<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Baseball Heaven Archives - Axcess Baseball</title> <atom:link href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/baseball-heaven/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/baseball-heaven/</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 17 Aug 2019 02:04:11 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-x-icon-32x32.jpg</url> <title>Baseball Heaven Archives - Axcess Baseball</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/baseball-heaven/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Who Were the Top Performers At Today’s BCP Showcase?</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/08/17/who-were-the-top-performers-at-todays-bcp-showcase/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=who-were-the-top-performers-at-todays-bcp-showcase</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 17 Aug 2019 02:04:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Baseball Heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blue Chip Prospects]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=42656</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Brady Clark (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) Brady Clark (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) touching 80 MPH with a 72 MPH breaking ball pic.twitter.com/TqTDVy0xL1 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 16, 2019 Liam Stemmler (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) Liam Stemmler (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) sitting 77-79 touching 80 MPH pic.twitter.com/HiFoXVey1M — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 16, 2019 Coach Jim Moccio is fortunate to have both of these young power pitchers for the next four seasons. I put them together because they are similar players. Both are high-end power pitchers that look ready for the varsity level right now. 78-80 MPH at this age is pretty rare and given their size, I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually were in the 88-90 MPH range in three years. Stemmler also showed off his cannon from right field looking like a seasoned vet using his momentum to get into optimal throwing position. Allen Hernandez (Don Bosco Prep 2023) Allen Hernandez (Don Bosco 2023) up to 82 MPH from low 3/4 pic.twitter.com/0tN5feu3ri — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 16, 2019 Man child is the only thing that comes to mind when watching Hernandez. He was sitting 82 MPH from a low 3/4 arm slot and mixed in a wipeout slider to boot. He’s very raw on the mound but the 6’1 205 lb frame is impossible to ignore. He also showed off his strong arm from third base, and showed some agility on the slow roller throwing a strike on the run. At the plate, he mainly used his arms but he has great bat-to-ball skills. When he learns to utilize his lower half he will develop light tower power. A true high-level follow for the future. He hasn’t even stepped foot in a high school yet. Richie Heyder (Sachem East 2022) I love my lefties. He’s young and he has some physical maturing to do but the tools are there. He had clean mechanics, very good fastball command and a great feel for his change up which is crucial at the high school level. At first, he was well above-average turning the 3-6-3 DP, showed smooth hands and a quick transfer and accurate throws. My instinct tells me he will be an impact pitcher right away. Jason Fioto (Shoreham-Wading River 2020) Jason Fioto (Shoreham-Wading River 2020) sitting 83-85 MPH with clean mechanics pic.twitter.com/eCciewweag — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 16, 2019 SWR is a factory for pitchers. He looks like he can be the next one. Sitting 83-85 MPH with pretty arm action, he was impressive. Aeden Forde (St. John the Baptist 2022) Aeden was on the varsity team as a freshman. He’s performed very well this summer, hitting .413 and compiling a 2.48 ERA on the mound. I think he will be a two-way player on varsity for the next three seasons. Terrific mechanics on the mound and smooth defensively, he’s certainly a player to watch in the CHSAA. Joe Leone (Plainedge 2021) Leone was arguably the best defensive infielder in attendance. He showed outstanding hands, a quick transfer and strong, accurate throws across the infield. He ran a 6.8 60-yard dash–the fastest time in attendance and ripped line drives all over the field in BP. All the coaches seemed to be impressed with him.  </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/08/17/who-were-the-top-performers-at-todays-bcp-showcase/">Who Were the Top Performers At Today’s BCP Showcase?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Brady Clark (Bayport-Blue Point 2023)</strong></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Brady Clark (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) touching 80 MPH with a 72 MPH breaking ball <a href="https://t.co/TqTDVy0xL1">pic.twitter.com/TqTDVy0xL1</a></p> <p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1162425552155885574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong>Liam Stemmler (Bayport-Blue Point 2023)</strong></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Liam Stemmler (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) sitting 77-79 touching 80 MPH <a href="https://t.co/HiFoXVey1M">pic.twitter.com/HiFoXVey1M</a></p> <p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1162427100642627585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Coach Jim Moccio is fortunate to have both of these young power pitchers for the next four seasons. I put them together because they are similar players. Both are high-end power pitchers that look ready for the varsity level right now. 78-80 MPH at this age is pretty rare and given their size, I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually were in the 88-90 MPH range in three years. Stemmler also showed off his cannon from right field looking like a seasoned vet using his momentum to get into optimal throwing position.</p> <p><strong>Allen Hernandez (Don Bosco Prep 2023)</strong></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Allen Hernandez (Don Bosco 2023) up to 82 MPH from low 3/4 <a href="https://t.co/0tN5feu3ri">pic.twitter.com/0tN5feu3ri</a></p> <p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1162443989745881088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Man child is the only thing that comes to mind when watching Hernandez. He was sitting 82 MPH from a low 3/4 arm slot and mixed in a wipeout slider to boot. He’s very raw on the mound but the 6’1 205 lb frame is impossible to ignore. He also showed off his strong arm from third base, and showed some agility on the slow roller throwing a strike on the run. At the plate, he mainly used his arms but he has great bat-to-ball skills. When he learns to utilize his lower half he will develop light tower power. A true high-level follow for the future. He hasn’t even stepped foot in a high school yet.</p> <p><strong>Richie Heyder (Sachem East 2022)</strong></p> <p>I love my lefties. He’s young and he has some physical maturing to do but the tools are there. He had clean mechanics, very good fastball command and a great feel for his change up which is crucial at the high school level. At first, he was well above-average turning the 3-6-3 DP, showed smooth hands and a quick transfer and accurate throws. My instinct tells me he will be an impact pitcher right away.</p> <p><strong>Jason Fioto (Shoreham-Wading River 2020)</strong></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jason Fioto (Shoreham-Wading River 2020) sitting 83-85 MPH with clean mechanics <a href="https://t.co/eCciewweag">pic.twitter.com/eCciewweag</a></p> <p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1162435486553726976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>SWR is a factory for pitchers. He looks like he can be the next one. Sitting 83-85 MPH with pretty arm action, he was impressive.</p> <p><strong>Aeden Forde (St. John the Baptist 2022)</strong></p> <p>Aeden was on the varsity team as a freshman. He’s performed very well this summer, hitting .413 and compiling a 2.48 ERA on the mound. I think he will be a two-way player on varsity for the next three seasons. Terrific mechanics on the mound and smooth defensively, he’s certainly a player to watch in the CHSAA.</p> <p><strong>Joe Leone (Plainedge 2021)</strong></p> <p>Leone was arguably the best defensive infielder in attendance. He showed outstanding hands, a quick transfer and strong, accurate throws across the infield. He ran a 6.8 60-yard dash–the fastest time in attendance and ripped line drives all over the field in BP. All the coaches seemed to be impressed with him.</p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/08/17/who-were-the-top-performers-at-todays-bcp-showcase/">Who Were the Top Performers At Today’s BCP Showcase?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Team Steel Gold Wins Back And Forth Battle</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/06/20/team-steel-gold-wins-back-and-forth-battle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=team-steel-gold-wins-back-and-forth-battle</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brett Goldstein]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jun 2019 12:44:53 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Game Recaps]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Baseball Heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[East Coast Youth Baseball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Islip Owls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team Steel]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=42178</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Final: Steel 12, Owls 9. pic.twitter.com/N432pbzpm1 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 20, 2019 On a muggy, foggy night at Baseball Heaven, Team Steel Gold came away with their first victory of the season, defeating the Islip Owls by a score of 12-9. Team Steel wasted no time getting a lead, scoring four runs in the first. With one out, Brayden Alemaghides worked a walk and stole second. Alex Casey followed up with a double, giving Steel their first lead. Casey then advanced to third and then scored on a pair of passed balls. With two guys out, Nikolas Infante reached on an error. James Minutillo made the Owls pay, blasting a home run to left field, giving his team a four run cushion in the first. The Owls clawed away at the deficit that they faced, scoring a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Louis Poulos worked a walk, then stole second and third. The following batter, Matthew Waters, also worked a walk. Waters then got caught too far off of first base, getting caught in a rundown. While the defense attempted to erase Waters from the base paths, Poulos made his way home, scoring the first run of the game for the Owls. While Steel was unable to muster up much offense in the second inning, the Owls went to work. Jordan Drago reached on a dropped third strike. He then stole second, and later came around to score on a single from Dylan Casani. The following two batters were retired, but a double brought Casani in, and brought the Owls to within a run. A walk put two runners on for Alex Rahner, who singled, and advanced to second on the throw. With the score now tied 4-4, Gregory McSweeney popped up to the second baseman for what should have been the final out of the inning. However, the play wasn’t made, and two runs scored, giving the Owls a 6-4 lead after two full innings. Steel took the lead right back, scoring three runs of their own in the top of the third, making it a 7-6 game. Once again, the Owls answered back, scoring two runs of their own. Matthew Pasfield delivered the big blow with a two run double to left field. The Owls once again were ahead, now 8-7 after three innings of play. Consistent with the way the rest of the game was going, there was another lead change in the fourth inning. Steel came through with five runs to take the lead, displaying patience at the plate, as they were willing to take walks to put runners on. As the top half of the inning came to an end, it was apparent that this would be the final inning due to the time limit. The Owls would not go down without a fight, and their first three batters reached base in their half of the inning. With the game potentially on the line, Team Steel made the call to the bullpen, bringing in Alex Casey to try to escape a bases loaded jam with no outs. After inducing a weak infield popup, Casey got the following batter to fly out to center field, allowing an inherited runner to score. “After that, then I felt good, I knew we could make plays,” Casey said of the fly out to center. However, he didn’t need his fielders for another play after that, as he got the next batter to whiff at a curveball for the final out of the game. The 12-9 victory was the first of the season for Team Steel Gold, improving to 1-4 on the season. It was the fourth loss of the season for the Islip Owls, who remain searching for their first win of the season.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/06/20/team-steel-gold-wins-back-and-forth-battle/">Team Steel Gold Wins Back And Forth Battle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Final: Steel 12, Owls 9. <a href="https://t.co/N432pbzpm1">pic.twitter.com/N432pbzpm1</a></p> <p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1141540161362255874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>On a muggy, foggy night at<em> Baseball Heaven</em>,<strong> Team Steel Gold</strong> came away with their first victory of the season, defeating the <strong>Islip Owls</strong> by a score of 12-9.</p> <p>Team Steel wasted no time getting a lead, scoring four runs in the first. With one out, <strong>Brayden Alemaghides</strong> worked a walk and stole second.<strong> Alex Casey</strong> followed up with a double, giving Steel their first lead. Casey then advanced to third and then scored on a pair of passed balls. With two guys out,<strong> Nikolas Infante</strong> reached on an error.<strong> James Minutillo</strong> made the Owls pay, blasting a home run to left field, giving his team a four run cushion in the first.</p> <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-40053 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/all-pro-1-300x258.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="258" /></p> <p>The Owls clawed away at the deficit that they faced, scoring a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. <strong>Louis Poulos</strong> worked a walk, then stole second and third. The following batter,<strong> Matthew Waters</strong>, also worked a walk. Waters then got caught too far off of first base, getting caught in a rundown. While the defense attempted to erase Waters from the base paths, Poulos made his way home, scoring the first run of the game for the Owls.</p> <p>While Steel was unable to muster up much offense in the second inning, the Owls went to work.<strong> Jordan Drago</strong> reached on a dropped third strike. He then stole second, and later came around to score on a single from<strong> Dylan Casani</strong>. The following two batters were retired, but a double brought Casani in, and brought the Owls to within a run. A walk put two runners on for<strong> Alex Rahner</strong>, who singled, and advanced to second on the throw. With the score now tied 4-4, <strong>Gregory McSweeney</strong> popped up to the second baseman for what should have been the final out of the inning. However, the play wasn’t made, and two runs scored, giving the Owls a 6-4 lead after two full innings.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-41907 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/69A9AF0E-0427-41DE-A514-550A3DCA19C8-240x300.png" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/69A9AF0E-0427-41DE-A514-550A3DCA19C8-240x300.png 240w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/69A9AF0E-0427-41DE-A514-550A3DCA19C8-768x960.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/69A9AF0E-0427-41DE-A514-550A3DCA19C8-819x1024.png 819w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/69A9AF0E-0427-41DE-A514-550A3DCA19C8.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></p> <p>Steel took the lead right back, scoring three runs of their own in the top of the third, making it a 7-6 game. Once again, the Owls answered back, scoring two runs of their own. <strong>Matthew Pasfield</strong> delivered the big blow with a two run double to left field. The Owls once again were ahead, now 8-7 after three innings of play.</p> <p>Consistent with the way the rest of the game was going, there was another lead change in the fourth inning. Steel came through with five runs to take the lead, displaying patience at the plate, as they were willing to take walks to put runners on. As the top half of the inning came to an end, it was apparent that this would be the final inning due to the time limit.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-35275 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/unnamed.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p> <p>The Owls would not go down without a fight, and their first three batters reached base in their half of the inning. With the game potentially on the line, Team Steel made the call to the bullpen, bringing in<strong> Alex Casey</strong> to try to escape a bases loaded jam with no outs. After inducing a weak infield popup, Casey got the following batter to fly out to center field, allowing an inherited runner to score.</p> <p>“After that, then I felt good, I knew we could make plays,” Casey said of the fly out to center. However, he didn’t need his fielders for another play after that, as he got the next batter to whiff at a curveball for the final out of the game.</p> <p>The 12-9 victory was the first of the season for Team Steel Gold, improving to 1-4 on the season. It was the fourth loss of the season for the Islip Owls, who remain searching for their first win of the season.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/06/20/team-steel-gold-wins-back-and-forth-battle/">Team Steel Gold Wins Back And Forth Battle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/03/06/frank-catalanotto-which-hitting-drills-work-best-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frank-catalanotto-which-hitting-drills-work-best-3</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Fcat27]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2019 16:21:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Baseball Heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Catalanotto]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NYIT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NYIT baseball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=40871</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>(Frank is a 14-year MLB veteran. He is a 1992 graduate of Smithtown East HS, where he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. He compiled a .291 AVG in over 3,800 at bats. He is the Head Coach of NYIT and gives lessons for Steel Sports Academy at Baseball Heaven. This article originally was published in 2017.) by Frank Catalanotto The truth is that everyone is different, so when it comes to baseball and hitting drills, you need to find out which ones work for you and which ones don’t. The repetition of the drills is so important. Part of getting better is teaching muscle memory–especially for younger kids. Here are some that worked for me. One arm drills might be my favorite because each arm gets strengthened individually. I would get a small, lightweight bat and have someone flip balls to me. With just my front arm, I would take 10-15 swings and then switch to the back arm. I always wanted to make sure each arm and hand were working correctly, focusing on staying inside the ball making sure I was leading with the knob of the bat. Also, I would reach out toward the pitcher with the bat after contact to ensure I was getting the most amount of extension possible. I would do one arm drills every day before batting practice. By doing each arm separately, you can find any weakness or flaw that could be the reason for any struggles you may be having at the plate. After I did my one arm drills, I’d always go right into front flips. The coach would stand about 15 feet away behind an L screen and flip balls underhanded. I liked to do these after the one arm drills in order to now have both arms and hands working together. I would have the coach flip 5 balls away, 5 in the middle and 5 inside, then I’d finish off with 5 more away. Since the speed of the pitched balls wasn’t very fast, I felt like I could really concentrate on feeling the mechanics of my swing and make sure it was working correctly. A third drill I liked to do was a rapid fire drill. This was especially effective when I felt like my hands were slow. Have the coach flip about 10 balls from the side quickly one after the other giving you just enough time to get your hands back. Make sure not to stride as this is just a drill for your hands. Take a breather after 10 and then do another 10. This drill will quicken up your hands and really allow you to feel the whip of your top hand. The last drill I recommend and that I used quite a bit when I was a teenager at home is the wiffle golf ball/broom handle drill. First, cut a broom handle to a comfortable size and get a bunch of wiffle golf balls. Next, have someone flip the ball to you and try to hit it. It’s not easy, especially at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. The theory is if you can hit a tiny golf ball with a broom stick that’s only about an inch-thick, imagine how much easier it will be when you have to hit a much bigger ball with a much thicker bat. This drill really improves eye/hand coordination and it’s great to do before a game! Also, it can be done individually with each arm one at a time. You don’t even need to have a partner for this drill; simply tie a string through the wiffle golf ball and attach it to the ceiling somewhere in the garage or basement. The ball will always come back to you</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/03/06/frank-catalanotto-which-hitting-drills-work-best-3/">Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(Frank is a 14-year MLB veteran. He is a 1992 graduate of Smithtown East HS, where he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. He compiled a .291 AVG in over 3,800 at bats. He is the Head Coach of NYIT and gives lessons for Steel Sports Academy at Baseball Heaven. This article originally was published in 2017.)</em></p> <p><em><strong>by Frank Catalanotto</strong></em></p> <p>The truth is that everyone is different, so when it comes to baseball and hitting drills, you need to find out which ones work for you and which ones don’t. The repetition of the drills is so important. Part of getting better is teaching muscle memory–especially for younger kids. Here are some that worked for me.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-40872 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BBH2.png" alt="" width="284" height="177" /></p> <p>One arm drills might be my favorite because each arm gets strengthened individually. I would get a small, lightweight bat and have someone flip balls to me. With just my front arm, I would take 10-15 swings and then switch to the back arm. I always wanted to make sure each arm and hand were working correctly, focusing on staying inside the ball making sure I was leading with the knob of the bat. Also, I would reach out toward the pitcher with the bat after contact to ensure I was getting the most amount of extension possible. I would do one arm drills every day before batting practice. By doing each arm separately, you can find any weakness or flaw that could be the reason for any struggles you may be having at the plate.</p> <p>After I did my one arm drills, I’d always go right into front flips. The coach would stand about 15 feet away behind an L screen and flip balls underhanded. I liked to do these after the one arm drills in order to now have both arms and hands working together. I would have the coach flip 5 balls away, 5 in the middle and 5 inside, then I’d finish off with 5 more away. Since the speed of the pitched balls wasn’t very fast, I felt like I could really concentrate on feeling the mechanics of my swing and make sure it was working correctly.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-37076 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/longislandthunder-300x47.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="47" /></p> <p>A third drill I liked to do was a rapid fire drill. This was especially effective when I felt like my hands were slow. Have the coach flip about 10 balls from the side quickly one after the other giving you just enough time to get your hands back. Make sure not to stride as this is just a drill for your hands. Take a breather after 10 and then do another 10. This drill will quicken up your hands and really allow you to feel the whip of your top hand.</p> <p>The last drill I recommend and that I used quite a bit when I was a teenager at home is the wiffle golf ball/broom handle drill. First, cut a broom handle to a comfortable size and get a bunch of wiffle golf balls. Next, have someone flip the ball to you and try to hit it. It’s not easy, especially at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. The theory is if you can hit a tiny golf ball with a broom stick that’s only about an inch-thick, imagine how much easier it will be when you have to hit a much bigger ball with a much thicker bat. This drill really improves eye/hand coordination and it’s great to do before a game! Also, it can be done individually with each arm one at a time. You don’t even need to have a partner for this drill; simply tie a string through the wiffle golf ball and attach it to the ceiling somewhere in the garage or basement. The ball will always come back to you</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2019/03/06/frank-catalanotto-which-hitting-drills-work-best-3/">Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Up Next: Taj Farmer</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2018/12/21/up-next-taj-farmer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=up-next-taj-farmer</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2018 18:58:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Baseball Heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Taj Farmer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team Steel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=39164</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>We’ve spent some time discussing the Catholic League this off-season, specifically the two programs with new Head Coaches; St. Dominic and St. Anthony’s. To me, the latter of which is the favorite to capture the CHSAA title this season. One player that likely won’t factor in this season–but certainly in the near future–is ninth grader Taj Farmer. Born Tajjiddin Farmer, he is coming off one of the types of seasons that turns heads. He batted .430 with 55 hits (27 extra-base hits) and 72 RBI. I had the chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say… Who are some players in Major League Baseball that you try to emulate? Miguel Cabrera is currently my favorite player because of his approach and success at the plate. Also Mike Trout, for his all-around versatility on the field. These are two players I strive to play like. Who are some individuals that have had an impact on your life? My dad has played a huge influence on my life as he has taught me–and still continues to teach me–about how hard work pays off. Whether he is driving me to games, practices, or taking me out to hit, I know he is 100% committed to my dream of becoming a professional baseball player. My mom also plays a big role in my life, as I know whatever the result of my game is, I’ll always be coming home to her cheering me up and giving me confidence. She also teaches me how to be humble and treat others how I would like to be treated. You had a fantastic 2018 season from a statistical standpoint; how would you evaluate it? My 2018 season was probably one of my best seasons. I think I matured as a player and although I faced a lot of challenging teams and players, staying confident and level-headed helped me to be successful. What has been the biggest thrill of your playing career? The biggest thrill of my baseball career has been traveling. Whether I’m playing winter ball in Florida or playing Ripken tournaments in South Carolina, playing baseball away from home is always fun and something I look forward to. With 2019 right around the corner, what do you feel you still need to improve on? I feel to improve as a player I need to focus equally on every aspect of my craft. This will help me become more of a complete player and will put me at less of a disadvantage as coaches can depend on me in any situation. What are your goals for 2019? My goals for 2019 is to become more consistent whether it’s my pitching, hitting, throwing, etc. I would like to become a better teammate and support my team at all costs. What what the motivation behind transferring to St. Anthony’s? I decided to attend St. Anthony’s HS because, not only does the school have a great reputation and great coaching staff, but also because I knew its strict/rigorous academic standards would help further my education to the max. Who are your favorite musical artists? My favorite music artists are Drake and Trippie Redd Do you have any superstitions? The only superstitions I have are: my uniform should cover my belt if I’m looking at it, and I do not step on the foul lines before or during the game.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2018/12/21/up-next-taj-farmer/">Up Next: Taj Farmer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We’ve spent some time discussing the Catholic League this off-season, specifically the two programs with new Head Coaches;<strong> St. Dominic</strong> and <strong>St. Anthony’s</strong>.</p> <p>To me, the latter of which is the favorite to capture the CHSAA title this season. One player that likely won’t factor in this season–but certainly in the near future–is ninth grader <strong>Taj Farmer.</strong></p> <p>Born Tajjiddin Farmer, he is coming off one of the types of seasons that turns heads. He batted .430 with 55 hits (27 extra-base hits) and 72 RBI.</p> <p>I had the chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-33407 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/unnamed-300x172.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="172" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/unnamed-300x172.jpg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/unnamed-768x441.jpg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/unnamed.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p><em><strong>Who are some players in Major League Baseball that you try to emulate?</strong></em></p> <p>Miguel Cabrera is currently my favorite player because of his approach and success at the plate. Also Mike Trout, for his all-around versatility on the field. These are two players I strive to play like.</p> <p><em><strong>Who are some individuals that have had an impact on your life?</strong></em></p> <div dir="auto">My dad has played a huge influence on my life as he has taught me–and still continues to teach me–about how hard work pays off. Whether he is driving me to games, practices, or taking me out to hit, I know he is 100% committed to my dream of becoming a professional baseball player. My mom also plays a big role in my life, as I know whatever the result of my game is, I’ll always be coming home to her cheering me up and giving me confidence. She also teaches me how to be humble and treat others how I would like to be treated.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>You had a fantastic 2018 season from a statistical standpoint; how would you evaluate it?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">My 2018 season was probably one of my best seasons. I think I matured as a player and although I faced a lot of challenging teams and players, staying confident and level-headed helped me to be successful.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>What has been the biggest thrill of your playing career?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">The biggest thrill of my baseball career has been traveling. Whether I’m playing winter ball in Florida or playing Ripken tournaments in South Carolina, playing baseball away from home is always fun and something I look forward to.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>With 2019 right around the corner, what do you feel you still need to improve on?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">I feel to improve as a player I need to focus equally on every aspect of my craft. This will help me become more of a complete player and will put me at less of a disadvantage as coaches can depend on me in any situation.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>What are your goals for 2019?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">My goals for 2019 is to become more consistent whether it’s my pitching, hitting, throwing, etc. I would like to become a better teammate and support my team at all costs.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>What what the motivation behind transferring to St. Anthony’s?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">I decided to attend St. Anthony’s HS because, not only does the school have a great reputation and great coaching staff, but also because I knew its strict/rigorous academic standards would help further my education to the max.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>Who are your favorite musical artists?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">My favorite music artists are Drake and Trippie Redd</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"><em><strong>Do you have any superstitions?</strong></em></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">The only superstitions I have are: my uniform should cover my belt if I’m looking at it, and I do not step on the foul lines before or during the game.</div> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2018/12/21/up-next-taj-farmer/">Up Next: Taj Farmer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Camelot Knights Quickly Becoming a Premier Organization</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2018/01/20/camelot-knights-quickly-becoming-premier-organization/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=camelot-knights-quickly-becoming-premier-organization</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jan 2018 15:47:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Baseball Heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brad Jackson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Camelot Knights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Max Effort Baseball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=32685</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>JJ Palumbo of the Camelot Knights working on a hitting drill pic.twitter.com/5TkbGkTuss — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 20, 2018 One of the keys to team success is continuity–especially at the younger levels. The Camelot Knights have built their program’s success with this principle and their players are still only 11-years-old. “We go to battle with the same kids every week,” said Joe Palumbo, Director of the Camelot Knights. “The nucleus of this team has legitimately played together since they were 8-years-old. This is a group of friends that will be friends in 20 years and when they’re old and gray will be talking about these days on Facebook,” he said jokingly. What he does not joke about is the rapid ascension of the organization. What initially started out as one team that was formed after frustration with the lack of progression of their little league, has now expanded into seven teams. They are coming off a very successful season in which the two teams at the 10U level played in 75 games and won a number of tournaments including the Tommy Lasorda Summer Showdown at Baseball Heaven and Future Stars in Hershey, PA. This was while playing up a year. Head Coach Dom Del Vecchio spoke glowingly of the quality of his players and the effort they put in this past year to achieve that success. He noted the team was led by Jordan Babbo, who paced the team in all major offensive categories including batting AVG, HR and RBI. “He’s our No. 2 hitter, plays first baseman and is very consistent at the plate,” he stated. He was far from the only contributor on the team, though. “JJ Palumbo is our catcher and No. 3 hitter. He was also at the top of every offensive statistical category. Nick Del Vecchio is our SS, bats lead off and hits left handed and he was towards the top in all statistical categories as well.” Other players that played crucial roles on the team is Zach Rosenzweig, Zaim Deljanin and Ryan Kurz. The latter two anchored the staff and were counted on to pitch in big games. Speaking about his two dominant pitchers, Del Vecchio stated that they “both work well off each other. One is a lefty, the other a righty. They both change speeds, hit their locations and change eye levels.” Palumbo noted that the core of the team is comprised of players from Central Nassau (East Meadow, Clarke and Bellmore school districts). The team grew so accustomed to winning that they often planned their weekends assuming they would play more than the minimum three games in a tournament. “If you’re in Indiana for the weekend and you lose after three games, what are you going to do then?” Often times they played into the championship games of tournaments, resulting in lots of full weekends with travel. They are not complaining about that. “If we only play our scheduled 60-game season, that means we didn’t do our jobs,” said Palumbo, alluding to the fact that playing in championships adds to the season total of games, which is why they finished with a 75-game season. The other 10U team, coached by Terence Hohlman also was successful. They are also comprised of many players from the central Nassau area. Del Vecchio named a number of players that contributed to their great 2017 season: Nick Berasti, Sebastian Perez, Brady Hohlman, Kyle Carter, Kevin Canto, T.J. Wallace and Jordan Cassuto. Aside from the success on the field, the boys all contributed their time to the needy as well. During the season, six of the players went to a homeless shelter and helped stocked the pantries and helped prepare meals. “That’s the type of kids they are,” said Del Vecchio, adding that “they didn’t do it to get noticed they did it because they wanted to help.” This year they are looking to do something with physically-challenged kids as well. As for the upcoming season, the boys are all working hard during their winter workouts at Max Effort Baseball in Farmingdale with their coaches including highly-regarded hitting instructor Brad Jackson. They are excited to send three of their teams to compete in the big Cooperstown tournament. Del Vecchio noted this will be a big year for the players as they prepare to play on the big fields. “Genetics will play a big part at the next level, but with the amount of ball they’re playing they have a jump up on some other kids their age. Travel ball has changed the game, if you are not competing at a top level, it’s hard to get noticed,” he added. From a business standpoint, both gentlemen noted that they have been approached with the prospect of expanding the organization, but they have approached that idea very cautiously. “We want to make sure that when we make that jump our product is just as good as it is at the younger levels.” You can check out their website by clicking here.  </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2018/01/20/camelot-knights-quickly-becoming-premier-organization/">Camelot Knights Quickly Becoming a Premier Organization</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">JJ Palumbo of the Camelot Knights working on a hitting drill <a href="https://t.co/5TkbGkTuss">pic.twitter.com/5TkbGkTuss</a></p> <p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/954713451955412992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>One of the keys to team success is continuity–especially at the younger levels.</p> <p>The <strong>Camelot Knights</strong> have built their program’s success with this principle and their players are still only 11-years-old.</p> <p>“We go to battle with the same kids every week,” said <strong>Joe Palumbo</strong>, Director of the Camelot Knights. “The nucleus of this team has legitimately played together since they were 8-years-old. This is a group of friends that will be friends in 20 years and when they’re old and gray will be talking about these days on Facebook,” he said jokingly.</p> <p>What he does not joke about is the rapid ascension of the organization.</p> <p>What initially started out as one team that was formed after frustration with the lack of progression of their little league, has now expanded into seven teams. They are coming off a very successful season in which the two teams at the 10U level played in 75 games and won a number of tournaments including the Tommy Lasorda Summer Showdown at <a href="http://www.baseballheavenli.com/">Baseball Heaven</a> and Future Stars in Hershey, PA. This was while playing up a year.</p> <p>Head Coach <strong>Dom Del Vecchio</strong> spoke glowingly of the quality of his players and the effort they put in this past year to achieve that success.</p> <p>He noted the team was led by <strong>Jordan Babbo</strong>, who paced the team in all major offensive categories including batting AVG, HR and RBI.</p> <p>“He’s our No. 2 hitter, plays first baseman and is very consistent at the plate,” he stated.</p> <p>He was far from the only contributor on the team, though.</p> <p><iframe width="730" height="411" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMt1WLJ-Byk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p>“<strong>JJ Palumbo</strong> is our catcher and No. 3 hitter. He was also at the top of every offensive statistical category.<strong> Nick Del Vecchio</strong> is our SS, bats lead off and hits left handed and he was towards the top in all statistical categories as well.”</p> <p>Other players that played crucial roles on the team is <strong>Zach Rosenzweig, Zaim Deljanin</strong> and <strong>Ryan Kurz</strong>. The latter two anchored the staff and were counted on to pitch in big games. Speaking about his two dominant pitchers, Del Vecchio stated that they “both work well off each other. One is a lefty, the other a righty. They both change speeds, hit their locations and change eye levels.”</p> <p>Palumbo noted that the core of the team is comprised of players from Central Nassau (East Meadow, Clarke and Bellmore school districts).</p> <p>The team grew so accustomed to winning that they often planned their weekends assuming they would play more than the minimum three games in a tournament. “If you’re in Indiana for the weekend and you lose after three games, what are you going to do then?”</p> <p>Often times they played into the championship games of tournaments, resulting in lots of full weekends with travel.</p> <p>They are not complaining about that.</p> <p>“If we only play our scheduled 60-game season, that means we didn’t do our jobs,” said Palumbo, alluding to the fact that playing in championships adds to the season total of games, which is why they finished with a 75-game season.</p> <p>The other 10U team, coached by <strong>Terence Hohlman</strong> also was successful. They are also comprised of many players from the central Nassau area. Del Vecchio named a number of players that contributed to their great 2017 season: <strong>Nick Berasti, Sebastian Perez, Brady Hohlman, Kyle Carter, Kevin Canto, T.J. Wallace</strong> and <strong>Jordan Cassuto</strong>.</p> <p>Aside from the success on the field, the boys all contributed their time to the needy as well.</p> <p>During the season, six of the players went to a homeless shelter and helped stocked the pantries and helped prepare meals.</p> <p>“That’s the type of kids they are,” said Del Vecchio, adding that “they didn’t do it to get noticed they did it because they wanted to help.”</p> <p>This year they are looking to do something with physically-challenged kids as well.</p> <p>As for the upcoming season, the boys are all working hard during their winter workouts at <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2017/12/13/max-effort-baseball-cutting-edge-baseball-training-education/">Max Effort Baseball</a> in Farmingdale with their coaches including highly-regarded hitting instructor <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jackso003bra">Brad Jackson</a>.</p> <p>They are excited to send three of their teams to compete in the big Cooperstown tournament. Del Vecchio noted this will be a big year for the players as they prepare to play on the big fields.</p> <p>“Genetics will play a big part at the next level, but with the amount of ball they’re playing they have a jump up on some other kids their age. Travel ball has changed the game, if you are not competing at a top level, it’s hard to get noticed,” he added.</p> <p>From a business standpoint, both gentlemen noted that they have been approached with the prospect of expanding the organization, but they have approached that idea very cautiously.</p> <p>“We want to make sure that when we make that jump our product is just as good as it is at the younger levels.”</p> <p>You can check out their website by clicking <a href="https://leagueathletics.com/Bulletins.asp?MyTeam=503592&org=CAMELOTKNIGHTSBASEBALL.COM">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2018/01/20/camelot-knights-quickly-becoming-premier-organization/">Camelot Knights Quickly Becoming a Premier Organization</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?</title> <link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2017/11/20/frank-catalanotto-hitting-drills-work-best/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frank-catalanotto-hitting-drills-work-best</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Fcat27]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2017 16:32:48 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Baseball Heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Catalanotto]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marcus Stroman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NealHeaton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team Steel]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=27885</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>(Frank is a 14-year MLB veteran. He is a 1992 graduate of Smithtown East HS, where he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. He compiled a .291 AVG in over 3,800 at bats. He gives lessons for Steel Sports Academy at Baseball Heaven.) by Frank Catalanotto The truth is that everyone is different, so when it comes to baseball and hitting drills, you need to find out which ones work for you and which ones don’t. The repetition of the drills is so important. Part of getting better is teaching muscle memory–especially for younger kids. Here are some that worked for me. One arm drills might be my favorite because each arm gets strengthened individually. I would get a small, lightweight bat and have someone flip balls to me. With just my front arm, I would take 10-15 swings and then switch to the back arm. I always wanted to make sure each arm and hand were working correctly, focusing on staying inside the ball making sure I was leading with the knob of the bat. Also, I would reach out toward the pitcher with the bat after contact to ensure I was getting the most amount of extension possible. I would do one arm drills every day before batting practice. By doing each arm separately, you can find any weakness or flaw that could be the reason for any struggles you may be having at the plate. After I did my one arm drills, I’d always go right into front flips. The coach would stand about 15 feet away behind an L screen and flip balls underhanded. I liked to do these after the one arm drills in order to now have both arms and hands working together. I would have the coach flip 5 balls away, 5 in the middle and 5 inside, then I’d finish off with 5 more away. Since the speed of the pitched balls wasn’t very fast, I felt like I could really concentrate on feeling the mechanics of my swing and make sure it was working correctly. A third drill I liked to do was a rapid fire drill. This was especially effective when I felt like my hands were slow. Have the coach flip about 10 balls from the side quickly one after the other giving you just enough time to get your hands back. Make sure not to stride as this is just a drill for your hands. Take a breather after 10 and then do another 10. This drill will quicken up your hands and really allow you to feel the whip of your top hand. The last drill I recommend and that I used quite a bit when I was a teenager at home is the wiffle golf ball/broom handle drill. First, cut a broom handle to a comfortable size and get a bunch of wiffle golf balls. Next, have someone flip the ball to you and try to hit it. It’s not easy, especially at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. The theory is if you can hit a tiny golf ball with a broom stick that’s only about an inch-thick, imagine how much easier it will be when you have to hit a much bigger ball with a much thicker bat. This drill really improves eye/hand coordination and it’s great to do before a game! Also, it can be done individually with each arm one at a time. You don’t even need to have a partner for this drill; simply tie a string through the wiffle golf ball and attach it to the ceiling somewhere in the garage or basement. The ball will always come back to you.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2017/11/20/frank-catalanotto-hitting-drills-work-best/">Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(Frank is a 14-year MLB veteran. He is a 1992 graduate of Smithtown East HS, where he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. He compiled a .291 AVG in over 3,800 at bats. He gives lessons for Steel Sports Academy at Baseball Heaven.)</em></p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-25055 aligncenter" src="http://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CSB-Logo-300x143.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="143" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CSB-Logo-300x143.jpg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CSB-Logo-768x365.jpg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CSB-Logo.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p><em><strong>by Frank Catalanotto</strong></em></p> <p>The truth is that everyone is different, so when it comes to baseball and hitting drills, you need to find out which ones work for you and which ones don’t. The repetition of the drills is so important. Part of getting better is teaching muscle memory–especially for younger kids. Here are some that worked for me.</p> <p>One arm drills might be my favorite because each arm gets strengthened individually. I would get a small, lightweight bat and have someone flip balls to me. With just my front arm, I would take 10-15 swings and then switch to the back arm. I always wanted to make sure each arm and hand were working correctly, focusing on staying inside the ball making sure I was leading with the knob of the bat. Also, I would reach out toward the pitcher with the bat after contact to ensure I was getting the most amount of extension possible. I would do one arm drills every day before batting practice. By doing each arm separately, you can find any weakness or flaw that could be the reason for any struggles you may be having at the plate.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-26315 aligncenter" src="http://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ACCESS-BASEBALL-1-300x213.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="213" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ACCESS-BASEBALL-1-300x213.jpg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ACCESS-BASEBALL-1.jpg 560w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p>After I did my one arm drills, I’d always go right into front flips. The coach would stand about 15 feet away behind an L screen and flip balls underhanded. I liked to do these after the one arm drills in order to now have both arms and hands working together. I would have the coach flip 5 balls away, 5 in the middle and 5 inside, then I’d finish off with 5 more away. Since the speed of the pitched balls wasn’t very fast, I felt like I could really concentrate on feeling the mechanics of my swing and make sure it was working correctly.</p> <p>A third drill I liked to do was a rapid fire drill. This was especially effective when I felt like my hands were slow. Have the coach flip about 10 balls from the side quickly one after the other giving you just enough time to get your hands back. Make sure not to stride as this is just a drill for your hands. Take a breather after 10 and then do another 10. This drill will quicken up your hands and really allow you to feel the whip of your top hand.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-27786 aligncenter" src="http://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/brookhavenBASEBALL-300x50.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="50" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/brookhavenBASEBALL-300x50.jpg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/brookhavenBASEBALL-768x128.jpg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/brookhavenBASEBALL.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p>The last drill I recommend and that I used quite a bit when I was a teenager at home is the wiffle golf ball/broom handle drill. First, cut a broom handle to a comfortable size and get a bunch of wiffle golf balls. Next, have someone flip the ball to you and try to hit it. It’s not easy, especially at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. The theory is if you can hit a tiny golf ball with a broom stick that’s only about an inch-thick, imagine how much easier it will be when you have to hit a much bigger ball with a much thicker bat. This drill really improves eye/hand coordination and it’s great to do before a game! Also, it can be done individually with each arm one at a time. You don’t even need to have a partner for this drill; simply tie a string through the wiffle golf ball and attach it to the ceiling somewhere in the garage or basement. The ball will always come back to you.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2017/11/20/frank-catalanotto-hitting-drills-work-best/">Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>