By Steve Ellis, former Chicago Cubs Pitcher
I hope your season is going well and that
the work you put in during the off-season
is paying dividends for you on the mound.
For some of you, the Major League Draft is
right around the corner (June), and if things
go well, you will get the opportunity to play
professional baseball this summer.
As many of you know, I was drafted by
the Oakland A's in the 12th round in 2000,
and by the Chicago Cubs the next year in
the 18th round.
The one thing that impressed me most upon
arriving at the Chicago Cubs' spring training
facility in Mesa, Ariz., after I signed
was how hard everyone worked.
Sure, SOME OF US busted our tails in high school
and college ball. That's how we got to pro
ball, right? That's how you develop a 90+ mph
fastball or a strong, flexible lower body.
But in pro ball, EVERYONE works their tail off
year round to give themselves the very best
opportunities to succeed.
Even if you think you're working hard, trust me
someone's working harder that you. And
come this June (or next June, or any June after
that), you're going to have to compete against
that guy for a Major League Draft slot. Or for
a spot on the pitching staff of a minor league
team. Or, if you're in high school, for a college
scholarship or a spot in a college pitching
rotation.
And all those days you miss now at working
hard and getting better mechanically, or getting
stronger physically, or getting mentally tougher
will catch up with you.
There are no shortcuts in baseball. If you want to
open up opportunities for yourself, you have to
MAKE the opportunities happen by working
harder and SMARTER than the next guy.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Baseball And Life
To anyone with kids of any age, or anyone who has ever been
a kid, here's some advice Bill Gates dished out at a high school speech about 11 things they did not learn in school. He talks about how "feel- good" politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
What does this have to do with baseball? This great sport requires a work ethic and teaches life skills. There is an inner toughness that baseball teaches in a similar fashion. Anyway, baseball is hard, get used to it.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it.
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right
out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car
phone, until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your
grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they
called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't
whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring
as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills,
cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and
losers but life has not. In some schools they have abolished
failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. (Real life is divided
into innings. Sorry, couldn't help it.) You don't get summers
off and very few employers are interested in helping you find
yourself. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
You may want to printthis out and put it on our refrigerator for your son to see everyday.
a kid, here's some advice Bill Gates dished out at a high school speech about 11 things they did not learn in school. He talks about how "feel- good" politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
What does this have to do with baseball? This great sport requires a work ethic and teaches life skills. There is an inner toughness that baseball teaches in a similar fashion. Anyway, baseball is hard, get used to it.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it.
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right
out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car
phone, until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your
grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they
called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't
whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring
as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills,
cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and
losers but life has not. In some schools they have abolished
failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. (Real life is divided
into innings. Sorry, couldn't help it.) You don't get summers
off and very few employers are interested in helping you find
yourself. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
You may want to printthis out and put it on our refrigerator for your son to see everyday.
Big League Rotational Hitting Mechanics
Click Here!
The ParkerTraining System Manual is a step-by-step instructional break down of how to teach great rotational hitting mechanics. A complete training process jammed pack with illustrations and specific training instructions every step of the way. Easy to understand, easy to implement and proven over and over again. Ideal for every player, at every level.
The ParkerTraining System uses a simplistic scaffolding approach that is specifically designed to mimic the exact movements of the best hitters to ever play the game. Targeted drills are designed to teach players through a process of conceptualized training where players learn by simulation and learn by feel. Put players in the exact same positions and teach them the mechanics that are being utilized by the best players in the game.
The ParkerTraining System Manual is a step-by-step instructional break down of how to teach great rotational hitting mechanics. A complete training process jammed pack with illustrations and specific training instructions every step of the way. Easy to understand, easy to implement and proven over and over again. Ideal for every player, at every level.
The ParkerTraining System uses a simplistic scaffolding approach that is specifically designed to mimic the exact movements of the best hitters to ever play the game. Targeted drills are designed to teach players through a process of conceptualized training where players learn by simulation and learn by feel. Put players in the exact same positions and teach them the mechanics that are being utilized by the best players in the game.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Lost Secrets Of Pitching
How Luck Was On My Side When I Discovered This Gem Of Baseball Pitching Wisdom Written By Legendary Hall Of Fame Pitcher Christy Mathewson ... And Why I've Made It Available Once Again
Thursday Apr. 23, 2009
From: Former Chicago Cubs pitching pro Steven Ellis
Click Here!
Thursday Apr. 23, 2009
From: Former Chicago Cubs pitching pro Steven Ellis
Click Here!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lost Secrets Of Power Hitting
“How Did Mickey Mantle And Babe Ruth - With No Steroids, No Strength Coaches, And No Formal Swing Training - Blast Homeruns Farther Than Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa?”
Their little-known swing technique is about to be revealed.
And if you can keep a secret, you can use it to.
Dear Future Long Ball Hitter,
If you want to uncover the hidden secrets that allow even short, little scrawny guys to uncork towering home runs, you’ve come to the right place.
Right here on this web page, you’ll discover how two old time players, Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth, used a few simple, easy-to-learn techniques to actually blast the ball farther than today’s monster hitters.
Click Here!
Their little-known swing technique is about to be revealed.
And if you can keep a secret, you can use it to.
Dear Future Long Ball Hitter,
If you want to uncover the hidden secrets that allow even short, little scrawny guys to uncork towering home runs, you’ve come to the right place.
Right here on this web page, you’ll discover how two old time players, Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth, used a few simple, easy-to-learn techniques to actually blast the ball farther than today’s monster hitters.
Click Here!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Home Run Power
Need More "POP" In Your Bat?
HOME RUN POWER in 29 Days
or Your Money Back!
You Will Add at Least 40 feet of Hitting Distance,
Even More, Using Our Proven Training Methods
or I Will Refund Your Money in Full
"I started using the in-season power and strength training this past summer and within a few weeks, I hit my first homerun, 330 feet. My best was about 300 feet before I started your program."
Ben Montreuil, Victor, NY
Click Here!
HOME RUN POWER in 29 Days
or Your Money Back!
You Will Add at Least 40 feet of Hitting Distance,
Even More, Using Our Proven Training Methods
or I Will Refund Your Money in Full
"I started using the in-season power and strength training this past summer and within a few weeks, I hit my first homerun, 330 feet. My best was about 300 feet before I started your program."
Ben Montreuil, Victor, NY
Click Here!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
BASEBALL INSTRUCTION
BASEBALL INSTRUCTION
From QCBASEBALL.COM
As a player you want to do everything you can do to help your team win. Being fundamentally sound in the field and at the plate are keys not only to your success but also your ability to help your team win. Some hints to get the most out of this section: Do not take everything you read as gospel. There are certain baseball fundamentals that most players try to do exactly the same. There are other skills that vary depending on the player. Don't be afraid to try things out; if it works for you, use it. If it doesn't work for you, discard it and try something else. practice, practice, practice. There is no substitute for playing. Nobody available to hit you ground balls? Find a wall and practice fielding off the wall. Nobody to throw you batting practice? A hitting tee and a rolled up pair of socks can help you work on every part of your swing and can be done anywhere. Put on your headphones and enjoy working on your swing. If available, try and have someone videotape you during a game or at batting practice. Videotape doesn't lie. You may feel like you are performing a skill a particular way. A videotape of you will either confirm what you thought or show you something you didn't realize. Become a student of the game. There is always more to learn. Have fun. Baseball is a game. There is no reason you can't improve while having fun.
From QCBASEBALL.COM
As a player you want to do everything you can do to help your team win. Being fundamentally sound in the field and at the plate are keys not only to your success but also your ability to help your team win. Some hints to get the most out of this section: Do not take everything you read as gospel. There are certain baseball fundamentals that most players try to do exactly the same. There are other skills that vary depending on the player. Don't be afraid to try things out; if it works for you, use it. If it doesn't work for you, discard it and try something else. practice, practice, practice. There is no substitute for playing. Nobody available to hit you ground balls? Find a wall and practice fielding off the wall. Nobody to throw you batting practice? A hitting tee and a rolled up pair of socks can help you work on every part of your swing and can be done anywhere. Put on your headphones and enjoy working on your swing. If available, try and have someone videotape you during a game or at batting practice. Videotape doesn't lie. You may feel like you are performing a skill a particular way. A videotape of you will either confirm what you thought or show you something you didn't realize. Become a student of the game. There is always more to learn. Have fun. Baseball is a game. There is no reason you can't improve while having fun.
Hitting the Outside Pitch
Hitting the Outside Pitch
By Jim Morris, Head Baseball Coach University of Miami
The most important hitting zone to learn to hit is the outside zone. 75 out of every 100 pitches, or 75% of the pitches that a hitter sees are on the outside part of the plate or off the plate away. Most breaking balls and change ups are away from the hitter. Every hitter should concentrate on the outside pitch!
The contact point for the hitter on an outside pitch is much closer to the catcher, or deeper over the plate, than other pitches. Contact for the low-and-away pitch is opposite the the back knee. The middle-away pitch is contacted opposite the mid-line of the hitter's body. The up-and-away zone is met even with the front shoulder. The lower the pitch, the deeper you let the ball get in the zone. The more the pitch is away, the deeper you must let it get. If the hitter makes contact too far out in front, the angle of the bat causes the outside pitch to be pulled. Unless the hitter is extremely strong physically, he will end up pulling many weak ground balls or soft fly balls to the left side.
Hitting the outside pitch out front means the hitter has expended most of his power by the time he makes contact with the ball. Hitting the ball deeper in the zone enables the hitter to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. The bat is angled toward the opposite field when contact is made at the proper point. The hands lead the barrel or are in front of the barrel at contact.
Most hitters stride at about the point of the pitcher's release. The hitter must get the stride foot down early because he doesn't know what type of pitch it will be nor does he know the speed. When the hitter strides, the weight is transferred to the back foot. To compensate for off-speed pitches (curve balls and change ups) there is a pause between the stride and the swing. The hitter must pause longer for pitches that are outside or low, because those pitches must be hit deeper in the zone.
In order to keep from pulling off the outside pitch, the hitter must stay closed with his front side. If the front hip, shoulder and then the head pulls off the ball, chances of hitting the ball solidly are remote. The hitter either pulls of the outside pitch, hits it off the end of the bat or swings and misses.
The back hip is extremely important when hitting the outside pitch. The front hip stays closed. Then, the hitter really pops the back hip into the outside pitch. Driving the back hip into the ball provides the power to drive the ball hard to the opposite field.
Every swing starts inside out. That is the hands stay inside the baseball at contact. This means the arms do not extend too early. Getting outside or around the ball makes a hitter pull the outside pitch. Staying inside the ball allows the hitter to drive the ball to the opposite field. At the point of contact on the outside pitch, the arms are extended.
Every hitter should look for the outside pitch first. If you start looking for the inside pitch initially, you open up to early with front side. By look away first, you stay closed with the front hip, shoulder and the head/eyes stay on the ball. Then, if the ball does stay inside, the hitter can adjust to the pitch and turn on it. Look outside-in, but swing inside-out.
By Jim Morris, Head Baseball Coach University of Miami
The most important hitting zone to learn to hit is the outside zone. 75 out of every 100 pitches, or 75% of the pitches that a hitter sees are on the outside part of the plate or off the plate away. Most breaking balls and change ups are away from the hitter. Every hitter should concentrate on the outside pitch!
The contact point for the hitter on an outside pitch is much closer to the catcher, or deeper over the plate, than other pitches. Contact for the low-and-away pitch is opposite the the back knee. The middle-away pitch is contacted opposite the mid-line of the hitter's body. The up-and-away zone is met even with the front shoulder. The lower the pitch, the deeper you let the ball get in the zone. The more the pitch is away, the deeper you must let it get. If the hitter makes contact too far out in front, the angle of the bat causes the outside pitch to be pulled. Unless the hitter is extremely strong physically, he will end up pulling many weak ground balls or soft fly balls to the left side.
Hitting the outside pitch out front means the hitter has expended most of his power by the time he makes contact with the ball. Hitting the ball deeper in the zone enables the hitter to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. The bat is angled toward the opposite field when contact is made at the proper point. The hands lead the barrel or are in front of the barrel at contact.
Most hitters stride at about the point of the pitcher's release. The hitter must get the stride foot down early because he doesn't know what type of pitch it will be nor does he know the speed. When the hitter strides, the weight is transferred to the back foot. To compensate for off-speed pitches (curve balls and change ups) there is a pause between the stride and the swing. The hitter must pause longer for pitches that are outside or low, because those pitches must be hit deeper in the zone.
In order to keep from pulling off the outside pitch, the hitter must stay closed with his front side. If the front hip, shoulder and then the head pulls off the ball, chances of hitting the ball solidly are remote. The hitter either pulls of the outside pitch, hits it off the end of the bat or swings and misses.
The back hip is extremely important when hitting the outside pitch. The front hip stays closed. Then, the hitter really pops the back hip into the outside pitch. Driving the back hip into the ball provides the power to drive the ball hard to the opposite field.
Every swing starts inside out. That is the hands stay inside the baseball at contact. This means the arms do not extend too early. Getting outside or around the ball makes a hitter pull the outside pitch. Staying inside the ball allows the hitter to drive the ball to the opposite field. At the point of contact on the outside pitch, the arms are extended.
Every hitter should look for the outside pitch first. If you start looking for the inside pitch initially, you open up to early with front side. By look away first, you stay closed with the front hip, shoulder and the head/eyes stay on the ball. Then, if the ball does stay inside, the hitter can adjust to the pitch and turn on it. Look outside-in, but swing inside-out.
Hitting Absolutes
HITTING ABSOLUTES
Quotes from Rich Maloney, Head Coach University of Michigan
Hitting a baseball is a difficult and complicated skill to master. Trying to hit a round object that's moving at an accelerated speed with the potential for movement either in or out, and down, and trying to hit it with a cylindrical shaped object - a bat, hitting a baseball is possibly the most difficult feat to accomplish in all of sports!
Coaches teaching hitting mechanics try cover everything from the proper placement of the bat in the hands and alignment of the knuckles to the proper stance, the load process, keeping the head on the ball, follow through, etc. All are important but there are 6 main ingredients or ABSOLUTES that make for a successful swing and are used by every good Major League hitter.
The Absolutes of Hitting used by all of the best hitters in professional baseball include the following:
1. The front knee must coil, at least slightly, in order to start your loading process. Think of it as taking the front knee toward the back knee, in short it's "knee to knee". This is where torque is developed.
2. As you coil your front knee, the hands must start back and the wrists must be cocked in order to generate power. The bat head should move just slightly behind the hitter's helmet. Do not wrap the bat around your head though.
3. You step away from your hands when you stride. Some coaches talk about walking away from your hands, but you actually step away while your body stays back. This action of staying behind the stride foot is one of the main elements in generating power in your swing. If you move your body toward or even worse, move out over the front foot, you have no power to hit!
4. Then, the stride foot must land before you start your swing. If you’re late getting the stride foot down, you lose momentum and of course you consequently lose power in your swing. And, of course, you must keep your eyes on the flight of the ball all the way to the bat.
5. You must pivot on the back foot and the shoe laces should face back toward the pitcher upon contact with the ball. Do not roll the pivot foot over or you'll be off balance.
6. Finish high. Your swing should finish above the front shoulder. That is where all professional power hitters finish.
Watch yourself in a mirror or have your swing video taped so you can see what your swing looks like. Use a Tee and over emphasize your front knee coil during practice swings. Also use the "walk through" Tee Drill and again exaggerate the knee coil during your swing. This will help train you utilize good hitting mechanics come game time!
Quotes from Rich Maloney, Head Coach University of Michigan
Hitting a baseball is a difficult and complicated skill to master. Trying to hit a round object that's moving at an accelerated speed with the potential for movement either in or out, and down, and trying to hit it with a cylindrical shaped object - a bat, hitting a baseball is possibly the most difficult feat to accomplish in all of sports!
Coaches teaching hitting mechanics try cover everything from the proper placement of the bat in the hands and alignment of the knuckles to the proper stance, the load process, keeping the head on the ball, follow through, etc. All are important but there are 6 main ingredients or ABSOLUTES that make for a successful swing and are used by every good Major League hitter.
The Absolutes of Hitting used by all of the best hitters in professional baseball include the following:
1. The front knee must coil, at least slightly, in order to start your loading process. Think of it as taking the front knee toward the back knee, in short it's "knee to knee". This is where torque is developed.
2. As you coil your front knee, the hands must start back and the wrists must be cocked in order to generate power. The bat head should move just slightly behind the hitter's helmet. Do not wrap the bat around your head though.
3. You step away from your hands when you stride. Some coaches talk about walking away from your hands, but you actually step away while your body stays back. This action of staying behind the stride foot is one of the main elements in generating power in your swing. If you move your body toward or even worse, move out over the front foot, you have no power to hit!
4. Then, the stride foot must land before you start your swing. If you’re late getting the stride foot down, you lose momentum and of course you consequently lose power in your swing. And, of course, you must keep your eyes on the flight of the ball all the way to the bat.
5. You must pivot on the back foot and the shoe laces should face back toward the pitcher upon contact with the ball. Do not roll the pivot foot over or you'll be off balance.
6. Finish high. Your swing should finish above the front shoulder. That is where all professional power hitters finish.
Watch yourself in a mirror or have your swing video taped so you can see what your swing looks like. Use a Tee and over emphasize your front knee coil during practice swings. Also use the "walk through" Tee Drill and again exaggerate the knee coil during your swing. This will help train you utilize good hitting mechanics come game time!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Pitching Velocity
Pitching Velocity- Three kinds of velocity?
Did you know there are three types of pitching velocity? They are real, perceived and effective velocity. I am going to spend more time talking about perceived and effective pitching velocity more than I will real velocity because there is simply more to them. Real pitching velocity is what shows up on the radar gun; easy enough. That’s all there is to it.
Perceived pitching velocity is truly how the hitter sees the pitch. You see, as a pitcher, we really have an advantage over any hitter, regardless of who they are. Not only is hitting a baseball one of the hardest things to do in any sport; as a pitcher you have many ways to effect the hitters inability to hit the ball. Some of these are to ensure your stride is at least as long as you are tall; you have a great delayed shoulder rotation etc. Why would that help? The closer you are to home plate at release of the baseball the better. It has been said that every foot closer you are to home plate at release; the perceived pitching velocity is 3 miles an hour faster to the hitter. Perceived, meaning, the ball appears to be traveling faster to the batter because the ball is released closer to home plate; less reaction time for hitter to react to the pitch. Would you rather have Randy Johnson throw 50 feet away from you or 45?
Effective pitching velocity deals with what pitches you are going to throw, what location you will throw those pitches and in what sequence. It is very deceiving to a hitter’s eye when your arm speed and angle are the same whether you throw a fastball or a changeup. Many times hitters predict a certain pitch like a fastball and you throw a curve; or vice versa. Those scenarios explain what effective pitching velocity is.
Article from the "Pitching Academy"
Did you know there are three types of pitching velocity? They are real, perceived and effective velocity. I am going to spend more time talking about perceived and effective pitching velocity more than I will real velocity because there is simply more to them. Real pitching velocity is what shows up on the radar gun; easy enough. That’s all there is to it.
Perceived pitching velocity is truly how the hitter sees the pitch. You see, as a pitcher, we really have an advantage over any hitter, regardless of who they are. Not only is hitting a baseball one of the hardest things to do in any sport; as a pitcher you have many ways to effect the hitters inability to hit the ball. Some of these are to ensure your stride is at least as long as you are tall; you have a great delayed shoulder rotation etc. Why would that help? The closer you are to home plate at release of the baseball the better. It has been said that every foot closer you are to home plate at release; the perceived pitching velocity is 3 miles an hour faster to the hitter. Perceived, meaning, the ball appears to be traveling faster to the batter because the ball is released closer to home plate; less reaction time for hitter to react to the pitch. Would you rather have Randy Johnson throw 50 feet away from you or 45?
Effective pitching velocity deals with what pitches you are going to throw, what location you will throw those pitches and in what sequence. It is very deceiving to a hitter’s eye when your arm speed and angle are the same whether you throw a fastball or a changeup. Many times hitters predict a certain pitch like a fastball and you throw a curve; or vice versa. Those scenarios explain what effective pitching velocity is.
Article from the "Pitching Academy"
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