The Darndest Thing

Used to Hit 300100+ posts

I have witnessed Steve Sax Syndrome and I am hoping someone might have an answer.

I know a 17 year old recent HS graduate who just cannot hit a target anymore. This is a great kid and what is particularly distressing is this will be his last summer playing baseball and he is not in a position to enjoy it.

I have had the pleasure of coaching him (not the problem) for most of the last ten years. He is a lefty pitcher, smaller for his age and not overpowering, but mechanically sound and well trained. The kid used to be able to hit a postage stamp from 100 feet. Now, every throw, whether a pitch or just playing catch, is an adventure. This started this past spring during the HS season.

This board has been a tremendous resource to me and others. A HSBBW site search came up empty for Steve Sax or SSSyndrome. If anybody has any leads, thoughts or credible advice to finding some sort of solution, I truly thank you in advance.

6/15/095:44 PM

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itsrosy1,000+ posts

Try this. Walter Herbison, a southern gentleman who has worked with some of the great teams in the SEC back to LSU's gorilla ball era, has helped countless players. He is a brilliant man, IMO.
walter@headgames.com
1-888-270-9130

It might only take one telephone session to help this young man. Good luck to him.

6/15/097:01 PM

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Playball2100+ posts

Tell him keep his eyes down until he has to pick up the target, often times kids that focus for extended into periods of time allow negative thoughts into come to their mind. Also negative thoughts effect the feel, so mechanical nothing feels right. he may need to go back to basic drils (wrist flip, one knee, etc.) Lastly, challenge him to throw with his eyes closed. Good luck

6/15/097:57 PM

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FastballDad1,000+ posts

I'd try this:

Give him a week to ten days without touching a baseball, or for that matter even going to practice or games.

Sometimes the more you work at it and think about it, a mental issue is only going to get worse and this kind of thing is obviously in his head.

6/16/098:55 AM

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PGStaff10,000+ posts

You might want to try this. Tell him to throw and think with his belly! When a pitcher can control his belly button or belt buckle he will throw with more velocity and better control. Also the concentration being focused on the belly takes away concentration focused on the arm and allows the mind to be clear negative thoughts. It allows the mechanics to be more consistent. It's actually (in part) a martial arts technique and mentality.

Not saying it is as simple as I am making it sound, but this technique has worked for many.

6/16/099:25 AM

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gotwood4sale10,000+ posts

.

OK PG, I've got the belt buckles and certainly enough belly...

...now tell me about this game you call baseball.

It involves thinking?

With my belly?

Woody, if thoughts come from the belly, thinking with that belly would give Einstein a run for his money.

6/16/0910:53 PM

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gotwood4sale10,000+ posts

CAUTION: If c approaches an astronomical amount (think Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi @ Nathan's) or if m nears the inverse to the box office take of Will Ferrell's Land of the Lost then E becomes a rather worrisome number that not even the bean counters at the CBO can fathom.

Should this occur you must seek shelter behind the most substantial object in the vicinity. And although I would be considered the most substantial object to provide you safety, my soon-to-snap waistband clearly has me on the top of OSHA's watch list and therefore quite hazardous.

6/17/098:07 AM