If my son ever saw me with a radar gun behind the backstop, he would probably charge off the mound, take it away from me and hurt me with it. I have come in contact with many parents through the years who would, in conversation, always leak out the fact that their 10 year old son through a 60 mph fastball, and I always wondered how they knew that. It never occurred to me that parents would buy a gun and measure their kid's speed during a game.
First of all, I'm indifferent as to dads/moms/uncles having radar guns at a ball game. To each his own.
However, having had the good fortune of having many excellent pitchers play for my summer teams over the years it never ceases to amaze me how many rumors and mistruths are spread about certain pitchers supposedly related to a dad/mom/uncle's radar gun readings.
Have a current pitcher that, according to more than one poster on this website (and others), supposedly brings it around 93-94 or better. I find that odd as I've never seen him break 90 mph.
However, having had the good fortune of having many excellent pitchers play for my summer teams over the years it never ceases to amaze me how many rumors and mistruths are spread about certain pitchers supposedly related to a dad/mom/uncle's radar gun readings.
Have a current pitcher that, according to more than one poster on this website (and others), supposedly brings it around 93-94 or better. I find that odd as I've never seen him break 90 mph.
Don't let your lack of training knowledge keep you from stating your opinion. I realize you're entitled to it whether right or wrong.
Again, to a father and son who are "in training", if you will, the radar gun is necessary to see if the mechanics are right.
Most of you must not realize that there are specific mechanical adjustments that can make up to a 5 mph difference. And, the thrower, if training, and if the mechanic is new, doesn't know other than by the radar reading, if he's executing properly. The gun will tell you. You can not tell any other way. In fact, your body will lie to you at times. The throws that feel "right" may not be and the ones that feel "wrong" or "different" might be right. The reason is "right" and "wrong" is ususally judged by feel. What feels right is usually what you're used to not what is right. The new mechanic may feel "wrong" when first using it. You need the feedback from the gun to know for sure.
And, as I said before, you can not tell, by sight, a 5 mph difference.
Now, many of you will jump up and say.......but movment this........or.......deception that. OK, fine. We like movement. And we like deception. But what if we have those and are working on velocity????
Our goal is not to say "look at us we throw 90". Which is exactly what most of you think when you see a dad with a gun. We simply want the reading to compare to what it should be. What we know he's capbale of.
BTW, we're a father/son team that has taken on a goal to throw 80+ mph. Our best to date is 78. We are not going to play DI or make a living from it. Can we have our project, train, test with radar, train some more, test some more and learn from the experience???
It's a fun project that we have a lot of fun (and frustration) doing. Something we have a common interest in. Something we can do together. We're not in the category you are imagining as far as showing off what we can do. We simply want to be the best we can be. In fact, we're the one you snicker at......you know what you say......."why would they work so hard at this, he doesn't have a chance?" But we could care less what you think.
I will never apologize for that nor will I put any weight into what others think of us for using a gun at a game.
Again, to a father and son who are "in training", if you will, the radar gun is necessary to see if the mechanics are right.
Most of you must not realize that there are specific mechanical adjustments that can make up to a 5 mph difference. And, the thrower, if training, and if the mechanic is new, doesn't know other than by the radar reading, if he's executing properly. The gun will tell you. You can not tell any other way. In fact, your body will lie to you at times. The throws that feel "right" may not be and the ones that feel "wrong" or "different" might be right. The reason is "right" and "wrong" is ususally judged by feel. What feels right is usually what you're used to not what is right. The new mechanic may feel "wrong" when first using it. You need the feedback from the gun to know for sure.
And, as I said before, you can not tell, by sight, a 5 mph difference.
Now, many of you will jump up and say.......but movment this........or.......deception that. OK, fine. We like movement. And we like deception. But what if we have those and are working on velocity????
Our goal is not to say "look at us we throw 90". Which is exactly what most of you think when you see a dad with a gun. We simply want the reading to compare to what it should be. What we know he's capbale of.
BTW, we're a father/son team that has taken on a goal to throw 80+ mph. Our best to date is 78. We are not going to play DI or make a living from it. Can we have our project, train, test with radar, train some more, test some more and learn from the experience???
It's a fun project that we have a lot of fun (and frustration) doing. Something we have a common interest in. Something we can do together. We're not in the category you are imagining as far as showing off what we can do. We simply want to be the best we can be. In fact, we're the one you snicker at......you know what you say......."why would they work so hard at this, he doesn't have a chance?" But we could care less what you think.
I will never apologize for that nor will I put any weight into what others think of us for using a gun at a game.
Grateful
Your question has been answered at least 2 or 3 times.
Not my fault you don't get it.
Your question has been answered at least 2 or 3 times.
Not my fault you don't get it.
Teacherman,
I can tell that you're a Dad who enjoys baseball and loves sharing that with your son. There's nothing wrong with that. Your son is lucky to have someone who cares enough about him to share in his interests.
The only thing that raises a red flag IMO is when you refer his goals as your goals...his performance as your performance.
"We're a father/son team that has taken on a goal to throw 80+ mph. Our best to date is 78."
In my experience that's the beginning of a baseball relationship that many Dads look back on and regret.
I can tell that you're a Dad who enjoys baseball and loves sharing that with your son. There's nothing wrong with that. Your son is lucky to have someone who cares enough about him to share in his interests.
The only thing that raises a red flag IMO is when you refer his goals as your goals...his performance as your performance.
"We're a father/son team that has taken on a goal to throw 80+ mph. Our best to date is 78."
In my experience that's the beginning of a baseball relationship that many Dads look back on and regret.
They are OUR goals and so I called them that. Maybe because I'm the trainer. If I was sending him to an instructor I **** well hope it's the instructors goal also.
Your interpretation that they aren't his goals as well is unfounded.........but you still feel it necessary to suggest it. Why is that?
Just what does a goal of 80 mph suggest. Won't get him to pros......won't get him to college without some exceptional stuff.....I think you're nose is in the way of your mind.
Why don't you give me 2 or 3 details about your son so I can make a determination about what type of mother you are?
All of this to say you obviously don't know what you're talking about so why hang out here.
Your interpretation that they aren't his goals as well is unfounded.........but you still feel it necessary to suggest it. Why is that?
Just what does a goal of 80 mph suggest. Won't get him to pros......won't get him to college without some exceptional stuff.....I think you're nose is in the way of your mind.
Why don't you give me 2 or 3 details about your son so I can make a determination about what type of mother you are?
All of this to say you obviously don't know what you're talking about so why hang out here.
I've enjoyed talking with you and the other guys, but I have to go back to the kitchen where I belong ...almost time for dinner. 
You're free to take or leave any advice that I've offered. No hard feelings.
You're free to take or leave any advice that I've offered. No hard feelings.
Teacherman,
I guess you don't know who TXMom is. TXMom is one of the most respected baseballpeople (notice I didn't say mom or dad) in our community (both here at HSBaseballweb as well as the community in which she lives)
You see TXMom has 2 sons, both were drafted and both are humble, talented and boys we would all be proud to call our own. Both sons are the way they are because of their supportive, loving and very involved parents.
So, in other words, she speaks from experience, knowledge, passion and most of all from the heart. I have had the pleasure of knowing her personally, she was also my son's elem. school teacher, she is a fellow baseball mom and I can tell you she is someone I admire and aspire to be like. The thing I admire the most about her is that you could run into her on the street and she will always meet you with a smile, a kind word and you would never know how successful her boys are because she is proud of their accomplishments but doesn't "Live" their accomplishments that is for them to do.
Her son's are the best young men I have seen come out of our community. Besides their talent on the baseball field they continue to give back to the community (because they were brought up that way). In fact this past weekend her oldest, the 3rd round draft pick, was back home visiting his family and he stopped up at the HS, my son along w/2 other underclassman were at the cages hitting. He doesn't even know my son (as he is much older than he is) and he spent an hour throwing BP to all 3 of them. What a thrill for each of them. And guess what, he never told them about the Giants he was just a local alumni coming to workout (of course my son knew who he was because of his mom).
Teacherman, take a moment and teach yourself something, it isn't just a man's world out there and if a women has some ideas and some insight she might just know a bit more than you do and it might be that it was learned the same way you learned what you know and it was on the field raising son's that love the game.
NOT FOR TEACHERMAN BUT IN REGARDS TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION AND POST: And in regards to radar no radar, if your son needs it as a tool to evaluate and train then use it, but if you are using it to bring attention to your son or yourself-then what a shame. (edited for clarification and not viewed as a personal remark)
I guess you don't know who TXMom is. TXMom is one of the most respected baseballpeople (notice I didn't say mom or dad) in our community (both here at HSBaseballweb as well as the community in which she lives)
You see TXMom has 2 sons, both were drafted and both are humble, talented and boys we would all be proud to call our own. Both sons are the way they are because of their supportive, loving and very involved parents.
So, in other words, she speaks from experience, knowledge, passion and most of all from the heart. I have had the pleasure of knowing her personally, she was also my son's elem. school teacher, she is a fellow baseball mom and I can tell you she is someone I admire and aspire to be like. The thing I admire the most about her is that you could run into her on the street and she will always meet you with a smile, a kind word and you would never know how successful her boys are because she is proud of their accomplishments but doesn't "Live" their accomplishments that is for them to do.
Her son's are the best young men I have seen come out of our community. Besides their talent on the baseball field they continue to give back to the community (because they were brought up that way). In fact this past weekend her oldest, the 3rd round draft pick, was back home visiting his family and he stopped up at the HS, my son along w/2 other underclassman were at the cages hitting. He doesn't even know my son (as he is much older than he is) and he spent an hour throwing BP to all 3 of them. What a thrill for each of them. And guess what, he never told them about the Giants he was just a local alumni coming to workout (of course my son knew who he was because of his mom).
Teacherman, take a moment and teach yourself something, it isn't just a man's world out there and if a women has some ideas and some insight she might just know a bit more than you do and it might be that it was learned the same way you learned what you know and it was on the field raising son's that love the game.
NOT FOR TEACHERMAN BUT IN REGARDS TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION AND POST: And in regards to radar no radar, if your son needs it as a tool to evaluate and train then use it, but if you are using it to bring attention to your son or yourself-then what a shame. (edited for clarification and not viewed as a personal remark)
OLDBAT NEVER
Thank you for jumping in as you did-- I had the pleasure of meeting TXMOM a few years back at ASU and it was extreme my pleasure to do so.
TXMOM --if you work as well in the kitchen as you do sitting and watching baseball AND UNDERSTANDING THE GAME I am coming to Texas for dinner.
And I am sure you one of the best cooks in the Texas Region
Thank you for jumping in as you did-- I had the pleasure of meeting TXMOM a few years back at ASU and it was extreme my pleasure to do so.
TXMOM --if you work as well in the kitchen as you do sitting and watching baseball AND UNDERSTANDING THE GAME I am coming to Texas for dinner.
And I am sure you one of the best cooks in the Texas Region
TRhit
I just hate when shots are taken w/out knowledge, esp. when they are at good people like TXMom.
By the way is that ASU as in Arizona or Arkansas? I am a Sun Devil and of course we all know what kind of baseball school that is. I spent my 4 years there attending many a baseball game.
I just hate when shots are taken w/out knowledge, esp. when they are at good people like TXMom.
By the way is that ASU as in Arizona or Arkansas? I am a Sun Devil and of course we all know what kind of baseball school that is. I spent my 4 years there attending many a baseball game.
My bad. I didn't realize having two very good players as sons gave her the right to determine that my relationship with my son was not good.
quote:
...but if you are using it to bring attention to your son or yourself-then what a shame.
Either you refuse to read or don't comprehend very well. 78 mph doesn't bring much attention to us.
Teacherman,
My post was in response to your question:
Answer is: SHE IS A **** GOOD MOTHER.
And the statement about bringing attention was meant as a GENERIC statement to the attent of the original post I apologize it should have been under a separate heading.. Not personal.
My post was in response to your question:
quote:
Why don't you give me 2 or 3 details about your son so I can make a determination about what type of mother you are?
Answer is: SHE IS A **** GOOD MOTHER.
And the statement about bringing attention was meant as a GENERIC statement to the attent of the original post I apologize it should have been under a separate heading.. Not personal.
I quoted you already so all can see it. Your post went further than telling me she is a good mother. You just needed to get a few jabs in. No big deal.
Not personal eh?
You state...
Teacherman...
....and in regards to radar or no radar, if YOUR son needs it.......or if YOU are using it to bring attention....
Is that generic in Texas??????
Not personal eh?
You state...
Teacherman...
....and in regards to radar or no radar, if YOUR son needs it.......or if YOU are using it to bring attention....
Is that generic in Texas??????
I think I'll start bringing a stopwatch to every game and start a chart of all his home to first times. 
And was the crack about women not knowing baseball for real or flaming purposes? Geez, I better get out of the batting cage and back to the kitchen. I do however put on all the catchers gear so I don't get killed, pretty funny sight. 
And was the crack about women not knowing baseball for real or flaming purposes? Geez, I better get out of the batting cage and back to the kitchen. I do however put on all the catchers gear so I don't get killed, pretty funny sight.
Maybe we need to focus on Bourban Balls instead of baseball balls.
quote:
...And was the crack about women not knowing baseball for real or flaming purposes?....
Please quote me........if you can find those exact words. Don't twist the truth in the process of defending your friends.
Flame it on centerfield.
Teacherman,
I was in the midst of a post and didn't want to have to go out and repost so if you notice above I have changed the wording to get my original attent out.
You know us women,,,,,,,,,,when we get a bee in our bonnet we just go a little crazy, must be PMS.
I was in the midst of a post and didn't want to have to go out and repost so if you notice above I have changed the wording to get my original attent out.
You know us women,,,,,,,,,,when we get a bee in our bonnet we just go a little crazy, must be PMS.
What's a bourbon ball?
Is it attent in Texas?
Why not edit the original..........does it help flame your cause?
They are your words.......no paraphrasing here.
Why not edit the original..........does it help flame your cause?
They are your words.......no paraphrasing here.
Teacherman:
Here is your quote:
Here is your quote:
quote:
How about you help us by staying out of something about which you know little or nothing.
Here ya go teach
quote:
I give all the ladies a pass on this site.
But if you want to get into it lets go.....
How about you help us by staying out of something about which you know little or nothing.
quote:
...And was the crack about women not knowing baseball for real or flaming purposes?
Still looking for what I'm accused of saying.
Is the fact that the poster knows little about the use of radar for training the same as...
"a woman doesn't know baseball"?
oldbat - You know there's medication available to help you with your problem! 
I just sent you a PM.
I just sent you a PM.
If you read back teacherman I did edit the original. Maybe we should all go have a few bourban balls and chill out.
Will a bourbon ball warm me up, it's well below zero here.
I guess its the bourbon balls that explain the attent of the posts.
Teacherman, just curious....say you are at your son's high school game and you notice that he is 5mph off his fastball. Do you enter the playing field between innings and meet with him in th dugout to council him our his mechanics? How do you correct the problems in the middle of the game? If you do meet with your son between innings what would happen if all 9 dads met with their sons between innings in the dugout?
You sound like a nightmare parent to me and your references to "our" goals is creepy. Your playing days are over (if you had any).
You sound like a nightmare parent to me and your references to "our" goals is creepy. Your playing days are over (if you had any).
Crawdad
Keep leaping to conclusions. You may hit on something smart once in a while.
I not only use radar, I video and we go over the video at night and compare the mechanics we see to the velocity the radar shows. Try it sometime.
You fit in real nice with these etiquette people.
Keep leaping to conclusions. You may hit on something smart once in a while.
I not only use radar, I video and we go over the video at night and compare the mechanics we see to the velocity the radar shows. Try it sometime.
You fit in real nice with these etiquette people.
Next
Cntrfieldsmom:
It is cold down here as well, doesn't feel much like baseball weather, oops I mean "Betty Crocker Bake Off" weather........
Anyway, my cyberpoint has been made, and I am glad this is only cybertalk and I am not having to spend my bleacher time on this topic.
Lafmom: keep those cards and letters coming you are the best and you really helped me out w/my son and he feels great and is ready to have a great season.
It is cold down here as well, doesn't feel much like baseball weather, oops I mean "Betty Crocker Bake Off" weather........
Anyway, my cyberpoint has been made, and I am glad this is only cybertalk and I am not having to spend my bleacher time on this topic.
Lafmom: keep those cards and letters coming you are the best and you really helped me out w/my son and he feels great and is ready to have a great season.
Teacherman -
OK. I've held back long enough.
No one here knows what kind of dad you are. I'm sure you love your son very much. However, the picture you present from your posts is one of an overcontrolling dad living his dreams through his son. I hope this isn't true. I hope your son is playing the game because he loves the game. I hope you are watching him because you love watching him play. Leave the gun at home and "watch". Let the coach teach.
Of course, I am just a mom!
OK. I've held back long enough.
No one here knows what kind of dad you are. I'm sure you love your son very much. However, the picture you present from your posts is one of an overcontrolling dad living his dreams through his son. I hope this isn't true. I hope your son is playing the game because he loves the game. I hope you are watching him because you love watching him play. Leave the gun at home and "watch". Let the coach teach.
Of course, I am just a mom!
Old Bat (the friend I'm defending )
Yep, I'm making home made pasta and sewing a quilt, jes like iz possed to be for us women folk. I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan too.
)Yep, I'm making home made pasta and sewing a quilt, jes like iz possed to be for us women folk. I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan too.
Intent, intent, intent, intent.....
W/out spellcheck I am sunk......thank goodness for teachers.
W/out spellcheck I am sunk......thank goodness for teachers.
No you didn't hold long enough.
You exposed your ignorance as well.
Gotta go. Have to take my daughter to a free throw contest. Yes, I taught her that. Yes, we have goals. No, I don't use radar.
That's just the way it is at our house.
I'll answer all replies later. Keep it coming ladies. You make more sense than TR ever has.
You exposed your ignorance as well.
Gotta go. Have to take my daughter to a free throw contest. Yes, I taught her that. Yes, we have goals. No, I don't use radar.
That's just the way it is at our house.
I'll answer all replies later. Keep it coming ladies. You make more sense than TR ever has.
lafmom, you have a pm
Teacherman, The difference in you and I sir is that I don't profess to know everything. It's obvious what posters know and what they don't know. I'm sorry that you find me "ignorant". I can assure that is not the case. Good luck to you!
My last thought is that it takes someone that has a true love of the sport whether that is Dad, Mom, Grandpa whomever to be our son's true advocate. And because of that love we are very passionate and committed to this sport.
Does it matter if we radar or not? Does it matter if we attend practices or not? What matters is that we support our son's 100% and that we let them play the game w/our blessing and our love.
What knowlege/experience we had before they stepped on the field is ours to share with them and what knowledge/experience we gained because they stepped on the field will be what we will look back in the years to come as a wonderful memory.
Let THEM live the dream and let us smile through the dream.
And BTW cyberslams only hurt my computer keyboard.
Does it matter if we radar or not? Does it matter if we attend practices or not? What matters is that we support our son's 100% and that we let them play the game w/our blessing and our love.
What knowlege/experience we had before they stepped on the field is ours to share with them and what knowledge/experience we gained because they stepped on the field will be what we will look back in the years to come as a wonderful memory.
Let THEM live the dream and let us smile through the dream.
And BTW cyberslams only hurt my computer keyboard.
Oldbat - beautifully said! 
It seems we are adding some great people to the "ignorant" group--I am glad I am in this group
That being the case I wish to remain ignorant and not be as "all knowing" as Teacherman
That being the case I wish to remain ignorant and not be as "all knowing" as Teacherman