Showing posts with label article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label article. Show all posts

Sunday, 23 November 2014

Pitch Smart

I just found this link on the MLB website which has some very good information about risk factors and pitching guidelines for youth players.

Check it out by clicking on the link below.

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

5 MAN INFIELD

Whilst working on an article review in class we were watching the end of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs game on MLB. A great opportunity to analyse a late in the game situation arose so we stopped to check it out.
With the score at 3-3 in the 13th inning the Pirates had loaded bases with none out. If a run scores they lose! They had a meeting on the mound and went for what is called in baseball terms the '5 man infield'. Here the defensive team brings in an outfielder and puts them somewhere on the infield. In this incidence there was a right hand hitter so the Cubs put an extra person on the left side of the infield and the outfielders play more towards the alley.

The strategy:
Any regular fly ball will score the runner so whether the outfielders catch the ball or not they will still lose if the ball is deep enough.
Protect the percentages- there is a right hand hitter so they put an extra person on the left side of the field because percentages would say if they hit a ground ball it will go that way. The pitcher also threw inside to his field with a fastball/ changeup combination.
Mental- the shift in fielding position can make the hitter think about something different at the plate, worrying about the field or the result rather than getting a good pitch to drive.

The result:
The batter hit a weak ground ball to third base, causing a double play through the catcher to first base. The next hitter then grounded out and the rally was ended. In this scenario the Cubs were able to get out of the inning with out giving up a run.

In the 16th:
The Pirates in the bottom of the 16th have runners on 1st & 3rd with one out, and this time the Cubs choose not to bring in the 5th infielder. The result, a soft ground ball between short stop & third base for a hit and WALK-OFF win! It is often a managers 'gut' feeling to decide what to do with positional changes, with the game changing very quickly from hitter to hitter or pitch to pitch!


Thursday, 27 March 2014

PITCHING ANATOMY

Here is a link to an ESPN analysis on Pitching Mechanics. It looks at several different types of actions and pitches. They have provided examples from Arizona Diamondback staff with slow motion video.

PITCH ANATOMY

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

VIDEO REPLAY IN THE MLB

What is your take on video replay being used in the MLB?
Will it slow down the game too much?
Should it be left to the umpires judgement?
Is it in everyones best interest to get the right call made?

Here is a link to an article on MLB.com regarding video replay for the 2014 season.

click here Video Replay

Monday, 17 March 2014

Handling Pressure

This is a brief article on how Paul Goldschmidt changed his approach at the plate with runners on base last year. Being able to stay calm in big situations is one of the hardest things to accomplish in Baseball. This is an example of what he tries to do. We talk a lot about focussing on the "process" rather than the result to help hitters achieve this.

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Defensive Strategy

Pirates Defensive Analysis

This is an interesting article on the Pittsburgh Pirates and how they used statistics and percentages to align their defence against opposition hitters during the 2013 season. If you are able to put yourself in a better position to field the ball it helps you slow the game down and make plays more routine.


Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Monday, 2 December 2013

Why I Quit MLB

Article

An insight into Baseball as a business, grind and failure

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Do you want to get bulked up?

A guide to increasing muscle mass in athletes
This is a basic fact sheet designed through the Australian Institute of Sport on how to eat correctly to develop muscle mass.

Sunday, 24 November 2013

Matheny Manifesto

http://mikematheny.com/sites/default/files/docs/MathenyManifesto.pdf
This is a very interesting article relating to parents and youth sport. Mike Matheny is the current Manager for the St Louis Cardinals MLB Team.