Pro's Getting Back to Basics

[Jake Patterson]

Hi All,
I have always been a drills and skills type of coach. I believe if you drill the hell out of the basics the big stuff follows. Over the years I have had many conversations with players about such simple items as playing catch properly. Many times their retort is, "Why should we do it -the pro's don't." My reply has always been, "The pro's should." It seems that David Glass, Royals owner feels the same and recently hired Tom Ermanski to help with fundementals.

I have no opinions about KC or Glass, but would like to solicit your thoughts about a youth coach going to the pro's to teach them fundementals. With a 12-37 record it's certain they need something.

The article is:
Royals Hire Tom Emanski to Teach The Fundementals of Baseball - It can be found at:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/49108

(You may have to cut and paste)

What do you think?
PS: Found this through Eteamz

[chesspirate]

"Emanski said he welcomed the challenge of working with the Royals, and vowed that, if the players follow his revolutioinary training methods, he will be able to add 6 mph of arm strength to each starting pitcher in five weeks, cut down on the eteams's mental errors, and "take the mystery out of hitting.""

I have a hard time believing this guy can ad 6 mph to an MLB pitchers fastball, much less each of them, and in only 5 weeks... And if he could take the mystery out of hitting for MLB'rs he'd be the most well paid coach in the county, we'll wait and see.

But...


Later in the article the veterans who are complaining are the ones struggling. Reggie Sanders balks at outfield drills even though he hasn't had an outfield assist in a year. And Doug Mientkiewicz who is only batting .258 out of the 3spot is complaining about doing drills, I would think that aging vets would want any type of help they could get, or at least would be mature enough not to whine about it, this is thier job.

[Ohfor]

If I were a Royals player I wouldn't do one drill Emanski asked me to do.

If I was a coach or the Royals manager I'd tell the owner where he could put it.

[Mark H]

Hi All,
I have always been a drills and skills type of coach. I believe if you drill the hell out of the basics the big stuff follows.

Drills are either for changing something or for maintaining something IF the drill has been part of your routine. These guys may or may not need to change something but I'm thinking Emanski may be in over his head. Perhaps in terms of knowledge, certainly in terms of getting respect and buy in from pros. We'll see.

[hiddengem]

I'm at a loss for words:confused: .

[GuitarMan]

This MUST BE A JOKE. A quick look shows that the web site where the article can be found is full of joke stories. IT'S NOT REAL. Not even the Royals are this lame.

[Ursa Major]

Guys, I hate to break it to you, but it's a joke. The Onion is a parody news service. Emanski isn't going to coach the Royals. Sorry if anyone fell for it. I admit that I did until I got to the last line of the story, when Emanski is quoted as saying, ""I'm no miracle worker. But, with a lot of hard work and a little luck, I truly believe that a few of these Royals will someday have the skills you need to play in the major leagues."

I do have to give the author credit for coming up with a funny candidate for coach and really knowing the deficiencies of the Royals players, as well as a bunch of cliche'd Little League drills, like the garbage can drill.

[Mark H]

Hriniak got hired in pro baseball didn't he? Emanski might be a significant upgrade. ;)

[Jake Patterson]

Guys, I hate to break it to you, but it's a joke. The Onion is a parody news service. Emanski isn't going to coach the Royals. Sorry if anyone fell for it.

Have attempted to verify and came up with nothing.... Should have checked before I posted..

UM - Thanks... Does make for an interesting story...

[chesspirate]

dude, i feel stupid too. I've known about the onion and all thier stuff and usually have to tell people about it around me, but i didn't even notice the heading, i was just into that article so fast.

[hitdapill]

..that's really funny

[Chris O'Leary]

..that's really funny

It's funny because it's true.

[Jesse]

"I don't see how trying to throw balls into a metal garbage can laid out behind home plate is going to help my defense," said Royals right fielder Reggie Sanders, who has yet to record a single outfield assist since July 12, 2005. "Tom says it will be more rewarding once I start actually getting the throws to go into the cans, but I'm beginning to think that it's impossible."
I know how you feel, Reggie. I used to hate that drill.:laugh