In order two be a good hitter, you have to have two things, good swing mechanics and good timing. If you have a beautiful swing and your timing sucks, you won’t hit. And vice versa. We spend a lot of time, some time too much, working on mechanics and not incorporating timing in our drills. Players have to learn body control and timing to be able to execute a good swing. (more…)
Happy New Year to you all. It has been awhile since my last blog. I have been spending a lot of time with my family and with an almost two year old walking around during the day, and doing homework and throwing the ball around with the 6 and 8 year old, I haven’t found much time to blog. The collapse of the Florida Winter League, although painful, has been a blessing for my family and I. I have been able to spend a bunch time with them. (more…)
It has been a rough day to say the least. I am not sure what was tougher, telling 23 young men that their young winter baseball season was coming to an end or laying in bed with a sobbing 6 year old boy trying to explain to him that the players will all be ok and that although his heartfelt, generous offer of all the money in his piggy bank was appreciated, it was not enough money to save the Florida Winter Baseball League. It is a shame. (more…)
Well. the Florida Winter Baseball League is almost two weeks old. The Naturals are hanging in there so far, at 6-6. Our pitching and hitting has been outstanding, but our defense overall has not been good. We would be 10-2 if we could catch the ball better. But, ifs are ifs and errors are costly! That is a definite area that needs improvement on our club. The good news is, defense is something that can be worked on and improved. (more…)
I feel like I have thrown batting practice everyday of 2009! From a showcase event in January to the open week of the Florida Winter Baseball League, and oh yea, mix in early camp, spring training, 140 game season and instructional league in between, that is a lot of BP! It has been and continues to be a very rewarding year. (more…)
On the way back from Dunedin tonight. We won 4 to 3. A very well played game by both teams. Our situational hitting was the difference. We had runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs twice and were able to score three of the four runs. I will take it. In the 2nd inning, the hitter hit a ground ball to second base to drive in the run and move the runner to third. The next hitter lined a base hit to right for an RBI. Nice. In the eighth, same situation. (more…)
On the way back to Lakeland after a suspended game versus Clearwater. The Flying Tigers are on the road for 6 more games. Three in Dunedin starting tomorrow and then on to Viera to face Brevard County for three. It has been a long day. This morning, I did some private hitting instruction with some students of mine in Oviedo. (more…)
The second half has begun. We lost a tough one tonight on the road in Sarasota. Lauren Gagnier threw 8 innings and only allowed 1 run, but it was enough to beat the Flying Tigers tonight, who scored none! We had some opportunities, but no big hit. A couple of base running blunders didn’t help things either. (more…)
Just got into a rain delay in a day game here in Lakeland, and for some odd reason, inspired to write a few words. The Flying Tigers are currently in last place in the North Division of the Florida State League with 2 games left in the 1st half. Come Thursday, we start 0-0 for the second half with a chance for the playoffs. Managing in the minor leagues can be frustrating at times. Lots of issues to deal with. Road trips, hotels, player moves, reports, and the rain and heat in Florida present their own issues as well. (more…)
I am not sure if you can consider this a true blog as I only add to this once a month or so. Trying to keep it up, but the life of a minor league manager, with three young children does not yield much blog time! The Flying Tigers are 21-23 about 9 games out of 1st place in the first half. The Florida State League plays two 70 game halves, with the first place team in each, heading to the playoffs. We would have to get on a heck of a run to catch 1st place Brevard County, that is the bad news. (more…)