Using Colored/Numbered Balls for Vision Training

[NewbieBBDad]

Anyone have an opinion on this type of training? I think my son's mechanics are good but he sure is real lazy about watching the pitches. The Manager at Arizona's World of Baseball had these colored and numbered balls and was kind enough to let my son try it. He seemed to like it but without followup he just forgot everything about concentrating on the ball.

So I went out and got myself some new balls, some rubber stamps and markers. Just wondering how many colors and balls I should use, got black and red so far numbered 1-8 (hope the ink really is permanent).

[Chris O'Leary]

Anyone have an opinion on this type of training? I think my son's mechanics are good but he sure is real lazy about watching the pitches. The Manager at Arizona's World of Baseball had these colored and numbered balls and was kind enough to let my son try it. He seemed to like it but without followup he just forgot everything about concentrating on the ball.

So I went out and got myself some new balls, some rubber stamps and markers. Just wondering how many colors and balls I should use, got black and red so far numbered 1-8 (hope the ink really is permanent).

I know a lot of guys who have done this. It seems to work. Worse case, it gives him extra BP.

[Jake Patterson]

Anyone have an opinion on this type of training? I think my son's mechanics are good but he sure is real lazy about watching the pitches. The Manager at Arizona's World of Baseball had these colored and numbered balls and was kind enough to let my son try it. He seemed to like it but without followup he just forgot everything about concentrating on the ball.

So I went out and got myself some new balls, some rubber stamps and markers. Just wondering how many colors and balls I should use, got black and red so far numbered 1-8 (hope the ink really is permanent).

We used a large red and blue circles on the ball (X4). We mix them with our regular bp balls and the batter needs to call the color. We use it, although I am not real certain of its value.

[passerby]

Haven't heard much about this. How does it work and what is on the ball(s)?

[NewbieBBDad]

The formal name is Conditioned Ocular Enhancement.

The idea is to exercise the eye muscles to track balls by forcing them to identify color and number that is printed on the balls. Drills range from simply calling out color and/or number to hitting only colors or numbers called out by the coach. The MLB training uses tennis balls shooting out at up to 150 mph. By focusing so hard on numbers and colors, when the tennis balls shoot out at regular MLB speeds they suddenly look like they are coming at the player in slo-mo. Many MLB players have taken to this and the most well-publicized is Carlos Beltran who had this training written into his contract.

The training I saw at Arizona's World of Baseball used mini-baseballs at 30 mph but of many colors. Obviously, it takes concentration but I saw 6 yr olds doing it.

My son's problem is not reading the speed of the pitch well. I figured, heck I can buy some extra balls and rubberstamps and inkpads. Worse case, I just have some funny looking practice balls. :laugh

[west coast orange and black]

NewbieBBDad: Many MLB players have taken to this and the most well-publicized is Carlos Beltran

bonds is an avid/rabid supporter, as well.

[NewbieBBDad]

Ah good to know.

Which brings me back to my original question, I would think using colored numbered balls would be more popular. Does it not work at lower speeds for kids? I would think it would still be useful.

[Jake Patterson]

Ah good to know.

Which brings me back to my original question, I would think using colored numbered balls would be more popular. Does it not work at lower speeds for kids? I would think it would still be useful.

It works good for kids you just need to have the colors more easily identifiable. For the youngsters I mix in yellow pitching machine balls in my batting practice bucket and have them call after they swing.

[passerby]

Thanks to all who have volunteered their knowledge/expereince with this.