Coach Hopkins

Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, Principal. All opinions expressed here are solely mine.

[Clay Travis @ClayTravis]

Tom Izzo is asked by @outkick’s @RealDanZak about media ripping him for being too tough on players and Charles Barkley’s defense of him, gives phenomenal answer on accountability. Watch this:

[Baseball Dudes Inc. 🇺🇸⚾️ @BaseballDudes48]

Free Bases

During my years coaching in the Angels organization we would keep track of these every game. FREE BASES. Our goal was to have 5 or less per game. Our analytics department told us if we did this we had a 72% chance of winning that game.

FREE BASES are…

Walks
Balks
Wild Pitches
Passed Balls
Errors
Stolen Bases
HBP (Hit By Pitch)

The best way to accomplish this goal game after game was through discussion, taking it one pitch at a time, being intentional in our preparation and to slow the game down mentally. “You control the game, don’t let it control you”.

Walks: Whether there is no runners on or the bases are loaded, slow it down, analyze the situation you are in and execute a quality pitch. Make them earn their way on base, give them something to hit and don’t GIVE them that FREE BASE!

Balks: Again, slow the game down. Balks usually happen when we let things speed up on us. Make sure you are ready before you put your foot on that rubber. Develop a relaxed intensity that allows for you to be locked in and focused but also prepared for chaos. Don’t panic when your opponent tries to get in your head.

Wild Pitches: To prevent these, it takes two players. As pitchers, first we need a controlled consistent delivery that allows for a consistent release point. As a catcher, we need to be confident in our ability to block the baseball. Work hard and become one of the best at it. It does a lot mentally for a pitcher knowing that they can throw an 0-2 breaking ball in the dirt and their backstop has their back and will do their part.

Passed Balls: Catchers, this is on you. Focus on every pitch. Watch the ball all the way to your glove. Give hard focus when catching bullpens. Focus on receiving. Develop your fast twitch.

Errors: The more we limit these as a team, we will always have a better chance at getting that W. Work your butt off to be a fundamentally sound player! Coaches, never ignore the importance of your team being able to take care of the baseball. Defensive fundamentals must be a weekly focus.

Stolen Bases: This is on the pitchers. We NEED to be experts at controlling the running game. Learn what counts they like to run in. Vary your hold times. Don’t fall into patterns (don’t hold for the same count every pitch). Develop quality pick-off moves. Have a good inside move to second. These all take practice. This is a must if you want to be the best at this game!!

HBP: For me, this one could go both ways. Yes it is counted as a FREE BASE but this FREE BASE can work for us as pitchers too. If we are good at pitching inside, this WILL happen. When this does happen, not only will that hitter remember that the next time they come up but when we pitch in (and happen to hit a couple batters), every guy in the other dugout will start to notice. They all might start backing off the plate opening up the outer half for us. Pitchers, develop confidence on pitching inside. That is YOUR plate!!

Limit the FREE BASES we allow as a team and our odds of winning that game go way up!!

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

@CoachKurtHines Prayers for continued strength and comfort for all who are mourning, Coach. Stay strong

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

We need your help to raise money for PLEASE Support Our Team-Give Just $35 & Receive a $100 Hotel Voucher + 1-Yr Savings Membership . https://t.co/wAwIVM6SdV

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

@KirkHerbstreit So sorry, @KirkHerbstreit.

[Selking Performance @ChampMindsets]

MidWeek Mental Rep | High-performance excellence starts with self-awareness and curiosity.

Listen to the Building Championship Mindsets podcast at https://t.co/OZw3pO2p6J!

[St. Louis Cardinals @Cardinals]

The entire Cardinals family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer and World Series champion manager Whitey Herzog at the age of 92.

[Baseball Quotes @BaseballQuotes1]

Hitting gurus on the internet be like... https://t.co/nLhIdibZGN

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

@FB_Helmet_Guy @ChengLor_1990 Skins, Oilers, Bills

[True Tigers @TrueMIZTigers]

Whenever I think of the Border War, my mind goes here. Best kansas football team of all-time lost to Mizzou.

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

Ok...I gotta be honest. I never wanted to watch Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny. I figured it would just be another mediocre Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. However, now I'm really mad at myself for not watching this one in the theater. Great flik!

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

@UncleCharlie50 @Cardinals You, sir are a St. L treasure. You have always played the game the way it was meant to be played. Thank you for being a role model and class act all these years. God bless you and your family. This Cards fan would like to say Thank You! Enjoy retirement. You have earned it!

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

@coachadkisson @CoachMorehead1

[Daniel McKim @DanielMcKim]

High School Weights Class

[Chris Parker @chris_parker222]

With football starting, here is comprehensive list of things heard from the stands:
1. "Get him"
2. "Make a play"
3. "Catch the ball"
4. "Come on coach"
5. "Stop running it up the middle"
6. "Block Somebody"
7. "Throw the ball"
8. "Come on Ref"
9. "Run faster"
10. "That's a hold"

[Unnecessary Roughness @UnnecRoughness]

Only one man can save Northwestern

[Derrick Goold @dgoold]

Met as Cardinals.
Roommates as Cardinals.
Friends as Cardinals.
Stars as not Cardinals.

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

Hot take:
I wish the @MLB would go back to the players' home or away unis (or at least alternates) for the All-Star game. So many teams have really cool uniforms. Why not showcase that?
These uniforms look like 90's slow pitch unis.

[Memphis Redbirds @memphisredbirds]

Powder Blue Replica Jersey Giveaway 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

You can look as cool as James Naile in this pic if you are one of the first 1,500 fans in the stadium on July 1! 😎

TIX 🔗: https://t.co/sfTRubdq5P

[Coach Hopkins @CoachHop46]

@Slowpokeoak @dgoold @Dave_Matter Leaving SIU for Mizzou makes no sense. Mizzou admin is perfectly content simply cashing in on the SEC revenue share. Zero commitment to improving facilities and zero attention to improving the program.

[Coach Adkisson @coachadkisson]

@dgoold @Dave_Matter I can’t imagine a HC at any P5 to take job. MIZ has put no $ in program. Even I’m a an HC at Non Power 5 I’d be more selective. Not a good job (no $, facilities are bad, and no in state loyalty)