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>

Pro Throwing Drill To Develop A Balanced Power Base

Drill is set up for righthanders. For lefties, the foot work is opposite.

A pro drill to help you develop your power base and balance that I recommend for you to practice is the three hop and throw drill. It's done on flat ground and consists of starting in the pitcher's knee up, power position with the hand in the glove holding the ball with a fastball grip above the raised left knee. You maintain that position as you hop on your right foot (perpendicular) three successive times along an imaginary line toward your target, and throwing at the target after the 3rd and last hop. Try to maintain the same distance between hops (see if you handle a distance of 2ft hops to start out with).

Clint Eastwood's new baseball movie, 'Trouble With The Curve'

would hope they offered modern prescriptives to hitting the curve like TAT, Tapping, or even the Taiwan LL drill for overcoming the fear of being hit by a pitch. Guess we'll see Sept 28th when the movie is released. Should be interesting to see Eastwood in the role of a baseball scout.

Notice: Private Instruction Available In Off Season Only...Seeking A Return To Professional Baseball

1. Del Pittman
2. PB Box 2347
3. Whitney, TX 76692
4. (817) 607-8156
   combat_hitting@yahoo.com
5. info@combathitting.com
6. 
   
7. OBJECTIVE
   
   A position in Scouting and/or Player Development
8. 
   
9. 
   SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Good leadership and communication skills with a thorough knowledge of baseball and a working knowledge of Dynamic Sports Vision, Bio-Mechanics, Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology. Have a reputation of being an analytical thinker, easy to work with, and objectively subjective.
   
   EXPERIENCE
10. 
    
11. 1989-1990  Associate Scout Kansas City Royals
12. 1991-1996  Associate Scout Milwaukee Brewers
13. 
    
14. Primary task was to evaluate amateur position players and pitchers to determine their OFP and provide scouting reports.
15. 
    
16. EDUCATION
17. 
    
18. TVCC Ontario, OR 1971-72
19. CJC     Cisco, TX 1973-1974  AA Degree
20. Angelo State  San Angelo, TX  BA Degree  Secondary Teaching Certificate
21. 1987 Pro Baseball Scout School   Anaheim, CA                      Certificate
22. 2009 SMWW  Baseball GM and Scout  Portland, OR           Certificate
23. 
    
24. REFERENCES
25. 
    
26. Available on request