LEARN & APPLY lessons from the best in the game

Everyone has an opinion about Manny Ramírez. I do, you do, your grandmother's cousin knows about "Man-Ram." I'm a fan of Manny - not always the 'Manny-being-Manny' mantra - but he is as good as it gets in the batter's box.

Every player in the Logan High School baseball program that wants to be a better hitter - MUST read the following article about one of the most dominant hitter's of all-time. He is arguably the best right-handed hitter in MLB history, and I thought this article can help EVERY PLAYER on our team. Read it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4018367

Excerpt below: (I am partial to this quote because "Donnie Baseball" is my favorite all-time baseball player).

"Ramírez has often been called a natural hitter, gifted, a savant. But to stop there is to sell him short. "Make no mistake, a lot of what Manny has is pure talent," says Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly. "But I also use him as an example for our young guys, because he works hard and, more important, his work is clean." By this, Mattingly means Ramírez is focused and efficient in his preparation. Back in Boston, Ramírez always insisted that the television in Fenway Park's indoor batting cage be turned off when he was hitting. "He doesn't want any distractions," says Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan. "He's very serious when he's working."

Adds Mattingly, "A lot of guys go through the motions, like when they're hitting off a tee, for example. It's a tedious thing." But Ramírez gets into his comfort zone before most games by doing just that. "I'm there, but I don't say a lot," Mattingly says. "I set the ball up and let him go and I watch." The routine is basic, something major league hitters do on a daily basis. "The big difference," Mattingly says, "is that Manny is able to find his swing off the tee and take it into the game."

Logan High Baseball Players: You are a good team. You have shown you are willing to work hard, show up and do what is required of you for our program/this season to be successfull. I hope you read this article and APPLY it. LEARN from it, and help your team/yourself reach the potential you have.

The first player to e-mail me, (loganhighbaseball@hotmail.com) and tell me what aspect of hitting that Don Mattingly said Manny Ramirez "is a master of" - wins a LHS baseball t-shirt.

-Coach Andy

You Never Know Who's Watching

Guys, I cannot explain to you how "spot on" this article is. It rang true to me, it made me think of a lot of you personally, and how you can "do the little things - but important things" better. I hope each player in the program reads this article while thinking about a few certain things.

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/never_know.htm

1) Focus on what you need to work on. When you read about things the author said the players could improve on, be excited that you learned something new you can add to your game. Don't be depressed that you aren't doing it now.

2) Realize the importance of what it means to "Respect The Game."
The author talked about the scouts and coaches referring to players as being "lazy" when trying to field a bad throw. To me, "Respecting The Game" - in this situation - means that the referred to "lazy player," should see this act an opportunity to help his teammate AND team out, by doing EVERYTHING he can by going all out after the ball. Remember that YOU will not make a perfect throw every time, and I'm sure all of you hope your teammate is doing all he can to help you out.

3) The third example the author gives us is about a big, power-hitting first baseman. In contrast to the aforementioned player, this “power guy” did WHATEVER he needed to do, to help his team. The scouts/coaches pay attention to EVERYTHING a player does, because their No. 1 interest is finding out if the player REALLY a is PLAYER.

Your goal should be to be the best player you can possibly be. As a coaching staff, we see a lot of talent, and we see a lot of possibilities for success. You, as a player, we as a team, can be better. Let’s make a conscious effort to be better and not be left wondering what we “could’ve achieved.”

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/never_know.htm

-Coach Andy Hansen

http://www.loganhighbaseball.com

Another hitting video

I stumbled across this hitting video and think it can help a few of you out with what we are saying/teaching/coaching. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi8xOprdLqo&feature=PlayList&p=AB0863F9C10F83E5&index=0&playnext=1

The first player to text Coach Hansen and tell him what bad thing happens to your swing (what phrase does the player in the video use?) when your hands lead your hips will get a LHS baseball t-shirt.

-Coach Andy Hansen

www.loganhighbaseball.com

Baseball – Building Memories and Learning Lessons

When we went to New York this past summer, there were many events that will be forever stamped in my mind. It was a great experience for all who attended and I look forward to our next trip in the Summer of 2010. When we attended the Basketball Hall of Fame, I spent a lot of time in the area of great coaches and came away with these quotes which I find to be daily reminders to me in my life and help further develop my philosophy about coaching.

"Everyone wants to win, but not everyone is willing to prepare to win." Bobby Knight

"What you are as a person, is far more important than what you are as a Basketball Player." John Wooden

"There are only two options regarding commitment, You're either in or you're out. There's no such thing as life in-between." Pat Riley

What to do with a mistake -- Recognize it, Admit it, Learn from it, forget it." Dean Smith

I really enjoy the game of baseball! The time that you (we) spend together in this activity can create great memories and help prepare us for life. "If we'll all pull on the same end of the rope, LHS baseball will be something to remember."

Coach Hansen

Hitting – Keep your hands inside of the ball

I was looking up Derek Jeter highlights on YouTube, and I thought I’d pass along a simple video he has out there. As coaches, we talk about keeping your hands inside of the baseball, and here is another example of why. If it’s good enough for Derek Jeter to focus on, it’s something we can focus on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9uKGnby2Xk

We’ve gotten off to a great start this preseason. I’m impressed by everyone’s work ethic. Keep working hard, and remember what you’re working for.

Coach Andy Hansen

Coach Ron Stott - Pitchers

LOGAN HIGH GRIZZLIES

2009 3A STATE CHAMPIONS

Maximum effort . . . even when no one is looking

Pitchers,

You’ve heard my thoughts several times about “focus” and how we should approach the game (and in reality, life). As we head into the 2009 season, I would like to remind you of some very important processes.

Both Coach Hansen and I love the game of baseball. We love it for several reasons, one of the most important being how it relates to life. Each game is like a 7-inning lifetime. It involves highs and lows, successes and failures, and gives all of us (coaches and players) a chance to “see who we are.” Sometimes though, we think that games are the only place where we can do that, the only time we really play at game (or life) speed.

You’ve heard “one speed” a thousand times. You know that that refers both to games and practices. Now let me add another place it applies. The “off-season” in many ways is every bit as important as every inning you play. Without a solid off-season, one in which you’ve prepared yourself to play, the season itself has no chance of being successful. And remember, there’s nothing you do (or don’t do) that only affects you. It all affects the team (and your teammates) as well.

Each of you has received a pitchers’ workout for November/December. We’re on the backside of December. How many of the past 50 days have you dedicated yourself to that workout, and our goal of a state championship? And when you answer that question, remember that this is as much about who you are as a person as who you are as a pitcher.

When we get together as a team after Christmas break, you will be given a new workout schedule that will take you up to the start of the season. We’ve had to trust you through the last two months to workout on your own. For the most part, we’ll have to trust you all season long to do the same. When the season starts we’ll know who has prepared themselves to be a part of a championship team. Those who have will be a part of our “journey” to the state title. Those who haven’t won’t.

Coach Stott

We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do.