Introduction to the Parksville Royals - 2012 Season
Fall Ball 2011
Throwing Program and Training Drills
INTRODUCTION TO THE PARKSVILLE ROYALS - 2012 SEASON
The Royals 2012 season will commence with an indoor workout on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the Glenwood Sports Centre in Port Alberni from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Indoor workouts will continue each Sunday until try-outs head outside Saturday & Sunday, March 4 & 5. League play commences on Easter weekend April 7 & 8 and runs until July 22.The Royals are pleased to announce that junior coach Bruce Biro will be joining the senior team in 2012 after he finishes his studies at Douglas College in mid April. Returning coaches Dave Wallace and Jim Seredick are looking forward to Bruces enthusiasm and knowledge that he brings to the game.
The Royals will not be fielding a junior team in 2012 as there is a Bantam AAA program being re-introduced to the central & north island. Based in Courtenay, this team will participate in the BC Minor Bantam AAA league. It is expected that there will be a 40 game schedule featuring teams from Vancouver Island (5), the Lower Mainland (8), and the Okanagan (2). The coaches for this team have yet to be named but the Royals will be assisting in this process. Any players in grade 8 & 9 who are interested and committed to playing baseball at an elite level are welcome to participate with the senior Royals in all indoor workouts.
For players in Grade 10, 11, and 12, the indoor workouts are $50 per player, which will be applied to your assessment if you are successful in making the Royals.
ALL INTERESTED PLAYERS (RETURNING AND NEW) ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE a PLAYERS INFORMATION SHEET and return it to SCOTT RODWAY by JANUARY 31ST, 2012.
For further information contact Dave Wallace at (250) 248-2351 dwallace12@shaw.ca or Scott Rodway at (250) 752-6160 srodway@shaw.ca
Where is the Glenwood Sports Centre?
Brief Program Outline:
PBL Leagues (junior & senior) commence the weekend of April 7 and finish mid-July with playoffs to follow for the top eight teams in senior and all teams in junior.
Senior teams play a 48 game balanced schedule plus tournaments and exhibition games - 60 to 70 games in total.
We have Springwood Park for practices Tuesday & Thursday.
Powell River players are not expected to attend any mid-week practices or games.
Royals 2011 Fall Ball
Tentative Schedule as at August 23, 2011- players should watch their email for updates:
Wednesday August 24 5:30 pm first workout - Springwood
Saturday & Sunday August 27 & 28 workouts noon 2:00 pm - Springwood
Wednesday August 31 5:30 pm workout - Springwood
Sat Sept 3 workouts 12 noon - Springwood
Sun Sept 4 - double header vs Victoria Eagles - Noon - Springwood
Wednesday Sept 7 5:15 pm - workout - Springwood
Saturday Sept 10 Parksville Sr @ Victoria Mariners Layritz Park
Sunday Sept 11 Victoria Mariner Jr @ Parksville Jr - Springwood
Wednesday Sept 14 5:00 pm - Nanaimo at Parksville Sr - Springwood
Thursday Sept 15 7:00 pm - Parksville @ Lambrick Park vs Victoria Eagles
Sat Sept 17 Nanaimo & Victoria Eagles at Parksville Sr - Springwood
Sun Sept 18 Parksville Jr @ Victoria Mariner Jrs Layritz Park
Wed Sept 21 5:30 pm -Parksville Sr @ Serauxman vs Nanaimo Sr
Fri Sun Sept 23-25 Kelowna Fall Classic Invitational (seniors)
Sat - Sept 24 Victoria Jr @ Parksville Jr. Springwood
Sun Sept 25 junior workout 12 noon - Springwood
Wed Sept 28 5:00 pm workout - Springwood
Sat Oct 1 Victoria Mariners Sr @ Parksville - Springwood
Sun Oct 2 - Parksville & Victoria Jr @ Nanaimo Jr
Notes:
- Games and Game times are subject to change Other teams may also be participating
- Teams are mixed and matched accordingly
- All weekend games are double headers
- All fall games are scrimmage games unlimited changes substitutions etc
- All games with exception of Kelowna (seniors) will be on the island
- Fall ball is open to all those players entering grade 9 12 this September 2011
- Grade 8 players may attend all workouts participation in games will be subject to coaches decisions
- Charge for fall ball is $150 per player payable to Parksville Royals
- Players are expected to maximize attendance but school & club sports (tryouts) take priority in the fall. You should participate in as many school and club activities as possible while attending as many fall workouts & games as possible Manage your time accordingly.
- These are not tryouts for next years team(s). It is an opportunity for players to see what the Royals program is about and to see if the program fits with the players goals and objectives in baseball. Tryouts will commence in the spring of 2012.
- October evaluations sent by email to all participating in Fall Ball strengths and things to work on over the fall & winter
Scott Rodway, General Manager, srodway@shaw.ca 250 752 6160 or
Dave Wallace, Head Coach, dwallace12@shaw.ca 250 248 2351
Throwing Program and Training Drills
Speed Drills
Skipping Program
Mastering the Mental Side of Hitting
Agility, Jobes, Sprint Drills
Throwing Program
This is the throwing program I would like you to observe as pitching members of this team. If you feel you have a better routine, I want to hear about it and I want to be convinced that you are getting positive results by doing your program.The goal of this program is to: build up arm strength; prevent injuries; give you a "feel" for a baseball; develop your pitches and pitching potential. It is the belief of Coach Wallace and myself and many other baseball coaches that most youth pitchers today do not throw enough. To develop arm strength...you NEED to throw virtually EVERY day.
* Understand the concept of "throwing every day." This does NOT mean that you throw as hard as you can EVERY day...it does mean that you throw a baseball at a certain speed and a certain distance...every day. You should NOT try for maximum velocity or maximum distance every day...but you should be throwing virtually every day.
The REALITY is: most pitchers on this staff do not throw between practices and the weekend. That is NOT good enough. You are cheating yourself and your team. You are not developing your arm / potential as well as you could...at this level of play that is not acceptable.
This program is modeled after the program the Atlanta Braves use. Leo Mazzoni is regarded as one of the best pitching coaches ever. He endorses this program. If you have questions about the program: ask. Make sure you are clear about what you are supposed to do. I am providing you with a program. If you follow it you will show improvement throughout the season. If you do not follow it: do not expect to progress at the rate you are capable of.
Seven Day Program....
Day One: pitch in a game...70 to 90 pitches. After your session: I expect ten HARD sprints...90 to 100 feet. Then run two foul poles to cool down. Change into a DRY shirt and go see the PItching Coach. Discuss your session...whether positive or negative...it is OVER...it is also a LEARNING experience. I encourage ALL pitchers to keep a notebook of each pitching appearance they make (start or relief). Make notes about what worked and what didn't.
Day Two: you should throw 30 to 35 pitches at half to three qtr. speed at a distance of 45 to 50 feet. You then do TUBING EXERCISES and run for distance. Five bow and arrows. The key word is: RUN not jog or lope...there is absolutely NO value in jogging. None. If you don't run hard you are wasting your time.
Day Three: 15 to 20 pitches at fifty feet then LONG TOSS for five minutes (20 to 30 throws) at 120 to 150 feet. This can be cut back if your arm is still tender (early in the season)...as the season progresses and if you have been following this program...you should be able to do this routine. TUBING EXERCISES.
Day Four: Bullpen. You should be able to throw in the Pen for eight to ten minutes. Most pitchers throw five pitches per minute = 40 to 50 pitches at game speed. You should throw fastballs for the first 15 pitches...locating the ball DOWN and to BOTH sides of the plate. Change ups and curves should be the next ten to fifteen pitches. The last half of your session should be via a half wind up (man on base). You finish with fastballs: location and arm angle are the goals. Everything is DOWN. TUBING EXERCISES. Running: 12 hard sprints and two bow and arrows.
Day Five: LONG TOSS: 20 to 30 throws...120 to 150 feet. Conditioning: 12 to 15 sprints...90 to 100 feet...followed by two bow and arrows or twice around the park (not a jog). TUBING EXERCISES.
Day Six: Five to ten minutes (at five pitches per minute) of flat land throwing...half to three qtr. velocity. Emphasis on location, mechanics, rotation on curve balls and change ups. Ten hard sprints: 90 to 100 feet. TUBING EXERCISES.
Day Seven: 25 to 35 pitches from 45 to 50 feet at three qtr. speed. Mechanics and location...down and side to side. Develop the ability to throw STRIKES...down. That is your role...you are a pitcher: be able to throw STRIKES. TUBING EXERCISES. You do not have to run the day before your start.
PRE-GAME ROUTINE: One half hour BEFORE the game: begin stretching legs, back, arm. Go for a pole to pole JOG... OR... do two or three sprints BEFORE you begin throwing in the pen.
Pre-game routine...throwing. Once in the bullpen...begin with five to seven quick throws from forty to fifty feet...then back up to eighty or ninety feet and throw six to ten harder flat pitches to stretch your arm...then move to the mound and begin your warm ups.
Your actual throwing warm up should be seven to eight minutes long. That is at five pitches per minute = 35 to 45 pitches MAX. I don't think you should be LESS than 35 pitches and I don't think you should be more than 45...give or take three or four pitches.
The last part of your warm up should be from the stretch position (man on base).
End your warm up five minutes before the game begins. I strongly suggest you change into a DRY undershirt and then have a drink of water. Sit down, focus on throwing strikes and do it.
Make sure you talk to your catcher and establish signs. Remember: YOU are in control...YOU establish the rhythm of the game. Do not walk to the front of the mound after each pitch to receive the catcher's return throw. Try to pitch "sooner rather than later." A reasonable rhythm between pitches is ten to twelve seconds...once you get higher...the hitter gains an advantage...your fielders fall asleep.
* This missive was something to give you a guide for throwing during the week. There is considerably more to being a pitcher. Nobody has a can of magic dust to sprinkle on your head (or arm) and suddenly you will be a wonderful pitcher. The formula is simple: YOU must commit to making yourself the best pitcher you can be. YOU do this by doing your homework. If you do your homework you will put yourself in a position to have success. If you do not do your homework...do not have any expectations...you have NO right to have expectations. It is up to you. Nobody can make you effective...or good. Only YOU can do that.
Good luck.
Coach JDS