the catcher are numbered 3 and 4. On a side note, since the pitcher is getting valuable feedback from a capable helper after the session, make sure the helper has a clip board with a pencil and paper that have rectangular strike zones with cubes inside the rectangles to note the location and type of pitch thrown during the session. For the benefit of the pitcher’s focus, the helper shouldn’t interact with the pitcher until after the throwing session. The helper will silently circle pitches that miss their spot and mark pitches that are on target during the session. It is recommended that punishment of some type for missing the called location be used to make the session more competitive among the pitchers on the team.

GRIP
With seams, the pitch will sink. Across the seams, the pitch will not sink as much. Some will suggest that gripping a ball across the seams will make it rise. Even the best power pitchers don’t really have the ball rise when their grip is across the seams due to physics.
Choking the pitch will reduce the velocity. Also, choking the pitch is better for younger pitchers because it produces a natural change up. When a pitcher matures, usually when they start shaving, a pitcher can learn breaking pitches and other grips for a change up.


Friday, December 13, 2013

Rah, Rah...Sis, Boom, Rip?

"Baseball cheers or chants?
Kit Kat (that's the name she used) asked and additionally stated:
It’s for a cheer leading team and we need cheers to help boost our players’ confidence."

My response:
help boost our players confidence?...Well, there is a sports psychologist that suggests his clients "Play Big".

If you can tie in something that helps players to play with controlled aggression, I'm rooting for you.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Yankees' Minor League RHP Bryan Mitchell's OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Name: Bryan Bedford Mitchell
Born: April 19, 1991 in Pensacola, Fla.
High School: Rockingham County HS, Hamlet, N.C.
Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 205
Bats: L Throws: R

Can hit mid 90s with FB  Has decent down angle curve which shows flashes. At the present time, he has a live arm. Sadly, he does throw mostly with his arm and not near enough with his body which in time will lead to injury problems if not corrected. At his age, generally, habits and muscle memory are ingrained, but, hopefully, he will be one of the rare exceptions and get his problems ironed out. (Now)

Leg Extension: -8

Hip Rotation: -17

Follow Through: -12  Very shallow, high, and incomplete...lacking shoulder to shoulder finish to the target affecting control and also leverage for consistent bite on his curve

OIP (Overall Injury Probability): -37%

Reds' Minor League Pitcher Robert Stephenson's OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Full Name: Robert William Stephenson
Born: 02/24/1993
Birthplace: Martinez, CA
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 190
Bats: R
Throws: R

Leg Extension: Good...0 pts deducted

Hip Rotation: -18  Steps open  Throws with too much arm and not enough body ...future cuff scar tissue issue

Follow Through: -2  Almost shoulder to shoulder finish pointing at the target...helps control

Deceleration:  -7  Fairly violent...more future shoulder issue and possible circulatory issue

OIP (Overall Injury Probability):   27%

The Tools of Ignorance

"Why don't we have collisions at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base like we do at home plate in pro baseball?"

My response:
Besides opponents on offense being able to score a run ONLY at home plate in the game, catchers have the advantage of wearing protection at their defensive position or as some say...the tools of ignorance.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

New Moon Is As New Moon Does?

"Why are you terrible at baseball?
Don asked and stated:

I am the best ever. You are all terrible. So I ask why."


My response:
Senor Mustard, I saw your OFP on your scouting report, and it was a Zero/NP.. with a side comment of "too much style and not enough smile". Lo siento, amigo.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Yo Lo Tengo! o No, Yo Lo Tengo!

“How can I get better in catching pop flys in baseball?
Alright so I'm in my highschool baseball team I play in the outfield. I'm not in in the team I'm in practice the coach already saved me a spot in the team but he has to see I'm commited to the team anyway. He hit me 8 fly balls today and I didn't catch any and was close to catching 1 but it fell of the glove. I need help timing were the ball will land like how far or how close it will land. Can you tell me how I can improve?”


Naturally, you'll improve with practice, but to learn faster...you should be doing the depth perception drills that most high school, college, and minor league outfielders are being coached to do. Hitters are taught these drills as well as part of Dr. Bill Harrison's Fine Centering/Soft Centering Baseball Dynamic Vision Training Program. These drills have been used in baseball for decades. As an extra tip, after you "Google" baseball depth perception drills or go to Dr. Harrison's Slow The Game Down website, practice all three depth perception drill distances...close, middle, and long distance for best results.

Pulling Your Head Out?

“How do I prevent my head from turning in my baseball swing?
Recently I've found out that my head moves up and back when I swing which also causes me to uppercut. I recorded myself on my iPad and it seems like I'm pushing my whole body back before I even make contact. I've had this problem for a while and I need help with it. It seems like when I uppercut it feels level but its not. Any drills, tips or videos would be greatly appreciated.”



If my hitting mechanics blog posts don’t help you stay torqued, try the videos and tools below:

Dr. Bill Harrison and his son Ryan Harrison have the perfect fix for pulling your head out....and more:

http://www.slowthegamedown.com/

Jaime Cevallos' MP30 Training Bat will cure your uppercut and give you the slot position swing you should have.


http://theswingmechanic.com/

If I Had A Dollar Everytime...

How to increase my batting strength?


Core work AND extra lead hand extensions through progressive isotonic training is the first step. Secondly, drop the idea that being a ‘hands hitter’ is the best and only swing on the planet. Instead, use the slot position swing. It will require you to use your whole body in your swing. The MP30 Training Bat developed by Jaime Cevallos, The Swing Mechanic, is the best slot position swing training tool available.

Monday, December 2, 2013

The Kit and Caboodle of Holistic Hitting


What you see below is the culmination of many years of developing a hitting system that can be used on every level that hitting occurs. I named it Holistic Hitting because it integrates mind, body, & spirit into the act of hitting.

For better hitting,
Del Pittman

On Deck Circle


It's important to understand that you get your hits here before you ever get into the batter's box.

Begin by reinforcing your slot position swing muscle memory with the MP30 Training Bat (see Jaime Cevallos' Swing Mechanic MP30 blog post).
Now proceed with mental prepping your pre-pitch Timing Activation (see Timing Activation blog post), desensitize your nervous system (see On Deck Drill To Desensitize The Nervous System blog post), and lastly before heading to the batter's box -do a quick depth perception drill by looking at your fine centering-soft centering reference points*.

NEXT


Repeat before the 1st pitch and after each sequential pitch...the following...


Outside box or half and half if league rules allow:


Night Game… Close eyes for 5 seconds for improved vision (See Retina/Vision Trick blog post)...You may have to remind your 3rd base coach that you'll be doing this.


Situational Awareness:


Know outs and base runners' locations and then look to 3rd Base Coach

IN BOX:

Pre-Pitch Recycling Timing Activation (See Recycling and Timing Activation Blog Posts if needed).
Once completed...


Start getting in rhythm with the pitcher, initiate small c knuckle of hand movement (see KEEPING YOUR HEAD STILL IN YOUR SWING FROM THE START blog post) and pre-Oxygenation phase:


Gently shift your weight from back to front repeatedly over your center point (40-60) and draw a small c with your knuckle as you are fine centering and soft centering visually. Continue the rhythm rocking breathing in through the nose going back and breathing out through a slightly open mouth going forward. This keeps the jaw relaxed and prevents teeth clinching which can lead to blurred vision.  (Key emphasis is to do this simultaneously with a controlled, calculated rhythmic weight shift.)

Begin Oxygenation phase  ( see Oxygenating Your Blood With Breathing During an At Bat and Its Importance in Hitting blog), complete Fine Centering-Soft Centering (Focus on Pitcher’s Cap logo & then re-focus visually to the Release Point (Avoid being hypnotized by watching the Pitcher’s Windup)*, and start stride/launch sequence.

*See Dr. Bill Harrison's Slow The Game Down blog post for fine centering-soft centering pitch tracking...

From Pitcher's Cap Logo to Timing of the Release Point:


Identify pitch and velocity


Begin Tracking Mentally…Yes, Yes, Yes, YES* or Yes, Yes, Yes, NO.

You either pull the trigger or you don't, but if you do pull the trigger...


(At contact during your slot position swing in the blocking phase with a firm front side, squeezing the handle in the palms helps add more power as a result of an additional neuromuscular response used in conjunction with compressed organs in the oxygenation/breathing process)


Post Hit:


In the dugout, enjoy the congratulations and the pats on the back.
Then, reward yourself with a cup of water. Funny as it sounds...you should do this.
(behavioral conditioning)

On Deck Drill To Desensitize The Nervous System
Desensitizing the nervous system by using breathing techniques followed with slaps and pats* from toe to head will have a positive effect towards achieving relaxation which improves focus, quiets the mind, and prepares the hitter to be aggressive and confident when he faces the pitcher. Additional on deck prep steps include using your timing activation affirmation along with muscle memory work with a MP30 Training Bat, quick depth perception drills, and fine tuning your dynamic visual acuity with fine centering and soft centering reference points...all are reinforced here in the on deck circle. After this, you're ready "to see the ball; hit the ball".

*The "pat down" technique is a better pre-at bat technique than "tapping" or the acupressure T.A.T. technique...both of which are good techniques, but are better practiced in a different time and place than in the on deck circle...at least from my experience.

Oxygenating Your Blood With Breathing During an At Bat and Its Importance in Hitting

Oxygenating your blood with 3 deep breaths during pre-pitch soft centering-fine centering will improve your dynamic visual acuity, and exhaling half of your 3rd deep breath and timing the holding of it as you shift your focus from the pitcher’s emblem on the front of his cap to his release point in the final phase of soft centering-fine centering enables a clearer focus on the type of pitch followed with clearer pitch tracking. As a side benefit of holding the breath*, which compresses the internal organs, will cause a neuromuscular strength gain at contact.


*For those that don’t know it, the breath can be held up to 7 seconds before focus becomes blurry. This shouldn’t concern the hitter, as the pitch should go from release point to contact point in 2/10s of a second…unless the pitcher’s specialty is the Eephus pitch or the Folly Floater.

TIMING ACTIVATION

The Timing Activation must be repeated often  to take root in the subconscious mind. Once ingrained, this technique will become second nature.

A Timing Activation  contains  spiritual and epigenetic thoughts along with powerful affirmations. Recycling, in baseball, softball, golf, tennis, and many other sports, has been around for more than twenty years, but I've found that adding a couple of important principles that have worked in my life as well as others has made a significant difference in the recycling impact on performance.

During recycling, which can be done in seconds, you'll be giving thanks to a HIGHER BEING. Along with gratitude, your ultimate goal of playing for something greater than yourself does separate yourself from the average player. Perhaps you have noticed doors do seem to open with this approach. It certainly has from my experience. Just as important,  if you love GOD, then you should also love yourself. Scientists as well as those involved in Epigentics are presenting further proof that love is powerful and can alter a genetic make up. Therefore, re-wire yourself to a better career with  love yourself thoughts.

For baseball and softball:

As stated earlier the Timing Activation in the Recycling routine contains powerful affirmations of developing yourself into a better hitter than you currently. You will be able to “gear up” with an aggressive belief that every pitch is your pitch to hit.

Recycling Example:
An example of a personalized Timing Activation for a major leaguer playing in the A.L. would be...
I love power hitting American League All-Star third baseman that is bettering mankind and baseball ME. Every pitch is MY pitch (to hit). (I) Expect fastball and adjust to the curve. Praise GOD. Trust GOD IN ALL THINGS.

A California HS hitter could use...
I love line drive hitting California HS All-State second baseman bettering mankind and baseball ME. Every pitch is MY pitch. Expect fastball and adjust to the curve. Praise GOD. Trust GOD IN ALL THINGS.


The Timing Activation can be amended and structured for each hitter’s level and league that he/she plays in. It is used in practice at hitting stations and during a game where it is repeated each at bat before the first pitch in an at bat and following each sequential pitch as part of the recycling process.

THE ABOVE CONDITIONED HITTING RESPONSE CAN BE DONE WITHOUT THINKING ONCE IT BECOMES HABIT FROM MULTIPLE REPS IN PRACTICE

Sunday, December 1, 2013

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Twins sign RHP Hughes for 3 years, $24M

That is the proverbial mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma because he has the mental make up to be a successful starter, but is lacking the mechanics to be a big innings eater in the rotation. This will be one of those questions that’ll have to be addressed during the 2014 season...the kind of question that organizations are faced with when addressing what’s best for the organization and what’s best for the player. Mark my words...the Twins will regret this signing.
Phil has not purged himself of some of the mechanical issues that's affected him once again this past season, i.e., he’s a short armer which affects his endurance, the amount of movement on his fastball, and cuts down on the leverage on his new harder curve. Also, he hasn't changed his shallow follow through which prevents him from having the more desirable shoulder to shoulder rotation for improved control.

Expect control problems, high pitch counts before the 6th inning, and injuries.


OIP (Overall Injury Probability) Breakdown Numbers:

Leg Extension: -6

Hip Rotation: -10

Follow Through: -12

Short Arm Delivery: -8

Deceleration: -5

OIP 2014:  41%