Today we’ll be taking a look at five reasons to train the anterior core to help improve movement patterns on the mound. Topics Include:
Continue reading “Podcast #104: Improving Movement on the Mound through Anterior Core Training”
The infrasternal angle (ISA) is an angle formed by the cartilage of the lower ribs and the twelfth thoracic vertebra. This angle spans a spectrum from narrow to wide. Generally, individuals with an ISA > 90 degrees are considered “Wide”, while < 90degrees are considered “Narrow”. It has been our experience through assessments at our facility that most “Narrows” fall between 80-90 degrees, while the “wide” guys fall somewhere between 95-105 degrees. The ISA is a representation of a person’s breathing strategy as well as the balance of the internal and external oblique muscles, and the position of the pelvis.
It’s important to note that although we have had athletes that present as a Narrow, they have excelled on the mound with the mechanics generally found in Wide athletes and vice-versa. So, there are no absolutes in this business. However, the ISA can still tell us a lot about an athlete’s “preferred strategy” both in the weight room and on the mound. Let’s get into it…
Continue reading “The Infrasternal Angle: Another Tool to Help Give Athletes What They Need”
When we set out to form our own travel baseball program, we wanted to make sure that player development plays a significant role. Player development can mean a lot of different things depending on who you ask. Some consider player development to be skill-based, while others consider it to be physical development.
For us, player development means a holistic approach to developing the athlete. As players and parents look to the next pitch or next at bat or even the next game, we are looking out 2-4 years from a medium to long-term development standpoint. What do we mean by this?
Continue reading “How Did Revolution Players Spend the Off-season?”
Today, I’ll be talking about Force Production. While being strong will definitely help produce higher ground force, training the tendons and ligaments to also accept the explosive ground forces that happen on the field is also paramount. Topics Include:
Continue reading “Podcast #103: Reducing the Risk of Injury through Training Force”
Today, we’re sitting down with sports nutritionist Nick Valenti to discuss the widely misunderstood topic of sports nutrition. Topics include:
Nick was previously with the Toronto Blue Jays as a dietetic intern. He also served as an intern with Cressey Sports Performance during the summer of 2023. Nick has a Master’s of Science from Florida State University in Sports Nutrition and a Bachelor’s degree from Queens College in Nutrition and Dietetics.
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”
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:
Continue reading “Podcast #101: Status of Travel Ball and What to Look for in a Great Program”
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.
Hope you enjoy…
Continue reading “Podcast #100: My 100th Podcast and 9 “Ah-Ha” Moments Along the Way!”
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:
Continue reading “Podcast #99: Pitch Design with Rapsodo’s Matt Fowles and John Garrett”
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?
