Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Amateur Baseball

Started In 1958 At The Request Of Our Nation’s Baseball Coaches Vol. 62, No. 4 Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 $4.00 Photo By Scobel Wiggins, courtesy Oregon State Sports Information Photo By Scobel Wiggins, Oregon State switch hitting catcher Adley Rutschman increased his batting average from .234 to .408 last season. Amazing Adley Rutschman Talented OSU receiver His greatest strides have been made as and over again. a switch hitter. One he will never forget was a walkoff was 1,197th pick in MLB As a freshman two seasons ago, he hit an inside-the-park home run in the 10th inning Draft out of high school, anemic .234 in 61 games with 7 doubles, against Nevada as he went 4-for-4 with now favorite to be No. 1 2 homers, 33 RBI and 27 walks over 209 two walks. at-bats. Oregon State Head Coach Pat Bailey, overall selection in 2019. Last year was remarkable as he hit 174 one of the top hitting minds in the game, points higher with a.408 batting average. said subtle changes were made with By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. He had 15 more doubles (22), 7 more Rutschman after his freshman season. Editor/Collegiate Baseball homers (9) and collected 26 more walks “Adley was a disciplined hitter when he (53) as he turned into a skilled hitter from came in our program and worked hard. But ORVALLIS, Ore. — Imagine being both sides of the plate. I feel there were two keys to his success the 1,197th pick in the MLB Draft It was one of the greatest turnarounds by last season. Cout of high school and three years a hitter in college baseball history. “First, he didn’t play football for Oregon later the odds on favorite to be the No. 1 At the College World Series last year, State after his freshman season. So we had pick overall. he was on fire. him the entire fall of 2017 which allowed Oregon State’s 6-foot-2, 216-pound Over eight games against elite pitching us to clean some things up.” catcher Adley Rutschman is that man. staffs, he hit .567 as he collected a College Rutschman was the placekicker for He was only 19 picks away from being World Series record 17 hits in 30 at-bats the football team his freshman year as he the last pick of the draft in the 40th round and recorded 13 RBI, 3 doubles, 2 homers served as a kickoff specialist, averaging three years ago by the Seattle Mariners and 7 walks. 59.5 yards per kick with 20 touchbacks. from Sherwood High School (Sherwood, He tallied three hits and two RBI in At Sherwood High School (Sherwood, Ore.) the national title game win over Arkansas Ore.), he booted a state-record 63-yard Since that time, he has improved as Rutschman was named Most Valuable field goal as a senior in 2015. dramatically in every phase of his game Player of the 2018 CWS. at Oregon State. Last season he delivered clutch hits over See SKILLED RECEIVER, Page 2 ADLEY RUTSCHMAN

Inside Collegiate Baseball Web Site: www.baseballnews.com Unbelievable Achievement Living Out A Special Dream Lewis’ Legendary Irish O’Reilly Augustana overcomes massive Army’s Cam Opp wanted to play Nobody will ever duplicate this obstacles to win 2018 NCAA college baseball in worst way but remarkable man’s passion and Division II national title/Page 6 faced serious challenges/Page 10 love for game of baseball/Page 4 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Skilled Receiver Rutschman Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Has Soft Hands, 96 MPH Arm Amateur Baseball Continued From Page 1

“Second, he was consistently Collegiate Baseball (ISSN 0530-9751) is published twice a month collapsing his back side which January-May and once in June, July, September and October was causing him to come off the (14 total issues) by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Inc., 2515 ball earlier on the front side. That N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. Periodicals postage paid at was the No. 1 thing we cleaned up. Tucson, AZ. We did different drills with him to refine that area. Postmaster: Send address changes to: “Being a hard worker allowed Collegiate Baseball Adley to improve quickly. As a P.O. Box 50566 switch hitter, he had issues from Tucson, AZ 85703 both sides. But he collapsed more from the left side. We just tried to Overnight Mail: 2515 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 get him to stay tall on his back side Past Publishers: Abe Chanin, Lou Pavlovich, Sr. and keep a proper distance between Single 1-Year Subscription Rate: $28 for 14 issues. his feet. Single 1-Year First Class U.S. Subscription: $45 “He needed to be more balanced. Single 1-Year Foreign Air Mail Subscription: $50 Posture determines a hitter’s swing Special Team Subscriptions: 11 papers each issue sent to one path. All the things we did to help address — $110 (save $198 off the single subscription price), and Adley had to do with timing, 21 papers each issue sent to one address — $189 (save $399). rhythm and balance. And balance Other Multiple Subscription Offers: Please inquire with sub- is the key to Adley.” scription department at (520) 623-4530. Bailey said Rutschman’s leadership skills are off the chart. Directory “He is a selfless, great young man. I have known Adley since he Area Code (520) was five years old going back to Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530) the days when I coached at George Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530 to report stories) Fox University with Adley’s dad Advertising Director: Diane Pavlovich (Call 623-4530) Randy. Subscription Department: (Call 623-4530) “When you work with baseball Fax Machine: (Call 624-5501) players, some are more risk takers E-Mail: [email protected] than others, and Adley certainly fits Web Site: www.baseballnews.com that mold. Part of that is personality Courtesy Oregon State Sports Information Photo By Scobel Wiggins, and part is self confidence. Adley Oregon St. All-American Catcher Adley Rutschman 2019 Publication Schedule has always been willing to make the program which has posted a pitches to get to the bottom of the changes so he can improve.” 111-18-1 cumulative record. zone so you get more strikes called. January 4 March 8 May 3 September 6 Incredible Catcher “He brings toughness, charisma, Things like that are extremely January 25 March 22 May 17 October 4 February 8 April 5 June 14 Rutschman is much more than a focus, energy as well as a positive valuable with a lot of collaboration February 22 April 19 July 12 great switch hitter. attitude and work ethic that spills going on.” He also is a skilled catcher who over to not only our pitching staff Rutschman said he has developed can receive pitches with soft hands but our program as a whole. a soft glove hand through thousands and has a cannon for an arm. “He positively affects so many of hours of work. Moving? Rarely do runners try to steal people on and off the field that his “Slowing the game down has Make Sure CB Moves Along With You! off him and the pitching staff at presence and efforts are something helped and getting stronger so your To change your address, please write us 30 days in advance if Oregon State as they hold runners that can and will continue to impact glove can be soft when receiving you can. Mail to: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper extremely well. any team he plays for. pitches. Dept. Address Change Last season he threw out 5 of 18 “The guy is a winner, and any “Beating pitches to spots helps P.O. Box 50566 runners trying to steal off him. The team that he plays for will see that a lot in the development of a soft Tucson, Ariz. 85703 year before, he threw out 12 of 26 on the field but also feel it in their glove hand. Also, you strive not 1. Please print OLD address here. runners as a freshman. clubhouse and community.” to receive balls with your glove Oregon State only allowed 17 Yeskie said Rutschman’s arm is at an awkward angle which might NAME stolen bases in 33 attempts over 62 Big League ready right now. allow the glove to move out of the STREET APT. # games in 2017 and 17 stolen bases “He typically throws a ball to zone.” CITY STATE ZIP in 36 attempts over 68 games last second in 1.8-1.9 seconds. We Many great catching coaches season. haven’t put a radar gun on him as over the years have demanded that DATE OF Rutschman has been a key a catcher, but he is 96 mph off the the glove of a catcher be below MOVE: component of Oregon State’s mound.” the back elbow of the hitter as a great pitching success the last two Rutschman has played in 128 of starting point. 2. Please print NEW address here. years. 130 games over the past two years “For me, it is a feel thing with NAME He is adept at getting more and is an ironman as a receiver. the starting point of my glove. You STREET APT. # strikes than most catchers because “Adley is able to play in that have to know the pitcher you are CITY STATE ZIP of his skills at receiving along with many games because he takes working with and knowing the pitch his ability to formulate pitching care of his body so well. He eats that is called and understanding strategies for hitters with Pitching well in addition to monitoring his what we are trying to do with that vital to pitchers. learn the game of baseball was Coach Nate Yeskie. hydration levels. He knows what pitch. Then you set up your target “I like to go out at the end of crucial.” Plus, he is extremely adept his body needs and doesn’t cut accordingly. There are a lot of an inning and give immediate When Adley was a youngster, it at getting the most out of his corners with any of it. factors to consider.” constructive feedback to our is no coincidence that he decided pitchers as he pushes all the correct “If he finds something that he Rutschman is superb at getting pitchers. I give it in a way that to be a switch hitter shortly after psychological buttons. knows will help his game through the best out of his pitchers whether they can digest which is really he began swinging from the right In 2017, Oregon State had a 1.93 strength and conditioning, nutrition that be positive reinforcement or a important. Having good energy for side. ERA as the staff struck out 506 or sleep, he does it. He knows he kick in the rear end when needed. your pitchers and always rooting for “Hitting from the right and left batters with 162 walks. needs to invest in his body to play “All of our pitchers have different them behind the plate is absolutely side are two distinctly different In 2018, the Beavers had a 3.27 the game at the highest level.” personalities,” said Rutschman. crucial as well. swings, and I treat them that way. ERA with 596 strikeouts and 221 Refines Catching Skills “It is crucial to know how each “With that being said, I might When I started hitting from the right walks. Rutschman has refined his pitcher wants to be talked to. I be brutally honest at times when side, I wanted to be a switch hitter “His understanding of the game receiving and throwing skills at try to find out what good verbal pitchers need it. But I don’t make and was encouraged to do so. has continued to advance every Oregon State. cues are to get them back on track a habit of laying into them. It all “So I kept swinging both right year,” said Yeskie. “When I got to Oregon State when things aren’t going well. You depends on the situation.” and left and never stopped. Over “Adley looks at the game a lot might have to remind them what is as a freshman, I was able to work All In The Family time, I got better and better from working for them that day. differently than players his age as with a couple of catching guys who Rutschman’s dad and grandpa each side with the help of my dad “In the off-season, you must get well as catchers in general. played in pro baseball. So I was able played a large role helping Adley and grandpa. to know every pitcher on your staff. “He is always looking for ways to work with them in bullpens, off develop when he was a young “When you are a switch hitter, It’s developing peer relationships as to improve and asks great questions machines and in practice as they baseball player. sometimes you are clicking on all well. Each person in a relationship throughout practices, film sessions, made you focus on where balls His dad Randy has been a coach cylinders from the right side but in cares about one another and wants meetings and games. were pitched so you could develop with the George Fox University a slump from the left and vice versa. each other to succeed. Because “Adley calls pitches at times, and soft hands. baseball program since 2004. It really does give you an edge as of that, trust is built between two I do at others. It’s a good give and “They showed how to receive His grandfather Ad was the head a hitter.” people. take relationship. He gives me a lot the low, high, outside and inside football coach at Linfield College He is one of the rare switch “Once we are able to establish of feedback throughout games and pitches on all areas of the strike for 24 years and led the Wildcats to hitting catchers in college or pro trust and communication, it makes during practices as well that go into zone. They also explained how to 15 conference championships. baseball. the game go a lot smoother and game planning.” cut off pitches and how to receive He also was the head baseball Rutschman played for Team allows for that flow from Coach Yeskie said Rutschman has been lefty sliders on the inner half to coach at Linfield for 13 years and USA last summer and led the team Yeskie to me to the pitcher. We try absolutely essential to the success righthanded batters and how to led the Wildcats to the 1971 NAIA in batting average (.355), slugging to keep the pace of play going.” Oregon State’s pitching staff has catch that out in front. national title. percentage (.516) and on-base Rutschman feels feedback is had the last two years as well as “The key is not allowing those “Having both of them help me percentage (.432). Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Missouri Hit With Multiple NCAA Penalties COLUMBIA, Mo. — The National. University of Missouri was hit He went 8-for-11 with 5 doubles, with multiple NCAA penalties to 3 runs scored and 11 RBI. its baseball, softball and football Big Strikeout Numbers programs after a tutor completed During a doubleheader sweep academic work for 12 student- over Chabot, Sacramento City athletes, according to the NCAA College (CA) pitchers allowed Division I Committee on Infractions only six hits over 18 innings while Panel. striking out 27 batters. It constituted academic fraud as The staff didn’t allow a run in the tutor violated NCAA ethical either game. conduct, academic misconduct and The pitching staff has registered academic extra benefits rules. double digit strikeouts in all five The following penalties have of their games so far for a season been put in place: the student-athletes violated the Great Start Derek Daly belted his fourth total of 60.  A post-season ban for the university's honor code. RHP Nick Krauth of Diablo home run of the season and finished Around The Horn… baseball and softball programs The Panel found the tutor Valley College (CA) started the the game with two runs on two hits in 2019 which includes the SEC Kevin Saenz of Sacramento City completed math coursework from season strong with 17 strikeouts in and four RBI for Mines. College (CA) leads the team with Tournaments. other schools for six of the student- 13 innings so far. Trevor Kehe also had an  A post-season ban in 2020 for a .438 batting average. Over five athletes. Diablo Valley posted two walk- exceptional game as he went 3- games, he is 7-for-16 with a homer, the football program. In one instance, she completed off wins in the first week of the for-4 with three runs and four RBI  triple and 6 RBI. Three years of probation. an entire course for a football season, 5-4 over San Mateo and 3-2 with two doubles.  Florida Southern will add former A 10-year show-cause order student-athlete. over Cabrillo. Ellsworth College (IA) beat for the former tutor. During that Moccasin baseball player Matt No-Hit Gems C/1B Dante Peretti has been the Paris (TX) 21-15 in a wild game Joyce (2003-05) to its Athletics period, any NCAA member school hitting star so far as he went 9-for- that saw four lead changes, 30 hits employing the tutor must restrict Santa Fe College (FL) freshman Hall of Fame. Anthony Arguelles was named 20 in his first five games. and 5 errors in the 9-inning game. Joyce was the starting rightfielder her from any athletically related Paris started with six runs in the NJCAA Pitcher of the Week after Injury Report for Florida Southern’s 2005 national duties. bottom of the first as Ellsworth  A vacation of records in throwing a no-hitter against South A pair of veteran pitchers for championship team. Florida State. Missouri State, Ty Buckler and countered with 10 in the top of the A 3-year starter, he played in 170 which football, baseball and softball second. student-athletes competed while The 5-foot-10 righthander fired a Tyler McAlister, sustained season- games and finished with a career 7-inning complete game, allowing ending injuries. The two teams combined to walk batting average of .306 with 22 ineligible. 21 batters (14 by Paris and 7 by  no hits, no walks and striking out Buckner, a Collegiate Baseball home runs and 121 RBI. A 5 percent reduction in the Ellsworth). amount of scholarships in each of 10. Except for one hitter reaching Freshman All-American last season, Danton Hyman led Newberry on an error, Arguelles was perfect. sustained a complete tear of his The hitting star in the game was to a 13-7 win over Francis Marion. the football, baseball and softball DH Nick DeNicola of Paris who programs during the 2019-2020 “Arguelles is one of our starters achilles tendon in his left leg. He finished with four hits for the because of his ability to throw four The righthander will face an went 5-for-5 with 6 RBI. He belted third time in his career, raising his academic year. a home run and two doubles.  Recruiting restrictions for different pitches for strikes at any estimated recovery time of 8-10 batting average nearly 100 points to the football, baseball and softball time,” said SF head coach Johnny months following surgery. 400th Victory .526 on the young season. Wiggs. McAlister, a junior righthander Cuesta College (CA) Head He also scored three runs and “He had his best command who made 17 appearances over Coach Bob Miller celebrated his was perfect in three defensive College Notes and displayed his best stuff on his first two serasons, underwent 400th career victory with a 7-5 win chances. programs during the 2019-2020 Saturday.” surgery to repair a torn labrum in over Riverside to take the season Mission College (CA) 3B Josh academic year, including: It was the first ever no-no for his right shoulder. opening series two games to one. Lauck has signed a letter of intent • A 7-week ban on unofficial Arguelles who said his teammates The expected recovery period is Miller began his 17-year tenure to play for Miami (Fla.). He hit .325 visits. avoided any kind of conversation 6-8 months. at Cuesta in 2013 and has led the last season with 46 runs and 49 • A 12.5 percent reduction in during the game for fear of jinxing Louisiana St. RHP A.J. Labas Cougars to eight Western State RBI for the Saints as he belted 12 official visits. the effort. underwent shoulder surgery and Conference titles and 14 playoff doubles, 4 triples and 6 homers with • A 7-week ban on recruiting “The most I got was a quick will miss the entire 2019 season. berths. a .558 slugging percentage. communications. handshake,” said Arguelles. Labas, a 2018 Freshman All- Huge Weekend Wingate University senior • A 7-week ban on all off- It was a fast-paced game that American, started 13 games last Augusta freshman Beau Hanna infielder Tyler Schneider blasted campus recruiting contacts and the Saints eventually won 1-0 and season, posting a 6-2 record and was named Peach Belt Conference a two-run homer in the top of the evaluations. Arguelles said it was close to the 3.48 ERA in 54 1/3 innings of Freshman of the Week as he started ninth inning to give the Bulldogs • A 12.5 percent reduction in end before he realized he had a work with 32 strikeouts and seven his collegiate career in grand a thrilling 7-6 victory at Florida recruiting-person or evaluation chance to do something special. walks. style. Tech in NCAA Division II baseball days. “It was after the fifth inning Texas SS David Hamilton He hit .583 in three games action. • A disassociation of the tutor. when I was walking back to the will miss the 2019 season after against Mars Hill with three home Wingate lost the first game of • A fine of $5,000 plus 1 percent dugout when I realized they didn’t undergoing successful surgery to runs, eight RBI and a 1.333 slugging the day, 3-1 against Valdosta State. of each of the football, baseball have any hits,” said Arguelles. repair a ruptured achilles. percentage. The Bulldogs move to 5-2 on the and softball budgets. “I still felt really good. The ball A second team All-Big 12 pick in The catcher/DH homered and season. The Infractions Panel said that was just rolling off my fingers, and 2018, he has played in 120 games drove in two in his first college the tutor engaged in the activity I felt like I had control.” over his first two seasons. game. Then he hit two more home Carson King, Chase Pilato and CheapBats.com despite receiving extensive and 11 Homers In 6 Games runs in the second game with five comprehensive education on Leo Rodriguez combined for the Panola College (TX) started the RBI. 1-800-589-HITS appropriate tutoring practices. first no-hitter in nearly 20 years at season by hitting 11 home runs in Hanna had multiple hits in all Order today Furthermore, the Infractions Florida Southern opened its home six games. three games and did not strike out Panel said the tutor completed slate with a 3-0 win over Eckerd. Six different players have belted in 12 at-bats with two walks and a have it tomorrow online coursework that included King allowed three walks in circuit clouts, including Austin .643 on-base percentage. assignments, quizzes or exams. the first inning but finished strong Bost (3), Kade Clemens (2), Mateo She allegedly completed an by recording six strikeouts in four Another Great Start Beltran (2), Trent Touchet (2), Trey Matthews of Warner entire course for one student- innings to earn the win. Cameron Sibley (1) and Raphael athlete and completed portions of a Pilato struck out two over four University helped the Royals to LeBlanc (1). a 3-game sweep over Florida placement exam for two others. hitless innings of work. The team is off to a 6-0 record The work by the tutor fell into Then Rodriguez recorded his and is averaging 10 runs a game as three categories: third straight save to close the Panola has outscored opponents, woodbats4sale.com 1) Courses offered by the game out. 60-21. 503.208.2009 university. 8 RBI Game The pitching staff has a 2.34 Pitchers Hate our Bats 2) Courses offered by other Cal Bocchino of Lynn University ERA. schools. started the season without a hit after Best Wood & Composite Early Season Slugfests 3) A math placement exam at the three games. Wood Bats for Teams & university. Colorado School of Mines beat But he responded in a big way Angelo State, 15-12. Players The Infractions Panel said during game four as he went 4-for-5 the tutor completed work for six with two 3-run home runs. students-athletes in two different He scored 6 runs and drove in math courses at Missouri. The 8 RBI to lead Lynn to an 18-2 win University determined three of over Tuskegee.

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Collegiate Baseball Irish O’Reilly Will Be Missed A Great Deal The Voice Of Amateur Baseball ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — Baseball days before the convention. suffered a huge loss with the Surgery was performed, and passing of former Lewis University Around The Horn Irish got lucky because the tumor Baseball Coach Irish O’Reilly. was not malignant. However, two O’Reilly finished his career With inches of his spine was removed, with a 1,246-916-8 (.574) record sterilized and then put back in place OPINION over 38 seasons of high school and during a grueling 6 1/2 hour surgery Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. collegiate coaching. Lou Pavlovich as this non-cancerous tumor was Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. His record of 982-771-8 in 29 remove on the lower part of his seasons at Lewis ranks eighth spine between L-2 and L-3. in victories among all baseball He was told in no uncertain coaches in NCAA Division II terms that he was not to engage The Topic: history. in any physical activity at all for Academic Excellence He coached 41 All-Americans two months so he wouldn’t risk Each issue, Collegiate Baseball explores a major and saw 51 of his former players and caring man who would do paralysis. development in the world of baseball. This issue’s sign professional contracts with anything for his players and fellow Then within 3-4 months, he editorial discusses the amazing work Mitch Thomp- four making it to the majors and coaches. could start rehabilitation. son is doing at McLennan Community College. one earning a gold medal at the Never in the 75-year-history of The day before the clinic sessions 2000 Olympics. the American Baseball Coaches started at the ABCA Convention Additionally, more than 50 of Association has anyone seen the that year, he was sporting a rigid Irish’s former players have gone grit and determination that he plastic cast underneath his shirt Being A Good Student on to coach at various levels of showed during the 2004 ABCA that went from his hip to an area baseball. Convention in San Antonio, Tex. just below his neck so that the Turns Into Real Money Lewis placed among the top This legendary coach had upper portion of his body would be Every college coach in America should emulate what Head five at the NCAA Division II prepared a remarkable collection of immobilized. Coach Mitch Thompson of McLennan Community College (TX) Championship five times, capturing clinic sessions for this convention His legs felt like jello because of is doing when it comes to academics for players. third place finishes in 1988, during the previous 12 months for inactivity for 42 days. His coaching career spans three decades and includes 23 years 1990 and 1994 under O’Reilly’s thousands of coaches to enjoy. This amazing man was a at the NCAA Division I level, including 22 years in the Big 12 direction. Several months before the perfectionist in everything he did, and Southeastern Conferences with stops at Baylor, Auburn and Irish was inducted into the convention during a round of golf, so he simply had to be at this ABCA Mississippi St. American Baseball Coaches he experienced no feeling in his Convention to make absolutely sure In five seasons under Thompson’s leadership, McLennan has Association Hall of Fame in 2008, legs which scared him. the clinic sessions went off without amassed a 214-88 record and have made five consecutive post- the Illinois State University Athletic He went to a specialist who a hitch. He refused to trust his season appearance for the first time since the 1990s. Hall of Fame in 1983 and the found a tumor on his spine. He had responsibility with anybody else. No other junior college in the country is accomplishing the Illinois High School Baseball no idea if it was cancerous or not. Irish was like one of those master combination of winning games, developing players and excelling Coaches Association Hall of Fame “The tumor grew into some of chess players. He was always in the classroom better than his program. in 1988. my nerves. So surgery was ordered Over the 2017-2018 academic year, McLennan had the third This wonderful man was a kind for November 20 — exactly 42 See IRISH O’REILLY, Page 5 highest grade point average of any NJCAA school at 3.51. Over the 2016-2017 academic year, McLennan again had the third highest GPA of any NJCAA school at 3.42. For 10 straight semesters, his team GPA is over 3.00. Many junior college baseball teams are filled with athletes who Letters To The Editor were average to poor students in high school. That’s why junior college baseball is the land of second chances Look At Hitting History! John Smith U.S. I am an old school hitting coach and thoroughly 17 Mockingbird Lane Mail for many baseball players. Pullman, WA 99164 Players with poor academic skills routinely transfer out of 4-year enjoyed reading Dr. Coop DeRenne’s article in colleges and into junior colleges. the last issue (Feb. 8, 2019) edition of Collegiate Thompson stresses three things during the recruiting process. Baseball. Collegiate Baseball “First, I want a kid who wants to be a champion on the baseball He vividly pointed out that new age hitting P.O. Box 50566 field — a guy who really wants to develop. I want a guy who thinks coaches and their respective players who are Tucson, AZ 85703 he can play in the Big Leagues,” said Thompson. emphasizing high launch angles of 20+ degrees “Second, I want kids who understand the value of an education. for more power will ultimately produce players He realizes that playing in the Big Leagues will be a difficult task. with high strikeout numbers. The numbers don’t lie on the Major League You can also So he prepares for life. FAX letters to “Third, I want a good kid from a good family. He must and college levels. the editor or understand the importance of hard work. For the first time in MLB history, there were E-Mail them: “Not everybody is a good fit for us. We are honest about all more strikeouts (41,207) than hits (41,018) last season. FAX: E-Mail: three areas with potential players. We will tell a recruit that if he (520) 624-5501 [email protected] doesn’t have these the qualities, and this is not who you truly are, Dr. DeRenne pointed out that for the 11th then this is probably not the place for you. straight year, total Major League Baseball Collegiate Baseball welcomes letters from “By insisting on having recruits that fit this profile, we have strikeouts have increased. readers. Letters must include the writer’s ended up attracting a high level of player who excels in the He also showed that 2018 had the highest rate name, address and telephone number. We classroom. of strikeouts over the past 49 years in NCAA reserve the right to condense or reject any “We found that if kids go to class, they will make grades. If kids Division I baseball with 7.88 per nine innings per letter and to limit frequent writers. meet the professor and have a personal relationship with him, that game for each team. is important as well. One of the things we require our kids to do Each of the last four years have featured take. the first few days of school is introduce themselves to the professor strikeout numbers that have gone over 7.00 which Some are small kids who have tremendous and tell them who they are. has never happened before in the past 49 years of speed and must hit balls at a lower angle off the “We make our kids go to class. If I find out a kid doesn’t go to NCAA Division I baseball. bat to maximize what they bring to the table. class, it’s simple. He will not only be punished with running and The current hitting philosophy, which produces Other kids are great line drive hitters who are that kind of stuff. But I will take baseball away from him and not more strikeouts and passes this off as just another athletes. allow him to practice or play and hit him where it really hurts. at-bat, is self-centered and team destructive. We also have big kids with tremendous power. “Every ball player on our team is here to play baseball. When It makes much more sense to put balls in play These hitters focus on hitting balls with a 21 degree I take baseball away from a player, it sends a clear message that by hitters and stay away from strikeouts. launch angle so they maximize their potential. missing class simply will not be tolerated. Usually it only takes one I still have never had anybody explain to me There is room for all of these distinctly different kid a year being punished in this fashion to stop it from happening how you can train a hitter for months to have a 20 hitters in every program. again.” degree launch angle for more power. Instead of ever using the term “launch angle” “If a kid pulls A’s and B’s in high school, they will make A’s and Then when you get in a game, pitchers throw with my kids, I simply refer to the collision B’s in college. The greatest predictor of academic success isn’t the inside, outside, up and down — typically an between the bat and ball as contact points. If you ACT or SAT score.” assortment of pitches with different speeds to hit a pitch out in front of the plate, many times the When an athlete realizes that he has an opportunity to make screw up batters. bat is going in a slight upward arc, and balls will money by doing well in the classroom, something clicks in his It is absolutely impossible to train a hitter be hit higher. brain. Everybody loves money. to work month after month on a specific swing If a pitch is in the middle of the plate, hit balls Many of Thompson’s student-athletes not only receive athletic path such as the 20 degree launch angle and be will typically be more on a line drive and so on. scholarships but academic scholarships on top of that. successful in games! You must be able to hit many I have blended what has been done in the past different types of pitches in different locations. with the new findings in hitting and terms to build Ken Riley better hitters. UOTE Dallas, Tex. Seeing the ball big and reacting to pitches quickly is the biggest area we focus on with our Unquote” Better Hitters Than Ever hitters. “Q I would like to respectfully disagree with Dr. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue I have studied Barry Bonds, and he was them.” Coop DeRenne in his recent article in the Feb. 8 considered by Dr. Bill Harrison as the greatest – Walt Disney edition on Run Production Is Ultimate Metric. visual hitter of all time. If you had the pleasure of While run production truly is what all hitting watching him hit in games, he simply wouldn’t “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to coaches are after, I have become a believer over swing at pitcher’s pitches. achieve — the fear of failure.” the last four years in the proper approach as far Jeff Stone ― Paulo Coelho as launch angle each batter on our team should Oklahoma City, Okla. Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Working On Mental Side Of Hitting Vital For Players By JACK DUNN the ball, his answer surely would Then a message must be sent to late swing often accompanied by Special To Collegiate Baseball be, “I’m going to hit this pitch if the body to swing or not as valuable stepping in the bucket. it’s in there!” time is lost when the pitch is on its Overcoming Fear PORTLAND, Ore. — Hitting a This negative mental approach way to the catcher. No one wants to be hit by a baseball is one of the most difficult is common to many hitters and If the pitch is a ball, the hitter baseball. This is normal. things to do in all sports. leads to indecisiveness and usually simply takes the pitch. All hitters are fearful to varying But how much time is spent a late swing. When using the positive mental degrees. on the mental approach of hitting It limits the hitter’s aggressiveness approach, the “gun is cocked” So it behooves us as coaches compared to the mechanics at the plate and greatly decreases his and it is just a matter of “pulling to teach our hitters how to protect involved? chances of getting a base hit. the trigger” as he reacts quickly, themselves and get out of the way Here is a look at some important A negative mental approach is aggressively and decisively! of the baseball. elements in the mental aspects the result of different factors. Conversely, when using the Teaching hitter’s “The Defensive of hitting that should be looked For generations coaches have negative mental approach, the Roll” will give hitters a simple at more closely by coaches and yelled, “Get a good pitch to hit,” “gun” must be cocked before and effective method to protect players. “Make sure it’s a strike,” “Don’t the trigger can be pulled which themselves against errant pitches swing at any bad ones.” results in slow, time consuming and Positive Mental Approach and will make them more aggressive That simply isn’t productive. indecisive actions. vs. Negative Mental at bat. Approach Negative Mental Approach Hitter’s Fear Of Being Hit By Summary If you were to ask the average If a batter has a negative mental A Baseball During Games The hitter must be thinking, “I’m hitter what he is thinking while at approach, the mind now must This fear overrides all other JACK DUNN going to hit this pitch!” bat when the pitcher is delivering analyze the pitch. aspects of hitting and must be If the pitch is a ball, simply lay- overcome if any degree of success off the pitch. Irish O’Reilly Was Amazing Man, Coach is to be achieved. This thought process will The negative mental approach to dramatically improve a hitter’s Continued From Page 4 “I am walking back to the car hitting is not only the result of the success. with my wife and open the car door coach’s admonition to the player Dr. Norman Vicent Peale wrote thinking one step ahead. for her. to “get a good ball to hit,” but also a book titled The Power of Positive In the course of being interviewed “Then I walk around the car and to the player’s fear of being hit by Thinking. at that convention by yours truly, begin vomiting. the baseball. In his text, Dr. Peale stated, he was deeply concerned about “It was the worst vomiting I Fear of being hit by the baseball “People become really quite how he would be a part of his had ever experienced, and I could results in the hitter making certain remarkable when they start thinking team’s practices that were about barely stop. the pitch is not going to hit him that they can do things. to start at Lewis University once “I then walked around to my before getting mentally and “When they believe in he got back home from the ABCA wife’s side of the car, handed her physically ready to swing the bat. themselves, they have the first Convention. the keys and asked her to walk me Fear manifests itself in a slow/ secret of success.” That’s because when healthy, into the hospital and check me in. Irish woke up at 3 a.m. weekdays “I knew I was close to totally for 5 a.m. practices that were held collapsing. Ross Porter Back In Booth in an indoor facility at Lewis. “Fortunately, the hospital found NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Ross the Southern California Sports After the early practice, he a surgeon who came in the next Porter will return for his fourth Broadcasters Hall of Fame with taught class, worked on raising day to operate on me. I was very season in the broadcast booth his longtime colleague Vin Scully money for his program, attended lucky. calling Cal. St. Northridge baseball giving his induction presentation. hitting practice in the afternoon and “They told me that if surgery games. Porter also hosted the pre- then recruited more at night. wasn’t performed immediately, I He will provide play-by-play game and post-game radio show Typically he got up at 3 a.m. and might have died that weekend. for all 30 home games at Matador DodgerTalk for 14 years and more didn’t get home until 10 p.m. “They sliced me up from my Field. recently broadcast football and He was trying to figure out how crotch line to my chest wide open. IRISH O’REILLY Porter spent 28 years as the baseball games on Fox Sports he could make all this work despite That was a long healing process. I play-by-play announcer for the West. being ordered to stay inactive for any chemotherapy at the time since was in the hospital for 10 days with Los Angeles Dodgers and won His broadcasting career began two months after delicate spine it was caught in the early stages.” my chest wide open to allow my numerous broadcasting accolades when he was 14 years old, and since surgery. His doctor told Irish that he chest to heal from the inside out.” throughout his storied career, then Porter has worked for KNBC- Two years prior, this man had couldn’t arrange for a surgeon until The clinic speakers at the 2004 including being selected as one of TV in Los Angeles, where he a serious problem with his colon the following Monday. ABCA Convention were some of the top 60 baseball announcers of worked with Tom Snyder and Tom that required 18 inches of it being So he utilized his time to make a the best in the history thanks to all time. Brokaw, for NBC Sports calling surgically removed. trip to Louisville and would be back Irish O’Reilly. In 2005, he was inducted into NFL and Pac-8 college basketball. “Doctors found cancer in four of in plenty of time for surgery. He made it all possible with his the eight polyps in my colon after a The doctor warned Irish not to attention to detail. colonoscopy,” said Irish. do this, but the stubborn Lewis I will miss this wonderful man as “Luckily, the cancer was still self University baseball coach felt he will thousands of others who were contained. So I didn’t need to have could do it anyway. his friends and former players. The Ultimate Hitting Aid ™ Outfi t Your Dugout With Major League-Style RADAR TEE Benches, Helmet & Bat Racks “Best Of Show” Award Winner at 2016 American Baseball Coaches Association Convention

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We just spent about 35 miracle last season. minutes last night with our pitchers The Vikings became the who were defensive players and northernmost team ever to win the our position players who were all NCAA Div. II championship. offensive guys and worked on a lot Keep in mind 33 of the 50 national of team offensive situations. It was champions on this level have come all about how to put the pressure on from Florida or California. the other team. Almost every year, a team from a “We work a lot on base runner warm climate with a full compliment reads and jumps off pitchers from of 9 athletic scholarships claims the first and second base a lot. We will title. have different situations we work There is little doubt that on daily. Some days, we change Augustana’s championship was the dynamic so a pitcher is this type the greatest achievement by a who has a specific movement. His northern team in NCAA Division holds are like this and leg lifts like II history considering the Vikings that with his timing mechanism only had five scholarships for its being predictable. 47-man roster. “The next day, we may simulate Plus, Augustana annually battles a pitcher who is variable with bone-chilling weather which means different looks and head turns, and training inside for months prior to the runner must be focus on subtle the season. things to gain an edge. Sometimes The coldest temperatures in runners are at four stations. Other Sioux Falls historically annually times, we will double it up and have take place from December to eight stations so we get more reps February. because we don’t want anybody From December of 2018 to early standing around. February of 2019, 69 of the 70 days “The more opportunities and saw lows below freezing. looks our kids get, the better. There Thirty days were 15 degrees or are practices when we time them. below and 14 days below zero with For instance, a lot of teams we go a frigid maximum low of -25 on against know we run a lot. So their Jan. 30. The wind chill factor that pitchers utilize the slide step toward day was -47 in Sioux Falls. home. If a pitcher does slide step a During the month of April last lot, he probably won’t pick to first year, Sioux Falls had a record 31.4 Photo By Josh Jurgens, Jurgens Photography very often. inches of snow. Tim Huber has built a remarkable program that defied the odds in 2018. “What can we do to counteract The point is that Augustana high level. “During the month of January, “We stole 170 bases (in 198 the slide step? We won’t guess doesn’t have Chamber of Commerce “Coaches in the north probably we are at the Sanford Fieldhouse attempts over 61 games) last season necessarily. But if we have some weather during the early part of the spend a little more time on those two days a week. Once we hit which was more than any level of insight into the pitcher, and we are season as the Vikings typically play fundamentals out of necessity. March after playing some games, college baseball. Base running is able to have a ‘motion lead’ with 13-20 games away from home to “Early in the year, we play teams we typically don’t practice in something we spend more time our runners, our runner will take off kick off the season. That means that have been outside for 4-5 the Fieldhouse that much as the on. Again, what are you going to to the next base. The ‘motion lead’ many long bus rides in difficult weeks already. Our first day outside weather begins to warm up.” do if you are inside? You must find involves moving their feet toward driving conditions. typically is the day before or day of Huber said one of the most things for your players to work on the next base as you can gain a little Despite this tremendous game one. difficult areas to practice indoors that keep them excited so they don’t more ground to the next base, but handicap, the Vikings rolled to a “So this makes it a challenge is outfield flies so outfielders get get bored. aren’t taking off early. 52-9 record in 2018, the most wins early in the year when you are the proper depth perception for “Every day we are at the Sanford “We want to know how quick in school history. playing southern schools. But I games. Fieldhouse, we do base running a pitcher can fire a pitch to home Augustana’s offense stole 170 have always realized that when “We have a Hack Attack Junior drills. Two to three times a week, with a slide step. We also must bases in 198 attempts which was the you get to the end of the season, pitching machine which has enough we are doing base running of some know how fast the runner can be highest amount of stolen bases on baseball evens out quite a bit since power to shoot balls the distances type. to second after he has the ‘motion any level of college baseball. your team has been outside for a we have available for outfielders to “We try to have something going lead’ and takes off to second with Just as remarkable was that long time.” get their work in at the Fieldhouse. on at each base. A lot of what we a good jump. If he can make it to We get them running around and do as far as base running involves Augustana held opponents to only Indoor Practice Facilities second in 3.3 seconds or better from 21 stolen bases in 42 attempts over Huber said his team practices get some reads on fly balls coming working on reads, jumps and steals the moment the pitcher lifts his leg, 61 games. in a small indoor facility and also out of the machine. They work on off pitchers and all the little things he has a great shot most times to The pitching staff had a 2.84 in a big facility prior to the season drop steps, running in the gaps and we talk about. make it in safely. ERA with 559 strikeouts, 168 walks when frigid outdoor conditions are those kinds of things. “Whether we are working with “Even if the catcher has a great and a nation leading 14 shutouts. the norm. “At least we are able to simulate a guy who doesn’t run as well or arm and the pitcher slide steps at a The Vikings started off 2018 “Our current facility on campus a little bit what might happen in a a guy who is a burner, all of our 1.1, we still have a great chance at with a remarkable 34-2 record and is small. You can’t do a lot in that game. But to be honest, when we players are capable of stealing bases a stolen base.” were ranked No. 1 in the nation. space. We are actually in the process get outdoors for the first time, a because we practice it a lot, and Huber said his team does a lot But many people don’t realize of trying to raise money to build a ton of fly balls are not only hit to they know what to look for. of first and third offensive work as Augustana promptly lost 6 of 10 bigger, newer facility for baseball our outfielders but to our infielders “We definitely take advantage well with runners. games entering the conference and softball at our university. as well. of base running time in practice in “Runners must know if a batter tournament. “Once that becomes available, it “They just haven’t seen a ball January, as well in the fall for that is faking a safety squeeze for a steal The Vikings rebounded to win 12 will be a game changer for us. hit up in the air 150 feet for a long matter. I like to put pressure on the along with other scenarios that give of their final 13 games, including “We also go off campus and time.” other team. Last year was a great the runner an edge when stealing. four straight at the NCAA Div. II practice at a facility called the Huber said one trick he has example. While we have always While we don’t steal home often, College World Series, enroute to Sanford Health Fieldhouse.” utilized when high temperatures worked at this phase of the game, our guys still must be aware of their first national baseball title. This facility is the premier indoor get over 40 is to clear his infield we had a fast and athletic team potential steal situations at home if The mastermind behind this sports facility in Sioux Falls and artificial turf field of snow. which allowed us to have a special you have a lefty on the mound who superb program is Head Coach Tim includes a 62,000 square foot Field “We have a driveway that leads year statistically on the bases.” has a big leg lift and isn’t paying Huber who enters his 11th season Turf practice area, state-of-the-art up to the baseball field near our Being Aggressive On Bases attention to the runner at third. at Augustana. facilities and locker rooms. It is big outfield, and we can hit fly balls Huber said a byproduct of having Maybe we might have a 2-out, 2- “There are a lot of negatives enough to hold infield practice. to the outfielders who are catching knowledgeable base runners who strike situation where you get an which involve the weather,” said The 85,000 square foot facility balls in our infield. We are careful can steal bases when the opportunity early break going on.” Huber. also includes four batting cages. not to hit balls near the pitching presents itself is that his runners One opposing coach said that “But there are also some positives “We can get all of our full infield mound to avoid injuries. We have become aggressive as well. Augustana runs a special play that that come with the weather as well. work done for our defensive players them run to different spaces in the “Going first to third on a base really threw his catcher for a loop We are inside a lot, especially early as well as runners. Unfortunately, infield. You get creative with this, hit to the outfield isn’t a stat that is the first time he saw it. on in the season. there are no nets above near the but it works great. necessarily kept. Knowing how to With runners on first and second, “I have been fortunate to hear ceiling. But we can hit ground balls “Typically we do this several steal bases in an aggressive style the runner on first breaks toward a lot of great coaches talk about to prepare our infielders. times before our first trip of the leads to many more extra bases second while the runner on second how they build programs. It all “What we can’t do is have live, season.” from hustling players trying to take has the typical long lead toward starts with the fundamentals. When game-play action in there which is Incredible Base Stealers advantage of situations. third but doesn’t run to third on you are forced to practice indoors frustrating. For live hitters against Huber said he takes great pride in “We certainly practice all ele- a double steal. Once the catcher in small spaces during the pre- pitchers, we do that in a cage on the aggressive approach his teams ments of base running to exploit receives the ball, he instinctually season, it allows coaches to refine campus in our hitting facility and have on offense with features a that area of the game. I always tell fires the ball to second thinking he the fundamentals of players to a make it work. potent running game. our players that when we make See INDOOR, Page 8 Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Indoor Practice Planning Vital For Success Continued From Page 6 “On some days, we are working will get two outs on the play. on their approach and might not The instant he fires the ball to want them to swing at any pitches second, the runner who has the big that are out of the strike zone. lead off second takes off for third “Instead of allowing five swings, We stole 170 bases (in 198 attempts and makes it safely. If the runner today you get five pitches. If four are from first is safe at second, you now balls, then you only get one swing over 61 games) last season which was in that round, and we consider that “ have runners on second and third. more than any level of college baseball. Huber said that while his team a good round for him. stole 170 bases last season, he “This helps when you aren’t Base running is something we spend more rarely put the steal sign on. able to see balls flying around time on. Again, what are you going to do “I probably put the steal on 10 the field and are forced indoors times all last season. because of the weather. I have found if you are inside? You must find things for “We want our runners to be that making practices variable is instinctive and not have me tell important to our guys. your players to work on that keep them them what to do during games. It “We do have a HitTrax system excited so they don’t get bored. makes for a much better offensive in place. We will utilize that most baseball player who becomes days so they see ball flight and — Tim Huber, Head Coach aggressive.” get to see the result as well as exit velocity and some of those metrics Augustana University Efficient Indoor Hitting that are out there. Huber said the indoor facility on “The most important things campus has a space that has a live we work on in batting are contact cage which is about 75 feet long points with our hitters in relation to and a standard width. The hitters the plate. If you hit a ball in front time on hitting unless it is small playing and getting away from the interesting when you have winter are typically in this area. of the plate most times, you will ball, bunting and those kind of cold weather. weather to deal with.” “We also have a couple of 45 be in the lift portion of your swing. things. We take the opportunity to “The trip down isn’t typically too Winning National Title foot long BP cages in our facility do team defensive work. A lot may bad. But the trip home is not fun. ” So balls will tend to be hit higher. Huber said that winning the on campus. We will put in machines It is interesting to show hitters encompass regular ground balls You get done playing on a Sunday once in a while to work on breaking school’s first baseball national title where balls go at different contact and double play pivots and that late in the afternoon and then you last year was incredible. balls and that type of thing. Or points.” kind of thing. have a long bus trip home as they we will have hitters work on firm “We were the fifth seed in “Our fielders, as I mentioned get back home at 2-3 a.m. our regional and fifth seed at the fastballs and put different plates in Favorite Drills On Campus earlier, are going after fly balls as “Then our kids have class the Huber said he has a few drills he College World Series and found a line with balls coming out of the well.” next morning at 8 or 9 a.m.” likes to utilize at his indoor campus way to win it all. machine. Then we will have hitters Huber said that the roads can be facility. Early Season Travel “When you get to the national move around from plate to plate so dangerous with icy conditions early “Outside of pitching and hitting Huber said that once the season tournament, there are always they work on the different variables in the season. drills which are utilized, we have begins, the first 13-20 games are powerful teams from warm climates. of pitches. “There are a number of hairy what are called ‘Dailies’ which on the road which involve the first Everybody expects those schools to “We also have a space where situations that we have been through includes work on a daily defensive month or month and a half. be so much more talented. most of the pitching work is done over the years. One time we were set which our position players “Our team typically gets to fly “What often happens is that for bullpens. There also is an area playing at Colorado School of will do that include our infielders, once to a great location for games you have kids 14-17 years old in for plyo ball throws by pitchers. Mines. The weather going there was outfielders and catchers. such as Hawaii, Arizona or Florida. the cold areas of the nation who “The difference between inside fine. But coming back, snow started “Even on a day when they are This year we are flying to Orlando. haven’t played as much baseball as and outside is long toss. You don’t coming down pretty good, and we spending 1 1/2 hours predominantly Our other trips are all by bus. people in warm weather climates. get to view ball flight inside as you only got as far as Omaha, Neb. on hitting, they still will spend “The negatives are those long They might not be as developed. throw into a net to do long toss.” before we had to get off the road 10-15 minutes on defensive drill bus rides where kids do a lot of When they get to college and are Huber said at times, pitchers put before the interstate shut down. work which might be bounce homework and study as they miss in the right program, the skills on a Motus Sleeve to give them an “We all were on the bus for eight backs or pitch backs against a a little class. That’s a grind for our really come out. They suddenly idea of what they are doing with hours waiting for the interstate solid wall where they can do it on guys and adds a bit of stress. are different players a couple of intent. to open up so we could get back their own and work on hand drills “Their bodies are a little stiffer years later. “Of utmost importance is having home. and footwork. Our daily routine when the trip concludes while the “We are in the business of a great practice plan that doesn’t “But we were all safe. includes something with defense. kids are in a foreign bed in a hotel developing players at Augustana. waste any time. When our guys “Where the real concern comes That is crucial. versus their own bed. We aren’t going to get guys that come in, I want them to go through in is getting out of town on road “With runners, we might work “The positives clearly involve typically go to the warm weather the practice plan. We typically will trips early in the season when the on jumps or secondary leads. We just getting out and being on the schools and are further along with put them in groups of three or four forecast is for icy conditions on the incorporate some conditioning into road for several days with the pitchers throwing in the upper 80s as far as hitters go. You will do this road or snow storms and you need what is happening in a game, and it guys and playing games. There or low 90s. in the BP cage, that in the drill cage to get somewhere to play. is base running related. are some definite positives with “By developing players who or station and then do something “Once you are through those “On the flip side when we are the team culture in the early part come in, sometimes special things else off a machine. areas, it typically warms up the in the big Sanford Fieldhouse off of the season. Another good thing happen like last season as we won “We will change up their days so further south you go. It’s always it isn’t the same every day. campus, we don’t spend much is that everyone is excited about the national title.” Tips On Keeping Warm In Frigid Weather Explored By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. A balaclava is traditionally most used cold weather strategies if you don’t have a hydrocollator pitches in cold weather. Editor/Collegiate Baseball knitted from wool and can be involve the use of air activated close by. But the water bottles must Layering Clothes rolled up into a hat to cover just hand warmers purchased at outdoor obviously be warm prior to putting Layering is another important NEW YORK — Playing baseball the crown of the head or cover the supply outlets as well as air activated them in the ice chest. concept. in temperatures near freezing can be whole head, exposing only the face foot warmers. “When I was at Yavapai J.C., You need to layer your clothing absolutely miserable. or upper part of it and sometimes Depending on the brand you use, there was a guy from the East who so you create layers of insulation. But if certain tactics are utilized, only the eyes. they can last from 2-20 hours before had heated socks powered by a Unfortunately, most people focus nasty conditions can be minimized The name balaclava comes from they stop generating heat. battery pack. But instead of using on the last layer and buy a heavy so athletes can focus on playing the the town of Balaklava in Crimea, A more expensive route is them on his feet, he used them to parka when they should be focusing game instead of shivering. Ukraine. During the Crimean War, battery-powered hand and foot keep his hands warm.” on the first layer — the layer closest Head Protection knitted balaclavas were sent over warmers. Collegiate Baseball talked to your skin. Purchasing a good first Have you ever heard the saying, to the British troops to help protect Many players utilize batting to several well known pitching layer to wick moisture away from “If your feet are cold, put a hat on?” them from the bitter cold. gloves with a couple of hand coaches across the country, and your skin is essential. It is absolutely true. If you don’t When it is warmer, you can pull warmers inside. each advocated using pine tar for According to experts, you don’t have the proper head protection, it down around your neck, and it Joe Kellner, a former pitcher pitchers if the temperatures dipped want your first layer to be cotton, a high percentage of body heat will act like a scarf, allowing you at the University of Arizona and near freezing. known by many hunters and will go right out your head. Some to cool off without worrying about earlier at Yavapai Junior College However, all of them said that outdoorsmen as “dead man’s cloth,” authorities say that up to 90 percent having to stuff it in your pocket and where temperatures can dip below if you are caught using pine tar as because it retains moisture. of heat loss can go through the potentially losing it. freezing during games, also is an a pitcher, you will be ejected for A moisture-wicking clothing head. When weather gets extremely avid hunter who has worked in using an illegal substance. such as Under Armour is designed You can do everything else right, cold, you can pull it up over your freezing weather over the years. One of these coaches said that a to be worn under sportswear next but without good head protection, head. “Beyond hand warmers, which good substitute is mixing powder to your skin. you are still going to freeze. If you want to protect your face are widely available today, you can fine rock rosin and sun tan lotion Keeping moisture off the skin is When temperatures dip near from the wind, you can adjust it to do several things to stay warm in which forms a sticky substance essential in frigid weather. freezing, you should never wear cover everything but your eyes. cold weather,” said Kellner. similar to pine tar. Experimenting Another favorite of hunters in only a baseball cap on your head. Sources include outdoor shops “Hot water bottles work with different sun tan lotions is a cold weather is Capilene underwear What were the New York and internet stores which deal with extremely well. You can put them good idea before actually using this made exclusively by Patagonia. Yankees wearing during the coldest cold weather gear. Three of the in your lap to keep you warm and concoction in a game. You can also find inexpensive days of the 2010 World Series? biggest are Land’s End, L.L. Bean, have your fingers under them. This same coach said that when polypropylene winter garments Everyone wore a balaclava when and Cabela’s. “Hydrocollator heating units temperatures get near freezing, the for a lower cost. Wool is another temperatures dipped near freezing. Warming Devices that are used by trainers are great fingers of the throwing hand dry out good first layer, but many people And then baseball caps were put In talking to numerous baseball at keeping water bottles warm in and become numb. can’t stand wool next to their skin over them. coaches over the years, the two the dugout. Ice chests can also be Using a formula such as this without it becoming irritated. used to keep the water bottles warm helps pitchers have a better grip on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Dehmer Explains How To Handle ‘Hope Hijackers’ By JUSTIN DEHMER force you to narrow down those you criticizing something who is not on quote which I will write about in Special To Collegiate Baseball know to those that matter most. my Square Squad, then I need to the future. She calls them her Square ignore the negativity. The clarity this can bring to your NORWALK, Iowa — In the last Squad. They are not worth my mental life when dealing with feedback is edition of Collegiate Baseball, I Try this activity with your energy, my time or my emotions. game-changing. It will let you know explained an idea that I hoped many coaching staff, extend it to your They are doing nothing for me who your people are because you of you would be interested in called players and family. It allows you a other than trying to steal my hope have identified them intentionally. G.O.A.L.S. quick easy checklist that if someone for a better me. There will be no mistaking it. The response was great, and we is giving you any type of feedback The critic is “Hijacking Your Try it and don’t let the critics in are now in the arena doing daily that you can decide if it is worthy Hope.” the crowd tell you how you should work and grinding it out. to listen to. Hope is a key ingredient when have done something better or you I referenced the Man In The Arena If it is someone who is being wanting something more. can’t do it at all. Knowing who is quote from Theodore Roosevelt. skeptical about a timeline or goal I We need it as the fuel to drive us on your Square Squad and who are “It is not the critic who counts; have in mind that is on my list I will when things get difficult, boring, potential Hope Hijackers will let not the man who points out how give them the time of day because mundane or unexpected. you stay in the arena. the strong man stumbles, or where I trust their opinion. Which is the next part of Keep fighting the good fight! 1- the doer of deeds could have done If it is someone being a hater and Roosevelt’s Man In The Arena rep, 1-minute, 1-pitch at a time! them better. JUSTIN DEHMER “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” It is so rich that I am going to use it to help me in different facets of life. With that said, I am going to address the first sentence which talks about the naysayer or the doubter. We all have them because they are out there. Sometimes they are co-workers, family members, teammates, classmates, friends or people we don’t even know who want to add their two-cents via social media. No matter how big or small the goal they will be there. Many times we listen to them. We let their negativity get us down, we let their doubt infect our thoughts until we to believe that it is not possible. Jon Gordon calls them “Energy Vampires.” Big League Chew was invented by Rob Nelson, a former Cornell Brian Cain calls them “Drains.” I call them “Hope Hijackers.” University lefthander who was pitching in Oregon in 1977 for the Whatever name they go by they should not be welcome into fabled Portland Mavericks when he came up with the idea for a new our lives as they are not bringing anything positive to uplift us toward type of bubble gum. what we what and where we want to go. There is a simple activity you can do personally that I think can Rob was literally sitting in the Portland bullpen, watching his team- make a big difference to focus on mates chewing other less salubrious stuff, when he thought that those that matter and eliminate those that don’t. shredded bubble gum would be a much more fun option. I learned this from Brene Brown in her book Dare to Lead. Take a 1-inch by 1-inch piece of paper and write down those whose Rob shared the idea with Mav teammate Jim Bouton who liked the voices and feedback matter most to you. This list should be made concept so much he spent the next two years searching for a gum up of the most influential people in your life. company to manufacture and distribute Big League Chew. He It is a small piece of paper to succeeded, and BLC quickly became the must-have bubble gum for More On Dehmer ballplayers in the littlest leagues to the Big Leagues. NORWALK, Iowa — Justin Dehmer is one of the brightest baseball people in the business. When he coached at Martensdale- Today, over 40 years later, Big League Chew is the #1-selling St. Mary’s High School in Iowa for five years, he took a school with an shredded bubble gum in the world — with over 800 million pouches enrollment just over 100 to three straight state titles. sold. It is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum of Akron, New York. In the process, his teams won 88 consecutive games which was a national record at the time. ™ He was Coach of The Year in ® 2010, 2011 and 2012 in Iowa. BIG LEAGUE CHEW AMERICA’S BUBBLE GUM For more information on his 1 Pitch Warrior System, go to his Coaches Discount now available at bigleaguechew.com website at: www.1pitchwarrior. com Page 10 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Impossible Dream Becomes Reality Army’s Opp Overcomes Big Obstacles, Including Death Of Father By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. in February prior to the baseball Editor/Collegiate Baseball season. “I wasn’t there nearly long WEST POINT, N.Y. — Every enough as I headed back to North high school player has a dream of Carolina after a few days. It was playing college baseball. wonderful to be with him. That was For Cam Opp, Army’s superb the last time I would ever see him 5-foot-9, 185-pound southpaw alive again. But I still talked to him pitcher, the quest was extremely as much as I could. difficult. “He died on April 4 of my senior He was born in Highlands Ranch, year at the age of 46. Colo., and his family moved after “Being away from my dad when six years to Hinsdale, Ill. for three he was being tortured by cancer was years and then made a third move the toughest thing I have ever gone to London, England when he was through.” almost 10. Opp said his dad was adamant While England is a hotbed for that he pursue his dreams in life. soccer, cricket and rugby, baseball “He was a stubborn man who is an afterthought on the sports always told me to stay on track scene. with academics and other things The bond of many young boys I wanted to do in life. In my case, and their fathers is the wonderful that meant being a baseball player sport of baseball. In the case of Cam in college. He always pushed me to and his baseball loving dad Stuart, stay true to the plan. it was special. “By the time he was really Stuart helped his son learn every suffering the last few months with facet of the game by working with cancer, I was calling him every day. him every chance he got while Cam While I didn’t get to see him those played Little League and beyond. last few months, I at least could talk The only problem was that to him. Baseball bonded us together the competition level in London our entire lives.” was terrible. As Cam started high Cam’s mom Deidre made the school, the reality was that he long trip from England to be with would have to move back to the her son on graduation day at Christ USA if he stood a chance of playing School. college baseball. “Then we flew back to London for The family came to a decision to Through perseverance, hard work, Cam Opp became a superb pitcher. dad’s funeral the next weekend.” allow this young man to return to college. Cut From William & Mary the United States and attend Christ gaining velocity. By the time I other international students. I would Opp said he was left with a huge “I was accepted at Christ School School in Asheville, N.C. for his graduated Christ School, I was typically call my parents in the void when his dad passed away, and began the next chapter of my junior and senior years of high throwing in the low to mid-80s with morning since London is six hours and it was difficult to focus on the life. school. He would then see where my fastball as a lefthander. ahead in time.” next stage of his life which was “For that two year period, I his baseball skills would take him “I don’t think I topped out any Life Turned Upside Down college. stayed on campus at dorms that while going through a demanding higher than 85 mph. I had a few Cam pitched well his junior “My senior year of high school, house people from all over the academic load at this well known looks from a college teams but season at Christ School and there weren’t many offers to play country. My entire family was in boarding school. nothing really too significant.” survived the rigors of a tough baseball. I had an opportunity to England during this time.” Cam would be on his own 4,040 Opp said that he missed being academic grind. walk on at William & Mary which Opp said that he improved as a miles and six time zones away from with his dad a great deal during When he flew back home to had a terrific coach by the name of baseball player at Christ School. his family back in London. his time in North Carolina and had London after his junior year, he Jamie Pinzino. I was interested in “I have always been a pretty The dream of playing college many long conversations with him was excited to share his exeriences Army at that point but wasn’t ready competitive kid and played with baseball was the fuel that drove on the phone about pitching. with family. to make the commitment so close a chip on my shoulder because of him. “I always talked with him about “When I got home, my parents to my dad passing away. my size (5-foot-9). I played a lot of “I lived in England for about all the things going on in my life sat me down on the couch and “I stayed in contact with outfield in high school and started seven years from the ages of 10- whether it be pitching after a game told me that dad had cancer,” said admissions at West Point, and they pitching. I threw my fastball 80-83 16. or going out to golf as I went over Opp. were OK with my going to William mph at the time during my two “I wanted to give college base- every hole. He was always a role “Everyone was crying. It was & Mary initially to see how it years there. ball a shot in the USA, and the model for everything I did. really hard because it seemed as worked out. Then I could reapply “Most of the pitching instruction best way to do that was to go to a “Sundays, when many of the though everything was coming to West Point if I still wanted to go I had had prior to that was with my boarding school back in the U.S. students would go back home to together in our lives at that time.” at a later point.” dad to be perfectly honest. There The competition in England wasn’t towns in the area or within a few Cam had no idea his dad was Cam enrolled at William & was not any scientific process to where it needed to be to play in hours, I would still be there with fighting for his life for the previous Mary and signed up for the ROTC three months. (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Stuart didn’t want to burden his program which trains students to son with the news until he came become officers in the U.S. armed home for the summer. It was the forces. sort of news that he wanted to tell “I tried out for the baseball him face-to-face. program at William & Mary and “Dad was diagnosed with didn’t make the team in the fall of cancer the previous February, but 2014,” said Opp. I didn’t find out about it until the “Looking back, I was a mental end of May. While I was playing mess as I was still going through baseball my junior year at Christ the death of my dad. I was having School, he was suffering through a very difficult time with that chemotherapy.” situation. At that point, I realized Cam spent a great deal of that that my mom and brother Colin summer in the hospital with his needed me to step up into more of father as they talked at length about a leadership role. baseball. “My dad was such a strong “That was an incredibly tough person who fulfilled everything our year,” said Opp. family needed. I knew at that point “My dad had stomach cancer. that West Point was the place I had Unfortunately he was misdiagnosed to go. They have the best leadership for about eight months. A doctor opportunity in the country. I felt thought he was dealing with an going there would push me in the ulcer. By the time he was correctly direction I needed in life to help diagnosed, it was determined that support my family with my dad he had stage four stomach cancer. gone.” “He was given 6-12 months to Cam said he reapplied to West live. He made it 19 months, and Point and was accepted. his goal was to make it to my high “West Point is called ‘The 47 school graduation that May in Month Experience.’ Every year SPECIAL FAMILY — Cam Opp of Army grew up in a caring, supportive family that allowed him North Carolina. starts in the summer at the end of to reach his goal of playing college baseball despite living in London, England for a majority of “I was able to be with him during June. I reported June 29, 2015 for his life in a country where sports focused on soccer, rugby and cricket. His dad Stuart (far left Christmas of my senior year. basic training which is for all West with hand on Cam) helped his son every way he could to live out his dream. His mother Deidre “I also flew back to be with him (second from right) and brother Colin (far right) also were there every step of the way. and the family during winter break See VELOCITY, Page 11 Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page 11 Velocity Improves Dramatically Once At Army Continued From Page 10 Pitching Coach Jamie Pinzino was hired prior to his junior year Point cadets. I was involved with at Army. six weeks of training in the woods “Ironically, he was the head coach that summer. It essentially taught when I was offered the preferred you how to do all the duties that walk-on spot at William & Mary My dad had stomach cancer. were required at West Point. several years prior. Unfortunately, Unfortunately he was misdiagnosed for “Once August hit, I reported to he never coached me at William & “ school and began going to classes. Mary as he took the pitching coach about eight months. A doctor thought “That’s when I went out for the position at Virginia Tech. prior to Army baseball team. I made the the fall of 2014. he was dealing with an ulcer. By the team, and everything has worked “So I was happy to see him out great on the baseball field.” once again. Since his arrival, I time he was correctly diagnosed, it As a freshman in 2016, he have learned a great deal about was determined that he had stage four appeared in 17 games as a pitcher pitching. Last season, my velocity and posted a 1-1 record and 4.86 was consistently 88-90 mph and stomach cancer. He was given 6-12 ERA over 37 innings. topped out at 92 mph.” Two years later, he was nothing Opp attributes his velocity months to live. short of superb. In 2018, he increase to a more structured appeared in 25 games and posted a pitching program. — Cam Opp, Army Pitcher 5-2 record, 2.66 ERA with 4 saves “When I began my junior year over 61 innings, 72 strikeouts and of high school in North Carolina, 25 walks. I was only throwing an 80-83 mph “Last year, I did a little bit of fastball. everything as a pitcher. I started six “Heading into the 2019 season, you add strength, weight and better England after my dad passed. I conclude this spring, he is expected games and closed four games. I was I am now at 90-92 mph with my mechanics, it has allowed me to was fortunate to work with yoga to be involved with flight school the guy who filled in wherever the fastball and topped out at 94 mph achieve velocity heights I have and breath work that helped me in within the Army as he prepares to team needed me. on scout day last October.” never experienced before. baseball as well thanks to my mom. fly helicopters. ” “A lot of times, it was in the His pitching repertoire includes “The coaching here at Army My mom is my hero just as much “There is a saying that you go coolest games. I got to close out a 2-seam fastball, 4-seam fastball, with Pitching Coach Pinzino and as my dad was. wherever the Army wants you to go. a game at Camden Yards against cutter, slider and changeup. Head Coach Jim Foster has been “She has been extremely But I was branched to aviation. So I Navy. I also got to pitch against “There are a few mechanical superb. supportive of me being at West will go to flight school in Alabama Michigan and Maryland. I really things I figured out which has “Both really know a lot about Point which is amazing considering at the end of August. enjoyed that role. allowed me to make the latest jump pitching. she lost her husband to cancer. “Prior to that, our baseball team “Indications are that I might start in my velocity. “We utilize plyo balls. I also long It can’t be easy watching one of at Army will hopefully have a this season. But I also could close “When I was a freshman, I toss once a week. Other than that, her sons go into the Army. She is great season, quality for the NCAA if needed.” only weighed 155 pounds and I don’t do anything unusual with absolutely amazing to me.” playoffs and try to make a run to the Velocity Climbs Higher was 5-foot-9. Now I weigh 185 velocity training. College World Series.” pounds. Adding 30 pounds of Future For Opp Opp said that he began seeing “My mom is a yoga instructor Once his days at West Point It would be a perfect ending to a improvement in his pitching once muscle has really helped. When and formed her own company in remarkable story. Slowing Games Down Is Crucial For High Level Player Performances By GEOFF MILLER 3. Pressure is high. Figure 1: The Four Channels Of Focus appearance: Problem-Solving channel to picture Special To Collegiate Baseball 4. A player is in a External 1. He goes to the a fastball in and off the plate to a slump or his performance Awareness channel to see right-handed hitter that can’t be SAN DIEGO, Calif. — There’s has not met his expec- Chanel 1 Chanel 4 where the infielders and taken the other way. an old saying in baseball that speed tations. Awareness Action outfielders are playing him 4. And finally, he moves to the never goes into a slump. In simple terms, the and look to his third base Action channel and bears down Not true. In fact, the saying is game speeds up because coach for a sign. on his target. Many pitchers get so completely backwards…it’s SLOW our perception of time 2. From there, he uses narrowly focused on the glove that that never goes into a slump! is altered by how we Broad Narrow the Analysis channel to they don’t see the hitter standing Invariably, regardless of the concentrate and by how Chanel 2 Chanel 3 review his approach at the in the batter’s box at all, other than level of competition from the Big much information we Analysis Problem-Solving plate and thinks about what knowing that here is a righty or lefty Leagues to Little League, the most make automatic. (and Visualization) kind of pitch he should be at the plate. important factor for producing If you can understand looking for, given the game Focus To Slow Game Down baseball players who can perform how to control the way Internal situation. Is there a runner The connection that brings under pressure is the ability to slow you focus your attention on second and nobody perception of time together with the game down. and automate the important physical and react to the environment. out? If so, then he should remind the four channel model is that skills and mental cues you’ll need Slowing the game down is not a Analysis himself to look for a pitch that he time seems to slow down when new concept. It’s a key component to hit, run, catch and throw, you can The analysis channel comes from can drive to the right side of the we remain in External Channels to what many people describe as slow the game down and improve the same broad scope as awareness, field to advance the runner. and it speeds up when we are in “the Zone,” that feeling of optimal your performance under pressure. but the direction is internal. You 3. Once he’s done that (and that Internal Channels. Take sleeping, experience. Focus Your Attention use this broad-internal focus when can take less than a second if he for example. Indeed, when many athletes Before discussing the proper coming up with a game plan, when knows what he’s doing), he uses the When we sleep, we are 100% in all sports describe their best way to control your attention, it thinking about many different ideas Problem-Solving channel to see the internal, there is no interaction performances, they talk about is first necessary to provide some at once, or when capturing the big- pitch he wants to hit in his head. with our outside world. And eight everything moving at a slower pace, definition to the term “focus.” The picture from a strategy perspective. 4. And finally, he moves to the hours go by in a flash! We almost their opponents being in “slow easiest way to explain focus is to Great coaches have extraordinary Action channel and locks in on the never feel like we slept long enough motion,” feeling like they had all compare your mind to a TV set talents for using this kind of focus pitcher’s release point. The time and some of us can feel downright the time in the world to make their that only gets four channels (see to create complex systems for honored hitting advice of “see the cheated that so much time seems to moves. graphic above). practices and games. ball, hit the ball” is simply skipping pass so quickly when we sleep. And likewise, a common theme We’ll call these channels Aware- this process and moving straight Compare that to times when Problem-Solving when performance goes wrong is ness, Analysis, Problem-Solving to the Action channel. You narrow we are bored and we engage in the speeding up of time. Pitchers This channel has a narrow- your focus to see the ball and and Action. Focus can be defined internal focus. You use the problem- clock-watching. We get narrow and get into jams and then rush their by its scope and direction and react to a pitch you instinctively external on the hands of the clock mechanics and lose their command solving channel to work through recognize as hittable. You don’t these four channels are distinctly simple problems (what’s 15-8?) or and they seem to take forever to with runners on base. different from each other on these have to consciously tell yourself move.Another way to look at this Hitters can’t catch up to fastballs to call up visualization and imagery to swing. dimensions. Scope simply means scenes. is to think about your mind as a that they routinely time with ease how broadly or narrowly you are A pitcher might use the four movie camera that takes 60 frames when they are in a groove. focused. Action channels in the same sequence: per second. Position players look lost in Direction tells whether your The action channel is the one 1. He starts with Awareness by If you have 0.4 seconds from the field as they get late jumps on focus is external or internal… that is most compelling to athletes. checking with his infielders to see the time that a ball leaves the balls off the bat, throws handcuff whether you are paying attention This is the channel you must be who will be covering the bases. He pitcher’s hand to the time it crosses them, or runners advance as they to the outside world or if you’re in on to execute your skills. Imagine checks his sign from the catcher home plate. Then you have only hold the ball and turn from base to your head. When you plot scope Roger Clemens burning a hole and checks the runners. All broad- 24 frames with which to “take base, unsure of where to throw on and direction on a graph, you can in the catcher’s glove with his external behaviors. pictures” of the ball and even fewer bunt plays. see how the four channels are competitive, single-minded stare. 2. While gathering this before you have to decide if you’re The speed of the game comes divided and what kind of scope and And as you can see from the graph, information, he uses Analysis to going to swing or take. into play in a number of situations. direction makes up each one. the action channel is narrow and think about the game situation If you’re external throughout the For the most part, the game can external. There is no thinking taking and the pitch sequence he’d like Awareness process, then you get 24 pictures speed up when: place here. to follow. Is there a runner on of the ball and it moves at its true 1. A player is playing at a higher The awareness channel combines Applying 4 Channels second and nobody out? If so, then pace. But any time your brain is on level for the first time (MLB debut, a broad focus with an external Let’s work through these four he should remind himself to try to an internal channel, those frames AA from A-Ball, high school to one. This is that “in the moment” channels from the perspective of a make the hitter pull the ball on the that should have contained pictures college, etc). concentration that a quarterback hitter and a pitcher so you can see ground or pop him up so the runner of the ball get replace with frames 2. A player enters a game that uses to read a defense or a point them come to life. cannot advance. of thoughts in your head. is in progress (pinch hitter, relief guard uses to find a teammate A hitter might go through the 3. Once he’s done that (again, pitcher, double switch) and has not filling the lane on a fast break. You following steps during a plate this is a quick process), he uses the See AUTOMATE, Page 14 gotten into the flow of the game. use your awareness channel to read Page 12 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 High School State-By-State List Of Top High Schools In USA TUCSON, Ariz. — The following Top position players include junior 31 RBI), INF Murray Hutchinson is a state-by-state rundown of high 1B Drake Westcott (.510, 12 2B, (.420, 8 2B, 24 SB), RHP Wyatt school teams to watch across the 7 HR, 34 RBI), seniors INF Jack Blalock (4-0, 2.17 ERA) and OF country. Cooper (.336, 11 2B, 28 RBI), OF Peyton Rea (.357, 2 HR, 8 2B, Not included in this list are the Blake Burris (.352, 21 RBI) and 18 RBI). Also: Desoto Central, teams that were selected in our SS Josh Ohl (.293, 13 RBI). Also: Jackson Prep, George County, Pre-Season Top 30 Poll presented Battle Brother Rice, Joliet Catholic, Oak Grove, West Jones by Diamond Pro. Mount Carmel, Lincoln-Way Missouri For information on those teams, East, Plainfield North St. John Vianney, Blue Springs see the January 25, 2019 edition of Indiana South, Lee’s Summit West, Staley, Collegiate Baseball. For Andrean (32-6) returns a Aurora Alabama solid core of 6 starters from last Nebraska Hazel Green, Auburn, Mobile year’s state championship team. Millard West (21-9) finished Christian, Pike Liberal Arts, Anchoring the pitching staff is RHP fourth last season in the Nebraska Macon East, Faith Academy, Michael Doolin (Vanderbilt, 11-1, Class A tournament and returns 10 Hoover, Hartselle 0.70 ERA, 2 SV, 129 K). Also: players from that team. Arizona Fishers, Southport, Cathedral Top players include senior OF Nogales (31-5) has won back- Iowa Jackson Wright (.318, 6 2B, 16 to-back 4A state titles and returns a # Johnston, Valley, Newman RBI), juniors SS Max Anderson solid core of players, led by seniors Catholic, Dowling Catholic (.370, 5 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI) and 1B RHP German Fajardo (Arizona, 8- Kansas Tristan Gomes (.355, 3 2B). Also: 1, 2.45 ERA, 71 K) and INF Jorge St. Thomas Aquinas, Topeka Lincoln Southwest, Elkhorn Bojorque (Sacramento State, .393, Seaman, Blue Valley, Blue Valley South, Creighton Prep, Millard 17 2B, 28 RBI). Mesquite (28-6) Southwest, Shawnee Mission South finished in the final four of the 5A East, Bishop Carroll Nevada state championships and returns Kentucky Basic (32-7) lost in the state 11 seniors led by LHP/OF/1B championship game last season and TJ Clarkson (Utah), INF Grant Pleasure Ridge Park (28-7) has only four senior starters returning returns a solid core of experienced Gorrell (Boise State), RHP/1B players. Leading the team are RHP Davis Heller (Oklahoma), RHP/OF this season and will need players to step up. Leading the team are Shane Spencer (1.83 ERA, 15 IP), Jacob Henderson (Iowa) and INF RHP Trace Evans (1.50 ERA, 12 Holden Breeze (South Mountain SS Reed Blaszczyk (.411, 7 2B, 30 1 RBI, 11 SB), P Dallas Glass (9-2, K), 3B Kyle Turner (.432, 11 2B, CC). Sandra Day O’Connor 1.44 ERA, 78 K), P David Aguilar 21 RBI, 9 SB) and OF John Howard (22-10) is the defending 6A state Bobo (.366, 7 2B, 18 RBI, 8 SB). champs with 12 returning players, (5-1, 2.21 ERA) and C Jarrett Troklus (.235, 2 HR). Also: Scott Bishop Gorman (26-9) faces including three experienced Catholic, Buchanan, Elk Grove tournament last year and returns a rebuilding year with only four pitchers. Leading the team are 7 starters. Top players include County, Highlands, Johnson Colorado Central returning starters from last year’s INF Noah Burgarello (.301, 5 2B, Pine Creek (20-4) has seven SS JD Tease (Florida State, .505, quarterfinals team. Top players 19 RBI), LHP Cal Lambert (5-3, experienced starters returning from 19 2B, 37 RBI), RHP Brandon Louisiana include 3B/P John Gaughan, P 3.03 ERA, 46 K) and OF Amari a team that finished in the Final 8 Walker (Florida State, .346, 4 HR, Teurlings Catholic (28-9) won Nick Smirk, 1B Christian Lamar Bartee (.301, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 9 SB). last season. Top players include P 40 RBI, 10-2, 2.22 ERA, 104 K), the Class 4A Division II state title and junior OF Carson Wells. Palo Also: Mountain Pointe, Glendale Riley Cornelio (9-0, 0.91 ERA, 85 RHP Major Posey (Central Florida, for the third year in a row in 2018 Verde (31-9) is the defending Mountain Ridge K), OF Parker Gregory (.507, 6 2B, 8-1, 2.17 ERA, 52 K), INF Josiah and expects to return again despite 4A state champion and returns a Arkansas 2 HR), 1B Jake Danussil (.467, 4 Miller (transfer) and C Carson Neal having 7 new starters. Top returnees solid core of players including Chabot (22-7) has a solid 2B), OF Kit Wigginton (.346, 3 2B, (Valdosta State, .433, 6 HR, 37 include RHP/SS Peyton Lejeune six pitchers who reportedly throw core of returnees who have state 1 HR) and 2B Kyle Moran (.357, 5 RBI). Pace (24-7) finished as the (.346, 11 2B, 26 RBI, 11-3, 99 K), 89-94 mph. The team is bolstered tournament experience and should 2B). Also: Heritage, Regis, Rocky runner-up in the 7A championships C Dain Turner (.388, 9 2B, 3 HR, by transfer Jayden Agassi, who is be contenders this season. Leading Mountain, Legend last season and returns 9 players 36 RBI) and OF Landon Trosclair considered one of the top juniors the team are senior P Zach Morris from that team. Top players include (.329, 20 SB). Also: Sam Houston, in the nation. Also: Desert Oasis, Connecticut P Brandon Sproat (Florida, 10-4, Zachary, Baton Rouge Catholic, (6-3, 1.25 ERA, 63 K) and juniors Cheshire (21-5) won its first state Reno, Bishop Manogue OF Houston King (.436, 11 2B, 24 1.78 ERA, 80K), P Ty Kirchharr West Monroe title in 15 years thanks to excellent (Jacksonville, 5-1, 2.80 ERA, 50 New Jersey RBI), OF Clayton Gray (.309, 3 2B, pitching in the championship game. Maryland Don Bosco Prep, St. Augustine, 15 SB) and C Austin Scritchfield K), SS Aidan Gilroy (.341, 7 2B, Calvert Hall (17-10) expects to A strong senior class returns for 27 RBI) and junior 3B Chase Bragg Bergen Catholic (.266, 3 2B, 9 RBI). Bryant (21- another shot at the title this season, be one of the top teams in Maryland 10) has 10 experienced players (.333, 7 2B, 15 RBI). this season with a solid core of New Mexico led by OF Ryan Strollo. Also: Hagerty (23-7) returns a strong La Cueva (27-3) lost 6 of its 9 returning, including three of its Staples, Fairfield Prep six starters returning, including five top pitchers from last season. core of 8 experienced varsity two of the top players in the state starters from last year’s 6A state Top players include INF Logan Delaware players who have good defense — SS Jose Torres (NC State, championship team and expects Chambers (.385, 7 2B, 19 RBI, St. Mark’s, Caravel Academy, and hitting skills. Pitching will .472, 7 2B, 6 HR, 16 RBI) and C several underclassmen to step up 8 SB), RHP Will McEntire (4- Cape Henlopen, St. George’s need to improve. Leading the team Parker Landwehr (Boston College, this year. 4, 1.60 ERA, 64 K), C/OF Jake Tech are OF Riley Greene (.405, 7 2B, .365, 7 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI). Also: The Bears will rely on two-year 6 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI), INF Vaughn starters INF/P Ben Schoneman Wright (.221, 5 2B, 13 RBI) and Florida Archbishop Curley, St. John’s Grissom (.346, 7 2B, 21 RBI), C RHP/INF Austin Ledbetter (.218, The Bolles School (24-6) returns (DC), Boonesboro, Riverdale (.382, 11 2B, 29 RBI, 8-1, 2.09 ERA, Robby Post (.321, 8 2B, 3 3B, 21 8 2B, 19 RBI, 4-2, 3.08 ERA, 23 a strong pitching staff and good Baptist 52 K) and C Phoenix Autrey (.467, RBI) and P Trent Caples. Also: K). Also: Greenbrier, Conway, defensive team from last year’s 5A 10 2B, 30 RBI) to led the team. Venice, Calvary Christian (Ft. Massachusetts Greenwood state runners-up squad. Leading the Also: Cleveland, Centennial, Lauderdale), Trinity Christian Franklin, St. John’s Piedra Vista, Rio Rancho California team is one of the top left-handed Prep (Danvers), St. John’s JSerra Catholic (18-14) has pitchers in the country, Hunter Georgia (Shrewsbury), Braintree New York several key players returning along Barco (8-1, 1.98 ERA, 84 K, Pope (36-8) returns a core Poly Prep (23-4) won its state Michigan with a few talented transfers that .346, 11 2B, 4 HR, 28 RBI). IMG group of seniors from a team title last season and returns three Academy (18-7) is an independent that won back-to-back Georgia Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, key players in RHP/3B Channing should allow them to make a run Detroit Country Day School, in the CIF playoffs. On offense, team that does not participate in the 6A championships. Leading the Austin (Virginia), SS/RHP Bryan state high school championships, offense will be SS Buddy Floyd Brother Rice, Grosse Pointe Padilla (Connecticut) and 3B/CF SS Michael Curialle (UCLA, .218, South 7 2B, 2 HR), 1B Blake Klassen but play in several high school (.391, 10 2B, 32 RBI, 16 SB); 1B/C Chris Klein (West Virginia). (Arizona, .333, 11 2B, 16 RBI) tournaments. The team is loaded Caden Smith (.362, 15 2B, 4 3B, 34 Minnesota CW Baker (20-4) finished and Cody Schrier (USC) lead the this season with several players RBI) and OF Andrew Feld (.357, 7 Stillwater Area (24-3) is the runner-up in New York’s 2A team. Top pitchers include Hunter who are MLB prospects, including 2B, 2 HR, 39 RBI). Top pitchers are defending 4A state champions and tournament and returns 6 starters. Cranton (Arizona), Andrew Miller INF Rece Hinds (.494, 13 HR, 53 Max Pralgo (10-2, 2.26 ERA, 73 return 5 starters. Pitching will be Pitching will be a strength, led (Nevada) and Gage Jump. De La RBI), RHP Brennan Malone (3-1, K) and transfer Gage Vailes. Also: a strength this season with two by junior RHP Jason Savacool Salle (26-4) returns five starters 1.36 ERA, 76 K), RHP Kendall Cartersville, Buford, Jefferson Oregon State signees LHP Drew (8-0, 0.31 ERA, 115 K, 19 BB) and senior RHP Jacob Marshall from the North Coast Section Williams (3 wins, 1.80 ERA, 48 Hawaii Gilbert (7-1, 0.63 ERA, 100 K) and Division 1 championship team. K) and 3B Josh Rivera (.417, 7 HR, Iolani, Waiakea, St. Louis RHP Will Frisch (4-0, 2.30 ERA, (5-1, 1.60 ERA, 35 K). Monroe They have won it 8 years in a row. 22 RBI). Providence (26-6) lost 56 K) anchoring the staff. Also: St. Campus (44-4) won the PSAL Top players include junior LHP/1B only one pitcher from last year’s Idaho Michael-Albertville, Minnetonka, championship last season and Mountain View, Rocky Kyle Harrison (9-1, 1.17 ERA, 71 regional finalist team. Leading Mounds View returns a core of experienced the team are SS/3B/RHP Tyler Mountain, Bonneville players, including its top two K), seniors RHP/3B Chris Santiago Mississippi (.368, 9 2B, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 1-0, Callihan (South Carolina, .440, Illinois Madison Central (25-7) had one pitchers senior Angel Venture and 2 SV, 0.00 ERA), C Jared Amigh 11 2B, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 9-1, 1.30 Edwardsville (26-10) lost in of the strong offensive teams in the Edward Urena Hernandez. Also: (Pacific, .381, 11 2B, 20 RBI, 5 SB) ERA, 55 K) and SS Nathan Hickey the regional final last year after state in 2018 but this year will be Shenendehowa, Massapequa, and sophomore OF Blake Burke (Florida, .419, 7 2B, 7 HR, 26 RBI, winning 14 of its last 17 games. rebuilding with juniors expected to Columbia (.345, 9 2B, 5 HR, 30 RBI). Also: 11 SB). North Florida Christian They return 14 players with fill in. Leading the team are seniors La Costa Canyon, Cathedral (25-4) was the runner up in the 3A experience, including four pitchers. C Parker Nelson (.357, 9 2B, 4 HR, See ELITE TEAMS, Page 13 Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page 13 NJCAA Announces Hall Of Fame Coaches For 2019 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association has announced its four newest inductees into the Hall of Fame. Four active head coaches will be enshrined in the 2019 class at the annual NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series banquet May 24 in Grand Junction, CO. Erie’s Joe Bauth, Century’s Dwight Kotila, Delgado’s Joe Scheuermann and Marty Smith of Central Florida will bring over 3,300 combined wins across a JOE BAUTH DWIGHT KOTILA JOE SCHEUERMANN MARTY SMITH century of NJCAA service to the Hall of Fame. Erie College Century College Delgado College Central Florida Joe Bauth degree from Canisius. also served as the head coach for of serving as a special advisor for and finished as runners-up in 2018, For 27 seasons, Joe Bauth has Dwight Kotila USA Athletes International that has American Legion Baseball and a team that set a program record for guided the Kats to 954 wins with a A staple on the diamond in taken his teams to Australia, France, implemented the “Delgado Cares” home runs in a season. career .624 winning percentage. Minnesota, Dwight Kotila has led Holland, and Aruba. initiative that leads to over 300 The 2018 season also saw During his tenure in western three different NJCAA Division III Kotila received a Bachelor of hours of community service from Josh Harper earn the coveted Lea New York, Bauth has led Erie to 23 programs to national prominence in Science Degree in Education and his student-athletes each year. Plarski Award presented annually winning seasons with a consistent The North Star State. a Master of Science Degree in A native of New Orleans, LA, to an NJCAA student-athlete presence in the Division III national The current head coach at Physical Education from St. Cloud Scheuermann, who serves as the who exemplifies sportsmanship, rankings. Century, Kotila has guided the State University. Along with his school’s Athletic Director, will leadership, community service, A three-time ABCA Coach of the Wood Ducks to an impressive 298- athletic duties at Century, Kotila be the first Louisiana coach to be academic excellence and athletic Year, Bauth has reached the NJCAA 104 record in just eight seasons at teaches in the Physical Education/ inducted into the NJCAA Baseball ability. Region III championship game 10 the helm. Health/Sport Management Coaches Association Hall of “The team loved him, the times in his career. Kotila’s career coaching resume Department. Fame. community loved him, he’s just a Bauth has been awarded the spans 21 seasons between Century, Joe Scheuermann Scheuermann has also been very giving guy,” Smith noted. NJCAA District Coach of the Ridgewater (MN), and Riverland Joe Scheuermann has led the inducted into the All-American “Josh brought a lot of great Year on four occasions along with (MN). A former baseball student- tradition-rich baseball program of Amateur Baseball Association qualities that everyone loved three Region III coach of the year athlete at Ridgewater, Kotila has Delgado for the past 28 years as Hall of Fame and was recognized about him and really helped our honors. tallied an overall record of 679-242 its skipper. in 2016 with the Greater New program.” Under Bauth’s tutelage, the for a .737 winning percentage. A former standout infielder Orleans Sports Hall of Fame’s A former baseball student-athlete Kats claimed four Region III Kotila is the only coach in for the Dolphins, Scheuermann Eddie Robinson Award that at Central Florida, Smith finished Championships, most recently in all of college baseball to take returned to Delgado following recognizes an athletic administrator his collegiate career at St. Thomas 2011. Bauth’s resume also includes three different schools to national his playing career to take over the for outstanding achievements in University (FL) before embarking three Louisville Slugger Awards for tournaments. program in 1990, a team that had athletics, academics, sportsmanship, on a coaching career that included Coaching Excellence – 1998, 2003, Since revitalizing the entire been led by his father Louis “Rags” and citizenship while maximizing stops at Miami Dade where he and 2011. athletic program at Century in Scheuermann since 1972. limited resources. coached future MLB star Mike Bauth has guided 69 student- 2008 as head baseball coach and Scheuermann’s tenure with Marty Smith Piazza and Florida State College- athletes to the All-Region team Athletic Director, Kotila has led the the Dolphins includes a .668 Marty Smith’s historic coaching Jacksonville before returning to while 12 have earned NJCAA All- Wood Ducks baseball team to four winning percentage (971-483). career reached a quarter century Central Florida as an assistant in America accolades. Eight former national tournament appearances, Scheuermann has led the program with the start of the 2019 campaign, 1991. student-athletes have gone on to including a runner-up finish in to four NJCAA Division I Baseball a run that has amassed 725 wins at Smith took the reigns of the play professionally following their 2013. World Series appearances since Central Florida. program in 1994 and has been a time at Erie. Kotila guided a pair of student- 2007, including three consecutive Smith recently became just the consistent national presence in the Aside from his duties as athletes who were drafted into the trips from 2014-16. third active coach to reach the 700- NJCAA ever since. a head coach, Bauth currently MLB – Ryan Schlosser and Jared The 2016 appearance in Grand win plateau in the Florida College Smith has mentored hundreds of serves as the NJCAA Baseball Dettmann. Junction, CO saw Scheuermann System Activities Association student-athletes who have moved Coaches Association President and Along with his accolades at collect his 900th career victory. (FCSAA). on to four-year schools and over 25 represented the NJCAA National Century, Kotila has amassed 11 Over 200 student-athletes have A two-time FCSAA Coach of former student-athletes have been Baseball team at the 84thannual national tournament appearances moved on to four-year programs the Year and five-time Mid-Florida selected in the MLB draft including Nate Pearson who was selected National Baseball Congress World overall while capturing 11 NJCAA under Scheuermann’s leadership Conference Coach of the Year, th Series in 2018. Region XIII championships and while 25 former Dolphins have Smith’s storied career includes 28 overall in 2017. Bauth is also an active member was named NJCAA Region XIII been selected in the MLB draft. two FCSAA state championships A Jacksonville, FL native, of the American Baseball Coaches and District E Coach of the Year Scheuermann’s contributions and reached the NJCAA Division Smith’s coaching resume also Association, serving on the 11 times. There have been 275 to Delgado has left a long-lasting I Baseball World Series in 1997 includes a trip to Beijing as the head Executive Committee. former athletes have moved on to impact on the community following and 1998. coach of the NJCAA All-Stars in A professor in the college’s four-year institutions under Kotila’s his efforts to rebuild the baseball During his time at Central 2004 as part of the NJCAA-China Health, Wellness, and Physical guidance. program following Hurricane Florida, the Patriots have captured Friendship Series. Smith has also Education department, Bauth An active member on the ABCA Katrina in 2005. Scheuermann’s five Mid-Florida Championships served as a member of the ABCA received a bachelor’s and master’s Executive Committee, Kotila has efforts in the community also consist (1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, and 2007) for over 20 years. Elite Teams Listed Across USA As High School Season Begins Continued From Page 12 the state tournament. The biggest La Salle Univ. H.S. Cashimere (6-0, 1.03 ERA), OF ERA, 40 K) anchoring the staff. strength will be pitching, led by Rhode Island Nick Vernars (.424, 11 2B, 3 HR, Also: American Fork, Pleasant North Carolina LHP Jack Pacetti (Cincinnati, 5-1, South Kingstown (15-4) 34 RBI), C Hudson Polk (.324, 8 Grove, Skyridge, Cottonwood Ledford (29-5) was the runner- 1.50, 58 K), Seth Logue (2-1, 3.39 captured the Division 1 state title 2B, 3 HR, 35 RBI) and OF Blake Vermont up in the 2A state finals last season ERA, 26 K), Justin Hornschemeier last season and returns three key Jackson (.310, 5 2B, 5 HR, 23 South Burlington, Colchester, and returns an experienced team and Matthew Treadway. Walsh players in P Broc French, C Blaine RBI). Corpus Christi Veterans Essex that is deep in pitching, speed Jesuit (22-4) returns a solid core Lidsky and INF Cole Podedworny. Memorial (33-7-1) advanced to and offensive power. Leading the of experienced players, led by the state semi-finals last season Virginia Also: Bishop Hendriken, Western Branch (19-7) has team are P/OF Chris Villaman RHP/3B/1B Nathan Stahl (Indiana, LaSalle after only three years of existence. (.278, 5 2B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 10-2, 4-2, 3.92 ERA, .366, 5 HR, 23 They will be replacing three key reached the 6A state finals the 0.69 ERA, 139 K) and OF Noah RBI), RHP Yassir Kahook (Toledo, South Carolina players, but have an experienced past three years and returns 8 Soles (.400, 11 2B, 2 HR, 26 RBI). 5-0, 1.18 ERA, 39 K) and OF Nick Dorman, Lexington, River core of players returning, including key players, led by RHP Antonio Also: Ardrey Kell, Whiteville, Vaccaro (.463, 16 RBI, 5 SB). Also: Bluff, AC Flora, JL Mann sophomore 1B Daylan Pena (.458, Velasquez (9-2, 1.30 ERA). Also: Weddington, New Hanover, Mason, Olentangy Liberty Tennessee 13 2B, 7 HR, 52 RBI) and senior P Hanover, Price George Wesleyan Christian Academy JoJo Villarreal (12-1, 2.63 ERA, 78 Oklahoma Hendersonville, Baylor, Siegel, Washington North Dakota Westmoore, Jenks, Union Christian Brothers K). Also: Southlake Carroll, VR Puyallup Sheyenne, West Fargo, Eaton, Calallen Oregon Texas West Virginia Century Jesuit, West Linn, South San Antonio Reagan (37-8) Utah Cabell Midland Jordan (24-6) returns 5 Ohio Medford returns only two seniors with many Wisconsin Massillon Jackson (25-6) juniors joining the team this season. starters from last season’s 5A Pennsylvania Waupun (25-2) won both finished last season as district Starting pitching will be the team’s state championship team. The the Division 2 state title and the Malvern Prep (30-7) captured strength led by juniors RHP Travis team will be strong on offense led champions and returns 12 juniors and the state title last season and returns American Legion championship seniors from that team. Top players Sthele (6-2, 3 SV, 1.33 ERA) and by INF Jacob Shaver (Arizona) last year. three seniors led by OF Chris RHP Will Carstens. Leading the and CF Hunter Swapp (BYU). include RHP Yianni Skeriotis (Ohio Newell (Virginia, .422, 6 2B, 7 3B, 5 They return six players from State), C/2B Trey Wright (Toledo), offense is senior 1B Cal Martin Bingham (21-10) returns only two that team. HR, 26 RBI), LHP Liam Dabagian, (.340, 12 2B, 4 HR, 25 RBI) and starters from last year’s 6A state RHP Taylor Johnson (5-1, 1.63 juniors RHP Tristan Corcoran, C These athletes were also part of a ERA) and OF Ethan Kulich (.367 OF Zane Raba (.300, 4 2B, 15 championship team. Pitching will ball club that finished second in the Jordan Dissin and sophomore OF be the team’s strength with LHP BA). Archbishop Moeller (25-7) RBI, 15 SB). Coppell (30-6) has state chmpionship in 2017. Also: Lonnie White. Also: Red Land, 11 starters returning from a team Peyton Jones (Cal State Fullerton, returns a strong core of starters West Allegheny, North Alleghany, Kimberly, Janesville Craig, Sun that hopes to advance deeper into that finished as Area finalists. 4-3, 3.27 ERA, 40 K) and junior Prairie, Webster, Waunakee Downington East, Penn Charter, Top players include LHP John RHP Joey Dixon (3-1, 3 SV, 1.31 Page 14 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Let’s Talk About 45-Foot Long Runner’s Lane To 1B ANSONIA, Conn. — I think force, retiring Kiki Hernandez. was not reviewable. to complete the double play. to exit the 3-foot lane by means of most baseball fans, players, coaches Vazquez then fired to first baseman 4. In such plays, there must 10. In the above play, when a step, stride, reach or slide in the and perhaps some young umpires, Steve Pearce, but the ball got by be a throw (usually by the pitcher Rodriguez threw home, this immediate vicinity of first base take for granted the 45-foot, 3-foot Pearce, allowing Justin Turner, the or catcher in the bunt area) and constituted an intervening play. If, for the sole purpose of touching wide runner’s lane the last 45- runner on second at the start of play, it must be a quality throw that Hernandez the runner advancing the base. feet between home and first base to score. can reasonably retire the batter- home was safe, and Bellinger was For the batter-runner to be without knowing its purpose. The replay showed that Bellinger runner. If you removed the batter- subsequently called for batter- protected, the last step must be A little history. was running out of the 45-foot long, runner (Bellinger) from the play, it runner interference, the run would when he first exits the runner’s lane. In the early days of baseball, the 3-foot wide, runner’s lane, but no appeared that the ball could have score because the interference If the batter-runner was never in the foul lines intersected the bases. call was made by plate umpire Chad been caught by Pearce. followed the runner’s crossing of runner’s lane the entire distance Because of that, there were Fairchild or first base umpire Jeff 5. In my opinion, Fairchild was the plate and Bellinger’s out would from home to first, he can’t exit a many collisions between Nelson. occupied with the play at the plate have been only the second out of the lane he was never in. the batter-runner and the Sox manager Alex and perhaps the runner’s slide into inning. This would be true under Therefore, he can’t be protected fielder taking the throw at Cora talked to the the plate and ignored Bellinger’s Pro and NCAA rules but NFHS in his last stride or step if his first base, usually the first Ruleball umpires, but the play route to first base. First base ump rules do not have an intervening position interferes with the fielder’s baseman. stood. Jeff Nelson could have made the play as part of the rule. failure to complete the play. To eliminate these The no call proved call but elected not to. The Orioles and Jays played 12. If the batter-runner is running collisions, in 1881 the critical because Yasiel 6. If interference was called on at Camden Yards on April 9, outside the runner’s lane the last bases were moved more Puig followed with a Bellinger, the inning would have 2018, when an interesting batter- 45-feet and unintentionally hinders toward the infield side of three-run homer. ended. runner interference play occurred or impedes a throw to the plate, the line with the foul line You can view the 7. If a batter-runner runs illegally following an “intervening play” he should not be called out for running through the outer play by going to the out of the runner’s lane and touches which is rarely seen. Here’s what interference. The rule is designed portion of the bases where link below: MLB.com, first base before the ball arrives, he happened. to protect the fielder “taking” the it is today. Oct. 27: WS2018 Gm4 can still be called out based on his Adam Jones was batting in the throw at first base. The runner’s was added “Turner scores game’s actions prior to reaching the base. bottom of the fifth with the bases It does not protect a fielder who to the foul line between 1st run on error” 8. The throw does not have to loaded and one out when he tapped is “making” a throw from first base. make contact with the batter-runner back to the mound. Regarding a play that goes from the home and first. With Rich Marazzi Ruleball Comment The objective was to Rules Consultant 1. Pro rule 5.09 (a) for interference to be called. Pro and Jays’ pitcher J.A. Happ threw first baseman to the catcher, a wise keep the batter-runner Blue Jays, Brewers, NFHS rules have no language that home a bit wide to catcher Russell batter-runner might run straight at Cardinals, D’backs, (11) reads, “A batter is away from the fielder out when in running the covers throws that are altered by Martin, who was able to record the the first baseman and force him Dodgers, Mariners, a batter-runner who runs illegally out. Martin then fired off balance to take a step for the purpose of who is “taking” the throw, Pirates, Rangers, last half of the distance usually from the bunt area Rays, Reds, Red from home base to first outside the runner’s lane. But to first base and his throw hit Jones clearing a throwing lane. for safety reasons. Sox, Royals, Tigers, NCAA rule 7-11 states, “If the in the back. That extra step can buy time for Twins, Yankees, the base, while the ball is Keep in mind that being fielded to first base batter-runner is running illegally Plate umpire Chris Segal called the runner advancing home from Fox Regional Sports to first base and his being outside Jones out for running out of the third. If a coach thinks this would be the runner’s lane is Networks, ESPN and (a throw to the base), he not a baseline. It is a the White Sox TV runs outside (to the right the lane alters the throw of a runner’s lane the last 45-feet and a safety issue for the batter-runner, recommended area for announcers. of) the three-foot line, fielder, hinders or alters a fielder’s interfering with Jays’ first baseman, don’t do it. the batter-runner to use in or inside (to the left of) opportunity to field the throw, or Josh Donaldson, who was “taking” 13. Whenever the defensive team Readers can submit the batter-runner is hit by the throw the throw from Martin. It was completes the play, no interference order to avoid interfering questions to Rich at: the foul line, and in the with the fielder “taking” [email protected] umpire’s judgment in that has been made in an attempt scored a 1-2-3 DP. can be called when the batter- the throw. so doing interferes with to make a play, it should be called Under Pro and NCAA rules, if the runner is running illegally out of interference and the batter-runner Orioles’ runner, who was advancing the runner’s lane. If the batter-runner is running out the fielder taking the throw at first is to be called out.” home on the play was safe, the run This creates the false perception of the runner’s lane, even with just base, in which case the ball is dead; 9. I have recommended that would count even though there was that there is no violation when one foot, and the defensive team except that he may run outside (to in late developing plays, the first a subsequent interference because running out of the lane. doesn’t complete the play because the right of) the three-foot line or baseman (Pearce) in such plays the intervening run-scoring play 14. The runner’s lane is irrelevant the fielder taking the throw was inside (to the left of) the foul line to should receive the ball with his occurred before the interference, and basically invisible regarding impeded by the batter-runner, the avoid a fielder attempting to field a glove extended toward the thrower the same as the Bellinger play tag plays. batter-runner should be called out batted ball.” (Vazquez) instead of being in a above. The batter-runner is allowed for interference. 2. It should be noted that the position where he could go in either If there were two outs at the start 3-feet in either direction when No runners can advance on the lines are part of the lane. Also, it direction. It’s safer for the first of play and Jones’ interference was avoiding a tag like at any other play unless there is an intervening is not a requirement for the batter- baseman, and the ball will arrive the third out, the run would not score base. play which I cover in bullet No. 10 runner to run in the lane, but if sooner. because no run can score when the Under Pro rules, a tag attempt later in this column. he doesn’t, he runs the risk of The first base umpire makes his batter-runner makes the third out begins the moment the fielder The possibility of batter-runner being called out for batter-runner call by watching the foot of the before reaching first base. with ball in hand or glove makes interference surfaced in Game Four interference. batter-runner and listening to the Ditto for the Bellinger play. a move toward the runner. It is at of the World Series in the bottom 3. In the above play, I think the sound of the ball meeting the glove. You can view this play by going that point that the batter-runner has of the sixth. Cody Bellinger was umpires could have enforced rule I’m probably in the minority, but if to the link below on the internet: a restricted baseline. batting for the Los Angeles Dodgers 5.09 (a) (11) because Bellinger was Pearce, a right-handed thrower, had https://www.mlb.com/video/ Although not defined, the NCAA with the bases loaded and one out running out of the runner’s lane his right foot anchored on the base blue-jays-turn-unorthodox-dp/c- follows the Pro interpretation. The facing Boston Red Sox pitcher and it appeared that he impeded and his left leg and glove extended 1920795283?tid=6479266 or go tag attempt is not defined under Eduardo Rodriguez. Pearce’s chance of making the play toward the thrower, Vazquez would to MLB.com, April 9, TOR@BAL, NFHS rule, as well. Under NFHS Bellinger hit a bouncer to at first base on a throw that was have had a better target and the Red “Jays turn inning-ending DP.” rules, the tag attempt is whatever Rodriguez, who threw home to good enough to retire Bellinger, a Sox would have had a better chance 11. The batter-runner is permitted the umpire judges. catcher Christian Vazquez for the requirement of the rule. The play Automate Your Thinking When It Comes To Playing At Highest Levels Continued From Page 11 pitching. These pitchers have huge jumps on pitchers who lose automatic. For a good example naturally found a way to limit track of them on the bases. of the importance of automatic If you think too much at the plate the time that their opponents see Automate Your Thinking thinking in another sport, look (something that happens often in the ball. When a hitter spends too The other way to slow the game to football, where each player a slump), you might only get 18 much time on internal channels, it down in your head is to make your has different routes, blocking pictures of the ball instead of 24. has the same effect as the pitcher thinking automatic. The benefits coverages, places to be on the field And when a frame is missing a hiding the ball…it seems to get on from automatic thinking include that must be strictly followed, and picture, it will jump to the next him in a hurry. less time searching for answers, there are multiple formations and frame like you’d see in old silent Getting external is a bit trickier fewer conscious thoughts that hundreds of plays to learn. movies in the early 1900’s. Those for pitchers. Pitching isn’t always keep you on internal channels and Not only can automatic thinking “jumps” make the ball seem like it about simply getting to the Action minimized worries. save time searching for answers, is going faster than it is. channel and staying there. When your thinking becomes it can minimize the number of This is the concept that Ted When there are runners on base, a automatic, you spend less time thoughts we have to consciously Williams mastered when he pitcher must shift channels between searching for answers. This attend to during play. described seeing the individual Awareness and Action (broad and represents not a perception of time, Consider all the factors that seams on the ball as it was traveling narrow) and needs to dip down into but an actual savings of time. might go through a pitcher’s head toward the plate. Internal channels more often than By crossing one item off of your before he delivers a pitch to the Most likely, he was able to keep hitters. There is plenty of science to to-do-list, you have more time to plate: “What is the count? What is his focus external and saw the ball hitting, but at the moment of truth, allot to executing your task. This this hitter’s weakness? What is my with every frame available to him. it’s reactionary. That lends itself can be a time difference that you strength? What did I throw him His perception of the ball was that it to being perfect for staying on the can feel, which will have ancillary the last time I faced him? What was going slower than it really was Action channel. effects on your stress level and inning is it? and he felt like he had more time to GEOFF MILLER For pitchers, getting external confidence. And it is the basic tenet Are there runners on base? How decide to swing. of thought process once the hitter is about developing a rhythm that behind the importance of practice. should I pitch to this guy knowing So to slow the game down, you gets into his stance makes time takes them from focusing on the We practice bunt plays, PFP’s, the game situation and everything can consciously control your focus speed up. Everyone has heard about runners to focusing on the target for and relays and double-cuts over else I’ve just considered?” and place yourself in an external pitchers who hide the ball or have the pitch. This is another reason that and over again so we’ll know channel. Doing this changes your jerky windups that distract hitters pace is so important to delivery and Geoff Miller is affiliated exactly which base to throw to in with Wining Mind and can be perception of time and everything from seeing the ball in their hands mechanics. Stay on the Awareness a pressure situation with the game around you slows down. and are commonly described as channel and mechanics get rushed reached by calling (619) 497- on the line. We don’t want to be 0156 or going on the internet At the plate, that means tracking “sneaky fast.” or compromised. Move too quickly caught “thinking” in one of those the ball as soon as you see it in Their gun readings don’t register to the Action channel and that and contacting him at www. big situations. thewinningmind.com the pitcher’s delivery. Any kind as high as it seems like they are produces tunnel vision. Runners get We want our movements to feel Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page 15 Hitting Improvement Lies In Swing, Vision Models By TONY ABBATINE positioning their field of vision of hitting drills that isolate and Special To Collegiate Baseball slightly in front of the target. segregate the movement patterns of Drive down the highway and a game swing or don't create game CHESTER, N.Y. — It’s exciting notice how much faster the passing speed visual challenges? when coaches and organizations lines appear when you are casually Not done by reading vision are checking the boxes to make looking at the road ahead compared charts without the hitters moving sure player performance levels to tracking those lines visually as back and forth in their swing and improve. they come toward you. positioned 15 feet away to simulate where the hitter’s final go zone is The swing debate continues to Time To Contact Vs. Improved located in real games? be the hot topic when I talk to clubs Visual Calculus and coaches on the best practices to Newsflash. Hitters are getting Not done by telling all hitters to develop their minor league hitters jammed or chasing pitches because soft focus, fine focus and look for and take their MLB hitters from they are late visually (jammed) or the window? good to great. their go zone reads (chase swings) Too much thinking and What new information do coaches are too early to assess the final switching? When you ask the best need to improve the graduation rate trajectory of a pitch. visual hitters in the game what of hitters to the next level? Remember timing and balance they are doing, they more closely The answer seems to be a hybrid issues in the swing are a by-product describe open focus (see more by of both the swing and vision of a hitter’s visual information looking at nothing). models. during the first half of ball flight. Not done by telling hitters to In a perfect hitting world, swing hard focus on ball intensely and efficiency and the visual skills of Dynamic Visual Training only the ball and short circuit the an eagle are combined. Coaches and clubs want more brain from assessing space and Eagles can see an ant crawling drills. distance — the two sources of on the ground from the roof of a Keep the drills you have and add information the brain needs to help 10-story building. a visual challenge. As a starting predict time to collision? Forced to choose one, hitters with point, ask your hitter to close their If you believe that seeing the improved visual skills will begin to eyes as the ball is halfway to the ball is the first and most important realize that some of their swing plate during BP and center toss. piece of the hitting model, why not errors go away with improved ball Go back and watch film and build your hitting model on that flight prediction which equates to photos of where the hitterss eyes premise? better timing. are on contact in real games to The better players and teams are The debate on what’s more understand why. starting to realize that "see the ball, important will rage on. The best drill ever to teach vision hit the ball" is a 3-part puzzle that The swing doctors have the starts with a dialogue to find out starts with the non-movement of the advantage of measurables. what the hitter is doing visually pitcher to ball flight into the runway The blueprint for what the best before ball flight up until the half to the go-zone to collision time. way point down the runway, or as hitting eyes do are tougher to copy TONY ABBATINE Many years ago there was a which explains why this area is the teams now call it, the go zone. former fighter pilot named Ted high stress at bats? and at showcase measurement most under taught part of a team’s Not done sitting or having Williams who later became a Hall contests and also gets you drafted. hitting model. Bat Speed Vs. Visual Speed the eyes slammed, crammed and of Fame hitter. When asked what Shooters, fighter pilots and Because you can’t measure it Bat Speed is mandatory to get jammed looking at a computer was the most important part of hitters utilize Rigid Attention doesn’t mean it’s not essential. invited to the pro ball party. screen or playing video games in hitting, his answer was simple yet Syndrome to their advantage. How do you measure improved Visual Speed (processing more a one dimensional setting with profound. You need to see the ball When hitters swear the ball visual skills? information prior to and during ball no fear or the stress factor of live well and get a good pitch to hit. looks slower and bigger, they have Every individual hitting statistic flight) gets you to the Show. hitting? Amen. learned to be front seat drivers, and team offense is premised on the Great eyes, like speed readers Not done with the over-abundance ability see the ball both in and out of and hunters, sweep and scan for the strike zone more effectively. clues and avoid the stop, jump and It is easier to collect and simulate stare habits of the visually weak. movement patterns in a controlled Bat Path Vs. Scan Path setting than it is to chase the What if you had different options “invisible” holy grail of hitting Visit Us On The Web to get to the release/window of a which is vision. pitcher? As players and teams assess their What if the direction you At www.baseballnews.com priorities, lets compare some swing approached the lefty was different efficiency parameters with some than a rightly or you changed your “vision” realaties. gaze patterns before ball release • The latest news Peak Hand Speed Vs. In Flight which allowed you a better look at Barrel Control Hand Speed early ball flight? • Special features Fast hands are crucial to turn Hitters have been making around a 95 mph 4-seam fastball off physical adjustments in their swings • Instructional clinics the pitching machine or in the lab. since high school. • Videos The best in any collision/racquet Is it time for coaches and players sport skill (aka hitting) can slightly to embrace different routes to the • Question of the week manipulate the barrel/racquet later window to improve ball flight in game ball flight to combat late clarity? • National polls movement. Rotational Acceleration Vs. • All-Americans Do you give up a tick of hand Ocular Anticipation speed/exit velo for improved barrel Hip rotation/angular velocity • Links to our Advertisers control against the nasty pitches in wins the prize in batting practice & much, much more Big Change Will Take Place At 2022 NAIA World Series KANSAS CITY, Mo. — championships. Shop Online Beginning with the 2022 NAIA The new championship format Buy or renew your subscription baseball championship, the host for baseball will include Lewis- to the print edition of Collegiate school at the finals will not receive Clark State hosting an Opening an automatic bid which was Round Tournament in addition to Baseball newspaper. Also, order determined by a special NAIA the Championship Finals. back issues and special team Baseball Task Force over the past As part of the deal, the Warriors two years. will receive an automatic bid to play subscriptions at great prices. Lewis-Clark State and Harris in the Opening Round Tournament Field have been the home of the in Lewiston, Idaho. NAIA World Series for the past Lewis-Clark State must win that 19 years. Opening Round Tournament to Follow Us: From 1984-1991, Lewis-Clark qualify for the World Series. State also hosted the NAIA World A new agreement with Lewis- @CBNewspaper Series. Clark State and the NAIA will During those 27 years, the extend the partnership of hosting Warriors won 16 national titles. the NAIA World Series through the In the other 35 years of the 2024 season. Scan code to NAIA championship hosted at other “Lewis-Clark State has been an view featured locations than Lewiston, Idaho, outstanding host site for the NAIA’s articles on our Lewis-Clark State has won three College World Series for the last 19 web site. national titles. years and we’re excited to see that Overall, the Warriors have continue,” said NAIA President won 19 NAIA baseball national Jim Carr. Page 16 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 Collegiate Baseball A Valuable Coaching Resource For 61 years, Collegiate Baseball has offered baseball coaches at all levels valuable coaching knowledge from top coaches in the game, new product and technology information, discussions on news items that affect you as a coach and more. 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