Monday, December 31, 2012

REMEMBERING ROBERTO CLEMENTE

























40 years ago today... 

Major League Baseball tragically lost one of its best.

On New Years Eve, (December 31, 1972)   while on a mercy mission to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, Roberto Clemente died in an airplane accident.

He died the way he lived... Doing anything and everything he could to help make things better for others.

Ironically... On the last day of the 1972 MLB season... Roberto got his 3,000th hit.

Appropriately, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame the following year.

40 years later... his spirit is as strong as ever.

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Abolish Burnout; Fun is the Rule!

 For Coaches and Parents...

Burnout In Youth Sports
By Marty Schupak

Reprinted from Youth Sports Tips By Marty Schupak

Burnout in youth sports is a threat to the physical and mental stamina of young athletes. As competitive youth athletics engages younger participants each year, the threat of, both, physical and mental burnout in young players grows more imminent.

Over involvement in competitive leagues has long-term consequences for kids, if after the first 12 years of their lives they abandon organized sports or, perhaps, physical activity completely.

This alarming situation is compounded by the growing competition between youth sports and modern technology, which is driving youngsters to become sedentary, often in the form of sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time.

Unfortunately, once young victims of burnout quit sports, they rarely return. This startling predicament of modern youth sports can be attributed to the actions of parents and coaches.

Parents who enroll their children in too many sports or multiple leagues for one sport end up constructing a trap that will inevitably catch up with their kid. These children are often bound by impractical time constraints, almost literally living out of their family vehicles in order to accommodate their hectic schedules.

Parents must find a reasonable balance for their children and help budget their time.

Youth coaches can also share the blame for the dilemma. Coaches who allow their practices to become drudgery can get feelings of resentment from their players.

Conducting short, stimulating, fun practices that convey skills in the form of spirited activity can turn practices into a positive experience for young players. If players leave practice, unmotivated to show up at the next one, something is amiss.

While burnouts result from participation in too many sports, as well as enrollment in too many leagues for a single sport, the latter scenario may pose greater danger for the player.

Having a child play in numerous leagues in order to specialize their talents often leads to physical harm.

Using the same muscles over and over again without varied activity can introduce problems with the child's growth platelets. This kind of damage can persist into long term health issues.

Consider a twelve year old youth baseball player who is involved in two leagues and is a pitcher.

Suppose the pitch count slips away from an attentive coach or parent, or the coach sneaks in a few extra innings for a game that "the team needs."

If this realistic scenario repeats itself enough, the perfect formula is created for serious arm injury. It is not difficult for parents to overlook this outcome when they are blinded by their personal motivations.

Perhaps the parent is looking to vicariously relive their childhood.

Hopes of a college scholarship seven years down the road could also drive a parent down this dangerous path.

So what is the correct formula? Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question.

All kids are different and some are more physically resilient than others.

Parents need to prioritize their children's physical and mental well-being over their own emotional and monetary incentives.

A lifestyle that emphasizes a balance between school, extracurriculars, and free time, is probably the best thing for all kids in the long run.

And if you, as Parents, or your kids, who participate in youth sports leagues always seem tired, maybe this is an indicator to slow down.

Remember, kids also need some free time away from organized sports to be creative in their backyards or the schoolyard. The burnout factor is something parents and communities need to pay attention to.

Competition is great, but the overindulgence might be doing more harm than good.

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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Ballplayers Speed Training

                                                                            
 
  
To be a complete ballplayer you need to constantly work on many things.

To be sure... one of these things is explosive "SPEED"!

Everyone can train to be more exlplosive, quicker, and run faster. Everyone!

The following is an article by Mike Gough. Mike is president of www.procombinetraining.com

Mike is currently training top NCAA football players for the NFL draft combines. 

He has previously held the position of Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Indians.

Speed training can be broken up into different components.

Resisted, overspeed, form running, acceleration and sport-specific speed.
 
All these training modalities can be used in a training program to increase an athlete's speed.


Depending on the athlete's limitations, we can select different types to enhance acceleration, top end speed and sport-specific speed. 

Resisted Speed Training


Can include the use of a resisted device to overload the running stride of the athletes, such as the OPS Parachute, OPS Super Sprint Cords and Speed Trainers, etc. 

Depending on the device selected, different aspects of speed development can be targeted. 

An example is the OPS parachute, since the chute does not open and provide resistance until the 5-10 yard mark, it targets top end speed and not acceleration.

Where the OPS sprint cords provide resistance from the first stride forward the target acceleration. 


When adding resistance to the running stride it should not compromise the running technique.  

Overspeed Training 

Includes any type of exercise that forces the body to move itself faster than normal. 

The use of sprint cord pulls (right) are great to improve acceleration from the start position. 

Another example of overspeed training is running on a slight 1-3 degree decline. 

With this type of training are teaching the body to move at high speeds.  

Form Running 

Includes fundamental movements that mimic the running stride. 

They can be used as great warm-up drills before a speed workout. 

Running technique is critical to speed development. If technique is poor, speed will not be enhanced. 

Form running includes A's, B's, Butt Kicks, Skips, Arm Swings etc.
 

When speed training remember that the key is quality not quantity. 

Full recovery is essential to increase speed. Keep the distances specific to the sport or goal (40 yards for example).  

Program

This type of speed and power training should be performed during the off-season. 

Speed and power training should be completed 3 times per week in addition to a comprehensive strength program. 

When training to improve the 40-yard dash time, include all aspects of speed training: first refine technical aspects of your running stride, work on acceleration, then top end speed. 

The power training should complement the speed work with Plyometrics and Olympic lifting. 

This will develop the explosiveness need for improved acceleration and a lower forty yard time.
 

About The Author
 

Mike Gough BSc, CSCS, CFC is president of www.procombinetraining.com

Mike is currently training top NCAA football players for the NFL draft combines. 

He has previously held the position of Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Indians. 

He can be reached for consultation by e-mail at mikegough@procombinetraining.com


 

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Monday, December 24, 2012

Nothing To Do With Baseball - But Funny!

.
Photo: An old man in Miami calls up his son in New York and says, "Listen, your mother and I are getting divorced. Forty-five years of misery is enough."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

“We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,” he says. "I'm sick of her face, and I'm sick of talking about this, so call your sister in Chicago and tell her," and he hangs up.

Now, the son is worried. So he calls up his sister. She says, "Like hell they’re getting divorced!" and calls her father immediately. "You’re not getting divorced! Don't do another thing, the two of us are flying home tomorrow to talk about this. Until then, don't call a lawyer, don't file a paper, DO YOU HEAR ME?” and she hangs up.

The old man turns to his wife and says "Okay, they’re coming for Christmas and paying their own airfares." An old man in Miami calls up his son in New York and says, "Listen, your mother and I are getting divorced.

Forty-five years of misery is enough."


"Dad, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

“We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,” he says. "I'm sick of her face, and I'm sick of talking about this, so call your sister in Chicago and tell her," and he hangs up.

Now, the son is worried. So he calls up his sister. 


She says, "Like hell they’re getting divorced!" and calls her father immediately. 

"You’re not getting divorced! Don't do another thing, the two of us are flying home tomorrow to talk about this. Until then, don't call a lawyer, don't file a paper, DO YOU HEAR ME?” and she hangs up.

The old man turns to his wife and says "Okay, they’re coming for Christmas and paying their own airfares."

Happy Holidays!

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Can't Buy A Ticket On The "THRILL RIDE" Of Success!


What does it REALLY take for you to get on the "Thrill Ride" of Success"?


“The first step to getting what you want... is knowing what to do

Most players who dream of playing at a high level misinterpret or... don't really understand... what goals they should have as a player.

Generalized "dream visions" of success are usually defined by things like... higher batting average, more home runs, more strikeouts, lower ERA, etc.

But the majority of time, even if you get these things... you still won’t get to experience the opportunity of playing at a higher level. 

While these "dream visions" are fun... few realize them.

Why? Because you are easily replaceable!

To really give your "dream visions" a chance of becoming reality... you MUST commit to a level of preparation "SECOND TO NONE"!

Want more home runs? Commit to consistently developing more bat speed along with stronger, quicker, more explosive hands and wrists! And... being a more explosive athlete!

Want a higher batting average? Commit to "squaring up" the ball harder and more consistently... along with hitting, hitting and hitting! And... being a more explosive athlete!

Want more strikeouts? A lower ERA? Commit to a consistent long toss program... Along with increasing arm speed, hand speed and consistent mechanics! And... being a more explosive athlete!

“For things to get better... you must get better."

The growth and success of your game is directly related to you consistently working on getting better with more consistent preparation and EXPANDING YOUR PREPARATION CHALLENGES!

Your personal baseball success will be determined by a commitment to a consistent, relentless, "never satisfied" attitude towards your preparation!

Wanna be great? Wanna be admired and respected? Do you really want a shot at making your dreams come true?

If so... then here is your number one goal... and your NEW definition of personal baseball success:

NEVER... EVER... LET ANYONE OUT WORK YOU!   

Commit to that goal... and your "dream visions" have a much more realistic chance of becoming true!

You can't buy a ticket on the "Thrill Ride" Of Success! - You Earn It!


 "Anybody can be good in sports for a day... What is hard is being good every day" - Willie Mays


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Monday, December 17, 2012

LET KIDS BE KIDS!
















Sometimes... we forget what's really important.

Sometimes... we get so involved with trying to make things better for our kids, we take away the natural course of letting them be "a kid".

If you coach kids younger than high school age, please remind yourself from time to time that "they're just kids".

Even in high school they're just kids too. But in high school they are at the age to start learning about some of baseball's harder lessons.

One of those lesson's being... not everyone makes the team... not everyone gets to play.

Baseball and kids go together. Both are meant to be FUN!

So... although teaching, instructing, and encouraging pre-teenage kids to practice and play a certain way is how things are done...we must remind ourselves to let them be who they are.

If they have a burning desire and passion for the game... it will show. So will the talent.

If not... that's okay too! They will develop desires, passions and talents in other areas.

All the while... learning about a game they'll enjoy the rest of their lives and hopefully someday share with their kids.

Probably sounds like someone you know... smile and go look in the mirror.

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No Excuses!    Get it Going!    Now is the Time!

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Friday, December 14, 2012

MORE THAN A BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: EUROCARIBBEAN CLASSIC!


More Than Baseball!

THE EUROCARIBBEAN CLASSIC baseball tournament offers teams a great opportunity to experience baseball in the Dominican Republic.

In addition to the competitive baseball... the experience players get from learning about the people and culture of the Dominican Republic promises a lifetime of memories!

Baseball in the Dominion Republic is Awesome!

 Baseball is an international game...

We all share in this international community of players, parents and coaches.

Truly... it's one aspect of our game that makes it
so special! 

If you want to learn more about this extraordinary opportunity... for now or in the future...

check out the link below...

 courtesy of  Rebeca Felipe Hildago...  and the Lajara Baseball Academy:

http://www.lajarabaseballacademy.com/EuroCaribbean_Classic.php




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Thursday, December 13, 2012

CATCHERMTRX: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


Yadier Molina - Athletic, Leader, Gold Gloves!
Chris Reyes, a 2001 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All American and New York State Gatorade Player of the Year Runner Up, has put his knowledge and experience to good use. Chris has pursued his passion of kids and catching and developed an outstanding program for all serious baseball catchers ages 10 years old and up.

Chris' program has received rave reviews and endorsements from both Division 1 college baseball programs and professional players.

Through drills and instruction, CATCHERMTRX breaks down and teaches the most important aspects of catching...

Including... LEADERSHIP!

A LIST OF SOME OF THE THINGS INCLUDED:

Catching fundamentals, body awareness,
decision making, on field "thought process",
emotions control, field vision, picking up and knowing runners and hitters strength' and weaknesses... even learning the traits and tendencies of opposing coaches...
Train to be "The Best"!

ALSO: In Season / Off Season Conditioning and Strength training!

For anyone interested... CATCHERMTRX is conducting a camp in Myrtle Beach, SC at the Ripken Baseball Sports Complex February 17th - 22nd. 

So far... about 60 catchers have already signed up!

Can't make the camp? That's okay!

You can learn more on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/athelite.playerdevelopment
 
Baseball Training Magazine highly recommends CATCHERMTRX! 

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Saturday, December 8, 2012

CLIFF YOUNG: THE DEFINITION OF "AWESOME"!


Cliff Young winning Melbourne Sydney race
"YES I CAN"!

The legendary  

story of Cliff Young is already known to many... especially runners.


If you aren't familiar with it... 

I'm sure you'll want to...

Check This Story Out!

 

Every year, Australia hosts 543.7-mile (875-kilometer) endurance racing from Sydney to Melbourne. 

 

It is considered among the world's most grueling ultra-marathons.

 

The race takes five days to complete and is normally only attempted by world-class athletes who train specially for the event.

 

These athletes are typically less than 30 years old and backed by large companies... (think Nike).

In 1983, a 61 year old man named Cliff Young showed up at the start of this race.
Wearing... overalls and work boots!

All the folks thought Cliff was a spectator.

Not 'ol Cliff!

He picked up his race number and... joined the other runners.

The press and other athletes became... uh... curious... and questioned Cliff.

They told him, "You're crazy! There's no way you can finish this race."

To which he replied...

"Yes I can!

See... I grew up on a farm where we couldn't afford horses or tractors... and the whole time I was growing up... whenever the storms would roll in... I'd have to go out and round up the sheep.

We had 2,000 sheep on 2,000 acres.

Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days.

It took a long time... but I'd always catch them. I believe I can run this race."

When the race started... the pros quickly left Cliff behind.

The crowds and television audience were entertained because Cliff didn't even run properly; he appeared to shuffle. Many even feared for the old farmer's safety.

Cliff Young waving during ultra marathon
Perspective, Perseverance and Character!

All of the professional athletes knew that it took about 5 days to finish the race. 

In order to compete... one had to run about 18 hours a day and sleep the remaining 6 hours. 

The 'ol farmer didn't know anything about that!

When the morning of the second day came... everyone was in for another surprise.

Not only was Cliff still in the race... he had continued jogging all night!

Eventually... Cliff was asked about his tactics for the rest of the race. 

To everyone's disbelief... he claimed he would run straight through to the finish without sleeping.

Cliff kept running!

Each night he came a little closer to the leading pack.

By the final night... he had surpassed all of the young, world-class athletes.

He was the first competitor to cross the finish line and he set a new course record!

GOTTA REPEAT THAT!

He was the first competitor to cross the finish line and he set a new course record! 

When Cliff was awarded the winning prize of $10,000, he said he didn't know there was a prize... and insisted that he did not enter for the money. 

He ended up giving all of his winnings to several other runners... an act that endeared him to all of Australia.

In the following year... Cliff entered the same race and took 7th place.

Not even a displaced hip during the race stopped him.

In 1997... at a spirited 76 years young...Cliff came to prominence again when... he attempted to raise money for homeless children by running around Australia's border.

He completed 6,520 kilometers (4,051 miles) of the 16,000-kilometer (9,941 miles) run before he had to pull out because his only crew member became ill. 

CLIFF YOUNG
Cliff Young passed away in 2003 at age 81.  

Today... the "Young-shuffle" has been adopted by ultra-marathon runners because it is considered more energy-efficient.

At least three champions of the Sydney to Melbourne race have used the shuffle to win the race.

Furthermore... during the Sydney to Melbourne race... modern competitors do not sleep.

Winning the race requires runners to go all night as well as all day...

Just like 'da man... Cliff Young!

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Friday, December 7, 2012

INFIELDERS: GOLD GLOVE TIP FOR "SOFT HANDS"


ON BALLS OF FEET... RELAX THE ARMS FOR SOFT HANDS!

ONE OF BEST EVER: ORIOLES INFIELD OF 60'S 'n 70'S
GET TO THE BALL!

How To Develop

GOLD GLOVE

SOFT HANDS!


SIMPLE!

Relax Your Arms!

When fielding a ground ball, keep it simple...
and stay relaxed...










A ground ball is nothing more than "the ground" playing catch with you!

That's right! The ground just threw you the ball...

Just like playing catch... So play catch with the ground and ... catch the ball!

It's easy! 

To make sure you keep your hands "soft"... keep your arms "soft"... by relaxing your arms!

Practice this while playing catch...

Keep your (relaxed) arms hands out in front of your body... Catch the ball out front... not close to... or on your chest...

Soft hands are easy to develop with consistent practice...

Soft Arms = Soft Hands!

You can do it!

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Thursday, December 6, 2012

KIDS WILL FIGURE IT OUT... ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!

KIDS LEARNING HOW TO FIGURE THINGS OUT
Two young baseball players walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"


"Eight," the boy replied. 


The man continued, "do you know what these are used for?"

The boy replied, "not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him.
He's my brother. He's four.
We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to run and slide. Right now, he can't do either."

Sometimes you teach them...

Sometimes you show them...

Eventually... one way or another... kids figure things out for themselves.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

"EPIC" BALLPLAYERS DO IT WITH PUSH UPS!


Are You a Ballplayer? Wanna be "EPIC!!!"?



TEAMWORK!

Okay then! Get down on all fours and place your hands on the floor so that they're slightly wider than and in line with your shoulders!

Pushups: Building Ballplayer Core Strength
 
Pushups done with the proper form will help build the core muscles in the middle of your body.
 
Also, you will build upper body strength while gaining more power in the arms, shoulders, hands and wrists! 
  
Like anything in baseball and life... if you're going to do something... there's only one way to do it... 

The Right Way!  Otherwise... what's the point?!

HOW TO DO PUSHUPS THE RIGHT WAY: 

Your elbows must be fully extended at the start and end of a pushup...

Your toes should be on the floor... and your legs, hips and back should be straight!

   Straighten your arms, and then straighten your legs, with your weight on your toes.


   Your body should form a straight line from your ankles to your head.


   Brace your abdominals--as if you were about to be punched in the gut--and hold them that way for the duration of this exercise. This helps keep your body rigid, and doubles as core training.




   Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor. Then pause for 5 seconds.




   Now press yourself up so forcefully that your hands leave the floor. Catch yourself, then lower and repeat.




Use This Move To Build Your Chest

Mix up your sets and repetitions! Rest for 90 seconds between sets.

Be sure not to let your hips sag at any point during the exercises. If start to sag... it means your form has broken down--and signals a weakness in your core.

If you want to get the most out of the pushup, try the variation known as the "iso-explosive" pushup.

THINK LIKE THIS: Instead of pushing yourself up... PUSH THE EARTH AWAY FROM YOU! 
 
How? It's simple: You pause for 5 seconds in the down position of the movement, then push off the floor as hard and as fast as possible.

The pause eliminates the elasticity in your muscles, forcing you to rely solely on the contraction of your muscle fibers--and not elastic energy--to push your body up.

What's more, by pushing off the floor (pushing the floor in) as hard and fast as you can, you active more fast-twitch muscle, the fibers with the greatest potential for size and strength gains.

The result: You will build muscle and strength without weights.

Pushups are so cool... all branches of the military still use the pushup as one of its primary activities to get soldiers strong and explosive!
 






GO EPIC! HERE ARE SOME VARIATIONS...
 
ATHLETIC!


 
PLYO HAND CLAP PUSHUP!



HANDSTAND PUSHUP!
 













  How 'bout one-handed handstand pushups? Well... you get the idea! 

Ballplayers are MADE! Not BORN!

Keep challenging yourself... and EXPAND your challenges!

That's what "EPIC" BALLPLAYERS DO!

And keep it... FUN!

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TIRE FLIPS TO A "FAN-FLIP-TASTIC" EXPLOSIVE BALLPLAYER!

BALLPLAYER GETTING EXPLOSIVE!
Tire Flips – excellent for developing raw power, strength and improving athleticism! 

The benefits behind tire flipping can be HUGE!

The movements add explosive muscle to your posterior, quads and work the forearms and hands intensely as well.

The tire flip is very similar to the barbell power clean. But can be a lot more FUN!

You are ripping a “weight” from the ground to a vertical position.

The tire flip makes you lean into the weight... and allows more force to be demonstrated from your legs.

 When you get pretty good at it and need to "expand" your challenge... Flip 'em UPHILL!
HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?!

 Get some buddies together and compete!

Have fun with 'em!

You might think tractor tires are hard to find...

Not really... many folks at tire yards/shops love baseball! Tell 'em you're a ballplayer!

You'll be surprised how "jacked" they will be to hear about you and what you are doing!

Many are willing give away useless tractor tires if you can get a truck and pick it up yourself.

If you have a field, garage, backyard, storage area, (how 'bout moms' living room?) etc., get yourself a big 'ol tire... and get after it!

No excuses! 

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