Are You An RBI Man?

I was recently re-reading the book Think Better Baseball: Secrets from major league coaches and players for mastering the mental game. It was written by Bob Cluck was a major league coach and scout. He wrote a short passage entitled: Are You an RBI man?

In this passage he is asking a great question regarding a hitters mindset in RBI situations. The question is should guys go out of the strike zone in RBI situations to drive in the runs? The hitters he is talking about is your middle of the line-up guys. He is not referring to your 7,8,9 hitters.

He is basically saying they should go out of the zone in order to drive in runs. He uses guys like Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds, and Ted Williams as examples of hitters who would not stray away from the strike zone but would instead take their walk and leave it to the next guy.

He asked the question is this being selfish or showing respect to their teammates? He then mentions hitters such as Edgar Martinez, Manny Ramirez, and Juan Gonzalez as hitters who will consistently go outside the strike zone if necessary to drive in runs. After all, they are getting paid big bucks to drive in runs not walk.

The questions is who is right? My personally opinion is I would prefer my RBI's Guy's to expand their zone, as long as it is a pitch they can put a good swing on, to be as aggressive as possible to drive in runs. Certain players in your line-up have a knack for it and to me it is in your advantage if you they are more aggressive to drive in runs.

I am curious what our readers philosophies are on this question. This is something I talk to my hitters about. We have certain guys in our line-up who are coached to be more aggressive in those situations and others who should continue to look for the ball in certain zones they are waiting for.

Which Pitching Guru Is The Best

I recently read a comment made about my post on Teaching Youth Players To Throw. The post made reference to me being way off mark. I also mentioned Tom House and how I like Dick Mills philosophy on pitching in my comment. The comment he made was Dick Mills has changed his pitching philosophy over the years and wrecked his sons arm.

I thought rather then comment back I would just write a post. Let me start by saying I am not offended or upset by his comments. I want this blog to be an expression of our ideas and philosophies. I encourage everyone whether you agree or disagree on anything to write a comment. It is how we develop our own beliefs. My response is this.

Over the years I have come to realize a few things that have helped me teach players to be successful. The first and foremost is the fact that all players are different. I believe all players have a natural ability and the key is to use what they have and improve it.

For example, I can remember when the drop and drive was the way everyone should pitch. Then it was tall and fall. One instructor says hold a curveball this way and another instructor says his way. I have heard guys preach about arm angles like everyone should throw from the same slot.

I have researched guys who preach straight arm glove hand while others are adamant about it being bent. Some tell you to pull the glove back and others say take your chest to the glove. I won't but I could go on and on about every single little detail of pitching and all the different philosophies.

My take on the whole thing is this. I don't believe there is one right way. I know some of you are believers in certain systems but to fit every player into one box is easier to teach but not the most effective. I'll say it again I have learned that lesson the hard way.

For the few differences I mentioned above there are pitchers who threw in the major league all-star game using that approach. Pitchers who pitched in world series using different styles. Baseball has become such a buy my system sport it's left the players heads spinning. It has left them confused and screwed up. We are doing them a disservice. Let me explain further.

Players can now play organized ball year round. They play their season, summer ball, fall ball, then spend the winter with their instructor. Sounds like a great way for a kid to really develop. It absolutely is if it is done right. However, very rarely is it done right!

Instead what happens is every coach wants to put his stamp on the player. The poor kid, who wants to please everyone, is left changing his fundamentals and approach every 3 months until he gets to the point where he can't get comfortable. If you think that's not happening and causing problems then you are fooling yourself.

Last point, my friend who played in the big leagues for over 10 years was struggling one day with his hitting. We were talking and he said he couldn't hit the ball the other way. I was dumbfounded. The reason is when he was in high school I was so jealous of the way he could drive the ball into right center.

When I asked him why he couldn't hit he response was, I can't remember how to hit. He had gone from high school, to college, to rookie ball, to single A, AA,AAA, and to the bigs. Every stop a hitting coach teaching his philosophy. I am not implying that any of these coaches were not good baseball guys. Nor am I implying that they weren't experts at teaching hitting. I am just saying change is good but too much change and you aren't comfortable anymore.

A went to a game one day when he was playing the Yankees on Yogi Berra day at Yankee stadium. It was an awesome experience. Yogi Berra came back to the Bronx Zoo after a long absence. Don Larsen threw out the first pitch to Yogi in honor of their perfect game in the World Series.

David Cone pitched for the Yanks that day. He threw a perfect game! Can you imagine being the pitcher that day and throwing a perfect game! What made it even more amazing is that he was able to do it with a drop and drive motion. The so called wrong way at the time. There is no right and wrong way in my mind so long as you hit a few base fundamentals.

Baseball has become about pay money for my new system. They make outrages claims like gain 10-15 MPH on your fastball in two weeks. Parents are so eager to hand over their money to these carnies. I tell you what for just $500 I'll guess your weight and hook you up with the bearded woman.

If you are going to pay someone to work with your kid, I am not against that by the way, just make sure he is in it for the right reasons. If they start making big promises stop writing the checks. You want a guy who is there to be honest and teach your kid, not sell his system.

What I like about Dick Mills is his philosophy on keeping it simple and getting away from pitching drills. As far as mechanics go I don't subscribe to one school of thought anymore but rather take what the pitcher brings to me and try to develop it from what he naturally does. If he stays tall fine. If he drops and drives fine. If he is three quarter arm slot fine.

I will simply work to develop base concepts and his mindset. What I totally agree with Mills is the fact that pitching drills have made pitchers robotic. I also agree that some drills are so awkward it retards pitching rather then help it. I believe they are overused and over coached.

I disagree with him on throwing flatground. It is the only pitching drill I will use but I do use it to get comfortable from the wind up and stretch more so then a breakdown drill. Flat ground goes against his belief of explosive movements. I have no scientific research to say why it is effective. I can tell you however, I believe in it. It has worked well for us over the years.

In Conclusion

Every pitching coach out there including Tom House and Dick Mills have changed their philosophies over the years. Some will claim it's the nature of progression while others will say it is to sell a new book. To me I don't know and I don't care. The base concepts will never change!

Also, for every pitching coach out there, there is a pitcher who has a tremendous success and a pitcher that hurt his arm in that system. It all depends on who is telling the story or should I say selling their approach on which they highlight.

I think all the pitching gurus make valid points but to say one way is better then another all depends on who you are working with. Keep the comments coming! I appreciate it!

The Process Of Playing Catch Effectiviely

If you haven't been able to figure it out by now I am a bit of a control freak. But, I am a self admitted control freak. Truth is I am more of a process freak then a control freak. I believe in every ounce of my being that everything has to have a process or things will not get accomplished the way they could.

I stated in earlier posts having processes builds comfort and confidence into players. Again process is simply the way we go about our business. It is little routines we follow for everything we do. It's not focusing on the end result but instead how we got there.

Playing catch is certainly no different. Growing up I used to always say "having a catch" but I played for a coach who thought that was taboo and taught us to say "playing catch". To this day I have to say play catch. That might seem like a bit of useless knowledge but it illustrates how if you do things over and over the same way on a daily basis, they become part of you!

Most teams when they get ready to practice will send their players to the outfield for a stretch and to play catch. Players will throw the ball back and forth talking about Suzy from science class and how pretty she looked today. Although, they are getting the arm stretched some and loosened up it always seemed like a waste of 15 minutes to me.

If we have 15 minutes we do not want to waste it. There is no way to cover every little aspect that we would like to over the course of everyday practice. We might be able to fit in throwing pick-offs one day and maybe relays another but to include everything everyday is very difficult if not impossible.

We are not going to waste 15 minute so we want every throw to have a purpose. We set up our throwing routine with the following process: (I will not cover it in the post but we also throw pick-offs everyday as part of our flatground routine)

Players are broken into three categories. Infielders, outfielders, and catchers. They may all play catch down the outfield line or set-up in various parts of the field.

The first thing all our players must do when playing catch is show their hands to the ball. They will always show both palms to the player throwing to them. The hands will be shown in front of the chest and all players are instructed to hit their partner center mass.

This gives them a clear idea of what they are trying to accomplish. Second, when you are on defense you should always be showing your hands to the ball whether it is a ground ball, double play feed, cut-off, etc... Show your hands to the ball and respect the game for how it is supposed to be played.

Infielders Throwing Process

1. Play catch for 10 throws at a very short distance approximately 30ft.

2. Play quick catch for 10 throws a piece at 45ft. Quick catch is simply catch and throw the ball as quick as possible to your partner 10 times.

What we are looking for here is that the players are learning to move their bodies before they catch ball in order to be quick back out with the throw.

Second, that they are learning to catch with their throwing hand up by the glove so the instant it hits the glove they are pulling it back out. Players will learn to not close the glove very much to make it even quicker.

Third it forces them to make good feeds to one another in order for them to get into that rhythm so they are quick. Repeated repetitions everyday allow them to get extremely good at this critical skill.

3. 5 x Short Relay Throws at 60ft. Short relays is practicing a short relay throw to a partner. Yes we practice relay throws with just two people playing catch. This is how we do it.

First, the player with the ball will turn his back to his partner and hold up his hands like he is receiving a throw from an outfielder. He will then make his appropriate footwork pretending he is receiving the throw and relay it to his partner.

Second, his partner will then work on his footwork as he is receiving an actual relay throw. He will use his footwork, catch the ball, and fake a relay throw. Each player is working on both receiving and throwing a relay throw. It is broken into two parts and allows them to focus on one aspect at a time learning this skill.

I am not going to spend a lot of time in this post talking about how to make relay throws but a short relay throw to us means this: This is a right handed player we are using as an example. He will make a short step to the ball with his right foot as he catches and quickly get it back out.

This is a relay throw from an outfielder to an infielder who is throwing to second or possibly third. It is not a long throw so we want to cut down the distant of the throw from the outfielder by stepping to it and being quick.

4. 5 x Long Relay Throws at 90 ft. Again same as short relay throws as far as what the players are doing with one exception. This is a throw from an outfielder to infielder who has to relay to the plate. It is a longer throw which will require more strength.

The footwork here will be the right foot moves to towards home plate as he catches the ball and the throw will come out a slower because it is a longer throw requiring the player to use his body to help the throw.

5. Finally from here will throw out until the players feel loose or they have run out of time.

Outfield Throwing Process

1. Players will make 10 throws at 30ft showing their hands to the ball and hitting the partner center mass.

2. Play quick catch for 10 throws at 45 ft. This is an important skill for outfielders as well.

3. Ground ball charge play x 5. The outfielders will be approximately 60 to 70 ft apart. One outfielder will roll 5 ground balls to his partner. His partner will treat each of these ground balls as a charge play do or die type situation.

He will practice fielding and throwing imagining he is throwing out a runner at the plate. After 5 reps they switch assignments.

4. Fly ball do or die x 5 at 90 -100 ft. Same drill as before except now the ball is being thrown in the air and the outfielder must get behind it and through it to make a throw back to his partner. After 5 they switch assignments.

5. From here they will throw out until loose or times runs out.

Catcher Throw Process

1. Players will make 10 throws at 30ft to loosen up. Same rules apply show hands hit partner center mass.

2. Play quick for 10 throws at 45ft. We know how important this is for catchers to develop.

3. T-Work x 10 throws at 60 - 90 ft. The catchers will draw or create a T on the ground they are standing on. They squat down so they are sitting on the top of the T and the line running straight down the center of their body. The will work on popping up and getting their body in the right spot using the T as a guideline. They are not receiving a throw before they pop up. They are pretending they just caught the pitch and then pop up from there.

4. Using the same principle as #3 they will make 5 snap throws to first. Obviously the must turn sideways when setting in their crouch before the throw.

5. Using the same principle as #3 they will make 3 throws on an inside pitch to 3rd base and 3 throws on an outside pitch to 3rd base.

6. From here they will throw out until loose or times runs out.

In Conclusion

The idea here is simple. Don't waste time at practice! If you are going to play catch then lets get something out of it. Let's give our players clear ideas to focus on and they will become better players.

We do not have time as coaches to work all of these skills everyday if we try and do it during team time. So work them in during catch time. They are the skills I believe are important to us. You can be creative and use your own philosophy as to how you want to set-it up or what skills you want to practice. Just don't waste that time!

One more thought here. If at times I want to change things up for the catchers and infielders for couple of days I will set up four cones around the infield like they were the four bases. I will set up a set of four at 40ft, 65ft, 90ft, 120ft. Then I will split the players even at all the cones.

Then throwing to their left they must go around the horn 5 times without missing a ball. If there are 3 players to a cone they will keep alternating in order. Once they make it 5 times they will have to do it going to the right.

Once they have completed 40ft, they go to 60ft, and so on until they have completed the challenge as a group. We will use that as our sole warm-up. They will not go to the outfield and flip the ball back and forth without any real direction. It is amazing how good they can be when they are focused on a tasked. Another note here: This is a great teachable moment drill because as players mess up you can instruct them on to how to handle it as a team. I.E. pick up your teammates!

The distances I used were for high school players. It goes without saying (although I am about to) you can adjust them for younger players. Best of Luck!

Is Youth The Baseball In America Focusing On Properly Developing Players

While I am working on some other posts I thought I would throw this questions out there. The reason I ask is because I have had a number of people approach me about youth baseball. I am talking about ages 5 - 14. My oldest kids are 4 years old so I am not immersed into youth baseball/softball just yet.

Everything I hear though seems to be very negative. I shouldn't say everything because I have people who tell me the good stuff as well but it does fall much more on the negative. It really made me start thinking if as a country we are developing our kids the right way.

I am reserving judgment here because like I said I have no first hand knowledge of what our kids are doing at that level on a daily basis. I am not on a witch hunt nor am I looking to bash youth baseball. I am simply asking your opinion. To be honest I am hoping to hear that's things are going well but I am asking for an honest evaluation whether it is positive or negative.

What I am looking for here is for our players, parents, and coaches in youth baseball to give their opinions about what they see. I would also like it if you would vote on the poll on this page about youth baseball.

I am going to write a series of articles on what I believe should be taught in youth baseball. My hope is I can help some of the players, parents, and coaches focus on the things that are most important to our players. I look forward to your responses!

Special Note: I am adding this after I have already posted this for about two hours now. After reading it again I am very concerned that it is coming off like I am questioning parents and coaches. That is not at all what I am doing here. I am simply trying to fill in my curiosity about some things I have heard.

I respect people who volunteer their time and trust me you can easily find people who don't like some of the decisions I have made. I am in the business of trying to be helpful with this blog.

Teaching Youth Players To Throw

I was watching some youth players playing catch last night. They were probably 8 or 9 years old. As I watched them throw it brought me back to when I was coaching high baseball and I was always shocked at how so many of our players threw the baseball with unsound mechanics.

The three biggest mistakes, that are correctable at the lower levels, are not turning the ball backwards before they throw it, not staying sideways as long as possible, and not finishing with the glove up near the chest. These three areas are going to have everything to do with how hard and accurate players can throw as they mature physically.

By the time these players get to high school they have made so many throws using that same motion it is almost impossible to change it. Trying to change it often does much more harm then good. I have learned that the hard way as well.

I know there is a ton of information out there about throwing and pitching. There are many different approaches available for you to try. Most of these approaches will have the same base philosophy but then they will add their own spin to it.

I caution everyone not to get so caught up in the 900 different ways to teach every single little detail about pitching for instant. It is confusing to players and only makes it harder. Instead, what I believe is to get your players to understand the three base concepts above until they can master those areas. Once they have done that and you want to build from there that is your choice.

As you can tell I am putting throwing and pitching together because it's the same base concepts that are important. I really believe throwing is such an under emphasized skill. Coaches spend time with pitchers but very rarely spend enough time with entire team on throwing the baseball.

We have won State Championships because other teams could not make throws when it counted most. Soon I will write a post called The Process Of Playing Catch Effectively where I will outline what I believe in.

The skill of throwing a baseball must be an emphasis in your program. It allows your defense to play at it's best and your team will develop many more players who will turn into quality pitchers. Let's take a look at three critical skill concepts.

Throwing Skill Concept #1: Turn the ball backwards

Let's use a right hand pitcher as an example. As he breaks his hands and takes his arm back, his hand and the ball should turn backwards. A general rule of thumb here is a right hand pitcher should have the ball pointed at the shortstop and a left hand pitcher at the second baseman.

Having said that's a general rule of thumb I would only check to see that he is getting it turned backwards to at least that far. I would not mess with him if he is turning it back a little more then that. Below is a picture of Pedro Martinez turning the ball back.

If you look at the ball in the picture you will see that it is clearly pointing backwards. Pedro Martinez is very small for a major league pitcher but he has developed great arm speed and throws the ball in the mid 90's in his prime. No doubt god given ability has a lot to do with that but so does a proper throwing motion.

A lot of times this small detail goes unnoticed in young players and will become the way they throw the rest of their lives. They are costing themselves velocity. I have had numerous players during my coaching career who have come to me throwing without turning the ball backwards. They all left still throwing incorrectly because we were unsuccessful in changing it. It is almost impossible to change by the time you are 16,17, and 18 years old!

Throwing Skill Concept #2: Stay sideways as long as you can

The second problem I see with youth players in their throwing mechanics is they open up to soon. The front shoulder and hip fly open way to soon. When this happens it slows down your velocity and puts added stress on the throwing shoulder.

What we would like to have happen is when our hands break (ball is removed from the glove) and we start towards the target we are throwing to, we want to be sideways as long as possible before we rotate. You may of heard of this as late hip rotation.

Stay sideways as long as you can is a much easier for the player to visualize then interpreting late hip rotation. In fact even easier is showing them video and pictures to get the idea. Below is a picture of Greg Maddux who stays sideways as long as anybody.

As you can see the first picture is of Maddux pitching with the Braves. Notice how sideways his body still is as his front foot is about to hit the ground. In the second picture when he is with the Cubs his front foot has already planted in the ground and you can see how sideways his body still is.

This means he will have great late hip rotation maximizing his velocity and minimizing the stress on his arm. Greg Maddux has pitched for a long time and is one of the greatest in the game. One reason he has done so well is his durability. I believe his ability to stay sideways is a major reason why!

Throwing Skill Concept #3: Glove finishes some where near the chest

As players are throwing the ball the glove hand should be pulled back to their chest. What you will see from a lot of of players is the glove flying out to the side and their arm dangling down as they release the ball. This is a sure sign that they are flying open with their front shoulder.

The picture below of Pedro Martinez shows where the glove should be located when you throw the ball.

You can see Pedro has pulled the glove back into the chest which helps keep him closed and aligned with home plate. One thing you must be aware when teaching young players however, is check to make sure they do not put the glove on their chest during the entire throw. Their glove hand should come out in a normal throwing motion and then pulled back to the chest.

There are different debates here as to whether the glove hand should be extended straight out or kept bent. Again I wouldn't spend my time worrying about it so long as it goes out then back to the chest. Also, Pedro's glove is pinned to his chest. I wouldn't get overly critical about making it pin like his does. Just get the idea and in the vicinity of the chest.

If you watch major league baseball you will see not all the pitchers finish with the glove in the same spot but they do finish somewhere near the chest.

In Conclusion

Throwing is the main skill in baseball. I don't believe it is emphasized or practice enough however. I also believe that is true for all levels not just youth baseball. You can gain a huge advantage over your opponents by not overlooking the skill that most do.

There is very little difference between throwing and pitching the mechanics are very similar. If you can get players to focus and master those three concepts then they have a great chance to be an outstanding thrower whether it is in the field or on the mound.

One final note here. Some of you may be thinking you didn't mention arm swing. Should the players break their hands and go straight back or should they make that long C motion where they take their thumb to their thigh and their fingers to the sky.

I use to coach that long C motion because that is what I was always taught. But then I began researching on my own taping major league pitchers. What I found is some make a long C and some take it straight back. The straight back guys seem to have great control throwing that way.

When Roger Clemens was a younger and dominating for the Red Sox he was a long C motion guy. In the middle of his career he changed to a much shorter take back. He was very successful both ways. So I ask you which is right? I am sure you have an opinion but I challenge you to study for yourself. Not from a book or coaching video where they are selling their point but from your own watching.

Alot of what you believe you will find many major leaguers do not do. Alot of what you think are fundamental truths will be questioned. Don't over coach unnecessary details that confuse and make players uncomfortable. Instead focus on the major points because the rest is mainly style. Best of Luck!

Who Should Call Pitches: The Pitcher/Catcher or The Coach

I recently received a comment about who should call pitches during the game. Should the catcher and pitcher work together or should the coach make the calls. I have to admit this is something I have debated over the years. With exception of two seasons I have always called the pitches. Having said that our best year was one of the season I turned the pitch selection over to the catcher with the pitchers help.

Let's take a moment and go through the positives from both respective sides of the argument!

The Coach Should Call The Pitches Argument:

1) As I coach I kept records of opposing hitters. Both in games we played against them and any game we scouted. If they were 2,3, or 4 year starters then we had every at bat from every year. Each at bat had the following information:

1) What hand pitcher was throwing

2) Where they hit the ball

3) What the count was

4) What pitch they hit

5) Finally, was the pitcher in the stretch or wind-up

From this information we would position fielders and make pitch selections based on previous results. We would also try and balance past information with what we were seeing that day.

2) What I like about this approach is it simplifies the game for the pitcher and catcher. Their focus stays on throwing, catching, and knowing situations so they know where to go with the ball. I don't want extra burden on these players if there is no need. Here's why!

I am a strong believer in keeping things very simple and competing by being assignment sound, technique sound, and out executing the other team. I believe even at the professional levels of baseball, basketball, and football they make it to complicated and it effects their performance. Do a few things and do them extremely well. Ala Vince Lombardi and the Packer Sweep play.

3) You could argue that if we have all this information then the pitcher and catcher could have it as a tool to set-up hitters. Yes they can, but it breaks my philosophy of keeping them focused on a few important components to their success. Plus we might have 2 to 3 different pitchers throw in a game who would all have to be able to learn and process all this information in an extremely short period of time.

The Pitcher/Catcher Should Call The Pitches Argument:

The advantages of the pitcher/catcher calling the game are as follows:

1) He has a good vantage point of where the hitters are in the box in relation the plate. He also has a view of the batters front side. Is he opening up, is he cutting himself off, etc...

2) It allows them to be more of a thinking mans pitcher/catcher. It allows them to think about setting up hitters and thinking 2 pitches a head. Would lead to them learning more about the game.

3) Allowing the pitcher to have final say will mean he will throw the pitch he is most confident in for that pitch. Which is better: Having the pitcher throw the right pitch at the right time with half confidence or throwing maybe not the right pitch but being confident in it?

My Philosophy and Approach

After scrolling up and reading the two sides I realize I wrote more on the coaches side then the pitcher/catcher side. This does not mean I do not think the 3 advantages listed for the pitcher/catcher aren't valid. Truth is they are very valid and none more then answering the question in number 3.

The questions still becomes which is better. There are great arguments for both sides. I think both sides are a sound philosophy and something you could build your pitching program around. But, I have one question I have to ask here. Why do we have to choose?

Let me explain. I have always found both sides to be compelling arguments so I thought to myself is there a way to blend together these two approaches where you could capitalize on the strengths of each. Here's what I believe in.

With the information I keep available I believe I should call the pitches. But I believe I should call them with the help of the pitcher and catcher. Their input from pitch to pitch, batter to batter, and inning to inning is invaluable.

Here's how I believe it should be done. First, I make the pitch selection based on the information I have available. That information does not only include the information I have on the scouting report but the constant feedback I am getting from the pitcher and catcher.

Second, the catcher is taught hand signals which he can relay to me on where the batter is in the box. Mainly, how close he is to the plate because I can see front to back of the box.

Next, you need to talk with the catcher after each inning and get his report on the pitchers stuff. How is the fastball, is the curve ball sharp, is the ball moving, etc... Let's face it pitchers lie so you need an honest catcher.

Third, allow the pitcher to shake you off but under the following rule. If he shakes you then you will call a different pitch. If he shakes and gets the pitch call again then he must throw that pitch.

This allows the pitcher to have some say in pitch selection and gives you the opportunity to answer the question in #3 based on the feel of the game. Don't forget to consult the pitcher on what he is feeling most confident with that day!

Why say we will always throw what the coach says regardless of how the pitcher feels. Why say the pitcher is always right and can throw whatever he feels most confident with. Why not have the ability to allow that particular moment in the game to decide which you think is best.

I really think this is the best approach to having a system that allows you to be successful. It allows input from all the important parties and still allows the coach to be in control of the decision making. This might mean he decides to make the decision or he decides to allow the pitcher to make the decision.

In Conclusion

I have been a coach who has called every pitch in a season and not allowed the pitchers to throw anything but what I called. I have coached seasons where I left the pitch selection up to the pitcher and catcher. Truth is I have been fortunate enough to be successful both ways.

However, I don't feel completely satisfied either way. I feel I should call the pitches and allow the pitcher a chance to shake. Truth is in most cases I will send in a different pitch if he shakes. If I do not then I coach him to take that as a sign that he must get committed to that pitch before he throws it.

It could work the other way as well. You could allow the pitcher to call the game and have signs where you can call a pitch when you wanted to. I don't like that approach as much but it's not to say it isn't a sound philosophy.

I look forward to hearing your comments and ideas!

Baseball As A Profession

I was invited to speak at a Career Day for 5th grade students in my school district. The students were given a chance to vote on professions they would like to learn about on Career Day. Baseball finished in the Top 10 so I will be attending as the guest speaker. It got me thinking however, about how many kids would like to have a career in baseball. I am also wondering if they even know what careers there are in baseball.

When you hear "Baseball As A Profession" we all immediately think of being a professional baseball player. Certainly that is a way to make baseball your profession and if I might add a pretty lucrative one at that! I also believe very strongly that if that is your dream then take your shot! Why Not! Why not lay it on the line and chase your dream. I mean somebody has to make it. I know the odds and they are astronomical. That doesn't stop the same people that are telling kids it's impossible from playing the lottery.

Now you and I both know that the odds of playing professional baseball are better then winning the lottery. The biggest difference is you have some control over whether or not you make it to the big leagues. I say some because there are so many factors that are out of your control that could kill the dream. Having said that, you control your work ethic, physical conditioning, skill level, knowledge of the game, and mental toughness. If you seriously set up a plan and stick with it who knows what might happen.

If you are trading your academic work ethic for only a baseball work ethic then that is worse then playing the lottery. You need to prepare for a career while you are preparing to play pro ball. Is it tough? Yes! Is there enough time in the day for both? Barely! Will you have to sacrifice some things in your life? Yes! Is it worth it? It is if that is your true dream!

I'll end our professional baseball discussion with this thought in mind. You only live once and you are certainly only young once. If you have a dream you are committed to then you had better chase it or it will haunt you the rest of your life. You will always wonder, "what if?" If you give it your best and it doesn't work out then you can live with that especially, if you have a solid education to fall back on.

Baseball as a profession however, does not have to just mean playing professionally. There are other avenues to stay close to the game. I am sure there are many more then I will even mention here. The first one that comes to mind would be coaching. Now if we are talking about earning a living through baseball then obviously it has to be paid coaching.

I mentioned earlier about learning the game to take your shot at pro ball. If you seriously give it your best effort then if playing doesn't work out you should have a solid base to start a coaching career. If you want to coach full time then you are going to have to do it at the college level. If you have any intention of coaching at the major league level then you need to play major league baseball or have a long minor league career. They almost always hire former players.

I will tell you a great game plan if you want to become a college baseball coach. First, become a good player and play in college. It doesn't have to be division 1 just find a school that fits your needs. Second, get good grades because you will need this after you graduate. Third, after graduation find a job as a graduate assistant. You will get a free masters degree, a couple thousand dollars in a stipend, and you will be coaching baseball.

By doing this you begin to make contacts. Also, almost all college job posting want a coach with a masters degree and previous college coaching experience. By being a graduate assistant you fill all the qualifications. This is why I said earlier get good grades so you can get accepted into a masters program to become a graduate assistant.

From here on it's a matter of doing a quality job coaching and working your way to the job you want. Networking is also very important. The more friends you make the more job opportunities that become available. Be prepared however, those first few years could be a lot of moving from school to school as you climb the ladder.

Another full time or part time baseball profession is instruction. We live in a world that has become about organized sports. We start kids playing organized ball by the age of 5. Parents are willing to spend money on instruction year round in an effort to give their kid an edge.

You can find jobs some full time and some part time working in instructional facilities. They are popping up all over the place. If you are a real go getter you could start your own. Gone are the days of kids getting together and playing their own games. Now they can play and practice organized ball year round.

Other opportunities to make baseball a profession would be to become a high school coach. It's not full time but it is a paid position. Usually the coach is also a teacher or has a job with flexibility to allow him to be on time. Again it's not a full time gig but a part-time option.

If you enjoy watching and evaluating players then becoming a scout is also a great option. Being a scout is like any other profession. You start out making little money and working hard. But, if are good and can spot talent then you can move your way up the food chain. The higher you move up the more money you can make.

Being a scout would probably start as a part time job but has the opportunity to become full time. Think about it for a minute, you are getting paid to go watch baseball games. Not a bad deal because if you love baseball that much you would have went for free and offered your opinion anyway!

How about becoming an umpire? Although this doesn't interest me in the least bit it is a baseball profession which could be part-time or full-time. You can umpire from Little League all the way to the big leagues and you get paid to do it at all levels.

A friend of mine just started umpiring Babe Ruth Games. He makes something like $50 a game. He does about 7 games a week. That totals an extra $1400 a month in season. Major League umpires are making 6 figures and all other levels somewhere in between.

There are other ways as well such as sports writing, athletic training, strength and conditioning coaches, equipment managers, and front office type personnel. Maybe selling or manufacturing baseball equipment. Selling and manufacturing is really pushing the idea of baseball as a profession but I guess it depends what your definition and interests are.

In Conclusion

If you are serious about making baseball a profession there are plenty of opportunities out there for you to choose from. All of us baseball nuts growing up will always choose to be a Major League player first. I say go get it! Swing for the fence you might just hit a home run!

If you are smart however, as you are working on becoming a professional ball player also be preparing for what you will do if it doesn't happen. That's not negative thinking it's being proactive and intelligent. Never put all your eggs in one basket because if that basket falls you'll have nothing left to eat! Best of Luck!