Baseball Intelligence(B-I): Feburary 2012

“See it, hit it!”   “Keep your eyes on the ball!”

VISION: The KEY to SUCCESSFUL HITTING

The first and foremost essential of being a proficient and successful hitter is clear vision. Clear vision is necessary to ensure the hitter’s safety and the ability to see the rotation/spin of the ball. Many of the great hitters had exceptional vision and rapid eye movements. Babe Ruth had special visual acuity and Ted Williams mastered saccades(eye-tracking skills/rapid eye movements).

In order to develop rapid eye movement(s) and improve visual acuity a player needs to do basic vision/eye drills. These drills(see attached) are designed to increase the ability to focus and to be able to recognize visually, different pitches.
The drills should be supervised by a parent or coach in order to maximize positive results and to insure they are done properly!

NOTE: Ball players should have TWO formal and professional medical EYE EXAMS per year: One in February(prior to the season) and, one in early September(back to school). One’s eyes change, especially as a youth, and by having the exam it will verify and ensure that you have proper vision and the best opportunity to see and hit the ball!!!! GAGPTH!

IMPROVED VISUAL ACUITY LEADS TO BETTER HITTING!!!

THINGS to do in September: PREPARATION=SUCCESS!!!

1. Have a medical EYE EXAM!!!
2. Create a workable routine for school and athletics: Include “5 colors” at each meal, 8 hours of sleep each night, and a reasonable conditioning program(jump rope, run, etc.)
3. Glove care and maintenance: Repair, oil, and store your glove properly.
4. Throw/play catch 2-4 times per week for 5-10 minutes. MAKE TIME!!
5. S-T-U-D-Y!! Eliminate procrastination and GET GOOD in school!!
6. Play a sport: It does not have to be on a “select” team..any sport on a regular basis!!!

Book of the Month: The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach: A new novel that clearly depicts the game of baseball as a “game of failing”. Learning that fallibility is an inherent part of baseball is the MOST difficult concept young players must learn...you(every player) will make mistakes, but you must learn from these and move on!

Movie of the Month: Sandlot(1993): A “coming of age” movie that revives the beauty and purity of the game, and of youth playing “for fun, in the sun” with enthusiasm and without “parental supervision”..a BLAST from the Past!!

COMING ATTRACTION: FirstSwing Pre-Season Workout: 2012 will be February 26th 9am-noon at Kellogg Middle School in Shoreline.

KLOUTERS: See the January Newsletter for team specifics…GAGPTH!