| |
|
| |
Thursday, July 24
Getting Bat to Meet Ball
USA TODAY Gary Mihoces writes:
No. 1 Hardest thing to do in sports..........Getting bat to meet ball.
In his book Physics of Baseball, retired Yale University physics professor Robert Adair writes that the moment of contact when a bat strikes a ball lasts just 1/1000th of a second.
But the skills required to excute that at the highest levels require years and years of training. You'll get a multimillion-dollar contract if you can pull it off successfully anywhere near three out of 10 times.
"Players like Ted Williams and Barry Bonds are absolutely extraordinary athletes and can do things that other people can't", says Adair, who published his book at the suggestion of his late friend , former baseball commissioner Bart Giamatti.
"What's remarkable about them is not muscles or anything like that. It's in their brain. Their brain really works better than yours and mine at this."
Consider that a fastball thrown at 95-100 mph reaches home plate in about 0.4 seconds. Adair notes in his book that it takes 0.15 seconds for humans to voluntarily blink their eyes in response to visual signals. When a big-league fastball is on the way, you must do far more than just blink. You must swing the bat to precisely the right spot at precisely the right time.
"If a person from another planet was told what's involved....they would say it's IMPOSSIBLE." says Porter Johnson, a physics professor at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
It becomes even more challenging when pitchers throw curveballs and other breaking pitches. They also can throw the batter's timing off by mixing their fastest pitches with the slower changeups.
But skilled batters can be tipped off by the motions of pitchers. They can make split-second assessments of how the seams on the ball are spinning (indicating various pitches) and gauge its path toward the plate.
"It takes good eyesight, years of practice, good concentration," Johnson says. But in the final analysis, he says even good hitters are simply making well-educated guesses. "You've already committed yourself to swing at a particular point and a particular time. Its just a question of whether the ball happens to be there."
Adair says that when a fast baller such as Randy Johnson throws a pitch in the 90s, the hitter has only about TWO-TENTH of a second from the time the ball leaves his hands to process "the last information that does you any conceivable good whatsoever" - and then swing.
After two-tenth of a second, they can turn out the lights in the stadium," Adair says, "and it won't affect your hitting him at all."
Tuesday, November 11
You Never Know Who is Watching
You Never Know Who’s Watching
by: Bob Howdeshell
High School Baseball Web
The statement above is a common one used on this web site. It means that a player should hustle and give his best effort every time he steps on the field. That includes practice and games. Because You Never Know Who’s WatchingThis past weekend I was fortunate enough to be allowed to sit with several college coaches as they evaluated talent at a very good high school baseball tournament. This was a small tournament with only six invited teams, held at a major division 1 college campus. A “showcase” tournament. No player’s names are being used, no teams are being mentioned and I will try to stay as generic as possible with the description of these players. The focus of this article is to make a point, not to embarrass any particular player. The following are some of the comments and discussions that I was allowed to listen in on:  The first involves a player with a “national reputation” listed as a top prospect in several sources that I am familiar with. He is a position player. The coaches were in agreement that this player had several nice tools …. Good arm strength, good glove and good speed. The question that each of them had was his ability to hit at the upper end of college baseball. Some coaches told me that the solid tools that the player had would make him a prospect to them even without “plus” hitting abilities. What happened next amazed even me. The player was struggling with his bat but showed flashes of an “upside.” However on defense the player did not move well. Did not show good anticipation, did not follow foul balls (showing a jump). More often than not only moved from his position if he was involved in the play. Some of the coaches REALLY did not like the “lazy” (their words – not mine) attitude shown. On a couple of stolen base attempts (where the player was covering the bag) he did not make an attempt to stop a “less than perfect” throw. Basically he flagged at the ball and got out of the way. One coach told me that he wanted players that were interested in “sticking their nose in there and getting dirty.” This coach is with a team that would be considered a “national power.” Some of the coaches told me that they would have to see the player again – later this summer before making any decision regarding a potential scholarship offer. Other coaches told me that they probably would not pursue this player any further. Next Up - A right handed pitcher that was throwing solidly in the upper 80’s. He has a slight movement on his fastball, an okay breaking ball and a fair change-up. This player however did impress many of the coaches. WHY ???? He did not have his best control at times. At times was getting penalized by a “moving” and small strike zone, and had 5 errors made behind him, by his defense. What caught the coach’s attention was his ability to battle and keep challenging the hitters. He did not drop his head or slump his shoulders when things went against him. He showed no expression when a ball was called on an obvious strike. He even went so far as to walk over and speak to his second baseman, after a costly error and then pat him on the back as he walked away. The coaches I was sitting near did not miss this! Each of the coaches that I spoke to admitted that they did not have the player on their lists of potential recruits. Each also said that they would be making a point to see the player pitch again this summer. This player became a prospect with several “big time” schools on a day when he was the losing pitcher and did not have his best stuff. Because of his attitude and the heart he showed. Third Example: Is a big first baseman. This young man does not run like a gazelle, does not have a great arm. (average at best) He is not what you would term “athletic” but he is not fat. However he made points with several of the coaches in attendance. Of course you have guessed it by now …. The young man can hit with the best of them. There is a little more to the story though. He can hit to all fields with power. He displayed a good ability to “go with a pitch.” He showed a good knowledge of the strike zone. I personally did not see him chase a bad pitch. With runners on second and third and no outs in a one run ball game this young man hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield. He did this with a 2-strike count. He made an out and the run scored. He did his job for his team. He hit a home run or two over the weekend, a double or two to the spacious gaps, had several “screaming” singles, but more importantly he hustled! This player ran hard on and off the field, every inning He did not quit as most of his teammates did in a blow out loss at one point in the tournament. As one pro scout commented to me …. “A “player” never changes his game, no matter what the score. A “player” plays as hard if his team is behind seven runs or ahead seven runs, or if his team is in a one run ballgame." If you think that college coaches and professional scouts do not notice the “little things” you are mistaken. As one coach told me …. “We have to pay attention to each of the intangibles, it is the only real separator between some of these guys.” He went on to explain that each recruiting year they will have several players on their board that are essentially equal in athletic skills and ability. What then makes the difference is the “Little Things.” So the next time you think that it doesn’t matter how you hustle or present yourself maybe you should revisit that part of your game. As another coach told me … “A player can hustle and give his maximum effort even on a day when he and/or his team is not playing their best game. It doesn’t take any athletic ability to hustle.” You Never Know Who Is Watching
Tuesday, November 11
Advise for Players and Parents
Advice for Players & Parents
Greg Legg
The Bama Bomber
Hartselle, Alabama
The following "editorial" is the result of a very funny post and subsequent thread about Bubba's Baseball Bashers Bonanza, LLC. A Southern Recruiting & Showcase Service. While most high school baseball talent showcases and their directors are honorable and credible business people, there are those that are only out to make a quick buck. The following comments are a "MUST READ" for all players, parents and high school coaches.
Bob
Well Bob, I think it's about time to close this thread and stop this foolishness, but it's been fun. I did this in jest, hoping to get many of you thinking a little bit. Many of you know that I am a preacher and have my own financial advisory business. I have seen more people taken advantage of in my lifetime than I desire to remember, simply because they did not investigate. I challenge all of you to do your homework and not send your hard earned money to all the shysters out there looking for gullible prey. There is some type of recruiting service or showcase popping up somewhere every week and good hearted moms/dads are throwing money to them with dreams that this is where Little Johnny needs to be in order to make it to the "Bigs." I offer a few suggestions:
- Make sure that this is HIS dream and not YOURS. Dads (or moms) reliving their glory days, or failures, create nightmares for their children. A sober dose of reality is needed here. You need to examine whether you are trying to build your own ego or help your child succeed in HIS DREAM. Get this matter in proper perspective.
- Have a professional (professional scout / college coach) evaluate and give you an HONEST opinion of your son's talent. Don't let someone who looks to make a dollar off you give you his opinion, but one who truly knows what coaches and scouts are looking for. And, don't be thinned skinned about it! Leave your ego and pride at home. By doing so it may help you save several thousands of dollars and spare your child some misery.
- Set realistic goals for your child. Don't put him in a situation where he is destined to fail. Your ego trip might affect his entire life and mental health. A little maturity and common sense on your part could save him a lifetime of misery. Know what he is capable of and encourage him to seek to be the best he can be at that level. Having a fun and successful career at a small time school is far greater an experience, than living a life of failures and disappointments, while looking for the big pie in the sky that will never come.
- Develop a plan to help him succeed at the level he is capable of playing. There is little use in the small time player (a player who will not play at the D1/Major D2/Professional level) wasting thousands of dollars at major showcases and scouting combines to produce national exposure. A wiser decision would be to send him to local college camps, local showcases designed to provide local exposure and free local professional tryouts.
- Do your homework. Know what is needed and be well educated in the process. This website is an excellent starting place and Bob is to be commended for his hard work to help parents find the information they need to become educated enough to make the decisions that must be made in your child's future. Don't take the task lightly expecting someone else to do it for you (HS coach / guidance counselor / or Bubba. To do so could mean disaster and future heartache. Take control of the situation like a responsible parent.
- Investigate. Investigate every showcase, recruiter, school, coach and program that shows interest in your son. Help him make the right decisions based on FACT and not fiction. Remember the woods are full of ticks and leeches wanting to suck the life out of you. "Buyer beware!" Before sending your son to a showcase ask a few college coaches if they will be in attendance and what they think of the organization. Before considering a school spend some time speaking to former players and parents about the coach, the program and their experiences while there. It could save you some of that hard earned cash and a lot of trauma.
- Research. Know the recruiting rules. Many of these "Fly-By-Night" organizations are walking a tight-rope with NCAA recruiting rules. They can easily be considered an "agent", thus disqualifying your child. The scum want your money, not your respect! The person who promises to make tapes of your son, develop a profile, take them to the coach or scout, recommend your son to them as a qualified player, while taking money from you as payment for his services has become his agent. BEWARE, there are "vermin" amongst the crowd of folks watching your son play. They are looking for a one time score (taking your money) and then could care less what happens to you or your child.
- Take a long-term approach to your decision making. Always look at what is best for your child's future. A scout once told me, "Be careful you might get what you are wishing for!" His point being that your dream may not be in your ultimate best interest. The mature individual is the one who knows what he/she wants down the road and not just a passing fancy. Believe it or not, there have been quite a few individuals who passed up a major league careers because it wasn't the type of lifestyle they wanted for their family or themselves. Many drop out of the minor leagues every year, not because they couldn't make it as a player, but because the lifestyle of the professional ball player is a rough road. Know what your child wants, but more importantly what is best for them. Be a mind of reason and sensibility to them amidst a world of glamour and insanity.
- Help your son prioritize his life. What are the things that are truly important to him and to your family? Would you rather him win a World Series ring or have his name be written in Heaven? Would you rather him win a College World Series or be the Father Of The Year? I'm am constantly reminded of the fact that most successful people have an abiding sense of the truly important things in life. Take the opportunity to teach him to live to the important, rather than the urgent. Baseball careers ALWAYS end, but life goes on into eternity.
A few of my thoughts for your consideration. As always, In My Humble Opinion. Consider them for what they are worth. Greg Legg
The Bama Bomber
|
|
|
|
