Ask a College Baseball Player Anything.

[Drealt]

Just skimmed through the majority of this thread and I definitely learnt a lot but it has left me with a few questions. By the way congratulations on your book Ven.

Regarding the long toss, I have always learned to air it out nice and easy on the way out, then put it on a line on the way in. Is this improper?

Also, is a 6.8-6.9 60 time good for a HS freshman? (No exact number. Trained with a coach all winter but haven't timed)

Thanks, Austin

[Drealt]

Also, I'm 5'7ish right now if that makes a difference. How difficult is it going to be for me to go to a D1 or D2 school as a CF?

[ven33]

Just skimmed through the majority of this thread and I definitely learnt a lot but it has left me with a few questions. By the way congratulations on your book Ven.

Regarding the long toss, I have always learned to air it out nice and easy on the way out, then put it on a line on the way in. Is this improper?

Also, is a 6.8-6.9 60 time good for a HS freshman? (No exact number. Trained with a coach all winter but haven't timed)

Thanks, Austin

Yes and Yes. Haha.

[D3Baseball]

Also, I'm 5'7ish right now if that makes a difference. How difficult is it going to be for me to go to a D1 or D2 school as a CF?

It's not good, but I played with a guy the same size that went exactly where he wanted.

Honestly though, if you're a freshman -- just enjoy these first couple of years of high school before the recruiting stuff gets crazy. Don't overanalyze every move while it's still your first year or two of high school and don't get too caught up thinking ahead. Just work as hard as you can, get as good as you can, then when it comes time start showing the colleges what you've got.

[psychodiver9]

You're a freshman. Hell you could be 6'2 by the time you gradute. Lift hard, enjoy the game.

[ven33]

Also, I'm 5'7ish right now if that makes a difference. How difficult is it going to be for me to go to a D1 or D2 school as a CF?

Div 1...you need to shave that 6.8-6.9 to a 6.5-6.6. Div 2 probably a 6.7ish.

[Drealt]

Thanks guys. And ven I thought you said you prefer to keep it low on the way out and on the way in? And haha unfortunately I think I have an inch or two more and then I'm done growing. I tower over my dad

[ven33]

Thanks guys. And ven I thought you said you prefer to keep it low on the way out and on the way in? And haha unfortunately I think I have an inch or two more and then I'm done growing. I tower over my dad

I prefer to keep it on a line always to be honest. A little arc on the way out is nothing bad....as the majority of your "work" will occur once you reach that limit and you start throwing lines with 1-2 hops. That is where most of your time will be spent. But on your way out....a little angle is not bad at all.

[psychodiver9]

I prefer to keep it on a line always to be honest. A little arc on the way out is nothing bad....as the majority of your "work" will occur once you reach that limit and you start throwing lines with 1-2 hops. That is where most of your time will be spent. But on your way out....a little angle is not bad at all.

I agree with this

[REALDEAL012]

I prefer to keep it on a line always to be honest. A little arc on the way out is nothing bad....as the majority of your "work" will occur once you reach that limit and you start throwing lines with 1-2 hops. That is where most of your time will be spent. But on your way out....a little angle is not bad at all.

I prefer to slowly open up and stretch out with a good arc on the ball until I reach my max, then when I start to work back in is where I really focus on the pulldown with no arc on the ball.. I have found that before a start, my arm reacts best when I warm up very slowly on the way out, then increase the intensity and velocity on the way back in. I do agree though that the majority of the "work" is going to be benefited when you are throwing on a bee line.

[ven33]

I prefer to slowly open up and stretch out with a good arc on the ball until I reach my max, then when I start to work back in is where I really focus on the pulldown with no arc on the ball.. I have found that before a start, my arm reacts best when I warm up very slowly on the way out, then increase the intensity and velocity on the way back in. I do agree though that the majority of the "work" is going to be benefited when you are throwing on a bee line.

You're talking about pregame warm up, I'm talking about building arm strength in preseason and summer months. By no means should anyone be "working" on the one hop line drives on start days. The goal of that long toss routine is to build strength and possibly velocity in the long term. The goal of a pregame warm up is exactly that, to warm up for the actual work that will be occuring on the mound.

[REALDEAL012]

You're talking about pregame warm up, I'm talking about building arm strength in preseason and summer months. By no means should anyone be "working" on the one hop line drives on start days. The goal of that long toss routine is to build strength and possibly velocity in the long term. The goal of a pregame warm up is exactly that, to warm up for the actual work that will be occuring on the mound.

Absolutely agree.. I guess I addressed two different aspects in one response. Haven't really been in this thread until today but it looks like a great thing you have set up in here. I am going to be playing next year but haven't committed yet. Went through an arm injury last year and thought it would be best to get a great start to my senior season before committing.

[D3Baseball]

Arm injuries suck. Shoulder injury is why my username is now outdated

[psychodiver9]

if you have offers on the table toy like I would commit before that money gets allocated. Its late in the game if you're a senior

[ven33]

Absolutely agree.. I guess I addressed two different aspects in one response. Haven't really been in this thread until today but it looks like a great thing you have set up in here. I am going to be playing next year but haven't committed yet. Went through an arm injury last year and thought it would be best to get a great start to my senior season before committing.

if you have offers on the table toy like I would commit before that money gets allocated. Its late in the game if you're a senior

This exactly. If you have offers, but do not follow through on them early enough coaches will use the money elsewhere and by the time you get around to committing the money will be gone. Coaches don't have time to wait around on you to decide, they have rosters to fill.

Seriously consider committing early if the school has your major of interest. Waiting will be a bad idea.

[psychodiver9]

I have one now who turned down a top 3 school because he felt he deserved more money. Right now has no offers

[D3Baseball]

Try to make sure you pick a school that you'd want to be at even if you don't play baseball.

You're one unlucky "pop" away from not being a baseball player, don't forget that.

[ven33]

#1 rule is to choose the school you attend based on ACADEMICS. PERIOD. END OF STORY.

Too many stupid athletes choose based on athletics, then when they don't go pro have absolutely nothing to show for it and end up working in some **** hole job.

Strong truth.

[psychodiver9]

I will third this. Chances you make a career out of playing is slim

[REALDEAL012]

I will third this. Chances you make a career out of playing is slim

#1 rule is to choose the school you attend based on ACADEMICS. PERIOD. END OF STORY.

Too many stupid athletes choose based on athletics, then when they don't go pro have absolutely nothing to show for it and end up working in some **** hole job.

Strong truth.

Try to make sure you pick a school that you'd want to be at even if you don't play baseball.

You're one unlucky "pop" away from not being a baseball player, don't forget that.

Definitely agree with the academic standpoint.. Want to go Premed with a minor in Sports/Exercise science. Definitely understand that baseball comes to an end. And in all honesty, unless I really have a stellar college career, I don't think I would go to the minors anyway. Much rather go through medical school and help injured athletes get back on the field.

[REALDEAL012]

Arm injuries suck. Shoulder injury is why my username is now outdated

Right on brother.. Blows a big one. What was your final injury that did you in?

I have never had a true season ending injury, but unfortunately a lot of injuries that compound an end up ruining the season. Stress fracture in the elbow, strained UCL, strained supraspinatus, impinged RC.. And all of this has come after a huge emphasis on bands, mobility work etc. Natural hyperflexion in my elbow joint leads me to natural elbow weaknesses ;(

[psychodiver9]

Sounds like you may have some serious mechanical issues

[ven33]

Either it's out of his control, doing band work wrong, not having a a strong enough arm to handle the stress, or just poor form.

[psychodiver9]

Either it's out of his control, doing band work wrong, not having a a strong enough arm to handle the stress, or just poor form.

exactly. Too much smoke for their not to be fire

[ven33]

Any injury that serious needs to be investigated.

[REALDEAL012]

exactly. Too much smoke for their not to be fire

Either it's out of his control, doing band work wrong, not having a a strong enough arm to handle the stress, or just poor form.

Unfortunately, just bad luck. First injury, stress fracture in the elbow, resulted from overthrowing during summer ball and just one pitch eventually did me in. Because I can hyperextend my elbow joint in my throwing arm, it leaves my UCL exposed to too much strain. Therefore, when I came back throwing and my body tried to accommodate for my outer elbow, my UCL had gained scar tissue and therefore strained. Same for my shoulder. GIRD left my supraspinatus impinged and unprotected. Even through PT, OT, etc., I am just naturally prone to injury. Definitely worked hard this off season with a ton of stability and mobility work in the shoulder and I can tell it has paid off. Pain free and throwing well..

On a better note, I received a scholarship offer last night from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and I will definitely be taking them up on this offer. Very excited to finally know where I am going to continue my baseball career!

[ven33]

Hey guys. If you happen to buy/read my book I would really like to hear back with some feedback. What you liked/didn't like. What you wish I would have talked more about etc. I think anything I missed should definitely be addressed on here.

[ven33]

On a better note, I received a scholarship offer last night from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and I will definitely be taking them up on this offer. Very excited to finally know where I am going to continue my baseball career!

Great to hear. Just make sure you rehab properly and take it seriously. Good luck in College bud. There is plenty for you to learn over the next 4-5 years.

[D3Baseball]

On a better note, I received a scholarship offer last night from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and I will definitely be taking them up on this offer. Very excited to finally know where I am going to continue my baseball career!

Awesome! Nice school and a nice town.

[psychodiver9]

Hey guys. If you happen to buy/read my book I would really like to hear back with some feedback. What you liked/didn't like. What you wish I would have talked more about etc. I think anything I missed should definitely be addressed on here.

I plan to do so once my season is over

Congrats real deal