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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)