Don't use geography as an excuse. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. Find the best team in your area with the best coach who is willing to guide that team to the major college recruiting tournaments. Colorado just held 3 of the best here this past week, The Sparkler, The Independence, and The...
I attended the 2 hour long College Recruiting Seminar this week that was sponsored by Triple Crown Sports in conjuction with the Sparkler Tournament in Colorado which was conducted by their CEO Dave King. The panel included 6 college coaches from Yale, Mesa State, Hampton Univ., McPherson...
For a quick warm up there is a simple device called an Xcelerator from Softball Oregon Xelerator Pitching Trainer Instruction Hitting Catching Lessons Baseball It can be used with the windmill motion and simulate dozens of pitches in less than a minute. My dd has been using it for several years...
If you are attending the Sparkler Tournament in Colorado with your dd there is a recruiting seminar for parents by Triple Crown Sports that you may want to attend.
Date: Wed. 6/29/2011
Time: 7 am - 9 am
Location: Westin Hotel 10600 Westminster Blvd. Westminster, CO 80020
Across from the...
I Beg To Differ
I think that the bat is too light. At 13 I bought my dd a 34/28 and she could have gone bigger. She's 15 now and I am thinking about going 34/30. As a sophomore on her High School Varsity team she hit a home run over a 8 foot high fence 250 feet from home plate. When I found the...
I just got back from the week long tournament at the Cat Osterman Experience for my daughters 14u team. We arrived last Sunday which was a day early and they allowed her and others to stay the first night free of charge. The facility is brand new, there was still plastic covers on the box...
Cynical?
Hi MTR,
I find your point of view quite cynical. I am not naive, I understand the power, politics, and hubris behind the Olympic movement. I just believe that it is more productive to unify people who support softball rather than throwing my hands up in the air and quitting like you...
Greetings,
The original intent of this thread was to discuss a petition to save softball as an Olympic sport. However it has degenerated into a discussion by naysayers who would rather make Tiger Woods jokes and talk about golf rather than doing something about the situation.
If anyone wants...
I had a friend who's team was called the "Dugout Dolls". But if your a fan of the Austin Powers movies you could go with "Lazy Eyed Psychos" or "Evil Petting Zoo".
Pops
MJs Dad,
Had a similar situation with my daughter. She played up at 12u and 14u. Did well and was the best pitcher and hitter on her teams even though she was the youngest. She's 14 now and could play up at 16 or even 18 (She played Varsity as a Freshman in High School). But I think it's best...
I found a new device on a Colorado softball website I frequent. It's called an Air-Tee and it allows a hitter to swing at a hovering ball instead of a tee. I was intrigued and thought others might be as well. I have nothing to do with the product nor do I endorse it because I've only seen it...
Softballphreak,
Mark, will be a better source for comparative info than I am.
Front shoulder higher allows the batted ball to go over the infielders head. 80% of ground balls are outs.
I can name good rotational hitters:
1. Albert Pujols
2. Samantha Findley
I don't think linear hitters are...
Mark,
She was asked to try out for 18u this year. I held her back for social reasons i.e. she doesn't need teammates that are older, driving cars, and have boyfriends. She'll try out for a 16u and an 18 Gold next year.
I've had Aradi's book for two years now. I exchanged emails with her in...
There's Gold In Them Thar Hills!
Mark,
The Gold level is still a couple of years away but I'll be glad to keep your posted on the results. I believe they'll be very favorable.
Keep Smiling,:)
Pops
What Hitting System is Best For Young Girls?
Mark,
Where was Englishbey and Right View in the 1940's when Ted Williams was hitting .406? Why is it that 95% of the players who are in the MLB Hall Of Fame use the mechanics he taught Mike Epstein?
What elite level can a young girl aspire to...
Hey Mark,
Mike Epstein made it to the bigs and hit 30 homeruns (team regular season leader) the season the A's won the World Series in 1972. He was coached and mentored by Ted Williams who gave him his only written hitting endorsement ever. I think that qualifies as a "certain level".
I'm Just...
Results
G. M.,
The proof is in the pudding. My daughter upped her batting average from around .230 to over .450 after the 3 day Epstein camp. She's continued to take private lessons from Jake Epstein over the past year and a half. She lead all high school Varsity Freshman at the 4A level in...
Ideal Bat Weight
I believe the correct formula for ideal bat weight is: Height in inches/7 + 20.
Check out the work of Dr. Daniel A. Russel of Kettering University and Dr. Terry Bahill of the University of Arizona. Just google "ideal bat weight" and you'll see what I'm talking about...
Hi Mark,
I've been away from this place for a long time. I still owe you pitching video of my daughter. I trust you've been your same sweet self. I see you've been busy posting as usual.
Best Regards,
Pops
Heel Plant
Hi Green,
Are these 14 year olds rotational hitters? If not then their swing mechanics may not allow them to rotate their hips properly.
My daughter is 14 and learned rotationally hitting from Mike Epstein, in a 3 day camp a couple of years ago here in Denver. You can read about it...