From good to great...maybe

Rain! Blech!

As you know this was a tumultuous week for the big kid. Being left behind is more than the name of a book and movie but the reality of the leftie's life. Yeah, he was left behind to hang out with the guys, drink beer, and study for the final exam that he has on Tuesday. Fun, eh?

So what else is new? Well, the kid threw a bullpen yesterday and could not find the strike zone and had a meltdown....is the pitching coach right? A head case? Or wrong....mechanics?

Well, here is my take on it. I finished reading the book written by Tiger Wood's coach, Hank Haney. Haney was approached by Woods to help him to tinker with his game/mechanics. They worked together for a number of years and had a consistent pattern of activities. A regimented player, Woods responded to the coaching and won countless tournaments. Now, if Tiger Woods needs someone to work with him daily then why wouldn't a team need a coach to work with them too? I really do not see much of a difference.

If left on his own, Woods would have been a good golfer but not great. Likewise, the college and high school players need someone who understands the mechanics and mind of the game so that they too can be champions. A player at a higher level has a great deal going for themselves such as athleticism and body, but the rest has to be developed and honed. In other words, a good player can be great with good coaching.

With Buddy, he is a head case because he knows what he can do and what he is capable of given the necessary support. There lies the frustration. He knows that with assistance, he can make it because he has the drive, athleticism, and ambition. Without the proper setting and structure, he is left on his own and cannot figure out what he is doing wrong or even right.

I was once told to not think when playing tennis. Go with muscle memory and instincts. If these pitchers are not properly coached, then they cannot develop good habits and be able to self-correct.

And now, I am off my soap box and have to run errands. Have a great day!