Thursday, May 1, 2014
LBCC in So. Cal. Regional
Calling all Vikings.
The LBCC Baseball team will travel to Santa Ana College to begin a 3 game series against the Santa Ana Dons on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 2 PM. Game two is set for Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11 AM with game three to follow if needed.
LBCC seems to be peaking at the right time winning six straight games, including eight of their last nine, to share the SCC Title at 15-6. The Vikings are in search of their first State Championship since 2006 when they went 41-10, with only one loss in the entire playoff structure.
For more information on the 2014 CCCAA playoff structure/brackets, check the LBCC athletic web site at www.lbcc.edu. Good Luck and Go Vikings.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
"The Slump"
From the archives:
“I’ve had slumps last all winter” Bob Uecker
Every ballplayer at some point in his career goes through a slump. Vance Law described it as, “The field looking like one big glove and everything I hit goes right into it”. The slump is often referred to as being, “Snake Bit”. For this reason, some ball players have been known to carry anti venom in their travel bags to cure the dreaded curse. Still others, like Yogi Berra, refused to admit their bad luck: “Slump? I ain’t in no slump….I’m just not hitting”. Even the great Mickey Mantle dealt with it. Mickey stated, “During my 18 years I came to bat 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. Figuring a ballplayer will average about 500 at bats a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball”. That should put it in perspective. Thanks Mick.
The slump is not always related to a flaw in your technique. One’s troubles may have something to do with the guy on the mound. Making adjustments to what he is doing is important to your success as well. The best way to handle a slump is to: 1) realize everyone goes through it, 2) keep faith in your ability, even when others may want to reinvent your swing and 3) go back to the basics. Hitting is an art, but it is not an exact science. Timing, feel, confidence and hard work are the intangibles that every good hitter needs to put his technique into action and break out of the slump. Consider this basic thought, "My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." Tommy Lasorda
Every ballplayer at some point in his career goes through a slump. Vance Law described it as, “The field looking like one big glove and everything I hit goes right into it”. The slump is often referred to as being, “Snake Bit”. For this reason, some ball players have been known to carry anti venom in their travel bags to cure the dreaded curse. Still others, like Yogi Berra, refused to admit their bad luck: “Slump? I ain’t in no slump….I’m just not hitting”. Even the great Mickey Mantle dealt with it. Mickey stated, “During my 18 years I came to bat 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. Figuring a ballplayer will average about 500 at bats a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball”. That should put it in perspective. Thanks Mick.
The slump is not always related to a flaw in your technique. One’s troubles may have something to do with the guy on the mound. Making adjustments to what he is doing is important to your success as well. The best way to handle a slump is to: 1) realize everyone goes through it, 2) keep faith in your ability, even when others may want to reinvent your swing and 3) go back to the basics. Hitting is an art, but it is not an exact science. Timing, feel, confidence and hard work are the intangibles that every good hitter needs to put his technique into action and break out of the slump. Consider this basic thought, "My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." Tommy Lasorda
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
New Direction - "Play Ball"
In May of 2008 I stepped away from Baseball after over 30 years of coaching. My coaching experiences, while mostly in High School, have given me a unique education for my recent new endeavor, Umpiring. I appoligise for not keping up this Blog with Baseball coaching articles over the past few years but, when I broke away I made a complete break.
After playing the game from little league to Division 1 College Baseball at UCLA in 1973-74; to a professional level through Independent Baseball (Portland Mavericks 1974 NW League); to coaching High School Baseball, youth baseball and Community College Baseball - I decided to take up Umpiring. Why not? I had been a player, a coach, why not an Umpire?
Playing and coaching the game at any level is difficult, especially the higher up you go. But, Umpiring - we're talking awhole new skill set. I have found a new appreication for officiating of any sport at any level. I have been in the Long Beach unit now for 4 years, (currently completing my 5th) worked probably 50 to 60 games each year and still polishing my craft.
I look forward to the years ahead in this new position of the wonderful game of Baseball. All the Best. "Play Ball"
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Long Beach Draft Picks 2012
Shane Watson (Lakewood) Pick 40, Philadelphia Phillies
Chase DeJong (Wilson) Pick 81, Toronto Blue Jays
Kevin Maxey (Poly) Pick 536, Los Angeles Dodgers
Matt Duffy (LBSU) Pick 568, San Francisco Giants
Brennan Metzger (LBSU) Pick 688, San Francisco Giants
Steven Gallardo (LBCC) Pick 600, St. Louis Cardinals
Lance Breedlove (LBCC) Pick 706, Pittsburgh Pirates
Shawn Stuart (LBSU) Pick 948, Colorado Rockies
Monday, April 9, 2012
National Classic Begins Today
The 16-team Hard 9 National Classic begins on Monday, and it will be an opportunity for a group of Southern California-based teams to demonstrate they have the pitching depth to make a deep run in the playoffs come May. The championship game is Thursday night at Cal State Fullerton.
Alemany, Esperanza, El Toro, Cypress and El Dorado are the teams to watch. They will need to combine quality pitching with good defense and some key hits to make it to the finals.
An Alemany-El Toro quarterfinal game could happen on Tuesday if both teams win their openers on Monday.
Alemany, Esperanza, El Toro, Cypress and El Dorado are the teams to watch. They will need to combine quality pitching with good defense and some key hits to make it to the finals.
An Alemany-El Toro quarterfinal game could happen on Tuesday if both teams win their openers on Monday.
Friday, January 27, 2012
ABD Academy 1992-2012
Ron Miller of Gardena Serra, won't be playing for the Cavaliers this season, Coach Wilmer Aaron said Friday. Miller, a senior third baseman who batted .439 last season, has decided to play in the San Bernardino-based ABD Academy league that takes place during the high school baseball season.
Amateur Baseball Development (ABD), has been around sense 1992 and has seen a number of players (who have played in their leagues) become drafted. However, most of them have had high school/college exposure. Miller would be one of the most visible players to ever give up high school baseball to play in the league.
The ABD Baseball Academy is a recognized leader in training and is considered one of the Top Baseball Development Academies in the United States. They are located in San Bernardino, California and are administered by USA Baseball.
You can find them on the web at: http://www.eteamz.com/abdacademy
Amateur Baseball Development (ABD), has been around sense 1992 and has seen a number of players (who have played in their leagues) become drafted. However, most of them have had high school/college exposure. Miller would be one of the most visible players to ever give up high school baseball to play in the league.
The ABD Baseball Academy is a recognized leader in training and is considered one of the Top Baseball Development Academies in the United States. They are located in San Bernardino, California and are administered by USA Baseball.
You can find them on the web at: http://www.eteamz.com/abdacademy
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Harvey Schiller A Heavy Hitter
According to the LA Times, one of the power brokers in American sports has aligned himself with former Dodger stars Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser in their effort to buy the team, according to two people briefed on the matter.
Schiller formerly was the chief executive of YankeeNets, the onetime parent company of the New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils. That entity spawned YES Network, the kind of team-owned cable sports channel that the new Dodgers owner would have the option to launch. Schiller also is a former president of Turner Sports and executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Schiller, would provide Garvey and Hershiser with expertise in the business side of sports, particularly in television.
The Dodgers' contract with Fox Sports expires after the 2013 season. A new owner could expect to reap about $4 billion in a new deal with Fox or Time Warner Cable -- or could start a Dodgers cable channel in the hope of making even more money. Outgoing owner Frank McCourt, according to the LA Times, hopes that media companies will try to secure the Dodgers' television rights by buying the team outright, which could push the sale price above $1.5 billion.
Let the games begin.
Schiller formerly was the chief executive of YankeeNets, the onetime parent company of the New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils. That entity spawned YES Network, the kind of team-owned cable sports channel that the new Dodgers owner would have the option to launch. Schiller also is a former president of Turner Sports and executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Schiller, would provide Garvey and Hershiser with expertise in the business side of sports, particularly in television.
The Dodgers' contract with Fox Sports expires after the 2013 season. A new owner could expect to reap about $4 billion in a new deal with Fox or Time Warner Cable -- or could start a Dodgers cable channel in the hope of making even more money. Outgoing owner Frank McCourt, according to the LA Times, hopes that media companies will try to secure the Dodgers' television rights by buying the team outright, which could push the sale price above $1.5 billion.
Let the games begin.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Lame Duck Owner Makes Lame Deal
The bankrupt Dodgers signed left-handed Chris Capuano for two years and $10 million.
The addition of the fragile Capuano all but ends right-hander Hiroki Kuroda’s four-year career with the Dodgers, and leaves the Dodgers with three left-handers in their rotation — Clayton Kershaw, Ted Lilly and Capuano. Chad Billingsley is their only certain right-handed starter. Right-hander Nate Eovaldi is currently in line to be the team’s No.3 starter.
The addition of Capuano, 33, as a fifth starter with a two-year, $10-million deal should leave everyone a little anxious. Capuano, had Tommy John surgery in 2002 and again in 2008, missed all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and nearly half of 2010. Last season he went 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for the Mets. Not exactly tearing it up. Bad news: He also gave up 27 homers. Good news: He struck out 8.1 batters per nine innings pitched.
Time will tell.
The addition of the fragile Capuano all but ends right-hander Hiroki Kuroda’s four-year career with the Dodgers, and leaves the Dodgers with three left-handers in their rotation — Clayton Kershaw, Ted Lilly and Capuano. Chad Billingsley is their only certain right-handed starter. Right-hander Nate Eovaldi is currently in line to be the team’s No.3 starter.
The addition of Capuano, 33, as a fifth starter with a two-year, $10-million deal should leave everyone a little anxious. Capuano, had Tommy John surgery in 2002 and again in 2008, missed all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and nearly half of 2010. Last season he went 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for the Mets. Not exactly tearing it up. Bad news: He also gave up 27 homers. Good news: He struck out 8.1 batters per nine innings pitched.
Time will tell.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Dodgers Remain Tight
General Manager Ned Colletti says the team probably won't make a run at top-line free agents such as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. The Dodgers are expecting to reduce payroll next season because of their bankruptcy and impending sale. Their payroll was at around $110 million last season, including deferred payments to players who were no longer on the team. When asked of the possibility of adding a big bat, Colletti said, "As of today, it looks less realistic."
With players such as Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier and James Loney eligible for salary arbitration and expected to receive significant raises, the Dodgers have a limited budget with which to work for the remainder of the winter. To say nothing of Matt Kemp's recent eight-year, $160-million contract.
Here is a look at who the Dodgers have signed; 1)Mark Ellis to a two-year, $8.75-million contract. A defensive specialist who batted .248 for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies last season, 2)Matt Treanor (catcher) to a one-year, $1-million deal who batted .214 in 72 games for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers last season.
Without a premium bat coming in, Colletti is counting on Ethier, Loney and Juan Uribe to recover from disappointing offensive seasons and produce as they have in years past.
Let's hope so.
With players such as Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier and James Loney eligible for salary arbitration and expected to receive significant raises, the Dodgers have a limited budget with which to work for the remainder of the winter. To say nothing of Matt Kemp's recent eight-year, $160-million contract.
Here is a look at who the Dodgers have signed; 1)Mark Ellis to a two-year, $8.75-million contract. A defensive specialist who batted .248 for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies last season, 2)Matt Treanor (catcher) to a one-year, $1-million deal who batted .214 in 72 games for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers last season.
Without a premium bat coming in, Colletti is counting on Ethier, Loney and Juan Uribe to recover from disappointing offensive seasons and produce as they have in years past.
Let's hope so.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Odds and Ends
CIF 100th Anniversary
In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2013, the Southern Section will pick its 100 greatest high school athletes and plans to announce it at a red-carpet event that's still being planned.
That's going to be one tough job limiting it to 100 greatest athletes. The City Section recently inducted its first class into a new Hall of Fame, and that was a grueling process.
Dave Demarest, inducted into the Southern Section Hall of Fame.
Demarest coached baseball for 34 years at La Quinta, winning 753 games, 22 league titles and three Southern Section titles.
Baseball Proposal Defeated
A proposal to create a double-elimination post-season baseball tournament in the Southern Section beginning in 2013 was rejected on Thursday by a vote of 46-26 at the Southern Section Council meeting.
Coaches have wanted to replace the single-elimination playoffs with a double-elimination tournament for Divisions 1 through 4. The San Diego Section has had a double-elimination tournament.
Concerns about travel costs and adding up to seven additional games for teams in the playoffs won out.
In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2013, the Southern Section will pick its 100 greatest high school athletes and plans to announce it at a red-carpet event that's still being planned.
That's going to be one tough job limiting it to 100 greatest athletes. The City Section recently inducted its first class into a new Hall of Fame, and that was a grueling process.
Dave Demarest, inducted into the Southern Section Hall of Fame.
Demarest coached baseball for 34 years at La Quinta, winning 753 games, 22 league titles and three Southern Section titles.
Baseball Proposal Defeated
A proposal to create a double-elimination post-season baseball tournament in the Southern Section beginning in 2013 was rejected on Thursday by a vote of 46-26 at the Southern Section Council meeting.
Coaches have wanted to replace the single-elimination playoffs with a double-elimination tournament for Divisions 1 through 4. The San Diego Section has had a double-elimination tournament.
Concerns about travel costs and adding up to seven additional games for teams in the playoffs won out.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
HS Baseball Rule Changes
Rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Baseball Rules Committee will place more responsibility on coaches for rules-compliant player equipment, effective with the 2012 high school baseball season. At its June 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis, the committee also took steps to define a new tamper-evident protocol for non-wood bats. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Prior to the start of each game, each head coach must now verify to the umpire in-chief that all participants are legally equipped and equipment is in accordance with NFHS rules. Such rules include “compliant bats that are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design and production and helmets that are free of cracks and damage.”
Another rule was added to address unsportsmanlike conduct toward umpires after a game has ended and after the umpires have departed the game site. It calls for state associations to determine appropriate action when dealing with these situations.
In addition, umpires no longer will be required to perform pregame equipment checks, as that responsibility will fall to coaches beginning next year. Coaches can still ask umpires at the pregame conference to confirm that equipment is compliant.
“The committee is placing a great importance on increased coach responsibility,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “It is one of our top priorities.”
Prior to the June 2012 meeting of the Baseball Rules Committee, the NFHS will work with appropriate parties to research and develop a baseball bat tamper-evident protocol for non-wood bats and present the recommendations to the committee for its consideration. The goal for implementation is for non-wood bats manufactured after January 1, 2015.
“Bat tampering is illegal and a major problem in high schools,” Hopkins said. “Everyone is looking for a competitive edge. With this note, we want to make sure that the state associations, coaches, teams and the public are aware that we are committed to minimizing any risk for players with bat tampering.”
In addition, a minor change to Rule 1-3-5 states that “No artificial or intentional means shall be used to control the temperature of the bat,” based on scientific research that altering the bat damages the bat and poses an unnecessary risk of injury.
Changes to Rules 1-5-8 and 3-1-6 deal with players’ equipment on the field. State associations may now authorize exceptions to NFHS rules to provide “reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs and unique and extenuating circumstances,” so long as they do not fundamentally interfere with the sport. Players and coaches must also clean or remove “any” (formerly “excessive”) amount of blood from a uniform or piece of equipment before being allowed back into the game.
Prior to the start of each game, each head coach must now verify to the umpire in-chief that all participants are legally equipped and equipment is in accordance with NFHS rules. Such rules include “compliant bats that are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design and production and helmets that are free of cracks and damage.”
Another rule was added to address unsportsmanlike conduct toward umpires after a game has ended and after the umpires have departed the game site. It calls for state associations to determine appropriate action when dealing with these situations.
In addition, umpires no longer will be required to perform pregame equipment checks, as that responsibility will fall to coaches beginning next year. Coaches can still ask umpires at the pregame conference to confirm that equipment is compliant.
“The committee is placing a great importance on increased coach responsibility,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “It is one of our top priorities.”
Prior to the June 2012 meeting of the Baseball Rules Committee, the NFHS will work with appropriate parties to research and develop a baseball bat tamper-evident protocol for non-wood bats and present the recommendations to the committee for its consideration. The goal for implementation is for non-wood bats manufactured after January 1, 2015.
“Bat tampering is illegal and a major problem in high schools,” Hopkins said. “Everyone is looking for a competitive edge. With this note, we want to make sure that the state associations, coaches, teams and the public are aware that we are committed to minimizing any risk for players with bat tampering.”
In addition, a minor change to Rule 1-3-5 states that “No artificial or intentional means shall be used to control the temperature of the bat,” based on scientific research that altering the bat damages the bat and poses an unnecessary risk of injury.
Changes to Rules 1-5-8 and 3-1-6 deal with players’ equipment on the field. State associations may now authorize exceptions to NFHS rules to provide “reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs and unique and extenuating circumstances,” so long as they do not fundamentally interfere with the sport. Players and coaches must also clean or remove “any” (formerly “excessive”) amount of blood from a uniform or piece of equipment before being allowed back into the game.
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