The 10 step process for taking leads and getting back

Stupid mistakes at the bases, even at the MLB level, often are a result of one or more things that were ignored or not performed correctly.  Below are the ten steps that base runners should be working their way through on every pitch.  There could be a number of additional details within many of the […]

The ball travels faster than your glove

When the game gets faster at each higher level, the smaller details of every play become magnified.  Minor flaws in a batter’s swing get exposed.  Missing your release point by a half an inch causes your curveball to hang.  Taking a little too big of a loop around first base causes a runner to be […]

Positive and Negative symptoms

In the area of psychological disorders, you will often see both “positive” and “negative” symptoms from the person suffering from the disorder.  The mistake that people (and students) make about “positive” and “negative” symptoms is that they think of it as “good” symptoms vs “bad” symptoms.  That is incorrect.  You have to think of them […]

The immortal Bartolo Colon

45 year old Bartolo Colon almost threw a perfect game last night against the World Champion Houston Astros.  “Big Sexy” finished with 7 strikeouts and gave up one hit in 7 2/3 of work.  It’s amazing that any MLB pitcher does that given the talent and information batters have today at that level let alone […]

Improving the 3-1 play

A ball is hit to the first baseman and the pitcher runs over to cover the bag.  The first baseman flips the ball to the pitcher for a routine out.  Seems pretty easy. Of course, that’s until you actually see teams try to do it in games and in practice.  You’d think it would be […]

Good approaches and good swings

I had the pleasure of accompanying a high school team to South Carolina last week over the Easter Break.  It was wonderful for many reasons but mainly because I didn’t have to stress over all the things a head coach has to deal with.  I was able to roam around to various players and offer […]

Adding vs Subtracting steps for infielders

When I work with young infielders, I always coach them as if they are shortstops.  I do this because a shortstop typically has to have the most efficient footwork of all the fielders.  Shortstops have the longest throw to first base and are often the farthest from the batter.  Add those two realities together and […]