Principles of Effective Hitting

Mustangs and Mustang Fans,

What follows is a short piece by Coach Matt Breuer in his own words outlining how to apply an effective approach at the plate. As with everything, your own approach may have some tweaks around the edges, but the basic outline here is outstanding ... and effective.

Matt is as smart as any hitter that has ever played for us. So, pay attention ... and apply the knowledge:

"Something I've noticed in our team so far this year, is a lack of uniformity when it comes to batting and how we go about doing it. It's good to identify these sorts of things early in the season so that we have time to work through them and become better players because of it.

"Below is a list of things that will improve your approach at the plate and make you much better hitters. I will be harping on you guys about these things because, if followed, they'll make you all better, smarter hitters.

"I. Know the Pitcher Before You Go to the Plate

"This means you need to observe the pitcher during his warm-up and throughout the game. The time you have in the dugout is an excellent opportunity to study the pitcher and learn everything you can about him. A player that goofs off or doesn't pay attention while in the dugout puts himself at a disadvantage by failing to learn everything he can about the pitcher. Think of it this way: If you were going into battle against a formidable opponent, would you want to walk into the fight blind, or would you try to learn everything you possibly could about the person who you're about to go to battle against? By observing the pitcher, you give yourself a fighting chance by familiarizing yourself with how he throws.

"Ask yourself questions like: What sort of patterns does he follow? Does he throw a specific pitch on a certain count? Does he show his pitch early? What does his delivery look like?

"II. Breathe

"You would be surprised how essential this is. It's also a very underused tool. It allows for increased bloodflow to your brain and to your muscles, but more importantly it helps clear your mind and allows you to act on instinct instead of letting your mind become clouded by thoughts and distractions. Excessive thinking is a hitter's worst enemy.

"While on deck, begin taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly. It's an excellent thing to add to your routine in between pitches.

"III. Have a Routine

"As mentioned at the retreat, a routine is something that you do repeatedly and become used to doing. A routine is essential to becoming a good hitter because as you go through the motions before, or during, an at-bat, it puts you in a state of mind to hit. If done consistently, a routine helps your brain make the connection between that routine and the fact that it's time to hit.

"If you don't already have a routine for in-between pitches, get one. I would recommend something involving a deep breath or two, a shrug of your shoulders, or maybe something to help you get mentally prepared. Do whatever feels most comfortable to you. If you have a question about something to add to your routine, ask a coach.

"IV. Use Broad to Fine Focus

"IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS TALK TO ONE OF THE COACHES. It is an essential part of hitting and will benefit you greatly if you use it. I don't think I can explain it very well through text.

"V. Have a Plan

"It amazes me how many people go up to the plate without the slightest idea of what they are going to do or how they plan to hit the baseball. Truly, it does. Getting in the box and swinging at the first thing you see is not a plan of attack. Look at the stuff below and learn it well, because this is the approach you should take to the plate every time you step in the batter's box.

"If the count is 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0 (No strikes on you, the batter) :

"The only reason you should ever swing at a pitch at this point is if you see your pitch. When I say "your pitch" I mean the pitch that you like to hit the most, your favorite pitch. Personally, mine was up and in. If it was any of the above counts and I saw a pitch that wasn't "my pitch", I didn't swing at it. Even if it was a strike. This is because you still have strikes to give up, and if you wait instead of hacking at a pitch that you don't like, you're more likely to see a better pitch. However, this is NOT an excuse to be passive at the plate. If you see your pitch, beat the living tar out of it.

"Also, if you have a 3-0 count and you swing at anything but a beach ball served to you on a silver platter in your EXACT favorite spot, I may never speak to you again. Just a heads up.

"If the count is 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, or 3-1 (One strike on you):

"The spot where "your pitch" is gets a little bit bigger. What I mean is, if you see a pitch that's close to the pitch that you like, go ahead and swing. What I mean by "close" is about 6 inches around wherever you like the ball. This will commonly be called expanding the zone. All it means is that you are taking your favorite spot for a pitch, and making it a little bigger.

"When you have this kind of count, it is important to realize that expanding the zone is necessary. You don't want to be quite as picky here because though a pitch may not be exactly where you wanted it, if it is close to your pitch it may be the best pitch you get. Be aggressive, but also be smart. If you like it up and in, and the pitch is down and away, don't swing. You still have one more strike.

"If the count is 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, or 3-2 (Two strikes on you):

"At this point, this is when your pitch should expand to the entire strike zone. You need to know the umpire's strike zone (you learn it while observing the pitcher, step one), and you need to be ready to pull the trigger at a strike. This is when it's vital that you be an aggressive, yet smart, hitter. Something I would repeat to myself when I had two strikes on me was "I'm swinging at a strike, I'm swinging at a strike." This allows for instinct to take over instead of excessive thoughts. If you're not sure, always load early to prepare to swing. That way, you're ready if you need to be.

"Something I feel I should say is don't be afraid of having two strikes on you. A lot of people are scared to have two strikes because all they can think about once they step in the box is striking out. I used think that all the time. You know what happened? I froze and ended up striking out looking more often than anything else. Instead of thinking negatively(striking out), think positively (If it's a strike, I'm swinging).

"The approach at the plate I have outlined above does a couple of things. 1) It allows you to be more selective with your pitches. Instead of simply swinging at strikes, you swing at your pitch. When you swing at your pitch, good things are much more likely to happen. 2) It forces the pitcher to throw more pitches. This is good not only because it wears him out faster (and believe me, it does), but it also gives your teammates an opportunity to view the pitcher and see what he throws like (step one).

"That's pretty much all I got, fellas. If you come in the dugout wondering what went wrong, this is the kind of stuff I'm going to be inquiring about, because it's what separates the great hitters from the rest. It requires dedication and perseverance to follow, but the rewards will be more than evident. With that being said, don't focus on the results. If you do everything right, you still might ground out occasionally. That's just part of the game. Instead of worrying about what happened, think about the process and how you are working to improve. If you focus on the process instead of the results, the results will come naturally."

Opening Day ... from Hope to Confidence

There is something almost magical about the Opening Day of a baseball season ... on any level.

All things are new. Every one gets a fresh start. Every one has high hopes. It's a great day.

But most every one's hopes are unrealistic. Sorry to be a party pooper, but it's true. It's true because hoping is different than believing.

To the prepared, Opening Day is an opportunity to finally start putting it all together. We are excited because we are ready. We are confident. It's the beginning of a long journey, but we know in our gut that we have what it takes to get there. We know because we have developing that "it" for a long time.

Confidence comes primarily from preparation ... then then from previous successes ... which, in turn, were based upon preparation.

As for us, we've been preparing for Opening Day since June, back in the summer Cooper League. We've been building, conditioning, selling, working, sweating, learning how we play and why, addressing the truth about where we are ... all in preparation to be better than ever in 2012.

If the foregoing paragraph describes some one other than you (and let's be honest, it describes none of us perfectly as we all miss the mark at times) then it's time to take stock and see where you are. You can start over right now.

The beauty of baseball ... and life ... is that each day is, in a sense, it's own Opening Day. We have the opportunity to prepare for and live each day and game to our absolute best. Prepare smart. Learn from mistakes, and work deliberately on those things we need to improve. We can, and will, continue to grow and improve greatly both as individuals and as a team in 2012. I love watching this process come together each year.

The key to our success will be the following: Keep your eyes on your personal progress each day. Shrink your areas of weakness and deepen strengths by working on your own. Keep the mindset of a learner. Stay humble and go above and beyond expectations of you personally each day. Decide that nothing will keep you from getting better each day and having the baseball season of your life. Nothing. If we do this as individuals, our team results will take care of themselves.

Remember the Championship Path.

If we do this, then we can (and will) go from hope to confidence.

And remember ... a baseball season is indeed a path, a journey. It's one step, one day at a time. There will be times and days when you are tempted to give in, or where it looks like the journey is heading south. That's baseball, and that's life. But keep at it. Keep focused on what you can personally do, this hour, this minute, this play. Then do it. Then do it again ... but better this time.

Time to get started.

It's Opening Day.

See you on the field,

The Championship Path

We had a great time at our 6th Annual High School Retreat. The theme of the weekend was "The Championship Path." It's the qualities that teams possess to go from good to great.

The H.S. Retreat is sort of like Vegas. What happens there stays there. That is, what individual players say/share is up to them to disclose. But our theme and such is open to all of you and beyond. We keep pressing on.

It works better with the visual of of a mountain, but here are the elements of The Championship Path ... from the foundation up:

1) Mental Toughness ... Responding to adversity and the truth. Nothing is too much for us;

2) An Uncommon Commitment to the Welfare of our Team. We will each embrace our roles -- whatever we are called upon to do -- and make them a key part of our journey together;

3) Ownership mentality – It’s our team. We all have a stake and we do the things -- big and small -- that owners do.

4) Deliberately practicing to minimize weaknesses and turn them into strengths (this requires self awareness). We do whatever we need to do.

5) Resilience/Perseverance. Nothing keeps us down or stops us.

6) Courage. Nothing scares us off of completing our mission.

7) Destiny. Finally … like the great Sir Winston Churchill was kept going in his darkest days by a sense of destiny ... we likewise have a a mission … a explains the foregoing and makes it doable.

See you on the field,

Retreat this Weekend ...

I am excited to get our preparation in full gear as we head into our second week of practice. The second week historically means retreat week.

I will have an update from our time together, including more on the Championship Mindset next week.

In the meantime ...

See you on the field,

Texas Tech's Fall Workouts Among the Toughest in the Nation

The Texas Tech Red Raiders' fall workouts include conditioning program approiately dubbed the "Character Builder." A lot of these exercises are emphasizing the type of core work and explosiveness training that we have been moving toward around here.

You can see a write up from the Tech website HERE.

And you can watch it here on VIDEO.

So ... what are you doing to build your character and get ready for the season ... today?

G. J. Kinne: Perspective has helped this great young man take off

A lot of what is needed to succeed in sports, or really anything, is perspective. When you realize what you have and what you are doing means ... really means, in the grand scheme of things ... then performance becomes more natural and less of a chore.

"Having to" is a much different feeling than "having an opportunity."

And when you, or some one you care about, gets a whole new lease on life, well, things get put in perspective in literally a heartbeat.

Check out the story of G. J. Kinne HERE.

How do you think our efforts might be affected if we lived and played in light of all our blessings ... both here and in eternity? Let that soak in. And live thankfully and purposefully today.

See you on the field ...

What Will be Necessary to Hear that Stampede Coming?

What will it take to get where we want to go?

It's funny, but every year I hear different opinions on this subject. We all have an idea, whether stated or not. People's expectations start to take root.

Last year, some people thought that simply having 7 seniors would be enough. This year, some think that having few seniors will mean we lack what we need. Some think getting a year older is all that is required ... just do the same stuff, you know, "get your reps." You know me enough to know that I want to do more than simply "get our reps." Repeating something only has value to the extent that the thing being repeated is valuable.

I think that deliberately practicing those things ... with passion, persistence, and purpose ... that we each need to improve is what is required. I would suggest that this approach is needed more than ever before. We are going to have to get after it.

So, what do we need to improve? We've talked about some of those things as a team. But what about each coach and player taking individual ownership of what he needs to do? What about you? That is what the great teams do. Because of a sense of brotherhood and accountability, they do the hard work as individuals necessary to get where the team wants to go. They do it for themselves, but ultimately, they are doing it for each other, as well.

And where does ... or can ... this team go? That is up to each of you. Two years ago, we had no (as in zero) seniors and folks expected a tough rebuilding year; instead, we ended up finishing higher at the HWS than ever before. Last year, with a team loaded with seniors and experience (with 5 of those players now playing in college), we set a lot of new marks and records but still finished behind the 2010 team ... the one with no seniors.

As homeschoolers, we know better than most how artificial characterizations about who we are or what we can do are just that -- artificial. Rather, our experiences and performance are defined by what we do with the time and God-given opportunities we have.

So, what do you need to work on? What is your weakness, or weaknesses that you want to eradicate or turn into a strength?

If you have any questions in this regard, ask me. Email ... text ... call ... whatever. Talk to your team captains. Find out where to be working, and then start chipping away. Do a little bit at a time, and then pretty soon you are a long way down the road.

Let's make a pledge to be as good as we can possibly be in 2012. I promise you that if we all do this -- commit to deliberately work on our weaknesses and lessen them as much as we can during the coming year -- that we will have a very special year around here.

It's a dangerous trap to think that success is the eventual result of simply hanging around or showing up. At some point, each of us has to step up to the plate and compete.

My challenge to you is to start facing those things you know you need to address to fulfill your part of the bargain. That's what I will be doing.

So, be part of the stampede. A stampede starts with one Mustang running as hard as he can ... and then another ... and then another. When they are all running in unison, you can see, hear, and feel the power. It's exciting. And then the energy starts to spread amongst the group. And the running becomes more determined, yet easier.

Let's go.

See you on the field ...

Great Stuff from the World of College Football

Check out the mental game training that Coach Nick Saban is doing at Alabama ...

Here it is: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/11/03/alabama-mental-conditioning-coach/

By the way, they've been working on this since '07 and have a national championship over some team from Austin, I believe, to show for it. Pretty interesting.

I was impressed with the emphasis on communicating clearly and using eye contact. Also, I am reminded that working through distractions is something that can be developed. In other words, we can practice concentration.

See you on the field ...

Time to Break Out the New Bats

As we have been discussing with our players and also with a number of Mustang parents, this season, all high school aluminum or composite bats will be required to be Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution or "BBCOR" certified bats.

Typically, our junior high team will also play per high school (NFHS) rules, so I would advise all of you JH players to be getting BBCOR bats. As a general rule, I think it's a good idea for a JH player to be swinging a drop 3 high school bat sooner rather than later, in any event.

Here is a link that sets out the new bat rule:

http://azbca.org/nfhs-rules/rule-1-3-2-through-5 .

Paragraph (e), which sets out that all bats as of 1/1/12 must be BBCOR certified. That is, the "BBCOR" stamp will be on all approved bats.

The long and short of this change is that the BBCOR bats perform similar to wooden bats, but without breaking, of course.

There was some discussion that this rule was changed for safety reasons. In actuality, it was apparently driven largely by scouts who want to see how guys hit in high school without souped-up aluminum bats. Pretty interesting, huh?

We have adjusted some of our practices and training this fall to be ready. We will be ready when 2/11/12 gets here and we open vs. Northeast Christian. Semper Gumby.

See you on the field ...

WS ... of Phones and the Failure to Ask Questions

So, by now you probably have heard the story of the strange bullpen fiasco that happened in Game 5 of the World Series.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Actually, this happens quite a bit. This was certainly one of those times.

The Cardinals were stuck in the 8th inning without their best reliever, closer Jason Motte, available to pitch to the series hottest hitter, Mike Napoli. So ... Napoli, a right-hander, doubled off of Cardinal left-hander Mark Rzepczynski to drive in the go-ahead runs.

The story goes ... Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa calls to the bullpen to get his closer Jason Motte and the bullpen coach hears a different name ... twice.

Okay, let's leave the phone story for what it is. The Cards say that LaRussa tried to get Motte up and warming twice, but the bullpen coach misunderstood.

I want to focus on one of these mistakes and what it might say.

The second time the LaRussa called for Motte to warm up, Lance Lynn got up. Lynn sounds different than Motte, but let's leave that one alone. Here's the real issue: Lynn was unavailable to pitch in Game 5. LaRussa confirmed this after the game. The Cardinals knew this.

To prove the point, Lynn came in (to stall for more time) and intentionally walked the next hitter. He was then removed.

So, here's the obvious question. Why did no one ask LaRussa if they heard right that he was asking for Lynn? What about Lynn himself? What about the bullpen coach? What about a teammate? Some one? Any one? No one wondered? Sure they did. But no one spoke up.

Asking a simple question might have saved the game for the Cards. But we will never know.

I think what you want is a team that has the fortitude and smarts to say, "Is this what you are asking me to do, Skip?" LaRussa has a history of making unconventional moves, so perhaps his guys are used to that. But here, he was asking a pitcher who every one knew was unable to pitch ... to pitch. At least that's what they thought. Was there some one there who could confirm what the instructions really were?

I want our players to be willing to do what we ask, but also willing to ask and make sure they understand what we are asking of them ... and, as much as possible, understand the reason why.

In other words, make sure you understand. Once you do, then let's move forward full speed.

If a team is unwilling or unable to ask a question in such an obvious situation as presented in the Lynn phone fiasco, I think that indicates there may be largers issues/problems afoot.

So, have the courage and leadership to ask the questions you know you need to ask.

And then have the courage to follow through and do what you know needs to be done.

See you on the field ...