1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger

Recovering ex-baseball dad. Father of NC State Wolfpacker and a soon to declare. Geaux Hawks 12 U of

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

NTX HS summer baseball has begun. 10 things a HS pitcher should be working on. Nothing magical or unique about this list.

1. Set Warm Up routine
2. Set Mental prep routine
3. Set Recovery routine
4. Set in-week bullpen schedule
5. Set pre-game routine
6. Set in-week strength & mobility routine
7. Daily tracking update
8. Food & Water & Sleep
9. Self-video review
10. Curiosity

Set - means You set it, and change it as you figure out what works best for you.

[Hillcrest Baseball @crestbaseball_]

Day 2

[TBT Texas Baseball @TBTTexas]

Here’s a look @Jesus195321 ‘27 from Woodrow Wilson. The 1st team all district selection was 87-88 in this outing striking out 4 for the win!🔥

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

This is as good an explanation of how hard it is to be a really good catcher as I’ve ever seen.

A catcher suffers every game for his team.

[𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐳𝐞𝐧 @utahscout1219]

The Scouting Classroom #20

THE HARDEST POSITION TO FIND AND DEVELOP

For me, the hardest position for a scout to find and develop is catcher.

Not because there aren’t players willing to put the gear on. There are plenty. The challenge is finding a true catcher.

There is a big difference between someone who catches and someone who can run a game, handle a staff, control tempo, receive velocity, block with toughness, throw accurately, and still compete in the batter’s box.

That is what makes the position different

A catcher has to do a little bit of everything, and most of it does not show up in the box score. Fans may notice pop time or arm strength. Scouts are watching the quieter details.

• Does he receive the ball cleanly?
 • Does he steal strikes without making it obvious?
 • Does he block with conviction?
 • Does he recover quickly?
 • Does he throw with carry and accuracy?
 • Does the pitcher trust him?
 • Does he control tempo?
 • Does he lead without needing attention?
 • Does he handle failure without carrying it into the next pitch?

That is why catching is so difficult to evaluate. You are not just grading tools. You are grading responsibility.

THE BAT MAKES IT EVEN HARDER

The toughest part is finding a catcher who can defend and still hit.

Many young catchers fall behind offensively because the position demands so much. Their legs get tired, their hands take a beating, and their minds get overloaded. They spend so much time learning to receive, block, throw, call pitches, and manage pitchers that the bat often develops more slowly.

That does not mean the hitter is not in there.
It means scouts have to be patient.

Some catchers need more time, more innings, or better competition. Some need to fail, adjust, mature, and learn to slow the game down. A young catcher may have the arm before the receiving, the bat before the trust, or the toughness before the feel.

That is development

WHY REAL CATCHERS ARE RARE

A real catcher has to earn trust from everyone around him.

Pitchers have to believe in him. Coaches have to trust him. Scouts have to project him. Organizations have to stay patient.

You can move a good athlete to the outfield. You can shift a shortstop to another position. You can dream on a pitcher with arm strength. Catching is different. You cannot fake the innings, the feel, or the leadership when the game speeds up.

The position exposes you

• It exposes your toughness.
• It exposes your instincts.
•It exposes your aptitude.
• It exposes your patience.
• It exposes your ability to think while your body is getting beat up.

That is why scouts pay close attention when they see a young catcher who can truly handle the position.

THE SCOUTING LESSON

When a scout finds a catcher with defensive trust, arm strength, toughness, leadership, feel for the game, and offensive upside, he does not just write it down and move on.

He follows him

Because those players are hard to find

And even harder to develop

The position is not just about tools. It is about carrying responsibility pitch after pitch, inning after inning, game after game.

That is why catcher, for me, is the hardest position to find and develop.

That’s scouting!

#BehindTheRadarGun

[Sarah Nauser @SarahNauser]

It’s a great day to have a great day!! Happy Lou Gehrig Day!!
#LouGehrigDay #ALS #EndALS #Luckiest

[Hillcrest Baseball @crestbaseball_]

Great first day of camp! @HillcrestGbb @FiveToolTexas @dallasathletics

[Sarah Nauser @SarahNauser]

Day 31
How can we support you?

The truth is, you already are.

By reading these daily posts, sharing them, commenting, and helping spread awareness, you have been supporting me every step/roll of the way. Over the past month, my Facebook profile alone has reached more than 4 million views. That’s 4 million opportunities for someone to learn about ALS, and that means more to me than I can adequately express.

On Lou Gehrig Day at The K, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I looked around the stadium and saw Sarah’s Soldiers shirts scattered throughout the crowd. Seeing so many people stand beside me in this fight was a powerful reminder that I am not facing ALS alone. I feel incredibly blessed to call Kansas City home and to be surrounded by such a compassionate and supportive community.

For those who have asked how they can continue to help, if you would like to purchase a shirt or donate directly to support my personal fight with ALS, you can do so here:
https://t.co/yZhFjgug5p

If you would like to purchase a Royals-themed Sarah’s Soldiers shirt or support the nonprofit I created to help others battling ALS, you can do so here:
https://t.co/UVRscGWvH0

Both sites also allow donations without a purchase.

As this month comes to a close, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reading, sharing, encouraging, and learning alongside me. I have read every comment, every message, and every word of support. While ALS has taken many things from me, it has also shown me the incredible kindness, generosity, and strength that exists in others.

My hope is that these 31 days have helped you better understand ALS and the realities of living with it. Awareness creates understanding, understanding creates action, and action is what will ultimately lead us to a cure.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey and for standing with me in the fight against ALS. 💙
📸credit: The One and Only @JasonHannaphoto
#ALS #ALSAwareness #FightLikeAGirl #SarahsSoldiers #Thankful #Blessed

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

@joshgessner Program

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

Preach!

[Dr. Tyler Winfield @Velo_doc]

This is why I teach what I teach

Velo isn’t everything
It gets you in the door but doesn’t guarantee success unless you are facing guys who can’t hit at the D1 level

Being able to drop a changeup for a strike in any count will get you better results that a flat 95

If you are 7-8mph (84 with sink) below the “hitting speed” you’ll get more outs than the guy throwing 92 when guys are geared up for it

Slow lefties kill fastball hunting lineups

All this plays in

What kills me is when a recruiting coordinator won’t even look at a 89-91 guy because the metrics aren’t there, then they get torched by inconsistent outings from the flame throwing guys

Could go on and on about this

The guys who are 95+ for strikes used to be minor leaguers at this stage of their life - the rule changes are the reason these few guys are in college (still rare) nowadays

Need a strikeout? Nasty stuff and high velo sure thing

Need a quality start? Need a guy who can hit the broad side of a barn when he wants to

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

Hawks 11 U advance! Badger nephew goes 2-3!

[Rookie Davis @RookieDavis_]

2026 Regional Avg FB Velo across all 64 Regional teams is 90.8 MPH.

🔥 Highest: Wake Forest — 94.4 MPH

📉 Lowest: Alabama State — 84.7 MPH

A few takeaways:
• 90+ MPH is no longer elite at the college level — it's becoming the standard.

• Nearly every Regional features multiple staffs averaging 91-93+.

• Velocity isn't everything... but it's becoming increasingly difficult to survive without it.

If you want to play at a competitive D1 program… 90MPH is the benchmark.

Velo gets your foot in the door… secondary pitches and command get you innings‼️

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

Pitching is math (still)! Nice strike’em out throw’em out!
GEAUX PIRATES!
https://t.co/5CJWGSuO27

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

Tenn v. ECU headed into the 13th — Here is Norby’s last out with RISP.

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

Ethan Norby. 5-10, 195 lbs LHP for the ECU Pirates. Comes in with a 2-0 count, 1 out, tied 1-1, bottom of the 7th, go ahead run on 3rd. Strikes out the next two!

How can you not be a romantic about baseball.

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

CWS begins tomorrow! I’m ever pulling for the next Coastal Carolina surprise. It’s also a good opportunity for high school pitchers to see players that are closer in age and size than watching Power 5 players. Geaux Underdogs!

[Sarah Nauser @SarahNauser]

Day 27
What does Lou Gehrig Day mean to you?

Awareness. Accomplishment. Admiration.

Lou Gehrig Day became a reality in 2021 after three years of relentless work by a small committee I was incredibly honored to be part of. We were made up of people living with ALS or impacted by ALS who share a common love for baseball — all connected by this disease and united by one goal: to honor Lou Gehrig’s legacy across all of Major League Baseball while bringing desperately needed awareness to ALS.

What started as a dream from my late friend Bryan “BWayne” Wayne became reality through the determination of so many, including my late friend Adam Wilson, who helped gain the support of all 30 MLB teams. Seeing something that once felt impossible become a nationally recognized day will always be one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of.

Lou Gehrig was known as baseball’s Iron Horse because of his grit, loyalty, and unwavering dedication to the game, playing in 2,130 consecutive games before voluntarily stepping away after his ALS diagnosis. But beyond baseball, he was remembered for something even greater — his humility, kindness, and character. Personally, I strive to live like Lou.

That’s what makes this day so meaningful. It’s not just about baseball. It’s about humanity. It’s about honoring those we’ve lost, supporting those still fighting, and making sure people living with ALS are seen, heard, and never forgotten.

Since its inception, Lou Gehrig Day has become one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a day I’ve been fortunate to share with my family, fellow ALS warriors, and my beloved Kansas City Royals, who have continuously wrapped me in support throughout my journey.

In 2022, we celebrated Salvador Perez as the second Kansas City Royal to receive the prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Tonight, we celebrate Bobby Witt Jr. as the third Royal to receive that honor.

Both of these men are extraordinary players, but this award is about much more than talent on the field. It recognizes character, compassion, and the impact they make off the field. Bobby, Salvy, and George Brett have all stood beside me throughout my battle with ALS in ways I will never forget. Their kindness, support, and genuine care have meant more than words can truly capture.

Days like today remind me why we keep fighting. Days like today make all the hard days worth it.

So tonight, we celebrate baseball, we celebrate Lou’s legacy, and we celebrate every person impacted by ALS. Let’s have some fun. And congratulations to my friend, Bobby Witt Jr. 💙
#LouGehrigDay #Royals #ALS #FightLikeAGirl #SarahsSoldiers

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

If you told a pitcher — here are 3 different ways to throw a FB. One way is 1 mph faster - you will throw it 10% of the time. One is 2mph slower - you will throw it 10% of the time. The FB that sits between the two - you will throw it 80% of the time. All have the same movement profile.
And you must use a different leg kick with all three.
How much fun do you think the pitcher would have with that bullpen routine?

That’s what the windup and the slide step are to the stretch.
You can disrupt timing with the slide step —or get nuked. That happens as well.

[Coach Beede @CoachBeede]

For the families of committed 2026s right now:
The next 60 days are not about resting. They are about getting ready for college baseball.
The student-athletes who arrive on campus in August prepared , physically, academically, emotionally, separate themselves from the ones who do not in the first month.
The work between now and move-in matters more than most families realize.

[1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger @Pitchingbadger]

A pitcher can learn a lot from watching a college QB’s workout.

@CamMcGuire06

Everything is better with Metallica!

https://t.co/YsynQnoKSQ

[Dr. Tyler Winfield @Velo_doc]

12 District MVPs / Pitchers of the Year outta this fall and winters prep trainings

A few more unannounced and will be soon

Damn good year yall