Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Amateur Baseball

Started In 1958 At The Request Of Our Nation’s Baseball Coaches Vol. 63, No. 3 Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 $4.00 Greatest Pitch Picker In History Tells All Nobody in college or pro third MLB manager to lose his job after he was implicated in the sign-stealing scandal. baseball history was better at Baseball has had a storied history with sign discovering what pitches were stealing, and the greatest of all time was a coming than Rob Klein as he gentleman named Rob Klein. He was a brilliant assistant for 22 years with explains how he did it. Coach Mike Gillespie (three years at College of The Canyons and then 19 more at the University By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. of Southern California). Editor/Collegiate Baseball Let’s get one thing straight off the bat. He did everything legally and never used live CTON, Calif. — The biggest story in video feeds with a monitor to pick pitches. baseball centers around the illegal sign Studying Klein at work in the first base Astealing scandal involving the Houston coach’s box was like watching Picasso paint a Astros in 2017. masterpiece. One or more players watched the live feed of He began games studying every subtle the centerfield camera on a monitor, and after movement of the pitcher. decoding the catcher’s signs, a player would bang He watched if the wrist was cocked differently a nearby trash can with a bat to communicate the on pitches or if the ball was put deeper in the upcoming pitch type to Houston hitters. glove for certain pitches or the glove was turned Major League Baseball handed out 1-year slightly different for one pitch compared to suspensions for Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch and another. He even studied the forearms of pitchers GM Jeff Luhnow. to see if muscles tensed up on certain pitches The organization was fined $5 million and compared to others. stripped of first and second-round draft picks Klein had amazing perception to pick up on in 2020 and 2021. even the slightest differences from one pitch to The duo was then fired by Astros Owner another. Jim Crane. If the catcher or infielders were tipping Red Sox Coach Alex Cora, a former Astros’ pitches, he picked up on that as well. bench coach during 2017, was then fired by the When he was certain of pitches coming, he Red Sox. Former USC assistant Rob Klein had amazing system. Mets’ Manager Carlos Beltran became the See TEAMS RARELY STOPPED, Page 2

Comeback Player Of The Year In 2019 After Nearly Dying, Engel Puts Up Huge Numbers Hits .337 with 21 doubles, a week and realized that he had a great opportunity in the coming days to go hiking. 12 homers, 5 triples, 61 RBI His job that summer was being an umpire and steals 12 of 13 bases in beside his playing duties. 54 games last season. He drove to Fort Collins and worked several At the time, I games in the morning and afternoon. When Engel finished, he got dinner and drove to Estes “didn’t realize it By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. Park which was 30 minutes away. Editor/Collegiate Baseball “I got into Estes Park and took my time but I had a broken surveying the area. There was a full moon out skull, broken neck PRINGFIELD, Mo. — If college so you could see quite a bit of the area. baseball had a Comeback Player of “I parked on the side of the road at about 9 with my fifth SThe Year, Drury University RF Clay p.m., got out and hiked up the mountain which Engel would have been a landslide winner was a little more than a mile up. It was a nice, vertebra (middle last season. upward climb but not too difficult.” He hit .337 with 21 doubles, 12 homers, 5 Engel said he didn’t hike with anybody else of neck) fractured triples, 61 RBI and stole 12 of 13 bases in 54 and never left a message with his host family along with a large, games. that he was going to hike in Estes Park that Those are incredible numbers when you evening and would be there the next day. deep gash along consider he nearly died two years prior. “I had camping gear on my back which Engel was lucky to be alive after suffering included food, water and a hammock to sleep the outside of my a skull fracture, fractured vertebra and leg in. I didn’t wear a head lamp on my forehead left thigh about 12 injuries which required skin grafts during since there was a full moon that evening. It was a serious hiking accident in the summer of night time, but the area was lit up enough for inches long. It was 2017. me to see where I was going. He had just finished his freshman season “I have done a lot of hiking in the past in sheared open. with the Panthers and was preparing to play Springfield, Mo. and also in northern Arkansas. summer ball for the Denver Generals of the But I had never hiked in the Rocky Mountains — Clay Engel Mile High Collegiate Baseball League. before. Engel, who enjoyed hiking back home in Springfield, Mo., was in Denver for about See ENGEL NEARLY DIES, Page 8

Inside Collegiate Baseball ” Web Site: www.baseballnews.com How To Stay Away From Flu Special Fund Raising Project Gary Ward’s Hitting Thoughts Physician explains what steps Barbe High’s Glenn Cecchini Fascinating issues are brought must be taken so entire teams takes on colossal task of bringing forward from this Hall of Fame don’t come down with it/Page 4 in $411,200 this season/Page 10 master teacher of hitting/Page 13 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Teams Rarely Stopped Rob Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Klein’s Pitch Picking Ability Amateur Baseball Continued From Page 1 to throw. “I was able to break touch systems flashed hand signals to the USC fairly easily through observation.” Collegiate Baseball (ISSN 0530-9751) is published twice a month bench. Then a Trojan player would Klein said that other Pac-12 January-May and once in June, July, September and October relay pitches verbally to batters. teams routinely stole signs during (14 total issues) by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Inc., 2515 He coached over 1,200 games in his time at USC. N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. Periodicals postage paid at Tucson, AZ. his career, and undoubtedly 50-60 “A.J. Hinch is a Stanford product, percent of opposing pitchers were and they stole pitches like crazy in picked in his lifetime which gave our league,” said Klein. Postmaster: Send address changes to: hitters thousands of pitches to hit “I learned that schools in our Collegiate Baseball that they knew were coming. conference worked as hard, if not P.O. Box 50566 Tucson, AZ 85703 Klein’s ability to pick pitches harder, at stealing pitches than was fitting since he also served we did by talking to opposing Overnight Mail: 2515 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 as a detective for the Los Angeles coaches. County Sheriff’s Department for “Over the years, I was exposed Past Publishers: Abe Chanin, Lou Pavlovich, Sr. eight years and an officer for 32 as a good pitch picker and sign Single 1-Year Subscription Rate: $28 for 14 issues. years overall. stealer. During the summer, our Single 1-Year First Class U.S. Subscription: $45 For 19 years, he drove 55 miles players at USC would play on Single 1-Year Foreign Air Mail Subscription: $50 to USC from his home in Acton, teams that included ball players Special Team Subscriptions: 11 papers each issue sent to one Calif. and back again after practices from Stanford, Arizona St., Arizona address — $110 (save $198 off the single subscription price), and 21 papers each issue sent to one address — $189 (save $399). or games — a round trip of 110 and others from the Pac-12. Other Multiple Subscription Offers: Please inquire with sub- miles. “Some were even roommates scription department at (520) 623-4530. This was all after working a full who lived with host families. They shift with the Sheriff’s Department have a lot of time to talk. During on many of those days. DETECTIVE ROB KLEIN batting practice, one of our players Directory For the first time in any So they have every right to steal might divulge that his first base publication, Klein is sharing his pitches if they can. coach (Rob Klein) had all of your Area Code (520) secrets of picking pitches with “If the middle infielder from the signs in a particular game during Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530) Collegiate Baseball in this exclusive opposing team has his hand behind the spring season. Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530 to report stories) story now that he is retired from his back showing the outfielders “Or he may say our first base Advertising Director: Diane Pavlovich (Call 623-4530) coaching baseball. what pitch will be coming so they coach had your signs picked from Subscription Department: (Call 623-4530) can adjust, I never had a problem if your catcher or this and that. Then Fax Machine: (Call 624-5501) Genius At Picking someone from the opposing team’s E-Mail: [email protected] “The key to my success was I would start getting phone calls bullpen tipped off their hitters what Web Site: www.baseballnews.com focusing on what pitchers were from coaches of those teams. Little pitches were coming although our doing different from one pitch to by little, I became known as the teams never used this strategy. another,” said Klein. coach who was an expert at picking “It used to be taught that a 2020 Publication Schedule “That sounds so simple, but that pitches.” fist behind the back of a middle is what it all boiled down to. It’s like Serious Allegations Made January 3 March 6 May 1 September 4 infielder was a fastball while an January 24 March 20 May 15 October 2 a middle infielder. He may not do College baseball has not been open hand was off-speed. This February 7 April 3 June 12 anything for several pitches which immune to accusations of pitch February 21 April 17 July 10 allowed the outfielders to get a are all fastballs. Now he steps to his stealing with the aid of live cameras jump or move a bit prior to the pitch right, and the pitch is a curve. and monitors. knowing what pitch was coming. “That isn’t a coincidence. During the 2004 season, charges “However, members of teams “When I looked at a ball in were leveled during a Miami Moving? obviously can’t be in the stands, the fingers of a pitcher, I focused home game with Florida St. that Make Sure CB Moves Along With You! on a parking structure, directly on several things. Was his hand the Hurricanes were using live To change your address, please write us 30 days in advance if above the batting eye or utilize stabilized when his fingers were television feeds from a centerfield you can. Mail to: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper live TV and monitors. All of that is across the seam when he threw a camera to steal catcher’s signs and Dept. Address Change definitely unethical. fastball? Many times this was the let their hitters know what pitches P.O. Box 50566 “Going back many years when Tucson, Ariz. 85703 case. were coming. TV games just started in college “Now all of a sudden, he moved According to the Miami Herald, baseball, Prime Ticket would do 1. Please print OLD address here. the ball in his fingers, and the pitch FSU Head Coach Mike Martin USC games as well as UCLA’s. NAME was a breaking ball. stopped the game in the bottom of The people who produced these STREET APT. # “It’s that simple.” the sixth inning for 15 minutes. games had a person stationed in the Klein emphasized that stealing He asked umpires to go into the CITY STATE ZIP corner of the dugout with a monitor pitches and signs has been a part of Miami locker room and prevent on a chair. DATE OF baseball for over a century. a member of the Hurricanes staff “Among other things, it allowed “Different teams are continually from viewing a monitor of the live MOVE: a person to signal the umpire to start accused of picking pitches or televised game as this individual the game after commercials were 2. Please print NEW address here. stealing signs. Years ago, the allegedly used a walkie-talkie to over between innings. Dodgers alleged the Yankees verbally give pitches to someone NAME “You can’t tell me that players of stealing signs from the right else near the batter (on the bench or STREET APT. # or coaches over the years haven’t centerfield bullpen and waving a in the stands) who in turn relayed CITY STATE ZIP watched those monitors during towel on certain pitches. the pitch to the batter via voice or games to see what the signs were of “There are unwritten rules about other signal. opposing pitchers and possibly let stealing pitches and signs. For The Florida St. coach said he into our catcher and see his signs. coming? their hitters know what pitches were instance, using TV cameras and knew something was wrong when “We never said a word. “Keep in mind one important coming. That is totally unethical, monitors are illegal, and there he heard a voice on the other end “If opposing base coaches were thing. Even though a batter knows and we never did anything like are strict rules prohibiting these of his walkie-talkie frequency allowed to stand there, then I stood what’s coming, he still has to hit this.” practices in pro and college calling pitches as Miami batters there as well. it. baseball. Science Of Picking were hitting. “If the opposing coach asks the “In 1991 at our NCAA Regional, “When I was at USC, there was Klein said when he was coaching, Other FSU players heard umpire to get me in the box, all I we played Creighton. We got beat a 3-level parking garage beyond the teams he was on always worked the voice as well, according to would say to the umpire is, ‘No 8-7 in that game. I knew every the rightfield wall. We caught two extremely hard at the science of published reports. problem. Just make sure their guy is single pitch from Creighton pitcher student managers from an opposing picking pitches. “Why were two pitches called on in the box. It goes both ways. Alan Benes in that game who was team who were positioned on the “From base coaches to players our frequency on our walkie-talkie? “Unfortunately, you would get a freshman at the time. He held top level of that parking garage with and coaches in the dugout to runners I heard it clear as day. One was a an umpire now and then who would the ball in his hand on every pitch binoculars who could see home at second base, they all helped to changeup and one was a fastball,” make me be in the box and not our behind his back. plate from behind the batting eye steal pitches from opponents. said Martin. opponents.” “It was like taking candy from a behind dead centerfield at Dedeaux “When we got a runner on Miami went on to win the game, Huge Edge In Picking baby. It was so easy. Field. second, the first thing I did when 7-3. Klein said that virtually every “We had every single pitch in “They were relaying signs to he came into the dugout was talk The Atlantic Coast Conference hitter on every team he has been that entire game and hit missile someone in their dugout. You just to him. investigated the incident but did not with relished the idea of knowing after missile right at fielders. We don’t do that, and we never did “He was asked what he saw. take action against Miami. what pitches were coming. must have hit 12 balls right on the Were the signs sequential? Was nose directly at position players. because it was unethical.” Coaching Boxes “Hitters would constantly come Klein had another story. the catcher giving two signs, three to me after their first or second at- “Mark Smith, our All-American Klein said coaches are expected who was a first round pick of the “We played at a school where signs or one sign to the pitcher? to stay in the lines of the first and bat and ask me if I had the signs a person from the other team was What else did he see? yet and broke their system. Who Orioles, had not hit into a double third base coaching boxes. play all year long. He hit two bullets located in the first row. “For me, picking pitches came “You are supposed to have at are we kidding? “He could see the catcher giving naturally. I had a knack for doing “Hitters on the highest levels at the third baseman which resulted least one foot in this box,” said in third to home to first double plays signs in the squat position and it, and I could break systems. Klein. of college baseball are routinely letting his team know. That’s a “During twilight games prior to seeing 95 mph fastballs and other in that game. “Umpires rarely enforce it, “Creighton went on to win no-no. catchers using white or florescent though, and you routinely saw the nasty pitches in sequences that are “Players and coaches in the green stickers on their fingers to difficult to hit. our regional and appeared in the opposing base coach on the other College World Series.” dugout, base coaches, runners at signal in pitches, they would have team standing two feet from the “I can assure you that a hitter second base and team personnel a touch system in place at this time foul line which allowed him to look wants to know what pitch is in the bullpens are legally there. of day so the pitcher knew what See PICKING, Page 3 Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 

Nobody had the ability to pick pitches like University of Southern California assistant coach Rob Klein better known as “Copper”. Picking Pitches Helped Batting Averages Soar Continued From Page 2 in a row, the other team always everyone would know where they “There were always a few dugout without people from the assumed that we knew what pitches were coming from. freshmen who refused to do this. opponent first base dugout seeing 1998 Championship Season they were calling. “You had to have deception in They would say, ‘I don’t want them me. USC won its last national “When I talked to other coaches this process. or don’t need them.’ When you are “If my body turned to the right championship in baseball during when I was being exposed, I found “Teams we played were so facing Mark Prior, or all the other like I was checking the outfielders, the 1998 season under Coach out that we weren’t the only ones paranoid about me stealing signs great pitchers in the Pac-12, hitters that meant I didn’t have it. Gillespie. who were stealing pitches. There from the catcher as the first base need every edge they can get? “Two or three kids in the dugout Rob Klein was an assistant on were a lot of teams out there coach that the catcher would turn “It would take these freshmen would take turns giving verbal signs this team. working on it. his body more toward third base two weeks in the fall to realize that to batters. “Coach Pat Murphy of Arizona “I did find out that it was more when giving sign to the pitcher they needed to know what pitches “One thing we discovered was St. was very outspoken about our of a west coast than the east. With with his hand between his legs in were coming. At that time, they that you can’t have that soft spoken team stealing pitches at that time, that being said, I do know Miami the squat position. fully bought in because they had kid give verbal signs to the hitter on especially from his star pitcher (Fla.) was really good at stealing “When this happened, our third never faced this caliber of pitching what pitches are coming. You also Ryan Mills. And I did pick Mills. pitches. base coach could easily see the in their lives.” can’t utilize the kid who screams. But it was at our place early in “Coach Gillespie’s rule was that fingers of the catcher giving the Relaying Pitches To Hitters The key word must come from a the season. By the time we went I could not guess when it came to signs to the pitcher. I would come How in the world did Klein relay player who has a subtle voice that to play at Arizona St., they had stealing pitches. I had to be right. in after we batted in the first inning picked pitches to the batter within just comes across. The key was cleaned him up. So we did dummy If we were going to do this, we and talked to Andy Nieto, our third a few seconds without calling knowing the trigger word. And we signs. It appeared we were picking must have confidence in it and be base coach, and tell him I couldn’t attention to himself? would change the words. pitches at Arizona St., but we didn’t correct. see the signs at all from the catcher. “I had six or seven things I would “If we were playing Arizona have any. “We can’t be right five out of He would respond that he could do in the first base box as I relayed St., they were all over us when “Over the years when I became eight times. We must be eight for see everything because the catcher signs back to our dugout. Both Pat Murphy was the head coach exposed as a great pitch picker, it eight. turned wide open to him. hands were initially in my back years ago. They thought that if became harder and harder to do. “We might correctly identify two “We had a group of guys in the pockets to make it look like I wasn’t It wasn’t as if it was easy to begin pitches in a row. On the third pitch, dugout with clipboards and pieces doing anything when our team was See PITCHERS, Page 6 with. We found out by making I might not have it. If I wasn’t sure, of paper watching the pitcher, in the first base dugout. dummy calls, it was almost more I wouldn’t call it.” catcher and infielders to see if they “The fingers of my right hand effective than stealing the pitches. Top Hitting Teams could pick up on anything.” were then taken out. If I brought my CheapBats.com “The reason was that you had the A byproduct of stealing pitches Klein said sometimes freshmen fingers up to a fist, it was a fastball. 1-800-589-HITS kid on the mound hearing the calls was that schools that Klein worked hitters initially didn’t want to know If I straightened my fingers, an from our dugout. So he naturally for led the league in hitting or were what pitches were coming when off-speed pitch was coming. If I Order today steps off the mound and looks into near the top virtually every year they arrived in the fall. didn’t do anything with my fingers, have it tomorrow his dugout for a sign thinking that since hitters knew what pitches “You would have highly touted I didn’t have the pitch. we probably have his team’s signs. were coming. freshmen come in who could really “If our dugout was on the third So the coach changes his signs. Klein said that the amount of hit. We would talk about our sign base side, I would have my thumbs “When a ball is hit hard, now time to pick pitches or signs and stealing system and how we gave in my belt in front of me. Then they are arguing and yelling at each then relay the pitch in to hitters is pitches to hitters verbally during I could give hand signals to our other (coach and pitcher) because a small window. games. the pitcher felt that hitter knew what “So you have to be extremely was coming. He felt that was the efficient with the system you have. reason he hit a rocket. In fact, we From the time the catcher gives Turning Baseball Upside Down didn’t have any pitches that game. his signs and the pitcher begins For 55 years, Alex Gaynes has spent his “The disruption mentally for that his windup, you only have 3-4 summers coaching one of the most successful pitcher was incredibly effective. seconds. American Legion teams in the nation located “We did have some terrific teams “I couldn’t call the pitches out of in Tucson, Ariz. His teams have won 10+ state champion- at USC when I was there. If we the first base coach’s box because strung together three hard hit balls ships, 20+ city titles and numerous league and tournament championships while win- ning over 1,000 games. This book is Coach Gaynes’ memoirs, truths and coaching system from his years managing young, talented players in their teenage years. He divulges fascinating secrets to coaching which allowed his teams to constantly play at a championship level. Plus, he relays incredible stories of his teams that are must reading for any coach.

“Alex Gaynes is not your typical baseball coach. A lawyer by trade, he has the philosphy of letting his kids play, not micromanage them. His style encourages hustle, and he has that rare ability to get the most out of his teams on a routine basis.” — Lou Pavlovich, Collegiate Baseball

Order through Xlibris at www.Xlibris.com ([email protected]) or call 1-888-795-4274 $19.99 softback or $29.99 hardback, plus postage, handling and applicable sales tax [email protected] Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Amateur Baseball Here’s How To Stay Away From Flu ATLANTA, Ga. — The current This bacterium is tougher to treat flu season is on track to be one of than most strains or staph because it the worst in years, according to Around The Horn is resistant to some commonly used the Centers For Disease Control antibiotics. (CDC). With If it is important to disinfect New data from the CDC equipment such as this, why hasn’t OPINION estimates that at least 6.4 million baseball embraced sterilization Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. people have caught the flu, 55,000 Lou Pavlovich treatments of bats and possibly balls Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. have been hospitalized and 2,900 that can be teeming with bacteria? people have died. Dr. Herb McReynolds, Medical It is important for baseball Director of Emergency Services at coaches and players to take note of Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital in The Topic: this so they can formulate a plan to Tucson, Ariz., has been a physician Ejections In Baseball stay healthy. for over 40 years. Nothing is more frustrating, or He played baseball for 40 years Each issue, Collegiate Baseball explores a major droplets) might remain suspended miserable, than watching an entire in his off time until he stopped a development in the world of baseball. This issue’s in the air for long periods of time team come down with the flu or few years ago. editorial explains why profanity isn’t necessary in and typically can travel up to 20 some other bug. He said that certain procedures getting a coach’s point across to umpires. feet. The standard practice for coaches can be utilized in baseball to stem The typical incubation period for has always been to isolate those the tide of influenza and other influenza is 1-4 days. players from the rest of the team germs. The CDC reports that most Being Professional Is so germs aren’t spread. More often “At a hospital, doctors are healthy adults may be able to infect than not, they are sent home. expected to use sanitizing gel on others beginning one day before All too often entire teams come their hands before going into a Important In Coaching symptoms develop and up to 5-7 down with the flu or some other room and then once again when The total number of ejections in NCAA Div. I, II and III baseball days after becoming sick. ailment. they come out,” said McReynolds. has continued to increase for the fifth straight year which is not a Because of the number of players Here is what Collegiate Baseball “Why not do the same on positive sign. who handle the same baseballs and has found that may be helpful. baseball fields or hitting facilities? Ninety percent of the ejections are directly related to profanity, bats during any given practice, Influenza viruses are spread from You could have a Purell Hand according to ejection reports George Drouches, NCAA National these two products are prime spots person to person primarily when an Sanitizer Dispenser near the dugout Coordinator of Umpires, has received. for influenza germs. Ejections have increased by 204 since 2015. infected person coughs or sneezes or by the door of each batting cage Here are the combined year-by-year ejection totals in NCAA near a susceptible person. Sterilizing Equipment in a hitting facility. As players come Div. I, II and III baseball for the past five seasons: According to the CDC, Weight training facilities are in, they are asked to sanitize their • 2019: 862 total ejections. transmission via large-particle a breeding ground for bacteria. hands. Once practice is over, they • 2018: 858 total ejections. droplets requires close contact Athletes are encouraged to wipe can sanitize their hands as they • 2017: 708 total ejections. between the source and recipient. down equipment with sanitizing leave. • 2016: 692 total ejections. Airborne transmission (via small wipes to prevent the spread of • 2015: 658 total ejections. particle residue of evaporated germs and especially MRSA. See FIGHTING, Page 5 The biggest one-year jump was 2017-2018 with 150 more ejections. Drouches said that over the past three seasons, 92 fight ejections have been handed out by umpires in NCAA Divisions I, II and III baseball games. Letters To The Editor Last year there were 27 while 35 took place in 2018 and 30 in 2017. Cold Weather Mentality John Smith U.S. I really enjoyed your excellent Q&A with 17 Mockingbird Lane Mail Coaches continue to be tossed at a record pace despite receiving Pullman, WA 99164 a mandatory warning from umpires now. University of Michigan skipper Erik Bakich (Oct. Popular causes for ejections include ball/strike, safe/out and 4, 2019 edition). fair/foul — with ball/strike as the main cause of being tossed. He is a great man on and off the field. Collegiate Baseball There were 361 ejections at the Division I level last season, a 7 His philosophies on practicing in cold weather P.O. Box 50566 percent increase over the 2018 total (337) as 178 head coach, 119 are pretty unique as I understand not too many Tucson, AZ 85703 player and 64 assistant coach ejections took place. college teams do this, especialy with indoor At the Division I level, the majority of ejections involved arguing facilities. balls and strikes (156 ejections) and safe/out rulings (71). But it obviously paid off as his teams are used to playing in low temperatures which in turn You can also There were 281 ejections at the Division II level last season, an FAX letters to 8 percent increase compared to the 2018 total (260) as 115 head helped Michigan make the College World Series the editor or coach, 124 player and 42 assistant coach ejections took place. last season. E-Mail them: Only Division III saw a decrease in 2019 with 221 ejections, I recall you publishing an article on D2 Augustana last year and how their coach held a FAX: E-Mail: down 16 percent from the 2018 season (262) as 97 head coach, (520) 624-5501 [email protected] 102 player and 22 assistant coach ejections took place. similar mentality about practicing in the cold. He The vast majority of coaches we know, along with umpires, are led them to their first national championship. Collegiate Baseball welcomes letters from terrific people who love the game of baseball. It is also pretty cool that Coach Bakich aims readers. Letters must include the writer’s If ninety percent of ejections are directly related to profanity, to make the game more diverse at his school and name, address and telephone number. We that is the area that must be addressed. hopefully all of college and amateur baseball. reserve the right to condense or reject any Everyone needs to clean up their language during games and This is truly a great coach who seems to have letter and to limit frequent writers. be more professional. a successful future ahead of him. If a coach is hot and runs on the field to challenge a call, the Riley Zayas Preview issue (Jan. 3, 2020). umpire should be good enough to try and defuse the situation Round Rock, TX I am always amazed at the depth of coverage instead of dumping gasoline on the situation. He shouldn’t fire back your publication has for all levels of college derogatory comments at that coach to prove he is in charge. Tom Walter’s Wild Ride baseball with this particular edition. All the top Umpires are human, and they shouldn’t have to put up with I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the teams, players and pro prospects are discussed. coaches or players who verbally undresses them with F bombs or adventures of Wake Forest Head Coach Tom Since I am a Louisville fan, I particularly other choice language? Walter (Jan. 3, 2020). enjoyed your coverage of the Cardinals and your Do coaches really believe using profanity will solve anything What a remarkable human being to donate his in-depth story on why they are ranked No. 1 in the with an umpire? It will only make that person upset and might kidney to a freshman (Kevin Jordan). pre-season poll. cause the coach to be ejected. His tale of how he evacuated his baseball team On paper, they should have a fantastic team in One of the greatest umpires Collegiate Baseball ever watched from New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit 2020. Hopefully they stay away from injuries. was the late Bud Grainger of Tucson, Ariz. who worked thousands in 2005 to New Mexico was one for the books. Jim Meyer of college baseball games. He never threw out one coach during At the time he was the coach at the University of Louisville, Ky 39 years of service. New Orleans and didn’t have a home for months A key reason was that he respected all coaches and players and after the hurricane hit. Innovative Products Unveiled hustled all the time for foul balls 10-15 feet away from him as he When he was the coach at George Washington I always look forward to Collegiate Baseball’s kept games moving. University, it was remarkable that his teams had to Best of Show awards for the top new baseball When he made a mistake on a call, he admitted it to coaches. play all 56 games each spring on the road. products of the year (Jan. 24, 2020). While they didn’t like to hear that, they respected him for telling Plus, he talked about the 2001 terrorist attack You didn’t disappoint with your nine selections them. Umpires are not machines and typically do a great job. But on the Pentagon not far from the campus of for 2020. it wouldn’t hurt if umpires admitted they were wrong once in a George Washington and the D.C. sniper. Always Grind Baseball Notebooks really while to coaches just like Grainger did. There is no question in my mind that kids are intrigued me. I have always been an advocate of lucky to play for a man like Tom Walter. using notebooks for hitters and pitchers during He is everything good about the game of practice and games. I even used notebooks UOTE baseball. years ago when I was a pitcher which helped my Unquote” Jesse Parker development. “Q Baton Rouge, La. If people in baseball take advantage of these “If a guy hits .300 every year, what does he have to look forward great products, they will be ahead of the curve. to? I always tried to stay around .190, with three or four RBI. And I Thanks for another great story on these superb tried to get them all in September. That way I always had something Remarkable Preview Edition Let me compliment Collegiate Baseball on products. to talk about during the winter.” another job well done with the 2020 College Dan Lempke — Bob Uecker, former Major League Player Cleveland, Ohio Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  Fighting Flu Can Be Successful If You Follow Plan Continued From Page 4 Phillips pitched two innings for informed coaches never allow this Tyler J.C. on a Thursday evening to happen as each player has his “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to but didn’t feel well. own helmet. have players own their own bat He felt he was coming down To top it off, players end up which aren’t touched by other with the flu. Phillips went to his wearing helmets that may not fit players. Common bats used by girlfriend’s home the day after properly or are so damaged that multiple players can be wiped down he pitched and felt worse. Then a they provide little protection. in the handle areas with Chlorox- short time later, he went in and out If schools can’t afford individual based wipes prior to practice and of consciousness as an ambulance helmets, it makes sense for players after practice and even between was called. to purchase their own which they hitters during an epidemic. A few hours later, Phillips went can use in practice and games with “Players who are obviously sick into a coma at Parkland Memorial the same school color and decals should be sent home so they don’t Hospital in Dallas. Three days added. later, the once vibrant and athletic spread germs. Final Thoughts McReynolds said players who baseball player passed away due to It would be wise to get a flu shot are at practice and coughing and this killer disease. if possible. The next step is washing sneezing could have the flu or It was determined that 48 people your hands frequently with soap some other influenza like virus, came into contact with Phillips. The and water, especially away from which has also been at epidemic health department in Tyler, Tex. home. proportions this winter. ordered each of these individuals to Another important step is getting “What you don’t want a player take antibiotics as a precautionary plenty of sleep so your resistance to do is cough or wipe his nose in measure. can fight off potential problems. his hand. Instead, coaches should Can you imagine the potential ask players to cough or sneeze into for disaster if several kids drank their shirt sleeve and NOT into their from the same water bottle Phillips Ventura Back At hands. Many times people will turn used? away and cough into their hand. He isn’t the only baseball player Oklahoma State This causes a problem in baseball to die of meningitis. STILLWATER, Okla. — One since the hand will touch baseballs RHP Addie Joss of the Cleveland of the greatest hitters in college that are utilized by many different Bronchos died of tubercular baseball history, Robin Ventura, is players. Battle plan for staying away from flu can work. meningitis in April 1911 at the age returning to Oklahoma State as a “If a hitter coughs or wipes his of 28. He collapsed on the field student assistant. nose in his hand and grabs a bat, impeding daily workflow to clean We are not aware of any baseball during spring training and died a “Robin Ventura will enhance guess what happens? There are now equipment such as ventilators, team that has ever utilized such few days later. the lives of our players — his germs all over the place on the bat pressure monitors, wheelchairs, machines to disinfect baseballs. He had won 160 Major League experiences inside the game of grip. If someone else uses that bat, ventilators and mobile imagine The cost of these small lamps range games which included four 20-win baseball as a college player, major they will probably be infected. machines. from $800 on up. seasons. league player and major league “It would be an excellent idea for Hart said that several of the Helmets are another area of manager provide rare and unique schools to have hand sanitizers in Sanitation Issues concern. perspective to all of us inside the hospitals that utilize their robots to Sanitation safety is not high on restrooms. Knobs of doors should When only a few helmets program,” said OSU head coach clean hospital rooms include MD the pecking order with baseball be disinfected regularly since many are shared through a team, it is Josh Holliday. Anderson and the Mayo Clinic. coaches. people touch them along with unsanitary and unsafe. “When Robin expressed interest Hart acknowledged the price is Beyond the sanitation problems faucets. When each player dons a helmet, in coming back and finishing his steep for the robot and Pod. But of bats and balls, a hitter should “Many viruses can live up to 24 he adds sweat, body fluids and skin degree and joining our coaching not having a disinfected room at wear his own helmet instead of hours on a door handle. flakes in the helmet and deposits staff, it was exciting. a hospital can result in serious sharing it with others. “One more piece of advice I some of the parts onto his own “In addition to being an amazing consequences for new patients In addition, the use of shared would give is to get a flu shot in the head. player, Robin is an amazing being rolled into them. If they water bottles by athletes should fall prior to the flu season. It takes Then coaches usually dump the person, teammate and leader who contract a dangerous bacteria that never be allowed. two weeks for the antibodies to helmets into a duffle bag and stow understands people and what was caused by negligence, the Large Igloo coolers filled with work properly. You can still get a flu the gear away in a hot, closed trunk. a successful organization is all treatment to correct the problem water are simple enough to provide shot now. But during that 2-week It’s a veritable breeding ground for about.” could be extremely expensive. with paper cups being utilized for period, you will be susceptible to mold spores which at times can be A three-time All-American at The easy solution is to kill off each player and a small trash can the flu.” dangerous. Oklahoma St., he played 16 seasons the germs so rooms are as close to supplied to throw the cups in once McReynolds said sanitizing Plus, head lice can travel in Major League Baseball and also being sterile as possible. used. baseballs is a possibility but from player to player quickly if was the manager of the Chicago There are other companies on In October of 2005, Austin probably impractical. such practices are allowed. Well White Sox for five seasons. the internet that have smaller UV-C Phillips of Tyler Junior College “You obviously can’t use Clorox- lamps, but they don’t utilize xenon (Tex.) died suddenly of bacterial based liquids or similar products on technology. meningitis. the leather because it would ruin baseballs. 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Flora, Boiling Springs, Chapin, Fort (888) 542-9246 mobile units can be positioned Dorchester, Fort Mill, Georgetown, Greenville and South Aiken. www.sportssensors.com anywhere without disrupting or Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Pitchers Often Telegraph Pitches In Contests Continued From Page 3 a slider. “When he didn’t muscle up in their pitchers threw 500 pitches in this fashion, a fastball was coming. a weekend series, we were able to To see his arm more closely, I steal 499 of them. typically worked in the third base “The reality was that we didn’t coach’s box.” There were certain ball parks we have any of them in some games. Watching Shadows “went to where the sun would shine But other times, we had a lot of Klein said that his system of them. picking pitches was so sophisticated directly down on the catcher’s “If we came out Friday night that the teams he was on even looked against Arizona St. and had a lot for shadows from the catcher’s fingers. You could see a shadow of of success picking pitches, we fingers during day games. would change the verbal cues for “There were certain ball parks the fingers of a righthanded catcher hitters prior to the next game on we went to where the sun would when he was giving signs on his Saturday. shine directly down on the catcher’s “A verbal cue might be ‘inside’ fingers. You could see a shadow of inside left ankle from my view as the which meant fastball or ‘away’ the fingers of a righthanded catcher which meant curve or changeup. We when he was giving signs on his first base coach. did not want to alert our opponent’s inside left ankle from my view as catcher. the first base coach. — Rob Klein “Once schools learned what we “For 2-4 innings on a 1 p.m. were doing, then you had to have game, I could read this shadow. different kids in the dugout give Before Stanford put lights in, we verbal cues and possibly make took advantage of this at their ball the play. He then scored the tying and his body was turned. His glove Breaking Coaching Signs different sounds. At times, we even park. We hated it when they went to run when Greg Hanoian dropped was also sideways, and his hand was For many years, Klein was able had our on-deck hitter give verbal night games for the Friday game.” ” cues to hitters. a perfect bunt to the right of the deeper into the glove. Something to steal signs directly from the “As the hitter, you would hear all Multiple Pickers mound for a single. had to be different between the two pitching coach who flashed signs these sounds from the dugout. But Klein said he was extremely Robb Gorr laid down a near pitches. You simply don’t throw a to his catcher by touching parts of there was always a trigger word or lucky to have numerous players perfect bunt down the third base curve like a fastball. his body for specific pitches and sound he would immediately know do everything they could to pick line but was thrown out at first by “That’s the key…finding out the locations. was the next pitch. pitches during games. inches. differences between the fastball, Klein said that once Own The “Let’s say our code for off-speed “We had a number of guys over Klein was visibly shook at the curve and changeup with each Zone Sports came out with their pitch was ‘base hit,’ nobody in the the years who were extremely call and was unusually animated pitcher you study. Pick Proof Sign system in 2006, dugout was allowed to say it except observant. Usually after our first as he ran toward first base umpire “Sometimes, there is no it made life miserable for him one person. Typically ‘line drive’ at-bat, I would come into the dugout Wade Ford to argue. difference between a fastball and and fellow pickers when it came was fastball. and several players would ask me As Klein arrived, Ford curve from my angle at first base. to stealing signs from pitching “If the hitter didn’t hear what I had, and they would tell me immediately fired his right arm But the changeup might be different coaches. anything, then he was on his own. what they saw. in the air to boot Klein out of the just like Barry Zito had. The secret “It was impossible to steal signs We always let hitters know we had “With what I had at first base, our game. to being a good pitch picker is from the coach at that point,” said our opponents signs by saying, third base coach and other players, It was a scene that may never be discovering those nuances between Klein. ‘Tap, Tap.’ we had a great chance of picking duplicated again in College World pitches. With the Own The Zone Sports “Imagine facing Barry Zito who pitches early in a game. Two of the Series history — an umpire who “It’s similar watching catchers. system, the pitching coach from the pitched for us and was a Major best pitch pickers we ever had were serves as a state trooper with the When coaches work with catchers, dugout flashes 3 digits to the pitcher Leaguer for many years. Jack Krawczyk and Wes Rachels. Texas Department of Public Safety they want the right elbow pinned typically from one hand. “He had a superb fastball and They were really good at it. giving the heave-ho to a detective against their hip so the other team It is from a special chart printed curve. But his real money pitch “From my angle at first base, I from the Los Angeles County can’t tell if they are signaling in a from software which crunches the was his changeup. If we are facing might not be able to see glove tilt Sheriff’s Department. fastball, curve or changeup in or numbers (with each digit being a guy like Barry Zito who will from a pitcher on a specific pitch “When I got back to work after away to a pitcher. 1-5). throw 100 pitches-plus, he may while one of our players in the the 1998 College World Series to “The only thing they want For instance, a fastball inside throw 60 fastballs, 20 curves and dugout might see it. Many times the Sheriff’s Department in Los moving is their hand and fingers. might be 305 or a curve low and 20 changeups. when we started batting in the third Angeles, I got called into my boss’ “The reality is that not many away 211. This unique set of 3 “We might only have his inning, we had their pitches with office. He told me there was a catchers can do that. When their digits are used only once each changeup. So we will call the 20 this group effort.” problem, and we have to sit you elbow separates from their thigh, game. changeups because they are 20 Runner Considerations down. it means they are giving a different The catcher has a quarterback opportunities to hit him. At times, Klein only knew when “I said what’s up? You had an off sign. wrist band on his wrist with all the “And by the way, a changeup is curves were coming and couldn’t duty incident and didn’t report it. I “Once you see what the pitch is, possible pitches and play calls for a batting practice fastball. If you decipher a fastball or changeup. was surprised and asked what that then you know what is coming from a game. know it is coming as a hitter, you “With a runner at first and was all about. that point on with this catcher.” He finds the first two digits can sit on it and hit it hard.” realizing that a curve would be “Everything became very Funny Stories across the top in a square and serious. About 10 minutes into the final digit down the left side. Pitchers Telegraph Pitches thrown, we had a better opportunity One of Gillespie’s favorite to steal second successfully. So this, my boss told me the incident stories about Klein took place at Then you bring an imaginary Klein said he never understood involved me being ejected from a line downward and across to an why pitchers have the ball in their we took full advantage of those the University of California prior situations. College World Series game on TV to one game. intersecting square which is what hand behind their back prior to and that I didn’t report it to my the pitch and location will be. receiving the pitching sign from “When teams utilized a pump “The University of California sign system with a runner on first watch commander. one time put up cones outlining The catcher then relays this pitch the catcher. “Everyone began laughing. They and location to the pitcher. “If a pitcher starts with the ball in but didn’t use the pump system the first base coaches’ box with when they picked at first, I would joked that I was going to be given bright, yellow ‘crime scene’ tape In past seasons, pitchers were not his glove, he takes away 75 percent a three day suspension because allowed to wear a quarterback wrist of the chance of me picking him,” send the runner because our runner attached around the cones,” laughed knew he could get a great jump with of this Gillespie. band with the codes. said Klein. “But it was all in fun. T h e N C A A i s s u e d a n “You give me a pitcher who no pickoff coming. “A message awaited Rob which “A common thing catchers do is “I was a detective for eight said, “Copper, don’t leave these interpretation on Jan. 9, 2020 holds the ball behind his back in years, and criminals were always which now allows pitchers to wear his hand, I have a 75 percent chance make a fist with the right thumb out. premises.’ That was all in fun. When they wiggle it, the pitcher predictable and had patterns as I “Opposing coaches have yelled a quarterback wrist band because or more of stealing pitches off that worked robbery assault. With pitch it has the potential to speed up guy. I loved it when pitchers had the picks to first. If you didn’t see the at the umpire to keep Rob in the thumb, they wouldn’t pick to first. picking, pitchers are predictable box many times. If he has one foot games a bit. ball behind their back as they were and also have patterns as well. getting the pitch sign. So I would tell our runner to steal out of the box, coaches complain It Doesn’t Always Pay Off if the thumb was not out. “As a detective, you quickly about that. Klein closed the interview by “With a runner on base, Stanford find out that a criminal will rob a always had a pitcher toe the rubber “Sometimes I had to be careful, “One coach even complained to stating that pitch stealing gave his and we utilized a word or different liquor store. the umpire that he didn’t have all teams a tremendous advantage. and had the ball behind his back in “He leaves and realizes how his hand. verbals which let the runner know 10 toes in the box. But at times, knowing what pitches he should go. easy that was. So he does it again. “It was pretty amusing to see were coming still didn’t help his “The reason they did this, in my Now we have two liquor store opinion, was because they loved to “When we know the pitcher isn’t how coaches reacted to Rob because hitters because of the quality of picking to first, we know our runner robberies with the same MO and they were so concerned about him pitcher they were facing. early pick. same pattern. “At times, it was like taking has a high percentage of stealing picking pitches.” “There were games when we successfully. “This guy did it last Monday night Klein said one time USC played had 60 of 100 pitches a pitcher was candy from a baby when I picked and did it this Monday night. their pitches as they did this. It was Being Tossed In Omaha a game at UCLA. throwing. “The next Monday night, we “They had some photographers “But we got beat, 2-1. The moral so easy to tell which pitches were During the 1998 College World might stake out a liquor store in about to be thrown.” Series, Klein was coaching first taking photos during the game. It is of the story is that even if you know the area that hadn’t been hit yet. the early1990s. You could see my what is coming, you still have to Klein said he will never forget base against LSU. And sure enough, here comes the a pitcher for Allan Hancock Heading into the bottom of the hand in different photos with a fist hit it. guy, and we catch him. To me, it in one and open in another. “There have been instances over Community College that he picked seventh inning, LSU led, 3-2. was simple. pitches from in the late 1970s when USC got a leadoff single from “UCLA figured out I was the one the years where opposing pitchers “As I explained earlier, what who was picking pitches and how I became so upset with what we he was helping coach at College of Seth Davidson and another hit made me a good pitch picker was the Canyons with Gillespie. from Wes Rachels who fake bunted was getting them. They sent coach were doing that they would boil quickly finding out what is different Gillespie an envelope with some over and yell at one of our hitters, “There was a righthanded pitcher and then bounced a high bounding about different pitches. named Frank Cutty who went on chopper over LSU third baseman photos in it. ‘FASTBALL! Now hit it!’ “He throws a fastball. Now he “I forget exactly what the note “You can really get in the to pitch at Pepperdine. When his Blair Barbier. throws a curve. What did he do forearm tensed up, he would throw Davidson moved to third on said, but it essentially said, ‘We are opposing pitcher’s mind if you are different? His glove wasn’t as high, on to you.’ “ successful with picking pitches.” Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 7

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SAVE THE DATE! January 7-10, 2021 Don’t miss the baseball coaching event of the year! The 77th annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 7-10, 2021 at the Gaylord National in Washington, D.C. It’s the first time the ABCA Convention is being held in Washington, D.C., since 1975! Join us for the world-renowned clinics, the Youth Coaches Session, the ABCA Trade Show, Expo Theater, Hall of Fame Banquet and more! It’s four days of non-stop baseball! Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Engel Nearly Dies In Mountain Hiking Accident Continued From Page 1 staying in that spot for about two hours as the time was now about “The area I was hiking in was 1:30 a.m.” mountainous and rocky but there Engel couldn’t remember a were trees all the way up. It was thing after that until he woke up more or less like a forest that I was the next morning at sunrise 15 feet What saved my life was wearing walking through as I started my below with a deep gash in his leg. “compression shorts, according to ascent. He didn’t realize it, but he was “I was looking forward to suffering from a skull fracture and doctors. If I hadn’t been wearing spending that evening and the next fractured vertebra near the neck day in this area. There are a lot of from a nasty fall. them, I undoubtedly would have bled things to do.” “I was knocked unconscious for to death during those six hours I was Forced To Stop about six hours. When I woke up, Engel said when he arrived near I didn’t remember falling at all. unconscious. The compression shorts the top of the mountain, it was like a So I don’t know if I tried to jump bluff which had exposed rocks. down or step across to get down held the skin from flapping open which “It took about 2 1/2 hours to get another way or went to sleep and was extremely fortunate as the area there, and now it was about 11:30 fell because I was so tired. p.m. “But I clearly remember waking scabbed and didn’t bleed as much. “I got to a point where I came up. I was disoriented and didn’t to a stop. Then I wanted to come know where I was for a couple — Clay Engel back down to put my hammock up of minutes and had to re-think in the trees so I could go to sleep everything that was happening. It after a long day. was amazing I could remember “I came down to within 15 feet anything because my head got above ground level, and it was so bashed pretty bad. the wound was 12 inches long. So I obviously couldn’t go back to had been performed on my skull.” rocky that there was no foot hold or “Once I woke up, I pulled my I didn’t do that. I knew I needed retrieve it in my condition.” Clay said X-rays showed” a place for me to put my foot down undamaged cell phone from my help and started walking down Nightmare For Parents fracture of his neck at the fifth within reach. pocket which showed I was in where there were houses, a road Imagine being Clay’s parents, vertebra. A neck collar was fitted “I went back up and tried to get Colorado. I then sent a text message and lodges. Bryan and Juli. They had received so that entire area would remain down by another route, but I had to my mom and dad which said: “I left my backpack as I began the text message “pray for me” stable. the same problem. ‘Pray for me.’ I knew I had to get walking down, and the muscle in and nothing else from their son “That was the only treatment “I used the flashlight on my down the mountain to get help. my thigh was actually exposed. My for hours. they gave me specifically for my cell phone to see a little better. “I grabbed my backpack and left leg shouldn’t have functioned They had no way of contacting neck. Unfortunately, there was nothing drank some water as I got settled for properly at all because the him since he dropped his phone on “Fortunately surgery wasn’t solid enough to step on to get down a couple of minutes. At the time, I quadriceps muscle was damaged so the mountain. required to set the vertebra back in the final 15 feet. didn’t realize it, but I had a broken severely on the side of my thigh. When Clay got to the base of place. I was extremely lucky. After “Once I realized I couldn’t get skull, broken neck with my fifth “At that moment, that’s when I the mountain, there were several about 12 weeks with the neck collar down, I had an intense anxiety vertebra (middle of neck) fractured felt the presence of the Lord. I felt cabins. on, everything in the area of the attack that overwhelmed me. It along with a large, deep gash along a sense of peace and trust. I am “I knocked on the door of the fractured vertebra grew and healed was powerful and out of nowhere. the outside of my left thigh about convinced that he empowered my first one I saw, and a guy answers on its own. My knees began shaking, and I 12 inches long. body to walk a mile back so I could the door. He looks at me, and I am “The bad part of that was I began to sweat despite it being a “It was sheared open. It was as get help. bleeding on his front porch. I told couldn’t move my neck for 12 cool night. if a knife cut open the leg, and it “As I was walking down, there him I needed help. So he helped weeks which was difficult. You had “In that moment, I was praying was bleeding during the time I was was an angel who walked beside me in his cabin and brought me to to take it day by day which seemed and asking the Lord to help because unconscious. me. I could see a lady, but I didn’t his bathtub. like forever.” I was in trouble. My mind was “What saved my life was wearing talk to her or approach her at all. “Then he began to wash blood Big Problem For Doctors going really fast and in a panicked compression shorts, according to If that was an actual person, I off my leg. Blood was all over my Engel said the trauma to his thigh state. I was nervous and scared and doctors. definitely would have asked for legs and shoes. was a real problem for doctors. paralyzed with fear.” “If I hadn’t been wearing them, help. “Incredibly, he was a retired “What they did was go under the Engel said he had never I undoubtedly would have bled to “This lady walked with me on Navy medic and knew exactly skin into the tissue and stitched the experienced a panic attack before. death during those six hours I was my side down the mountain. This what to do. He cut through my tissue that had kind of sheared off “My mind was racing at the time unconscious. The compression is how I know what transpired was compression shorts so he could and placed it back on because some as I thought of many things to do all shorts held the skin from flapping a miracle. It was difficult getting see the extent of the damage on of it was still attached but not all of at once. Should I jump down, reach open which was extremely fortunate down because of the terrain, and I my leg. Even at that time, I didn’t it. It was like a flap. They stitched for that, get help, call someone? My as the area scabbed and didn’t bleed could barely use my left leg. know what had happened to my it back on my leg under my skin. mind was on overload because of as much. “As I walked around a fallen leg. I didn’t touch it and simply The goal was to allow all the blood the anxiety I was feeling. “As I stood up, blood began log, the cell phone slipped out of wanted to get down the mountain vessels to repair along with tissue “Ultimately, I did nothing pouring out of my thigh like a my pocket and to the ground. But I and receive help. all on its own.” because I didn’t know what to stream. I thought about ripping my didn’t realize this happened. When “Once he saw the trauma to my Engel said the flap of tissue do. My mind wouldn’t allow me shirt and covering the area where I reached for my phone 10-15 thigh, he said an ambulance must didn’t heal properly because of the to think clearly. And I remember the blood was coming out. But minutes later, it wasn’t there, and be called immediately which he did. trauma inflicted from the fall. Too All I wanted at the time was water. many blood vessels and nerves The ambulance got there and took were sheared off which ultimately me to the local hospital. died. “They asked me what happened, A second procedure was John Altobelli Dies In Helicopter Crash and I told them I fell. That’s when performed as they removed dead, CALABASAS, Calif. — Orange Johnson will take over for the they checked everything with my contaminated tissue and any foreign Coast College suffered an incredible 2020 Pirates body. They felt I needed to be at material that may promote infection loss on Jan. 26 when longtime Altobelli was lofty company in a much bigger hospital. So they and impede healing. baseball coach John Altobelli, his 2019 when he guided his Pirate had a helicopter transport me over “They ultimately cut deep into wife, Keri and youngest daughter, ball club to the CCCAA State the mountain to Fort Collins at a the leg and took out all the dead Alyssa, were among the victims Championship, becoming just hospital there. tissue until they got to healthy of a helicopter crash that took the the fifth coach in the history of tissue. That surgery was about an lives of nine people, including NBA California Community College Surgery On Skull hour and a half. legend Kobe Bryant. baseball to win four or more state When Clay arrived, they ran “After I woke up from surgery, “It’s hard to put into words what championships. a battery of tests and concluded it looked like there was a crater in this loss means to the college and In addition to the titles, Altobelli surgery was necessary on his my leg. Most of the wound was an the athletics department,” OCC also picked up career win No. skull. inch deep or so.” Athletics Director Jason Kehler 700 with a 10-7 win over Mt. San “That is when they asked if my Clay said he was extremely said. Antonio on May 17, becoming just mom and dad were in town and if happy to see his parents when they “John was a tremendous coach the 16th coach in CCCAA baseball they had been called yet. I told them arrived. and an even better friend. Beyond history to reach that milestone. that they lived in Springfield, Mo. He realized that he made a that, he was an amazing mentor to As a player, Altobelli was a and gave them my dad’s number as number of mistakes with his hiking all of the students and athletes that standout outfielder at both Newport I was wheeled into surgery. It must trip to Estes Park as he hiked alone, he taught and coached. He treated Harbor High School and then have been horrible for them getting in the dark and without telling a sole them all like family and his impact at Golden West College. As a a call like that. where he was going. will live on forever.” sophomore in 1983, he was chosen “After the call, my parents He asked his parents to do him Altobelli, who is survived by his team captain and was named the immediately got in their car and a gigantic favor. His backpack was son, J.J. and daughter Lexi, helped team’s “Rustler of the Year.” drove 12 hours (760 miles) to the JOHN ALTOBELLI still near the top of the Mountain at lead the Pirates to the 2019 state Altobelli transferred to the hospital I was in. Estes Park, and his cell phone was baseball championship last year and State Final Four and seven Orange University of Houston, where he “Surgery was performed on my somewhere along the trail where he was named the National Coach of Empire Conference championships was a team captain and two-year skull because the impact of the fall dropped it. Also, his car was in the the Year by the American Baseball (including the last three years). His starter in the Cougar outfield. had broken a bone near my left area as well. If they could try and Coaches Association. four state baseball championships As a senior, he led the Cougars temple, and blood had pooled near retrieve all three for him, he would About to start his 28th season are tied for the third-most in the to the NCAA Regional Finals, that area. Fortunately the surgery be grateful. with the Pirates, Altobelli was history of California Community bringing them one game from was straight forward, and they “They found my car with the 705-478-4 (.592) with four state College baseball. advancing to the College World needed about 20 stitches to close directions I gave them and then championships, eight trips to the Associate head coach Nate Series. the hole. “My parents arrived after surgery See REHABILITATION, Page 9 Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  Rehabilitation Was Torture For Drury’s Clay Engel Continued From Page 8 said he is amazed at the recovery “Ninety days after I fell on the “I really enjoyed playing baseball in 2018. There were times when I Clay has had. mountain, doctors fully cleared again after being hurt most of the wasn’t very committed and worked hiked up the mountain where they “By the grace of God, he is still me for all athletic activity which summer. Because of my injury and through things. More than anything, found my backpack as well as my with us today,” said Nasby. was a miracle in itself,” said Engel because I came back to Springfield the fall from the mountain affected cell phone. Then they walked back Nasby said that Engel is a special who is entering his senior season to recover, I ended up meeting my me mentally more than anything down and drove my car back to the baseball player and has the ability in 2020. wife Emily through this injury. and physically a bit as well.” hospital.” to play baseball beyond college if “At that point, I still had a Engel felt he had a good year Engel took the summer of 2018 Once Clay was released from he works hard at his skills. ways to go before I could play. I in 2018 considering what he went off from baseball to focus on being the hospital after eight days, one “There is no question about that. just needed my strength back and through the prior summer. an intern at Wilson Logistics, a parent drove Clay’s car back home He is a terrific ball player. It’s truly balance which I had lost. I did a lot “I had a solid year as I played trucking company in Springfield. to Springfield while the other drove a miracle he is alive.” of therapy for my neck and a lot for in all 52 games. Now that I look “What made the big difference the other vehicle with Clay. Amazingly, Engel played in all my leg and my strength. back, I was still trying to regain my in my 2019 numbers was my Rehabbing Carefully 52 games during the 2018 season “It took quite a while to get my strength, flexibility and timing as commitment to getting better as a Engel said that during his as he hit .298 with 10 doubles, 2 body back in gear. The entire fall of a hitter. The experience of falling baseball player in the fall of 2018. rehabilitation, he couldn’t do homers, 3 triples and was 9-for-12 2017, I trained hard and made some off the cliff in the summer of 2017 The passion for the game was back anything athletic or drive. in stolen bases. great strides in my comeback. was difficult to come back from again which was great.” “But I could do simple things in life. I just had to adjust. I did everything much slower and was extremely careful to not jerk my head or perform sudden movements. “My leg was treated for about a month and a half. They used a Wound Vac to help with stimulating tissue so it would grow and fill the big open area of my leg. They essentially put a seal on your leg which is attached to a vacuum as negative pressure takes place. “It pulls the tissue of your leg up and stimulates blood flow and

CLAYTON ENGEL growth and speeds up the normal process of growing cells after an injury. Once my tissue grew up Big League Chew was invented by Rob Nelson, a former Cornell to about skin level, that’s when I went in for skin graft surgery over University lefthander who was pitching in Oregon in 1977 for the that big area. “Skin graft surgery allowed me fabled Portland Mavericks when he came up with the idea for a new to bypass months of having an open wound like I had. The skin graft was type of bubble gum. taken from my other thigh.” Engel said that he was cleared to take his neck collar off one day before he moved back to Drury Rob was literally sitting in the Portland bullpen, watching his team- University in the fall of 2017. “By that time, my skin graft had mates chewing other less salubrious stuff, when he thought that set enough to be able to walk and go to school. Once I was at school, shredded bubble gum would be a much more fun option. I still had to do a lot of therapy to build my strength. By October, I was on the baseball field swinging a bat and throwing and starting to Rob shared the idea with Mav teammate Jim Bouton who liked the run again. concept so much he spent the next two years searching for a gum “I couldn’t slide on my leg, obviously, because of the skin graft. company to manufacture and distribute Big League Chew. He I didn’t need to wear any special head protection at first base on succeeded, and BLC quickly became the must-have bubble gum for ground balls to protect my temple since it completely healed. But I am ballplayers in the littlest leagues to the Big Leagues. grateful no nasty hops hit me in that area of the head. “The occupational therapist I saw ran numerous tests on my Today, over 40 years later, Big League Chew is the #1-selling brain and never saw a problem. She told me I was one of two people in shredded bubble gum in the world — with over 800 million pouches 20 years who had suffered a head injury like I did and was completely sold. It is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum of Akron, New York. fine.” Engel said without the help of his loving parents as well as coaches at ™ Drury and players, he doesn’t know ® how he would have recovered so BIG LEAGUE CHEW AMERICA’S BUBBLE GUM quickly. Remarkable Recovery Coaches Discount now available at bigleaguechew.com Drury Head Coach Scott Nasby Page 10 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 High School Barbe’s Cecchini Raising Over $400,000! By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. donates a service where they pick Editor/Collegiate Baseball up a person and take them for horse drawn carriage ride into the city. LAKE CHARLES, La. — Glenn That is very popular. Cecchini, head coach at Barbe High “One thing I do is make great School (Lake Charles, La.), is in the lasagna. The recipe came from my process of raising $411,200 for his Italian grandmother who was born baseball program this season. in Italy. This feeds up to 12 people It is a staggering total for a high at our house and includes wine, school and is much more than the salad, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. vast majority of colleges. That usually goes for about $1,500- Here is a breakdown of the $2,000. fundraisers he has embarked on: “We found the best time to have  Stadium Signs (153 which it was around December 9 which is will bring in $48,200). just before Christmas. People are in  New Metal Building Signs a much more giving spirit at that (26 which will bring in $73,000). time of year. We found that people  Outfield Signs (44 which will would give our program Christmas bring in $66,000). gifts. Through trial and error, we  Hitting Facility Signs (4 found that having it on a Tuesday which will bring in $8,000). or Thursday night was ideal due  L i v e / S i l e n t A u c t i o n to church events taking place on ($75,000) Wednesdays and basketball games  Lamar Billboards (7 that will being on Fridays.” bring in $35,000) Cecchini said the cost to run  Chairback Seating ($100 the action/dinner is usually about per seat which could bring in $3,000 which includes the services $20,000). of an auctioneer.  Board Sponsors (5 sponsors “Someone pays for the auctioneer, and the food is donated. Everything who will pay $20,000). CELEBRATION TIME — Glenn Cecchini and his wife Raissa celebrate another state championship  3 Tournament Gate Fees For at Barbe High School (Lake Charles, La.). Glenn has led the Bucs to 10 state championships, we make is pure profit. One thing I Fans ($9,000). including the 2019 5A state title. He also is in a class by himself with raising money for his baseball must stress is that this event should  Tournament Sponsorship program. He has taken on the daunting challenge of raising $411,200 this season. take place before the season starts. ($6,000). If you have it after the season starts,  Foul Pole Advertisement about $500,000, and we would have coach, there should be a class taught now we have it at the convention you can get disgruntled parents. Or ($6,000). to build it in three phases. on fund raising. It would help many center which makes it a much nicer if a player is not getting enough  Grant-Safety Improvement “The structure will ultimately coaches across the nation.” event. playing time, the kid might not help ($10,000). include four batting cages and three Cecchini has led his teams “The food is donated and can with the auction. I have learned  T-Shirt Sales ($5,000). pitching areas. When you are not to 10 Louisiana 5A state be gumbo or other great dishes our these things through the years.”  Leather Chair Sponsorships utilizing the pitching areas, those championships. committee wants to do. Each of the Cecchini said that the money ($10,000). spots can be converted to two more “We are a 5A school in Louisiana, 36 kids between our varsity and JV raised each year has allowed  Projected Scoreboard batting cages for a total of six. and there are approximately 2,000 teams are required to secure at least Barbe to have a beautiful baseball Sponsors ($20,000). “We also will have a new locker students who come to Barbe. There two items for the auction. We have complex.  Ring Sponsor ($25,000 per room, a player’s bathroom and are other high schools in Lake a silent auction and a live auction as Prior to the current $500,000 year which isn't counted in the showers, plus an area for umpires. Charles. We have a private school this event kicks off our season. renovation project, his fund raising total). “The locker room includes 50 and a Catholic school. The reason “The more kids you have, the efforts have allowed Barbe to  Total: $411,200. lockers and state-of-the-art LED I bring this up is that we aren’t a better it will go.” showcase first class dugouts, an “Several years ago, I felt that lighting system. one school community. If we were Cecchini said the range of items indoor facility which measures a 7,600 square foot building was “We also will have a mental in that situation, it would be even is always interesting.. 110 feet by 60 feet and is 6,600 important to build parallel to the training room with video capability easier raising money. “We have had autographed square feet. first base line in back of our dugout and 50 leather seats similar to what “The challenge is that we have items from our pro players to gift It has three batting cages (15 x from home to first base. It would run LSU has for its football team. approximately 100,000 people certificates from foot manicurists. 60) as well as two portable pitching about 100 feet long and be about 30 “Phase three of the project will in Lake Charles. Thankfully, the Our kids get businesses to donate mounds. Barbe baseball also has a feet high,” said Cecchini. feature 7 suites with a large seating economy is pretty good.” many of the things. One of my weight room in the facility which is “Instead of raising about area on the top level. It will be great Cecchini said before the baseball former players owns a pawn shop. approximately 2,800 square feet. $150,000 a year, which we had for our fans to watch games.” season starts, his baseball program He donates a rifle every year The entire floor of the facility done for many years, we started Cecchini learned about fund stages a highly popular auction. since hunting is a big activity in is covered in artificial turf except an ambitious project to raise over raising through trial and error over “I have one of my parents be Louisiana. the weight room which has rubber $400,000 each year to pay for this the last 33 seasons, and nobody is in charge of it. There are also “If a player doesn’t get anything matting ½ inch thick. project better at it. subcommittees. Previously, we donated, they can make something. If that wasn’t enough, fundraising “The cost of the project was “When you are going to be a had this auction at the school. But When my nephew played for me, he over the years helped build a made a beautiful gun rack. It was beautiful 2,700 square foot locker really nice. Other people have made room which was built at a cost of cutting boards, crawfish tables. We $60,000. have a wide variety of items that It has a coaches’ office, coaches’ people love to look through and locker room, bathroom and shower bid on. in addition to a big uniform storage “It isn’t just sports items. My area and training room. sons (who are in pro baseball) The baseball players enjoy always donate a bat. One time we luxurious digs as well with 40 hand had a football autographed by every crafted wooden lockers, a bathroom football player from LSU after they and showers. had won the national championship. The facility also houses a 55- We have a Mexican restaurant that inch big screen TV so coaches can donates fajitas and other food for show different motivational videos eight people. to the team. “One time we had four LSU “We are constantly making football season tickets at the 50 things better,” said Cecchini. yard line with free parking. For all Support Vital of our items, we have a minimum Cecchini said that his program bid. We have had barbecue pits is blessed to have people in the donated. We have had car wishes community who are extremely donated for an entire year. We also supportive. have had fishing trips and hunting “If you are out in the country trips at a lodge. where there are only three “We have had a vacation to businesses and a country school, casinos in Louisiana. There was that would be difficult. In that a vacation to the Bahamas a few case, you would have to contact years ago. There are some kids and your alumni. Alumni can help your parents who go beyond what we ask program tremendously if asked. as some give more auction items to “Keep in mind that doing this help the program. Barbe High School’s stunning baseball complex has everything you can imagine. “One business in Lake Charles See BARBE RAISES, Page 11 Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 11 Barbe Raises Enormous Amount Of Money Continued From Page 10 running into money issues. Others have health issues. Sometimes kids is a lot of work and takes a lot of who played at Barbe are no longer energy. But the rewards are well there. I always want to know why. worth it.” “One time I found out that Cecchini said that while players a person didn’t renew his sign are asked to secure two auction because it was put in the wrong items, sell three of the 2 foot by 3 location. He told me that it really foot size signs and also sell four bothered him, but he never called chair back seats, they receive a lot to let me know. I told him that we in return. are a non-profit organization and “We give each player a lot of try to do everything in a first class items, including hats, sleeves, sweat manner. We would put up his sign shirts, a couple pair of shorts, T- next year for free as long as he shirts, leggings, plus more. renewed the following year. Many “Our program pays for their people are moved by the offer and food on road trips. Plus, we factor just renew on the spot. Others take in travel expenses and hotel costs. you up on the free year and renew It adds up pretty quickly, and we Glenn Cecchini utilizes numerous billboards and signs throughout his baseball complex. the next year. figured out it costs us $700 per kid new radar gun. Every year we need Saying Thank You the sixth try, I finally got him on the “You never, ever make excuses. per season for the items they get and a load of infield conditioner. That is Cecchini said one of the crucial phone. He used this example for his Just say a mistake was made and other expenses. If any kids do not another $3,000. components of his fund raising salesmen which was wonderful to tell them you are sorry. do their fund raisers, then they are “When kids haven’t acquired efforts include two important words hear since I wouldn’t give up trying “One thing I learned in business asked to have their parents write out items for our auction or sold seats — thank you. to thank him. school was the marketing process. a check for $700 for Barbe Baseball or signs and couldn’t afford to pay “Anybody who helps our “I can’t tell you how important Everything is negotiable. If someone to at least break even. us $700, we have asked them to do program out in any manner receives it is to have an attitude of being says no, don’t worry about it. Don’t “There have been times when something to help the program. a call from me thanking them for grateful. You would be surprised let failure derail you in life. Stay kids couldn’t afford it, and we have “One time, we needed our whole helping us out. That is absolutely how many times people renew by the course and never give in. You made exceptions. We never cut building painted, and the family crucial. me simply calling to thank them. have numerous life lessons when anyone because they didn’t do the of this kid didn’t have a lot of “We have a Chevrolet dealer “Here is what I typically say: this happens, and failure is an fund raisers. money. who has been very good to us ‘Hello this is Glenn Cecchini. opportunity to grow. “Our expenses for one year are “The father was an airplane over the years who has one of I want to thank you so much “It took us five years to win a about $30,000. Some of the other mechanic but could paint well. So the top dealerships in the nation. for advertising on our baseball league championship at Barbe High expenses include putting sand our they painted our whole building, He has told me that even though field. Without people like you, our School and 10 years to win a state field, aerating the field, purchasing indoor and out. That saved us he sponsors a number of events program would not be what it is title. Now we won 8 state titles in clay for a year for our six pitching thousands of dollars. each year, he always will help my today.” the last 18 years. Success breeds mounds, warning track dirt for “We are not afraid to be on the program out because I call and Cecchini always asks people success. $3,200, bands for pitchers and so barter system. We have had people thank him. who don’t renew their signs why “I see so many young people let on. exchange services for pay which “One year, I couldn’t get in touch they won’t. early failures define them. It is an “There are some years we need a worked out very well.” with him and left five messages. On “Sometimes it’s because they are opportunity to get better.” Iran Novick Presents More California High School Players To Watch LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Memorial, JR, .352, 3 HR, 35 RBI 16 RBI, 3-2, 1.30 ERA following is a list of additional SS Mitch Simon, Linfield Christian, P Adam Walker, Woodland, 6-1, 0.62 .452, 14 2B ERA high school Players to Watch from 1B/P Shayne Simpson, El Toro, .270, C Landon Wallace, Roseville, .452, 2 California as compiled by Iran 17 RBI HR Novick of the California Baseball C/P Paul Skenes, El Toro, .352, 15 2B, 3B Zavien Watson, Cathedral Catholic, Coaches Association. 27 RBI, 6 SV, 0.67 ERA .333, 12 RBI C Tyler Soderstrom, Turlock INF Dillon Wells, Del Campo, .270, This is in addition to the high OF Jayden Solario, St. Paul, .389, 18 14 RBI school players who were listed RBI 1B/OF Peter Werth, Cypress in the Jan. 24 edition who were C Daniel Susac, Jesuit P Isaiah Williams, Calaveras, JR Collegiate Baseball Pre-Season All- C Vince Tinejero, Santa Ana LHP/1B Brett Wozniak, Cypress, 11-0, Americans or listed as top players SS Milan Tolentino, Santa Margarita 1.22 ERA Catholic P CJ Zawahlen, Dana Hills, JR, 3-3, from the state of California. OF/LHP Jake Torres, Bella Vista, .347, 1.60 ERA Thanks to the many coaches who sent in information about their top players. C/P Joey Adge, Del Campo, JR, .308, Upcoming H.S. Tourneys 29 RBI, 5 HR INF/P Darren Advents Jr, Bishop Scheduled Across USA O’Dowd, JR 1B/LHP Edwin Alba, Morse, SO, .377, TUCSON, Ariz. — Many high Select games of the tournament 3-0, 3.32 ERA school tournaments are scheduled will be streamed live on SS Jordan Andrade, Yucaipa, .389, 30 for across the country this spring. USABaseball.com, MLB.com and RBI Here’s a look at two of the larger Facebook Live. P Ulises Arias-Perez, Chino, 5-3, 2.00 ERA tournaments. The NHSI is a single-elimination 3B Ryan Ball, Trabuco Hills, .305 BA National H.S. Invitational championship tournament, with P/3B Christian Bedolla, Westminster The ninth annual National High each participating team guaranteed SS Will Bermudez, St. Paul, .414, 17 School Invitational will take place to play four games. The 2020 RBI championship game will be played SS/3B Drew Bowser, Harvard- April 1-4 at the USA Baseball Westlake C Dylan Fullerton, Woodland, .433, RHP Jared Jones, La Mirada National Training Complex in on Coleman Field on Saturday, 20 RBI P/INF Temo Bracera, Bullard, JR OF Mateo Lake, Rio Americano, .431, Cary, NC. April 4 at 6 p.m. EST. LHP Rio Britton, Capital Christian, 6-1, P Daniel Gaggiano, Trabuco Hills, 1.40 36 RBI, 5 HR USA Baseball will host its ERA The event is hosted by USA 1.88 ERA P John Liduro-Sosa, Segerstrom, JR second annual NHSI Championship 1B/LHP Isaac Bueno, Westminster, JR C/OF Danny Garcia, Yucaipa, .337, 1B/P Robert Linares, Warren, SO. .375, Baseball and presented by the UT Rocco Cabellero, Warren, SO, .343, 27 RBI 5 HR Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance Festival beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST 10 2B 2B/OF Kevin Gomez, Santa Ana 1B/P Eli Lopez, Santa Ana, JR and the Town of Cary, NC. Sixteen at the National Training Complex, C Johnny Gonzalez, Warren, .489, 16 LHP Ian May JR, Dana Hills, 5-3, 1.50 OF Antonio Carter, Bishop O’Dowd, of the top high school teams from just prior to the title game. Family- SO 2B ERA friendly activities, music and a food LHP Lucas Gordon, Notre Dame 1B/P Adam Meza, Santa Ana across the country will participate. 3B/P Michael Chapman, Morse, SO, truck rodeo will be featured at the .368, 23 RBI, 6-1, 1.86 ERA OF Isaiah Greene, Corona, .327, 4 HR, CF Clayton Moore, Calaveras, JR, .308, The 2020 participants include P Reed Coffin, Rancho Buena Vista, 16 RBI 17 SB Reagan (Pfafftown, NC), who will event. C Reagan Guthrie, Cathedral Catholic 5-5, 1.72 ERA CF Jake Naso, Trabuco Hills, .360 BA serve as the tournament host team, For more information, visit P Karson Cook, Calaveras, JR, 4-0, OF Petey Halpin, Mira Costa P Jackson Pace, San Benito, SO USABaseball.com. 2.39 ERA P Carson Hamro, Rancho Buena Vista, C Kevin Parada, Loyola three-time defending champion LHP Riley Cooper, Clovis North 4-2, 2.60 ERA OF Eddie Park, Valley Christian Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA), IP Classic OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Harvard- CF/P Michael Harkins, Linfield Christian, LHP Tyler Parker, Clovis East, 3-1, American Heritage (Plantation, The annual International Paper Westlake .489, 13 SB 2.53 ERA FL) Baseball Classic is considered the OF/SS Ronnie Harris, Oceanside, .394, INF Daniel Perez, Corona, .326, 1 HR RHP/1B Jonahan Cymrot, Valley Calvary Christian Academy (Ft. kickoff event for the South Carolina Christian, JR 11 RBI CF Vincent Pham, Westminster, JR DH Josh Dacurro, Morse, JR, .387, LHP Kyle Harrison, De La Salle RHP/SS Max Rajcic, Orange Lutheran Lauderdale, FL), Harvard-Westlake high school baseball season. 24 RBI P Gino Helmuth, Clovis East C/P Gerry Rangle, Westminster, JR (Studio City, CA), Mount Carmel This year’s event will be held CF Mac Dalem, San Joaquin Memorial, 3B/P Caleb Hohman, Ocean View, JR, 3B/P Matthew Rezkalah, Linfield (Chicago, IL), Parkview (Lilburn, March 5-8 at Mike Johnson Park in .383, 4 HR, 21 RBI .391, 18 RBI, 28 SB Christian, FR GA), Regis Jesuit (Aurora, CO), St. Georgetown, SC. The eight teams 3B/P Michael Davinni, Aliso Niguel C/P Marco Ibarra, Mary Star, 9-1, 1.38 INF Jonah Rioca, Santiago, SO, .342 C Luke Davis, Cypress, SO, .297, 3 ERA, .333, 23 RBI BA Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, are divided into two brackets. A.C. HR LHP Dante Jackson, Dana Hills, 4-4, C Kevin Romero, Morse, .357, 36 RBI FL), Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Flora, Georgetown, Greenville OF Matthew Desler, Bishop O’Dowd, 2.94 ERA P Cooper Rons, Cathedral Catholic, 2-3, CA) and South Aiken make up the Blue JR OF/LHP Jordan Jacobson, Del Campo, 0.67 ERA Thousand Oaks (Thousand Bracket while Boiling Springs, SO, .316, 9 RBI P Nico Ryder, Cathedral Catholic, 1-0-1, C Noah Estrem, St. Anthony, .307, 23 Oaks, CA), American Heritage Chapin, Fort Dorchester and Fort RBI 1B/P Gabe Kahler, Bear Creek, .405, 30 3.15 ERA SS Ethan Ezor, Dana Hills RBI, 7-1, 2.28 ERA C/OF Tanner Sagouspe, San Joaquin (Delray Beach, FL), North Mill are in the Red Bracket. 1B/P Vika Faasua, Oceanside, .431, 3 OF PJ Kissee, Live Oak Memorial, JR, .427, 3 HR, 38 RBI Gwinnett (Suwanee, GA), Bob For information on game HR, 20 RBI OF Cole Koniarsky, Ayala, JR OF/1B Nic Salcido, St. Anthony, JR, Jones (Madison, AL), Red Land schedule, tickets and facilities, visit SS Jack Korthals, Trabuco Hills INF Garret Forrester, Bella Vista, .500, .345, 24 RBI (Lewisberry, PA) and Baylor School IPClassic.com. Follow the games 15 2B, 2 HR 2B/OF Jaxon Kraemer, St. Anthony, SS Eddie Saldivar, San Joaquin .364, 25 RBI (Chattanooga, TN). on Twitter @IPClassic. Page 12 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Knowing Rights, Restrictions Of Hitters Is Important ANSONIA, Conn. — It’s Bradley’s home run and won the a runner on third and one out, the the batter remains in the area of Plate umpire Dan Bellino important for umpires, players and game, 7-6. Indians had the bases empty and the batter’s box, he can be charged immediately called “Time” coaches to know the rights and You can view the play by going two outs and never scored. with interference if he impedes and called Tomas out for batter restrictions of the batter while in to the link at: https://foxgroup.box. 4. If the batter remains stationary the defensive team from making a interference. the batter’s box. com/s/5zpvecq3yzg0juesc3aqexn4 and makes no move to hinder the play. Ahmed was returned to first base Let’s look at the following two drfby7vc catcher’s throw, if the catcher’s 2. If there is a pitch that is in because of the interference. plays. Commenting On throw strikes the batter or his bat the the dirt and caroms off the catcher, You can view the play by going ball remains in play. If the ball goes the batter is still responsible not to to the link: https://www.dropbox. Ducking To Avoid Batter’s Rights 1. Although it might into dead ball territory, all runners interfere with the catcher. The batter com/s/l0g98awn3w1k617/Tomas Catcher’s Throw Ruleball will advance two bases from their must vacate the necessary space %20Interference%20at%20NYY. The Red Sox and sound trivial, in my position on the bases at the time for the catcher and allow him to mp4?dl=0 I n d i a n s p l a y e d a t opinion, when Mercado the pitch was delivered. If coaches make a play because the batter no Progressive Field on unnecessarily ducked to Conclusion are concerned about safety, I have longer has the right to his space in Aug. 13. avoid Leon’s throw to 1. The batter must be aware of never seen the catcher’s throw in the batter’s box. Take the following In the bottom of the third base, this was the his rights and restrictions. this situation strike the batter. On play: ninth with the score key to the game. 2. W h e n t h e c a t c h e r i s rare occasions the throw will make The D’backs and Yankees played tied, 6-6, the Indians 2. M o s t b a t t e r s attempting a pick (usually at the contact with the bat. Keep in mind in New York on July 30. In the had Francisco Lindor duck when a catcher is corner bases), there is no need that the goal of the catcher here is top of the fourth inning, Yasmany on second base and one attempting to throw to for the batter to duck and give the to get the ball to the base ASAP. Tomas was facing J.A. Happ with out. first or third base on a catcher a throwing lane. The onus 5. If there is a steal of home or an 0-2 count and one out and Nick Oscar Mercado was pick. This is not required. is on the catcher to make his own if the batter is attempting a suicide Ahmed on first base. On the next the batter facing Brandon As long as the batter throwing lane. squeeze bunt, he does not have to pitch, Ahmed took off for second Workman with an 0-1 With Rich Marazzi makes no movement 3. The batter must always be vacate his position in the batter’s base. count. Rules Consultant to hinder the catcher’s aware of the location of the catcher, Blue Jays, Brewers, box because he is not expected to The pitch was in the dirt and On the next pitch, throw, he has the right the ball and the runner when there is Cardinals, D’backs, immediately disappear. The onus caromed off Yankees’ catcher Kyle Lindor attempted to steal Dodgers, Mariners, to remain in his stance the possibility of a play being made is on the catcher to find a lane to Higashioka. As Higashioka pursued third and was originally Orioles, Phillies, when the catcher is in the on the runner. The batter must not make the play. The batter is within the ball, Tomas got in his way and called safe. Pirates, Rangers, act of throwing. hinder or impede the catcher from Rays, Red Sox, his rights to remain stationary as interfered. But following a Red 3. B y d u c k i n g , making a play. Royals, Tigers, long as he does nothing intentional Tomas apparently never Sox challenge, the call Twins, Yankees, the Mercado opened a 4. The batter must be aware of to interfere with the play. imagined the ball would carom in was reversed. Fox Regional Sports throwing lane for Leon. when his status is no longer that of front of the plate and was oblivious During the steal Networks, ESPN and If Mercado remained Batter’s Restrictions a batter. the White Sox TV to Higashioka’s attempt to field attempt, Mercado ducked in his stance following 1. When there is a passed ball or 5. If the batter and catcher announcers. the ball. to avoid the throw of the pitch, Leon would wild pitch and the runner on third inadvertently collide in front of In this play, Tomas was required Boston catcher Sandy Readers can submit have had to create his is attempting to advance home, the the plate when the batter puts the questions to Rich at: to vacate and relinquish space to the Leon. own throwing lane. This batter must vacate and relinquish ball in play near the plate, or on [email protected] Yankees’ catcher because he had Was that necessary? most likely would have space to the pitcher covering the a missed third strike that is not given Lindor the additional time he plate because the batter is no longer no purpose as a batter or batter- caught, contact is ignored unless the The Red Sox scored one run runner. in the top of the 10th on Jackie needed to steal the base. Instead of in a batter’s status at that time. If umpire judges intent to interfere. 100-Inning Game Can Be Fabulous Fundraiser For Baseball Teams By ROB NELSON For every dollar a sponsor It’s best to have four lineups, using i. Count your money! If 30 season conditioning program, and © 1980 Rob Nelson pledges, you then give that your JV players too. players have found 10 “dime a preseason southern trip. Special To Collegiate Baseball sponsor one of the “two for one” That way, each lineup plays 2- sponsors” each, you team will have Because the spring training trip coupons. 1/2 hours. raised $3,000. to Florida is entirely financed by the PORTLAND, Ore. — The Fast food places are surprisingly 10. Play the game using these (The average amount raised by student athletes and coaching staff, following is how to set up and receptive to projects like this, so rules: 93 teams who played 100 inning several fund raising events are held run one of the most successful don’t be afraid to ask! a. Pitchers will feed pitching games in 2003 was $3,744. So, a prior to our March departure. fundraising projects devised for 8. Make sure you have done the machine, then field their position. goal of $3,000 is very realistic.) Our first event of this baseball and softball teams — The following five things at least two b. Each team should hit for nine Letter To Send Out academic year is the “100 Inning 100-Inning Game. weeks before the game: outs, clearing the bases after every Here is the “Dear Neighbor” letter Marathon.” Use a pitching machine as your a. Reserve a field for a 10-hour three outs. used by Housatonic Community Like us, our crosstown friends “Designated Pitcher.” period, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. c. Pitchers get to hit. If a batter College for their 100 inning game, and rivals, Sacred Heart University, This game takes about 10 hours b. Make sure your pitching has two strikes on him, and then hits which raised $4,500 will also utilize the Marathon as a or less to play. machine is in good running order. a foul ball, that batter is out. Dear Neighbor: means to finance their spring trip. Here are the points you need to Practice setting the dials until d. Set up a protective screen On Saturday, October 22, the Our HCC baseball athletes are know: you find the straight ball speed in front of pitching machine. Any Housatonic Community College seeking your support. 1. Tell your players they will be that is fast enough to strike out batted ball that hits the screen is a Hawks will play the Sacred Heart Their participation in this 11- playing 100 innings to raise money half of your team regularly and use “do-over.” University Pioneers in the first hour endurance test will require for your team. that setting during the 100-Inning e. Use leather baseballs. annual “Great American Baseball tremendous effort, but they are Each player must play at least Game. Have at least four dozen Marathon.” conditioned young people eager to 2-1/2 hours in the game, and each (The last thing you want in a 100- available. Our HCC team member is asking meet the challenge. player must get 10 sponsors to inning game is a lot of hitting!) f. After the game is over, make you to consider pledging a nickel Baseball and academics are pledge 10¢ per inning. c. Try to get 10 volunteer certain you tell your players to for each of the 100 innings we will important pursuits for them at this The team is pledging 10¢ x 100 umpires. Two umpires at a time, “collect that cash!” be playing at Pioneer Park on the time in their lives. innings, which is 10 dollars. working for two hours should be Money not collected by three SHU Campus. Please consider joining us in this 2. Your opponent for this game enough. days after the game is very tough As you may know, Housatonic major project. can be a cross-town rival, who d. Print up 17 copies of the to collect. Baseball is a great success story, Remember your contribution is might also decide to get sponsors, (eight state titles, two New England fully tax deductible. or an alumni team, or even an titles, twice Northeast Champions What better way to say, “Go intra-squad affair — the blue vs. and two trips to the Junior College get ‘em Housy, keep up the good the gold, etc. World Series). work!” 3. Write a brief “Dear Neighbor” Part of HCC’s winning tradition Sincerely, letter, similar to the one shown at has been the result of ambitious Edward Sylvia the end of this article. preparation which includes a five Coordinator of Athletics 4. Print up 30 of these “Dear week fall program, a rigorous off Head Baseball Coach Neighbor” letters for each of your players, which they should distribute to their neighbors and friends. official 100-Inning Game score g. Write short personal “Thank If you have email lists, an email sheet. you” notes to the umpires and to version of the letter should be e. If possible, paint a scoreboard your opposing coach. sent. on a 4’ x 8’ piece of plywood. h. Write a standard short 5. Print up 100 sponsor sheets. Above is a sample scoreboard: “Thank you” letter, including some 6. A day or two after your A photo of your players behind highlights of the game. neighbors have distributed the this scoreboard after the game Have each of your players copy “Dear Neighbor” letters, each should be sent to the local press, this note on your team’s stationery player should visit those homes. along with highlights of the game. if you have it. When a neighbor agrees to be This is especially important if A player who found 10 sponsors a sponsor, the neighbor should you have worked out a “coupon should copy this thank you note fill in his or her name and other deal” with a fast food place. 10 times. SAMPLE SCORE SHEET — This is a sample to show information on the player’s sponsor Remember, that place will love Mail a “Thank you” to every you how to use this score sheet. The visiting team has sheet. the free publicity in the press, and person who sponsored your 100- just completed its first turn at bat, hitting for three innings. Players should not collect any will be more likely to help you Inning Game. Notice, when the team scored, an X was placed in one of money until you have actually out in future years with other 100 This is time-consuming, and the the “runs” boxes. When an out was made, an X was placed played the 100 innings. inning games. postage will cost you money, but it in an “out” box. Remember to fill in the “runs scored this 7. Try to find a fast food place to 9. At least a week before the is a real good investment, especially inning” space, and the “total runs scored” space after three help you, by giving you free “two game, make a time schedule of if you intend to play a 100-Inning outs are made. You must make 25 copies of this page to be for one” coupons. when your players will be playing. Game every year. able to score the entire 100 innings. Good luck and have fun! Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 13 Hitting Thoughts From Gary Ward Fascinating Issues Are Brought To Table From This Master Coach By GARY WARD your environmental programming. Special To Collegiate Baseball “No” will help you identify that there is a personal path of self- STILLWATER, Okla. — Hitting actualization. is a passion of mine, and here are Travel will come with steep some random thoughts on the inclines that will slow your subject. progress, an increase in the size of your obstacles, some detour and Thought No. 1 The perception of the player creative alteration of your intended as to the terminology used to route, and certainly rare will you describe evaluation of their mental, find the company of others to share emotional and physical skills is your journey. intriguing. B. The thoughts mentioned in A If I tell you that you have a will lead to focus on those things chemical imbalance, you merely that you have chosen for your tool say give me the correct chemicals to box of training techniques of future bring my body back in balance. behavior. The entire medical industry With focus, you will learn the Art is based on this simple concept, of Forgetting. and they make millions from this You will need the courage to approach….Lab tests for blood and apply a filter to eliminate what is urine identify the imbalance …the important in your external world. Dr. writes a prescription…send it to We have learned to rely of the Pharmacy…you pick it up and the Four Horsemen of Societal take it and problem solved. Control. If I tell you that you have a Government, Educational physical imbalance in your hitting Systems, The Church, and The mechanics, you simply say give me Societal Heap of Law and Order the corrections in drill and training will be our guide to our all our methods, and I will go do the self- choices and actions. directed work of trial and error until To the Master of Self, these institutions no longer have the I can identify the problems and Hitting guru Gary Ward explains some of the finer points of hitting. discover the solutions. control that they spent years I will take the medicine with the movement. anchors with which we stored it in wants something else from me that ingraining in your beliefs, habits, expectation that I can be healed as Memory formation and retrieval the long term memory. detracts from the achievement of and actions. you have prescribed. come directly from these brain So, it erodes in accuracy. my goals and missions in life will You have been environmentally If I tell you that the evaluation of cells…2008…memory exists in the Retrieved memory intertwines be told “no”. programmed by the APES…The your performance in practice shows brain as a network of linked cells and interacts into this story and No ifs, ands, or buts…no candy adult…..powerful perfectionist…. an imbalance in your emotional or that have been activated frequently after repeated recalls may be very and nuts. who rule with ego and experience mental approach, you have your enough to myelinate them into much altered in accuracy of the No alibis, excuses or woulda, systematically until there is no feelings hurt and most often go into permanent long term memory original elements…Joe Biden and coulda, or shouda. self except in the their prescribed denial and resistance. available for retrieval. sometimers…If the memory is not No explanations, no apologies, societal prisons based on their need You see that as an attack on your The chemical factory of the brain real clear, nor the clues, we make and no regrets. to control the masses. self-image. is fascinating and neurotransmitters up what we need to tell the story. No will provide me with the So, say “no” to the APES and You rally your mind to form the and their receptions in the synapses freedom and independence to begin the forgetting process to Thought No. 4 release yourself from the comfort arguments to protect your ego. created these elaborate highways The team unit and its connected pursue life’s goals with a complete You see my judgement as critical, and sequential lighting up of the investment of my life currency of zone prison of satisfying society by hierarchy of leadership and being normal, average and thereby unfair and unjustified. motor skill highway to eventually standards of behavior follow most time, energy, and resources. You hide in your comfort master a skill movement. Example, a primary goal is to controllable. of the rules of the tribal member or Learn a new personal language zone and fight off the negative The brain is powerful and uses 20 a member of a herd. be an adequate father and husband emotions of blame, shame, guilt percent of the body’s oxygen supply to my family and keep them as a of success, and to achieve this you The R’s of control are ridicule, must forget and block the language and seek to rationalize away any when in use and burns a high rate reeducation, and/or rejection. priority in my Goals Journal. I accountability or responsibility of energy…each cell is basically a will never be a social animal who of those who provided you with When new to the herd you will the mental programming of those such an evaluation. switch that when flipped or fired be faced with some of this crude requires others’ validation to feel sends a signal through its synaptic of value. APES in charge of your past life. Thought No. 2 and sarcasm verbiage in order for cleft with the correct chemical I will never master the recreation You now have ownership of your Continue to research the you to be accepted… the initiation brain, and your brain is nature’s Spiderman suit network of fascia neurotransmitter connecting it to of the new rookie. of golf, fishing or gardening. the next cell. I will not seek popularity with greatest spam filter. and that covers every area of the To adjust, resolve yourself to Forgetting is freedom to open new human body. Thinking and talking is high be humble while being attentive the people I work with as a part of energy work…ask the person who the herd. I will be seen as a “Lone avenues of incoming information… Clarify multi fascia. Identify to reframe some of your activities can you imagine how confusing clearly the role that this plays in is required for hours to be talking and behaviors so as to be accepted Wolf” rather than the sheep who and instructing. follows the herd. I will celebrate the the world is for those who could oxygenation. as a member. remember all of their memories Continue to research the A major conclusion is that our ability to be alone without feeling neural networks produce patterns Thought No. 5 lonely. of childhood programming by the interstitial fluid role, other Mastery, purpose, and service, it APES. interstitial roles of the matrix that that the brain reads as images, I will find peace and recreation… thoughts, and feelings. i.e….you do is said by the intellectuals, requires re…creation though silence, Those who try to and think it is the cleaning maintenance job of about 10 years and 10,000 hours of important to retain all their past the capillary level where nutrition have a canavanoid receptor in your solitude, meditation, and prayer. brain cell synaptic cleft that binds exposure to develop the skill sets “No”, allows me to take a self- experiences remain in the childish and wastes are exchanged at the that would set us apart as a master state of others external control. cellular levels. to marijuana and gives the high directed ownership of my choices feelings of peace and pleasure. of our craft. and plans of action….and to find Forgetting is the best friend of Add plasma and get these I have worked 50 years as a coach learning. definitions of these fluids on tap The brain structure is modular, my voice to express myself without specialized components that divide and have worked many more hours fear of others’ approval. Memories erode and begin to for use in lecture. than the number suggested without fade without exposure to conscious Then, clarify the benefits of the labor. It will be none of my business For example, there are dedicated reaching a sense of mastering the what others think of me because thought…All negative memories such activities of jump rope work, art of teaching hitting mechanics are replaceable if you have room trampoline work, and similar sensory areas that are processing their validation and acceptance what you see, hear, smell, and to my students. is not needed on the path of to constantly bring new positive activities such as table tennis, I remain a work in progress. affirmation of belief to the conscious dance, yoga, balance beam, wall feel. achievement I have chosen. I will Each does is own job and together My wife has done a better job of be a lifelong student of the process thinking process. rebound catch and juggling add to training me to become an acceptable The power of spaced repetition the athletes skill set. they a coherent whole…..constantly of learning and growth…of study updating you with a record of past, husband in far less time than the 10 and research of new ideas….I of exposure to information allows Thought No. 3 present, and future actions. and 10,000 rule. will seek the mentorship of those for a consolidation of a body Collect the numerical data of the We have a left brain and a right I have, however, discovered who have traveled their path of of information over time…8-10 brain structure — 80,000-100,000 brain structurally divided with clear some rules of action that encourage choice and discovered their genius repetitions over a 14 days period is neurons. differences in specific functions. me to think that I remain on the and greatness…I will continue to what I use as the standard to insure Cell body and nucleus, dendrites We have a conscious and un correct path to achieve personal believe that with this humble study that the body of information being to synaptic cleft. or sub conscious but only the mastery. that I can find the source of my own exposed to the student and carries The potential of electrified conscious has a mind with which A. Learn to say “no” to things genius and greatness…within the with it their responsibility to know connections of these synaptic to decide or reason. that do not provide me with any limits of my human genome. it in detail. connections run into the trillions of A final thought on memory…. assistance in achieving progress “No” becomes your default That the information has been possibilities…to infinity. retrieval is gained in the form towards my personal goals. setting when external stimuli expose chunked and emotional cued to This is the system that goes from of clues or “gist” of the stored Meet your basic needs of food, you to your greatest power. guarantee that it has been transferred a pathway to a super highway by the memory and we must fill in the air, water, shelter, security, and The power to choose…to from their working memory to their process of myelination. gaps of those clues…so most of our sleep. Have very few wants and exercise choice allows you to long term memory and that it will be The result of training and retrieved memories are acquired those must clearly defined in my eliminate the trivial and the self- Personal Goals Journal. practice of skills that teaches them as reconstructions of the clues and constructed personal prisons of See REVERSE, Page 14 to fire together to produce a motor Anything and anybody who Page 14 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Reverse Engineering Can Be Valuable Tool Continued From Page 13 Red 1 The hitter moves into a full available for retrieval automatically Sacrifice Bunt position…Push the in the future. pole, rapid fire mini swing. Research has shown repeatedly The hitter cheats their feet With reverse engineering of the hitter, that the retrieval power is increased towards to plate to compensate at a surprising rate with the use of for the shortened bunting grip on “the teacher can draw conclusions for spaced repetition as the method of the bat. exposing the info to the student. Toes of both feet pointing constructive instruction, document it, Memory has two unique features. towards the pitcher. Weight on the recreate it and develop strategies with There is a natural decay of memory back leg with the back heel off the relative to retrieval and frequency of ground. the player to fix the flaws. When you usage and a tendency to experience The drill pitcher will toss the reminiscence….or the bubbling up ball underhanded on a straight make the player more aware of any flaw, of some implicit thoughts from the line…no flips…by showing the he can find it, feel it, and fix it. Reverse retrieval process that we do not ball out front to the hitter and then remember having learned in past taking a full and deliberate negative engineering provides a process that exposures of the info. arm swing. allows the coach to do a complete cursory C. Reverse engineering is The pitcher will be protected by the process of discovering the a reverse “L” screen working from examination of the hitter. architecture of an individual player’s the longer vertical side. hitting mechanics to understand the When the pitcher starts the — Gary Ward components through analysis of its presented ball back on the negative structure, function, and operational path…the hitter moves the bat results. back to a position no further back Having coached high school than a vertical line between the point…the bat is vertical with the use the lift. Emphasis is placed on into high school competition. football as a defensive coordinator, sternum and the belly button with hands positioned just below the maintaining a square relationship Take a stride step, keep your” eye the exposure to constant film a preference for the bat to stay back pectoral. with the plate with the pectoral on the ball, and swing it hard. study for game planning defensive vertical on that body line. The leverage line is a vertical muscles of the chest. The players who dominant this alignments and positioning of The feet maintain the position line that can be drawn from the back This eliminates any inward competition are usually bigger, players was tedious and intense. created by the sacrifice bunt knee up through the back hip to the rotation of the front shoulder and stronger and well ahead of the Most importantly, one learns positioning. back elbow and back shoulder. there can be no tension related maturation process of their age to spend most of the preparation The hitter is free to trigger That is the take position and the separation from the touch of group. in reversing the play to scout the the mini swing as the pitcher’s bat and body position that will be the barrel to the below the back As a result, these are the players internal variables of the rival team throwing hand moves forward for used to execute the swing. shoulder point. who progress from level to level actions. release. The pitcher of the drill is at the with superior performance being With reverse engineering of At swing through or contact, the Drill Options same distance and executes the The bat barrel plane can be rewarded for their inherited gift of the hitter, the teacher can draw pitcher will be presenting pitch 2 pitch in the same manner as in Red lowered by changing the touch early physical development. conclusions for constructive and rapidly start action for the next 1 Hit from Bunt. point to on top of the shoulder or The majority of coaches at instruction, document it, recreate pitch…and pitch 3 will follow with However in Red 2, the hitter will down to mid-bicep or below. all levels realize that they must it and develop strategies with the the same timing. be allowed an interval of 5 seconds The bat barrel head never loses instruct and train players with an player to fix the flaws. The beginning number of pitches or so to reset the take position, the lag touch position until the understanding that development When you make the player more for the drill is 3 and can be increased leverage line, and prepare correctly back elbow initiates “The Move” physically may come in the late aware of any flaw, he can find it, to as high as 10 with training for the next swing. gets the back elbow moving to the teens and early 20s. feel it, and fix it. experience. belly button. Reverse engineering provides a Drill Options Key To Power Drill Options It is required that the energy flow This should result in an automatic Power comes with physical process that allows the coach to do Ask the player to approach the and effort be increased to about release of the top hand as the elbows maturation that allows for more of a complete cursory examination drill work with an emphasis on 70% during the swing. The increase of the hitter get directly over his the job physically to be assigned of the hitter when he arrives as a hand action and using only about should be felt more in the core and knees. The automatic release will to lower body energy flow…. member of your team. 60% of energy flow to encourage back elbow slot movement. occur naturally as the hands reach collection…control…direction… 1. Take significant amounts quickness of time to impact. The vertical bat position is the mid-point body line. and delivery from the lower half of video tape of the hitter in The pitcher can be allowed to required but the Coach may allow Emphasize that the maximum of the body…specifically from the batting practice with ball travel hold the ball at release point to for some forward flop of the barrel energy flow for each individual feet through the abdominal and hip at a minimum starting point of eliminate the hitter from cheating head towards the pitchers or to flare should be a default setting of girdle central body core. 55 feet…a few feet in front of the and to check the “take position” as the hands away from the body to 80%. Distance of the pitcher can With physical maturity, these pitching mound rubber. This tape to balance and energy control. It increase the freedom of the back be moved to 35 or 55 feet with components play a more significant becomes the original file to be used is advised that every coach should elbow. overhand throwing action. role in the development of exit for future referral to document the select 2-3 experienced players and Give the hitter a 10 second delay speed which is the best evaluative present mechanical approach of Hidden Values test the drill procedure for their age between pitches for self-monitoring tool for predicting present and the player. 1. The Leverage Line Drill and skill level. and to re-establish their set-up. future power. 2. The tape provides for a mutual increases bat barrel head aware- Collect the player input The longer the swing and the language of hitting components to ness. Hidden Values regarding the drill execution and more energy expended at maximum be learned by player and coach as 2. Creates a greater sense of 1. Maintenance of lag touch the language used to describe the effort, the stronger the hitter feels… they mesh their terminology and what the knees and upper thighs do until automatic release makes the desired actions. longer feels stronger. clarify their communication…that to create a more powerful swing. hitter aware of the late top hand and However, longer is slower and language emphasizes the assembly Hidden Values 3. Gives value to the prime improved control and accuracy of increases time to impact and a and components in descriptive 1. Core rotation from front to phrases of ….Read to see the the bat path is revealed. loss of controlled bat path and bat terms. back triggers a sense of the core ball…Ride to predict the pitch type, 2. The time to impact is measured accuracy and probable loss of exit 3. It sets in motion the identity and the swing-hit impulse moves arrival time and estimated speed from when the barrel leaves touch speed. of flaws that both coach and player the core more naturally from back and location and decide to hit or until contact with the pitched ball. Maximum effort brings with it may express. to front. The hitter is often not take at that moment….the ball will 3. Coach must learn to time and tension in the antagonistic muscle 4. It exposes possible vulner- aware of core movement as a part be 20-25 feet from the catcher. record this skill. pairings of bicep and tricep…back abilities in communication as to of executing this drill but discovery 4. Critical to understand that the 4. Bat speed can be measured and chest…quads and hamstrings… how the architecture of a hitter is of core freedom or restriction is all things done before arriving at but it is not a factor unless the et al. structured. revealed to both player and coach. the leverage line are done for every bat is accelerating through the 5. It identifies the kinetic code or 2. The mid-point vertical line pitch that a hitters sees and the ball maximizing the coefficient of Notes For The Coach sequence of the tempo and energy bat set allows many players to decision to hit or take occurs after restitution at contact. Take video of everything for expenditure of the hitter inside the experience for the first time the the leverage line is achieved. 5. Launch angle can be now everybody for their individual file. swing from feet to barrel contact freedom and relaxation found in understood by the coach and player If technical ability and equipment their hands when the shoulders are Red 3 with the ball. All-purpose swing. . .square to as to what happens to the bat angle allow, produce a voice over video 6. Radar gun the exit speeds relaxed, become aware of when the during the last 8 inches or so of bat analysis of each individual. energy and effort is lowered, and square. . .from lag touch. of the original batting practice but The hitter sets up in the batter’s travel before impact. Radar gun the exit velocity of do not share with the individual knowing where the bat barrel head Professional golf has understood every swing contact of every player in located when the top hand fires. box with regular stance and hand or team. and feet position. this concept for decades by from red 1-2-3-4. Do not share 7. Emphasize taking front, side Red 2 The back elbow is then lowed to educating their hands at or just those numbers with the player or and top down video tape angles and Leverage Line Drill from the a relaxed position touching the rib before impact to impart the correct the group. be disciplined to have a full picture Take Position…Quick hands cage with the elbow pointed down spin and angle of flight desired for Develop a composite file of all of the footwork and lower body isolated. to the back pocket and the bat barrel the shot they have planned. exit speeds for comparisons with action of each player. The hitter takes his stance at the touching an inch or two below the Red 4 the past, present and future players. The coach now has the option plate with his feet cheated and in the point of the back shoulder…This The big eight power tools. Develop a range scale with a 3 mph as to when to introduce the Four same positions as in Red 1. establishes the full leverage line . .stride lift. . .hip flexor load. interval between each range and Stages of Reverse Engineering He takes his normal stride and when the stride and back knee are . .scapula load. . .inward front have the capability from that to Drills for Training the Swing. establishes the position known as activated. shoulder rotation. . .positive wraps. predict ball flight for power. If time permits, it is preferred the power base. Bat angle to fall between 45-60 . .negative wraps. . .back elbow Reveal and interpret the exit that the coach see the player under The back heel is up and back degrees. Hands positioned at the elevation. . .stretchers. . . speed numbers with the individual game conditions vs. live pitching foot rests on back toe…the back arm pit. These are the hitting fundamentals player as you evaluate his power with video tape of that competition knee is triggered…the core rotation The stride action is added as per that contain the majority of things potential and if he has a productive added to the evaluation file of the initiated…the back elbow is the choice of the player to progress taught to young players from their relationship with his mechanics and individual. touching the back ribcage at mid- forward or regress backward or to T ball days through Little Leagues approach to each at-bat. Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 15

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Collegiate Baseball News Subscription Form Individual Subscriptions: Name $28 for 1 year (14 issues) Company/School $48 for 2 years (28 issues) Address Foreign Air Mail City State Country ($50 for one year in U.S. funds only) Bonus Rate Team Subscriptions: Zip E-Mail (All papers must go to same address): Payment Method: Credit Card Options Check enclosed (payable to Collegiate Baseball) Call (520) 623-4530 M-F Coaches’ Bundle — 4 copies each issue $56 Money Order (payable to Collegiate Baseball) 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. (MT) or 11 papers each issue — $110 (Save $198) Credit Card FAX to: (520) 624-5501 21 papers each issue — $189 (Save $399) Charge My: Mastercard VISA Discover American Express Credit Card # Mail Orders To: Collegiate Baseball Expiration Date Security Code P.O. Box 50566 Signature (if paying by credit card) Tucson, AZ 85703 Daytime Phone Number: With A 1-Year Subscription To Collegiate Baseball, you receive 1 FREE E-Book below. Check 1 from the 8 E-Books that are offered: SECRETS OF BASE STEALING (NEW!): Seven elite coaches explain how to have a high octane offense which allows teams to score more runs. They include Tim Corbin (Vanderbilt), Dan McDonnell (Louisville), Gary Gilmore (Coastal Carolina), Matt Talarico (Wright St.), Selwyn Young (Benedict College), Mike Gillespie (former U.C. Irvine coach) and Mike Knight (former Nicholls St. coach). SECRETS OF PITCHING: The greatest pick-off move ever devised from Mike Maack, mastering command with pitching legend Orel Hershiser, why sniper focus is crucial in pitching, why resilience is a must with Ken Ravizza, plus much more. SECRETS OF GREAT COACHES: Jerry Stitt explains highly successful coaching techniques that master coaches have utilized for decades. Ed Cheff, who led Lewis-Clark State to 16 NAIA national titles, explains how valuable team chemistry is, plus much more. SECRETS OF GREAT HITTERS: Phillies’ Hitting Coach John Mallee taps into wealth of data which vividly shows how hitters are most efficient in launch angles for production. Tulane skipper Travis Jewett delves into his hitting system, plus much more. SECRETS OF AMAZING INFIELD PLAY SECRETS OF OUTFIELD PLAY BEST INFIELD DRAG AND TAMP DESIGNS BASEBALL’S GREATEST TRICK PLAYS