Most Valuable Player

A pick-off is an outcome, not a move: Stay with me as this is one of those “stop and think” moments. A runner gets picked off when they are not paying attention. I am talking about when you actually pick them off, not the time they were stealing on first move. Quite honestly the number of runners picked off based upon the number of pick-off attempts is small.

I’ve never really studied it, but I am guessing there are more errant throws, where the runner ends up taking two bases, compared to the runners picked off. So, with that being the case, let’s change the way we think!

The sole purpose of the “pick-off” is to giving your catcher a chance to throw out the runner by keeping him close, or at least leaning back towards the base. Guess changing pick off to “holding the runner on” or “keep him close” might be verbally cumbersome.

So let’s agree we don’t care what we call it, we just need to give your catcher a chance. I have said it before this game is simple so play it that way! Do so by considering the overall situation:

• The score
• The count
• The other team’s approach to running

Whether you, as the pitcher, decides or the coach makes the call, decide where you are going to throw before you go into your stretch.

Too many pitchers waste to much mental energy on the base runner and forget the person at the plate. They give up an extra base hit worrying about a runner who is already on. Do your job; keep it simple make your choice:

• I am throwing home
• Or I am throwing over

STEP OFF if he has too big a lead if you had planned to throw home. It accomplishes what you  want and allows you to reassess the situation without a throw.

I have witnessed too many miscues when a pitcher reacts and makes a throw over emotionally versus mentally. Bouncing the ball over there, throwing it into the stands, or worse, the errant throw staying in the park rolling down the line allowing the runner to advance multiple bases – maybe even score.

So the next time a runner gets on, accept it as part of the game; Remaining focused on the job at hand; the batter at the plate and in the right situation, keeping the runner close.

Not to sound like a broken record, but this game is simple, do your job, pitch, and the rest is up to your catcher.

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

Very early in my coaching career I was fortunate to have a son, who, at 10 years old questioned everything!

Like most I felt my son’s questions were a test of my patience, but when he asked, “How long do I wait?” during a hitting drill, I realized what I was saying sounded very “baseball-ish,” but I realized I did not have an answer to his question. As I was turning around to respond, I wouldn’t call it an epiphany, but my son helped me recognize what I was saying did not make sense.

Wow, and I thought I was the coach.

Guess we all need to be questioned now and then!

It is true, a physical technique, or approach (style), is necessary, but our technique is what should be controlled by knowledge! Knowledge of what it takes [action] to hit the ball versus spending so much time discussing a descriptive how to hit a ball.

Think about it. If you place a kid in the outfield and ask them to throw the ball all the way to the catcher without it bouncing, move them to second base and ask them to do the same thing, and finally from the pitcher’s mound; Ask them, “How do you know how hard to throw it each time?” their response is likely, “I don’t know, I just do it!”

Honestly, when it comes to hitting, “I don’t know, I just do it” is the response you are looking for.

Knowledge or allowing your brain to take over using what you know, is where the “how” comes from. Once you have the knowledge, then letting their super computer make it happen.

I call it “Hitting in Auto Pilot” Simply knowing what it takes to hit a baseball and leaving the decision of “how” to their brain.

Quite frankly, hitting truly is simple once a player blocks out all the fallacies (“hips versus hands,” “hands versus hits,” “linear versus rotational,” “knob to the ball,” “throw your hands at the ball,” stay inside the ball,” “let it get in on you,” and oh yeah, “wait longer”) and mentally start focusing on the actions it takes to hit the ball.

If you need a refresher on what Actions it takes to hit a ball, then I recommend, “Hitting is Simple…Have You Figured it Out Yet?”

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

 

“Outfielders and Pitchers; get to the Outfield!” Two hours later, when BP is finally over, they do a quick infield/outfield before the practice ends. If your son’s an outfielder you are probably used to this. The infield get 300 grounders while outfielders practice consist of what flies caught during batting practice and the 4 or 5 flies during infield/outfield. There is more to playing the outfield than being able to catch a fly ball. In fact, the same footwork most teams practice over and over with their infielders is just as critical in the outfield. Most teams just fail to practice it. I would be the first to tell a player baseball is a hitting-pitching game, but the paradox comes into play by assuming we know how to play defense –We know how to play the outfield. So, rather than get upset because your team doesn’t practice outfield play, I recommend you spend 15 minutes before a game or practice improving your footwork. Simple drills such as: Surrounding the Ball – Hit to your Right; Hit to your Left This is one of the most critical drills an outfielder should do daily! It’s simple, yet counter intuitive to the sports/games we normally play [e.g. football, basketball, soccer (yep, I said the “S” word; what the heck, might as well add in Lacrosse). Even the basic game of “keep away” involves catching the ball and keep on running. Outfield play is different. Whenever possible you want to be facing the infield and in position to catch the ball on your throwing arm side and in position to make a throw quickly. Recognizing a runner cannot advance until after you have caught the ball and by facing the infield provides you the opportunity to redirect the your throw if necessary. Drill:

• Outfielder positioned in-line with two cones – approximately 5 feet apart
• In-line, approximately 3 feet away, and facing the Outfielder, a coach or another player presents the baseball chest high.
• In a fluid motion, the coach or player drops down and lightly tosses the ball up to one side (right or left cone), throwing 5 on one side, then switching to the other side.
• Since quick feet and surrounding the ball is the purpose of the drill the ball should only go about 7-8 feet in the air.
• In parallel with the person tossing the ball, the outfielder should REACT quickly to first movement:
• Take a stagger step backwards and come around the CONE; mentally and physically positioning them to catch the ball on their throwing arm side.

FOCUS: – The quicker the stagger step, the more likely you will catch the ball up high and on your throwing arm side. After 5 on one side, switch to the other side. Over your head, but staying in the park – Sneak-a-Peek Catching a ball over your head in many cases is a difference maker, but I have witnessed too many times these spectacular plays are really the result of playing the ball incorrectly. The majority of outfielders are so afraid of losing sight of the ball they run sideways after it. They are also the outfielders who have witnessed “circus music, turning with their shoulders and spinning around and around…” Yet when I ask them “would they run sideways if I offer them a million dollars to run from here to there in a specific time,” almost laughingly they said, “No!” This is further compounded by the fact most outfielders forget they have a neck. They use their shoulders to position them versus Sneaking-a-Peek just by turning their neck. Your brain is pretty good. So, when a ball is crushed over your head, turn and run. As you are running turn your neck and sneak a peek [which side? You pick.]

• If you DO NOT see the full ball, turn the opposite side to catch the ball.
• If you DO see the full ball, turn that way to catch the ball.

Before you think it, I have been asked, “Coach, what happens if I don’t see the ball at all?” DUCK! Could this happen? I am guessing it has, but most outfielders start off running at an angle they feel the most comfortable catching the ball, positioning them self either to the right or left of the ball’s trajectory. So, let’s get to the drill. Drill:

• In-line, approximately 3 feet away, and facing the Outfielder
• Say go and the Outfielder takes off running.
• Two to three steps into their stride, underhand the ball in the air to either their right or left side

FOCUS: Establish a New Habit of using their Neck versus their shoulders to Sneak-a-Peek and find the baseball. The more you do this drill the more it will become second nature and the closer you will become a person who knows how to play outfield. Playing the Wall Too many outfielders, especially the side-runners, fail at playing the ball at or near the wall. They collide or slow down before they get to the wall allowing a catchable to drop. You can give credit to the hitter, or even lay blame on the pitcher, but the difference maker is the one who catches the ball versus letting it drop. Which type of outfielder are you? Playing the wall is exactly like a ball hit over your head; with one exception; there is a chance this ball may be a homerun. With that knowledge the approach is really quite simple. Sprint to and grab hold of the fence with your throwing hand, then find the baseball. Once at the fence you are faced with three options:

1. Jump or climb the fence to make a play on the ball [everyone likes to steal a homerun!]
2. Move to the ball, catching the ball in front of the fence, to your left, right, or in front of you
3. Play the ball off the fence by backing off 5-6 feet, fielding the carom, turning and throwing the ball back into the infield

DRILL:

• In-line, approximately 30 feet away from the wall, and facing the Outfielder
• Say go and the Outfielder takes off running towards the fence. Grabbing the fence with their throwing hand
• Two to three steps into their stride, underhand the ball in the air. Mixing them up; offering each of the three options. Focus is to grab a hold of the fence and become comfortable to make the right decision.
• Coming off the fence: Ball in the air to their left, right, and in front of them
• Jumping or Climbing the Fence. Throwing the ball high they have to jump or climb the wall to make the catch
• Playing the ball off the wall: Throw the ball to the top of the fence, or even over the fence, teaching the outfielder to recognize it and move off the fence in preparation to catch the carom.

FOCUS: Each outfielder needs to recognize getting to the fence places them in total control and allows them the opportunity to react and make the right decision. Integrating the wall drill into their pre-game, pre-practice warm up will create a comfort feeling allowing every outfielder to make big time plays versus hesitating, or worse, colliding with the wall. At the end of the day every player needs to become their own coach. This prepares you for college, but more importantly, this mindset prepares players when it matters the most, minor league baseball. My statement still rings true, “if you want to play college baseball, BE GOOD.” If you want to play college baseball, be a player “Who knows how to play the Outfield!” Uncertain, then I recommend you CLICK Here to get Evaluated and find out what you need to work on.

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

 

It’s funny how calling for a sacrifice bunt receives the same reactions as a Scary movie. Imagine a combination of eyes rolling back into their heads, facial contortions evolving into a look as if they smell something awful. The creative ones take a more tactical approach by acting dumb. Rolling their hand asking for the sign again and again as if the more they asked, the likelihood it would go away.

Now I do prefer kids to swing the bat, but a sacrifice bunt does have a role in baseball. Even though it appears to go against the art of hitting, there are times sacrificing an at-bat makes sense in an effort to score one more run than the opposing team [e.g., moving a runner into scoring position or a safety or suicide squeeze]. When you consider the numerous ways a player can get themselves out, not to mention striking out, I am sure you agree there are times a sacrifice makes sense.

Maybe it’s the word sacrifice no one likes?

C’mon, when done right it does not affect your batting average, so, don’t be“skerd! View sacrifice bunting as good for you, and good for your team.

Was that a sigh of relief I just heard?

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

Not to Swing. [Boo, Hiss] I agree game situation is something to consider, but most coaches will justify not having him swing based on, “The odds are in the hitter’s favor they will reach first base on a walk.” When the real reason is because the coach does not trust the hitter’s ability to make a good decision. 

It is true most hitters are not comfortable swinging in a 3-0 count. Why, we have programmed them that way. You ask what to do on a 3-0 count and their immediate response is, “Take a Pitch,” robotically. They don’t know why and when pressed the best answer they give is, that’s what the coach calls all the time. In defense, it is true most hitters have no idea what pitch they can hit for a double or more, and just as robotically as their answer regarding taking a pitch too many hitters just swing at strikes. Why? Cause it’s a strike, without any recognition it only takes one pitch to hit the ball. It’s almost a fear of failure thing. Who wants to make an out after they get the count to 3-0. So the safe thing is to not swing until they have too!

Result: Most hitters get the Take-Sign.

Yet when you think about it, a 3-0 count may be one of the best hitting opportunities in a sport based upon the battle between the hitter and a pitcher.

It is true it only takes one pitch to hit a baseball, but a 3-0 count is a unique situation where the hitter is in charge (Bear in mind I believe the hitter always has the edge, but that is another blog).  Learn to make the right decision versus worrying about whether you are going to make an out or not! A ball we have a walk, a strike we still have two more opportunities to decide. Know your pitch and look for it!

To Swing; Be confident enough to hit with your brain versus emotions creates opportunities for  the coach, as well the hitter. Now both can respond according to the game situation versus having a coach debate whether his hitter will make a good decision at the plate or not. Tell them to be smart versus an automatic Take Sign. A hitter’s knowledge of the strike zone and his pitch is powerful when combined with the trust of a coach.

I could make an argument more pressure is on the pitcher therefore he is likely to serve it up, so take advantage and swing at your pitch! A smart hitter creates the opportunity to break a game wide open.

Result: Want to tilt the odds in your favor as a hitter, check out “Hitting is Simple…Have You Figured It Out Yet?”

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

 

I truly believe a curve is a homerun pitch, provided a player knows how to hit. That is the dilemma. The majority of coaches, knowing that most high school pitcher’s curves are not the best, convince their players to not swing.

Question; “When are they going to learn how to hit a curve; when the pitchers learn to throw it better?”

As Cato said in “A Tragedy,” by Joseph Addison,  “He who hesitates is lost.” In fact one of my player’s father, who played minor league ball, said he was asked during a job interview, “Why did you leave your last job?” Without hesitation he responded, “I couldn’t hit a curve ball!”

I hate it when someone transfers blame, but most of what these players are doing to hit a curve sounds right, but…it’s not! What they say, what they hear sounds very “baseballish,” but when put to a test it really is generic rah-rah. Making no sense.

Here are a couple curve ball favorites.

• Wait longer
• Let it get in on you
• Take it the other way”

Next time you are told to wait, ask a simple question, “How long do I wait when it comes to hitting a curve ball?” Better yet, pretend a young kid looking for guidance asks you the question, what’s your answer?

For most, this is the first time they’ve actually stopped and questioned their approach to hitting a curveball. In fact this is the first time they realized they really didn’t know how to hit a curve, much less answer the question, “how long should they wait?” Hmmm, no wonder hitting instructors are financially happy during the off- season. Before you transfer blame, take a long look in the mirror and you will find where the fault lies. It’s your acceptance without understanding.

Hitting a curve ball is simple, provided you turn the hitting decision making process over to your super computer; your brain. Fill it with the right knowledge about hitting then ask, where’s this pitch? Based upon your true understanding of what it takes to hit a curve, your brain recognizes the pitch as a curve and starts your swing after the break. Dropping the barrel of the bat onto, and going up, the same plane the curve is going down. It’s out-of-here!

Hitting truly is simple, but most fail to understand so they fail to believe it. Glenn Moore, author of “Handbook for Success,” said it best.

“The problem facing most athletes is not that their aim is so high they may miss it, but that it is so low that they are sure they hit it.”

It is true a player will never miss hit a curve by never swinging at one, but I also believe never learning how to hit the curve will limit the length of time they will play the game.”

Fill your brain with true hitting knowledge, eliminate the meaningless statements, and place your brain in autopilot. [e.g., Hitting is Simple…Have You Figured it Out Yet?]

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

Maybe if you have been playing in the Major Leagues for a long time, but a 300 batting in high school or over the summer is not generally enough to generate attention. I am a bit older…okay a lot older, but I really do believe I could bat 300 in high school. [Can I get an invisible runner?]

My point, aim higher!!!!!

Acceptance of failure has tainted the way many approach this game. I would even go so far and state focusing the game around failure creates an air of mediocrity; Mediocrity with the players, and mediocrity with the coaches. It becomes our approach, our excuse, basically a justified contentment with almost everything with this sport.

“We’re young,” becomes an acceptable excuse when it comes to describing why a team loses a game or has a losing record. Remember there are times a player needs to fail to get better. Instead of describing or justifying failure with an adjective, use a verb to identify what a player needs to do to improve.

Fix things!

This game is not that complicated, we just confuse the heck out of them. On one side we say, “Don’t transfer blame,” but when it comes to hitting we accept mediocrity and justify versus fixing why we failed. Since I believe every player should learn to become their own coach, do not mistake what I am saying; as Glen Ballard’s song goes, “Want to make a change; start with the [person] in the mirror.”

Learn what it takes to become a quality hitter, then make the knowledge your own. Use each failure as an opportunity to get better by making adjustments. Share your own knowledge with yourself versus running to a hitting coach every time you fail at the plate.

“Hitting is Simple…Have You Figured it Out Yet?”

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

Run downs usually occur when the defense has done something mentally correct [e.g., hit their cut-off, keeping the double play in tact, or picked a runner off] and in fairness to the offense let’s concede their hiccup could have been physical [e.g., they fell] as much mental. Either way you now have a runner in a “Run-Down.”

Initially the Run-Downs seem to catch everyone off guard, starting off slow.  The runner takes off in one direction only to come to a screeching halt, turn, and take off in the opposite direction. Done correctly they end pretty quick, almost as soon as the runner realizes they messed up.

Now I have never performed an actual calculation, but I truly believe increasing the number of throws during a Run-Down increases the odds the runner will be safe. It certainly creates more opportunities for mistakes. A slight defensive hesitation and let the “Cat-N-Mouse” games begin!

Excluding errant throws, which may be a result of one of the options listed below, most players approach Run-Downs one of three ways.

• Emotionally
• Complacency
• Mentally

When the defense approaches a Run Down emotionally, the runner is in control. Basically the defense reacts to the runner versus taking charge. Always a step behind, yet they want there throw to beat the runner only to find he is heading in the opposite direction. This usually results in an errant throw unless the runner is just as emotional [e.g., a bit out of control], tired and gives up.

Complacency during a Run-Down usually results in interference or no one covering a base. Defense is technically sound, but they fail to take control. Like a machine they display the Ball-up, throw once the runner commits, automatically following his throw just as he has done a 1000 times, but satisfied he has done his part he collides with the runner. This contentment, or going through the motions, can actually be worse! Lazily you follow your throw, only to find he has gotten by you and is safe.

Imagine a run scoring on a Run-Down between third and home.

Mentally is the only way to approach a Run-Down. It may appear obvious, but to keep emotion and complacency at bay, a player needs to remember it’s the runner that made the mistake, not you. So stay in control.

• Get the ball to your teammate between the runner and the base he is attempting to advance to.
• Under control, arm up, ball facing the runner and capable of an accurate throw with the snap of the wrist, walk him back towards the base he came from.
• Narrow the gap, firmly tossing your teammate the ball when close enough or when the runner has committed, then follow your throw by sprinting in a wide semi-circle (avoiding the runner).
• Position yourself in line with the player you threw the ball to.

In most cases the runner will be out in two throws, but the maximum should be three. Just remember to stay calm, position yourself [glove side/throwing arm side] and avoid the runner. Again, ensure the best of the worst is when the runner is safe at the base they started from.

Just never let them advance!

Share this Blog and others with your friends, family, and teammates.

Most Valuable Player is an organization designed to guide players and their families every step of the way. From playing the game mentally, to helping them find the right place for their son during the college recruitment process.

Until next blog!

Al McCormick

Glenn Moore stated emotions smudge an athlete’s mental picture, clouding their thoughts, as well their ability to visually focus on the right things.

Whether it is the coach yelling, “Will you please throw strikes,” or just a good case of “fear of failure,” most pitchers allow emotion to take over and loose site of what it means to hit spots.

“Gulp,” is a typical emotional expression by a pitcher when a 6’4”/240 pound batter steps up to the plate. Emotionally losing sight instead of determining where to pitch. He sees size versus the batter’s weaknesses and convinced himself a particular outcome is inevitable.

• “He’s a monster, regardless of what pitch I throw he will hit it 500 feet!”
• “He’s leading the county, the state, the country in hitting, therefore he never makes an out!”

With these thoughts it should be no surprise they are likely to serve it up, he will hit a bomb, and followed by complete justification, “the kid is a stud!”

Even though baseball has evolved into a hitting/pitching game, which refers to techniques and mechanics, emotions cause pitchers to lose sight of this and focus more on who the hitter is.

When a pitcher focuses on the wrong things, he has the tendency to make his job more complicated. He attempts to “paint the black,” versus throwing the ball on outer third of the plate; He starts aiming versus pitching.

What is scary, getting a hitter in a 0-2 count can create this same negative thought patterns. The fear of failure echoes the coach’s voice, “Never give them something to hit in a 0-2 count.” Instead of throwing a pitch either to difficult to hit, or slightly out of the strike zone [let him chase if he wants to] we make the coach happy. Throwing it a foot off the plate, next thing you know the count is 2-2. Ah, again success is a relative term.

STOP! Recognize and take ownership of your thoughts, your emotions, and yes, your hiccups. Your job is to hit your spots and get outs! The sooner a pitcher realizes “Strikes are an OUTCOME of Good Mechanics,” the sooner he will realize his job is to spot the ball to create outs [grounder, fly, strikeout]. Work on being able to spot your fastball, where you want it and be able to do it as often as you can.

You show me a pitcher who can spot his fastball and I will show you a pitcher who views a hitter as a potential out instead of someone who is huge or can hit.

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

A college coach made a statement that troubled me for years. “LAX and Soccer is not killing baseball and softball, poor coaching is!”

As I discussed creating passion for the game of baseball and the college coach’s comment with a psychiatrist, she stated we are designed to, “like things we are good at.” Interesting, we establish whether we are good at something based upon how others perceive us.

The realization an athlete determines whether they are good at something based upon how others perceive them is critical to revitalizing the Passion in this sport! Specifically the job of the coach, the parents, and yes, the player is to find the map, the directions, and truly understand what it takes to get better.

If we constructively assess our approach to coaching this game (a player should learn to be his own coach) I understand what the college coach meant by saying poor coaching is killing baseball and softball. I also believe most would agree, we fail at this [e.g., coaches, parents, and player].

Coaches ask yourself, are you yelling meaningless statements, “Will you please throw strikes,” “Wait longer,” or “Let it get in on you,” at our players in a “do as I say, not as I do” approach. If they don’t get it, we yell louder or make them run.

Parents, whether we understand what the coach was ranting about or not, do you rehash all the mistakes inning by inning? Critiquing every move our athlete makes during the game. “Keep your hands back,” “Finish,” “Bend your back on that pitch,” “Don’t be afraid to swing”… and continuing this litany of the failures from the moment he gets into the car throughout the ride home

I don’t know about you, but I am not feeling good yet.

It’s the player’s fault also. He gets a new computer game or layout and he will ask a ton of questions. Questions to help him understand the objective of the game, what techniques work the best, and ensure he has a complete understanding of his opponent. Yet when it comes to baseball, they seem to go through the motions, emulating what others are doing, in an effort to make it through practice or a game without getting yelled at.

“Simulate what is asked and maybe I won’t get yelled at.” No wonder we have robots that are not passionate about the game.

Coaches need to truly understand all aspects of the game. Coach the game as a teacher conveying knowledge versus doing it my way because you played it. Ensure it makes sense to the athlete you are coaching and work with them, recognizing they will make mistakes before they can get better.

Parents need to make the ride home educational, creating desire to learn from mistakes with the focus on getting better. Motivate your son into wanting to get better by asking questions versus giving opinions, opinions he is likely to interpret as reprimands.

Players need to eliminate words like “My-Bad,” and “you pick an explicative” when they fail. Quit transferring blame and get better. View every mistake as an opportunity to improve. If you don’t understand what it takes to get better start asking questions. Keep asking until you find the right answer.

Most Valuable Player believes knowledge, and the desire for it, will make you a better athlete. As the psychiatrist stated, we are creatures that “like things we are good at!” Seek what it takes and become good at it.

Become passionate about it.

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick