Open Hitting Sundays at The Baseball Barn

Sundays 12 Noon to 2PM

Come in and get a great hitting workout with our staff throwing soft toss in our hitting tunnels. A great way to get swings in for a very low cost!

Open Hitting is limited to 30 people per day. Cost $10 per session.

Back Foot-Toe Drill to Strengthen the Back Toe/Leg - The Baseball Barn

Rich goes over a great exercise to strengthen your back toe and leg for your baseball swing.

See more at http://www.vvbaseballbarn.com

Eight Essentials of Post-Pitching Recovery

By By Jim Ronai MS, PT, ATC, CSCS Member, USA Baseball Medical/Safety Advisory Committee /  August 11, 2009

The institution of the pitch count in youth baseball represents a positive step towards ensuring that the game of baseball is safer both in the present and future careers of young pitchers.

As an adjunct to this new pitch count regulation and in an attempt to protect the health and safety of youth baseball pitchers, the following post-performance suggestions are offered. Since most youth baseball pitchers are typically removed from the mound, but not necessarily from the game, these suggestions are intended for post-game or for a time when the pitcher is considered done for the day.

1. Children learn most effectively with a consistent routine. All athletes need to have a routine that they perform both pre- and post-game. The routine should be monitored and consistent. Athletes need to know that the routine needs to be completed correctly before they will be permitted to participate in subsequent game or practice play.

2. Perform a “cool down activity.” Have pitchers jog for four to six minutes, to the point when they start to sweat. This increases general blood flow throughout the body and prepares the body for a post-performance flexibility routine. Increasing blood flow allows the body to circulate oxygenated blood to fatigued muscles. Oxygenated blood helps soft tissues recover and heal following activity.

Here is the entire article:
http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090811&content_id=6372044&vkey=news_usab&gid= 

Coach Mills Comments:

This is a pretty good article with some good advice for the most part except for the #6 essential which says…

6. Having a cooler of ice available in the dugout is an important part of optimizing a pitcher’s recovery. Keep a few bags of ice available for pitchers to apply to their shoulders and elbows following a pitching outing. Never apply ice directly to the skin or for more than 12-15 minutes. Also be aware of the Ulnar nerve found in the area of the “funny bone,” and be sure not to apply ice directly over it.

The author, who has credentials needs to look at the research on icing.  There is no research that supports icing. It is counterproductive and should not be used after pitching or should not be used for injuries in general.  See my article and the research on icing.

3. Spend five minutes on a post-game, “static flexibility program.” Incorporate movements for the forearms, shoulders as well as the torso and lower body.

For those interested in a pre-pitching warm-up and post-pitching recovery routine, here is one we recommend. Watch the video for more information.

Article Source: Pitching.com

How to Use Drills to Improve Your Swing - The Baseball Barn

Coach Rich goes over how to implement drills to improve your swing. See more at http://www.vvbaseballbarn.com

Science of Hitting -- Composite vs. Aluminum

Today's bats are made from aluminum or composite.

There are several different grades of aluminum. Lower price point bats are made with lower grade aluminum and are great for beginning players or recreational players.

If you're playing at a more competitive level, you're probably going to want a bat made with a high performance alloy. A high performance alloy will allow the bat to have a longer barrel, a bigger drop weight and lower MOI (or faster swing speed).

Bats made from Composite materials are usually the best performing. Composite materials are usually lighter than aluminum and can be engineered to maximize both barrel length (sweet spot), and the swing weight.

Short to the Ball - How To Have A Compact Swing -Baseball or Fastpitch - The Baseball Barn

Rich demonstrates using a tee during a great drill to help improve a more compact baseball/fastpitch swing. See more at http://www.vvbaseballbarn.com

Between Innings - Talk on First

Know what goes on at first base in the big leagues? Only those on base can tell you what's said.

Adam Jones, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin and Jacoby Ellsbury reveal what kinds of conversations ensue at first.