RANCH REVIEW THE
JUNE/JULY 2019
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SUMMER TRAINING AT ITS BEST
and utilize this information, and it is just another component that helps us continue to separate ourselves in the training of pitchers. Our No. 1 goal continues to be “to help each athlete play at least one level higher than they otherwise would have had they never worked with us.” I am glad to say we’re seeing that in full force this summer. If you haven’t already made plans to do so, I’d highly encourage you to find a way to get to the Ranch this summer to set you or your athlete up for success as you head into the new school year. –Coach Wolforth
Summer at the Texas Baseball Ranch is always a very exciting time. This year has been no exception, and we still have over a month to go.
We take a lot of pride in our ability to assess and help each athlete create his own hyperpersonalized training program. We are constantly looking for ways to enhance these systems. This summer, in addition to our physical assessment, our strength assessment, and our video analysis assessment, we’ve added the Yakkertech pitch tracking machine, currently the best on the market for measuring things like spin rate and spin efficiency. Coach Kadey has done a tremendous job this summer helping athletes understand
Between our three-day Elite Pitchers Boot Camps and our Extended Stay Summer Program, we will have over 300 players and hundreds of parents on our property between June 1 and Aug. 31. It is truly organized chaos, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are biased, but our training environment is second to none, and these guys are all-in. It’s a blessing to be able to work with them and so rewarding to see their gains over the summer.
Below is just a small taste of things!
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Where You Can DREAM as BIG as Your Work Ethic Will Allow! PHONE (936) 588-6762
NOWAVAILABLE!
Coach Wolforth’s updated version of “The Parent’s Survival Guide,” now called “Pitching With Confidence” has just been released, and you can get your very own copy for FREE.
This book is designed with the knowledge that there is a learning curve to everything, including baseball pitching, and that most families need help shortening that learning curve.
“Pitching With Confidence” answers dozens of the most common questions Coach Wolforth and the Texas Baseball Ranch staff receive from parents and players on a regular basis.
The book includes the following topics.
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The truth about showcases
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The truth about velocity
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The truth about year-round baseball
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The truth about workloads and overuse
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The truth about scholarships
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The truth about weighted balls
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And much more!
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The truth about command/control
This book is a terrific resource for both parents and players, and Coach Wolforth is making it available to you for FREE. All you have to do is cover shipping and handling ($8.95). Simply call the Texas Baseball Ranch office at (936) 588-6762 and request your copy.
HOLD ON TIGHT!
Prepare for Family Fun at an Amusement Park This Summer
PACK THE ESSENTIALS Find an over-the-shoulder bag or strap on a fanny pack to carry your cash, keys, snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses. You’re spending the whole day outside, so make sure you’re considering the weather when you head out and always slather on a generous amount of sunscreen. Lastly, wear comfortable walking shoes to prevent blisters and aching heels. You’ll have more fun if you know you’ll be prepared for anything. WATER COSTS HOW MUCH!? Amusement parks are expensive, and when you spend a whole day seeking thrills, you’re eventually going to need sustenance. Check the park’s rules before you leave, but most will allow your family to bring in a few snacks, like fruits or granola bars, and a reusable, empty water bottle. Many parks will have a drinking fountain near the entrance where you can fill up before exploring. If you plan to eat or drink at one of the establishments in the park, peruse the food options on the park’s website ahead of time to get an idea of what is available and how much money you should bring.
On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in the nation opened to eager and brave participants at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. In the years since the first riders climbed aboard the Switchback Railway 135 years ago, roller coasters and the amusement parks that house them have changed dramatically. But the thrill that attracted all those first participants still remains. Celebrate the nation’s love of heart-stopping adventure by visiting an amusement park this summer. Follow these tips to make the most out of your trip. I’M LOST! Before you head out, review park maps and ride descriptions. Create a list of the attractions everyone in your group wants to see and plan out your route ahead of time. While some spontaneity can be fun — it’s a vacation, after all — the sheer size of many parks coupled with high anticipation can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared. Planning ahead will save you a few headaches and disappointed family members.
Adventure awaits this summer! Don’t let a lack of preparedness keep you from enjoying a 135-year-old tradition.
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THE MYTH OF PERFECT MECHANICS Forget the Cookie-Cutter Approach
there is one ideal mechanical model, or, in other words, “cookie- cutting” or “cloning” your pitchers is one of the very worst things one could do to a young man. Yet we see this scene play out again and again, every day, all over the world. And it is almost ALWAYS done with love and the very best of intentions.
I have a question for everyone who talks about “mechanics” as if it were one monolithic, universal, and ideal model about which all the experts agree: EXACTLY whose mechanics are you talking about, anyway?
Bob Feller or Roger Clemens?
Sandy Koufax or Randy Johnson?
THIS MONTH IN BASEBALL HISTORY A Very Unique Home Run Many pitchers are associated with a single pitch. Pedro’s change- up, Mariano’s cutter, and Randy’s slider are all iconic, but there is probably no pitcher with a more unique calling card than Rip Sewell. Sewell, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ‘30s and ‘40s, is credited with inventing the Eephus pitch, one of the oddest options a pitcher has ever used to confuse batters. Eephus is the Hebrew word for “nothing,” which tells you everything you need to know about the pitch. Sewell would set up a normal overhand delivery, but instead of letting it rip, he would gently arc a looping ball toward the plate. It was a change-of-pace tactic that actually worked. In fact, in his entire career, Sewell only gave up one home run on an Eephus pitch. That dinger came in the 1946 All-Star Game at Fenway Park. It was the eighth inning, Sewell was on the mound, and hometown hero Ted Williams came up to bat. The pitcher tipped his cap to the “Splendid Splinter,” alerting him this was going to be an Eephus- filled at-bat. After a few near misses, Williams blasted an Eephus into the seats, much to the delight of the Fenway faithful. My sincere advice: Stay away from anyone who wants to place your athlete inside of a specific mold. However well- intended, it almost always ends poorly. Today, you can find the exact information you need to help your athlete approach their God-given potential. In fact, it’s just a few clicks away. Don’t surrender responsibility to someone who doesn’t understand the innate uniqueness of your son simply because that instructor played some professional baseball or because a training facility is located very conveniently to your home and for your schedule. In my opinion, we owe our children better than that. We owe it to them to get them the very best information we possibly can. Every pitcher is unique, so why should their mechanics be any different?
Pedro Martínez or Juan Marichal?
Max Scherzer or Clayton Kershaw?
Guess what? All of these guys were pretty darn good over a long period of time. And guess what else? None of them had the same mechanics. The truth is that no two pitchers in the history of baseball have EVER thrown identically. Therefore, from our vantage point at the Texas Baseball Ranch, insisting that
UPCOMING RANCH EVENTS ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMPS July 5–7
July 19–21 Aug. 9–11 Aug. 31–Sept. 2
EXTENDED STAY SUMMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM July 1: Summer Session II Begins Aug. 5: Special Summer Session III Begins
For more information, go to TexasBaseballRanch.com/events.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR OATES SPECIALTIES! EQUIPMENT PROVIDER,
www.OatesSpecialties. com/Durathro
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(936) 588-6762 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Summer Training at Its Best PAGE 1 Pitching With Confidence PAGE 2 Amusement Park Trip Tips PAGE 2 The Myth of Perfect Mechanics PAGE 3 Ted Williams Takes an Eephus Pitch Deep PAGE 3
The Truth About Meditation AN ANCIENT SOLUTION TO MODERN PROBLEMS
But there are so many benefits that will leave you feeling lighter in another way. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindful meditation lowers stress levels, and patients who habitually meditate report less chronic pain. Another study published in the same journal found that regular meditation also fights depression. HOW DO I MEDITATE? Meditating is as simple as sitting in a quiet place, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing for a few
Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
This is the first step in every meditation session. Though often associated with the New Age metaphysical movement, meditation isn’t all about incense and healing crystals. Meditation is an ancient practice that strengthens your mental focus, and recent research suggests that it offers real solutions to modern problems. WHAT IS MEDITATION? Meditation has strong roots in various religious and cultural traditions, but anyone can find value in practicing it. The purpose of meditation is to strengthen your mind by promoting mindfulness, focus, and awareness. DOES MEDITATION WORK? It depends on what you mean by “work.” Will meditation allow you to defy gravity and hover above the earth? Probably not.
minutes. Whenever your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath. You don’t need to climb a mountain or pay for a week-long retreat to start meditating.
That said, there are plenty of resources that help beginners build a strong foundation for meditation. Popular apps like Calm or Headspace are available on any smartphone and offer guided courses you can start anywhere, anytime. You could also check online or at your local community center for group classes if you would like some in-person guidance. Meditation isn’t a magical ritual that will cure all that ails you, but plenty of research suggests meditation does provide tangible benefits to our mental and physical well-being. Maybe one day, meditation will be as commonplace as daily exercise.
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