Reno Baseball Blog

Reno Baseball Blog

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Rod Carew's hitting tips.

Rod Carew has a new product and website called the GAPHitter.

IMO, kind of a weak product but anything that gets kids swinging the bat with a moving target and I'm all for it.

But, Rod Carew is posting hitting tips on the site.

Here is the 10 important keys to hitting:


The Art & Science of Hitting by Rod Carew

Editor's Note:
Rod Carew was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He won seven American League batting titles and retired with 3,053 career hits. One of baseball's most sought-after hitting instructors, Carew has seen players such as Jim Edmonds, Garrett Anderson, Troy Glaus, Darin Erstad and Torii Hunter blossom under his watchful eye.
Rod’s useful hitting tips on becoming a great hitter will appear regularly atwww.rodcarewbaseball.com. 
In the 43 years since I debuted in Major League Baseball, I've watched thousands of great and not-so-great hitters. I've seen what works and what doesn't, and I've sought to understand the fundamentals of success and failure. I've spent thousands of hours experimenting, watching video tape and refining my own hitting techniques. In the end, I've developed a few basic beliefs, and 10 important keys to good hitting.

Do not fear the baseball. The greatest asset any hitter can have is to be fearless at the plate. You can't be afraid of being hit by the ball if you want to be a good hitter.

Stay within yourself. Know who you are as a hitter, your strengths and weaknesses, and play within your ability.

Use your hands. Become an “aggressive hands” hitter. This allows you to wait longer on the pitch and react to changes in pitch direction, both horizontally and vertically in the strike zone.

Be confident at the plate. Know what you want to do when you get up to home plate. Combine purpose and discipline. Control the confrontation, do what you want to do, not what the pitcher wants you to do.

Stay flexible. You can't be static in the batter's box. You must be able to keep your stance and outlook flexible enough to react to different pitches and situations.

Practice makes perfect. Work hard to hone your skills, to fine-tune fundamentals. Be willing to pay the price of success, to put in the time necessary to complete against those athletes who pride themselves on having a strong work ethic. Because Coach John Wooden says, “perfect practice makes perfect,” I like to teach on a training aid called The Game and Practice (GAP) Hitter.

Hit the ball where it's pitched. Learn to utilize the entire field, foul line to foul line. Learn to hit the ball pitched down the middle through the middle, to pull the inside pitch, to slap the outside pitch the other way.

Be aggressive. Swing to make solid contact, to hit through the baseball, remembering not to become so aggressive you begin swinging at bad pitches and start pulling the ball.

Develop a one-component swing. Strive to swing in one fluid motion, with all of your body parts functioning together. Avoid the step-turn-swing approach to hitting.

Stay in shape. Work year-round to get – and keep - your body in shape, to draw the most out of your physical abilities."

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Long Toss programs

There are many long toss programs available.

I'm a big proponent of long toss for arm development and this video from Yaeger Sports emphasizes the important part of being loose and flexible.  Note:  It is a rapid progression in the video and should never be attempted by someone just starting out.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Put the ball in play.

This is an update from CBS Sportsline.


"Braves 2B Martin Prado is now 11 for 19 (.579) over his last four games. Prado went 3 for 5 on Wednesday against the Rays and has three three-hit games in his last four contests. He had two hits in the other one. Prado has four three-hit games in his last six. He's batting .338 on the year. Prado increased his NL hits lead to 95. "First of all, you've got to be patient," Prado said. "Just hit it somewhere. No secret."


I spent the whole year telling my team "When you put the ball in play, good things happen."  I don't care what level you are playing at, that saying applies.  "Just hit it somewhere. No secret."






Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Bat deals

End of the season and I'm looking for some bat reviews.  Price point under $100.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Great give back to the community.

From the area in Northern California from which I came..

www.winecountrybaseball.com


"In 2000 Leonhardt founded Leonhardt Vineyards a grower and producer of red wines in Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County, California (www.leonhardtvineyards.com). In 2009 in their first try their wine won a Gold Medal at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Leonhardt Vineyards provides a minimum of 25% of it's profits to charitable causes. They founded in 2009 Wine Country Old Fashioned Baseball League with 8 teams in Sonoma County and 4 team teams in Napa County (www.winecountrybaseball.com). 50% of the gate and concession profits from each game goes towards supporting local charitable causes. The league is working to secure 10% celebrity owners for each team to help bring attention to the charitable causes. Leonhardt Vineyards announced spring of 2010 a sponsorship relationship with the San Francisco Giants Baseball Club which includes two large panel advertisement boards behind home plate at the team's AT&T Park. Both the vineyard and the baseball league has booked a full page advertisement in the June issue of Wine Spectator."

50%!!!! of the gate goes towards a local charitable cause!! Wow. Play baseball, or watch as a fan, and help the local communities.. Incredible concept.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

More summer camps.


Baseball Camps this Summer!

**Please use the  Code: PCSCR10  during registration**

    
  BEST IN THE WEST CATCHERS CAMP
WHEN:  June 28-30, 2010 (8:00am-12:00pm Daily)
WHERE:  Wooster High School Facilities
AGES:  Baseball & Softball Catchers 8-15
COST:  $200.00 per player

     SPARKS SUMMER BASEBALL CAMP
WHEN:  July 12-16, 2010 (9:00am—2:00pm Daily)
WHERE:  Shadow Mountain Baseball Complex
AGES:  8-12
COST:  $135.00-$200.00 per player

  SOUTH RENO SUMMER BASEBALL CAMP
WHEN:  July 26 –30, 2010 (9:00am—2:00pm Daily)
(NEW!)  WHERE:  Damonte Ranch High School Facilities
AGES:  8-13
COST:  $135.00-$200.00 per player

  CARSON CITY SUMMER BASEBALL CAMP
WHEN:  August 2-6, 2010 (9:00am—2:00pm Daily)
WHERE:  Governor’s Fields Baseball Complex
AGES:  8-13
COST:  $135.00-$200.00 per player


www.gamerbaseball.com
775.997.9541

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Activity Emporium has awesome frames!

www.activityemporium.com

Great frames to honor your coach, your team, or your all-star! Many sports to choose from.

http://www.activityemporium.com/Baseball-Framed-Sports-Display-p-100001.html

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Endless summer?

Your season is either winding down or over already.  When it's over, does your bat and ball go into the garage only to be picked up next year?

What happened to endless summers and pickup games at the park?  Whiffle ball tournaments until it got hot then the river or pool followed by a home run derby into the darkness?  Over the line with your best bud and little brother?  Lefties having to go opposite field because the other guys were tired of switching for you?  Stirkeout with a tennis ball on the LL field when you were in Babe Ruth?

In this age of kid safety, endless training, one sport dedication and tournament teams, are our kids missing the most important things?  Like being a kid for the summer?

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye.. You have no emotions..