Connecting Coaches, Parents and Players
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…
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“A guy that’s very easy to like on and off the field, …the grinder, Matt Long.” Taylor Ward Scout.com “Hey Matt, will you take a picture with my son?” As I shouted those words at the Peoria Sports complex back in March, I was not sure if I would get the photo. But true to everything I have read about Matt Long, he walked over, put an arm around Lefty and I got this photo….
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Okay, I admit it. I am kind of a cheese-ball when it comes to pre-game preparation for Lefty. Maybe it is because I enjoyed the pre-game rituals when I was playing. What player at any age doesn’t enjoy the routine of gearing up and putting on the uniform? Or maybe it is because we usually have to leave at zero dark thirty for weekend games and I have to get Lefty’s gear ready the night…
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Just think…maybe one day a glove manufacturer will be begging your young player to wear their glove. Glove day! Like Christmas in February.
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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…
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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….
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Stepping into the batter’s box and facing live pitching takes confidence. The transition from machine pitch to live pitching can be stressful for young players. No one at any level likes being hit by a pitch, but it happens . Overcoming the fear is key for young hitters. From the time I started throwing wiffle balls to Lefty for batting practice, I would intentionally let one get away and hit him with the wiffle ball….
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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]
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I find this article by Bill Ripken (Ripken Baseball) thought-provoking. The fact that his dad, Cal Sr. – a manager in Major League Baseball, did not pressure his sons to play, is incredible to me. I hope Lefty feels this way years from now. The Role of Parents By Bill Ripken Every parent wants the best for their child, there’s no doubt about that. But we as parents can sometimes put unnecessary pressure on our…
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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…
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