First, effective January 1, 2011, the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA will all be adopting the BBCOR standards for aluminum baseball bats.  BBCOR stands for the Ball-Bat Coefficiet of Resitution.  It is simply a new, more advanced testing standard which takes account for bat inertia.  Only bats that display the BBCOR certified label will be deemed legal bats at the college level.  The idea is to reduce the exit speed of the ball off the bat and ultimately close the gap between aluminum and wood bats.  As a current college coach, I saw first hand this fall of the difference these new bats make.  Certainly a significant decrease in distance with the new BBCOR bats.  Much like Major League Baseball this year, I think we will see an increased emphasis on pitching and defense and perhaps also less inflated offensive statistics across the board. 

For all you high school players out there, no need to worry this year, your Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) certified bats will still be legal for another year.  However, beginning in 2012, the National Federation of High School Athletic Assocations will adopt the NCAA rules by allowing only BBCOR certified bats.  There are also a few “composite” bats that have been approved for this year as well:

-DeMarini CF4

-DeMarini Vendetta C6

-Louisville Slugger – TPX Dynasty

-Louisville Slugger – TPX Triton

- Combat Backbone AB

-Combat B1AB

-Combat B2AB

You can find more about high school rules and approved bats here…

From everything that I’ve seen, the pricing of these new BBCOR bats will be about the same as the BESR bats so don’t expect much of a change in pricing.  Average cost seems to be around $199.   In addition, of the new DeMarini BBCOR bats, most players favor the DeMarini Voodoo over the Vexxum. 

It should be interesting to see how the offensive and defensive sides of the game are affected by these new standards.  Personally, I think it is good for the game of baseball, and I think you will see, at least in the college scene, a shift back to small ball (bunts, hit & runs, etc).

Have you used any of the new BBCOR bats yet?? Please post your thoughts/comments/questions here.

Thanks for reading!

Baseball fans and enthusiasts everywhere look forward to the calendar changing to October, because that means MLB playoff baseball is here at last.  But for those of us not playing in the MLB playoffs, our OFF-SEASON has begun!  Time to reflect on the past season but more importantly think about what you are going to do this off-season to make yourself a better player.  Here’s the first step: sign up for a membership at The BATT Academy!

Our facility and professional staff provides every resource necessary to prepare you for the upcoming season.  Aside from our four cages with “Iron-Mike” pitching machines and four pitching mounds, we also have a weight room and a 130 ft. multi-purpose room that is used for long-toss, infield play, as well as athletic training.  Check out our photo gallery here

The BATT is unlike your typical batting cage, as we do not have tokens and our only reservations are for private instruction.  We pride ourselves on being an open “baseball gym” where members have unlimited access to our facility seven days a week.  The traditional off-season for baseball players is our IN-SEASON and we try to provide the very best resources and instruction for our members to help prepare them for the upcoming season. 

This “off-season” we plan to implement several events including free weekly clinics for our members.  With a professional and knowledgable staff offering everything from pitching/hitting/catching instruction to college recruiting workshops and athletic training, we truly are a “full-service” baseball academy.  To join or to find out some more information about the BATT Academy and our memberships, call us at 410.590.BATT (2288) or send us an email at thebatt@verizon.net

This month we want to recognize a special group of young ballplayers as our BATT Academy – MEMBERS OF THE MONTH.  They are the Lakeshore GraySox 10U travel team.  Not only is each player on the team a BATT Academy member, they can now all be called CHAMPIONS!!  The GraySox competed in the Cal Ripken “Big Kahuna” Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  The GraySox returned to Maryland as champions after cruising through the competition with an 8-1 record.  In the championship game they defeated the Saints of St. Petersburg Florida by the score of 10-8.  Congratulations to the 10U GraySox, we are extremely proud of you for the excellent job you did representing Lake Shore, the BATT Academy, and the entire state of Maryland.  Job well done!!

Team Photo Above:

(Top Left) Bobby Quesenberry, Daniel Casalino, Roland Siwinski, Mike Storm, Blake Rebstock

(Bottom Left) Andrew Revels, Tommy McNamaara, Trace Carleon, Chase Hilliard, Dillon Young, Andrew Colebrook

 The GraySox are Managed by Jeff Young.  Assistant Coaches Shawn Rebstock, Marty Hilliard, Pop-Pop Caputo,and Aaron Revels.

And to all the Moms who spend tireless hours here at the BATT Academy, and out at the field as well.  Thank you!

To view past Member of the Month winners, click here

 Little League WS Debate

The end of summer usually means most youngsters are finishing up their little league seasons.   For a select group of teams, their summer seasons finish up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the site of the Little League World Series.  Millions tune in to ESPN to watch some of the best little league players and teams in the world.  It’s a tremendous experience for the young baseball players involved but it also is a great opportunity to increase exposure to the sport in an era when kids have so many other things occurring in their daily lives.  

Lamade Field - Williamsport, PA

However, the purpose of this post is to debate whether or not the Little League WS is a true testament of Little League baseball.  On one side of the debate, many feel the Little League WS is overrated.  This argument stems from the fact that there are so many 13 year old players in the WS whose birthdays happen to fall before the cut-off date.  Typically, 13 year olds have graduated to a 90 foot diamond with fences reaching far beyond the 200 ft mark at Williamsport.  Many have noticed this year the amount of homeruns that not only clear the fences, but have soared well beyond that 200ft marker.  Another part of this debate is that the players in the Little League WS are not a true representation of the best little league players in the country.  Many who tune in to the Ripken World Series for example (same ages as LLWS), will notice the level of play is much more competitive.  Other non-LLWS advocates feel the series is tainted because they allow so many teams in from so many countries that the talent level is watered down. 

Now, for the PRO-LLWS advocates out there:  This group feels that the LLWS draws attention to the sport in a positive way.  Many youngsters may want to get involved in baseball just because they see kids on ESPN playing the game and having fun.  As mentioned earlier, in an era when kids have the internet and video games etc, going out and playing baseball doesn’t always register as an outlet for fun and entertainment.  Kids do not typically go out and play sandlot baseball as this has become a thing of the past.  So the LLWS provides youngsters the opportunity to get involved in baseball and discover why it is known as America’s pastime.  

Let the debate begin.  Post your comments, questions, concerns, thoughts???

  This past week, Coach Acevedo and Coach Williams along with several other college coaches and pro scouts, had the unique opportunity to work with over 200 high school baseball players from across the country at the United States Naval Academy.  It was a long, but extremely fun and informative camp that gave kids a unique opportunity to not only receive top notch instruction from some of the best college coaches around, but also a taste of what life is like as a midshipman at the US Naval Academy.  Coaches and players lived in the dorms on base for the duration of camp and were exposed to some of the daily routines that a midshipman player or coach goes through each day.  

Bishop Stadium

The mornings began with a quick 7:00am breakfast then players reported to their respective fields by 7:45 to begin morning skills training.  Aside from the normal hitting, fielding and pitching stations, players were also given the opportunity to enhance their agility and flexibility while also learning advanced base stealing techniques.  After lunch, players reported back out for games in the afternoon followed by dinner in the evening.  Each night was concluded with a leadership talk with speakers including Coach Kosty from Navy, a Marine Corp Captain, and also a Navy Seal.  

One of the most challenging and exciting parts of the Navy Baseball Camp actually came away from the baseball field.  Players were exposed to what is known as the Endurance Course.  The “E” course as its known is a 2.5 mile course through the woods that includes several obstacles along the way.  Players  climbed up ropes, vaulted over walls, balanced over rope bridges, all while trekking up and down steep hills, sometimes through the mud!  It was a challenging, but very fun course for the players and a handful of coaches, including Coach Williams (Acevedo was stuck umping !).  

toughness can be more mental than physical

All in all, it was great experience for everyone involved; Coach Williams and Coach Acevedo were excited to see so many familiar faces there from the BATT Academy.  All of you guys made a good impression and did a great job representing the BATT while holding your own against some of the best high school players across the country. 

A special thanks to Coach Jason Ronai, one of the hardest working guys in baseball, you’re the best. 

Check back for more stories and updates from the BATT Academy as we try each and every day to teach the game of baseball and share our knowledge and experiences with younger players.  

Come by and visit us, or drop us an email… thebatt@verizon.net 

 Coach Williams                  anwilliams01@frostburg.edu 

Coach Acevedo                 mace4429@yahoo.com

Kevin Kean- Old Mill HS     Mike Marsh- Chesapeake HS       Jason Seitler- Chesapeake HS

2010 MSABC Pre-Season All-State Selecetions

As always, feel free to contact me at 410-960-6016 (cell) or at dfletcher@battacademy.com

Thanks!

Coach Fletcher

Throwing a baseball with accuracy and speed is obviously a necessity for ballplayers to continue to move up the baseball ladder. It is almost incomprehensible that kids who are fourteen years old and in high school are expected to play at the same distances that major league baseball players do, but that is the case. High school dimensions are the same ninety feet between the bases and sixty feet between home and the pitcher’s mound. Those are formidable distances for players, especially for those who have not had their growth spurt yet. The good news is that players can improve their arm strength and accuracy with good mechanics and practice by engaging in Long-Tossing. Players who want to improve their throwing should adhere to the following fundamentals and practice until perfecting them. It is also necessary to throw (correctly) for anywhere between seven and nine months out of the year. Generally, as kids get closer to high school, more throwing is advised with at least a couple of days a week of quality throwing (Long-Toss!). Getting the proper amount of rest between throwing sessions is also important.

3 Absolutes of Throwing for Speed and Accuracy

1. Direction – most kids know how to stand at home plate so having them go to their hitting position before throwing should come easy. This complete turn of the body will point the front shoulder directly at the target with feet parallel to each other. Without this correct set-up position, the thrower’s ability to reach maximum speed and accuracy are already compromised. As noted with hitting position, a complete ninety degree turn of the thrower’s foot of the same side as his throwing arm is necessary to get to correct starting position.

2. Direction 2 – Players must step directly at the target. Without this direct step the thrower’s hips will not function correctly causing a lack of accuracy and power. The length of the step will be determined by the distance of the throw and will come naturally, with the key being the direction. Drawing a direct line from the lead foot towards the target or setting down a couple of objects for the player to step in between are good practice drills to reinforce the correct step. An indirect step is the most common area of break down in a player’s throwing fundamentals.

3. Follow through – it is necessary that throwers allow their arm to travel the complete path so the body can alleviate some of the stress of the arm action on the shoulder and to prevent aiming the ball. This is done by the players throwing arm finishing at his opposite side hip, thigh or knee and by having his rear leg come up and forward as they throw. Like hitting, this weight transfer puts power into the throw.

Sounds simple enough but like anything, “The difference between doing something totally correct and almost correct, is the difference between success and failure.” (Author of quote is unknown.) Long distance throwing can also develop arm strength but the 3 above fundamentals must be followed for “long toss” to be beneficial.

Hope this helps!

Coach Fletcher