Do I think that you are admitting that practice is goog ?
The advise your pitcher son gets while on the mound is great but I have never heard my son's coach give him advise while pitching unless he is not performing.
Throw strikes is my favorite.
Bobblebrain...I mean head...hopefully if your son has good coaches they are teaching throughout the game. If you don't think he needs it, your son must be Roger Clemens.
Nice guy.
I am very aware this argument is testing your patience. Don't crack under the pressure.
My son will never be a Roger. We knoe and so does he, exactly what kind of pitcher he is. He is the kind of pitcher that makes you look like you need more practice.His work ethic is unbelievable at practices and at games. 3-4 hr practices 3 times a week which he enjoys almost as much as his games. There is more comraderie developed in practices than anywhere else. They work on situational plays etc and run scrimages. We usually start at 7Pm and don't leave the stadium till 11Pm.
In college my son has been working out and throwing bull pen untill 10-11 Pm as well. His objective to attend a baseball college is to develop him to the next level and practice is integral to that objective.
I am very aware this argument is testing your patience. Don't crack under the pressure.
My son will never be a Roger. We knoe and so does he, exactly what kind of pitcher he is. He is the kind of pitcher that makes you look like you need more practice.His work ethic is unbelievable at practices and at games. 3-4 hr practices 3 times a week which he enjoys almost as much as his games. There is more comraderie developed in practices than anywhere else. They work on situational plays etc and run scrimages. We usually start at 7Pm and don't leave the stadium till 11Pm.
In college my son has been working out and throwing bull pen untill 10-11 Pm as well. His objective to attend a baseball college is to develop him to the next level and practice is integral to that objective.
Well I don't agree with some of the things mentioned on this site about coaching but one thing I like that bobble said is concerning liking practice as much as the games. I think I heard Clemens say the same thing, that you really have to enjoy the workouts, the process, the journey to get to the game. He feels that game day is the easiest day of the week.
I owe you an apology Bobblehead. Again though, I never said practice is not needed. And if your son's coaches only have something to say to him if he is not performing I think they are missing out on chances to teach...about situations that occured, why they may have called a pitch to a specific hitter and not another...whatever happened in that game. Even if a kid is on, there are still things to teach.
look at all the kids that played on top tier and what college tehy are going 2 that should tell if its important or not to be associated with a big time summer team
I believe both practice and games are important. There are things that can be accomplished in each that can’t be accomplished in just one. Personally, controlled scrimmage type games have been a favorite of mine over the years. I do think the more games the better, but also believe the more practice the better. Of course, I’ve always looked at games as the best practice of all.
Regarding Chicagoland players and high level summer teams – Let’s name the best, most recruited, highest draft picks out of the area in recent years. Weren’t most all of them on high level summer teams?
Flowers, Flores, Bowden, etc. etc.
Even earlier I remember guys like Diaz, Honel, Sing, etc. playing in our tournaments and showcases.
It seems the players who were good draft picks despite not playing on these highest level teams have pretty much ended up being big mistakes. In other words, they fooled people with their tools and showcase type showings. You know what they say… Fool me once, shame on you… Fool me twice… Shame on me! Scouting departments don’t want to get fooled twice. I think more and more you will see the top draft picks coming out of the top summer and fall programs. The true read on any player is when you see him both in the good showcases and also see him playing for keeps (games/tournaments) against TOP LEVEL NATIONAL competition.
By the way, not to open a can of worms, but Ontario has some of the best summer/fall baseball programs there is. Among the most organized and professionally run programs anywhere. The coaching is equal to any in the States.
Regarding Chicagoland players and high level summer teams – Let’s name the best, most recruited, highest draft picks out of the area in recent years. Weren’t most all of them on high level summer teams?
Flowers, Flores, Bowden, etc. etc.
Even earlier I remember guys like Diaz, Honel, Sing, etc. playing in our tournaments and showcases.
It seems the players who were good draft picks despite not playing on these highest level teams have pretty much ended up being big mistakes. In other words, they fooled people with their tools and showcase type showings. You know what they say… Fool me once, shame on you… Fool me twice… Shame on me! Scouting departments don’t want to get fooled twice. I think more and more you will see the top draft picks coming out of the top summer and fall programs. The true read on any player is when you see him both in the good showcases and also see him playing for keeps (games/tournaments) against TOP LEVEL NATIONAL competition.
By the way, not to open a can of worms, but Ontario has some of the best summer/fall baseball programs there is. Among the most organized and professionally run programs anywhere. The coaching is equal to any in the States.
No doubt Top Tier is a class organization, you expect their kids to get drafted or go on to play at the college level....they don't just take anyone.
Appology appreciated !!
I actually understood that you thought practice was good.
In our area HS ball is not that involved. Some schools in Toronto have strong teams but a lot of the others have a hand full of good players but nit usually a full roster. Our pitchers are only allowed 4 innings (12 outs) This is because some pitchers are so dominant they wanted to give less talented players a chance to play. We had guys who were ML caliber who actually still played because they enjoy baseball but 12 strikeouts later he is out of the game. Nothing like the US. No scouts few great coaches.
The Elite ball is our big deal. ML caliber coaches in the winter workouts and there are probably close to 40 teams in a 100 mile radius around Toronto. There are 3 leagues due to people slitting off to form their own league. The competition for ball players is heated. The selling points are winter worout, US travel to play top teams usually within a 2 day drive, Large schedules and great facilities. All the teams are basically non profit. A few may pay a small fee to a ML player or scout during the winter but coaches only have expenses covered. Most do it for the love of the game. Ther isn't one team that dosen't prctice all year but lighten up during playing season.
Our stadium is a single A stadium with umpire rooms, home and away dressing rooms with showers etc. Parking for about 2500 cars 2 Beer ball diamonds Large concession stand Pro score board. Si9mply put the park when all diamonds are going the place rocks. Even our practices are under lights and often beer ball going on and the hot dogs are on the barbie.
Our winter workout place is a brand new s***r dome with grass turf and there are always a scout or 2 dropping in. My son worked out on indoor mounds with a 3rd year single A LHP in the Pirates organization and pitched against Nick Weglarz (drafted 94th last june) amoungst others. Who would not want to go to practice. Even I couldn't wait. If you love the game you want to roll in the grass even if it is turf.
His caoches believe they teach you the fundamentals in practice over and over. You take what you learn out on the diamond and if my son is messing up the coach either visits him on the mound or talks to him when he comes in. Every pitcher drifts a some point in their season and if you check the video you can really see it. No pitcher stays perfect every game. My son's mechanics are natural but still has to be watched. They even pick up bad habits watching other pitchers.
My point is that it is not an either or situation. Everything you do if done properly is a plus.You never stop learning and game situations to me is the culmination of training and all the hard work.
I actually understood that you thought practice was good.
In our area HS ball is not that involved. Some schools in Toronto have strong teams but a lot of the others have a hand full of good players but nit usually a full roster. Our pitchers are only allowed 4 innings (12 outs) This is because some pitchers are so dominant they wanted to give less talented players a chance to play. We had guys who were ML caliber who actually still played because they enjoy baseball but 12 strikeouts later he is out of the game. Nothing like the US. No scouts few great coaches.
The Elite ball is our big deal. ML caliber coaches in the winter workouts and there are probably close to 40 teams in a 100 mile radius around Toronto. There are 3 leagues due to people slitting off to form their own league. The competition for ball players is heated. The selling points are winter worout, US travel to play top teams usually within a 2 day drive, Large schedules and great facilities. All the teams are basically non profit. A few may pay a small fee to a ML player or scout during the winter but coaches only have expenses covered. Most do it for the love of the game. Ther isn't one team that dosen't prctice all year but lighten up during playing season.
Our stadium is a single A stadium with umpire rooms, home and away dressing rooms with showers etc. Parking for about 2500 cars 2 Beer ball diamonds Large concession stand Pro score board. Si9mply put the park when all diamonds are going the place rocks. Even our practices are under lights and often beer ball going on and the hot dogs are on the barbie.
Our winter workout place is a brand new s***r dome with grass turf and there are always a scout or 2 dropping in. My son worked out on indoor mounds with a 3rd year single A LHP in the Pirates organization and pitched against Nick Weglarz (drafted 94th last june) amoungst others. Who would not want to go to practice. Even I couldn't wait. If you love the game you want to roll in the grass even if it is turf.
His caoches believe they teach you the fundamentals in practice over and over. You take what you learn out on the diamond and if my son is messing up the coach either visits him on the mound or talks to him when he comes in. Every pitcher drifts a some point in their season and if you check the video you can really see it. No pitcher stays perfect every game. My son's mechanics are natural but still has to be watched. They even pick up bad habits watching other pitchers.
My point is that it is not an either or situation. Everything you do if done properly is a plus.You never stop learning and game situations to me is the culmination of training and all the hard work.
Hey bobble how many players per coach at your practices?
5 coaches for about 24 players. Usually have a couple scouts or minor league guys during the winter. The hitting guy played in the majors for a few years and in Japan 2 years ( 1 mill tax free and no living expenses) and the last 2 years Monterey Mexico. Weglarz worked out with him and always had a ton of scouts fly in to see him.
The pitchers came and ran after stretching and then did longtoss and a bull pen. After that they would practice pick offs and their cuts. If you wanted you could leave after that but we never did . He shagged some balls for BP but no heroics. We just loved being there. My son is a polished control guy who can hit 84 but as a starter tends to pace himself. Days when he feels real strong he throws a lot of FB. 2 years ago we shared the ball park with a Pro team run by Ferggie Jenkins daughter. Ron Davis, former NY middle reliever saw him and invited him to throw bull pen with the pro team. That was exciting but the team ran into financial problems and folded. We had the Pirates A team and the Toronto A team for a while but they only lasted a few years.
My son's one teammate's grandfather was a sports photographer for these teams and the Jays, Leafs etc. This alowed us to meet a lot of pro ball players like Vernon Wells,Ryan Freel,Chris Carpenter. There were probably 100 MLB players that we met and hung around with during photo shoots. We went to picnics at the house held for the ball players and got to throw with them. My son was young at the time but it had a big impact.
The whole experience has been amazing.
The pitchers came and ran after stretching and then did longtoss and a bull pen. After that they would practice pick offs and their cuts. If you wanted you could leave after that but we never did . He shagged some balls for BP but no heroics. We just loved being there. My son is a polished control guy who can hit 84 but as a starter tends to pace himself. Days when he feels real strong he throws a lot of FB. 2 years ago we shared the ball park with a Pro team run by Ferggie Jenkins daughter. Ron Davis, former NY middle reliever saw him and invited him to throw bull pen with the pro team. That was exciting but the team ran into financial problems and folded. We had the Pirates A team and the Toronto A team for a while but they only lasted a few years.
My son's one teammate's grandfather was a sports photographer for these teams and the Jays, Leafs etc. This alowed us to meet a lot of pro ball players like Vernon Wells,Ryan Freel,Chris Carpenter. There were probably 100 MLB players that we met and hung around with during photo shoots. We went to picnics at the house held for the ball players and got to throw with them. My son was young at the time but it had a big impact.
The whole experience has been amazing.
There are many valid points addressed on this topic. Regardless, on what your ability is and what level of a team the player plays on, they still need to practice. It just comes down to the percentage of practice and actual game experience.