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This is the first fall that Lefty decided to play baseball instead of another sport.  I always encouraged Lefty to play multiple sports because I believe it not only helps to build muscles and agility not used in baseball, but it always can prevent the dreaded  baseball burnout.  Cal Ripken states, “I have always recommended that a kid play as many sports as he or she can for the overall athletic benefits that can provide.  Better…

Lefty was playing right field at a recent practice.  The coach hit a ball to the left fielder and Lefty took off towards the ball, sprinting the entire distance of the outfield until he reached left field.  As I watched, I was somewhat amazed at his desire to get to the ball and somewhat shocked at the “swarm” mentality.  I guess I thought that Lefty would innately know that as a right fielder, he does…

The path for a high school player to a four-year school or even to be drafted can be obtained through a junior college.  Not every player with potential is going to be recruited or drafted out of high school.  A junior college program can provide an opportunity for a young player to develop skills, strength and speed.  If you also consider the rising cost of higher education,  I think the junior college route is a…

I admit it, I want my son to perform well. I know. It’s not the most shocking admission in history. I see other parents and know that we all feel the same. But I can honestly say that it’s even more important to me that Lefty enjoys playing and develops a healthy respect for the game. As he continues to play, I hope that he always treats his competitors, his coaches, his teammates, the umpires…

  GameChanger is a mobile app and website that provides scorekeeping, stats, live GameStream plays and game recap stories for thousands of amateur baseball and softball teams.  According to GameChanger, they are on the verge of revolutionizing the world of youth baseball scouting. GameChanger provides comprehensive score keeping for the nation’s youth baseball coaches while offering players’ families a readily accessible mobile scoreboard with live updates. The basic app is free, and a premium version,…

Any suggestions on teaching sliding? It is time to teach Lefty to slide.  Up until now, Lefty has been getting by with a “fake” slide.  He does more of a drop down when he gets close to the base, there is no real SLIDING going on.  I have never spent any time teaching him how to slide.  So I figured now is the time.  I found two large pieces of cardboard.  We put them out…

Have you heard of  “Relative Age Effect” (RAE)? Canadian psychologist Roger Barnsley coined the phrase. He asserts that players whose birthdays are right after their league’s cutoff date have a competitive advantage because they get a little more time than do younger players to physically mature and develop their skills. Barnsley says that a six- to twelve-month age advantage can make a big difference in a child’s physical and mental development–enough to boost that child’s chances…

Do you know which eye is your dominant eye? Here is a simple test: Extend your arms in front of you. Bring your hands together to form a hole that you can look through. Choose a small object about 15 feet away from you. With both eyes open, focus on the object as you look through the hole. Keep looking at the object through the hole while you close one eye and then the other….