Ask a College Baseball Player Anything.

[psychodiver9]

How do you deal with being anxious at the plate? In games I always want to hit the ball hard, but my anxiousness makes me swing way early. In practice my timing is perfect, though.

Do more visual imagery. Mental reps of you succeeding at the plate. Give yourself a rapdmap of positive results

[mmaKody]

Man I wish I would kept playing baseball through HS, I was hella good at 13-14 played my whole life didn't take it serious though.. Now ima senior in HS and let drugs interfere with my sports. Hindsight is a son of a bitch haha

[afranco527]

What is good weight lifting program to use while in season? I start practicing mid january. I was thinking something like starting strength where you only do the basics.

[ven33]

What is good weight lifting program to use while in season? I start practicing mid january. I was thinking something like starting strength where you only do the basics.

Your focus mid season needs to be on maintenance. You shouldn't be worried about getting stronger, which starting strength is going to focus on. You should stick with the same workout you've been executing in the off season, just decrease the volume and maintain what you've built.

[psychodiver9]

Your focus mid season needs to be on maintenance. You shouldn't be worried about getting stronger, which starting strength is going to focus on. You should stick with the same workout you've been executing in the off season, just decrease the volume and maintain what you've built.

i agree. season is for performance. off season is for building

[afranco527]

The reason why I said starting strength was because its only 3 days per week, the one I'm doing now is 4, and also less volume. I don't think 4 days a week will fit into this coming semester.

[Miataman15]

I used to pitch a lot, now I have some shoulder difficulties. I want to walk onto my college team, any good workouts for shoulder strengthening? I want to last longer than 5 innings.

[ven33]

I used to pitch a lot, now I have some shoulder difficulties. I want to walk onto my college team, any good workouts for shoulder strengthening? I want to last longer than 5 innings.

Nothing beats the combination of rotator cuff workouts and throwing. The best way to obtain a stronger arm is through a well designed long toss program. Too many players have what they think is a solid throwing program but unless it incorporates game style arm slot simulation with intensity it's worthless.

If you need help with a program and me a quick pm.

[bluelegsforever]

Initially read this as basketballers, but hey I'll try my luck.

Are there any basketballers who'd be willing to answer some questions?

I'm just starting with basketball but I'm really struggling. Struggle with people driving at me, my rebounds are poor (I don't box out well), and I panic my shots in game.

[tozlanski01]

I graduated last year and have kinda slipped the ball on staying in shape other than playing this summer and working out 4-6 times a week. I've gotten my strength back and have been following my previously schools workout plan for the most part. I've mostly been trying to run more and get my stamina back on the mound haven't started throwing off a mound again, but have started throwing again.
I would like to tryout this spring. (Not saying I want to go straight to rookie ball, but start off in an independent league or something along those lines) Just want to at least say I gave it a shot and not just let my childhood dreams slip away. I was just wondering if there is any advice you guys have for getting an edge on the competition to give myself the best shot at making a team. Any advice is appreciated.

[psychodiver9]

I graduated last year and have kinda slipped the ball on staying in shape other than playing this summer and working out 4-6 times a week. I've gotten my strength back and have been following my previously schools workout plan for the most part. I've mostly been trying to run more and get my stamina back on the mound haven't started throwing off a mound again, but have started throwing again.
I would like to tryout this spring. (Not saying I want to go straight to rookie ball, but start off in an independent league or something along those lines) Just want to at least say I gave it a shot and not just let my childhood dreams slip away. I was just wondering if there is any advice you guys have for getting an edge on the competition to give myself the best shot at making a team. Any advice is appreciated.

no offense man but if you played in college and weren't talked to by scouts then you really don't have a chance, especially if you haven't been throwing or playing at all. if you were good enough to play pro ball they would have seen you. maybe look into some local adult or semi pro teams

[johnvcarlo]

hey im 16 years old and go to a small school in Ny, how can i get noticed by colleges? I really love baseball and just playing in college is my dream. I also lift 3-4 days a week and max out every 3 weeks or so, when the season comes how should my lifting schedule change? Thank you so much in advance

[psychodiver9]

hey im 16 years old and go to a small school in Ny, how can i get noticed by colleges? I really love baseball and just playing in college is my dream. I also lift 3-4 days a week and max out every 3 weeks or so, when the season comes how should my lifting schedule change? Thank you so much in advance

Make video and send to schools of interest and go to showcases

[mbland02]

I graduated last year and have kinda slipped the ball on staying in shape other than playing this summer and working out 4-6 times a week. I've gotten my strength back and have been following my previously schools workout plan for the most part. I've mostly been trying to run more and get my stamina back on the mound haven't started throwing off a mound again, but have started throwing again.
I would like to tryout this spring. (Not saying I want to go straight to rookie ball, but start off in an independent league or something along those lines) Just want to at least say I gave it a shot and not just let my childhood dreams slip away. I was just wondering if there is any advice you guys have for getting an edge on the competition to give myself the best shot at making a team. Any advice is appreciated.

Most independent teams have a open tryout before the season starts and sometimes people get taken from there, but to be honest most of the time you will not get a pro contract from independent ball because the baseball really is not that good. it is more for older pros that cannot play in the minors anymore. I know plenty of guys that played independent ball and it is fun but very time consuming and the pay is chit. I don't know where you are from but after my college career I played townball or amateur baseball in my area as well as every summer in college. Played against and with some very good competition mix of former pros and d1 players. it is fun and more laid back.

[jchin1022]

So I rained a small muscle in my rotator cuff 3 years ago... healed by itself but my season for organized 18+ ball starts in 2months. I'm currently on a heavy lifting program until the end of the month and then I plan on switching to more light weight/high rep workouts. I pitch and play outfield.
Also my friend is a catcher but he's new to the whole working out, suggestions for him. Really want to work on explosiveness but he's kind of a short and stubby.

Recommendations?

[ven33]

So I rained a small muscle in my rotator cuff 3 years ago... healed by itself but my season for organized 18+ ball starts in 2months. I'm currently on a heavy lifting program until the end of the month and then I plan on switching to more light weight/high rep workouts. I pitch and play outfield.
Also my friend is a catcher but he's new to the whole working out, suggestions for him. Really want to work on explosiveness but he's kind of a short and stubby.

Recommendations?

So the one thing that most people forget about in the gym is that timing is everything. When you go through your lifts, what are you thinking about? Do you know how long it takes you to go through the deccentric and eccentric phases of the lift?

With that said, there's a difference in tempo between hypertrophy and explosiveness. When training for hypertrophy, it's recommended to keep your tempo in the 3-1-3/2-1-2 range. This means the deccentric timing should be two seconds, the hold at the bottom should be 1 second, and the eccentric movement should be two seconds.

If training for explosiveness and speed, you should be working in the 2-1-X range. THis means 2 seconds down, 1 second hold at the bottom, and then the eccentric should be as fast/hard as you can push in a controlled manner.

Again, you do not have to change the lifts that you do, you just need to modify the weight so that you can support that weight over the amount of time that outlined above.

[KGD26]

Hello,

I manage a mens amateur baseball team in the Twin Cities. We are looking for a few players, mainly pitchers. The competion is good, some current and fromer D1 players and ex minor leaguers play in our league. Have even been a few ex major leaguers in the past. If anyone in the area is looking for a team or knows someone, let me know. We have a training facility we use, owned by a guy on the team. We'll give anyone a chance to come in and try out.

Thanks

[idoitnojoke]

hey ven, I'm a 16 year old sophomore. I pitch and play the outfield, and was wondering if you had any tips for trying out to help maximize my chances of making the team? and also if you had any tips on getting my arm into the best shape to be able to be at its best in terms of recovery and/or loosening up?

[ven33]

hey ven, I'm a 16 year old sophomore. I pitch and play the outfield, and was wondering if you had any tips for trying out to help maximize my chances of making the team? and also if you had any tips on getting my arm into the best shape to be able to be at its best in terms of recovery and/or loosening up?

Just to confirm, you mean trying out for your High School team? If so, here's what I am going to recommend:

1. Hustle. All the time.

2. Coaches want players that have the fundamentals and are willing to be coached. The worst thing you could do is not to something the coach recommends. If he tells you to get up to the plate and do a hand stand and hit, you do it. Period.

3. Don't try to hit homeruns when hitting. Coaches care more about your ability to get on base.

4. When pitching, PITCH don't throw. No one cares if you can throw 88 on the gun if it is completely inaccurate. Throw strikes.


As for arm strength, a proper throwing program is the biggest key to arm strength. A progression program that focuses on using 90%-100% of maximal effort is the key. Your goal should be to throw the ball on a line (slightly arc'd....maybe a 5 degree arc) the entire time. You should start close and work as far back as your arm is capable. Once you reach the point where you are throwing line drives at maximum effort and one hopping your partner...that's the point where you want to stop moving back. Throw at least 20 times from the maximal distance then start to move back in.

You'll notice that over time that maximal distance is going to get further and further back.

Any other questions just let me know.

Also, if you are looking for a good read for guys your age, let me know. I'll PM you a link to my book.

[psychodiver9]

^that x10

[mbland02]

Just to confirm, you mean trying out for your High School team? If so, here's what I am going to recommend:

1. Hustle. All the time.

2. Coaches want players that have the fundamentals and are willing to be coached. The worst thing you could do is not to something the coach recommends. If he tells you to get up to the plate and do a hand stand and hit, you do it. Period.

3. Don't try to hit homeruns when hitting. Coaches care more about your ability to get on base.

4. When pitching, PITCH don't throw. No one cares if you can throw 88 on the gun if it is completely inaccurate. Throw strikes.


As for arm strength, a proper throwing program is the biggest key to arm strength. A progression program that focuses on using 90%-100% of maximal effort is the key. Your goal should be to throw the ball on a line (slightly arc'd....maybe a 5 degree arc) the entire time. You should start close and work as far back as your arm is capable. Once you reach the point where you are throwing line drives at maximum effort and one hopping your partner...that's the point where you want to stop moving back. Throw at least 20 times from the maximal distance then start to move back in.

You'll notice that over time that maximal distance is going to get further and further back.

Any other questions just let me know.

Also, if you are looking for a good read for guys your age, let me know. I'll PM you a link to my book.

Couldn't have said it better myself

[ooDC]

Since this is full of baseball players, I use to have a combat b3 or b4 I forget but last season I almost hit a homer with it on a 340 ft field? Also hit a ground rule double, and 2 triples in one game. Then it busted in the middle so Combat sent me a replacement.. Its a combat pure ab? -3 for HS ball.. Im looking to get a better bbcor bat. I was looking at a Rip-It, Marucci Team, or Easton s3? What would you all reccomend out of ALL bats not just those 3.

[snbuf]

hey
In season workout should be maintenance.
what kind of work out routein is good to do?
of season i was doing heavy weight got good strength as well . was going to gym 4 times a week. 2 muscles a day, 4 exercise 3 sets 5-7 reps/

now what should i do for in season . also what kind of nutrition should i have?
if you can help.

Thank you!!