RANCH REVIEW THE
SUMMER 2018
www.texasbaseballranch.com (936) 588-6762
LOOKING BACK ON THIS SUMMER’S PROGRAM
This is one of our Ranch Fun pictures that we take at the end of a four-week session. Several of these guys prepped for their pose at least a week in advance. As we say at the Ranch, “Work Hard, Play Hard.”
This summer, nearly 80 percent of all attendees set all-time personal bests in terms of throwing velocity. It is always bitter- sweet for the Ranch staff to say goodbye to our athletes as they leave the Ranch. While it is truly inspiring to see so many athletes rise to levels of performance many of them will admit were beyond their initial expectations, it is also sad to say so- long to so many amazing young athletes whom we have watched blossom right in front of our very eyes. That being said, we are excited for these young men and look forward to all the great things to come with the start of the new school year.
The Texas Baseball Ranch® Extended Stay Summer Program is a very, very special program. Running from the first of June through mid-August, young men from all over the United States and even all over the world come to Montgomery, Texas, to engage in some of the most concentrated, intense, holistic, customized, progressive training in the world today. It is difficult, zealous, and challenging work, designed specifically for the elite baseball throwing athlete whose goal is to play and compete at his personal next level of competition. There is no air conditioning nor a fancy weight room. Instead you will find deep, deliberate, and purposeful training processes that are hyper-personalized to over 100 athletes training at the Ranch this summer. The camaraderie and friendships forged in the 6-hour daily workout regimens are legendary, and many last a lifetime. While the work was intense, as you can see by the picture above, the training culture here at the Ranch is also high-energy, filled with unbridled joy and exuberance. In short, we all have a BLAST working in the summer. That includes the coaches, the interns, the athletes and their parents, and even our office staff.
–Coach Wolforth
P.S. Several weeks of the Ranch Summer Program sell out every year, so it’s not too early to start thinking about next summer. As soon as you know when you’ll have a 2–10 week window to come to the Ranch (between June and Aug. 15), I would waste no time contacting our office and securing your spot.
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Where You Can DREAM as BIG as Your Work Ethic Will Allow! PHONE (936) 588-6762
OUR 2018 YOUTH CAMP Service Highlight At the Texas Baseball Ranch®, we
The Youth Camp of 2018 will be held Oct. 20 and 21 at TBR. The camp is limited to only 24 players in order to have a learning environment that best fits this age group.
frequently get asked the question “At what age can players start coming to the Ranch?” The general answer to that question is 12 years old. However, once or twice a year, we have our Youth Pitchers Camp that is specifically created for players between the ages of 8–12.
Take a look at what previous parents from the Youth Camp thought of their players’ experience:
“As a former college and professional pitcher who had severe arm issues at the end of my career, I saw the immediate value of Coach Wolforth’s approach and principles … My son and I were beyond excited to come to TBR, and needless to say, the staff exceeded our expectations. Coach Wolforth and staff truly love what they do and give every pitcher who comes through these doors the tools needed to succeed.” –Patrick Hudspeth, IN
This weekend event is designed to get young pitchers off to a great start learning the following:
1. The importance of a good wake-up/warmup
“We came out from Sacramento, California, and we would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you, coaches.” –Scott Martin, CA
2. Their most efficient upper body and lower body movement patterns for throwing/pitching (aka mechanics)
For more information or to register, call (936) 588-6762 or go online: texasbaseballranch.com/events/youth-elite-pitchers- bootcamp. The tuition for the camp is $1,299. Mention the Ranch Review and save $200 if you register by Sept. 10 (bringing the investment to $1099).
3. Mobility and stability exercises and how getting those in place now can serve them well throughout their playing careers
4. Strength exercises that use their own body weight, specifically in the critically important end range-of-motion areas
5. Arm care drills for pre and post throwing that can help lengthen the player’s career.
NEED A PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO MANAGE YOUR KIDS’ CRAZY SCHEDULES?
Try These 3 Tips Instead
School has started. Youth sports are in full swing. Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment. All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through the insanity sometimes feels more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. TAG TEAM There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom. THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to- day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.
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THE TRUTH ABOUT SHOWCASES Good for a Select Few Only
to compete at that next competitive level. Let me be clear. That doesn’t mean they NEVER will have those capabilities. It
I’m just going to be blunt here. Showcases make
sense for only about 15– 25 percent of all baseball
athletes actually attending them.
The top 5–15 percent of all players do not need a showcase. Athletes of this caliber are going to be noticed and get attention
THIS MONTH IN BASEBALL HISTORY The World Series in Wartime Did you know the 1918 World Series between The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs was played early due to World War I? Under a “Work or Fight” order, the regular season ended on Sept. 1, resulting in the World Series being played entirely in September. It was an exciting series too, ending in victory for the Red Sox with four wins to the Cubs’ two — a victory the Red Sox wouldn’t experience again until 2004. On both teams, players threatened to strike unless they were granted their request of $2,500 each for the winning team and $1,000 each for the losing team. The threat was dropped, however, when they were reminded that other Americans were fighting in World War I and they would appear greedy and unpatriotic for requesting the sum. The opening game of the series was played in Chicago and was moved to Comiskey Park to seat more fans. During the seventh- inning stretch, a military band played “The Star Spangled Banner,” which began the tradition in which the song was played whenever a band was present to play it (though it was not adopted as the official National Anthem until 1931). The custom of playing the National Anthem before every game didn’t begin until WWII, following the installation of public address systems. I find that so many parents naively believe that the primary reason their son hasn’t garnered more attention from college or professional scouts is exposure. While that is possible, it is almost never the case. The primary reason is that the athlete lacks the specific skill set required at the next level. simply means that at this moment in time, they do not. Granted, it is true that a vast majority of them will never develop those abilities, but that is distinctly different, in my opinion, than the fact that they currently do not possess those capabilities. For example, if you are senior with 18 years of age looking to play in college and you happen to throw the baseball at 78 mph (especially if you are a pitcher who is not a knuckleballer), have 78 mph ball exit speed off a tee (as a hitter), have a 2.5-plus POP time (as a catcher), and run a 7.5 60-yard dash, I highly recommend you skip the showcase. It will not matter how scrappy you are, how great your attitude, or how incredible your baseball acumen. You will be wasting your time and money.
regardless of where they live. Therefore, showcases are actually a waste of money for the very top performers. Showcases covet these top athletes because they bring in scouts and other interested
parties, which in turn bring in the masses who make up a vast majority of their revenue stream.
The bottom 55–65 percent of all baseball players currently do
not have the skills necessary
UPCOMING RANCH EVENTS ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMP
Sept. 1–3 (Saturday–Monday) Nov. 17–19 (Saturday–Monday)
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR OATES SPECIALTIES! STRATEGIC PARTNER, Dec. 28–30 (Friday–Sunday) Jan. 19–21 (Saturday–Monday) YOUTH PITCHING CAMP Oct. 20 & 21 (Saturday & Sunday) OUTSIDE CAMPS Sept. 28–30 - ThrowZone Academy, CA Nov. 9–11 - Fastball USA, Chicago
For more information, go to TexasBaseballRanch.com/events.
www.OatesSpecialties. com/Durathro
3 Where You Can DREAM as BIG as Your Work Ethic Will Allow! PHONE (936) 588-6762
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www.texasbaseballranch.com 5451 Honea-Egypt Road Montgomery, TX 77316
(936) 588-6762 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Looking Back on This Summer’s Program PAGE 1 Our 2018 Youth Camp PAGE 2 3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life PAGE 2 Do Showcases Make Sense for Your Athlete? PAGE 3 The World Series in Wartime PAGE 3
Save Big on Airfare With This Simple Rule THE BEST TIME TO BOOK A FLIGHT
you’re going. But how do you choose a booking window that will maximize your savings?
In case you haven’t noticed, traveling is expensive . It can feel like you’re signing away your soul when you sit down to plan a vacation. But when it comes to flights, there’s good news: They’re getting cheaper! According to a 2017 report published by online travel company ODIGEO, long-distance trips across Europe fell 7 percent last year. Luckily, the same trend is reflected in North American airlines as they engage in a price war to woo a growing base of ultrafrugal travelers. Still, a $600 summer flight to Honolulu isn’t exactly pocket change. What’s worse, flight prices are slippery; CheapAir.com’s 2017 Annual Airfare Study determined that the fares for any given trip go up or down an average of 71 times, about $33 each shift. When you purchase your flight is nearly as important as where
According to the CheapAir.com study, in which they evaluated 921 million airfares, the best time to book is 21– 105 days in advance of your flight, on average. If you want to get even more specific, try to book 55–75 days out, and book on a Sunday. Many travelers swear by Tuesday and Wednesday bookings, but as Condé Nast Traveler
reports, Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation say that Sunday is the way to go, based on data from billions of flights. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to actually fly, though.
The CheapAir.com study also pinpoints the absolute best windows for specific seasons: 54 days for winter trips, 75 days for spring, 76 days for summer, and 45 days for fall. Of course, these are averages, but if you stick to these rules and check fares regularly on sites like Kayak.com, SkyScanner.com, Momondo.com, and on the handy app Hopper, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting close to the best price possible.
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