8^th Grade Baseball Players –

Thank you for coming to our skills assessment day(s).  We had approx. forty 8^th graders in attendance!  On behalf of the SEP Baseball Coaching staff, I would like to congratulate you for your efforts.  We were impressed with the overall talent and the depth of the 8^th grade group!

When it comes to the physical tools of a high school Baseball player, there are 5 main areas:

1. Arm Strength

2. Running Speed

3.  Fielding Ability

4.  Hitting Ability

5.  Hitting with Power

With these 5 areas in mind, Arm Strength and Running Speed have been proven to be the best indicators of readiness for a Baseball player to play “at the next level”.  Here is what major league scouts say about Arm Strength and Running Speed:

Arm Strength

This is a tool that is often overlooked by ball players today and one of the most lacking tools at the major league level. With 10 teams playing on artificial surfaces, making fielders play their position deeper, a strong arm is even more necessary today than in the past. The player with a strong arm will have fewer teams take a chance by running against him thus preventing runs from scoring. Thus a team with a weak throwing outfield or catcher will have more opportunities taken against them leading to more throwing errors and more runs given up.

When scouts are evaluating a player’s arm strength it is usually during pre-game infield-outfield practice. A scout will get to see several throws by the outfielders to second, third, and home plate. If a player has a good arm, chances are he will show it here, particularly on throws to home plate. Scouts are looking for four things from outfielders: a strong overhand throw, a straight-line trajectory, good carry, and good life on the turf when the ball finally hits the ground.

A strong arm is also necessary for infielders particularly the shortstop and third baseman. Scouts will pay the most attention to throws made from the outfield grass from deep short. If a player has a strong arm, it will show here. Look for a straight-line trajectory, strong hissing noise, and a sharp smack in the first baseman glove.

Running Speed

Foot speed is the only common denominator of offense and defense. This is one tool that does not go into slumps. A fast runner is of greater priority for clubs that play on artificial turf because they are playing in a bigger park and the ball travels faster than on grass. A fast outfielder may be able to catch up to two more balls a game thus saving his ball club an average of one run a game. The same player can steal bases thus putting more pressure on the defense and making the pitchers throw more fastballs.

A players running speed is usually timed in two ways; 60 yard dash and from home to first. The average major league time is 6.9 for the 60 yard dash, from home to first 4.3 seconds for right handed hitters and 4.2 seconds for left handed hitters. The clock start on times from home to first on the crack of the bat to when the foot hits first base. A fast runner at the major league level can run home to first in 4.0 seconds or below. The ability to run, will force fielders to rush their throws and make more throwing errors. A team without speed will often have to hold their runners at third base thus scoring less runs.

 We used 2 major barometers when we assessed our 8^th graders

1. A 60 yd. dash time of approx. 8.0 seconds or lower
2. A radar gun reading of approx. 70 mph or higher

With the above information in mind, we have selected the following players to practice with our 9^th Grade Baseball team.  This selection was based on physical skills.  This, by no means indicates they have made the team BUT merely means they are being considered for the 2012 Freshman Baseball Team.  The players on this list will practice with the Freshman team for approx. 5 days to see how they fit in physically and mentally.

1. Jake Nelson

2. Austin Martin

3. Braydon Shepherd

4. Thomas McGlaughlin

5. Tim Neff

6. Rodney Rummans

7. Ryan Lamke

8. Cole Hauser

Please report to 9^th Grade Baseball practice on May 14 at 315 pm.  Practice will conclude at 515 pm

Thanks to all teams for playing this weekend. Although it was cold, there was some great competition on the field. Congratulations to our winners!