Monday, November 28, 2016

MVHS Baseball Parents,

Today I met with the baseball players right after school to discuss a number of items, with an emphasis on off-season baseball training that is available to them this winter.

Below is specifically what we covered regarding off-season baseball training as well as the other topics discussed.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

1 - Off-Season Baseball Training

* We strongly encourage students to participate in multiple sports at MVHS. You learn to compete, athletic skills are transferable, you learn different roles, you experience different teammates, and you enhance your high school experience. This all helps you in baseball.

* We also strongly encourage you to play baseball in the summer; this is a critical time for continued development of personal and team skills. We’ll talk more about this later.

* If you are playing a winter sport, great! Focus on that sport!

* If you are not participating in a winter sport, we encourage you to do something toworktowards beingstronger/faster, and to improve your baseball skills.

* One of the challenges with getting ready for the high school season is getting the throwing arm ready. Everyone likes to hit; the reality is that throwing and fielding is equally/more important! Captains Practices provide a great opportunity to throw 2x/week. Any other opportunities players may have for pre-season throwing is encouraged!

* While off-season activity is encouraged; it is not mandatory.

* Off-Season Baseball Training –ThreeOptions

1 - Captains Practices (Cost - $0)

  • @ MVHS @ 8:30PM-10:00PM (MonWed starting in January)
  • These are unstructured opportunities for players to get a baseball workout.
  • Supervised by parents
  • Upperclassmen are expected to be leaders; especially with younger players – Include them! Talk with them! Servant Leadership!

2 - Baseball Strength and Conditioning(Cost - $0)

  • @ MVHS Weight Room (M-W-F) right after school (2:15PM).
  • MVHS provides a structured strength program designed for athletes to enhance their strength, explosiveness, agility, and mobility. It is available for all students at no charge. It is run by MV Football Coach Jim Galvin. Each M-W-F they will conduct a warm-up, plyos, and then strength straining. We encourage baseball players to participate in this program.
  • In addition, we also recommend that baseball players supplement this general MVHS program with some additional baseball specific exercises to promote scapular (back) stabilization and rotator cuff (shoulder) strength. We reviewed each of these in the meeting today, and players in attendance have the list of exercises. A list of these exercises are also available in the bins by the Baseball Bulletin Board (just outside the weight room). Coach Galvin is familiar with these exercises, and can also assist with any questions.
  • For baseball players that also play another sport(s), this approach likely makes sense. That said, if you decide to perform a different exercise routine designed specifically for your other sport(s) other than the general strength training provided by MVHS, we still recommend supplementing that routine with these baseball specific exercises.
  • If there is any question as to what you should do, please feel free to discuss with me or Coach Galvin.
  • Obviously, every player is unique. While we have a standard workout program designed, modifying for some athletes is appropriate in situations where there are chronic physical issues, or injuries / acute issues. It is obviously important to be smart and safe! Again, please don’t hesitate to ask us.
  • Some athletes are working with outside organizations on strength training - Great!
  • Some athletes have weight training during the school day - Great!
  • The bottom line is that some students embrace the weight room, and some do not.. Some really want to get after it; some do not. The key to me isthe old saying, "Commit to something that you'll actually commit to." Don't commit to something that you won't follow-through with, and then you end up doing nothing. Those that do invest the time and energy obviously gain the benefits physically and mentally.
  • When I ask former high school players that are playing college baseball what they wish they would have done differently in high school as relates their baseball career, it is never things like “more time in the batting cage.” Most every one of them says something like, “I should have spent more time on strength and agility training.”
  • While we strongly encourage strength and conditioning, like all off-season activity, it is not something that we mandate.

3 - Offsite Baseball Training with Outside Organizations

  • Many local organizations have ties to the Mound View High School Baseball program. And, overall, there are many outside resources available for those interested.
  • I reviewed the local organizations with the players today that have requested that I provide information to the MoundsViewHigh School baseball community. One organization, Complete Game, has an offering for MVHS players only. And, Great Lakesoffers a discount to MVHS players.
  • You can see the information on all the organizations on the team website: (Program Link CAMPS/CLINICS).
  • Players and Parents should not take theinformation provided by any of these organizations as an endorsement by Mounds View High School, and should take the time to investigate further to see if these programs are a good fit for you.
  • Outside organizations certainly can provide value. At the same time, alot can be accomplished through focused work at Captains Practices and working out on M-W-F at MVHS!

2 - Spring Break Practice Plans and Expectations

We discussed the start of the season and attendance expectations that I laid out in a letter to all parents earlier this fall.

3 - Player Apparel and New Varsity Uniforms Plans

OPTIONAL Player apparel will be finalized this week, and communicated shortly. Players will be able to try on samples at Captains Practices. I emphasized with the players that all apparel is entirely optional.

New home varsity uniforms will also be finalized shortly.

4 - Baseball Bulletin Board

The Baseball Bulletin Board is located right next to the weight room. Keep an eye out for important matters posted here!

5 - Sign-up Sheet for Downey Communication

Freshmen and any other players not already receiving text messages from me wrote phone numbers down for me so that they receive future communication from me.

If your son was not at the meeting, and you would like him to be added to my list, please just email me his name and cell number.

6 - New Storage Facility

The new Storage Facility for the MVHS Baseball Field is now complete, and I would like some help in moving equipment into it.

We will do this on Thursday immediately after school.

I told the players that if they didn’t have a ride home, I did NOT expect them to help. We should have plenty of upperclassmen that drive (or have a ride) to make quick work of this.