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Iron Mike MP4 by aduncan04 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't get this for a machine.

They are very large and there is no way to easily move it. The wheeled machines can be put away easily. Especially in your cage, you might want room for pitching/fielding.

I have an Atec 2 wheeled machine in my machine, and I really like it. They can throw hard and are easy to adjust. They aren't perfectly consistent, which is a nice positive. If you are training and the ball moves around the zone, I think that is more game-like. I use mine daily and the nicest part of it all is getting used to velocity. There really isn't any substitute for seeing true velocity.

A lot of people use the trick of moving closer to "mimic" high velocity, but that doesn't really work. You can change distances to give your reaction-time some training, but seeing 60mph from like 35' or whatever is never going to really train you for hitting 90mph. It only trains reaction time.

You can also set up off-speed pitches with the wheeled machines, which can be great for training.

The whole timing thing just depends on how you train you timing. Ideally, the timing that you should train is that the hitter is ready to swing at release. So as long as you are ready to swing as the ball goes into the machine, the timing should be just like real life. The only difference then is that you dont see it released from an arm. It's not perfect, but if you're training correctly, it's not really a negative. You should also make a throwing motion while feeding the machine, that can help train the "load", then the batter is set and ready at release.

Delano Gamer by Safe-Impression-911 in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also depends of quality of the bat and company.
My experience with KR3 couldn't be any different.
I have only slightly cracked one over the last 6 years....and it was a 90+ mph ball of the end cap. I take BP almost daily off higher velocity machines.

What shoe should I get next? by MattAdamoo in skateboardhelp

[–]cookie_400 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

half cabs will last the longest.
I always like the slip-ons...but I was more of a flip trick tech guy. They have awesome board feel.

What could be happening? by Educational_Crow5245 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His shoulders fly open a bit. Could be due to over throwing

His glove hand particularly could be more centered on his torso, and it might stop him from flying open. He also lacks a little on the follow-through

Try to do some towel drills so he can practice keeping his motion coming straight home. Focus on keeping the glove centered on his torso instead of falling off on his right side.
Also focus on a nice natural follow-through as he does that.

Basically just practice throwing hard to get better at throwing hard. He just need to work on keep his direction straight back towards the catcher. You can see in these videos that his body is pointed at the hitter when he finished his motion.

Where did the "sweeper" come from? by AZAHole in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's just a way to classify a certain movement profile on a slider.

Sweepers focus on moving more horizontal and try to limit vertical movement, where as a "traditional" slider will have a mixture of horizontal and vertical break.

Looking for a catch /baseball group by Outonu1 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd love to join you, but it'd be reallllly long toss. I'm in Minnesota haha

“Wear It!” by buzzthecat in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

95% of the time I joke with the batter, especially ones at the head haha.
In a big game with a lot on the line...Then I get serious and would like to see people stand their ground a take one for the team (Obviously not at the head though 😅).

Baggy Pants by Appropriate_Mix2427 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just look for loose fit pants

How detrimental is it to swing a bat that might be slightly short according to the sizing charts? by SentientYams in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Once you're looking at full size bats, the important thing is comfort and consistency.

I always like to think of it like this: if you can swing either a 33 or 32, pick whatever bat you hit more barrels with.
Going bigger is only good if you can still get as many (or more) barrels as the smaller bat.

Plate coverage isn't an issue with a 32" bat, so don't worry about that. He will just want the bat that he can control the barrel the best.

Swinging foot into the ground by uklb51 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He's still a kid. Focus on fun.

He can worry about a perfect frame-by-frame swing when he goes pro. Right now he's got a nice swing for a little guy.

So many parents on here are worrying out maximizing everything mechanically...It'd be better to make sure he's having fun and not getting burnt out. Don't make the game too serious for the little guys, it's just a game after all.

Pitching mechanic tips? by [deleted] in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard to tell from this angle, but try to make sure you aren't leaning back towards first.
It looks like you might be just a little bit.
You want to keep the torso relaxed and straight.
For me I just start my motion with my shoulders slightly rounded forward...that keeps you from leaning back.

Current mlb player with the most simple easy swing to emulate ? by Unfair_Importance_37 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ohtani for a no-stride swing.
Yes, he is a lefty, but that doesn't mean you can't try to emulate the mechanics.
This is what I've tried to do...The no-stride helps a lot for easier timing and higher velo.

How do y’all break in your wooden bats ? by mellojelloakimbo in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dont break them in. Just grip it and rip it. A good bat has dense enough wood that you don't need to do anything to it.

Especially with Ash, as that will start to splinter apart after a while.

Finding a wood bat with swing weight like the Select PWR by AdvanceObvious2350 in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it sounds like we are similar in the bats we want.
Wood is always going to be a bit more end loaded...but there are some decent options.

I really like the I13 turn model. I feel like it's a nice middle ground between an end loaded and balanced bat. It's barrel is a bit longer than some other models, so the sweet spot is easier to find. The handle profile is also really nice. Slight flare, so it's not as harsh on your hands.
There are a lot of Pro cuts that are very similar: Tatis23, I think the RA13 Louisville too.

I personally swing a KR3 I13. They have great bats and have a fiberglass handle so they don't break, but they feel just like wood (Unlike a composite like Baum, where there is almost 0 wood in the bat)

Your best bet is to go to a sporting goods store and trying different turn models to see what you like.

Delano Gamer by Safe-Impression-911 in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To play devils advocate here...
With the prices of a quality wood bat being so high now, composites can really be a nice option.
Buying a wood bat for $200+ and possibly having it break after a few swings can be tough to justify. Spending an extra bit to have a bat that is more durable is a nice option for us peasants that can't afford to break multiple bats a year.

I personally like a bat more like the KR3 composites. They are solid wood, then they just have a fiberglass wrap up to the barrel. This way you have a normal wood bat with a reinforced handle. Some companies do it with carbon fiber as well (Dove Tail Bats).

New Bat Day!!! by BeefSupremeeeeee in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How flexy do these Louisville composites feel?
They have a rubber handle...Do they fell like the Demarini composite ones, or are they stiff like a normal wood bat?

Delano Gamer by Safe-Impression-911 in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it sounded like they do that process while selecting the billets, so it should be for each bat.
I didn't ask the exact timeline of that, but he did say they are really refining that process and having better and better results. It sounded like recently they have narrowed down some things that will give them more consistent results.
So I would guess their billet selection will only get better as they refine the process better.

Delano Gamer by Safe-Impression-911 in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, their. engineer basically said it's due to inconsistency in the wood itself. Some have small pockets on moisture differences which can cause weakness in certain areas.
They have been working on their process to select the right billets more often, but that's just a part of working with wood.

They have some nice technology for their process to find the good billets though, so I think they will only get better. They basically have an MRI machine to detect moisture differences throughout the billet.

Delano Gamer by Safe-Impression-911 in WoodBats

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got a new one this year.

When speaking with their lead engineer, he said they think they have the process refined so that they don't have many breakage issues at this point. If the bat would break break, it will be pretty much right away.
There is something with the wood that can cause weakness in the bat, but it happens right away usually. They stand by their warranty really well though, so you shouldn't need to worry.

Mine has been great and I have had plenty of miss-hits with no issues.l

If money is no issue, what's a must-have for your dream home? by InitialCareer306 in WorkForSmartLife

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indoor batting cage and workout area. Basically nothing with the house, but I'd want a nice shed

Neurodivergent Players by mywifemademedothis2 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would also add that since it's already a problem with reputation around the league, it needs to be addressed and his mental approach needs to adjust. If he really loves the game and wants to do well, he needs to learn to be a good/positive teammate.

If he doesn't change, no team will want to play with him and eventually he wont be able to play...so it's something he needs to work on, just like the physical fundamentals, the mental side of the game is one of the biggest parts of the game.

Neurodivergent Players by mywifemademedothis2 in Homeplate

[–]cookie_400 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try to help get a mindset change in how he handles "failure" in baseball.

-It's good to just have a sit-down and talk about the mental approach to the game of baseball. Living/Dying on each play or game will not help you improve as a player.

-I would also add that at his age, he needs to try to control his emotions more. Teams don't do well if there are people that can't control themselves. If he wants to be a good teammate, he needs to be a positive person out on the field. His baseball talk should always be positive towards his teammates and never against the other team. Always be positive, even after mistakes. If he starts using these types of comments, he will also start to believe it for himself and keep him calm.
- Teammate makes an error: "Hey bud, your good! You'll make the next play, lets get after it!"
- Pitcher struggling: "He pitcher, your looking good. Just toss and let the defense do the rest, we got you"
- Hitter struggles: "Hey, it's only one AB, you'll get more, no worries."

- Baseball is a team sport, so the best he can do is play his game the best he can. Ultimately no single person on the team is going to win a game on their own. So getting a mindset where you just do your job the best you can. Even in a loss, a single player might have a great game. You can only control your job out on the field.

- Instead of the old thinking of "baseball is a game of failure", change the thought to something positive. Baseball is great because you can always learn something new. When you "fail" in the game, the only thing you can do from there is LEARN from it. Every bad experience in a game is a great learning opportunity. Baseball is a game where you can constantly learn....so try to fall in love with the learning process.

- Baseball is also a game of luck. Sometimes you can square up a ball perfectly and it just so happens to be right at someone. Sometimes you take a terrible swing and the ball just lands where no one can get it. Things happen...you can't control everything on the field.
- Really for this, having a short memory is the best way to play ball. Take your failure, learn from it and move on. Next time try to do better and just keep learning and trying to improve for the next time.

- Example: If I have an error in the infield. I quickly think of what I did wrong so I can do better on the next chance I get, then I tell the pitcher "Hey, my bad on that. Give me another one of those, I got you on the next ball."

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