interesting article on the front page regarding travel baseball, its probably on the la times web page also
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My son has played against Bryce Harper mentioned in the article as well as some other very good early maturing oversized 12 year olds. He is a darn good player. I think most of these kids are way overhyped and as the other kids start to catch up physically with these hyped-up kids, they won't find themselves dominating the games with players their own age like they are now.
It seems there is a little too much stroking of dad's ego in some of these situations.
It seems there is a little too much stroking of dad's ego in some of these situations.
A Question;
When does the player actually learn the game?
When our teams ages 14-18 travel to Australia and we play the best players in this Country, I have noticed a definite "lack of creativity" from the player before and during the game.
They are "robots" conditioned to all pitch or swing the bat a certain way regardless of the situation. However our "inner city" players and our players from the rural areas of the United States make the necessary adjustments and are are very productive in the 16 games of competition.
What is needed the Academy programs now existing in Japan, Korea, China, Latin America, Australia with a combination of games, instruction and teaching of leadership skills.
Are you listening Mr. Scott Boros, Arn Tellem and your fellow agents?
Bob Williams
When does the player actually learn the game?
When our teams ages 14-18 travel to Australia and we play the best players in this Country, I have noticed a definite "lack of creativity" from the player before and during the game.
They are "robots" conditioned to all pitch or swing the bat a certain way regardless of the situation. However our "inner city" players and our players from the rural areas of the United States make the necessary adjustments and are are very productive in the 16 games of competition.
What is needed the Academy programs now existing in Japan, Korea, China, Latin America, Australia with a combination of games, instruction and teaching of leadership skills.
Are you listening Mr. Scott Boros, Arn Tellem and your fellow agents?
Bob Williams
Bob
Why does a player have to leave this country to learn "America's Game" ?
I dont see the point-- the best teachers are here in our own country
Why does a player have to leave this country to learn "America's Game" ?
I dont see the point-- the best teachers are here in our own country
TR;
The Australians, Japan and the China teams offer the competition and the discipline necessary for the American players to learn. Our coaches are pro scouts and former professionals to help in the learning and development process.
Bob
The Australians, Japan and the China teams offer the competition and the discipline necessary for the American players to learn. Our coaches are pro scouts and former professionals to help in the learning and development process.
Bob
Are you serious? We need to go to Japan and Australia to learn from them? Our kids are robots? The inner city kids and the rural kids make the ajustments and the other kids are robots? I wont even bother to respond to whatever you come back with. I have read some of your other posts as well. You have said it all. What is your baseball background? Where do you coach and at what levels? What research have you done to come up with this? The list goes on and on. Sometimes I am still amazed at what I read here.
I talk with D1 recruiting coaches that know of these kids, the general response I get is "Let's see what the kid can do in 5 years when he is 17".
quote:Originally posted by HotCornerDad:
I talk with D1 recruiting coaches that know of these kids, the general response I get is "Let's see what the kid can do in 5 years when he is 17".
SO very very true. Performance at this age is not a perfect indicator of how they will perform in years to come. Especially when they are the kids who have matured early. Many sprout young and then get passed by in the HS years.
Baseball is not a sprint it is a marathon. Its not where you start the race but where you finish. I too have seen many kids that at 12 or 13 were way ahead of the average kid that age. Alot of times it was due to the fact they were much bigger and stronger at that age than the other kids. When the other kids catch up in size and maturity alot of times they pass those kids up. Some kids are hampered by early success due to being bigger and stronger at an earlier age. Some are not. Kids can change so quickly its ridiculous. My youngest was never small for his age he was always stout for his age. But last year at this time he was around 5'9 in the 8th grade and was about 215. Now he is 15 a Freshman in HS and he is 6'0 6'1 205. So much more athletic and quicker as well. He worked really hard this off season but I think most of it is he just grew up so much. Kids change quickly during these years and there is no way to progect what is going to happen. There is too much weight put on what kids can and can not do at these ages. The bottom line is no one is going to care who the stud was at 12 13 14 15 16 what will matter is who are the studs when they are 17 and 18.
Coach May;
A few points of my background.
1. 1954 College World Series
2. 1955 - Army Team played Willie Mays "ALL Stars", including Henry Aaron and 5 future "Hall of Fame" selections
3.1983-2005 Organized the Goodwill Series with the Japan National High School Team and our American Team [players and coached selected by pro scouts]
4. 1987-2004 Founded the Area Code Games
5. 1982-88 coach of American Legion Team including John Wetteland [MVP World Series]
6.1992-2005 Organized American Teams for travel to China and in 1997 organized the Seattle Mariners minor league team for a 4 game series in Beijing.
7. 1995-2005 Organized and coached American Teams identified as Brewers, Rangers, Reds, Mariners 14-18 year old teams for travel in December for games with the State Teams.
International players now account for 47% of the minor league players and 31% of the ML players. We have now over 400 alumni now on the ML rosters.
The Area Code games, International and National Clinics and the Goodwill Series events have reached over 5,000 American players. We are a compliment to the player who desires to improve with the benefit
of International competition.
You are invited to join our teams for the next journey. Question:
"can you teach a player to read the bat?"
visit our web site <www.goodwillseries.org>
the Consultant -Bob
A few points of my background.
1. 1954 College World Series
2. 1955 - Army Team played Willie Mays "ALL Stars", including Henry Aaron and 5 future "Hall of Fame" selections
3.1983-2005 Organized the Goodwill Series with the Japan National High School Team and our American Team [players and coached selected by pro scouts]
4. 1987-2004 Founded the Area Code Games
5. 1982-88 coach of American Legion Team including John Wetteland [MVP World Series]
6.1992-2005 Organized American Teams for travel to China and in 1997 organized the Seattle Mariners minor league team for a 4 game series in Beijing.
7. 1995-2005 Organized and coached American Teams identified as Brewers, Rangers, Reds, Mariners 14-18 year old teams for travel in December for games with the State Teams.
International players now account for 47% of the minor league players and 31% of the ML players. We have now over 400 alumni now on the ML rosters.
The Area Code games, International and National Clinics and the Goodwill Series events have reached over 5,000 American players. We are a compliment to the player who desires to improve with the benefit
of International competition.
You are invited to join our teams for the next journey. Question:
"can you teach a player to read the bat?"
visit our web site <www.goodwillseries.org>
the Consultant -Bob
quote:Originally posted by Coach May:
Are you serious? We need to go to Japan and Australia to learn from them? Our kids are robots? The inner city kids and the rural kids make the ajustments and the other kids are robots? I wont even bother to respond to whatever you come back with. I have read some of your other posts as well. You have said it all. What is your baseball background? Where do you coach and at what levels? What research have you done to come up with this? The list goes on and on. Sometimes I am still amazed at what I read here.
I am with Coach May---kids do not have to leave our shores to learn "Americas Game"-- we have many great coaches and instructors here in our own country- Is baseball like the shoe and garment industry ?-- do we now send our players out of the country to be assembled ??
What next???
What next???
quote:Originally posted by Coach May:
Baseball is not a sprint it is a marathon. Its not where you start the race but where you finish. I too have seen many kids that at 12 or 13 were way ahead of the average kid that age. Alot of times it was due to the fact they were much bigger and stronger at that age than the other kids. When the other kids catch up in size and maturity alot of times they pass those kids up. Some kids are hampered by early success due to being bigger and stronger at an earlier age. Some are not. Kids can change so quickly its ridiculous. My youngest was never small for his age he was always stout for his age. But last year at this time he was around 5'9 in the 8th grade and was about 215. Now he is 15 a Freshman in HS and he is 6'0 6'1 205. So much more athletic and quicker as well. He worked really hard this off season but I think most of it is he just grew up so much. Kids change quickly during these years and there is no way to progect what is going to happen. There is too much weight put on what kids can and can not do at these ages. The bottom line is no one is going to care who the stud was at 12 13 14 15 16 what will matter is who are the studs when they are 17 and 18.
I agree completely with this. And I would add that some kids experience a certain kind of emotional maturity as they emerge from puberty that seems to feed their killer instinct - their ability to play the game with purpose and ferocity. This can make a hugh difference in the way they apply whatever physical skills they may possess.
Mr. TR Hit;
You are correct. There are many good coaches in the USA. However, it is important to understand that the "good" coaches need to expand their talents by learning from coaches
who coach 360 days each year and their high school teams attract 55,000 people to a game and 50 million on TV. When our American players are placed in this environment at ages 15-18, honestly they are not prepared.
For example; 1-2 count on a left handed American hitter and a Japan RHP pitcher is pitching.
Can you tell me what pitch will be thrown and to what location?
The Consultant - Bob
You are correct. There are many good coaches in the USA. However, it is important to understand that the "good" coaches need to expand their talents by learning from coaches
who coach 360 days each year and their high school teams attract 55,000 people to a game and 50 million on TV. When our American players are placed in this environment at ages 15-18, honestly they are not prepared.
For example; 1-2 count on a left handed American hitter and a Japan RHP pitcher is pitching.
Can you tell me what pitch will be thrown and to what location?
The Consultant - Bob
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
I am with Coach May---kids do not have to leave our shores to learn "Americas Game"-- we have many great coaches and instructors here in our own country- Is baseball like the shoe and garment industry ?-- do we now send our players out of the country to be assembled ??
What next???
I still will stay with the coaches in our country---I am a fan of "Americas Game" not Japans game so how would I know what a Japanese pitcher is thinking--most of them, Japanese pitchers, do not fare that well here in MLB anyway.
It is curious to me as to why you are creating this "divide".
It is curious to me as to why you are creating this "divide".
TR;
Since 1983, our American Teams have played the best players in Japan. Matt Williams played in the first Goodwill Series.
We can learn teaching skills from the Korean, the Japanese, the Australians and of course the American coaches and players.
The answer to my question regarding a 1-2 count is universal. It is a "breaking ball" under the hands of a left handed hitter from a RHP.
the Consultant - Bob Williams
Since 1983, our American Teams have played the best players in Japan. Matt Williams played in the first Goodwill Series.
We can learn teaching skills from the Korean, the Japanese, the Australians and of course the American coaches and players.
The answer to my question regarding a 1-2 count is universal. It is a "breaking ball" under the hands of a left handed hitter from a RHP.
the Consultant - Bob Williams
If we can learn from American coaches why pay the money to go overseas to learn?
Universal?
Why because you say so ???
How about a fastball down and away ?
Or a fastball up in the eyes?
Or the pitch that the pitcher has most confidence in?
Not to be confrontational since 1983 how many Japanese players have made it in MLB-- the best players from Japan are not necessarily great players on a MLB scale--
Universal?
Why because you say so ???
How about a fastball down and away ?
Or a fastball up in the eyes?
Or the pitch that the pitcher has most confidence in?
Not to be confrontational since 1983 how many Japanese players have made it in MLB-- the best players from Japan are not necessarily great players on a MLB scale--
Mr. Williams, it is great to hear from someone with such a storied and respected baseball background. I appreciate you contributions to the game, (ie: Area Code Games.) I agree that there are many avenues of learning available.....
I have felt for a long time that latin players benefit greatly from the intense training they recieve if lucky enough to make it into a MLB team academy. Or the training of young Cuban players who begin very early to train daily if they show the skill set needed.
However, I do beleave that in the end it is the skill set the player begins with that is most important. Foreign instructors seem to focus more on fundementals. An example of this is the NBA where the foreign players are very sound fundementaly and doing very well.
I guess what I am trying to say is there are many ways for a player to get better and I applaud your efforts in trying to advance the game that is becoming World Wide very quickly.
I have felt for a long time that latin players benefit greatly from the intense training they recieve if lucky enough to make it into a MLB team academy. Or the training of young Cuban players who begin very early to train daily if they show the skill set needed.
However, I do beleave that in the end it is the skill set the player begins with that is most important. Foreign instructors seem to focus more on fundementals. An example of this is the NBA where the foreign players are very sound fundementaly and doing very well.
I guess what I am trying to say is there are many ways for a player to get better and I applaud your efforts in trying to advance the game that is becoming World Wide very quickly.
consultant,
since 1991 the Jerry Springer show draws a large audience too, your point is?? 55,000 show up to watch a hs coach?? I guess japanese people will watch anything too??
most all of the international players you mentioned playing pro ball in the USA are Latin Americans who grew up playing on vacant lots with a home-made glove, and a taped ball and bat - a few got academy coaching
or is the DR not a good road trip?
do our best ML players flock to Japanese pro ball - or do a few of their very, very top players come here?
just wondering, 'cause one of us got it backwards
since 1991 the Jerry Springer show draws a large audience too, your point is?? 55,000 show up to watch a hs coach?? I guess japanese people will watch anything too??
most all of the international players you mentioned playing pro ball in the USA are Latin Americans who grew up playing on vacant lots with a home-made glove, and a taped ball and bat - a few got academy coaching
or is the DR not a good road trip?
do our best ML players flock to Japanese pro ball - or do a few of their very, very top players come here?
just wondering, 'cause one of us got it backwards
Speaking of Japan baseball...
My son played against a visiting Japanese team a couple years ago, and we had to use the Japanese youth ball. (I was told that the ball was the standard youth ball in Japan, but I don't know this for a fact. I'm hopeful that it isn't correct.)
If you haven't seen it, it is slightly smaller than our ball, and is made from some kind of rubber.
You want to kill baseball in America? Require the use of this stupid ball. Unless the bat hits the thing dead center, it goes nowhere but pop-up or grounder. There is no satisfying sound off the bat, and it barely flies anywhere, even if hit well.
What on earth can they be thinking, playing this great game with such a stupid ball?
My son played against a visiting Japanese team a couple years ago, and we had to use the Japanese youth ball. (I was told that the ball was the standard youth ball in Japan, but I don't know this for a fact. I'm hopeful that it isn't correct.)
If you haven't seen it, it is slightly smaller than our ball, and is made from some kind of rubber.
You want to kill baseball in America? Require the use of this stupid ball. Unless the bat hits the thing dead center, it goes nowhere but pop-up or grounder. There is no satisfying sound off the bat, and it barely flies anywhere, even if hit well.
What on earth can they be thinking, playing this great game with such a stupid ball?
no offense, consultant, but if the pitcher is going to throw the same pitch in that situation, my batter will be prepared.
so much for mixing things up, huh...
so much for mixing things up, huh...
Rob Kramer;
This is the Keno ball played in the 13 and under leagues and over 50 year old leagues in Japan. Regarding the 1-2 count with a left handed hitter and RHP in the Japan High School Baseball, this pitched fooled our hitters including Jim Edmonds now of the St Louis Cards. It is a perfect pitch and almost impossible for high school hitter to hit unless he drops the bat head.
Baseball is truly International.
Please open <www.mlb.com> go to the International page
Consultant
This is the Keno ball played in the 13 and under leagues and over 50 year old leagues in Japan. Regarding the 1-2 count with a left handed hitter and RHP in the Japan High School Baseball, this pitched fooled our hitters including Jim Edmonds now of the St Louis Cards. It is a perfect pitch and almost impossible for high school hitter to hit unless he drops the bat head.
Baseball is truly International.
Please open <www.mlb.com> go to the International page
Consultant
mr consultant, it sounds like you run a great program - congrats
as a sucessfull baseball guy kindly take note of hsweb's advertising services
thanks
advertising
as a sucessfull baseball guy kindly take note of hsweb's advertising services
thanks
advertising
Bee;
we have previously requested to be an advertiser. Please contact me.
Bob
we have previously requested to be an advertiser. Please contact me.
Bob