Former standout UCLA infielder Chase Utley helped the Philadelphia Phillies win the 2008 World Series on Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park, as the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, to capture their second title in franchise history and first since 1980.
Utley, who starred at UCLA from 1998-2000, played a major role in the Phillies' success during the regular season and through postseason play. The former UCLA infielder keyed Philadelphia's World Series triumph in Game 1, belting a two-run homer to hand the Phillies a 2-0 lead in an eventual 3-2 victory. Utley finished the five-game, best-of-seven series with two home runs and four RBI. Utley's defense was exceptional the entire series especially in game 5 on the play at home plate.
Utley becomes the 12th former UCLA baseball player to have led his major league ball club to the World Series title. Prior to Utley, Dave Roberts was the most recent former UCLA ball player to have led his ball club to the World Series title. In October 2004, Roberts guided the Boston Red Sox to the championship, snapping Boston's 86-year drought without a World Series title.
Only two other former UCLA ballplayers - Chris Chambliss and Jeff Conine - have been a part of multiple World Series championship teams. Chambliss led the Yankees to the 1977 and 1978 World Series titles after having appeared in the 1976 World Series. Conine helped carry the Florida Marlins to the World Series titles in the franchise's only two Fall Classic appearances (1997, 2003).
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Off Season Baseball
With so many opportunities for a High School Baseball Team to play in the off season, coaches should count the cost carefully. Some fall leagues have multiple sites, with numerous teams, that play a 25 game schedule. Now, add a short winter league schedule of 10 to 12 games to that and the off season schedule totalls 35 to 37 games.
Additionally, some individual players also play Club Ball in the fall and winter which could add any number of games to an already taxing off season. By the time the spring season of 20 to 25 games is completed, a high school baseball player could have played 55-60 games rolling into the summer league schedule of an additional 15 to 20 games.
This may explain why Orthopedic Doctors and Rehab Centers are so busy during a recession. The prevailing philosophy of some coaches, that more is better, seems to fit well with the medical profession but not well with High School Baseball. More is not better, it's just more. More opportunity to wear down, get hurt, loose excitement for the game, get behind in school work and less time for fundamental development, strength, endurance and rehab.
Most high school kids are still growing and developing into their man bodies. To place the demands, of what amounts to a short season of minor league baseball (70-75 games) on them is not healthy nor profitable. In fact, it often pays deminishing returns. Yes I am an old school guy, but I am also someone who understands the value of moderation and development.
Additionally, some individual players also play Club Ball in the fall and winter which could add any number of games to an already taxing off season. By the time the spring season of 20 to 25 games is completed, a high school baseball player could have played 55-60 games rolling into the summer league schedule of an additional 15 to 20 games.
This may explain why Orthopedic Doctors and Rehab Centers are so busy during a recession. The prevailing philosophy of some coaches, that more is better, seems to fit well with the medical profession but not well with High School Baseball. More is not better, it's just more. More opportunity to wear down, get hurt, loose excitement for the game, get behind in school work and less time for fundamental development, strength, endurance and rehab.
Most high school kids are still growing and developing into their man bodies. To place the demands, of what amounts to a short season of minor league baseball (70-75 games) on them is not healthy nor profitable. In fact, it often pays deminishing returns. Yes I am an old school guy, but I am also someone who understands the value of moderation and development.
Monday, October 6, 2008
What Makes a Model Coach?
The CIF believes a model coach is someone who consciously Teaches, Enforces, Advocates and Models the Six Pillars of Character ideals found in, "Pursuing Victory with Honor."
The six ways to be a model coach are:
1)Remembering everything you say or do makes an impression on kids. What they don’t see they often sense. Kids are sharp they pick up on truth.
2)Remembering your measure of character is how you act when you think no one’s looking. You would be surprised what kids know, hear about, and discover by accident. Behavior speaks louder and more persuasively than anything you can say.
3)Keep in mind only a fraction of young people will play sports beyond high school, but most will become parents, employees, and citizens. By building their character, you’ll give them and the rest of society a permanent gift.
4)Enforce the rules on everyone. Treat everyone the same because young people are especially vigilant for unfairness and hypocrisy.
5)Remember, when the game is on the line, so is integrity.
6)If your are not sure how to handle a situation, ask yourself: Do I want my character judged on this decision?
For more information you can visit http://www.charactercounts.org .
The six ways to be a model coach are:
1)Remembering everything you say or do makes an impression on kids. What they don’t see they often sense. Kids are sharp they pick up on truth.
2)Remembering your measure of character is how you act when you think no one’s looking. You would be surprised what kids know, hear about, and discover by accident. Behavior speaks louder and more persuasively than anything you can say.
3)Keep in mind only a fraction of young people will play sports beyond high school, but most will become parents, employees, and citizens. By building their character, you’ll give them and the rest of society a permanent gift.
4)Enforce the rules on everyone. Treat everyone the same because young people are especially vigilant for unfairness and hypocrisy.
5)Remember, when the game is on the line, so is integrity.
6)If your are not sure how to handle a situation, ask yourself: Do I want my character judged on this decision?
For more information you can visit http://www.charactercounts.org .
Friday, September 26, 2008
CIF Coaching Education Program
All Coaches, paid or unpaid, must be certified in Coaches Education by December 31, 2008. Coaches can now become certified online for $52 or in a classroom setting by one of California's Instructors.
Click the links below for more information.
About CIF Coaching Education Program
CIF/NFHS Online Coaching Education Course ($52 PER COACH)
CIF/NFHS Instructor Training Fall 2008 Northern and Southern California Dates
Click the links below for more information.
About CIF Coaching Education Program
CIF/NFHS Online Coaching Education Course ($52 PER COACH)
CIF/NFHS Instructor Training Fall 2008 Northern and Southern California Dates
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
CIF-SS ASSOCIATION RULE ELIMINATED
For the first time in 32 years the CIF Southern Section eliminated the out-of-season restrictions on coaches working with their student-athletes. In a 41-37 vote of the CIF Southern Section Council, Rule 313 of the CIF Southern Section Constitution and By-Laws (otherwise known as the “Bluebook”) was eliminated from the by-laws July 1, 2008.
Rule 313, otherwise referred to as the “Association Rule” read:
During the school year, prior to the established date for authorized before and after-school practice in a particular sport and following an individual’s or team’s last authorized competition, a student may receive athletic instruction in a CIF Southern Section approved sport only during one regularly scheduled physical education period in which the student is enrolled and earning credit for that particular sport. (Note: Before and after-school practice is authorized in all sports from May 12, 2008 until the close of school, maximum 15 days.)
The rule, in effect, eliminated any type of contact between an individual sports coach and a student-athlete in that sport during the school year and outside of the season of sport except for one hour. The responsibility will now rest with," individual schools," on how much contact a coach and student-athlete can have during the school year.
How much contact is healthy? When should a school say, "You program is too demanding in the off season. You need to cut it back." Is burn out a possibility? Only time will tell.
Rule 313, otherwise referred to as the “Association Rule” read:
During the school year, prior to the established date for authorized before and after-school practice in a particular sport and following an individual’s or team’s last authorized competition, a student may receive athletic instruction in a CIF Southern Section approved sport only during one regularly scheduled physical education period in which the student is enrolled and earning credit for that particular sport. (Note: Before and after-school practice is authorized in all sports from May 12, 2008 until the close of school, maximum 15 days.)
The rule, in effect, eliminated any type of contact between an individual sports coach and a student-athlete in that sport during the school year and outside of the season of sport except for one hour. The responsibility will now rest with," individual schools," on how much contact a coach and student-athlete can have during the school year.
How much contact is healthy? When should a school say, "You program is too demanding in the off season. You need to cut it back." Is burn out a possibility? Only time will tell.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
California Rehab and Sports Therapy
California Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy specializes in:
1) Post injury/surgical rehabilitation (return to activity)
2) Plyometric and power development,
3) Injury prevention and
4) Performance enhancement (sport specific training)
The performance enhancement program known as, The Next Level, focuses on sport performance and overall fitness. This training is designed to meet specific demands and movement patterns, that athletes use in their sport, to improve performance and confidence.
Training involves both inside / outside activities - Free Weights - Swiss Balls - Medicine Balls - Cardio Machines - Ladders - Sport Cords - Parachutes - Jumping mats - BOSU Trainer and more.
Their staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, with facilities located in Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Help is one click away at: http://www.calrehab.com/.
1) Post injury/surgical rehabilitation (return to activity)
2) Plyometric and power development,
3) Injury prevention and
4) Performance enhancement (sport specific training)
The performance enhancement program known as, The Next Level, focuses on sport performance and overall fitness. This training is designed to meet specific demands and movement patterns, that athletes use in their sport, to improve performance and confidence.
Training involves both inside / outside activities - Free Weights - Swiss Balls - Medicine Balls - Cardio Machines - Ladders - Sport Cords - Parachutes - Jumping mats - BOSU Trainer and more.
Their staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, with facilities located in Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Help is one click away at: http://www.calrehab.com/.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Baseball's Stages of Development
Stage 1
Tee Ball -Coach Pitch - Kid Pitch - Minor/Majors
Stage 2
Pony League - High School - American Legion - Scout Ball
Stage 3
Connie Mack - Jr. College - NAIA - NCAA
Stage 4
Independent Ball - Minor Leagues - Major Leagues
In Baseball, as in life, there are many stages of development. Maturity in either one takes time, patience, guidance and support. Just as adults understand that stages of maturity are not always reached at the same time, so youth coaches should also understand that skill development follows a similar pattern. Yet - put a 10 year old, in a uniform, on the field and keep score, it is unbelievable how both coaches and adults will react. It ranges from bragging to cursing, especially at the club level.
The ‘Big Picture” in baseball, as in life, should be viewed as following a natural progression based on the interest and drive of the individual athlete. Some players will progress early and struggle later, once others catch up maturity wise. While some will start out slow, struggle and then, (if they stay with it and are not run off) bloom into a tough, skilled athlete. However, patience, guidance and support, are needed in both scenarios along the way.
As parents, coaches and adult role models, the best example one can give any young person is the freedom to progress at their own rate. Remember, the shoe that fits one person, pinches another. There is no recipe for development that suits all cases. So relax and enjoy the game. There will be plenty of time for development along the way.
Tee Ball -Coach Pitch - Kid Pitch - Minor/Majors
Stage 2
Pony League - High School - American Legion - Scout Ball
Stage 3
Connie Mack - Jr. College - NAIA - NCAA
Stage 4
Independent Ball - Minor Leagues - Major Leagues
In Baseball, as in life, there are many stages of development. Maturity in either one takes time, patience, guidance and support. Just as adults understand that stages of maturity are not always reached at the same time, so youth coaches should also understand that skill development follows a similar pattern. Yet - put a 10 year old, in a uniform, on the field and keep score, it is unbelievable how both coaches and adults will react. It ranges from bragging to cursing, especially at the club level.
The ‘Big Picture” in baseball, as in life, should be viewed as following a natural progression based on the interest and drive of the individual athlete. Some players will progress early and struggle later, once others catch up maturity wise. While some will start out slow, struggle and then, (if they stay with it and are not run off) bloom into a tough, skilled athlete. However, patience, guidance and support, are needed in both scenarios along the way.
As parents, coaches and adult role models, the best example one can give any young person is the freedom to progress at their own rate. Remember, the shoe that fits one person, pinches another. There is no recipe for development that suits all cases. So relax and enjoy the game. There will be plenty of time for development along the way.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
College Players taking over Draft
Changes in draft-and-follow rules are altering clubs' strategies. Tim Beckham became the top selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft on Thursday, giving all high school players in the country the hope, that someday, they might be selected with the first pick. However, if those future high school stars looked past Beckham at the two-day Draft as a whole, they might not be as hopeful. Each of the 30 clubs went," college heavy", in the 50-round affair that ended Friday evening at The Milk House. This produced a record-tying 21 collegiate players chosen in the first round on Thursday, a better indication of what was to come over the final 44 rounds on Friday.
Conversely, only 485 prep players were selected out of the 1,504 names that were called. While the 485 prep players drafted represents an increase of nine over last year, it's the second-lowest total in 21 years. High school players represented 32.2 percent of the players drafted this year, the lowest since 1987 when 32.8 percent came from the prep ranks.
These numbers are a direct result of the changes in the rules regarding, the draft-and-follows. Clubs are drafting more college players, because they are more advanced and mature. Clubs today are less willing to have patience with the younger players while they are more willing to draft the college players and take their chances with them. Also, the later-round high school players are deciding to go to college more.
Only 19 players have gone directly to the Majors without stopping in the Minor Leagues, the last being outfielder Xavier Nady, whom the Padres selected with the 49th pick in the 2000 Draft. All scouting reports indicate that there are no players in this year's Draft that will be able to make that leap.
On a final note, Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy also made its presence felt and is becoming a familiar part of the Draft process. The Academy had two players selected in the first round (Kyle Skipworth, sixth to the Marlins) and Aaron Hicks (14th to the Twins) and two more in the compensation round.
Conversely, only 485 prep players were selected out of the 1,504 names that were called. While the 485 prep players drafted represents an increase of nine over last year, it's the second-lowest total in 21 years. High school players represented 32.2 percent of the players drafted this year, the lowest since 1987 when 32.8 percent came from the prep ranks.
These numbers are a direct result of the changes in the rules regarding, the draft-and-follows. Clubs are drafting more college players, because they are more advanced and mature. Clubs today are less willing to have patience with the younger players while they are more willing to draft the college players and take their chances with them. Also, the later-round high school players are deciding to go to college more.
Only 19 players have gone directly to the Majors without stopping in the Minor Leagues, the last being outfielder Xavier Nady, whom the Padres selected with the 49th pick in the 2000 Draft. All scouting reports indicate that there are no players in this year's Draft that will be able to make that leap.
On a final note, Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy also made its presence felt and is becoming a familiar part of the Draft process. The Academy had two players selected in the first round (Kyle Skipworth, sixth to the Marlins) and Aaron Hicks (14th to the Twins) and two more in the compensation round.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff is the network of four muscles and several tendons that form a covering around the top of the upper arm bone (humerus). These muscles form a cover around the head of the humerus. The rotator cuff holds the humerus in place in the shoulder joint and enables the arm to rotate.
A tear can occur within the muscle. The rotator cuff can be torn from a single traumatic injury. Most tears, however, are the result of overuse of these muscles and tendons over a period of years. People who are especially at risk for overuse are those who engage in repetitive overhead motions. These include participants in sports such as baseball, tennis, weight lifting, and rowing.
The most common repair is arthroscopic. During this procedure a fiber optic scope and small, pencil-sized instruments are inserted through small incisions instead of a large incision. The arthroscope is connected to a television monitor and the surgeon can perform the repair under video control.
An animation of the surgery can be viewed at: http://kurzweilmd.com/animation1.html.
A tear can occur within the muscle. The rotator cuff can be torn from a single traumatic injury. Most tears, however, are the result of overuse of these muscles and tendons over a period of years. People who are especially at risk for overuse are those who engage in repetitive overhead motions. These include participants in sports such as baseball, tennis, weight lifting, and rowing.
The most common repair is arthroscopic. During this procedure a fiber optic scope and small, pencil-sized instruments are inserted through small incisions instead of a large incision. The arthroscope is connected to a television monitor and the surgeon can perform the repair under video control.
An animation of the surgery can be viewed at: http://kurzweilmd.com/animation1.html.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Balk
Mission Viejo, Calif. - Balk Costs Kinder a medal.
A balk was called against Sara Kinder on her third dive at the State Diving Championships Thursday, at Saddleback College. The Balk, by rule a 2 pt penalty per judge, cost 20.4 pts in her total score. Sara finished with 129.7 pts and in 11th place with the balk - without it - a score of 150.1 and a medal with All American Honors. The Balk was caused by a person yelling her name just as she began her motion. This ill timed outburst did cause a moment of hesitation and distraction which cost her 20.4 pts. Time for ear plugs.
April 19th, 2008Torrance, Calif. - Cypress sent one female diver to the Southern California Dive competition Saturday. Freshman Sara Kinder represented the Chargers and ended the day with an invitation to the State Championships. Kinder competed in the 1 Meter dive and finished with a score of 137.25. Her score was good enough for third in the Orange Empire Conference and fifth overall in Southern California. Her fifth place finish qualifies her for the State Championships. Kinder has a couple weeks to prepare for the State Championships which begin Thursday May 1st at Saddleback.
A balk was called against Sara Kinder on her third dive at the State Diving Championships Thursday, at Saddleback College. The Balk, by rule a 2 pt penalty per judge, cost 20.4 pts in her total score. Sara finished with 129.7 pts and in 11th place with the balk - without it - a score of 150.1 and a medal with All American Honors. The Balk was caused by a person yelling her name just as she began her motion. This ill timed outburst did cause a moment of hesitation and distraction which cost her 20.4 pts. Time for ear plugs.
April 19th, 2008Torrance, Calif. - Cypress sent one female diver to the Southern California Dive competition Saturday. Freshman Sara Kinder represented the Chargers and ended the day with an invitation to the State Championships. Kinder competed in the 1 Meter dive and finished with a score of 137.25. Her score was good enough for third in the Orange Empire Conference and fifth overall in Southern California. Her fifth place finish qualifies her for the State Championships. Kinder has a couple weeks to prepare for the State Championships which begin Thursday May 1st at Saddleback.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Playoff Time
Amateur baseball at every level is winding down throughout the nation. High Schools, Community Colleges, NAIA and NCAA Colleges are all coming to the end of their regular seasons. The top end teams are in a tough battle for league or conference championships; the middle teams are scrambling to get into the playoffs and the bottom end teams are already looking toward next year.
The “Playoffs”, are commonly referred to as, “The Second Season“. A chance to play the game a little longer and compete for a more prestigious championship. However, the prevailing attitude that, no matter what the season has been like - that somehow, “now” a team can turn it around in the playoffs, is usually wishful thinking.
Teams, like individuals, have identities, strengths and weaknesses which have been revealed during the regular season of competition. The playoffs will magnify those characteristics and reveal a teams true leadership, resolve and character. Being successful in the playoffs will always come down to: 1) good pitching, 2) solid defense, 3) timely hitting and 4) coaching that understands the moment. If this truly sounds like your club then good things will happen.
Good luck to all and “May the force be with you“.
The “Playoffs”, are commonly referred to as, “The Second Season“. A chance to play the game a little longer and compete for a more prestigious championship. However, the prevailing attitude that, no matter what the season has been like - that somehow, “now” a team can turn it around in the playoffs, is usually wishful thinking.
Teams, like individuals, have identities, strengths and weaknesses which have been revealed during the regular season of competition. The playoffs will magnify those characteristics and reveal a teams true leadership, resolve and character. Being successful in the playoffs will always come down to: 1) good pitching, 2) solid defense, 3) timely hitting and 4) coaching that understands the moment. If this truly sounds like your club then good things will happen.
Good luck to all and “May the force be with you“.
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