What Goes Around Comes Around

Aight. It's getting down to business, practice is getting more intense as the season draws closer. Not that they haven't been until now, but with the season approaching, more things are expected of us. It's funny how several colleges have already played a few games already, but Spring Training hasn't even started yet.

I've been watching a whole lot of video from Pitchers and Catchers and it really fires me up. The only thing is that you take a look at what they have; indoor facilities, outdoor facilities, it makes me so jealous. Our batting cage has been all ice the past week and a half, but it finally dried. At this point, with the weather the way it has been, we'd be lucky if we started the season on time. I've accepted the fact that we probably won't get any outdoor practices before the season starts. Maybe one or two.

I don't want this post to just be updates and complaining so let's talk about aging players. More specifically, Jorge Posada on coaching the Yankee catching prospects. He needs to do this because at some point in the next two years, someone will have to take over as starting catcher while Posada fades into retirement. It's definitely not easy, especially for such an intense player like Posada to get used to that kind of role.

But that gets me thinking - I would say that 99% of ML players love baseball (There might be the Andre Agassi equivalent somewhere), and suddenly when they are too old to play, it all stops. I guess after it dominating your life for the better part of two decades (or more), it can come as a relief, but I think it gets hard for most players after a year or so of being out of the game. Many try to come back as coaches, managers, etc.

As you age you mature and it can't come as a shock to you that the organization is looking for your replacement. The classy player, like Posada is trying his best to be (and I think he is), sees the mentoring as part of his role on the team. A guy like him is not loving the fact that he might lose playing time just for someone to get some experience but he did it to Girardi back in '98. What goes around comes around.

Daily Dozen

OK, so I got the title from a marine workout, but what I'll do is give twelve things that I work on during practice everyday. I think I'm going to leave hitting out, only because there's so much to write about hitting, I'll keep offense and defense separate.

Obviously I try to do everything right, but I think you are more effective when you clearly define what you are working on. So perhaps twelve things may be a bit excessive, but I like the sound of the title so it's staying.

1. Sticking the low pitch. A big thing heard with catchers is "let the ball get deep." It gives the umpire a good view. But when the ball is low, it will only get lower (based on trajectory of pitch - except submarine delivery). Therefore, catching it sooner will keep the ball in the bottom of the strikezone.

2. Letting the high pitch get deep. (See what I did? I split the framing part into two sections. That's how you fill up a dozen things.) Same concept of catching the ball in the strikezone. Catching it deeper (closer to your body) will allow the ball to drop as much as possible, hopefully letting the umpire see it low enough for a high strike.

3. Blocking the fastball in the dirt. This is one of the hardest things to do. I almost never see a ML catcher get their body in front of it. They always go for the pick. They do this because they don't have time, and mostly because you never expect it. Pitchers are not supposed to be bouncing fastballs. I like to think that when I'm in-season, my reflex is to block everything that hits the dirt. But today I had a wild pitcher and he bounced a bunch, and I blocked zero. The key to blocking is anticipating the ball in the dirt and being ready to drop in front of the ball.

4. Don't get crazy. Like I mentioned before, to block well, you need to anticipate every pitch being in the dirt. But the same goes true when working on how to frame. So I'll need decide when I'm working at which. I guess for the wild pitcher, I'll make sure I keep the ball in front of me.

5. Tucking the chin when blocking. I tend to not look the ball into my chest when blocking. This had led to tooth chipping twice, one mouth guard and a neck extension for my mask. What I need to do here is take several reps blocking and focus on the mechanical execution.

6. Getting into a good stance. I noticed that a bunch of times I don't spread my feet wide enough to effectively sway behind the dish. Swaying is effective when it comes to staying in front on the ball, allowing for better framing technique. Keeping my feet close together is more comfortable, but I need to get used to getting in the inside of my toes and being a good target back there.

7. Good transfers. This is the easiest thing to work on, but only because you get to do this any time you catch a ball. Warming up, you get 30-40 throws at least. Every time you catch a ball, get the glove and hand working together up by the ear.

8. Keeping elbow up on throws. Consistency in throwing mechanics is so important, and for every position. I tend to drop my elbow and that leads to errant throws. So now, every time I throw, I work on my transfer, and make sure my throwing elbow is up and ready to whip. I already notice increased accuracy and zip .

9. Stay low on throws. This means keeping an athletic bend in the knees, allowing to get more power from lower half. It also helps keep the ball down, throwing through second and not over it.

10. Appreciate every day on the field, whether in a practice or a game. OK, this is pretty cheesy, but it's getting really difficult to think of new things. But, the truth is, not taking anything for granted allows for a more dedicated work ethic. When you enjoy being out there, you'll work harder.

11. Know what each batter has done previously. I used to be better at this, but I've slipped. I obviously remember the guys who have gotten the big hit, or the guys who've looked silly on a curveball, but I feel like I should know much more. Granted, this isn't something I can do daily during practice, but I need to fill up the dozen somehow.

12. Keep working. Just work.

OK, I did it. That took some decent effort. If you have anything to add, let me know. Tomorrow is a new day, get another chance to do my daily dozen. Repetition, repetition, repetition.

Final Stretch

First day of practice was this morning. Not too surprisingly, I actually slept last night. I didn't get much sleep over the weekend, but even though I was tired the anticipation of practice kept me up for a while.

We were told not to bring our gloves because Day 1 would only be conditioning. Coaches held true to their word. The only purpose a glove would have served would be to vomit into - in case you couldn't make it into a garbage or toilet. At least four threw up this morning, possibly even six. No, I wasn't one of them. I made sure to hydrate very properly the day before and even woke up early to make eggs and toast before practice. When I woke up this morning and went to the bathroom, I saw my urine had some yellow color and I was disappointed. But I was fine in the end.

I feel like all of my posts in the past few months (all three of them) have basically been about me working really hard and waiting for the season to watch everything pay off. But now that practice is here, I like to see how it pays off now. I know small D3 college isn't a good comparison but I kind of feel like the catcher who comes into camp having shed some pounds and got into decent shape. And you kind of hope that everyone notices, especially the coaches. I know that you shouldn't be playing trying to impress people, but it's normal to want to impress the people who decide when you play.

Anyway, we basically have practice 5-6 days a week for a month and then the season starts. I am super pumped to get rolling. Part of me wants to be able to practice more than a month before the season, especially because we get maybe one week outdoors. Damn northeast.

Before you know it I'll be writing my season recap. Anyway, I got to get moving, I need to get a good night's sleep and I want to do some hitting and a core workout. Peace.