TCS News

COLLEGE BASEBALL SHOWCASE

All Camps almost 100% Full! Our fall camps have been a HUGE success. (pictures below) The last camp of the fall/winter is Jan. 17thin Dallas and we only have 19 spots left.  If you are looking to workout infront of college baseball coaches.... the below camps are where you need to be! Fall Event Schedule: Dec. 20th - Houston Area - 30+ College Coaches (SOLD OUT)

Matt Harrison Pitching Coach Suggestion For Texas Rangers

He definitely would be a wise choice for the position!

Donna Robinson...Gifted Seamstress

I'd been looking on the internet for a Desert Tiger Stripe Tactical Shirt the last couple of years without success. Then, I decided to have one custom made. Lucky for me I found a local seamstress, that's new to our area, who was able to take the arms off a Tru Spec Desert Tiger Stripe BDU jacket and attach it to a Rothco Sand colored t shirt. She also added the loop velcro to the sleeves for me. Without a doubt, if you supply the material, she can sew it. 

I highly recommend her for hems, repairs, alterations, and custom sewing needs.

Donna Robinson

Whitney, TX

682 459-5873

Fall Ball Recycling While Hitting

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.

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:

First, Pre-Pitch Recycling Timing Activation (See Recycling and Timing Activation Blog Posts if needed). Next, oxygenate your organs with deep breaths.

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

105.3 The Fan...K And C Masterpiece Remote In Cleburne TX Today

Had the opportunity to meet the radio show hosts on the number one sports station in DFW. It was a drambooka day!

Rangers' Holland's Pitching Mechanics Is Like Poetry In Motion

If you want to know what perfect mechanics look like, just watch this pitcher. If you're wanting to emulate his push (leg extension), pop (hip rotation), and over the top (follow through), you'll experience less stress on your pitching arm and very effective control by doing so. Holland's mechanics are a work of art... a beautiful sight to see.

Confederate Flag Hysteria

Looking for the day when someone does something to a Scottish St. Andrews flag because it looks too much like the Confederate flag.

Rangers Continue To Try To Prove Chi Chi Gonzalez Is A Starter

Which is futile due to his poor pitching mechanics. Hopefully, the powers that be in the organization will see the light and move him to the bullpen before he ruins his arm.

Napoli Back With The Rangers

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot...UNBELIEVABLE!

TCS

TX End of Summer Blowout Camp: August 7th - (Straight Pitchers) - Dallas Area - 80 College Coaches (9 SPOTS LEFT)  August 8th - (Positional and Dual Role Players) - Dallas Area - 80 College Coaches    (SOLD OUT) August 9th - (Positional and Dual Role Players) - Dallas Area - 80 College Coaches (12 SPOTS LEFT)    All coaches are "CONFIRMED" to attend.  We list the program and the actual coach that will be at each event.  Please click on the above links to see what coaches will be attending.  Summer Blowout Videos Last 2 Years! ***Click on either picture below to watch the video from camp***

The Complete Showcase | thecompleteshowcase@gmail.com | 6401 West Eldorado Parkway, Su McKinney, TX 75070

www.TheCompleteShowcase.com

Texas Rangers' Reliever RHP Anthony Ranaudo OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -6

Hip Rotation: -22

Follow Through: -9

Other: -10

OIP: 47%

Rangers' RHP Gallardo

After observing his last start, he looks like he's humping up to make his pitches...even though he's been adding up scoreless innings. Humping up indicates a tired arm and will ultimately lead to arm trouble. Here's hoping he doesn't make the All Star in order to get some extra rest.

Has Live arm For Now

Pretty good outing for a pitcher stepping open and dropping arm glove side which increases rotary inertia and reduces hip rotation even more than he already does.

http://twitter.com/astros/status/615256510134759424/photo/1

How Can I Improve My 60 YD Dash Time?

Nick asks

Im going to a prospect camp for baseball in exactly 2 months and i need to get faster before then. I play pitcher and corner outfield and im kinda slow, not afraid to admit it. In addition to trying to lose weight between now and then, please let me know if you know any good exercises to help me boost my speed. Thanks.

My response

The old Soviet sports program taught us the easiest methods to improve sprint speed without a bunch of equipment.

Along with form running on a level surface, use a 5 degree decline to sprint downhill and backward sprint back up the hill. Repeat in 10 minute sessions.

TP Job Search Announcement

 

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To all True Pitch customers

 

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Dennis E. Goeders, CEO and President

 

 

Texas Rangers' RHP Prospect Dillon Tate OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -0

Hip Rotation: -20

Follow Through: -7

Other: -10

OIP: 37%

Another Use For Dr. Bill Harrison Developed Fine Centering Soft Centering

Besides using Dr. Harrison’s techniques to improve visual acuity, focus, and depth perception for athletes’ use in games and improving tracking for readers in the classroom for years, I’ve now applied them to shooting a handgun more accurately.

I began by taking one of my handguns, a Glock 19, and made a few simple changes to the rear and front sight. On the rear sight I used a yellow highlighter to change its factory color from white to yellow. This keeps from washing out the front sight that is also white and helps to bring the focus directly to the front sight which is where the shooter should have his focus anyway.  

Next, I narrowed and fine tuned the focal point on the front sight by adding a vertical center line in the middle of the sight with a fine point orange Sharpie pen. I realize that is an old sniper trick, but by combining it with Dr. Harrison’s visual techniques…including depth perception drills, this quickly improves finding the perfect focal point on the front sight exponentially.

Boston Red Sox LHP Eduardo Rodriguez OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -6

Hip Rotation: -3

Follow Through: -7

Other: -10

OIP: 26%

Message From Shawn Hughes, CJC Asst BSBL Coach

My name is Shawn Hughes and I am the assistant baseball coach at Cisco Junior College in West Texas. We ended the year at 41-17.  We had 15 sophomores sign with D1 Universities. If you are interested in being evaluated by our coaching staff... please take a look at the below opportunities.  

We are having an evaluation camp on Sunday, May 24th at 1pm. Open to all 2015, 2016 and 2017 graduates. All information is posted on our website.  www.cisco.edu 
 

We also will be at The Complete Showcase camps in Dallas on June 10th, Houston on June 24th and San Antonio on July 15th.  Information is online -  www.thecompleteshowcase.com

 

 

Shawn Hughes

Asst. Baseball Coach

Cisco Junior College
baseball@cisco.edu

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Tim Stauffer OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -3

Hip Rotation: -6

Follow Through: -10

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:   29%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Mike Pelfrey OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -2

Hip Rotation: -9

Follow Through: -4

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:   25%

Minnesota Twins’ LHP Glen Perkins OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -2

Hip Rotation: -20

Follow Through: -4

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:   36%

Minnesota Twins’ LHP Aaron Thompson OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -1

Hip Rotation: -20

Follow Through: -2

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:   33%

Texas Rangers' Riverboat Rudder Found

By putting Shin-Soo Choo back in at lead off in their batting order/lineup, they are headed in the right direction.

1. 
   

   
   

Elvis Andrus Fielding

As of late...too much style and not enough smile.

Josh Hamilton Returning To The Rangers?!

Here's hoping he leaves his hitch in Anaheim. If not, expect pitchers to continue pitching him up and in and breaking stuff away. He'll continue to lead the league in broken bats, and fans sitting in the first 2 rows behind the 3rd base dugout should come to park wearing Kevlar...including a protective helmet. Ouch.

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Trevor May OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -5

Hip Rotation: -8

Follow Through: -6

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  29%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Ricky Nolasco OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -6

Hip Rotation: -12

Follow Through: -10

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  38%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Kyle Gibson OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -2

Hip Rotation: -3

Follow Through: -3

Other: -10

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  18%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP J.R. Graham OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Hip Rotation: -4

Follow Through: -10

Other: -13

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  30%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Phil Hughes OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -7

Hip Rotation: -9

Follow Through: -12

Other: -25 (max allowed for each category)

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  53%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Casey Fien OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -5

Hip Rotation: -7

Follow Through: -11

Other: -13

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  36%

Minnesota Twins’ RHP Blaine Boyer OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -4

Hip Rotation: -6

Follow Through: -9

Other: -12

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  31%

Minnesota Twins’ LHP Brian Duensing OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -1

Hip Rotation: -3

Follow Through: 0

Other: -15

OIP (Overall Injury Probability) for this season based on pitcher’s current pitching mechanics:  19%

TX Camps

Camps Filling Up Fast! Texas Camps: June 10th - Dallas Area - 40 College Coaches (50% FULL) June 24th - Houston Area - 40 College Coaches July 15th - San Antonio Area - 27 College Coaches Blowout Camps: August 7th - Dallas Area (straight pitchers) - 80 College Coaches  August 8th - Dallas Area - 80 College Coaches (50% FULL)       All coaches are "CONFIRMED" to attend.  We list the program and the actual coach that will be at each event.  Please click on the above links to see what coaches will be attending.  Workout infront of College Coaches!

The owner of The Complete Showcase is a veteran and offers a 15% military discount to any player with a sibling or parent that is either a veteran or currently on Active Duty.   To receive the discount, simply click "military" during registration. College Coach Testimonies  Click Here to watch Video   Our last 27 camps in Texas have filled to max capacity. If you are interested in attending, please register asap.

The Complete Showcase | thecompleteshowcase@gmail.com | 6401 West Eldorado Parkway, Su McKinney, TX 75070

www.TheCompleteShowcase.com

Pitcher's Premature Arm Fatigue

99.9% of the time it is related to poor pitching mechanics.

Warming Wood Bats?!

Larry Van asks:

Is it worth it to keep a WOOD COMPOSITE bat warm (during colder weather use)? Any website reference you can site would be appreciated! Thx!?

And, how so?  Extended life, greater pop, etc...??? I'm a scientist (who also plays amateur baseball) and am therefore a data-driven guy, so any information you can give me would be great. Keeping a bat warm is a pain in the behind, but I'd be happy to attempt it if it was worth it.

Reduced sting is another example I've heard applied to warming of REGULAR COMPOSITE bats, but there's not a lot out there about WOOD COMPOSITE bats.

My response:

Try keeping your hands warm before you hit instead by using a hot water bottle, etc.

Texas Rangers' RHP Anthony Ranaudo OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -3

Hip Rotation:  -17 (steps open before delivery)

Follow Through: -12

Other: -16 (balance issues, throws across body, and has suffers from premature arm fatigue due to mechanics)

Overall Injury Probability (OIP) based on pitcher's current pitching mechanics: 48%

Conclusion: Better suited to being a reliever

@Dutch_Oven45

Unsolicited career saver and maker to Derek Holland...acupuncture.

Texas Rangers' LHP Ross Detwiler OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Mechanic flaws make Ross a reliever candidate...not a starter.

Leg Extension: -5

Hip Rotation: -20

Follow Through: -12

Other: -12

Overall Injury Probability (OIP) based on pitcher's current pitching mechanics: 49%

Texas Rangers' LHP Derek Holland OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Possesses near perfect mechanics, the three c's (concentration, control, and confidence), and the make up to be a Cy Young Award winner this season.

Leg Extension: 0

Hip Rotation: 0

Follow Through: 0

Other: -10

Overall Injury Probability (OIP) based on pitcher's current pitching mechanics: 10%