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How about a spin. I personally think hitting and hitting for power are the two most important tools!!! Arm is next or fielding, its a toss up IMO. Speed is important but useless if you do not possess the other tools. They do not recruit the track team sprinters.
Steve
Steve
Speed is great. But kids that can run and cant play are on the track team. If you can hit and even if you cant run you are going to be in the line up. All you have to do is look at MLB. If you can mash and run then great thats a huge bonus. But speed on the bench means nothing. A kid that runs a 9 flat 60 that can mash will drive kids in. A kid that runs a 6 flat 60 that cant hit will be on the bench untill we need a runner. Thats just a fact.
My sons strongest tool is not his speed not his hitting or fielding ability. He never made tournament team. He never was all league in high school. He did not get a scholarship to play in college. Seems like there was always a situation where he was up against it. so what is his strongest tool. Well it is called perserverence. Walked on made the team .Sat Sat. Some in the same situation left. He was down. We talked. It was his decision. He never gave up. I made as many games I could. I sat while some of the other parents watched their sons play and enjoyed their success.Even though i knew his PT was limited at best. I had to be there. if he was to perservere so was I. He had to see me there. It motivated me. Well towards the end of last season situations gave him his shot and he came through with flying colors. I was there I saw it. Indescribable.I appreciated that moment more.What it took for him to get to that point is far more than talent. Senior year is coming up. As he and I have seen there is no guarantee but I definitely know his strength and it really has nothing to do with"talent".
Will,
That was a great post!
While perserverence is not considered a "tool", it might be the #1 most important ingredient.
Best of luck to your "strong minded" son.
The 5 "tools" only give an over view of the players present ability and future potential. There are many areas that are equal or even more important. For example is running a 6.7 60 yards more important than having great instincts and first step quickness?
Some people have what we call "The feel for the game"... Best example to me... Willie Mays. These are the guys who "instinctively" make the right decisions nearly all the time. I believe it's a natural ability and while it can be improved, it can't really be taught.
There are many "two tool" players who have been better than most "four tool" players. The ML is full of them... They're called left fielders and 1st basemen, also DHs in the American League. So for the most part, one fourth (or more) of all positions, could get by with "two + tools". This doesn't mean that all LFs, 1B, DHs can't run, throw or field, it means they are playing because of "two very outstanding tools" and only "two tools". In some cases they're playing with just one outstanding "tool".
When that happens, the one tool is usually "power". There are players in the Big Leagues only because of their ability to hit home runs. Hitting for average and Hitting for power are the only single tools that can get a position player to the Major Leagues in this current era. Of course, as always in baseball, there are a few exceptions to the rule.
Before anyone jumps on it... I am fully aware that Willie Mays was a 5 tool player. Probably the very best 5 tool player ever!
That was a great post!
While perserverence is not considered a "tool", it might be the #1 most important ingredient.
Best of luck to your "strong minded" son.
The 5 "tools" only give an over view of the players present ability and future potential. There are many areas that are equal or even more important. For example is running a 6.7 60 yards more important than having great instincts and first step quickness?
Some people have what we call "The feel for the game"... Best example to me... Willie Mays. These are the guys who "instinctively" make the right decisions nearly all the time. I believe it's a natural ability and while it can be improved, it can't really be taught.
There are many "two tool" players who have been better than most "four tool" players. The ML is full of them... They're called left fielders and 1st basemen, also DHs in the American League. So for the most part, one fourth (or more) of all positions, could get by with "two + tools". This doesn't mean that all LFs, 1B, DHs can't run, throw or field, it means they are playing because of "two very outstanding tools" and only "two tools". In some cases they're playing with just one outstanding "tool".
When that happens, the one tool is usually "power". There are players in the Big Leagues only because of their ability to hit home runs. Hitting for average and Hitting for power are the only single tools that can get a position player to the Major Leagues in this current era. Of course, as always in baseball, there are a few exceptions to the rule.
Before anyone jumps on it... I am fully aware that Willie Mays was a 5 tool player. Probably the very best 5 tool player ever!
PG Staff
Having seen Willie from the 1951 season when he came to the "bigs" until his end of career I have to agree with you--I also saw Joe DiMaggio as well as Mickey Mantle --- they were not in Willie's class when it came to overall talent--Joe D may have hit better for average but was no Willie when it came to to the outfield and running the bases--Mick was exciting but he too overall was not at Willie's Level-- As great as his God Son Barry Bonds is, even he is not the complete player that Willie. He is close but not there
You talk of baseball insticnts-- simple answer--Willie Mays-- and he played the game not for money but because he flat out loved the game.
He idolized his first MLB manager, Leo "The Lip" Durocher--he was like a father to Willie
Having seen Willie from the 1951 season when he came to the "bigs" until his end of career I have to agree with you--I also saw Joe DiMaggio as well as Mickey Mantle --- they were not in Willie's class when it came to overall talent--Joe D may have hit better for average but was no Willie when it came to to the outfield and running the bases--Mick was exciting but he too overall was not at Willie's Level-- As great as his God Son Barry Bonds is, even he is not the complete player that Willie. He is close but not there
You talk of baseball insticnts-- simple answer--Willie Mays-- and he played the game not for money but because he flat out loved the game.
He idolized his first MLB manager, Leo "The Lip" Durocher--he was like a father to Willie
You need to add more to your list. Similar to Will, despite voting for strong arm, my son's real number one tool is his heart. He finds ways to win and has a cool head. When he is on the mound, you could never predict what the score was. He is the same whether up by 10 or down by 10. You don't see any emotion until the game is over.
My son's best tool may be "hit for power" He has been blessed with a "power" body, 6'3", 225, solid muscle. We'll see how the rest of his tools develop over the next 2 years and what the scouts think.
I think my sons strongest tool is his work ethic.
There may be people out there with more talent then he has but not many work harder then him.
There may be people out there with more talent then he has but not many work harder then him.
BIGWI
Do not discount his talent- he is a good one
On top of it all he is a team player--doing what he did with us this fall showed it
Do not discount his talent- he is a good one
On top of it all he is a team player--doing what he did with us this fall showed it
TR,
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them.
By no means do I discount his talent, We wouldn't have hooked up with you if he didn't have any.
All I meant was, there are others with much more raw talent then he has ( unless you're the best, there is always someone with more talent).
But, he works harder then most people I've seen.
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them.
By no means do I discount his talent, We wouldn't have hooked up with you if he didn't have any.
All I meant was, there are others with much more raw talent then he has ( unless you're the best, there is always someone with more talent).
But, he works harder then most people I've seen.
What player had 12 years in the big leagues
and frequently says (and to anyone willing to listen),
"I had no tools. It was difficult for the scout to find me."
Regards
Bear
and frequently says (and to anyone willing to listen),
"I had no tools. It was difficult for the scout to find me."
Regards
Bear
Wild Guess
Bob Uecker? Sounds like something he would say
Bob Uecker? Sounds like something he would say
I know it's not considered a tool at all, but my sons number one asset is twofold.
Pure love of the game and absolute hatred of losing.
Pure love of the game and absolute hatred of losing.
I have been told and believe that a player's best tool is the ability to seek ways to better improve upon oneself. This includes taking all feedback as a positive step towards reaching the next level.
Number One Tool: A passion for the game. A kid with a true passion for the game will look for solutions not excuses. He will fight through adversity when it comes and it will. He will work when everyone else is not because its what he wants to do not told to do. He will be a great team mate because he is, not because hes told its a good thing to be. He will always hustle, because thats the only way he knows how to play, not because hes told to hustle. He will show up at practice like its a game everyday, because there is no place else he would rather be. Talented players that have a true passion for the game are what every coach looks for. Not so talented players that have a passion for the game will win you more games than talented players that do not have a passion for the game. My son has alot of ability. The thing I am most thankfull for and would not trade for anything is his passion and love for the game. I love to coach kids that come to the field with that sparkle in their eyes. You can see it and you can feel it. Everything else is gravy after that.
Coach May,
I agree, but most of them have that sparkle in their eye and the passion for the game.
It's what they do with it that makes it count!
I agree, but most of them have that sparkle in their eye and the passion for the game.
It's what they do with it that makes it count!
Answer: Billy Ripken
#1 Grades
A very short memory.
quote:Number One Tool: A passion for the game. A kid with a true passion for the game will look for solutions not excuses. He will fight through adversity when it comes and it will. He will work when everyone else is not because its what he wants to do not told to do. He will be a great team mate because he is, not because hes told its a good thing to be. He will always hustle, because thats the only way he knows how to play, not because hes told to hustle. He will show up at practice like its a game everyday, because there is no place else he would rather be. Talented players that have a true passion for the game are what every coach looks for. Not so talented players that have a passion for the game will win you more games than talented players that do not have a passion for the game. My son has alot of ability. The thing I am most thankfull for and would not trade for anything is his passion and love for the game. I love to coach kids that come to the field with that sparkle in their eyes. You can see it and you can feel it. Everything else is gravy after that.
Coach May, this is excellent!! Thanx, Shep
His Dewalt Circular Saw.
Close second - the Power Nail driver.
Close second - the Power Nail driver.
I'm with Shepster on this one...thanks Coach May!
My son's best tool:
Teamplayer
Teamplayer
My son's best tool is his ability to control his emotions and stay calm in pressure situations. This works in his favor in all aspects of his game, pitching, fielding & hitting. Unfortunately I think being emotionless (at least outwardly) works somewhat against him too. He loves the game and is very passionate about it but just doesn't display it often. As has been posted many times on HSBBW by coaches, they like to see passion and emotion out of their ball players.
Anyway, he is who he is and it has served him pretty well so far.
Anyway, he is who he is and it has served him pretty well so far.
Whoa! Who went and brought out the dredge!!??
My son's best tool.... is his ability to not listen to me, his mother, and his teacher! 
My son's best tool .... speed. 10 yrs old and runs 7.2 in 60 and 7:10 in the mile. His worst is too much natural ability and not working as hard as the next guy. I really hope he will grow out of the latter. He will work if told to but doesn't do much beyond wall-ball without being told.
10 years old and less than one full second from being considered ELITE LEVEL, WORLD-CLASS SPEED. That's something to write home about.....
You need to get your boy to an Olympic track coach right away because it's all Gold Medals as far as the eye can see.
You need to get your boy to an Olympic track coach right away because it's all Gold Medals as far as the eye can see.
A 7.2 60 at 10 years old...how tall is he and how much does he weigh? I'm trying to visualize a 10 year old who runs faster than more than three quarters of all high school varsity baseball players.
May need to ck that birth certificate>speaking of, guess who just turned one year older???
Hint>He is full of himself
Another hint>His best tool is his mouth-LOL
Hint>He is full of himself
Another hint>His best tool is his mouth-LOL
the only thing i can say from my own experience is that any scout will sign a guy that runs a 6.5 and just puts the ball in play over a guy that hits 9 balls out fo 10 in BP and thats it. the real no.1 tool is -hustle- by the way. remember that the scout doesnt know if ur son is gonna hit homeruns in class A or AA where everyone throws 90+ but speed will always be certain at any level.
I don't know if its been said here, but there are tools and there are ingredients.
We all know the 5 tools.
Ingredients to being a great ballplayer can be many but here's my take on a few.
Perserverance
Heart
Hustle
Poise
Maturity
Desire
Unselfishness
Anymore?
We all know the 5 tools.
Ingredients to being a great ballplayer can be many but here's my take on a few.
Perserverance
Heart
Hustle
Poise
Maturity
Desire
Unselfishness
Anymore?
One more Coachric,
Respect of the game, your teammates, opponent, and yourself
Respect of the game, your teammates, opponent, and yourself
My sons greatest tool is hard to put a name on.........he was never the fastest player, nor the stongest arm or highest batting average.....but he excelled at every level he has played at......
The best compliment he was ever given was from an opposing coach...."he just beats us".....he came up with the game winning walk off homerun to beat them in the regular season and threw a 3 hitter to beat them in the playoffs......
not sure what you'd call that.....he just beats them.......
The best compliment he was ever given was from an opposing coach...."he just beats us".....he came up with the game winning walk off homerun to beat them in the regular season and threw a 3 hitter to beat them in the playoffs......
not sure what you'd call that.....he just beats them.......
That my friend is a "Ballplayer"
Tr,
A ballplayer......
And that, come to think of it,.........is all he has ever wanted to be...
A ballplayer......
And that, come to think of it,.........is all he has ever wanted to be...
I think our son highlights whatever skills he might have with two traits which have yet to be mentioned. First he is extremely consistent every single day he is on the field. Consistency was pretty critical when the season got to 144 games. With consistency he has combined the ability to also consistently make adjustments to his game, both on the field and with the bat, at every level he has encountered. 
(that is "knock on wood because we/he take nothing for granted.) In a certain sense, when you get to college, every player has some awfully good tools. Some have spectacular tools. Those with the spectacular tools have a huge advantage. Those with what might be considered "awfully good tools" have to find a way to survive. Ours has survived by being "consistent" every day on the field while "consistently" making adjustments to adapt to better levels of competition. So, I guess our son's best tool would be his "consistency" in using his tools every single day.
(that is "knock on wood because we/he take nothing for granted.) In a certain sense, when you get to college, every player has some awfully good tools. Some have spectacular tools. Those with the spectacular tools have a huge advantage. Those with what might be considered "awfully good tools" have to find a way to survive. Ours has survived by being "consistent" every day on the field while "consistently" making adjustments to adapt to better levels of competition. So, I guess our son's best tool would be his "consistency" in using his tools every single day.
I think my ballplayer's best quality is a short memory. If he does something well, he tends to forget quickly. Also, if he flubs something up, he forgets quickly as well.
It keeps him balanced and helps him to look forward and not back.
It keeps him balanced and helps him to look forward and not back.
At first I tried to think whether he's a better hitter or a better pitcher as he's pretty solid both ways and has produced consistently.
But, I think my son's strongest tool is his mental approach ... with the game on the line, he wants the ball in his hand on the mound, or the bat in his hands in the box. Nothing rattles him. But, he also doesn't try to overdo it ... he'll just work and work until he get's the batter out or get's the RBI hit. While some pitchers might try to overpower a batter when they get in a bind ... gut out a FB and miss their spot, he'll use all his pitches to patiently just pick the batter apart. It's just simple, quiet confidence and pure competitiveness.
If he's pitching, up by one, two out, runners in scoring position, he's focused on getting that batter out any way he can ... he doesn't try to muscle up on his FB ... I can't tell you how many times I've seen him have two out, with a runner on third and get the batter to swing at a hard breaking curve in the dirt after putting a FB tight in on his hands. If he's hitting to drive in the winning run, he'll work the count, wait for something he can drive or the pitcher to make a mistake, then hit it where it's pitched to get the runner home ...
But, I think my son's strongest tool is his mental approach ... with the game on the line, he wants the ball in his hand on the mound, or the bat in his hands in the box. Nothing rattles him. But, he also doesn't try to overdo it ... he'll just work and work until he get's the batter out or get's the RBI hit. While some pitchers might try to overpower a batter when they get in a bind ... gut out a FB and miss their spot, he'll use all his pitches to patiently just pick the batter apart. It's just simple, quiet confidence and pure competitiveness.
If he's pitching, up by one, two out, runners in scoring position, he's focused on getting that batter out any way he can ... he doesn't try to muscle up on his FB ... I can't tell you how many times I've seen him have two out, with a runner on third and get the batter to swing at a hard breaking curve in the dirt after putting a FB tight in on his hands. If he's hitting to drive in the winning run, he'll work the count, wait for something he can drive or the pitcher to make a mistake, then hit it where it's pitched to get the runner home ...