Pat Dad

"Coach, do you want us to wear our cleats or the snow shoes?" I'm feeling a little better knowing that, soon, I'll be hearing a smack of the leather and a crack of the bat, er ping.

BRRRRRR..... Only if the team is in Alaska.

Congrats BBF13! :thumb: Listen to Strike, keep those grades in order, and I' sure you will. Have fun this season and cherish every little bit.

Some of you may still be inside, but the season is upon us. I am looking forward to the season starting. :ylsuper: Catcher's Drill: Blocking Practice blocking through progression drills. Start in the blocking position, letting the ball hit your chest. This drill will improve upper body control. From there start with your glove in the receiving position on your knees, as the ball bounces of the ground practice covering the space between your legs. Lastly, practice blocking from the squat, with emphasis on cutting the angle to baseball. Add retrieving the ball (and sometimes making a short throw). For that reason, add a first step where the ball is simply laying in front - having already been "blocked." In each successive step, continue to retrieve it (and maybe throw). Change it up, try replacing your knee with your feet when getting up to retrieve. Make sure you don't use your hands to push off the ground on the way up. This is a great way to strengthen your legs and improve quickness.

Right. You don't have to play, but if you want to improve your game, Summer and Fall is the time to do it. I believe that Hazard, Perry Central, and Leslie combine players during the Summer. Not sure who coaches them (none of the HC's do). Knott Central and Allen Central have combined for a team. Another provision by the KHSAA states that you can't use the schools (bought by the school), equipment and uniforms. So, teams have to be careful on what to use and what not to use. It's not that much of a problem, since most players have their own equipment, anyway.

This subject was part of the main topic, again on MLB Live. They had callers to give their veiws. And here are a few. "Coaches don't make it fun. We've all been there with this. Some programs, LL, Babe Ruth, or even high school, may only have one or two people coaching. And if they are working with a pitcher and catcher, then that leaves the OF and INF to stand around, and vice versa. If the coach can find ways to make it so that all players are doing something during practice, it'll be more enjoyable. We have a clinic that helps to teach a coach to make it more enjoyable for the kids. In our area, (Florida), we have over 600 kids signed up to play baseball. So we have these clinics during a one week period. And it really helps. " This came from a HS player. I don't remember where he was from, but I am pretty sure it was out in the western part of the country. "I believe steriods has something to do with it. A lot parents are afraid that their kid may try using steriods to help their game. And kids are afraid they'll be pressured to use steriods. I have been teased about it. Some kids think that, since, I'm a baseball, that I use steriods. So, that is another factor." One caller talked about the cost. Basically what he said is that it's easier for a parent to buy a football and/or a basketball than it is to go out and buy a glove, bat, and baseball. We all know how much bats can cost. And some parents just can't afford them. I also believe that some parents are afraid that hteir kid could get seriously injured palying baseball becuase of metal bats. We have all heard of the stories of kids getting hit in the head and haveing a serious injury or even being fatally injured.

While driving home last night, I turned it over to XM MLB. Joe Castellano, host of MLB Live Late Edition was talking to Cathy Bradley about baseball in America and why some kids are going away from it. This was brought up because Dusty Baker and a GM, (can't rembember his name), said that they are having to go out of the country more and more due to the dwindling talent pool in the United States. Cathy Bradley is the Executive Director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. The sole being of BTF is to promote baseball and softball throughout the world. They do this by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, and to purchase uniforms and equipment. They encourage and maintain youth participation in the game. Cathy gives out the checks at the sites, herself, that are recieving the grants. And she talks with the kids, parents, coaches, and the local program directors. And the one thing she alays asks the kids is, "Why don't more kids participate in the sport?" And she said that every place that she has been, this answer was given by most of the kids and parents. That being that coaches tell kids that they need to stick with one sport. No matter if their 8, 10. or 13. Other reasons given are no transportation, not enough teams, and no teams between the 13-15 year old age. The later being the #2 reason. So, most kids are losing interest after the age of 12 because there are no baseball programs and basketball, football, soccer, and even baseball coaches are telling kids to stick with that one sport. I know firsthand that some basketball coaches on the AAU and Junior Pro basketball level will tell kids this. Knowing that by playing different sports, that it will help them in the long run on the athletic side. In Knott County we have one team, maybe two, that are 13-15 age range. That's it until high school. Also, transportation is a factor here. I know that I have and others have transported kids that didn't have a ride to and from games. Most of these kids had parents that worked, couldn't get their child there, or really didn't want to. I know that last part is harsh, but it is very true. Not just in our county, but in other's as well. So, what's your area's situation with baseball? If anyone is interested in the Baseball Tomorrow Fund go here and read about it. If your area programs are in need, you may be able to get the available funding to help get a kickstart in the right direction. Here's another link to find out how to apply for a grant. Click here.

I'm guessing 2 weeks, or so, after the 15th. That'll give coaches time to be able to evaulate their team and see who the starters may be. I handled the 14th last year and am looking forward to doing the preview, again this year.

Here's a drill for the OF'ers. 4 cone drill: Make a large square with 4 cones in the Outfield Then put a group of 2 or 3 guys at each cone. Now hit baseballs into the center of the square and the players take turns running and making catches. After you make a play you just go get in a line that is conveinent to where you are when you've caught the ball... They get practice catching from all the different angles, ground balls, lazy flies, bullets, etc... however you feel like hitting them.... The bigger you make your square the more running involved... younger kids will need a smaller square (your varsity outfield can get a pretty good workout quickly). You can incorporate a throw with it or not.

There are showcases that are strictly run for the money. Then there are those that want to see the athletes. One in particular, the staff stayed with the pitchers. It was a waste of time for the OF'ers and INF'ers. Very little was paid attention to hitting and feilding. They ran a straight 60. But, most scouts were there for the pitching. These guys should have just advertised it as a pitching showcase. Others, that I have been to, paid attention to all the positions. Each one got it's time. And the 60 was ran straight and home to 2nd. If I'm a scout and I'm looking for a SS, then I want to see every aspect of his game.

I have been to showcases where they have had athletes to run from home to second. It's a great way to gauge a runners ability to make that turn to 2nd. I'll agree that the straight 60 is to gauge the accelaration of that runner. Speed is a part of the game.

That's OK. Finally, football is done. BRING ON BASEBALL!!:ylsuper:

I really don't think that the KHSAA would allow that. And 14 players, sure it could be done. But, like you said, no room for injuries.

That was only one time. I'll not do that again. (fingers crossed) :lol: Sticky and his money making gimmicks.

I know. I have to give you a hard time. :thumb:

Confident aren't we? What about a righty? I know a secret from when I coached AABC. I only had one runner ever caught stealing by using my method. He was flirting with the opposing teams 2nd baseman, a girl.

I believe that the schedule for the Queen City Classic is on the KHSAA baseball scoreboard.

I know of one showcase that was held by a "traveling" team. After the showcase was over the coaches talked to the campers. One said that if any of the players wanted a copy of the showcase results for that player, just e-mail him and he'll be glad to do it. About a month later one of the players was selected by this team and the player wanted his results. He likes to keep each one so that he can send them to college coaches. This coach sent back, and I quote, "We're not a recruiting service or a Kinkos! We don't do that!" To say the least, the player called and declined on the invitation to play for this coach. And informed him what he had said at the showcase. And that was that.

Well, one reason could be shoes. Each surface is different and require different types of shoes. For example, turf. With turf the runner should have a "turf" cleat. These type of shoes have little rubberized spikes for better traction. Here's a pic of the bottom of one. Also, some campers may bring the wrong type shoe. Most flyers will tell you what to bring and where the school and/or company is holding the camp. If the flyer doesn't specify, call. Ask if you are in any doubt on what to bring. And always bring good shoes. If the shoes your running in are worn to the point of the sole falling off, you aren't going to post a good time.

I found this and knew that this would be of interest and a good laugh. Enjoy and learn young ones. Sticky, you need to pay attention to #7. Strange but true stuff players have done at camps and showcases. 1) Show up late. Nothing makes them mad more than a players that shows up late. One player showed up 4 hours late. 2)Have bad 60 yard time and then claim the stop watch is broken, grass is high, wet, or running uphill. 3) Claim the radar gun is busted. One player whose dad claimed his kid threw 95 mph. Ask to see the radar gun reading. When he was told 87 mph, yelled your gun is broken. Showed 3 other guns with the same reading and told "yeah all 4 are broken huh". 4)Claim despite you have no velocity you have Greg Maddox stuff. Hmm pinpoint control of 4 pitches and fastball that moves 18 inches going 88-90 mph. 5) Show bad fashion. A few notable fashion disasters. Wearing shorts, tennis shoes and wife beater T-shirt to a tryout camp. One player wore giant yellow sweat pants, people kept yelling "Hammer Time" when he fielded a ground ball. 6)Throw Grenades on your throws. A few players throws look similar to a grenade toss, traveling high and about 100 feet. Not good if your throws are rolling into the infield, on throws to home plate. 7)Be collecting retirement benefits and attend a tryout camp. Some players in their 70's have showed up to tryout camps. 8) Show up hung over or drunk. Players have actually come to tryout camps straight from the bars. 9) Ask to borrow equipment. Not good to ask scouts if you have a spare shoes, glove or bat at a tryout camp. (I'm sure this isn't too bad, kids forget sometimes.) 10) Steal the teams equipment at the tryout camp. Players have walked off with bats, baseballs, helmets and a radar gun.

Let me see if I can find one.

I'll have a Coca Cola.

Sounds good. :thumb:

I have to work on the 14th. So, for me, it would be the baseball game. 24th or 25th would be ok.

That's sounds good. I'll ask my bos.... er, I mean the wife.