Tagged With "College or Professional"
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Re: Radar Guns Revisited
TPM, Sometimes things seem to get a bit personal with these posts. It’s hard to write in such a way to be polite at all times. I do think that some of your posts seem to have a “Gospel” type tone. That always makes things more debatable to those with an open mind. Since, I do know you and understand your passion for baseball and wanting to help others, I still love and respect you for who you are. Please don’t change anything, nothing I post is personal unless it would be something positive.
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Re: Radar Guns Revisited
You are right about using examples, as done in another post, with Ryan and Johson remaining helathy, there are some exceptions to every rule. I did say all pitchers are different. I beleive in limiting risks when a player is younger, it also can produce greater rewards, that's just the way I see it, it's not gospel. JMO. I also stated that most pitchers do end up with some type of injury, and said where you are when that injury occurs may be very important. JMO. Wish my player could only...
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Re: HGH
While I appreciate your response, I understand that there are some jobs where it is critical to moniter drug use, for the safety of others. If that was the case here, concern and safety over taking HGH, etc, then I understand. But that's not it. It's more about the money. I don't care if you want to test any player, enough with the smoke and mirrors. We know who they are targeting. Yeah, in this profession, it becomes personal when you see someone who you know is struggling for a spot but...
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Re: TravelBall / Showcase teams, but at what cost?
First of all whats wrong with making a living at providing a valuable service? I believe there is nothing greater for a person than to go to work everyday doing something that they love to do that helps people they really care about while also making a living at it. Thats not a job thats a passion. Coaches get paid to coach at the HS and College levels. They dont get into this profession for the money. They do it because they have a passion for the game and those that play the game. Are...
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Re: If height and weight don't matter, then why?
Don't be offended bballman, 44 picked up the sarcastic tude from living with his brother 444. IMO, If an athlete is worried about size being an issue, he is in the wrong profession to begin with. A baseball guy throwing out "projectible frame" phrase is like the weatherman giving the "extended forecast". Both have supporting data but neither is gospel.
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Re: Back foot drag, good or bad?
LA It’s an interesting question and not difficult to see why opinion is divided. Indeed, some would view the use of the word “evolving” as being kind, and might be a little more direct, and simply say, “looks like they got it wrong again Billy Bob”. Especially if they were paying a great deal of money for an instruction that is now deemed incorrect but less than a year ago was considered correct. I’m not referring to anything or anyone specific here but if you’ve been around the proverbial...
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Re: Bible study after practice?
Postscript ... I discussed this with southpaw_son over dinner, after putting up my previous post, and asked his opinion. He had a multi-faceted take on the issue ... He said that since he is a Christian, who goes to church regularly, he would not be bothered by it; but he could see how someone could be uncomfortable with it. He thinks he would attend some times, and not attend when he did not have the time. When I asked him if he would feel a subtle pressure to participate, he said that he...
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Re: Help with coaching dilemma please...
You better believe it! Just having a little fun as being a pilot (left or right) is an honored profession. I heard Jay Leno or someone tell this a few years ago.... You know how many people have resolved the inevitable end to their lives by saying something like "You know, when it is your time to go, it is your time to go!" What do you do however when it is the pilot's time to go?
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Re: LH Pick Move......."Feinting Home"
Jimmy, Your real name isn't Joe West is it....LOL. Anyway. I disagree with you and have tons of professional and college LH pitchers making exactly the same move and not being called for a balk. The move is only deceptive if the runner is leaning towards the next base. There were some 150 Balk calls in all of the 2010 pro games. Why so many at the HS level? Frankly, the balk call on a LH that strides within the 45 is kind of what happens when lawyers get together. The purpose of them getting...
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Re: How many scouts have been at your games??
This thread really touched a nerve. I do believe there are a lot of good "select ball" coaches that are doing what they are doing to help kids. However, there are several very good "business men" running these organizations...like the one on Channel 8. They are successful chasing and making dollars by exploiting kids and parents that are desperately trying to get their kids to the next level.... we all know that! The way to make money is charge extreme prices because the perception in...
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Re: So he wants to be a coach......
As always, what a great post by coach2709...and I also think the suggestion to read through coaches' online biographies is a good one; particularly for getting a sense of education levels, majors, and career paths leading up to their current positions. A couple of observations from my son's experience and some discussion with friends who are DI coaches: (1) As in most other professions, networking with those who have already broken into the coaching ranks can be of immense value. If he has...
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Re: How long
Michael, usually you are a source of level headed discussion but to defend Joe West and call Francona an idiot is absurd. A different ump maybe but Joe West is a disgrace to the profession. You should see him do basketball, he is even worse.
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Re: Jamey Shouppe out at FSU
Not sure Whitson is a good example (both his parents are Gator grads) Shouppe was nothing but up-front, complimentary and kind to my son and I during the recruting process a few years ago. (Tidbit, in a "ceremonial gesture", I removed his contact info from my phone on Tuesday..yeah, I know, I guess it was still there for sentimental reasons. ) I know a few "stories" from fairly close sources, but nothing to offer a valued opinion about the inner workings of the program. I do know that FSU...
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Re: TPM
Higher than the average profession I'll bet... Hmm I'll be lucky to make six figures for a total yearly salary with 6 years of higher education. And I'll get to take the first two years after undergrad making about $10k meanwhile let's not forget all the loans from undergrad I have to pay off still...
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Re: TPM
Bulldog19, To be honest, I am a bit surprised by your comments in this thread. I say that because I think you posted that you worked in Milb for a team one Summer and I assumed would have seen the broad spectrum. If so, I am not sure why you have the focus so much on the narrow spectrum. Just some illustrations:there are 50 rounds in the draft, about 40 players get signed. Of those 40, most are like our son. They sign for $1,000 and work morning, noon and night to earn one chance and then do...
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Re: TPM
Baseball like any other profession is a profession of choice but in baseball there is the Golden Carrot at the end--multi million dollar paydays if you make it---you also have the goal of the 40 man MLB roster where the minimum pay is 400,000--not bad--in many professions you cannot make that kind of salary EVER---and today you can hit .200 and still make a great living PLAYING A GAME
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Re: TPM
infield dad READ MY POST CLOSELY---did I not say it is, like others, a profession of choice ?---you go in with open eyes--and you deal with what you get in the process Ironworkers walk steel oon high rises every days and they know they can fall and die and time ! Coal miners do what they do! Policeman and Firefighters have the same danger every day They all do it by choice---such is the way in our country --we have that freedom to choose our path Stop with the PITY POT THINKING---life is tough
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Re: Out calls
Our local LL got the older players to ump the younger games. They had the option of taking what amounted to a full day of class followed by a test. If they passed the test (NOT easy), they made an extra $5 or $10 per game...can't remember which... Both my boys started umping at coach pitch level and, while my younger one didn't enjoy it too much, my older one ended up doing Majors games at 13 and a few 9U to 11U travel games. At the higher levels, he did it with an adult behind the plate,...
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Re: Report on the "New" bats
Skipper I totally agree. Just from the posts that Jimmy has made on this site I would take him not only behind the plate but anywhere he wanted to be. The same goes for PIAAump as well. It is a tough job and a very misunderstood profession. The vast majority of the people that sit there and critique them every game and moan about every call have no idea what they are even talking about. I have the utmost respect for the men in blue and I never disrespect them. I have coached for many years...
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Re: Motivating Players
Not sure if I can add anything these three great coaches have already posted. I do welcome you to a wonderful profession that will mean a whole lot later in life if you do it right. I agree with everything these guys have said and it's very true. If you want people to follow you then you have to be ready to lead from the front and in the ditches with them. About the only thing I can truly add for a new coach is understand you're going to make mistakes. I've been coaching high school baseball...
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Re: Umpire thought...
Food for thought: According to statistics, it is more difficult to get to the majors as an umpire than it is as player. Check out Rick Roder's "The Narrowest Door in Baseball."
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Re: DREAMING TO GO PRO
I'd wager that every parent on this board has faced this issue: the balance to strike between realism and the dream. Who wants to tell a young baseball player that making the majors is next to impossible? But who wants their child to make baseball the sum total of his identity? That's the delicate balance, as I see it. How do we encourage our kids to reach for and achieve a dream and at the same time make sure they develop all the other skills and abilities they will need to be a success in...
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Re: Should he go to a showcase?
We are being told that the way we do it is wrong and we should change. We are being told that you have the answers. So if you would give us some examples of pitchers that have followed this plan and have had success with it that would be great. If your so sold on Marshall mechanics there must be some players out there that you can use as examples. Some players that have reached the pinnacle of the profession because of Marshall mechanics. If you can not give us examples of players that have...
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Re: Should he go to a showcase?
PGStaff, I have read nothing contrary to your original response to the OP and my response was not to you in particular and only to the way training timeline has evolved incorrectly due only in part by your organization. This was completely understood! Did you understand my response? None of the pitchers you evaluate in the fall and winter are ready especially the ones that train correctly! There is none Nobody has said this! why are you saying they have? This is where you fail in...
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Re: Should he go to a showcase?
PGStaff, I have read nothing contrary to your original response to the OP and my response was not to you in particular and only to the way training timeline has evolved incorrectly due only in part by your organization. This was completely understood! Did you understand my response? None of the pitchers you evaluate in the fall and winter are ready especially the ones that train correctly! There is none Nobody has said this! why are you saying they have? This is where you fail in...
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Re: Anyone know anything about the ShowBall Showcase?
Vector, you just can't go around saying stuff like this as a general statement. Perhaps you didn't mean the way it sounds? My son's (2) pitching coaches throughout his time at Stanford were both 'volunteers.' And they were FANTASTIC! There is no way I would have ever thought to categorize them as 'low on the totem pole.' And I do believe that through their own camps that these coaches had a say in who was recruited and who was not. I could(?) be wrong about that, but I doubt it. If I think...
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Re: A HS player has tourettes, do you cut or keep him?
Why would you not take advantage of a player's weakness in a competitive situation. Pitchers are always trying to get a hitter out by exploiting his weakness by executing a certain pitch. If the coach puts a kid on the field with a disability that will negeatively affect his team play, then shame on that coach for being forced to make such a move to put a kid in a position like that in the first place. If you're physically or mentally unfit, then why the hell do you have to be politically...
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Re: Full count sign
Many professions have standard way of doing things. Those standards are decided upon because they have been adjudged by those in the profession to meet the desired objective in the best, most precise manner. Clearly, to most people, holding up three fingers on one hand and two on the other represents 3 and 2 more definitively than banging two fists together. Also there is a reluctance to change to the whim of spectators. Where does it stop? You want this, someone else wants that. Why not...
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Re: Pitching and college camps
TPM, I can honestly say... I've been involved with baseball for some 50 years and I really don't know what the right approach is. I've seen both ways succeed and I've seen both ways fail. I've also seen pitchers miss their entire junior season to injury, but they were already well known prospects and things worked out well for them. You might know what the key is... but I do not, for sure! There are MLB organizations that have differing views. But I do know most people are in favor of some...
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Re: who you rooting for?
There is no way Tebow ends up coaching college football as his profession. He is going to be in politics. He may do it for a short period of time while he is also getting his law degree. lol I for one am glad he is finished. I have never thought one player was bigger than the team or the game. But the media covering his games would like you to believe just that. UF Gator Sr night was replaced with Tim Tebow Sr night. He is a politician at heart. Thats where he ends up.
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Re: Hit Every Day??
I think the majority of players have to train hard in order to succeed. Every once and a while, there is a player who is so gifted that they probably could train a lot less than others imho. Similarly, there are kids who are so smart they hardly have to crack a book, for example. I can only speak from my personal experiences. I have seen my son get better each year by practicing his butt off. It's not my idea he do that although I do think it a good idea in the profession he has chosen. At...
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Re: Concussions
I won't be so cold as saying that's part of the profession that they have chosen, but I will say that other professions are much more dangerous and I don't see headlines there. If the NFL was smart they would throw a ton of money into safety equipment much like NASCAR did and force make a subtle hint that the Players Association to do the same. There is a risk/reward to every profession and the last thing they should want is the government sticking it's nose into the problem because it is ...
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Re: Baseball Training
First off, let me say my statement of resumes don't teach people do, was in no way a slight towards any one or a calling out of anyone. It is merely a fact..if you look for an academic tutor, a doctor a lawyer or any other profession, you should always try to have a second opinion, and a good feeling about who you are doing business with. We strive to do the best we can here at the Academy, and fully realize there are many great instructors out there in many locations, many of them I have a...
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Re: Jealous Girlfriends Ending Pro Careers
I recently told my son (11) to not let himself get serious with a women until he is settled into a profession. Being baseball or working at NASA. I told him that he will have plenty of time for a serious relationship after he is setup for "real life". I'm probably dreaming, but one can always hope.
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Re: Top "10" Excuses / Top "10" Reasons
Sorry, I take it personal when someone on here says I am not good at my job. That's right it is my job, and that is right I can make make improvements. Yesterday we altered a drill because of a suggestion from a player. Come by the clubhouse and talk about baseball all day with me. It is my job, hobby, and passion all rolled into one. I consider myself lucky to get to put on the uni and go to the field everyday. Some would pay to get to do that. If most parents would actually sit down and...
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Re: Top "10" Excuses / Top "10" Reasons
D8, you did not stand up for your profession. You furthered the argument. I wish you well, hope you have a long and successful career at what you love. I mean that.
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Re: Coaches Top 10 excuses Top 10 reasons
I'm in terrible shape. After 8 knee surgeries, I can barely walk let alone run. Of course I threw a few hours of BP yesterday and most young in-shape coaches still can't match me pitch for pitch. JMHO! This is from a Presentation I made for Coaches. I created several handouts with this being one. Types of Ineffective Coaches: Please note that this handout is not intended to offend anyone. Rather, this is one person’s observations. 1. The Ignorant Coach – I was once this. I had great intent.
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Re: Is it ever acceptable at the varsity level...
DTiger -- I've said it here before....coaching HS baseball is a challenging profession. The key thing is being a consistent leader. Why do people have to try to "interpret" every move a coach makes? Playing the "B team" (your term) may be beneficial in many ways --- for morale, for experience, perhaps it's juat the "right" thing to do in a particular situation. Most good coaches don't need to send subtle messages to their team -- their actions become obvious. Does your coach play backups in...
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Re: Is it ever acceptable at the varsity level...
Re: Is it ever acceptable at the varsity level...
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Re: Top 96 Camp @ Naval Academy
baseball4life I have read many of your posts and you always tell it honestly and fairly like it is. In fact, our experience with college baseball coaches in general that we met or spoke with were, on the whole, uniformly apporachable, decent and honest men. I think, as a profession, college baseball coaches are well-meaning good guys . . . for the most part.
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Re: Classless Coach
Any coach using this play is an embarassment to the profession. Of course, I feel the same way about guys who cut the grass (or don't) a certain way to speed up / slow down the ball or those that leave a lip on the baselines to help with bunting. I don't think this perspective has anything to do with being "old school" - I believe it's called ETHICS! Talk to this coach personally - an anonymous email won't do a thing. Voice your concerns over playing the game in this fashion....but make sure...
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Re: This really bothers me...
it's always tough to speak ill of the decesased. But, with that said, in this instance he was drunk, speeding, no seat belt, talking on his cell phone and initial reports say he had pot or some drug paraphenalia in his car. And, as noted above, he had a previous drunk driving mishap a short time previously. now though this is the fault of the restaurant, the restaurant manager and more unbelieveably his heirs are also suing the driver of the tow truck that was hit and the driver of the...
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Re: Don English Does It Again
When I see comments and posts like the one that started this thread, it makes me extremely proud that I do what I do for a living. The easiest thing to do is to start throwing people under the bus because of the outcome of a ballgame didn't go the way it was "supposed" to. The Patriots two years ago can attest to something like this. Just wondering out loud to the originator of this thread, if you have teenage children or if you have ever coached a group of high school or younger players,...
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Re: Don English Does It Again
LA, Last time I checked Coach English was getting paid handsomely at Coppell. Just because he coaches a great game doesn't mean he can get away with doing a half-baked job. I am really getting tired of coaches thinking coaches don't have accountability. Good grief. Don't get into coaching big-time high school sports if you don't want heat. If you are doing pro bono coaching at the YMCA then you a get a pass.
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Re: Hindsight: Recruiting mistakes
PG thats funny to me! My dad was career military. All three of my brothers went in the military two made careers out of the military. As a frustrated guy out of hs and working 40 hours a week at a job I hated I woke up one day and went to the recruiters office. I took the asvab test and made the appointment to get on the bus in Durham for the short trip to Raleigh the next morning to get sworn in. I was sitting on the bus in Durham waiting for it to depart when a car pulls up. This very...
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Re: MONIES
I don't see the problem with a young player making more than the ten-year guy because in the real working world, the next generation of worker tends to make more more than the past generation (all things being equal). However, a rookie cap isn't a bad idea. Let them earn their big payday in the pros. As for the minor league pay, it's not great but players know this when they choose this profession. As somebody previouisly mentioned, it's like an internship to play in the big leagues so...
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Re: Internet Opportunity
downandout, there are certainly as many difficult coaches as there are difficult people in any other profession. So transfer as soon as you figure out what the gig is; don't wait four years and post a diatribe. Coach, I was a little disappointed that the football posters seemed to have better flair in their responses than the baseball ones!
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Re: Now I've heard it all?
BTW, younger son (age 15 at the time) got some nice photos of himself with Erin last year. All he did was ask, which was way beyond my capabilities! Since I was in the photographers' pit next to the dugouts, I had the opportunity to watch her work right next to us (stop laughing!) and found her to be kind and professional. A younger girl (college age?) wanted to talk to her about the profession before a game and Erin was very gracious in taking a few minutes to do that. Without complaint.
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Re: Great MLBSB interview
"Control is, are you throwing strikes and not walking hitters; command is, can you hit the target the catcher sets up, are you throwing it where you want to. You can have those things without being a power pitcher." Fortunately, Frank Marcos is not unique among professional evaluators and decision makers...and, if a "command pitcher" makes it to the pros with the right organization and consistently gets batters out, he'll get promoted as long as he keeps getting batters out at each level. It...
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Re: D-III Academics
I have to agree with infielddad's analogy between sports and academics. My son did very well in an excelerated honors program in HS. He didn't work very hard to maintain his grades. He was a jock so he went to a jock school, that was very important to him. Large part of his choice was based upon athletics. I remember him calling me after the first two weeks, "mom, college is not HS". If he thought that it was an extension of HS, he wouldn't have had to work as hard as he did for 3 years. He...