In the thick of it..

Well, most of you are in the middle of your high school season and the travel ball season is just around the corner. It is a good time to evaluate your season and skills set. Ask yourself these questions:

How am making my team better? Can I do more?

Do I challenge myself to be better every time I step on the field? If I don't, why not?

What are my strengths? Offensively? Defensively? Intangibles?

In what areas of my game do I need to get better at? Offensively? Defensively? Intangibles?

How can I use the next 2 months of high school to be a best to showcase my skills for colleges this summer?

What do I need to do to be prepared for travel season?

Have I made contact with colleges I am interested in?

Have I responded to colleges that are interested in me?

Also, it is a great time of year to watch softball at all levels. If you have a free weekend catch at Poly or maybe one of the local community colleges. If you are up for travel head to the bay area or LA and you will most likely like be able to see at game at any of the college levels. This can give you a good idea of the level play at each division

Hope everyone's high school season is going well! Good Luck!

As always you can email at clarin_s@sbcglobal.net with questions or post in the comment section.

High School Season has started!

Hi everyone!

Get the most of out of your high school season.  As a player you have a personal responsibility to challenge yourself to become a better softball player every time you step on the field.
Set goals for yourself everyday whether it is a game or practice.
Keep a weekly journal.
Work hard and work smart.  
Commit to your plan.  Stick to the process.  Play in the present.

Email me or post your goals in the comments section.  Also if you have any thoughts for the blog let me know.

Good luck this season!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Do you have any softball related New Year's resolutions?

Post them in the comments to share.

PS.  I thought I posted this but looks like I didn't sorry it is a bit late.

Recruiting Spreadsheet

Hi everyone!  Hope that you all having a great holiday!  Here is an example of the recruiting spreadsheet, I talked about at the Velocity workout.  I think it is a good way to keep track of your recruiting progress with each college.  I am sure that there areas that I may have left out, so feel free to add, remove, or making an changes to the sheet.  Also, if you would like the excel file, email me at clarin_s@sbcglobal.net

We have a winner!

We have a winner! Katie Brooks answered questions correctly and submitted her 100 grid time. Nice work Katie!

A Major League Baseball Pitcher who uses the Number Grid

Roy Halladay was involved in a huge baseball trade this week.  Here is a link to his bio:
Roy Halladay Bio from Philadelphia Phillies website

While at a coaching clinic, the presenter shared the number grid and this article about Roy Halladay.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/04/10/roy.halladay0416/index.html

So here is the contest FOR VELOCITY PLAYERS ONLY...Email me (clarin_s@sbcglobal.net) the answers to questions about the article and  a time for the 100 Grid below.  First player to email me with the correct answers and a time will receive a prize at this Sunday's workout.  Scroll down for questions and grid....Ready, set, GO!

1. When Roy Halladay began working the grid about how long did it take him to finish?
2. Now, what is his usually time?
3. What rules Halladay’s world once season starts?
4. What was the name of book his wife gave him?
5. How many times a week does he read it?
6. How many times a season?

Winter Break Workouts

What are doing over winter break to get ready for  January/February tournaments and your high school season?

I suggest you create yourself a plan and set goals.  Start by asking yourself some questions...

How many days a week can I commit to working out?  For how long?
Do I have teammate that would join me?
What am I going to focus on? Hitting? Defense? Strength Training? Core Training? Speed and Agility? Endurance?  Stamina?
What are your goals in this area?

Once you have decided on your focus area,  you want to 60% of your workout time on it and the other 40% on another area or areas of your game.

Post your chosen focus areas in the comments or email me and I will use them to create a couple of sample workout plans.