Baseball Factory Blog

Clear Thinking: Essential for Success On and Off of the Field

2009-07-01T16:32:00.004-04:00

Guest Blogger: Inner-Sports

by Garret Kramer

Because at Inner-Sports we focus much of our attention on the principle of thought, I am often asked how players can use their thinking to enhance their athletic experience and to be more successful. The answer is fairly simple: recognize the truth that thought is the creative agent that we use to direct us through life. Your thinking will create your reality, so it is your choice how this power is used. Let me give you an example: as a pitcher at the youth and even the high school level, with every game comes a different type of pitching mound. Some are high some low, some are soft some firm, some have a deep hole at the rubber some hardly any. When a pitcher takes to the field at the start of the game he has the ability to use his thinking to make whatever type of mound he encounters, his favorite type. If there is a deep hole, great I get more push off. If there is hardly any, great I have more leverage….you get the picture.

Another way to put it is to make everything and everyone you encounter an ally in your quest for great play. That way no matter what you run into, think and thus believe that it is there to help you. It is amazing how confident and competitive you will be when you use your thinking in this manner.

Lastly, I want you to rest assured that like you, the top players in Major League Baseball will, at times, think negative or errant thoughts. The most “clutch” players however, possess a secret that the average guys haven’t tapped into. These players know that they are the creator of the “bad” thoughts and these thoughts aren’t real (as opposed to the average player who is a victim of his negative thoughts). This understanding allows the mind of the top player to quiet down in the midst of a negative thought, as clear thinking, positive feelings, and peak performance emerge spontaneously.

Garret Kramer is the founder and Managing Partner of Inner-Sports, LLC. Inner-Sports evaluates and then coaches athletes of all ages on the behavioral characteristics that lead to peak performance on and off the field of play. Inner-Sport’s evaluative partner has created the behavioral assessment used at both the National Hockey League and the Major League Lacrosse scouting combines. Inner-Sports and Garret work with Baseball Factory players at select player development events.

My College Baseball Story

2009-06-26T11:24:00.000-04:00

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

At many Baseball Factory events over the past 15 years, I have told my personal story to many families when we have discussed issues such as playing time and position changes. I have been encouraged to share this story as a blog by many parents who have heard it because they thought it would be valuable for other families. So here goes...

As an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, I was the last INF to make the team. There were only two INF slots open my freshman year because almost all of the INF from the previous year were returning. So a Lefty 1B and I were the only freshman INF to make the club. As such, I was the 3rd SS on the roster and was behind two upperclassmen. One in particular was a starter for the past two years and was only a junior.

Back then, not everyone was able to travel on our Spring Trip to Florida which was the kick off to the season. So initially, as the 3rd SS, I was not on the list to travel. My plan was to go home to NJ for Spring Break. At the last minute, I got a call that our Captain (who was the starting 3B) had to have an emergency appendectomy, so a spot opened up for me. I had no idea what to expect, but was just happy to be taking part in the trip.

For the first few games, I did not play at all. About 4 games into the trip, my coach decided to give me a start as SS. In the game I went 2 for 2 with a HBP (on the helmet by the way!). He then gave me another start, and then another start, and before I knew it, I had earned the starting shortstop job when we returned from Florida. I went on to start almost every game at SS the rest of the year.

The next year, I thought I was a shoe in to stay at SS, but we had a junior college transfer come in from Miami Dade that played SS and a top recruit from HS that played 3B. As such, I started the year behind both of these guys. Tough pill to swallow after starting at SS for my freshman year. On our Spring Trip to Florida, our top freshman recruit hurt his arm so I got a chance to play 3B. I hadn't played 3B since I was 9 years old. I took it as a challenge and worked hard and wound up starting the rest of the year and earned 1st Team All Ivy Honors as a 3B. This was very rewarding for me because to earn that distinction you need to have the most votes from the other Ivy League coaches.

The following year (Junior Year), I thought my days of "proving myself" were over. However, in the fall, we learned that our coach had recruited a top HS football and baseball prospect. He played football in the fall so nobody really knew him, but come Spring time he made his presence and ability known. He was Mark DeRosa, current 3B for the Cleveland Indians. He quickly became the 3B and I was out of a position again. Instead of getting upset, I took it as a challenge again and became the full time DH. Our team did very well that year and finished as the runner up for the Ivy League Championship. I broke my hand towards the end of the year, but if I hadn't, I probably would have been an All Conference player again.

My senior year rolled around the next fall and I thought I was a shoe in to be captain. I was a 3 year starter and clearly a team player. I wound up being passed up for the spot and my college roommate (the top pitcher on our team) was given the distinction. Usually there were 2 captains, but this year they only went with one. It hurt at first, but in the end I realized that you can be a leader no matter what your title is. That year, we had our best year as a team. Part of the reason was that we had DeRosa at SS (the Miami Dade transfer graduated) and one of our juniors was a 3rd Team NCAA DI All American. We had a Senior-Laden pitching staff that dominated most opponents. In addition, we had another top freshman recruit that played 2B. His addition to the team moved the current 2B to 3B, so here I was again out of a position. I realized this was probably my last year to play baseball and more than anything I wanted to be a part of a good team. So I swallowed my pride again and stayed in the DH role for most of the year and earned 2nd Team All Ivy honors. Towards the end of the year, we had a lot of good players all clicking at the same time, so I was platooning at DH. We won the Ivy League Championship and then had to beat Rider to go to the Regionals of the College World Series. I did not start the final game (the series was tied 1-1) but came off the bench to get the pinch hit single and RBI that sent us to a victory and a berth in the College World Series Midwest Regional in Oklahoma. It was the last time Penn has earned a trip to the big dance.

So the point is this. Never get down and don't let any of these circumstances define you as a player. Keep doing what you do, and keep your head held high. In the end, the right attitude and the hard work always pays off. Just stay focused and good things will happen. For all the parents, don't get too bent our of shape if you son is going through similar challenges. Just continue to encourage him and help him keep a good perspective.

Hopefully this story help!

Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 14 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

Routines = Consistency...You Got One?

2009-06-23T09:50:00.003-04:00

Dana Cavalea: Performance Training for Baseball

Baseball is a game of fundamentals. Games are played with an incredible frequency, and demand the same great focus day in and day out to achieve success. The greatest players in the game achieve success based upon these principles and are creatures of habit with their routines.

Routines come in many different shapes and sizes- some guys eat a certain meal, eat at a certain time, do their hair at a certain time, get dressed a certain way, workout certain days and times, etc.. you get the point. This is what the successful players do- its as if their day is pre-planned through 162 days, and for that matter, most of the time so are the outcomes.

Those players that follow a successful routine, along with having talent, can virtually predict their results and outcomes. A player in the league 8+ years, knows where he stands in regards to average, rbis, homeruns, and era if they are a pitcher due to past results. Searching through player stats will illustrate this, and you too will see consistency amongst play. Those players that bounce around, have inconsistent seasons, often times lack stability and their routines and daily schedules illustrate this.

So, find your routine, make sure you are prepared each day, and then all you need to do once the game starts is execute. Also in regards to routine, you must believe in your routine through thick and thin, making slight adjustments as needed. The great players stick with it through thick and thin, which creates a solid foundation for them of belief that they are prepared each time they take the field, even though at times slumps will try and knock you off your horse.

Staying consistent and believing in your routine will work to create positive results.

For more from Dana please check out his blog.

Dana Cavalea and Major League Strength serve as baseball performance strength and conditioning consultants for all Baseball Factory events. Dana currently serves as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the New York Yankees. He has also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. Dana founded Major League Strength, a company that works to provide athletes with first class professional training and a dynamic program designed to elicit positive results in all aspects of Human Movement and Sports Performance. Dana is certified by the CSCS, NASM-PES and the USAW.

Boost Your Mental Acuity!

2009-06-18T09:32:00.000-04:00

Bernadette Bechta: Blackboard Basics

Summer reading lists can cause groans among high school students. However, the time you spend reading and preparing for standardized tests over the summer can drastically improve your performance in the fall and spring test dates. During the summer months your mind is free from homework, tests, and the daily school routine, so it is the best time to improve your reading and testing skills.

Proper preparation certainly has its rewards! One of my most memorable students is one who could not afford to enroll in a SAT prep class yet needed a high score to receive an academic scholarship. Instead, she decided to read at least 20 books each summer to improve her comprehension skills and vocabulary. The result: a perfect SAT score (1600/1600), a college scholarship, a fellowship for her Ph.D. She is now a Professor at a prestigious university. The lesson here is to visit the library often this summer; checkout books on various topics, look for audio tapes for those baseball trips and college visits, and practice, practice, practice for those SAT tests.

There are several approaches to SAT preparation.

If your schedule and budget permits, you can enroll in a SAT prep class that meets your schedule. However, check out the references, ask questions, and determine if the class format meets your learning style. Look for a program with flexible makeup dates that coincide with your summer baseball schedule.
If you are disciplined with your time, you can work with SAT Prep books. This can be an effective strategy that allows for flexibility. However, you must work on a regular basis (at least 6 hours/week in the summer), and take Practice Tests and analyze the results. I surveyed my students and included some of my favorites, so here is a list of what I consider to be the best SAT Prep books on the market right now: Bernadette's Favorite Summer SAT Prep Books and a Few Others.
Hire a one-on-one tutor. This approach always helps the student who is trying to improve their score to a certain level. A tutor can personalize your approach to the test and help you to analyze your previous scores.

Additionally, while you are visiting colleges this summer and driving to showcases, camps, and clinics, try reading one of these books, mostly sports topics, for pleasure.

Great Sports Stories and more...

Consider reading to be your summer workout for the mind. When you go to the gym, stop at the library. When you pack your baseball bag for a trip, toss in an audio tape or SAT prep book. Give up an hour of ESPN each day to work in your SAT Prep book. The results in the fall will show in your mental acuity; that is, a buff mind!

Bernadette Bechta serves as the main academic contact for all players and parents in Baseball Factory's Exclusive Program. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and advisor at the high school level, Bernadette will provide families with guidance on topics ranging from application essays to financial aid. In addition, Bernadette’s two sons have both gone through the Exclusive Program, so she knows the ins and outs of the process from a parent’s perspective.

The Delicate Balance

2009-06-15T12:28:00.000-04:00

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

How hard do you push to motivate your children? When is it better to back off and let them be the one to show the effort? When are you doing more harm than good by trying to encourage your child to work hard and achieve success?

It seems like every parent goes through the mental exercise of evaluating this delicate balance. How much is too much when trying to motivate your child? This analysis can feel like an emotional tug of war in your heart and mind. Parents are supposed to guide, direct, advise, and advocate for their kids, but do we do more harm than good at times? How do we know when to take our foot off the accelerator and apply it to the brake as it relates to encouraging our kids to achieve success?

Over the last few months, I have started to navigate this delicate balance with my oldest daughter, who will turn six this month. She is a very independent young child with a strong sense of self awareness. She is fairly coordinated and athletic and has taken up gymnastics, dancing, and swimming. When things come easily to her, she has no problem jumping in and giving a strong effort. However, when she tries something new, or when she doesn’t get it “right” on the first try, she has a tendency to want to give up and she gets pretty frustrated.

In response to her frustration, I have tried a few different tactics to “help” her that have had varying levels of success. When I push too hard or tell her that she has to do something, I am usually met with resistance. What I have found to be the most successful approach is to listen to her, understand where the frustration is coming from, encourage her, and provide positive reinforcement. I also try to help her achieve success in small doses so that her confidence builds. In the end, it is important that I let her have a voice in the process and resist the temptation to apply the “daddy knows best” philosophy.

We see this dynamic play out hundreds of times a year with Baseball Factory parents and players. Some of our kids appear to only play baseball because their dad wants them to. Some look like they play to try and make their mom happy. Some really love the game and want to play at the next level. As parents, the key is to really listen to your child and resist the temptation to let your ego dominate the interaction. Playing baseball is supposed to be fun. If it isn’t a whole lot of fun for your child (or for you), maybe it is time to change your approach and recalibrate this delicate balance. Sometimes the best motivation for your child can be for them to know that their will to improve needs to be cultivated from within, and not from persistent prodding from mom or dad.

I would be happy to answer any questions directly from parents that want to talk further about this topic. Feel free to post a comment by clicking on the link below.

Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 14 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

Live Exposure

2009-06-11T11:59:00.001-04:00

Julie Thompson – A Baseball Factory Parent’s Perspective

One thing we did right in Kyle’s college search process was to take advantage of opportunities for live exposure—in fact, I wish we had done more of it. Getting live exposure was key in generating and securing interest from coaches. We were a bit limited by Kyle wanting to look only at schools in warm climates—a plane ride away, that is—but hey, what’s life without a challenge?

Kyle attended Baseball Factory tournaments and Team One showcase s in Florida, Arizona, and one close to home in New England. Prior to heading to Florida and Arizona, Kyle contacted coaches in the area to let them know he had an interest in their schools and would be attending the tournament. Sometimes they responded to Kyle’s emails, and sometimes they didn’t. Kyle’s attendance (and thankfully, solid performance!) at the Florida tournament opened the door for his meeting with the coach at the school he ultimately chose. Also, we made sure to tour as many campuses as we could. With locations like Florida and Arizona, it was a dirty job….Kyle forwarded his player page to coaches that did not go to the showcase or could not meet with us.

Kyle also attended a couple of camps. Again, I wish we had done more of it, but done so selectively. Camps can be a great opportunity for exposure, and a chance to see how your son likes that particular college’s environment. Since the players on the school’s baseball team usually work the camps, your son also can get an idea about how he might fit from a personality standpoint. I would strongly suggest doing some research before sending your money in, however. It can be a costly approach and you want as much of a return as possible. Make sure that the coach is interested in your son as a prospect, not just a camper.

Here’s what not to do. Kyle had been invited to a camp called ‘Elite Recruits’ (or something similar to that) at a school and location in which he had an interest. Because of a schedule conflict with American Legion baseball, he passed. Shortly thereafter, Kyle received an invitation to another camp at the school—this one spent part of the time specializing in catching, one of Kyle’s positions. We spoke with the man running the camp, and decided it would be a good opportunity. We forgot one critical question, though—Will the head coach be there?

We had flown across the country for this camp. We met with our contact—someone affiliated with the baseball program—for about an hour-and-a-half, touring the campus. He also met with us briefly after the first two days, telling us he would see us after the third and final day, and give Kyle an evaluation. A couple of the assistant coaches ran the camp, along with the players. They were nice guys. Kyle really liked them, and they were complimentary to Kyle. Noticeably missing, though, was the head coach. Apparently, he had gone on vacation. He came to the camp for about 15 minutes on the last day. He sought out one of the campers—someone local he clearly had scouted—then left…no introduction to Kyle, who had flown across the country to be there. And oh…our contact who was going to give us the evaluation after the last day…didn’t show…had an obligation outside of the area. Kyle got some great comments from the players, but we didn’t get a lot of feedback or contact after we returned home. Lesson learned—find out if the camp really is an ‘Elite Recruit’ camp or just a fundraiser for the team. And make sure the head coach is going to be there.

I also would recommend attending local showcases and your state’s version of the Olympics, whether your son wants to stay in the area for college, or not. Scouts “know people who know people.” One of our sons got recruited by a school in the Mid-Atlantic region because their scout was friends with a scout in our area who had seen Brian play. Don’t just ‘throw it out there,’ though. With time and money involved, do some homework. Find out which coaches have committed to the showcases, and how well-attended the events are expected to be. If possible, talk with families who have attended them in the past. Find out their experience. This part of the college search can be an exciting and fun time—and an important one for opening doors for your son’s future.

Julie Thompson is a parent of a former Baseball Factory Exclusive Program player. She has volunteered to share her opinions, observations and general thoughts regarding the college recruiting and player development process. She will share what worked and what didn’t for her son, in the hope that other parents and players may benefit from her experience.

LIVE: From the Under Armour Southeast Tournament

2009-06-11T11:35:00.001-04:00

Becky Oldham: We're There

For the updated tournament schedule and game results, visit the Team One web site.

Tuesday, June 10 - Day 5

The championship round of the Under Armour Southeast Tournament was underway early Tuesday morning as Diamond Vision Elite defeated the Palm Beach Clippers (18) 2-0 in a close match-up, advancing to the next round. They would face the number one seed, Palm Beach PAL, who had a bye in the first round. Orlando Baseball Academy, the Columbus Explorers and Treasure Coast Young Guns also advanced to the second round. In their first game of the championship round Palm Beach PAL handled Diamond Vision Elite with a 3-0 victory. Their win secured a match against Orlando Baseball Academy to determine who would advance to the championship game. Meanwhile, a very exciting game began to unfold on the neighboring field. In a back and forth match-up, the Columbus Explorers battled the Treasure Coast Young Guns in a game that took them into the 14^th inning. Enforcing the International Tiebreaker Rule , starting the inning with a runner on second base, the Columbus Explores mustered enough offense in the bottom of the 14^th to score the winning run, defeating the Young Guns and advancing to the championship game.

The Explorers would face the winner of another exciting match-up that was underway between the Orlando Baseball Academy and Palm Beach PAL. Orlando jumped to an early lead but Palm Beach staged a rally, coming from behind to defeat the Orlando Baseball Academy 4-3 to advance to the championship. Having thrown a few of their fielders on the way to their 14-inning victory, the Explorers headed into the championship game to face the number one seed Palm Beach PAL. The game proved to be yet another close match-up, but in the end the PAL were able to defeat the Explorers 4-2 to win their first ever Under Armour Southeast Tournament.

Despite the inclement weather, the Under Armour Southeast Tournament was a success. Over the course of the five day event 30 college coaches and six Major League Organizations were in attendance. Even though the rain cut the game play short, our staff worked hard to ensure teams were still able to get quality games in. Thanks to all the players, parents and coaches; the tournament could not have continued without your patience. Special thanks also goes out to the Roger Dean Staff for keeping the fields in such great condition throughout the tournament and for accommodating the daily changes to the schedule. Next year let’s hope for better conditions!

Monday, June 8 - Day 4

Despite the fourth straight morning of clear skies and the anticipation of a full day of baseball, the forecast for Jupiter, Florida remained grim. Local forecasts were again calling for a chance of severe thunderstorms, though by now we had just come to expect rain anytime after noon. On a positive note, considering the amount of rainfall that occurred over the three days thus far, the fields at Roger Dean were in immaculate condition. This allowed for games to begin at 8:30 a.m. and like the previous day, games that were in progress Sunday afternoon when the storm hit were scheduled to resume at this time slot. Utilizing all eight of the available fields on both sides of the complex, the previously interrupted games were completed. In an effort to get in as many games as possible a new time limit was set at an hour and a half, as opposed to the originally set two-hour time limit per game. The second round of games was completed in time to start the third round at approximately 11:30 a.m. Then the rain came. By now the first sign of rain was enough to send the fans running for cover, and for good reason. However, unlike previous days, this storm cleared up and the sun reappeared. Pending field conditions, games were set to resume at 5:00 p.m.

By 5:00 two fields looked more suitable for a swim than a baseball game, their condition would remain unplayable for the rest of the evening. The grounds crew worked to make the other six field’s game ready as more dark clouds loomed in the distance. Those with Doppler radar could see the large cells in the area and once again we prepared for Mother Nature. Despite the threatening skies games got underway around 7:00 p.m. To our luck, finally, the storms did not pass over Roger Dean and we were able to complete 15 games before the night was out. Due to the complexity of the schedule and the amount of games completed as a result of the weather, the championship round was reformatted. All teams were seeded within their pool, with the top seed advancing to a single elimination championship round Tuesday. The nine teams to secure championship round seeds were:

Palm Beach PAL
Columbus Explorers
Florida Hardballers
All American Prospects
Orlando Baseball Academy
Treasure Coast Young Guns
Palm Beach Elite
Diamond Vision Elite
Palm Beach Clippers 18

For teams who did not advance to the championship round, consolation games were set for Tuesday morning on the available fields.

Sunday, June 7 – Day 3
As a result of the heavy rain on both Friday and Saturday, today’s schedule was booked full from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to get as many games played as possible. Any games that were in progress Saturday afternoon and interrupted by the storms were rescheduled for the 8:30 a.m. round on Sunday. Team Mizuno, the Atlanta Blue Jays, Palm Beach Clippers 16, Triple Threat Baseball, South Florida Snappers Green, Treasure Coast Young Guns, Palm Beach Select and Florida Raiders all returned to the field to secure a win. All other games began immediately following the make-ups, and the skies stayed blue into the early afternoon. Around 3:00 p.m., with games in progress, violent storms hit the Roger Dean Complex for the third straight day. Rain poured relentlessly until the remainder of the games had to be called off.

To stay up-to-date with the new game schedule for Monday, June 8, check Team One Baseball’s website at www.teamonebaseball.com.

Saturday, June 6 – Day 2:
Day Two began with as equal promise as the first day of the tournament. Blue skies and sunshine greeted the families and friends who flowed through the gates to support their teams. More coaches and scouts showed up to find prospects for their programs. In order to fit as many of Friday’s games in as possible, Saturday’s first round of games kicked off at 8:30 a.m. A packed schedule of games was set to follow, with the last scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. In a late morning game that drew much attention from coaches and scouts on hand, the Columbus Explorers took on the Orlando Scorpions. The Explorers scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to make the score 7-3 in their favor. Columbus would go on to defeat the Scorpions 8 – 3.

In another morning game across the complex, a walk followed by a single kicked off a big inning for the Baseball Factory Navy. Capitalizing on a few of the Florida Raiders’ errors, the Baseball Factory Navy was led by outfielder, New Jersey native, Joseph D’Annunzio and a third baseman/catcher out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tanner Ashcraft. Their efforts were enough to lead the Baseball Factory Navy team to a 5 – 3 victory. Other teams who emerged victorious from the Saturday morning games included the St. Thomas Raiders, the Columbus Explorers, the Florida Hardballers and the Atlanta Blue Jays. But as the Atlanta Blue Jays took the field for their second game of the day, dark clouds loomed in left field. Though the Jays were able to build a 4-0 lead through two and a half innings, the rain began to fall hard on the Roger Dean Complex for the second straight day. Unfortunately for the players, the storm was even more powerful than Friday’s and the fields were under water. Inches of rain accumulated, resulting in all remaining games being postponed.

Look for tournament play to resume Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Let’s just hope for sunshine and blue skies!

Friday, June 5 – Day 1:
Day One of the Under Armour Southeast Tournament, powered by Team One Baseball in Jupiter, Florida began with sunny skies and high hopes. The first tournament games kicked off just before noon at the Roger Dean Sports Complex. This year’s tournament promised to be a thrilling one, with 45 teams scheduled to participate over the five day event. The air was filled with excitement as the games got under way Friday at the Spring Training home of the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, with 23 college coaches and 6 pro affiliates in attendance. A few of the teams to enjoy early victories were the Columbus Explorers, the Bomber Bruins, the Palm Beach PAL and the Palm Beach Clippers 18U. Unfortunately, the first day was abruptly halted, as dark clouds opened over the complex and emptied enough rain to halt the schedule until 7:00 p.m. Games were set to resume, and the Gardens Gators and Treasure Coast Young Guns began play, until Mother Nature responded with another round of storms. As Day 1 concluded in a wash-out, games were pushed back to a packed Saturday schedule.

Becky Oldham is the Marketing Associate at Baseball Factory. Becky started with Baseball Factory at the end of 2008.

Why Does RPI Matter?

2009-06-09T14:26:00.000-04:00

Kelly Kulina: Your Link to the Colleges

Why does the RPI matter? To get into the NCAA postseason, teams will either need to win their conference championship or earn an “at-large” bid. These at-large bids are awarded by an NCAA committee to teams that win a convincing number of games during the regular season. In the case of team sports, RPI is used to determine whether or not a “bubble” team should be given or denied an at-large bid to the tournament. Teams with wins over tough competition typically get the nod over teams with the same number of wins over easier competition.

For those of you who aren’t college basketball fans, Relative Power Index (RPI) is a measure of a team’s strength of schedule. So, teams are credited for playing a tougher schedule and penalized for playing a softer schedule.

To calculate a team’s RPI, the NCAA uses the following formula:

(0.25 * team winning percentage) + (0.50 * opponents’ winning percentage) + (0.25 * opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage)

As you can see, winning is only 25% of the total index, with much more emphasis being placed on teams’ opponents.

As with anything involved with the postseason, the RPI and its role in postseason selection does not come without controversy. Critics of the RPI point out that it compounds the disadvantage cold weather teams face against warm weather teams. Since they must spend the first three weeks of the season on the road, many cold weather teams will start with a losing record and play against other teams in their conference with losing records. This creates the compounding effect causing the RPI disadvantage. In fact, many lower tier teams in warm weather conferences will get an at-large nod over upper tier teams from cold weather conferences. If you take a look at the past few years’ College World Series participants and winners, you’ll see a major disparity between cold weather teams and warm weather teams.

This past November, Greg Van Zant, Head Coach at West Virginia University, proposed a change in the calculation of RPI. Rather than counting all wins equal, he suggested using an “adjusted winning percentage,” which awards 1.0 wins on a neutral site, 1.25 wins on the road and 0.833 wins at home. College basketball is currently using something similar, although they award 1.4 wins on the road and 0.6 wins at home. While this is still a while away from being presented formally to the Division I baseball committee, I’m looking forward to seeing how it is received by other coaches and the NCAA.

There’s no doubt in my mind that northern teams could use a helping hand when it comes to staying competitive nationally. At the same time, one thing won’t change: you still need to win the majority of your games!

Kelly Kulina is the Senior Vice President of College Recruiting at Baseball Factory. Kulina is a former Associate Head Coach and recruiting coordinator with the University of Maryland. As a former recruiting coordinator for ten years in the ACC, Kulina has vast contacts and is widely respected throughout the nation. From 1989 to 2000, Kulina coached 46 players who were selected in the MLB draft.

The Dangers of the Internet in College Recruiting

2009-05-29T11:44:00.008-04:00

Kelly Kulina: Your Link to the Colleges

Familiarity breeds comfort. As humans, we’re more likely to prefer something that we’ve been exposed to the most. In the marketing world, we call this “brand power.” Brand power gives the prospective computer, car or cell phone buyer a short list of products to choose from. Regrettably, many prospective baseball players will treat the college search process in a similar fashion.

In their defense, however, recruits are overloaded with information. Don’t get me wrong, the Internet revolution has been a huge boon for college recruiting, but when players are receiving 50+ daily e-mails about baseball-related events, something has to give. When bombarded with information, we revert to our natural instincts, which is to choose the “State-U” school or camp that we’re most familiar with. If you’ve been following this blog, then you’ll understand that most players won’t be able to play at the bigger Division I state schools.

So, how do you avoid following this path of least resistance? You need to be the proactive one. Don’t wait for schools to come to you (another common theme in this blog); get online and start researching schools. What’s getting lost in the dust cloud of camp e-mails are websites like collegeboard.com, d3baseball.com and meritaid.com, which offer remarkable amounts of information on very obscure areas of the college search process. Fight the temptation to only look into schools you’ve heard of or have seen on TV (or even worse, have sent camp e-mails). These websites can give you access to schools you’ve never even heard of, so that’s the place you need to start!

More important than the research you’ll do in front of the computer, it is essential that you visit schools on your college list. In the Exclusive Program, we stress to our underclassmen the need to visit at least three schools prior to the summer before their senior year: a large state school (10,000 or more undergrads), a medium-size school (5,000 undergrads) and a small school (2,000 undergrads or fewer). Your gut reaction to stepping on campus may be worth more than your countless hours of Internet research!

As I’ve written in previous entries, there are several things you should try to cover when you visit a campus. In addition to going on the campus tour, meeting with coaches and even seeing a practice, here are a few more things to do while on campus:

Talk to students on campus. Ask them for their impression of the school and the surrounding area. You’d be surprised how honest they’ll be.
Look around during a class change. Are people running to class?
Sit in on a class. Are you in a large lecture hall or smaller discussion? Are you comfortable with this setting?
Eat the cafeteria food and visit the dorms. Be honest with yourself- this will be your home for the next four years!

To have the most success with this process, you will have to do things differently than 95% of people trying to find a place to play in college. The Internet is a fantastic tool for those taking part in the recruiting process, but it’s so easy to fall into those old habits. Do yourself a favor and break that habit.

Kelly Kulina is the Senior Vice President of College Recruiting at Baseball Factory. Kulina is a former Associate Head Coach and recruiting coordinator with the University of Maryland. As a former recruiting coordinator for ten years in the ACC, Kulina has vast contacts and is widely respected throughout the nation. From 1989 to 2000, Kulina coached 46 players who were selected in the MLB draft.

Control...Are you in or out of control?

2009-05-22T09:48:00.001-04:00

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

Controlling your surroundings, relationships, and even your children is a tough challenge for all parents. Even with my little ones, I hear all the time, “I want to do it myself daddy,” when I overstep my bounds and try to do small things for my girls. As they get older and I want to insert myself into their college or job search, I am sure it will be even more of a challenge to strike the necessary balance.

What I am starting to learn is that every day, and every situation is an opportunity to empower my children to handle themselves with self esteem and pride, versus stepping in and doing everything for them. In the end, it may make it easier for me to just handle it, but what am I teaching them in the long run?

Parents of young men that are going through the college search process have a great opportunity to help educate, guide, and empower their children to make good decisions. Don’t do all the research yourself. Resist the temptation to write his cover letters and resumes for him. Ask your son good questions. Get his mind thinking. Try as hard as you can to get him to speak about what he is interested in. Help him understand how courses of study in college translate into real jobs. Educate him on the power of networking and how attending college gives you a network and resources you can tap into for a lifetime. My partner at Baseball Factory is Steve Sclafani, my former teammate at the University of Pennsylvania. I probably continue to tap into my large Penn network at least once a week. It is a powerful tool.

Keep encouraging your child even when he is struggling to find the answers to his future. Hold back on your urge to control the situation for him and help him to seek out what is in his heart and his dreams. Take him to college campuses, watch college baseball games with him on ESPNU or CSTV, go on the Internet with him to research classroom sizes and academic disciplines. Encourage him to follow his intuition and give him the space to explore different options. Balance out what you think is best versus what truly makes him happy. That trust will go a long way towards his self confidence.

When you start to get the urge to take over and control his future, step back and ask yourself these questions, “Who am I satisfying here? Who’s best interest am I serving? Is this more about me then my child?” If your ego is in control, check it at the door and allow your child to stand on his own. It is one of the best gifts you can give as a parent.

Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 13 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

The Hip Flexor Complex...and Anterior Pelvic Tilts..

2009-05-20T09:48:00.002-04:00

Dana Cavalea: Performance Training for Baseball

This post will is meant to further discuss the Anterior Pelvic Tilt Posture, and show how this results from a tight hip flexor complex, as well as an intro to how this postural deficit will cause decreases in performance and increase risks for injury throughout the lower extremity, as well as through the low back and obliques.

As you see in the tilted pelvis, the lower back almost looks as if it is getting "jammed" as a result of the tilted pelvis. With that being said, we see must understand what is happening here, and also see the simplicity in functional anatomy.

If the pelvis is tilted, high in the back, low in the front, we will see that the hamstrings become long and "tight", while the hip flexors (which also include the quads) become short and "tight". With that being said, the common complaint of tight hamstrings, especially in the baseball world always has a cause, and 9 times out of 10, it is not the hamstrings that are directly tight, but the hip flexors which are causing what we will call perceptual sensation of tightness of the hamstrings.

So with this being said, event though this tightness is a sensationm, it is real, and could lead to continual hamstring strains. In our next post we will discuss how this postural issue can results in oblique strains and lower back tightness.

For more from Dana please check out his blog.

Dana Cavalea and Major League Strength serve as baseball performance strength and conditioning consultants for all Baseball Factory events. Dana currently serves as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the New York Yankees. He has also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. Dana founded Major League Strength, a company that works to provide athletes with first class professional training and a dynamic program designed to elicit positive results in all aspects of Human Movement and Sports Performance. Dana is certified by the CSCS, NASM-PES and the USAW.

Balancing the College Baseball Budget

2009-05-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

Kelly Kulina: Your Link to the Colleges

Prior to the beginning of this season, the athletic departments at Northern Iowa and the University of Vermont announced that this would be the final season for their baseball programs. While the last thing any athletic director wants to do is cut programs and staff, priorities have to be made even at the largest state schools. Even worse, the economic recession has exacerbated the funding deficit between revenue and non-revenue sports. Unfortunately for coaches and recruits alike, “America’s Favorite Past Time” is on the wrong end of this deficit.

While colleges and universities across the country have spent the past year making tough financial decisions, their athletic departments have come to grips with the fact that they’re not immune to what is going on with our economy. Even as the NCAA reports an average annual increase of 5% in student-athletes at member institutions, all sports at all levels have been tightening their belts. Sadly, as low as funding for college baseball has been, being a non-revenue sport puts it at the top of the list to come under the “budget microscope.”

The biggest reality I had to face when I was coaching was to understand exactly what it meant to be a “non-revenue” sport. With smaller audiences and a TV deal worth a fraction of the ones that basketball and football have, there are only a handful of Division I baseball programs that actually “make money” for their school. In most cases, baseball programs rely on the success of football, basketball and fundraising to finance their programs. On top of that, 35-man rosters and a 56-game schedule make baseball very expensive relative to other non-revenue sports, such as golf and tennis. So, when it comes budget time, baseball has lots of lines on its budget for an AD to adjust or eliminate altogether.

Even fully-funded programs find that in order to make a push for additional amenities, coaches need to fundraise and bring additional money into their program. Adding advertisements to the outfield wall, baseball programs and booster clubs were all ways I helped ease the budget crunch for the University of Maryland program. Yet, even with additional fundraising efforts, the most successful coaches are also going to be the thriftiest.

If you can assume that uniforms and equipment, travel and field operations are all fixed costs, the first cutback will always be recruiting. Coaches cannot afford to go to as many events, and if anything, have to budget for the events they do go to very carefully. When I was on the road, I would often share rooms with other coaches or stay with friends and family just to help my bottom line! One of the first things we share with players in our Exclusive College Recruiting Program is that the college baseball recruit has to be prepared to recruit coaches before they come see you play.

Writing and calling coaches, making unofficial visits and having a video all dramatically increase your chances of being seen by coaches this summer and fall. When I went to games, tournaments or showcases, I already knew ahead of time who I was going to see. I couldn’t afford not to do my homework on players beforehand! Players, too, cannot afford to take the “shotgun approach” to their summer schedule. Pick your spots carefully. Who is going to be at a showcase? Who do you have consistent contact with? That’s how coaches with short budgets look at their summer.

There’s no doubt in my mind that college baseball’s popularity is on the rise even with casual fans. The College World Series has really taken off the last few years and the game is reaching more viewers through increased TV coverage. Let’s hope that we’re seeing the end of “making do,” and instead push to make college baseball successful at every institution!

Kelly Kulina is the Senior Vice President of College Recruiting at Baseball Factory. Kulina is a former Associate Head Coach and recruiting coordinator with the University of Maryland. As a former recruiting coordinator for ten years in the ACC, Kulina has vast contacts and is widely respected throughout the nation. From 1989 to 2000, Kulina coached 46 players who were selected in the MLB draft.

How Do I Get Noticed?

2009-05-13T09:49:00.002-04:00

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

I get asked this question hundreds of times each year by high school players who are looking to catch the eye of college coaches and professional scouts. There are many answers to this question, but the simplest one and easiest to control is summed up in one word: HUSTLE.

In today’s game, players who run hard out of the box all the way through the bag each and every at bat are the ones that stand out from the crowd. Because so many players jog to first when they hit a routine ground ball or “Big League it” when they hit a clean single, the guys who always run hard get noticed by everyone in attendance. A player who runs hard each at bat, and is the first guy on and off the field for his team defensively will make a positive impression on any coaches or scouts in attendance.

I recently attended a high school game where I witnessed all of the following in a matter of four innings:

1. A player failed to make an attempt to run to first base after a dropped third strike. It was apparent that he initially forgot to run and then, when he realized he should, decided it was not worth the effort.

2. The player in the above example was talked to by the coach after the third out of the inning. The coach was positive and made a good point that the player needed to be aware of the situation and needs to make an effort to get to first base the next time a similar situation arises. Obviously upset that the coach was actually coaching him, the player proceeded to walk from in front of the third base dugout to his defensive position in right field. This allowed him one throw with the center fielder before the inning began.

3. As I sat in the third base bleachers, the left fielder for one team jogged to the third base dugout after the third out of the inning. On his way by, he yelled to his apparent girlfriend in the bleachers to text him when he got back to the dugout.

4. I did not witness one player run hard all the way through first base on a ground out, or go full speed around first base and make a hard turn on a clean single. In fact, I saw a couple of players who either stopped and headed to the dugout before they got to first base on a ground out or jogged all the way and missed the bag on their way past it.

Needless to say, not a lot of players stood out to me in a good way at this game.

On the other hand, I searched out and wrote down the names of players who did the following at games this year (and I wasn’t alone in reaching for my pen and checking my roster on these guys):

1. A player went from second to third after a single when the third baseman strayed too far from the bag and neither the third baseman nor pitcher was paying any attention to the base runner.

2. I saw a player hit a fairly routine single to center field. The hitter ran hard out of the box and through the turn at first. When he noticed that the center fielder was taking his time getting to the ball, the hitter never broke stride and slid into second just before the surprised center fielder could get the ball in.

3. In another game at a field where the dugouts and on-deck areas are a good distance from home plate, a player singled to right field with a runner on second. The on-deck hitter sprinted out to home plate, got the bat out of the way and signaled to the base runner trying to score to slide to the third base side of the plate. The runner followed the instructions and just beat the throw home to score a big run for his team. The on-deck hitter showed me he was into the game, understood his responsibilities and hustled into position to help his team win the game.

It may be jaded and simple, but hustling everywhere is the easiest way to get noticed by Recruiting Coordinators and Scouts. Not everyone can hit a baseball 450 feet or run a 6.5 60-yard dash, but everyone can control their level of effort and hustle.

Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Why Player Development is Necessary for your Son’s Baseball Future

2009-05-11T10:02:00.000-04:00

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

Did you know that there are over 470,000 kids playing high school baseball throughout the United States?

Did you also know that there are only 7,000 college roster spots per year for incoming freshmen? So how do you make sure your son gets one of those 7,000 college roster spots?

Our 15 years of experience in helping players get over $500 million in college scholarships has told us that college coaches want players who are experienced and polished. The bottom line is that your son needs to get the most out of his ability and really needs to FOCUS ON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT (national tournaments or skill development) as he starts promoting himself to colleges aggressively.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you determine the next steps towards playing college baseball:

Many people think they can skip the player development step and just promote themselves to colleges. Why promote all of your son’s areas of weaknesses for all the coaches and scouts to see? This is not a formula for success. One Baseball Factory parent put it very eloquently when he said “Showcases can give your son exposure or they can expose your son’s weaknesses.” With college tuition being anywhere from $60K to well over a $100K for a four-year degree, making an investment in player development BEFORE a college coach makes a decision on whether he wants to offer your son a scholarship or a roster spot will pay long term dividends.

In these tough economic times, what is truly important and necessary for your son’s future? College baseball coaches still have baseball money available for players who are good students, polished players, and have National Team experience. Building this well rounded player is a big part of “The Baseball Factory Way” of development. College coaches trust our ability to evaluate your son in an unbiased manner and use our program as a resource to build championship programs that end up in the College World Series (1 out of every 4 players in the 2008 College World Series were Baseball Factory Alums).

As a parent of a high school baseball player in these times, no matter what, you will still need to pay for college. How do you fulfill your son’s dream of playing college baseball and at the same time help to defray your son's cost to attend college? The answer is PLAYER DEVELOPMENT!

Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 13 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

Be a Closer!

2009-05-08T11:11:00.000-04:00

Bernadette Bechta: Blackboard Basics

Spring is an exciting time of year! High school seniors are preparing for graduation, Advanced Placement tests, and their Senior Prom. Underclassmen will take state-required assessment tests that determine graduation eligibility. They hope to get their driver’s license and strive to have a strong junior season. Spring sports’ news and scores fill the morning and afternoon announcements. Spring fever definitely hits many student athletes right about now. Many teachers can be heard discussing the fact that athletes care more about their ERAs than their GPAs. This is also a dangerous time for student-athletes. Keep the basics in mind as you close this school year:

It is more important to be a ‘finisher’ as well as a ‘starter’. Your end of the year grades are the ones that end up on your transcript. Do what you need to do in the fourth quarter and final exam to secure the grade you need and want. Visit the Guidance Counselor to help you determine the needed grades.

Advocate for yourself with teachers. If you are struggling in a class, stop in after school on a regular basis to ask your teacher questions. Schedule an appointment on the day before a test to seek extra help. Teachers admire this trait in students and coaches will understand if you tell them ahead of time.

Manage your time. Sometimes when you are in-season with a sport, you have to prepare ahead of time. If you know you will have a test on Friday, do some preparation on Sunday. Read the textbook and make notes so that you can review before the test. Your weeknights can be stressful with practice and games, so you must use your weekend time wisely.

Keep track of your grades. If necessary, use a grade sheet to record each assignment and ask the teacher to record your grade at the end of each week. You will soon learn the importance of each assignment and recognize how a quarter grade evolves over a period of time.

Stay focused on your goals, both academic and athletic. Don’t let anyone or anything distract you. Summer will soon be here and you will have time then to catch up with your social activities.

Treat your teachers, coaches, parents, staff, classmates, teammates and yourself with respect. You will soon be asking for letters of recommendation and they are an important part of your application. Coaches will soon be selecting team captains for next year. You will be remembered tomorrow for who you are today!

Remember, it’s the score at the end of the game, not the end of an inning that determines the winner of a baseball game. There are many championship teams that get off to a slow start, yet finish strong to earn a postseason berth. A team’s record at the end of a season is what determines whether they qualify for playoffs. So, whether you are closing the school year as a sophomore, junior, or senior, each academic milestone builds into your student record.

Successful students complete their homework every day, they prepare for test day, and strive to perform well on the last exam. The same is true for baseball players. They practice hard, play to win each pitch, make each play without error, hit every ball hard, and try to make a difference on a team in every game. Everyone wants to end the season on a win. Try to be the “Closer” who cares about the ERA, as well as their GPA, SAT, and class rank.

Bernadette Bechta serves as the main academic contact for all players and parents in Baseball Factory's Exclusive Program. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and advisor at the high school level, Bernadette will provide families with guidance on topics ranging from application essays to financial aid. In addition, Bernadette’s two sons have both gone through the Exclusive Program, so she knows the ins and outs of the process from a parent’s perspective.

Tipping Pitches

2009-05-06T13:57:00.001-04:00

Doug Glanville: Lessons from the Times

For the 2009 baseball season, I will be discussing the lessons the Baseball Factory family may consider from my New York Times column, "Heading Home." Your feedback is welcome! Drop me a line at askdoug@baseballfactory.com!

We can learn a lot from the latest cloud over Alex Rodriguez. He has been accused of “tipping” pitches to the other team by using his glove or his body to signal the upcoming pitch to the hitter.

For starters, I played with Alex for a year in Texas and I don’t recall seeing anything from centerfield, but let’s just say for a second that I missed it.

Even so, it is a bold statement to accuse a player of helping the other team, which is one of the worst things a player can do. I also think that he may have tipped pitches, but not for his opponent, but for his own team. And either way, maybe he didn’t do it on purpose.

As you advance levels in baseball, it becomes more and more important to find an edge. There are a lot of ways to find it (that don’t involve bad things like steroids). One way is to study your opponent closely. If you look hard enough, you will see that they are sometimes giving you information that can help you know what they are about to do.

Tipping pitches is something that pitchers and defenders do without even knowing it. As players, we have patterns, we have habits that can be detected by a trained eye. The higher the level, the better the players are at picking up these unintentional signs.

When it comes to pitchers, most pitchers do something a little bit different on each kind of pitch they throw. Maybe they curl their glove when they are throwing a curveball, maybe they arch their back when they are trying to get on top of a splitter, maybe they change their foot position when they are going to pickoff to first base. It is there, you just have to find it.

The more experienced pitchers study themselves just like their opponent would to try and change if they are giving away their pitches.

So as a hitter, after facing a pitcher a bunch of times, you may be able to find something that can help you. Bobby Abreu was the best I ever played with at figuring out a pattern of a pitcher. By the third inning of every game, he knew what the pitcher was throwing with great accuracy.

You can see how this can help you. Not just at the plate, but on the bases. It would be nice to know when the pitcher is going home and when he will try and pick you off.

But pitchers aren’t the only ones who tip off pitches. Watch the defense. Did the shortstop move a couple steps to his left to pinch the middle? Did the centerfielder just move toward the right-centerfield gap on two strikes? A lot of times, defenders move for a reason, they may know what pitch is coming and based on that information, they are protecting against where they think the hitter may hit it. When slow pitches are about to come (splitter, change-up, curve) they defender may protect against the hitter pulling the ball. Just like a catcher may change his crouch because he is worried about a ball in the dirt from a bad curve or fork ball, he usually wouldn’t worry about it on a fastball.

If you are a middle infielder, it is wrong to tip off your own team’s signs to your opponent when it is on purpose. I choose not to believe what they are saying about A-Rod on this issue, but keep in mind, sometimes you are tipping pitches without even knowing it and as a ballplayer, it is your job to know this about your opponent and use it against him. During the game, be a good sportsman, but don’t help your opponent beat your team. When the game is over, if you have a friend on the other team, you can link up after the game. But never tell anyone your secrets unless it is to help your team.

Doug Glanville joined the Baseball Factory as a Special Consultant at the end of 2007. Glanville attended and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Systems Science and Engineering. Glanville was drafted 12th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 1991 amateur draft. Glanville played nine seasons in the Majors, getting his break with the Cubs. He also spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and a portion of the 2003 season with the Texas Rangers. In 1999, Glanville batted .325 with 204 hits, 101 runs, six homeruns, 73 runs batted in and 34 stolen bases. He led the league in singles with 149 that year. To review other articles from Doug Glanville, including his New York Times column, please click here.

Players With Work Allergies Need Not Apply…

2009-05-01T10:31:00.003-04:00

Julie Thompson – A Baseball Factory Parent’s Perspective

We’ve waited all winter for it—Welcome back, baseball! Our northern boys are smiling (despite some numb fingers from of our so-called ‘spring’ weather), and all you guys in the south and west…you lucky dogs….send some of that heat this way!

Hopefully, your player kept in shape in the off-season. If not, strongly suggest he does so next time around. You’ve probably heard by now, tryouts and practices for college baseball players are not for the work-ethic challenged. "Kyle" and friends from the DII and DIII levels report the process is demanding. While every school is different, here is what they’ve experienced:

Tryouts—Tryouts start a week or two into the fall semester. Cuts can take place at any point, with the final roster posted sometime during December or January. About 60 players tried out for the DII team, while roughly 50 players sought the DIII spots. The final rosters for both carried 30-35 players: 13-15 pitchers and 17-20 position players. The names of the players that make the team are posted. The names of those cut simply are missing from the list. Your son could get some feedback from the coach if he questions why he’s been cut; but typically, the player needs to seek out the coach for comments. It would be unusual for the coach to initiate the conversation.

Try-outs resembled a showcase. Coaches evaluated players based on Running—the baseball ‘60’; Hitting; and Arm Strength. Arm strength drills varied with position. For example, outfielders threw to home; infielders took ground balls and threw across the diamond; pitchers threw bullpen; and catchers were measured by pop time.

Practice – Again, coaches have their own approaches. Practice at the DII school was shorter and more intense, and could have been called, “Kill Me Now”. For one hour, five days a week, players would run for 30-45 minutes. Doesn’t sound bad? The running portion would take different forms: sprints; long distance, defined by two or so miles. Does your son run up those stadium steps when he heads to a game? Maybe suggest he try it say, for 20 minutes or so...up and down; first leading with his right foot, then his left, then alternating. When he’s done, have him run half a mile (c’mon you slackers, of course it’s timed…), then have him do some abs work…20-30 minutes of sit-ups, planks or supermans. It should come as no surprise that some players got physically sick on the field. “Kyle”, I said, “You must’ve looked okay—you’re always at the gym.” “You would think”, he replied, “but so is everyone else.” That’s right. All these kids want it as badly as your son does. It’s an eye opener to see the abundance of talent and their crushing work ethic. For these boys, though, it’s more of a challenge, and only partly a punishment. They love what they do and appreciate what it takes to be a part of the program. This routine took place for about a month, before it was replaced by scrimmages.

Players at the DIII school practiced five-to-six days a week for roughly three hours a day. Practice involved fielding balls, as well as hitting. There were several hitting groups, with players checking the lists each day to see which group they were in. Fielding drills depended on the position. Infielders took ground balls and did ‘bare-hand’ work. Outfielders worked on pop-ups. When it rained or practice got cancelled, players headed to the gym. There, they worked specifically on their rotator cuffs, strengthened their core, and conditioned their legs. While routines may be altered when injuries occur, players continue their regimen, resting only the part(s) of their bodies that need to heal.

The pressure is still on when practice is over—the pressure to get to the cafeteria before closing time, that is. Players scarf down a quick dinner, head back to their rooms and settle in to study. After squeezing in some sleep, they go to class and on many days, get on a bus for a game that is several hours away. Some of them play, and some of them root on their teammates. Then the team heads back to their own campus, and these boys do it all over again the next day…and the next…and the next…

As a parent, I’m exhausted just thinking about the schedule. More than that, I’m proud of the dedication and ability shown by my son and his teammates, inspired by their passion, and humbled by their selflessness. Their accomplishments transcend any game or season—the attributes they embody will carry them far in life.

Julie Thompson is a parent of a former Baseball Factory Exclusive Program player. She has volunteered to share her opinions, observations and general thoughts regarding the college recruiting and player development process. She will share what worked and what didn’t for her son, in the hope that other parents and players may benefit from her experience.

Should I Walk-On?

2009-04-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

I can’t tell you how many of our Baseball Factory parents and players have asked this question over the past 15 years. For anyone not familiar with the term “Walk On,” it is in reference to a player that decides to attend a college and earn a spot on the baseball roster without having a scholarship commitment, and in some instances, without even being recruited. It certainly is a very tough decision and there is no blanket answer to the above question. Each family and each baseball program is a unique circumstance.

The New York Times had a great article recently entitled, “For College Walk-Ons, a Road Less Traveled Makes All the Difference.” It detailed the stories of Brett Gardner (current CF for the NY Yankees), Ryan Howard (former MVP for the Philadelphia Phillies), and Eric Karros (former 1B for the LA Dodgers). All three of these players walked on to their college baseball programs and then turned into Major Leaguers. While these stories are very inspirational and are a testament to their hard work, it doesn’t mean that “walking on” is the right decision for each family. For every Brett Gardner success story, there are hundreds of players that get cut from their college program and never have a chance to pursue college baseball.

Kelly Kulina, our Senior Vice President of the Exclusive Program, has told me time and time again that when he was the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Maryland, they had 75-100 players each year that would try to walk on. The program might keep one or two of the players and the rest never had a chance to play college baseball. Kelly believes that the majority of these players could have been college baseball players, just not players at the University of Maryland. They were a better fit for smaller programs and not the right match for the rigors of playing Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) baseball. Most of these players probably didn’t market themselves to a variety of college programs or did not have any other college baseball coaches showing interest. With no other baseball options to consider, they most likely chose University of Maryland for academic or social reasons.

My advice to Baseball Factory families on this topic has always been consistent. Have as many options as possible before making a decision to walk-on. Your son may decide that he wants to try and walk-on, because in the end, there are just too many things about that particular school that he loves and can’t pass up. However, I would want that player to have to say “no thank you” to a number of other schools that have shown interest in him for baseball.

In my mind, if you explore all your options, and can make an informed decision one way or another, you can’t go wrong. It is only when you make a desperate move, or when you haven’t given the process 100% effort that regrets seem to set in.

Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 13 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

Tired..Maybe You're Overtrained

2009-04-10T15:19:00.004-04:00

Dana Cavalea: Performance Training for Baseball

As athletes we often times think that more is better, especially those that love to train. There are 2 types of athletes, those that hate to train, and those that love it. The ones that hate it are candidates for muscles strains and fatigue due to poorly conditioned/ lack of efficient musle contraction, while those that love to train, are at risk for injury as a result of muscular and neural fatigue, as well as a feeling of fatigue and altered psycological state.

This is actually classified as OVERTRAINING SYNDROME. The more is better principle is definitely not a good one, considering the effects of both a physical and mental burnout, which will without a doubt cause decreased performance.

With that being said, classic signs of OVERTRAINING SYNDROME ARE:

-Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy
-Mild leg soreness, general aches and pains
-Pain in muscles and joints
-Sudden drop in performance
-Insomnia
-Headaches
-Decreased immunity (increased number of colds, and sore throats)
-Decrease in training capacity / intensity
-Moodiness and irritability
-Depression
-Loss of enthusiasm for the sport
-Decreased appetite
-Increased incidence of injuries.
-A compulsive need to exercise

If you look at these symptoms, this is extremely dangerous for an athlete, and therefore we need to always monitor training volume, and at the same time TAKE TIME OFF. This blog is mostly centered around trianing, and training hard, but as the season approaches, we need to really lay out our schedule of rest and recovery, or we will need to turn this blog into that of injury rehabilitation rather than performance.

For more from Dana please check out his blog.

Dana Cavalea and Major League Strength serve as baseball performance strength and conditioning consultants for all Baseball Factory events. Dana currently serves as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the New York Yankees. He has also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. Dana founded Major League Strength, a company that works to provide athletes with first class professional training and a dynamic program designed to elicit positive results in all aspects of Human Movement and Sports Performance. Dana is certified by the CSCS, NASM-PES and the USAW.

2009 Predictions

2009-04-08T13:48:00.005-04:00

Jason Budden: Un-Common Sense?

The season is finally here! Last year, I waited until May to make my predictions, and while I was right on with the Rays, part of me feels like I cheated. So, this year, why wait, let’s get right to the predictions:

American League East
1.Boston Red Sox
2.New York Yankees (wild card)
3.Tampa Bay Rays
4.Baltimore Orioles
5.Toronto Blue Jays

The Yankees spent $423.5 million this offseason on three players:CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, but the Red Sox still have more depth than the Yanks and down the stretch, this will be key.Alex Rodriguez is starting the season on the DL and who knows how his hip will respond when he returns. Add in the pressure he’ll face based on his offseason issues and there may be too many distractions for him to get back to MVP form in 2009. Don’t overlook the addition of Takashi Saito to the Red Sox bullpen and John Smoltz, their ace in the hole who should return this summer. Both teams will make the playoffs, but I expect the Red Sox to win the division.

While I would love to see the Rays make another run, they aren’t going to sneak up on anyone this year. They have the talent to do it again, but do they have any magic left under their hats? In another division, they are probably the favorites, but this is the AL East. They can’t let David Price spend too much time in the minors if they are going to compete. The Orioles will likely have a 12^th consecutive losing season, but they are moving in the right direction with their young talented players. This will be a rebuilding year for the Blue Jays as well.

American League Central
1.Cleveland Indians
2.Minnesota Twins
3.Chicago White Sox
4.Detroit Tigers
5.Kansas City Royals

The main difference between the 2008 Indians and the 2009 team is health. Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner and Fausto Carmona all appear to be healthy entering the season. They finished the 2008 season by winning 43 of their last 71 games, mainly based on the performance of Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore. Those two players can’t do it on their own, and this year, they shouldn’t have to. The addition of Mark DeRosa will help push the Indians back into the playoffs.

The Twins should compete again in 2009 and they always seem to find a way to be in the mix. Francisco Liriano is my sleeper pick to win the AL Cy Young, but I’m not sold on Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey and the rest of the Twins rotation.

There aren’t that many differences between the White Sox team that won the division last year and this year’s squad, except for age. 32, 33, 35, 35, 37 and 39. Those are the opening day ages of A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Bartolo Colon, Jose Contreras and Jim Thome; all players that will be counted on heavily by the White Sox. Expect this year’s team to look older and play older.

I wish I had more to say about the Tigers and Royals, but really, so do they. Keep a close eye on Rick Porcello, a RHP for the Tigers. Selected in the first round of the 2007 draft, Porcello was a participant in the 2006 Cape Cod High School Classic, powered by Baseball Factory.

American League West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Texas Rangers
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners

I really wanted to pick the Rangers to win the west. In the end, even though the Angels starting rotation is in shambles based on injuries, I still felt they were the better team in the long run. John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar are injured, but all should be back in the rotation within a few months. The Rangers are going to hit…a lot, but that just isn’t enough. I like them to put a scare into the Angels and keep the race close until September, but I just don’t think they have enough to seal the deal.

As for the Athletics, they have improved their offense dramatically by adding Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera, Jason Giambi and Nomar Garciaparra. If they can get some production out of their rotation they may be able to compete in the West, but there are too many question marks in their rotation and bullpen.

I’m excited to see Ken Griffey, Jr. back in Seattle. I don’t expect him to produce like the old Junior Griffey, but it is a nice way for him to end his Hall of Fame career back where it started. Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard should both have bounce back years, but it isn’t enough for this rebuilding team.

Next time we’ll take a look at the National League.

Jason Budden is the Vice President of Operations and Marketing at Baseball Factory. Jason joined the Baseball Factory in 1997 while still a junior in high school. After going through the Baseball Factory's college recruiting program he was placed at Johns Hopkins University where he played two years of college baseball before graduating with a degree in Economics. After working part-time at the Factory throughout college, Jason joined the team as a full-time employee in January 2002 when he was promoted to Director of Marketing. He currently oversees all marketing projects and sponsorship opportunities at Baseball Factory. He is also in charge of development and marketing for Baseball University, the leader in online baseball education and a division of Baseball Factory.

Follow Your Thoughts

2009-04-07T16:15:00.000-04:00

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

Have you ever paid close attention to your thoughts? Try it sometime. You might be surprised by how much time you spend subconsciously on certain topics. While you are conducting this little experiment on yourself, take notice of how many thoughts come into your brain that are negative or fearful in nature.

Why is it that we spend so much time thinking about negative things? Unfortunately, I have found it to be quite common that people prefer to focus on negative and mentally taxing thoughts versus those that are emotionally gratifying. Wouldn’t we be better served spending our “mental energy” on things that were positive? I know that many people believe that they cannot stop their mind from racing down a certain path, but I would have to disagree. I think each of us has the ability to control their thoughts and direct them in a manner for their most positive benefit.

As parents, I think it is important to share this concept with your children. We all want our kids to be successful and confident in everything they choose to do. Our kids are growing up in a world with intense pressures and ever evolving emotional stimuli, which at times can be negative. If they too are filling their mind with negative thoughts and fearful patterns it could certainly begin to manifest itself in negative behaviors. We want our children to be confident, self assured beings. It all starts with their own self image and self esteem, which is somewhat comprised from their own thoughts. By helping your children understand that they can control their thoughts and maintain a positive attitude, it should only help them produce positive results in their lives, including their performance in the classroom and on the baseball field.

Spend a few days practicing this exercise. If you can keep your mind focused for its greatest good and most positive outlook, I think you will be shocked by how much more emotionally content you can be.

Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 14 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

Diversity

2009-04-06T10:27:00.003-04:00

Doug Glanville: Lessons from the Times

For the 2009 baseball season, I will be discussing the lessons the Baseball Factory family may consider from my New York Times column, "Heading Home." Your feedback is welcome! Drop me a line at askdoug@baseballfactory.com!

My high school was in the town of Teaneck, New Jersey and it was a unique place. In 1965 it was the first high school in the United States to voluntarily integrate. This allowed people of all cultures and religions to attend the school.

Today, so much is changing and as a rising high school baseball player, it is important that you see the beauty and the lessons of being around different kinds of people. Maybe many of you are not growing up in a place where there is a lot of diversity, but these days, there are many more opportunities to interact with different kinds of people and it is important that you focus on the fact that we have so many things in common and so much we can learn.

Baseball is a game that has done so much in our country’s history to teach people about what we can learn from diversity. Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to break into the major leagues after years of quiet rules that kept African-Americans out of the game. But don’t think he was just important for the African-American people, he was a hero for all of America because he opened up the world to talents of people who had not been given a chance before. This allowed our great game to see a new perspective, to enjoy a different kind of game, and to see the power of overcoming adversity. Jackie ran hard, slid hard into bases. He was a great spark and a great ambassador for the game.

He also showed us the importance of learning from everyone, not just people who look like us. We found strength, we found honor, we found discipline, we found a passion for our game and opening the door to Jackie is what allowed us to find these things.

Every culture in our country has this kind of story. Whether your parent’s parents came from a far away place in Europe or whether your family had been living in the same house in Nebraska for 100 years. The story of baseball is about things greater than our color, culture, religion, or whatever makes us feel “different.” (So listen to your parent’s stories!).

If you watch baseball today, it is showing us what makes up not only our wonderful game, but our wonderful world of people. So see this as an opportunity to learn from all-kinds of people. You may have a teammate right next to your locker that can show you new things and this same teammate is the person you are working with to win a championship or figure out how to turn a double play. He has your back, you have his back and it doesn’t matter where he was born or what he looks like.

That is the true American story. A story of opportunity, of new ideas, of great games, of different kinds of people working together. Baseball is that entire story and I hope as a young player in this game, you take the time to learn your teammates and your opponents. You may be surprised where this takes you and how much you have in common.

Doug Glanville joined the Baseball Factory as a Special Consultant at the end of 2007. Glanville attended and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Systems Science and Engineering. Glanville was drafted 12th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 1991 amateur draft. Glanville played nine seasons in the Majors, getting his break with the Cubs. He also spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and a portion of the 2003 season with the Texas Rangers. In 1999, Glanville batted .325 with 204 hits, 101 runs, six homeruns, 73 runs batted in and 34 stolen bases. He led the league in singles with 149 that year. To review other articles from Doug Glanville, including his New York Times column, please click here.

The Consequences of Cheating

2009-04-02T09:58:00.001-04:00

Kelly Kulina: Your Link to the Colleges

Everyone has an opinion on steroids and the most famous users (just Google Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds or Alex Rodriguez). But, as Rob Naddelman pointed out in one of his previous posts, the focus should be on education and prevention in our college, high school and youth ranks. There are many illegal performance-enhancing substances out there, with wide-ranging long-term consequences. It’s important for players to know what steroid use can do not only to their career, but to their body and state of mind.

Since September 1986, the NCAA has had a mandatory drug testing program in place for all sports and has maintained testing throughout the academic year. Players sign a consent form at the first team meeting and are pulled from practice and competition without notice and administered tests throughout the fall, regular season and even the postseason. In fact, players on my teams were sometimes pulled right out of the dugout by an envelope-carrying compliance officer.

Over the years, punishments for positive results have increased in severity. When I was coaching, the penalty for “street drugs” (marijuana, cocaine) or any other NCAA banned substance ranged from counseling to being banned from competition. Today, a lot of college athletic departments have a “zero-tolerance” stance towards steroids, and the penalty is severe: immediate suspension for one year, with a second offense resulting in a permanent loss of eligibility. In addition, if a student-athlete transfers to another NCAA institution while disqualified due to a positive test, their ineligibility will follow them to the new school.

Far and above a player’s eligibility is his health, and unfortunately, many young athletes are putting supplements into their bodies without knowing the short and long-term effects of this use. On one end of the “performance-enhancing spectrum,” you have protein shakes, power bars or even Red Bull. On the other, you have your more common steroids, such as HGH and testosterone. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of gray area to cover between these two extremes. Some of these supplements are under the NCAA’s list of banned substances and you wouldn’t even know it! Players simply must know what they’re putting into their bodies, and what the side effects can be, even if bought over-the-counter.

When we go to the pharmacy to get a prescription drug, we are given information such as what the medication is for and what side effects it may cause. In addition, we are advised to call the doctor if we encounter any side effects while taking this prescribed medicine. Athletes who take performance-enhancing drugs usually have NO idea what they’re taking, let alone the side effects or problems that can occur. On top of that, they’re not going to be comfortable talking to anyone about the side effects or problems they’re having because of the obvious repercussions it will have on their reputations. If you haven’t already heard of the Taylor Hooton Foundation, I’d suggest taking some time to read up on the sobering story of this young man. Deciding to take anabolic steroids in order to compete at the high school level, Taylor was eventually caught and consequently removed from his drug regiment. Sadly, a side effect of his use was a withdrawal-related depression, and on July 15, 2003, Taylor took his own life.

The bottom line is that you can be successful by taking care of yourself, working hard and making good decisions. As you continue to move up the ladder in athletics and life, there are always going to be people who are bigger, stronger, faster and smarter. However, there is something to be said for doing things the right way and there is NO substitute for hard work and dedication. After all, when it’s all said and done, it’s not our trophies, accomplishments or money we earned that matter most, but our integrity and satisfaction in knowing that we played the game the right way.

Kelly Kulina is the Senior Vice President of College Recruiting at Baseball Factory. Kulina is a former Associate Head Coach and recruiting coordinator with the University of Maryland. As a former recruiting coordinator for ten years in the ACC, Kulina has vast contacts and is widely respected throughout the nation. From 1989 to 2000, Kulina coached 46 players who were selected in the MLB draft.

Good Vibrations – When the Team Connects

2009-03-30T12:35:00.002-04:00

Julie Thompson – A Baseball Factory Parent’s Perspective

‘Team spirit’ is a phrase we hear a lot. The words connote profound concepts—the desire to be a part of something bigger than oneself; the joy of realizing goals together, that individually, cannot be attained. When connectedness happens, one plus one really can make three.

Like you, we’ve been on many kinds of teams. They all have had their ups and downs. Most have had plenty of politics. One thing has stood out, though—the teams whose players really connected as teammates tended to outperform expectations.

Coaches played a big part in creating the teams’ atmospheres. We only had one coach that emphasized ‘fun’ over fundamentals and discipline; and most of the players found that without sound fundamentals and discipline, there really wasn’t much ‘fun.’ There never was a question of ‘control’ or who was ‘in charge,’ but the manner in which the authority message was conveyed varied from coach to coach. Team spirit also varied, as did the season records.

As the players got older, creating a team connection extended from the coach to the captains. Captains walked a tightrope when players were blasted by the coach or felt distanced from others in the group. They enforced the coaches’ rules and beliefs, but also sought out the individual. Captains weren’t immune to the coach’s ire, and had to learn the ropes, themselves. They had survived the system and thrived. Captains checked on injured teammates and made sure they brought everyone together outside of practice. Campfires and team dinners were places for players to vent—appropriately—with respect for the team and each other. They also served to build relationships that ultimately strengthened the team. Captains represented everybody, and communicated with everybody. They explained the expectations to new guys, and demanded accountability when players blew off responsibilities. They even met with the coach when it became clear his style was draining team morale. Captains fostered trust and respect among teammates. They joked with them, and offered perspective. They strove to be fair. Above all, captains were leaders, instilling optimism, players’ belief in themselves, and the team’s sense of ‘oneness.’

An observer usually can sense the teams with strong spirit. Two of Kyle’s high school teams played in tournaments that eventually went to national championships. Both times, they were underdogs from the north, gearing up to play all the teams from the south and west. Much of our season had been snowed-or-rained out—our teams probably had played half the games of their warm climate counterparts. One team got slaughtered fairly early on, before making a comeback. The other had some games that weren’t pretty, but somehow they managed to keep inching toward play-offs. In moments we all will remember with awe, both teams won their respective tournaments.

The notable qualities about both teams were their attitude and work ethic. They also had strong skills, but so did the other teams that made the tournaments. Our boys had fun, without losing sight of their goal. Instead of placing blame when errors happened, they moved on. They joked about eating the same breakfast, at the same restaurant, in the same seats, at the same time every day, once the winning began. Most of all, they trusted and supported each other on the field. Rivalries between individuals cooled as the teams progressed, showing that egos could retreat for the greater good. The groups’ connectedness was a force you could feel. The beauty of these wins was that everyone contributed—and knew he did—in some manner. Those moments were pure joy, and epitomized the essence of teamwork.

I often wonder if Kyle will experience that kind of connectedness in college. A friend of mine attributed the wonder of those championship weeks to the fact that the boys were still young. They’re older now, tougher and a little less trusting. The level of competition has risen and the stakes are high. Understandably, players closely guard personal vulnerabilities that can be revealed in the process of building trust and connection. I think there are a lot of factors in addition to that—the number of returning vs. new players, the team’s accomplishments, the way games are won and lost, and the players’ connection with the coach, to name a few. All I know is that for those two high school teams, connectedness was a powerful force, and it made winning that much sweeter for all of us.

Team spirit doesn’t have to blare. Oftentimes, it is subtle and strong. Players quietly give themselves up for the team by playing through injuries and making other personal sacrifices. They earn each other’s respect through hard work, and the recognition that each player is maximizing his effort on the field. Team spirit can grow with interaction and communication—and that simply takes time. As that happens, separate individuals bond into a solid group. And so, with another season upon us, strategies will be drawn up and fundamentals will be honed—but the teams that will outperform will likely include a strong sense of connectedness.

Julie Thompson is a parent of a former Baseball Factory Exclusive Program player. She has volunteered to share her opinions, observations and general thoughts regarding the college recruiting and player development process. She will share what worked and what didn’t for her son, in the hope that other parents and players may benefit from her experience.

When in Doubt…Draft a Quarterback

2009-03-27T14:00:00.003-04:00

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

College baseball is in full swing and so is the high school season in most parts of the country. That means that scouts are busy canvassing the nation to evaluate prospects for this June’s MLB Amateur Draft.

Because scouting continues to be an inexact science with only a small percentage of drafted players ever putting on a Major League uniform, Scouting Departments are always looking for an edge over other organizations. To find the next superstar, maybe they should throw out psychological tests, personality tests and leadership questionnaires and turn instead to a consultant better known for a different draft – Mel Kiper.

Leadership, work ethic and toughness are valuable intangibles normally found in a quality big leaguer. Do you know where else they are usually found? They’re found in quarterbacks. In fact, some of today’s top players have a history as very successful and highly recruited QBs. Listed below is a pretty solid line-up made up of ex- quarterbacks:

Catcher -Joe Mauer
Mauer was the top QB in the country coming out of high school and committed to play for Florida State before signing with the Twins.

First Baseman – Todd Helton
Helton played QB at the University of Tennessee before yielding to Peyton Manning and then concentrating on baseball full-time.

Second Baseman – Mark DeRosa
DeRosa played QB at the University of Pennsylvania and had some NFL free agent interest before settling on baseball as his future.

Shortstop – Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez committed to play QB at the University of Miami before becoming the first overall pick in the draft and signing with the Mariners as a shortstop.

Third Baseman – Casey Blake
Blake is one of the best high school athletes in Iowa history and turned down QB offers from Iowa, Kansas State and others to play baseball at Wichita State.

Left Fielder –Matt Holliday
Holliday was a highly regarded high school QB who committed to play for Oklahoma State before signing with the Rockies

Center Fielder – Grady Sizemore
Sizemore was a tremendous athlete who committed to play QB for Coach Rick Neuheisel at the University of Washington before signing with the Expos.

Right Fielder – Carl Crawford
Crawford, one of the best option QB’s in the country when he came out of high school, committed to play at the University of Nebraska before signing with the Devil Rays

Starting Pitcher – Scott Kazmir
Kazmir was recruited heavily by the University of Texas as a QB before making baseball his priority.

Closer – Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon was heavily recruited to play QB in the SEC before settling on baseball as his future at Mississippi State University.

Designated Hitter – Adam Dunn
Dunn’s original contract with the Reds allowed him to attend the University of Texas in the fall to play QB. After falling behind Major Applewhite and Chris Simms on the depth chart, he stayed with baseball full time.

This list doesn’t even mention many of the other quality high school quarterbacks who ultimately chose baseball. MLB All-Stars like Torii Hunter, Jason Giambi, Nate McLouth and Vernon Wells were all accomplished signal callers in their younger years.

With more and more high school athletes concentrating on just one sport year-round, multiple sport athletes are not as prevalent as they once were. The argument of one sport versus multiple sports is a topic for a future blog, but the names listed above seem to make a case for at least continuing to play QB if you have the ability. It appears to me that when baseball tools are combined with the athleticism and make-up necessary to excel at the quarterback position, you have a pretty good chance of finding a special baseball player. Just ask Mel Kiper.

Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.