Youth & Travel Baseball Blog, Updates, Coaching & Instruction

My Youth Sports Survey

The Necessary Baseball Practice Mindset is not a Given

No Bad Baseball Drills Exist, If"¦

Sad for Jackie Robinson West Little League but players will be fine

It was a sad day when the Jackie Robinson West little league team lost its title, especially for Chicagoland folks, like me. Like many people, I have mixed feelings on the news of the little league decision to strip the title from them.

Even the most successful baseball hitters have a great deal of failure. Handling that failure is the key. I try to give players something to help in the form of a quick mantra like RBI, when things do not go according to the hitting plans.

"Gang, we are not leaving here today before I answer three questions." One of the most difficult things for sports coaches is to get players to ask questions. The thing is there is no way players understand everything coaches teach but they act as though they do by never asking.

Teaching opportunities to take advantage of

Hitting Lessons from Home Run Derby

Baseball hitting experts are not made overnight

Dave Henderson Left Us Way Too Soon

It is always sad hearing about the passing of an old friend. Old friend does not mean they were old, just that they have been friends for a long time.Unfortunately, each year more of that occurs, and the same response comes, "Way too young." Some of those that die elicit a few memories and others many more. Some deaths hurt more than others. This past week a friend left that brought a torrent of things. The memories made me smile; the tears were for his life ending and the prayers were for his family and close friends.

My quest for leadership qualities

"Did I ever tell you you're my hero?"

A while back, a good childhood friend wrote to me, "Jack, your dad was a great leader, coach, and gentleman. I can remember him from Joliet Little League, along with your fastball. Please write about him." His note had me thinking about what it was about my dad that my friend felt made him a leader. It sent me on a quest for, "What are leadership qualities?" His request also had me realize that leaders are often right in front of us, without our knowing.

Batting the Ball, no Bull

It's that time of the year when players' seasons have been going for some time. By now, players have a good indication of what type of year it is with batting the ball? Whether it's been a solid season, mediocre or poor one, it's important that players learned from their experiences.

Where Peace of Mind Comes from?

I have come to realize that it would not have been a shame if I had not made it to the major leagues. It would have been a shame if I hadn't found this in my life.

MLB Playoffs and Me

The Major League Baseball Life has its Moments

The professional baseball life is like every other job. It has its good days and bad ones. Maybe the biggest difference is that one cannot just disappear at work, as one maybe can in the "real world" of non-professional sports. Or can you? Right out of a scene in an Indiana Jones movie, here is how things went down one night in Dodger stadium.

Minor League Baseball is not Close to Major League Baseball

https://

https://

https://