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Training for Better Force Production in Pitchers and Baseball Players – Part 1

To the untrained eye, most strength programs look the same.  But when it comes to training for elite performance as a pitcher or a player, the difference between good and bad strength programs is like night and day.  Whether it be posting up on the mound, a lead leg block or first step quickness when changing direction, the rate at which a pitcher or a ball player for that matter can develop force (rate of force development) is one of the main qualities to efficiency in all three movement patterns.

Training for Strength, training for Force and training for Power are not the same thing.  But all equally important for elite performance.

So, let’s get into it…

Continue reading “Training for Better Force Production in Pitchers and Baseball Players — Part 1”

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Podcast #101: Status of Travel Ball and What to Look for in a Great Program

Today I’m sitting down with my partner here at RPP, Bahram Shirazi, to discuss the current status of travel baseball as well as what to look for in a great travel program. Topics Include:

    • Current status of travel ball
    • Why we started our own program, Revolution Baseball
    • Development vs. winning
    • What parents should consider when choosing a program
    • The recruiting front in travel ball
    • Long-term athletic development or lack thereof
    • The importance of great coaching

Continue reading “Podcast #101: Status of Travel Ball and What to Look for in a Great Program”

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Podcast #100: My 100th Podcast and 9 “Ah-Ha” Moments Along the Way!

This week marks my 100th episode of the “Behind The Seams Podcast”. It’s been, not only an incredible journey but also, an incredible learning experience. This week I’ll celebrate by going through 9 of my “Ah-Ha” moments with 9 coaches from the following star-studded cast.

    • Randy Sullivan – Back leg mechanics
    • Scott Brown – Common characteristics of elite players
    • Mike Boyle – Unilateral versus bilateral training
    • Mike McFerran – Using data with youth players
    • Brandon McDaniel – Understanding the Infrasternal angle
    • Graeme Lehman – Adjusting mechanics based on architecture
    • Alan Jaeger – Improving your mental game
    • Robin Lund – Finding the leaks in mechanics
    • Sean McGrath – Making front leg adjustments

Hope you enjoy…

Continue reading “Podcast #100: My 100th Podcast and 9 “Ah-Ha” Moments Along the Way!”

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Podcast #99: Pitch Design with Rapsodo’s Matt Fowles and John Garrett

Today, Matt Hartshorn Pitching Coordinator with RPP is guest hosting, and we’re sitting down with Rapsodo’s Director of Marketing Matt Fowles and Chief Analytics Engineer John Garrett. Topics Include:

    • Baseball data’s role in player development
    • How data is used in recruiting
    • Seam-Shifted Wake… how the data is evolving

Continue reading “Podcast #99: Pitch Design with Rapsodo’s Matt Fowles and John Garrett”

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Athlete Highlight: Wayne Hills Senior and Stevens Commit Dean Qira up from T84 mph to 87-88, T89 mph

Stevens Commit Dean Qira (Class 2024) joined us in August 2022 looking to improve his overall strength.  This past off-season, he also enrolled in our fall and winter pitching programs to help improve his mechanics and raise his velocity ceiling.  During this time period, Dean has made some major improvements. The 6’0” southpaw began his training in the fall weighing 173 lbs. with a FB topping out at 84 mph (6/9/2023 PG). Fast forward to May 2024, and he is absolutely dominating his high school season. Dean is sitting 87-88 and T89 mph, with a 1.13 ERA in 31 IP.

How did he do it?

Continue reading “Athlete Highlight: Wayne Hills Senior and Stevens Commit Dean Qira up from T84 mph to 87-88, T89 mph”

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Podcast #98: Summer Training Considerations for College Athletes

Today I’m flying solo, answering questions regarding playing summer ball (or not). And if so, how to train properly during the hot summer months in order to maintain athleticism. Much of what you will hear is the premise behind our Elite Summer College Programs which begin shortly. Topics will include:

    • Pros and cons
    • To play or not to play… that is the question
    • Finding the right organization and fit
    • Maintaining athleticism throughout the short season

Continue reading “Podcast #98: Summer Training Considerations for College Athletes”

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Podcast #97: Building the Total Athlete, Long Term Athletic Development in Travel Baseball

Today we’re sitting down with Pitching Coordinator Matt Hartshorn and Director of Hitting Andrew Pezzuto, both coaches on the new RPP Revolution 14U travel team. Topics include:

    • Importance of starting LTAD (long-term athletic development) at a young age
    • What to look for in a good travel program
    • Getting baseline numbers and re-assessing

Continue reading “Podcast #97: Building the Total Athlete, Long Term Athletic Development in Travel Baseball”

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Podcast #96: Working with Young Athletes and Training Athleticism into Rotation with Eugene Bleecker

This week we’re sitting down with 108 Performance owner and operator Eugene Bleecker to discuss some issues when training young athletes as well as getting more athletic going INTO rotation. Topics Include:

    • Coaching out a “fear of the ball”
    • Hand-eye at the plate
    • Water bag training for DNS

Continue reading “Podcast #96: Working with Young Athletes and Training Athleticism into Rotation with Eugene Bleecker”

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Athlete Highlight: St. Peter’s Prep’s Chasen Kirk Opens Up Spring with a Bang!

Photo Creds: @r.c.picturesss

Senior Shortstop Chasen Kirk joined us last November in our 4-month off-season program to improve his performance at the plate. Five months later, he’s making his mark in the spring season, currently batting .382 vs .208 the prior year with exit velos 92+ mph.

What’s changed and how did he do it?

Continue reading “Athlete Highlight: St. Peter’s Prep’s Chasen Kirk Opens Up Spring with a Bang!”