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RANCH REVIEW THE
MAY 2018
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‘LATE LIFE’ PREMIERES IN LOS ANGELES
a spring training invite from the Kansas City Royals, so all our work was geared toward that.
Audience Q&A at ‘Late Life’
Chien-Ming worked extremely hard, dedicating himself to the process, specifically focusing on his movement pattern and mobility. It all payed off when, at the ripe old age of 36, he secured the final bullpen spot for the Royals out of spring training. He not only made it back to the Major Leagues but also finished with a 6-0 record that season and topped out at 96 mph, a personal best. For the four years leading up to the comeback, director Frank Chen followed Chien-Ming’s every move, documenting it all on video, resulting in this moving film that depicts struggle, sacrifice, commitment, and perseverance. It was very special to see the Baseball Ranch® so prominent in the movie. It’s a bit surreal seeing yourself on the “big screen” and your name in the credits. It’s been an honor to be a part of this special man’s journey and share in his legacy. It’s another terrific baseball memory.
I am constantly taken aback by the amazing opportunities this great game of baseball has afforded me, my family, and my staff. This past month, another one of those opportunities presented itself: an invitation to travel to Los Angeles and participate in the movie premiere of “Late Life: The Chien- Ming Wang Story.”
Movie credits showing Texas Baseball Ranch ®
Movie scene with Coach Wolforth
–Coach Wolforth
Coach Wolforth, Jill Wolforth & Chien-Ming at the premiere
If you aren’t familiar with Chien-Ming Wang’s story, here’s the abridged version. In 2006 and 2007, he won 19 games each season for the New York Yankees, finishing second in the Cy Young voting in ‘06. Due to a couple different injuries, he found himself out of affiliate ball and trying to work his way back via independent ball, but he simply never got back to top form. In late 2015, two years removed from his last game in the Major Leagues but still hoping to make a comeback, Chien-Ming’s agent contacted me about the possibility of working together. Since Chien-Ming lived in Florida, I flew to the Armory (now the Florida Baseball Ranch ® ), and together with that staff, we completed a series of assessments and mapped out a plan. Chien-Ming had received
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Where You Can DREAM as BIG as Your Work Ethic Will Allow! PHONE (936) 588-6762
ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMPS 2018 Service Highlight Take Your Game to the Next Level Let us help you take your pitching game to the next level.
• Are you unable to achieve enough velocity to get the attention of scouts? • Is your stuff inconsistent? • Do you experience pain while throwing? • Do you struggle with confidence? • Is your control letting you down? Whatever the case, our Elite Pitchers Boot Camps are the perfect place to iron out your major issues and take the next step toward exceptional performance. We only open up a limited number of spots for each session to ensure that you get the personal attention you deserve. Check out the dates for our upcoming camps.
You might think that you’ve hit a wall or that it will take months to break through, but with the right coaching, you can solve your biggest issue in just three days. Join Coach Ron Wolforth and the Texas Baseball Ranch ® for this year’s series of Elite Pitchers Boot Camps.
These camps feature a unique experience to get one-on-one training tailored to your needs. You’ll be around incredible coaches and high-level peers who are all invested in
making you the best athlete you can be.
• • •
July 20–22
• • •
June 8–10 June 22–24
August 10–12 September 1–3
At the Texas Baseball Ranch ® , we know that coaching can’t be one- size-fits-all. No two athletes are the same, and you’re not even the same athlete you were last year. Similarly, everyone has their own hurdles. That’s why we focus on helping each athlete achieve their unique potential rather than assuming that everyone needs the same things.
July 6–8
Go to texasbaseballranch.com/elite-pitchers-bootcamp to register.
Act now! Your game won’t get better on its own. All you need is the right information, the best training, and a killer work ethic to take your game where it needs to go. Let us help you get there in three jampacked days.
With that in mind, let us ask you: What’s your biggest pitching problem?
Your body plays host to thousands of types of bacteria. The gastrointestinal tract alone is a remarkable ecosystem, filled with millions upon millions of microscopic organisms. These organisms play a key role in your ability to digest and process nutrients. But they also play another important role that’s not so obvious: They influence your mood and the way you think. Researchers are studying the “how” behind the connection, but they suspect it has something to do with the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a major nerve that connects the brain and stomach. Bacterial activity in the gut may stimulate the nerve, causing it to produce chemicals in the brain that can change your state of mind. Probiotics — a helpful type of bacteria — are abundant in Greek yogurt and other cultured foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha. When you eat these foods, the cultures they contain may be able to influence your mood. If you need a mood booster, yogurt might help. A YOGURT STATE OF MIND Boost Your Mood With Probiotics
mice given certain probiotics. In another study published in The British Journal of Nutrition, researchers observed the effects of specific probiotics on humans. Over a 30-day period, they noted a decrease in the signs of depression and anxiety. Many more studies are currently underway. The future of probiotics for the brain is promising. As we learn more about the connection between the gut and the brain, we may even be able to treat specific psychological conditions using probiotics. For now, though, if you want to boost your mood, reach for the yogurt. Just be sure to skip the sugar-laden processed stuff. Go straight for a high-quality Greek yogurt or, if you can find it, an Icelandic-style yogurt called skyr. Both varieties are packed with helpful probiotics and may help you change your state of mind.
Studies in both mice and humans show promising results. In one Caltech study, researchers observed a decrease in anxiety in
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TRAVEL BALL TRUTHS Why Practice Is More Important Than Flash for Youngsters
It’s a sad sight when you see younger athletes become drained and damaged from baseball before they reach their full potential. Burnout is more common as competition grows, and sadly, coaches of travel teams will not tell you that how your athlete performs before the age of 15 is pretty much meaningless anyway. In fact, it usually takes until about the age of 18 for an athlete’s performance to be evaluated on a serious level.
In baseball these days, travel ball and select ball are becoming more and more of a business for some players as young as 10, their parents, and coaches. Since the competition is greater, the cost to play is pricier, and the standards for players are higher than ever, commitment to this type of baseball takes more out of us. In place
THIS MONTH IN BASEBALL HISTORY The MLB’s First Night Game Today, night games make up the bulk of the MLB schedule, but that wasn’t always the case. For the early part of the sport’s history, due to obvious technological limitations, playing at night was impossible. Once electricity became widespread in the early decades of the 20th century, the sun ceased to be the only illumination option. It still took until May 24, 1935 for the Reds to beat the Phillies under the lights of Crosley Field in Cincinnati. The idea was the result of savvy marketing in the minor leagues. The Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro National League first used lights on April 28, 1930. That season, they saw their attendance swell from 5,000 to 15,000. At that time, only 10 percent of farms in America had electricity, making the games a novelty. It was only a matter of time before the lights went up on baseball’s biggest stage. There are many benefits to being exposed to competitive baseball at a young age, including being in a position for scholarships or the professional draft. That said, it’s very suspicious, considering that the people who spread this type of idea are usually profiting from it. When it comes down to it, the dedication, discipline, and intensity of travel ball is great, but a young athlete’s performance should always be put in perspective. Parents, rather than choosing the most prestigious team for your pitcher, choose a team that will provide the most playing time. Instead of focusing on games and showcases, focus on practice and development, and give your child the support and stability they need. Keep in mind that travel ball is the mode, not the destination. Let it work for you, and do not let it become your master.
of playing for joy, we have national ranking points. In place of friendly competition, we have showcase events and national championships.
Young athletes have a much more complicated relationship to baseball than their parents’ generation, because it’s more physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing.
UPCOMING RANCH EVENTS ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMPS
June 8–10 (Friday–Sunday) June 22–24 (Friday–Sunday) July 6–8 (Friday–Sunday) July 20–22 (Friday–Sunday) August 10–12 (Friday–Sunday) September 1–3 (Saturday–Monday) EXTENDED-STAY SUMMER PROGRAM
June 4: Session I begins July 2: Session II begins August 6: Session III begins
For more information, go to www.texasbaseballranch.com/events
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR OATES SPECIALTIES! STRATEGIC PARTNER,
On the night when the big leagues entered the night-game era, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the man to flip the switch. Baseball has always been electric, but that night added a whole new type of jolt.
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
‘Late Life’ Premieres in Los Angeles PAGE 1 This Year’s Elite Pitchers Boot Camps PAGE 2 Boost Your Mood With Yogurt PAGE 2 Travel Ball Truths PAGE 3 The Lights Are on, the Reds Are Home PAGE 3 (936) 588-6762 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Buy Local When You’re Abroad ENRICH YOUR VACATION
favorite? A great way to start is by asking your taxi driver or hotel concierge about their favorite place to eat. You’ll discover new foods and flavor combinations, and the locally owned restaurant is sure to appreciate your business! ART Just as your town probably has local artisans who produce unique and interesting work, the same is
The virtues of buying locally sourced food and supporting small businesses have been widely extolled. But we rarely think to apply the same practices when we travel. Many Americans spring for all-inclusive packages when planning their next summer vacation, but doing so means they’ll miss out on some of the best aspects of the culture they’re visiting. Part of the joy of traveling is having new experiences you can’t have at home. Whether you’re in another state or another country, you owe it to yourself to seek out the unique aspects of that location. But to find the character and quirks of your destination, you’ll have to explore beyond the hotel lobby. FOOD Why have a cheeseburger from a fast- food chain when you can try a local
true for your vacation destination. Anyone can get a gift shop bauble that was mass-produced somewhere else. Take the time to peruse market stalls and craft fairs while you travel. It can lead you to some truly special souvenirs, and you’ll support the arts and traditions of the region! PEOPLE While you’re out sampling local restaurants and exploring local markets, you’ll meet plenty of local people. Don’t be afraid to strike up a friendly conversation. You can make new friends around the globe and learn about their unique experiences. One of the most enriching experiences in life is meeting new people and gaining new perspectives. MEMORIES Treasured memories are the best souvenir you can bring home from any vacation. So you owe it to yourself to get out and explore!
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