First game tomorrow!

[Go Cardinals]

Well its finally here. My hours of practicing, training, and learning is finally going to be put into action. Thought I'd share it. I'll post back how it goes.


I have a question... What are some things that I should be watching the pitcher for? Like in the dugout etc... I kind of know what to do, I just want some answers set in stone. Make sense?

Anyway... I am excited.

- Connor

[ralanprod]

Well, it's been a few years, but there are a few things I remember...

The one thing I remember trying to do the hardest was to figure out the pitcher's patterns. We're all creatures of habit. Regardless if the coach or the catcher is calling the pitches, they will usually fall into a pattern of some sort. Does he usually throw first pitch fastballs - or does it vary? What's his 2 strike pitch? What does he go with when he is behind in the count?

I realize that's pretty basic advice, but still it has its value. If you figure out the pitcher's pattern, you should know what he is throwing you next. If you have that figured out, you've got the battle half won.

I also made sure to try to pick up any clues if the pitcher was going to the plate, or attempting a pickoff. Not just the movement of the feet though. Little things... I figured out in one game that if the pitcher glanced over to a runner at first twice, he was going to the plate, if he only glanced once - he was throwing over. I guess he could have used it agianst us if he knew we knew, but he never changed. That's the type of thing to look out for.

Regardless, don't forget to enjoy yourself - what many of us would give to be back in high school with the knowledge we now have...

Best of luck in the game.

[Ursa Major]

Where are you in the lineup (and we assume you're starting, of course)? If you're first or second, take a few pitches if you can to see what he's got and report back to your teammates.

If you're up later, grill the guys hitting ahead of you. Asking about the patterns is a good start, but as to particular pitches, key questions are:

1. What kind of movement does he have on his fastball? (I.e., does it tail, sink, cut, other?)

2. What pitches does he have?

3. What kind of break on his curve ball -- 12/6? 11/5? How big is the break?

[Infinite]

May the force be with you!

Somethings that I watch for that wasnt mentioned is release point of pitches.
The wind up can be different for different pitches.
Where a pitcher holds his glove can be a tipping point on occasions.
The same things I watch for hitting helps me with stealing bases.

[Drill]

Many years ago at a minor LL game I was sitting with the mothers behind the back stop. Well being friends and all you can hear just about anything. One of the mother was watching one of the little kids who was at bat and saw that he had to keep adjusting his cup between pitches, she made a comment about why do baseball players grab themselves all the time? As you can imagine the conversation went totally down hill from that point on.

Here was my explanation about what I said to her and about what I taught my son before going up to bat.

SON:Before you step in the box find the prettiest girl in the stand or behind the back stop, make it a point to stare at her and catch her eye. Next adjust your cup and smile at her.

After I told the mothers that night they had to stop the game and the umpire and coachs had to ask us to keep it down they were laughing so hard.

So all I can say to you is Go Cardinals and swing at your pitch, trust your swing and your training and don't hold back.

Of course what I told the mothers is optional


respectfully yours,


drill

[Go Cardinals]

AWWWWWWWWWWW

The game got cancelled! Ok, so first game is now un saturday...:eek:

[CoachB25]

AWWWWWWWWWWW

The game got cancelled! Ok, so first game is now un saturday...:eek:


Connor, we're presently in the middle of an ice storm. It is supposed to go on all night. We're in big trouble around here AND tryouts are next Monday. Going to be very messy. My daughter, who is your age (14), has tryouts at 6:00 in the morning. :yawn::highfive:

[Charger567]

Cardinals, did you end up making your varsity team?

[Go Cardinals]

Cardinals, did you end up making your varsity team?

No, their squad is too big, so they aren't calling anyone up for now. Hopefully they will for the tournaments.

[kylebee]

Games, already? I am conducting tryouts on Monday through Wednesday, then two weeks of practice. Sheesh.

[Go Cardinals]

Games, already? I am conducting tryouts on Monday through Wednesday, then two weeks of practice. Sheesh.

We've already had 2 weeks of practice...

[Jake Patterson]

Games, already? I am conducting tryouts on Monday through Wednesday, then two weeks of practice. Sheesh.
We don't start until 3/17... Snow on the way tonight!

[Go Cardinals]

Where are you in the lineup (and we assume you're starting, of course)? If you're first or second, take a few pitches if you can to see what he's got and report back to your teammates.

If you're up later, grill the guys hitting ahead of you. Asking about the patterns is a good start, but as to particular pitches, key questions are:

1. What kind of movement does he have on his fastball? (I.e., does it tail, sink, cut, other?)

2. What pitches does he have?

3. What kind of break on his curve ball -- 12/6? 11/5? How big is the break?

I should be 4th... depends, the coaches play upper class-men priority for the first game or so... I should be though... :highfive:

I normally bat 3 or 4 (I prefer 3).

Thank you for the response...

[Go Cardinals]

Connor, we're presently in the middle of an ice storm. It is supposed to go on all night. We're in big trouble around here AND tryouts are next Monday. Going to be very messy. My daughter, who is your age (14), has tryouts at 6:00 in the morning. :yawn::highfive:

Good luck... My game got rained out lol... CA =-) Gotta love it here!




We don't start until 3/17... Snow on the way tonight!

Yeah, my mom and brother are around Philly visiting colleges... they said that an ice storm was going to hit (something like that).



Many years ago at a minor LL game I was sitting with the mothers behind the back stop. Well being friends and all you can hear just about anything. One of the mother was watching one of the little kids who was at bat and saw that he had to keep adjusting his cup between pitches, she made a comment about why do baseball players grab themselves all the time? As you can imagine the conversation went totally down hill from that point on.

Here was my explanation about what I said to her and about what I taught my son before going up to bat.

SON:Before you step in the box find the prettiest girl in the stand or behind the back stop, make it a point to stare at her and catch her eye. Next adjust your cup and smile at her.

After I told the mothers that night they had to stop the game and the umpire and coachs had to ask us to keep it down they were laughing so hard.

So all I can say to you is Go Cardinals and swing at your pitch, trust your swing and your training and don't hold back.

Of course what I told the mothers is optional


respectfully yours,


drill

Your comments aren't always informical... but they are the most helpful... I enjoy your humor... just for you, I'll try to do that if some hot girls are in the stands :highfive:

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Wow, the town doesn't even let us on the diamonds until May 1st up here. You guys down south have it made.

[Jose Reyes]

we didn't even have tryouts yet. i don't think coaches are allowed to legally hold any practices until march here in new jersey. i wish i lived somewhere with warm weather

[Drill]

Your comments aren't always informical... but they are the most helpful... I enjoy your humor... just for you, I'll try to do that if some hot girls are in the stands :highfive:

Not trying to be a bad example, just trying to help your swing on and off the field.

Swing hard, swing good, and have fun,


drill

[kylebee]

Not trying to be a bad example, just trying to help your swing on and off the field.


And trying to find a cooler with wheels, of course. :)

[Drill]

And trying to find a cooler with wheels, of course. :)

LOL I see you been reading some of my other posts, yea been thinking about one of those coolers with the wheels evey since I shall it in a watch me pitch video in my garage with all the stuff in it including a cooler with wheels. Been thinking about one of them, even ran the idea by the wife and she said good idea. But with all the chairs and my sons big Catchers bag, sometimes it just gets out of hand with all the stuff you start dragging around. But on those hot humid days with no shade, those those outdoor canopies and coolers with wheels on them look pretty convincing.

HS Coach / Amateur Player, my wife was even talking about getting a larger vehicle to carry all the stuff around in. Sometimes I feel like I am packing for a camping trip when I go to a baseball game, Especially tournaments games.

So if I do get a cooler with wheels on it I will have to buy a SUV of some kind just to tote all the stuff around.

40K + gas suv, cooler with wheels I think they run around $30.00 to $40.00 at Costco for the big ones to carry drink, food and medical supplies/ice pack.

So the cooler with wheel and all the baseball gear and extra expenses motel, booster donations etc. 50-60 K probally more this year if I buy a cooler with wheels.

I think the cooler with wheels will have to wait, unless I find one really cheap.


this game is so fun on and off the field,

drill

[Go Cardinals]

Not trying to be a bad example, just trying to help your swing on and off the field.

Swing hard, swing good, and have fun,


drill

Oh no, don't get me wrong, I love your comments!

[dw8man]

GC,
My son's games (Freshman and on JV, for now) are just about to start as well. We had a varsity scrimmage rained out yesterday and everyone was so disappointed. After a couple of weeks of playing amongst themselves it is time to find out how good the are.

It has been a total blast to get to watch the practices and see the kids develop and become a team. I just hope they appreciate what they are experiencing like you seem too!

[hawkiirock]

played catch with my son last night for the first time since fall. 12 below zero but nice and warm in the gym

[Ursa Major]

Before you step in the box find the prettiest girl in the stand or behind the back stop, make it a point to stare at her and catch her eye. Next adjust your cup and smile at her.Drill, that's cute for the LL set, but Connor's in high school, so he's got to step it up a notch. After making eye contact with the hottie and adjusting the cup, he should scowl down at it, turn to the dugout, and shout, "Dang it, Coach; I told you an extra large wouldn't be big enough!"

[Go Cardinals]

Drill, that's cute for the LL set, but Connor's in high school, so he's got to step it up a notch. After making eye contact with the hottie and adjusting the cup, he should scowl down at it, turn to the dugout, and shout, "Dang it, Coach; I told you an extra large wouldn't be big enough!"

Thats my size now... :rofl:

That would be quite funny... I'll tell my coach this :highfive:

We've had a few pranks on fellow freshman this year. The left handed fungo and the curveballs.