http://hardballcoach.com Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:18:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I’ve been reading up on appropriate distances for pitchers to run in the preseason when I came across two articles by Eric Cressey. Eric is an accomplished trainer who works regularly with baseball players. What I like about Eric’s approach is that he justifies his stance with science and facts which, in the Blogo-sphere, is relatively unusual. Related posts:

1. Preseason Throwing Program for Pitchers
2. Weight Training and Baseball
3. Two-Sport Athletes

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/baseball-conditioning/distance-running-for-pitchers-good-or-bad/

Baseball Training with Kettlebells

Weight Training and Baseball

Distance Running for Pitchers: Good or Bad?

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/baseball-conditioning/seattle-mariners-change-training-routine/ Bryce Harper has made his college debut for the College of Southern Nevada. With nearly 2000 people and 100 scouts in attendance, Harper did not disappoint. In his first game, Harper went 2 for 3 with a RBI followed by a 2 for4 performance with a HR in the following game. Needless to say, the scouts were impressed. SI column here… Las Vegas Sun article.. CSN is streaming all their games on the web Related posts:Bryce Harper Ready for College Ball Bryce Harper Done with High School – Going Pro Next? Bryce Harper Related posts:

1. Bryce Harper Ready for College Ball
2. Bryce Harper Done with High School – Going Pro Next?
3. Bryce Harper

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/featured/bryce-harper-makes-college-debut/ The SEC has announced that they will utilize a shot clock in this years SEC Tournament in hopes of speeding up the game and producing a more fan friendly experience. Pitchers will have 20 seconds in between pitches and only are clocked when there are no runners on base. Violations will result in a ball. There will be a 90 second time limit in between half innings. Related posts:

1. The Physics of Baseball

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/coach-speak/shot-clock-in-ncaa-baseball/ I was watching this video today and it made me think, is this true across all levels of baseball? Cincinnati Reds minor league pitching Coach Mack Jenkins talks about the importance of the catcher calling pitches and not the coach. At the professional level, this may be what works best but at the amateur level this can be disastrous if you have an inexperienced catcher. I call the pitches on my teams and I’ve been blessed with decent catchers. What I do differently is I get input from my catcher. ... Related posts:

1. Framing Pitches
2. Left Out: The Left-Handed Catcher in the MLB
3. Thinking Like a Hitter: The mind of the batter during a pitch

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/featured/who-should-call-pitches/ Earlier in the month, Bryce Harper easily passed his GED and has enrolled College of Southern Nevada to start his collegiate ball. After one season Harper will become eligible for the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft where he is expected to be a top pick. Related posts:

1. Bryce Harper Makes College Debut
2. Bryce Harper Done with High School – Going Pro Next?
3. Bryce Harper

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/coach-speak/bryce-harper-ready-for-college-ball/ Just in time for your holiday parties, here are the best deals for the baseball player in your life. Related posts:

1. Easton Pro Stix Maple 271 Baseball Bat Review
2. This weeks baseball deals August 29, 2009
3. Elements of a Great Baseball Glove

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/reviews/christmas-gifts-for-the-baseball-player/

Putting Players at Ease in the Weight Room

Getting Players in the Weight Room

10 Simple Practice Rules for Success for Players and Coaches

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/coach-speak/dont-overlook-any-of-your-players/

The Science of Catching Flyballs

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/coach-speak/catching-stance/

Better Offense or Better Defense?

Sports Funding

Having a Plan and Sticking to It

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/coach-speak/the-product-of-productive-outs-losses/ Hillerich & Bradsby Company, popularly know for the manufacturing of Louisville Slugger brand bats and baseball/softball equipment was found liable on Wednesday for the the death of an 18 year old baseball player. The death occurred after a batted ball struck Brandon Patch in the back of the head in 2003. Lawyers for the family argued that H & B failed to adequately warn of the dangers of the company's aluminum bats. H & B was ordered to pay the family $793,000 plus an additional $58,000 for the grief and funeral expenses of the family. Related posts:

1. Are Composite Bats on the Way Out?
2. High School Coach Indicted for Players Death

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/featured/hillerich-bradsby-co-louisville-slugger-found-liable-for-death/ Ted Williams Halloween Costume No related posts.]]> http://hardballcoach.com/featured/ted-williams-halloween-costume/ Below is the NFHS Baseball official balk rule. My comments are in red and Feint: deceive by mock action. The debate seems to revolve around the angle in which a pitcher steps to first base. According to the updated rules, a left handed pitcher throwing to 1st base can either step directly towards first base or as much as 45° towards home plate. The same logic applies to throwing to 3rd base by a right handed pitcher. Related posts:

1. Framing Pitches
2. Preseason Throwing Program for Pitchers
3. Distance Running for Pitchers: Good or Bad?

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/reviews/analysis-of-the-balk-rule/ For whatever reason, so far this post-season has been a comedy of errors for the umpires. Over at deadspin.com there is a list of the questionable calls and photographic evidence to prove that the wrong call was indeed made. It's understandable that umpires make mistakes. Some may argue that this is the beauty of baseball but when playoff games are hinging on an umpire getting the call right, the issue must be addressed. Related posts:

1. Framing Pitches

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/featured/no-more-umpires/

10 Simple Practice Rules for Success for Players and Coaches

Top 10 Baseball Exercises – #8 Medicine Ball Throw

Elements of a Great Baseball Glove

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/drills/one-knee-drill/

Stretching – Bad For You?

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/tips/derek-jeter-combats-aging/

10 Simple Practice Rules for Success for Players and Coaches

Sports Funding

Blind Guy Hitting Coach

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/tips/the-basics-of-hitting-video/ Brent Mayne talks about catchers framing pitches. On one hand, framing a pitch may give the pitcher a couple of inches off each side of the plate. The downfall, Mayne explains, is that if the umpire realizes your doing it the pitcher may actually become victim of a shrunken strike zone. Related posts:

1. No More Umpires?
2. Who Should Call Pitches?
3. Thinking Like a Hitter: The mind of the batter during a pitch

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/featured/framing-pitches/ Isokazu Kubota is the man behind the success of Pete Rose and Ichiro. Not really, but he have a hand in their hitting. Kubota is the master bat maker employed by Mizuno, the Japanese athletic equipment manufacturer. Kubota’s bats have won such a following because of his innate knowledge of the character of wood. He can discern the weight, pliancy and even the width of the rings of a piece of wood by look, feel or the knocking sound it makes. He can harvest a dozen or so promising blocks out ... No related posts.]]> http://hardballcoach.com/coach-speak/master-bat-maker/

Eating Right – Finding the Right Diet for the Baseball Player

Dynamic Stretching in Baseball

Diet & Why I Hate Gatorade

]]> http://hardballcoach.com/baseball-conditioning/baseball-nutrition/