MLK Day Pitching Clinic

*** This clinic is now full. In order to have an effective session, we feel that we need to limit the number of registrations. Very sorry to anyone still looking for a spot. We hope to do more in the future.***


I'm excited to announce my first clinic of 2014 - a preseason youth pitching clinic for MPTLL baseball players with a Little League age of 9-12. The event will take place on Wade Field at Randolph Park on Martin Luther King Day - this Monday, January 20th from 12:00-2:00 pm.

The overall topic will be Pitching, but will include three important parts:

1. Throwing Mechanics - hand separation, ball positioning, glove tuck.
2. Pitching Mechanics - balance, stride, release point, follow through.
3. Strength and Conditioning - preseason throwing, band work, dumbbells, core strength.

The clinic is FREE, although it is requested that families consider using this time to donate any gently used baseball or softball equipment they may no longer have a use for, to be distributed by the league to children who cannot afford new equipment. Such items may include bats, gloves, gear bags, cleats, catcher equipment, batting helmets, or other equipment. We would also like to collect new baseballs to distribute. Any kid would love to be given a brand new, crisp, white baseball.

Lead instructors will include....

Brandon Merchant:
Youth Pitching and Hitting Instructor, MPTLL All-Star Pitching Coach.

Mike Hennessey
Pitching, Hitting and Fielding Instructor, CCDS Varsity Head Coach.

Josh Thomas:
Private Strength and Conditioning Coach, CCDS Middle School Head Coach.

Rich Fennell:
MPTLL All-Star Pitching Coach.

And last, but certainly not least, we are thrilled to have....

Jack McDowell:
Former MLB Pitcher, 1993 American League Cy Young Award Winner.

If your aspiring pitcher plans to attend, please let me know as soon as possible by email. Make sure to include your name and contact number, your son's name and Little League age (as of April 30, 2014). This clinic is for Myers Park Trinity baseball players with LL ages of 9 through 12. If the numbers get too large, we will have to cut it off and plan an additional clinic in the future. If you are interested in private instruction, please visit my Lessons page.

On the day of the clinic, players should bring their own water, a baseball glove and warm clothing if necessary. We encourage parents to attend and listen in from the bleachers if they are able to.

See you at the fields.

Brandon

Selected Reading Material 1-7-13

The Importance of Core Strength for Young Athletes by Jodi Murphy, Outside the Lines / SportsSignup  -  A look at the importance of strengthening the core, a vital part of the kinetic chain.

Travel Teams: The Time Has Come for Some Real Reform by Rick Wolff, Ask Coach Wolff  -  "Why do we even allow travel teams for kids before they’re in middle school?"... "Hasn’t the time finally come to inject some sanity and start to eliminate some of this madness?"

10 New Year's Resolutions for Sports Parents: Time for a Fresh Start by Janis Meredith, JBM Thinks  -  Great advice for 2013. A list to remember.

How Bad Do You Want It?

Need any motivation? Let Eric Thomas preach to you about it...

Off-Season Training For Youth Players

Here in the Carolinas, fall baseball is wrapping up. Spring ball begins around March 1. What can a committed youth player be doing in these four months?

1. Rest from throwing.  The American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) recommends that youth pitchers abstain from overhead throwing for 2-3 months (preferably 4 months) per year. Especially for pitchers and those who throw a lot otherwise during multiple seasons, a self-imposed shut-down period is very important. That could mean November through January, or maybe August, December and January. Each player's schedule is different. But allowing the arm to recover from the repetitive stress of each season could prevent a serious injury years down the road.

2. Play another sport.  Youth baseball practice rarely provides enough aerobic exercise. It's a sport of quickness and short bursts of power. Playing basketball or participating in another aerobic activity to stay in shape and develop core strength and athleticism is great for young players. It also provides a nice mental break from baseball.

3. Get strong. Developing core strength and support for the joints most stressed by baseball is important for players at any level. Winter is a good time to begin a training routine. Here is a brief example of one such routine young players could do on an every-other-day basis:

• Warm Up - Get the blood flowing with a jog.
• Dynamic Stretching - Stretching while moving - arm circles, walking lunges, trunk rotations, etc.
• Core Exercises - For stability and power. Stomach crunches, back exercises, etc. Here are some examples of core exercises from a good website, The Pitching Academy.
• Resistance Band / Elastic Tubing Exercises - A low stress way to strengthen the arm's support system, especially the shoulder muscles. Speaking from experience, weak shoulders can lead to elbow injuries. Resistance bands are cheap, easy and effective.
• Light Weight Training - You can also build strength with 2-3 lb. light dumbbell exercises.
• Static Stretching - "Stretch and hold" to regain lost range of motion. Flexibility helps avoid injuries and aids performance.

4. Learn. Serious players (and coaches) should always strive to increase their knowledge of the game. The off-season is a good time to learn proper mechanics: how to swing correctly and eliminate individual flaws; how to pitch with mechanics that will increase velocity and help avoid injuries; and how play specific defensive positions with the proper glove work, foot work, throwing mechanics and mental strategies.

5. Prepare for spring ball. Once a player's shut-down period has ended - maybe around early February - it's time to start throwing a little to get ready for the season. Gradually work up to a long toss routine to help increase velocity. Make sure to warm up properly with a jog and some dynamic stretching before throwing. Players who wait and begin their throwing routine at the first team practice are usually the ones with sore or injured arms. Those who throw more often and get ready for the season arrive with stronger and healthier arms. February is also a good time to get some batting and position practice, and shake off the rust - especially if there is a tryout coming up.