consistency

[J-MAC]

I am a pitcher for the team that i currently play on and i have a major problem. Some starts i throw high 80's and some starts i will only hit low 80's. Im haveing a heck of a time trying to firgure out the culprate for this very annoying speed change. I do everything the same on every start and nothing changes. On some days i can dig deep and throw that high 80's fastball when i need to get an out but on some days i dig deep and throw that low 80's fastball that the kid hits into the gap. So i guess my question is how can my velocity stay the same for the whole season? Maybe adrenline comes into play.

[EdmondsFan#1]

Is your arm ever sore when you're pitching? Are you repeating your mechanics consistently?

[J-MAC]

Is your arm ever sore when you're pitching? Are you repeating your mechanics consistently?

My arm is thank god never sore when i start or during the game. It tends to get tender for a day after but thats to be expected. but usually by the next start my arm will be 90-100% rested and ready to go. Mechanice i work on alot i throw a light bullpen 4/7 days a week working on just mechanics and location, not throwing hard at all.

[scorekeeper]

I am a pitcher for the team that i currently play on and i have a major problem. Some starts i throw high 80's and some starts i will only hit low 80's. Im haveing a heck of a time trying to firgure out the culprate for this very annoying speed change. I do everything the same on every start and nothing changes. On some days i can dig deep and throw that high 80's fastball when i need to get an out but on some days i dig deep and throw that low 80's fastball that the kid hits into the gap. So i guess my question is how can my velocity stay the same for the whole season? Maybe adrenline comes into play.

Obviously you aren’t doing everything the same for every start! What you need to do is find out what you’re doing differently. Meticulously write everything you do down! From what you eat, to how many pitches you throw, to how many times you sneak into the bathroom to enjoy the written articles in Penthouse.

If I had to give you 2 things to work on, the 1st would be that I seriously doubt your mechanics are consistent, and you need to tighten that up as much as possible. The other thing would be that there will be days when something you usually have isn’t working, but you’ve still got to go out there and figger out a way to get batters out.

If you know you’re not getting that little extra hop on your FB, don’t try to throw it where you do when you do have it! you have to adjust! If you lost 4mph off the 4, throw more 2’s! If the hook isn’t hooking, throw the change more. Of course that’s assuming you get to call your own pitches. If you don’t, you darn sure better let whoever’s calling them know, otherwise all you’re doing is turning yourself into a liability!

[scorekeeper]

I have had a couple of drinks and Im not totally sure but did you actually write this? If not then I need to quit drinking, but if so then I need another...

Is it your contention that the things we do don’t affect the things we do?

How many times have you heard people say players should stay out of the swimming pool between or before games? Personally, I think its pretty stupid to be in Phoenix at this tome of the year and force the players to not hit the pool. There’s noting wrong with getting in the pool, its wasting a lot of energy horsing around that makes it bad.

How many times have you heard about athletes being told to abstain from anything having to do with wives, or lovers just prior to a game? It isn’t the fact that those people might have cooties, its that those types of things might be good or bad distractions, but they are distractions none-the-less, so its easier to just avoid them.

Perhaps no one wants to believe it, but things such as I mentioned are natural processes, and they certainly might have an effect on how one performs. I didn’t mean it in a dirty way, but rather as something that does indeed happen, and certainly is not something a 17-18YO isn’t familiar with. Its just another one of those things that can and does add pressure to players that isn’t much of a factor at 8-10YO.

[jakeandy]

I am a pitcher for the team that i currently play on and i have a major problem. Some starts i throw high 80's and some starts i will only hit low 80's. Im haveing a heck of a time trying to firgure out the culprate for this very annoying speed change. I do everything the same on every start and nothing changes. On some days i can dig deep and throw that high 80's fastball when i need to get an out but on some days i dig deep and throw that low 80's fastball that the kid hits into the gap. So i guess my question is how can my velocity stay the same for the whole season? Maybe adrenline comes into play.

I pitched for 12 years. High school level and college level. I would have to say that your mechanics are what seems to be your problem. If you notice that most pitchers that have success in the pros don’t have this problem. Why? Because they work on their mechanics daily. That is it. That would be my guess to why you are having this problem.

[scorekeeper]

You may laugh and ridicule all you like, but the truth is, actively trying to figure out what might be causing a problem is a far better strategy than guessing.

Often people are doing things they don’t’ even realize, and if that happens, they may very well try to change something that has nothing at all to do with the problem.

FI, its entirely possible J-MAC doesn’t realize on the days he’s pumped, he had a Red Bull or a couple of Starbuck Lattes, while on the days he was “off”, maybe he skipped lunch or did a lot of extra leg work in the weight room the night before.

And FYI, the idea of writing things down wasn’t mine. A friend of mine who was a MLB PC with a record of 1169/929 told me he’d have P S who were suffering inconsistencies do exactly what I said. Perhaps it’s a joke to you, but when your career depends on getting something fixed, you tend to list to the people who have been successful year after year.

So while you’re over in the corner giggling and pointing fingers, players who use it as a self-help tool can often find things they’re doing that contribute to the problems they’re having.

Yup, don’t listen to me passing on something a guy who was a PC in the ML for 12 years has to say. Y’all listen to the fantastic advice Xavier&Trin… is passing on.

[scorekeeper]

Hahahahah!!! Funniest thing i have ever read in my life. But you are right on. Who cares what goes on during the day. I have played with many guys who get high during the day and whatever else and come to the yard and perform great. Does not mater what goes on. Just get it done on the field.

Now there’s some great advice. Go tell your coach about all the players you know who are getting high or whatever before a game. Heck, he won’t care! All he cares about is getting it done on the field.

[Nsideheat]

Scorekeeper...how old are you? how many year have you played baseball? what is the highest level you played at?

[scorekeeper]

Scorekeeper...how old are you? how many year have you played baseball? what is the highest level you played at?

Not that it makes any difference, but I’m over 60. When I played, baseball was a far different game at every level, but I was offered a contract in 1965. Unfortunately, a little thing called Vietnam and the draft didn’t allow me to take that step. I did however practice and work out with more than 1 MiL team. Like I said, times were very much different then.

I’ve been a paraplegic for more than 30 years, which crimped my “style” as far as playing or coaching goes, but my son played ball into college and I’ve spent a lot of time reading and studying the game.

So what does any of that mean?:noidea

[EdmondsFan#1]

bump. Again, keeping track of pulling goalie...writing it down:crazy ...keep putting a spin on what ever you want.

bottom line=
Scorekeeper suggests charting how often you flog. game over.

Instead of ranting about why you think scorekeepers' advice wasn't good why don't you contribute something useful to the thread by responding to the original post.

[Nsideheat]

I am a pitcher for the team that i currently play on and i have a major problem. Some starts i throw high 80's and some starts i will only hit low 80's. Im haveing a heck of a time trying to firgure out the culprate for this very annoying speed change. I do everything the same on every start and nothing changes. On some days i can dig deep and throw that high 80's fastball when i need to get an out but on some days i dig deep and throw that low 80's fastball that the kid hits into the gap. So i guess my question is how can my velocity stay the same for the whole season? Maybe adrenline comes into play.

I have something valuable to contribute:

First off same days pitchers have that extra gear and some days pitchers don't. It all depends on how your arm is responding that day. I would most likely attribute this to mechanics varying from game to game. And don't worry about if you do lose some velocity on certain days, just locate and change speed and you will be fine!!!! Also if you are throwing both two and four seamers speed will vary between the two. Make sure not to try and overthrow because typically overthrowing will cause to wildness and even a lack of velocity. Other questions i have are...How old are you? Do you get the same number of days rest before each outing or are some starts on less rest? Do you ever relieve in between starts? what are your typical pitch counts in a game? When you say high 80's are you meaning 89 or 87 and is low 80's meaning 81 or 84? Just trying to get a grasp of how different the speed change is.....hope this helps you some and try and get back to me on the questions

[scorekeeper]

I have something valuable to contribute:

First off same days pitchers have that extra gear and some days pitchers don't. It all depends on how your arm is responding that day. I would most likely attribute this to mechanics varying from game to game. And don't worry about if you do lose some velocity on certain days, just locate and change speed and you will be fine!!!! Also if you are throwing both two and four seamers speed will vary between the two. Make sure not to try and overthrow because typically overthrowing will cause to wildness and even a lack of velocity. Other questions i have are...How old are you? Do you get the same number of days rest before each outing or are some starts on less rest? Do you ever relieve in between starts? what are your typical pitch counts in a game? When you say high 80's are you meaning 89 or 87 and is low 80's meaning 81 or 84? Just trying to get a grasp of how different the speed change is.....hope this helps you some and try and get back to me on the questions

I get it! You want him to write down what’s going on! Shucks! Why didn’t I think of that?

If I had to give you 2 things to work on, the 1st would be that I seriously doubt your mechanics are consistent, and you need to tighten that up as much as possible. The other thing would be that there will be days when something you usually have isn’t working, but you’ve still got to go out there and figger out a way to get batters out.

If you know you’re not getting that little extra hop on your FB, don’t try to throw it where you do when you do have it! you have to adjust! If you lost 4mph off the 4, throw more 2’s! If the hook isn’t hooking, throw the change more. Of course that’s assuming you get to call your own pitches. If you don’t, you darn sure better let whoever’s calling them know, otherwise all you’re doing is turning yourself into a liability!

OOPS! I guess I did!

[XV84]

J-MAC, who's gun are you taking these velocity readings from? Is it the same gun every game? Are you getting feedback on your velocity throught your start? If so, maybe knowing that your velocity is down may be affecting your confidence.

[Jake Patterson]

You may laugh and ridicule all you like, but the truth is, actively trying to figure out what might be causing a problem is a far better strategy than guessing.

The first step in correcting any problem is understanding exactly what the problem is. We track all types of information on the field. Those who don't probably do not understand the game very well.

[CanadianKid]

It actually does matter how you prepare yourself for a game. I remember even when we were younger our coach would tell our parents not to allow us playing any video games prior to coming to games as we wouldn't have our minds focused on baseball. When I played with 18yr olds when I was 14 there were several guys on the team who showed up high to games, the only reason the coach played them was because we had limited players on the team and in that town I was living in at the time who were interested in baseball. It does affect how you play, these guys would get on base and their minds would wonder off and they'd get picked off or they throw the opposing hitters pitches right down teh middle and didn't care. They'd just come back to the dugout laugh and say "Ah man that kid was good".

So as scorekeeper mentioned keep track of what you do prior to games and if those things are working for you continue to do the same things, if you notice something different and it affects your performance than change it accordingly.

[scorekeeper]

It actually does matter how you prepare yourself for a game. I remember even when we were younger our coach would tell our parents not to allow us playing any video games prior to coming to games as we wouldn't have our minds focused on baseball. When I played with 18yr olds when I was 14 there were several guys on the team who showed up high to games, the only reason the coach played them was because we had limited players on the team and in that town I was living in at the time who were interested in baseball. It does affect how you play, these guys would get on base and their minds would wonder off and they'd get picked off or they throw the opposing hitters pitches right down teh middle and didn't care. They'd just come back to the dugout laugh and say "Ah man that kid was good".

So as scorekeeper mentioned keep track of what you do prior to games and if those things are working for you continue to do the same things, if you notice something different and it affects your performance than change it accordingly.

WHOA! Nsideheat is telling us that all that matters is what happens on the field, and how he played with “MANY” guys who get high during the day yet get to the yard and play great! Somebody’s not telling us the truth here!

I tend to believe you because to believe anything else is to insult every coach and player in the game! Are there players who do those kinds of things and get away with it? I’m sure there are, but they’re an insult to the game and those who work hard to play it correctly.

Many times, what are really superstitions, have a basis in fact. FI, Wade Boggs supposedly ate fried chicken before every game. While it may have been a superstition, you can pretty much bet he felt the same way, both physically and nutritionally every day. Some players might eat at the same time every day, but have different things and never have it dawn on them that they didn’t feel well simply because they ate soething that didn’t agree with them.

Check out other superstitions and see if there are any that might have a basis if fact.

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/superstitions1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_superstition
http://www.psychologyofsports.com/guest/superstitions2.htm

[Xavier&Trin...]

Instead of ranting about why you think scorekeepers' advice wasn't good why don't you contribute something useful to the thread by responding to the original post.

Your right. First J-mac, I would address my diet, then my strength training, and then my mechanics. As a last resort I would write down how often you take a penthouse into the bathroom to see how it affects your stamina. Like I said, DIET, STRENGTH, and MECHANICS (especially with the middle of your body).

[J-MAC]

Okay i had time to finally read all the posts and thank you for replying. ill try to answear all the questions in this post.

First off i started Wendsday so i will run you through my prep from my whole day in great detail.

I went to bed at 3:00 and woke up at round 7:30(i don't sleep very well). Woke up took a shower got changed had a bowl of kellogs frosted flakes and know they weren't wheaties. I went down in my basement talked to some of my friends via msn, Played a little bit of mlb the show. My girl friend calls and tell me that she will not be able to the game so i was perrty pissed but still not her fault she didn't have a ride. This took me to around 2. So now im just watching some t.v. thinking about the game. Then my parents get home from a tour of the college my bro is going to. Then me and my parents are going over to sears to pick up some new glasses i got for driving. We get home and my mom makes me 3 eggs and some homefries which i was perrty happy about. so now this is around 4:30. We then proceed to drop my bro off at his work and then me at the baseball field(game is at 8:30 and pregame bp and infield balls start at 6 sharp.) so im the 1st one at the ball park just chillin with some chew in just thinking again about my start. Then a couple of teamates come and were just haveing a good time in our clubhouse talking about whatever(not ball related). then we get changed and prep the field for bp. Cages on matts out the whole nine yards. As soon as it's 6 we run 5 poles then stretch then get our arms loose, this includes long toss. After all that jazz we go hit some bp 2 rounds of ten. We finish bp around quarter to 8 and we go back into the clubhouse and get our jerseys on. we come out at 8:00 sharp and then we take infield pregame practicetill around 8:15. i get up to start throwing pregame bullpen at 8:05 20 light pitches short 20 light pitches long. and then 30 on the mound working off speedd, mechanics and location with my pitching coach. After im done that i go straight from the mound to the field and now im on the game field mound throwing pitches before the game starts. Then catcher says 2 throw down to second and game starts.

I pitched 7 innings 1 earned off 4 hits, 3 walks, 12 k's 110 pitches. my fastes fast ball topped at 88. my best inning was the 7th where i had a 9 pitch 3k inning to reserve the tie at 2-2 where my team came back and won on a passball in the bototm of the 7th. I obviously had my better stuff that game i was happy with the way i threw the ball.

To answear the other questions- I am 16 years old, 5'9 157. The radar gun is the same gun the team has used for every pitcher the whole season. Yes i do think knowing that my speed is down on other satrts does affect my confidence and then i tend to overthrow.

High 80's is 87-89, mid 80's is 84-86 and low 80's is 81-83.


I have yet to pitch in a game i have not started. I also have about 5-7 days inbetween starts where i play ss.

if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

[J-MAC]

Your right. First J-mac, I would address my diet, then my strength training, and then my mechanics. As a last resort I would write down how often you take a penthouse into the bathroom to see how it affects your stamina. Like I said, DIET, STRENGTH, and MECHANICS (especially with the middle of your body).

Yah those penthouse comments made me laugh, good job now i ahve water on my screen. But doing that on game day is a no,no. Cardinal Sin

[Nsideheat]

J-mac,

If your playing short in between starts then thats prolly taking a lot out of your arm. You are throwing pretty firm for your age already. From the sounds of things you are doing very well and should have a lot of confidence in yourself. One thing my summer coach, who pitched in the bigs, had us do was a lot of mirror work. Just get in front of a mirror and go through your mechanics over and over, watching to be sure they are the same.
Don't worry about what you do during the day. It doesn't matter as long as you are not draining all your energy by sitting in the sun or whatever. But anyway it sounds like you will be fine. I wouldn't worry about it too much just work on mechanic consistency
Also, out of curiosity, what type of gun is your team using?


Scorekeper:

You are clueless. You bash on me talking about guys getting high and saying that guys can do whatever during the day. Then you bring up Wade Boggs!!! You just made my point...Boggs is a huge drunk!! He did not take care of himself at all. Everyone said if he would have then he would have lasted longer in the big leagues....Watch the movie 61 and tell me if those players took good care of themselves back in the day. Maybe its for some guys to go crazy every game day and be so careful to do everything right. But for the majority it doesn't what goes on until you get to the field. I am not lying..I know what goes on with my teams...you don't!!! Its not the same era as Vietnam.

Canadian kid: Maybe you are just one of those people that have your routine that you have to do. Idk about the video game thing. Thats how most of the guys on my summer team spend there days. (We play all night games) 2 summers ago we had an x-box in the clubhouse that guys would play before they got ready for the game if they got to the field early. Some people really need to think aobut the game all day while others can just flip a switch. Some players actually play better high because it lets them relax and not think but just react using instincts. Everyones different!!!!

[scorekeeper]

You are clueless. You bash on me talking about guys getting high and saying that guys can do whatever during the day. Then you bring up Wade Boggs!!! You just made my point...Boggs is a huge drunk!! He did not take care of himself at all. Everyone said if he would have then he would have lasted longer in the big leagues....Watch the movie 61 and tell me if those players took good care of themselves back in the day. Maybe its for some guys to go crazy every game day and be so careful to do everything right. But for the majority it doesn't what goes on until you get to the field. I am not lying..I know what goes on with my teams...you don't!!! Its not the same era as Vietnam.

Wade Boggs was a ML player who got paid. No one could or should compare what those guys do to what non-pros should do! And if you think its ok to do, why don’t you do what I said, man up and go tell your coach and AD the names of all those players? Its no big deal, after all, the only thing that counts is what goes on between the lines. I’m sure they have the same outlook you do and would even reward those players you mention.

I don’t have to watch any movie to know how players abused themselves, and still do! Does that make it right? Is that the example you want your children to have? If you were a coach is that how you’d want your players to act? Remember, ML players don’t get paid necessarily to play baseball. They get paid to put butts in the seats.

You are correct, I don’t know what goes on with your teams, and its prolly a good thing. You seem to take pride in the fact that you and your buddies are breaking all kinds of rules. Like I said. Man up! You’re 21, so stand up like a man in front of everyone and tell them the things you’re telling everyone here!

Go to a HS or a Babe Ruth team and talk to them and their parents about how getting high is OK. I’m sure you parents would be ecstatic to know you see nothing wrong with getting high.

[J-MAC]

http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/ellis.asp

Anyone rember when Dock Ellis chucked a no-no under on LSD(acid). Say what you want to say about drugs and alchol. Somepeople react diffrently to substances. Some people can't function on LSD and Dock managed to get a no-hitter. I just find that amazing.

[scorekeeper]

http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/ellis.asp

Anyone rember when Dock Ellis chucked a no-no under on LSD(acid). Say what you want to say about drugs and alchol. Somepeople react diffrently to substances. Some people can't function on LSD and Dock managed to get a no-hitter. I just find that amazing.

No one I know would ever dispute that the game can be played in many different ways.

Some of those like to say, “If ya ain’t cheatin’, ya ain’t tryin’”, and see noting at all wrong with using performance enhancing drugs, as long as there’s no rule against using them.

Some were like The Mick, Babe, Billy, and Lord knows, probably more than 90% of the other ML players who were abusing some kind of substance. The point isn’t whether or not it can be done, its if you think that’s the proper way to play the game.

Is there a reason why its illegal to drive under the influence? Why? If its OK, what’s the problem? If you’re a parent, do you want your child playing for coaches who think its OK to get high? If you’re a player, do you want your teammates sober or high?

Its not an issue of if it can be, its if it should be. Personally, seeing young players who see no problem at all with it troubles me greatly. There’s something wrong.
:dismay:

[Nsideheat]

Wade Boggs was a ML player who got paid. No one could or should compare what those guys do to what non-pros should do! And if you think its ok to do, why don’t you do what I said, man up and go tell your coach and AD the names of all those players? Its no big deal, after all, the only thing that counts is what goes on between the lines. I’m sure they have the same outlook you do and would even reward those players you mention.

I don’t have to watch any movie to know how players abused themselves, and still do! Does that make it right? Is that the example you want your children to have? If you were a coach is that how you’d want your players to act? Remember, ML players don’t get paid necessarily to play baseball. They get paid to put butts in the seats.

You are correct, I don’t know what goes on with your teams, and its prolly a good thing. You seem to take pride in the fact that you and your buddies are breaking all kinds of rules. Like I said. Man up! You’re 21, so stand up like a man in front of everyone and tell them the things you’re telling everyone here!

Go to a HS or a Babe Ruth team and talk to them and their parents about how getting high is OK. I’m sure you parents would be ecstatic to know you see nothing wrong with getting high.

Then why did you bring Boggs up in the first place if he is not to be compared to non-pros??? Man up and go tell the coach and ad? How is getting involved in other business and being a tattle tale being a man??? And we also do not have a AD!!! This is summer ball...the coaches know what goes on anyway. They know guys drink and whatever. They tell us we are grown men and can make our own decisions. I don't think a single guy on the team has had his play affected by off the field stuff. I said I do not care what guys do off the field. I do not get high or think it is good, but if my teammates do it in their off time that is their business. I really don't think you know anything aobut the today's game or players. I am sure you were a very good player back in the day. But I play now and am on both a college and summer league team. My school ball team does not have many party guys but my summer ball team is pretty wild. And yet my summer ball team has better players on the whole...Weird how that works. Not saying that means anything other than IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT GUYS DO BEFORE GAMES. JUST SHOW UP AND PLAY THE GAME RIGHT!!!!

[randy]

Just hope that pitcher throwing 90+ isn't messed up on something or hungover as hell and let one go at your head, or the hitter flying high gets beaned and decides to charge the mound and use his bat on the pitcher.

Best you distance yourself from those guys.

[Nsideheat]

Just hope that pitcher throwing 90+ isn't messed up on something or hungover as hell and let one go at your head, or the hitter flying high gets beaned and decides to charge the mound and use his bat on the pitcher.

Best you distance yourself from those guys.

Those roid monkey hitters are scary....they get on one of their roid rages and watch out!!!!!

[randy]

Not just hitters on roids, but pitchers too, maybe??
How about a P who decided he needed a little extra today so he took...name one of several illegal substances... and the guy in front of you takes him deep. You want to get in the box? Or if he and his buddies decided to have a few beers before the game, and his equilibrium is just a LITTLE off, and that 90+ gas is at your ear..

[scorekeeper]

Then why did you bring Boggs up in the first place if he is not to be compared to non-pros???

It was to show that there are some things that people might see as superstitions that might have a dual purpose. I didn’t tell anyone to act like him or approve or knock what he did.

Man up and go tell the coach and ad? How is getting involved in other business and being a tattle tale being a man???

Tattle tale? You’re 21 not 4! You’re old enough to know whether or not something’s right or wrong. I don’t know why you’re so worried anyway, after all, the only thing that counts is what happens between the lines.

And we also do not have a AD!!! This is summer ball...the coaches know what goes on anyway.

Oh I get it, since its only summer ball, it doesn’t matter what goes on. How about this. Just tell everyone if you think its OF for players to break team rules. Either you do or you don’t.

If the coaches know what’s going on, why not talk to them about it?

They know guys drink and whatever. They tell us we are grown men and can make our own decisions.

How true that is, but are you saying there’s no team rules about driking, drugging, or whatever?

I don't think a single guy on the team has had his play affected by off the field stuff.

You must be the most naive 21YO I’ve ever come across. There’s no way everyone who gets high during the day doesn’t have his game affected. Good grief, I’ve watched a 22YO draftee’s game go to Hell because he and his girlfriend had a fight! How can you think what goes on off the field doesn’t affect what goes on on the field? What do you think “under the influence” means?

I said I do not care what guys do off the field. I do not get high or think it is good, but if my teammates do it in their off time that is their business.

How about if you’re C showed up with a buzz on and you had to throw against a great team? Mebbe the best hitter on your team comes in with a load on, K’s 4 times and makes 3 E’s in the field. Would you still not care?

Look. You’re right that people time away from the field is their own, but that doesn’t mean they can do anything they want. If there were no reasons for rules, they wouldn’t be there.

I really don't think you know anything aobut the today's game or players. I am sure you were a very good player back in the day. But I play now and am on both a college and summer league team. My school ball team does not have many party guys but my summer ball team is pretty wild. And yet my summer ball team has better players on the whole...Weird how that works. Not saying that means anything other than IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT GUYS DO BEFORE GAMES. JUST SHOW UP AND PLAY THE GAME RIGHT!!!!

I’m not disagreeing with you at all about summer ball! Summer ball like fall ball means nothing! Also, I like to see players blowin’ off some steam because it’s the only way to stay sane! No one can go 100% 12 months out of the year. But, you didn’t make any distinction at all between your spring college team or your summer throw together team.

Shoot, the guy who coached my son’s college summer team used to borrow money off the players to buy his blow, and he’d pay it back by giving free food and drinks at the place he worked.

Ask yourself this. If you took your summer team and replaced your school team with it, would the little digressions and attitudes be hunky dory with the coach? You said the summer team has better players on the whole. Does that mean it’s a better team?

Everything depends on whether or not some guy hittin’ a few tokes, snortin’ a few lines, or slammin’ a few snow plows has the ability to play the game “right”. Your definition of “right” might well change when there’s more on it than who buys the beer after the game.

If you think I’m bad, there’s a lady who’s son plays for NC and insists the players on that team are all saints! Everyone is on the Dean’s list, everyone is gonna graduate, none use or abuse any substances, there’s never any disagreement among team members, they all follow every NCAA and team rule, and every one of them goes at it 110% 12 months of the year.

I want to see the players have fun and play the game, and its not a news flash that ball players aren’t saints, but you have to qualify the things you say.

[scorekeeper]

Not just hitters on roids, but pitchers too, maybe??
How about a P who decided he needed a little extra today so he took...name one of several illegal substances... and the guy in front of you takes him deep. You want to get in the box? Or if he and his buddies decided to have a few beers before the game, and his equilibrium is just a LITTLE off, and that 90+ gas is at your ear..

Heck Randy, its not just the juice or the older guys. I remember a tournament in Az in the middle of summer. In our cooler, there were 2 red bulls from the night before and a few Gatorades I’d thrown in. My son was supposed to pitch and it was about 114 degrees. About an hour before the game, he got what I thought was a Gatorade out of the cooler. Then. right after he warmed up before the game, he went over and got another one.

When he was warming up before the 1st started, he just looked and was acting weird to me. He threw the 1st looking like some goofy high speed puppet, and as he came off the field he asked me for a Drink. I opened the cooler and guess what? Not only were the 2 Red Bulls gone, when I went nuts, another dad told me he’d given him another one! Think of it. A 14 YO kid in 114 degree heat suckin’ down 3 Red Bulls in less than an hour!

Needless to say he was done and we immediately departed for the hotel room and A/C. The thing is, I hate Gatorade, so I had no reason to look in the cooler, and he had no idea what he was doing to himself. That tournament was a 54/80, and at the time he was throwing very close to, if not at 80, so it was a disaster waiting to happen.