It would surprise parents and players to know that we are not extremely concerned with results. I think high school players and parents can get a little too caught up in numbers and at least here at Miami, we do not put too much weight in them. A high school player that puts up great numbers does not mean that he will be a great addition to our roster. On the other side of that,…

This story has inspired me to “ bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world”.   By The Numbers: A Truly Touching Baseball Story Father Gabe Costa on CBS New York Below is a “baseball story” which an old friend sent to me a few days ago. I suspect it will get you — right in the heart. At a fundraising dinner for a  school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one…

Just think…maybe one day a glove manufacturer will be begging your young player to wear their glove. Glove day! Like Christmas in February.

Lefty’s first experience in organized baseball…Tee Ball! Hard to believe that it has been four years since this picture. But I love looking at it. I don’t think his passion or focus for the game will ever be captured in a better pic. As the years go on, I do enjoy watching him play more and more. I enjoy seeing him learn the game and play at a higher level. I can’t wait to see…

MLB’s rules committee approved a resolution at December’s winter meetings to ban home plate collisions.  The guidelines designed to eliminate home plate collisions are scheduled to go into effect this season.  In the next few days, MLB will be making teams aware of the new rule.  At this time,  the general understanding that players and coaches are working with is that catchers can’t block the plate and runners must slide and can’t initiate a collision….

The Hammer, The Hook, Uncle Charlie, The Deuce, The Yakker Do you know the recommended age to begin throwing a curveball? Hint:  It is not 8 [WpProQuiz 2]

Would you put your young player in this hat? When it comes to the safety of Lefty, I would say yes. Major League Baseball has approved a product designed to protect pitchers from potentially dangerous line drives hit at them. After testing a number of prototypes from various companies, a padded cap manufactured by the 4Licensing Corporation subsidiary isoBlox will be made available to pitchers at all levels when they report to Spring Training. Use…

As Lefty gets older, I see the need for him to start thinking more about the mental side of the game. Last weekend we were playing in a tournament and I witnessed a few plays that caused some confusion. In baseball you have to be one pitch and one play ahead in your mind. What if the ball is hit to me? What if the runner steals? Questions like these need to be asked before…

What do you do with your player’s old jerseys?  Hang them in the back of the closet?  Put them away in a drawer or box?  Or…make a baseball jersey quilt. A friend of mine did this quilt for her son.  What a great keepsake. Not sure if she does this for others, but if she does, you will have to get in line behind me.

It was 1989 and I was attending a tryout at a local college. I was up on the hill of the main field. There were four coaches sitting on buckets outside the dugout watching my every move while looking at their clipboards trying to find my name and pertinent information. Fellow players were sitting in the dugout sizing me up as their competition to make the team. And in the stands were a dozen parents…

Well, it is that time of year again.  Tryouts for the rec season are just around the corner.  I can honestly say I did not think I would be saying these words for at least a year or two, but here they are.  This year Lefty did not sign up for the local rec league and he will be playing travel ball instead.  This was a big decision for Lefty and TheRustyArm family.  The previous…

Lefty has been using these Total Control weighted balls in pre-game hitting and practice drills for the last month or so.  Already I have seen an improvement in how he drives through the ball and finishes his swing.  He is driving balls to the outfield regularly now which he was not doing before.  These training balls are a really good design that allows you to use a small area.  As your young player swings through…

No batter at any level likes getting hit by a pitch.  But, the truth is it is not if your young player will get hit, it is when.  It is a part of baseball and hitting.  Young players need to learn the proper way to take a hit by pitch and overcome the fear.  I have seen it happen when a player gets to kid pitch, can’t stand in the batter’s box, and soon his…

I witnessed a 10 year old throw 80+ pitches in one game this weekend.  Not just fastballs and changeups, curveballs too! What is your opinion? [poll id=”4″]

Ever hear a coach say something to your player and wonder what the heck that means?  Take this baseball jargon quiz and impress your young player. [WpProQuiz 1]

Every young pitcher (and parents of a young pitcher) should watch this. Ted Berg and Bobby Ojeda take a look at throwing the changeup in The Baseball Show presented by Pepsi MAX.  

At this time of year, the Little League World Series brings youth baseball to the limelight. Lefty plays Pony baseball, not Little League.  Lefty started in Pony baseball for no other reason than there is no Little League in our city.  I would guess that is why most parents have their child in either Little League or Pony.  These are two separate organizations but both provide a great youth baseball experience.  We get asked a…

I know the idea of keeping score in baseball can be intimidating.  When I ask a parent if they would be able to keep score, I see the hesitation and sometimes fear in their eyes.  It’s understandable. If you have never kept score, you have no idea what it entails, what to expect and you may feel too much responsibility.  But, if you are a baseball fan and/or parent, I really think you would get…

What size bat should I buy?  Great question!  I get asked this question often and I by no means consider myself an expert.  I know the size bat Lefty uses but when it comes to this big purchase and choosing a baseball bat,  I think we could all use some help. I prefer not to spend a car payment on a bat for Lefty, but I also want him to have decent bat.  I also…

HOW IT WORKS TheRustyArm:  How many kids usually try out each year? And for how many spots? Coach Dufek:  Typically we get anywhere from 25-30 freshman tryout each year. We will get anywhere from 5-10 upperclassman tryout.  This does not count the returning players from the previous season.  I usually keep anywhere from 16-18 players on each team.  We have three levels at which a player can compete at, Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshman.  Our…

My conversation with Coach Dufek continues. Getting a Spot on the Team TheRustyArm:  How many players do you normally carry on a team? What percentage of them are pitchers? Coach Dufek:  I will carry any where from 16-18 players on each team. Some years we have a couple more or less. I will carry as many quality pitchers as I can. Ideally I would like to have 6 to 7 pitchers on our team. Some…

It’s been a (real) long time since I tried out for my high school baseball team. Makes me wonder what has and hasn’t changed about the steps players take to get there. And if my son, Lefty, wants to play high school ball like I did, is he on the right track for today’s game? Questions like these led me to talk with San Marcos High School’s varsity baseball coach, Jeff Dufek. I thought it…

Lefty is now playing kid pitch baseball.  He has been waiting for kid pitch for a few years now because he has always wanted to pitch.  He is getting his chance and enjoying it.  Now that he is pitching, I started to wonder if I should consider icing his arm and shoulder after he throws.  I was then asked by a couple of parents if they should do the same.  I remember icing my elbow…

Have you ever embarrassed your child by yelling or being a bleacher coach? I have coached Lefty a lot in baseball.  I could spend all day and night coaching him.  Sometimes I wonder if he would rather have me as a coach or just a Dad.  After, and I admit sometimes during, each practice or game, I have to fight back the temptation to keep coaching (a.k.a correcting).  I sometimes bring a book to his practices…

One of my favorite things to watch at a big league game is the players playing long toss.  Does that make me strange?  Whether it is the starting pitcher beginning his warm-ups in the outfield or the position players in front of the dug out.  I enjoy watching this part of their pregame ritual. Besides being a pregame warm-up fan, I believe long toss is the best way to develop arm strength especially in young…