THE SANDLOT
Personalized Coaching From The Ground Up
Thom Harp
College and Pro player
30 years High School Coach
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I created The Sandlot to, not only offer instruction and coaching, but to help parents whose child is involved in baseball. No matter the level of competition, no matter what stage in their development and no matter what degree of dedication they bring to the sport, the culture of the game is such that there are some basic 'ground rules' that should be kept in mind as you and your child embark on this exciting adventure . Whether you go with The Sandlot or some other avenue of instruction, there are some very important things to look for....and insist upon. It is my hope that the following information will help.
Baseball is a game of consistency, not perfection. It may well be the most cerebral game on the planet. As your son or daughter grows, and they move through the levels of competition, the game itself will become more complex. As this happens, the physical and mental tools necessary to succeed will also become more demanding. With this in mind, it is absolutely essential that their training be structured in a way that will, not only prepare them for their current level of competition, but also prepare them for the next step as well. It is also critical that the instruction be administered on a gradient. It's very easy to become overwhelmed with all of the mechanical and mental elements involved in being a successful ballplayer. Every player has their own unique needs , their own unique pace and, ultimately, their own comfort level. This is what sets The Sandlot apart from other institutionalized instruction resources that often get lost in 'assembly line' instruction that does not take the player's needs first.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR -
Initial evaluation - free of charge. This is to determine where we start. I don't want to go over already covered ground. Your player's current level of proficiency is taken into consideration so that everything that is taught is a step forward. It can be done in person or you can send some videos that can be evaluated.
Lower Body Mechanics - truly sets The Sandlot apart from others. Essential to success in the field, at the plate and on the mound.
Total Game Instruction - hitting, fielding and pitching instruction available.
Beyond The Physical - Yogi Berra once said, 'this game is 85% mental and the other half is physical'. The math may be off here because Yogi Berra had a habit of saying things like that but the point is that baseball is a game of mental challenges. Besides the mechanics, there's a whole other world of things that will challenge your player's concentration and mental capabilities. Things like, 'working the count' 'going with the pitch', 'taking charge at the plate', 'being ready to make the play' are some of the many things that separate the elite player from the rest. This is something that is not covered with most 'instruction' curriculums. I cover this, I stress this, and I will give your player the mental tools to make this happen.
Post instruction availability - after your son or daughter is taught the mechanics necessary to be successful, I will still be available....as a coach, as a consultant. If there's one constant in baseball, it's that a player will forget one of the things that has made them successful. It's called a 'slump' and, the more games they play, the more likely they'll forget or overlook something.. It might be the most minor component of their mechanics but it can make a huge difference. Most often, the difference between a great player and an average player is their ability to work their way out of a slump. This is where a good coach and a good foundation in fundamentals come in. Just contact me. Help is that close. In the over 30 years that I coached high school players I registered success that is well-documented. Over 90% of the Freshman-Sophomore players that I coached moved on to the next level, some leap frogged JV and went right to Varsity.
Parent participation - a parent's relationship with their child is one of the most sacred known to mankind. If you so choose, you will be involved with every step along the way. Everything taught will be shared with you, explained to you and demonstrated to you so that, when your player is ready, you can take it from there. I don't want to deny you the opportunity to establish this all-too-important bond with your son or daughter that may last a lifetime.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU BEGIN -
Hitting - actually one of the most difficult things to master in all of sport. Think about it.....if a quarterback throws 10 passes and completes 3 or a basketball player takes 10 shots and makes 3, are they successful? A hitter, on the other hand, that goes up to the plate 10 times and gets a hit during 3 of those At Bats is hitting .333 and is at the level that every hitter strives for. Hitting is actually a result of a dynamic change of motion. It starts with a horizontal lateral move that is known as 'The Launch", followed by the actual swing that is a 'rotary' movement. There are very important specific components that go in to the proper execution of these movements and that is where proper instruction comes in. Hitting is about timing, pitching is about throwing off that timing, which is why separating upper and lower body movements is critical, particularly when it comes to handling 'off speed' pitches.
Pitching - all about rhythm and consistency of motion. The reason a pitcher goes into a 'wind up' is to establish this consistency of motion. Using 'limit points' in the delivery helps with this process. Being able to repeat this consistent delivery technique is what establishes a pitcher's rhythm, which is absolutely critical to success. Having a consistent motion also helps coaches identify parts of the delivery that are not being executed properly so that adjustments can be made during a game in order to enable the pitcher to regain their rhythm. Pitching is the most mentally challenging position on the field. When the count is 3-2, score tied and the winning run is on 3rd base, the mound can be the loneliest place on the planet.
Fielding - the first step is to 'be ready to make the play'. The 'ready position' is very easy to learn but is also the first thing a player will forget as they become involved in the 'heat of competition'. Lower body mechanics is critical. Proper footwork, when executed correctly will provide a solid base that will insure a balanced fielding technique as well as consistently strong, accurate throws. Arm Slot position is often overlooked, especially at the lower levels. The result is an individual playing for years in the 'youth leagues' with an incorrect Arm Slot position which can lead to arm problems in the later years. It is absolutely essential that the correct arm throwing position, extension and motion be taught from the outset. The older a player gets, the more 'locked in' to the incorrect throwing mechanics he gets, the more difficult the adjustment becomes.
Position - the more positions your child is able to play, the better. Playing multiple positions makes it much easier for their coach to find a way to get them in the lineup. Having said that, it is important that the position(s) that your child chooses to play fits their particular set of skills. While all positions require good foot work, a relatively strong arm and quickness, each position is somewhat unique in the scope and degree that some of the abilities are required to be successful.
Mentality - there are only two things a player can control, attitude and effort. Effort speaks for itself but attitude is particularly important in baseball. Perfection is something that is not going to happen in baseball. Consistency is the goal and, in order to acheive that, a player must, not only learn from mistakes, but also forget them immediately. Nobody ever hit or fielded .1000. If you dwell on your mistakes, you will be doomed to repeat them. The most important thing to think about is your next at bat; your next chance in the field. I always tell my players that 'if you live in the past, you've got no future'.
I hope that the above information will be helpful as you and your child experience the joys of solid competition and learning. It's important that whoever is involved with their development exercise the patience and understanding that will propel them on their way to a successful career. Sometimes the best pre-requisite is the ability to empathize with the player; to actually remember what it takes to excel when the pressure is on and the game is on the line. As it is in any sport, repetition is the key to learning but it is important that the 'reps' be taken the correct way. Best of luck to you and your child.
Coach Harp
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