Here is the link to the article from the Papillion Times Week 1:
http://www.papilliontimes.com/site/tab6.cfm?newsid=19726373&BRD=2712&PAG=461&dept_id=556342&rfi=6
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
IT TAKES A BLUE COLLAR TEAM TO WIN!
Many people wonder why Nebraska is good this year. Here are some quotes from the Baylor coach at the Big XII tourney on Nebraska.
Steve Smith, Baylor's head coach for the past 13 seasons, obviously has gained a significant amount of respect for Nebraska baseball's style of play over the years.
Sure, Smith says, Nebraska has had some starpower in recent years. However, "The vast majority of their position players are just blue-collar, gutsy guys that compete," he said Wednesday. "That's why I've never understood why people were so hard on them, because they play the game the right way.
"I've got way more talent. I've got WAY more talent -- follow the draft a year from now and you'll see that. I wish I could get my guys to compete day in and day out like those guys do."
IT TAKES A BLUE COLLAR TEAM TO WIN!!!
Steve Smith, Baylor's head coach for the past 13 seasons, obviously has gained a significant amount of respect for Nebraska baseball's style of play over the years.
Sure, Smith says, Nebraska has had some starpower in recent years. However, "The vast majority of their position players are just blue-collar, gutsy guys that compete," he said Wednesday. "That's why I've never understood why people were so hard on them, because they play the game the right way.
"I've got way more talent. I've got WAY more talent -- follow the draft a year from now and you'll see that. I wish I could get my guys to compete day in and day out like those guys do."
IT TAKES A BLUE COLLAR TEAM TO WIN!!!
MUST READ BOOK!
Here is a book that I think every athlete should read! I recommend buying a copy.
MIND GYM by GARY MACK
It is an athletes guide to inner excellence.
Here is the link to check it out and buy it on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0071395970/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link
MIND GYM by GARY MACK
It is an athletes guide to inner excellence.
Here is the link to check it out and buy it on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0071395970/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
SPEED KILLS AND THRILLS!
Great article about Jacoby Ellsbury and the dimension that his baserunning has added to the Red Sox team.
Here are a few quotes from the article:
"I usually try to look at some film and get an understanding of his move to first," said Ellsbury, "not necessarily his time, but what he does with his body when he goes home."
Ellsbury is looking for patterns, something he can use to give him the smallest advantage, the most minuscule edge since, as he notes, almost every stolen base attempt "is bang-bang -- a fraction of a second can make the difference [between being safe or out]."
"You'll see me talking to [Red Sox first base coach Luis Alicea] after every pitch, asking, 'Hey, did you see that?' [In the dugout], I'll watch Coco -- and what the pitcher's trying to do -- or Julio. I don't pay much attention when the big guys who aren't much of a threat are on base because then the pitcher's not using his slide step. Things are different.
It's work, but it's well worth it. Especially when the game is on the line and you get in scoring position. It can be the difference between a win and a loss."
It's work, but it's well worth it. Especially when the game is on the line and you get in scoring position. It can be the difference between a win and a loss."
Here is the link to the full article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=3405138&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos2
Monday, May 19, 2008
GET AHEAD...... THEN GET DIRTY
Get ahead.....then get dirty. That is the philosophy that we want our pitchers to use. Here is a great article from Ryan Sawyers, a pitching coach for Garden City CC. In the article he speaks of the importance of getting ahead with 1st pitch strikes. We definitley agree with the point he is making. And by first pitch strikes we do not mean a fastball, we mean any pitch from your repertoire over the plate to get ahead of the hitter. Getting ahead is the key to successful pitching.
Here is a link to the article: http://www.insidepitching.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=501
Here is a link to the article: http://www.insidepitching.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=501
Friday, May 9, 2008
A true Team Player!
Great article from the May 8th edition of the OWH by Tom Shatel. The article talks about Johnny Dorn and his relationship with ex-husker coach Rob Childress. Dorn is not a great pitcher because he has electric stuff. Dorn is a great pitcher because he is COMPETTITIVE, HARD WORKING, and has great COMMAND. Here are a few great quotes from Dorn, the Huskers' ace pitcher.
"I've always thought, if I could take it back, and be the guy who throws 95, but didn't have to work hard for it, I wouldn't change it," Dorn says. "I'd rather be that guy who was here four years and was known as a good teammate who worked his butt off and earned everything."
Pitching Coach Erik Newman On Dorn:
"His stuff is not above average," Newman said. "But his command is above average, and his competitiveness is above average. That makes it good enough to pitch in the big leagues. Most of the guys up there, the third and fourth starters, throw in the 80's, but they know how to pitch and compete and win."
"He is a tenacious executor of pitches," Newman said. "If I call a breaking ball on a full count, he won't flinch. He'll throw it with the same conviction."
"I've always thought, if I could take it back, and be the guy who throws 95, but didn't have to work hard for it, I wouldn't change it," Dorn says. "I'd rather be that guy who was here four years and was known as a good teammate who worked his butt off and earned everything."
Pitching Coach Erik Newman On Dorn:
"His stuff is not above average," Newman said. "But his command is above average, and his competitiveness is above average. That makes it good enough to pitch in the big leagues. Most of the guys up there, the third and fourth starters, throw in the 80's, but they know how to pitch and compete and win."
"He is a tenacious executor of pitches," Newman said. "If I call a breaking ball on a full count, he won't flinch. He'll throw it with the same conviction."
Staying Positive
Good article about the Creighton baseball team and how their season so far has not quite lived up to their expectations. The article talks about the need to stay positive when going through tough times.
Quote from article:
"Baseball's a weird game — sometimes the breaks go your way, sometimes they don't," Ruf said. "If you let the negative stuff get into your head it can really bring you down."As a player, you need to keep in mind that anything can happen at any given time."
Link to article: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10330362
Quote from article:
"Baseball's a weird game — sometimes the breaks go your way, sometimes they don't," Ruf said. "If you let the negative stuff get into your head it can really bring you down."As a player, you need to keep in mind that anything can happen at any given time."
Link to article: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10330362
Sunday, May 4, 2008
An empty head = a full bat
Here are a few excerpts from a great article on the mental part of hitting. The link to the entire article is available below.
Mental Game Series: AN EMPTY HEAD = A FULL BAT
From Nate Trosky,Carmel Baseball:
• Bend your knees, keep your weight back, stay balanced, take a stride, relax your hands, line up your knuckles, elbow up, elbow down, shoulders level, pull the knob, roll the wrist, no wait a minute - don't roll the wrist!
• A hitter that thinks and hits at the same time is like an eagle trying to catch 2 rabbits at once, ultimately catching no rabbit at all.
• When the head is full, the heart is neglected, reactions are delayed and athleticism is lost. Do all of your thinking outside of the batter's box, at practice, between pitches, and mostly "WHEN THE BALL IS NOT IN FLIGHT!"
• Hitters must learn to keep it simple and to not over think, to trust themselves, to enjoy the game, and to be great competitors.
• Remember that you're an athlete not machine, therefore learn to play the game trusting your athleticism and the hours of hard work you've put forth in preparation.
• "A Full Head Equals an Empty Bat," is a quote from Branch Ricky, one of the greatest baseball minds in the history of the game. Known by millions as "Mr. Baseball," this extraordinary man founded the minor league farm system, the batting cage, the pitching machine, and the batting helmet. Rickey was also one of the greatest contributors to the development of baseball statistics. In 1947, as the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Rickey made his most memorable contribution to the game, signing Jackie Roosevelt Robinson.
Keep it Simple & Learn from the Best
• Yogi Berra – 3 time American League MVP
-"You can't hit and think at the same time. I tried it once, and swung and missed at 3 consecutive pitches!"
Lint to entire article:
http://ssbaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=617130
Mental Game Series: AN EMPTY HEAD = A FULL BAT
From Nate Trosky,Carmel Baseball:
• Bend your knees, keep your weight back, stay balanced, take a stride, relax your hands, line up your knuckles, elbow up, elbow down, shoulders level, pull the knob, roll the wrist, no wait a minute - don't roll the wrist!
• A hitter that thinks and hits at the same time is like an eagle trying to catch 2 rabbits at once, ultimately catching no rabbit at all.
• When the head is full, the heart is neglected, reactions are delayed and athleticism is lost. Do all of your thinking outside of the batter's box, at practice, between pitches, and mostly "WHEN THE BALL IS NOT IN FLIGHT!"
• Hitters must learn to keep it simple and to not over think, to trust themselves, to enjoy the game, and to be great competitors.
• Remember that you're an athlete not machine, therefore learn to play the game trusting your athleticism and the hours of hard work you've put forth in preparation.
• "A Full Head Equals an Empty Bat," is a quote from Branch Ricky, one of the greatest baseball minds in the history of the game. Known by millions as "Mr. Baseball," this extraordinary man founded the minor league farm system, the batting cage, the pitching machine, and the batting helmet. Rickey was also one of the greatest contributors to the development of baseball statistics. In 1947, as the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Rickey made his most memorable contribution to the game, signing Jackie Roosevelt Robinson.
Keep it Simple & Learn from the Best
• Yogi Berra – 3 time American League MVP
-"You can't hit and think at the same time. I tried it once, and swung and missed at 3 consecutive pitches!"
Lint to entire article:
http://ssbaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=617130