Steve Thomas

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@rockmeannadeus I wonder who it was??

[Driveline Baseball @DrivelineBB]

These are some of the most extreme VAAs on pitches outside the zone that were hit for homers in the bat tracking era.

Flat paths on low and inside pitches. Steep paths on high and outside pitches.

Notice how extreme the postural adjustments are when the path isn't "optimal" for the pitch location.

Certain paths afford you more room for error when it comes to squaring up the baseball.

Steep paths are better for adjusting to pitches with vertical movement. Flat paths are better for adjusting to pitches with more horizontal movement.

Steep paths are also more well-suited to hit inside and low pitches. Flat paths are more well-suited to hit high and away pitches.

For hitters with paths that match the location and shape of the pitch, the timing of their barrel release is the primary factor in whether or not the hitter can square up the ball.

When the shape of their path doesn't align with the shape or location of the pitch, the hitter has to make larger adjustments to their posture to hit those pitches productively.

That's where the coaching value sits.

Knowing what pitches a hitter is capable of adjusting to, as well as the types of adjustments the hitter needs to make to hit certain pitches, is incredibly valuable information for us as coaches.

Elite hitters don't just do a good job of adjusting. They also know how to adjust to certain pitches based on the way that they swing.
- @Stevie_T12

Want to know what pitches your path can cover? Click the link in bio.

[Tri-State Coal Cats @TriStCoalCats]

M2 | 1-1 | TRI-ST @ DAN

FIRST START, FIRST HIT 🔥

Steve Thomas, in his first start for the Cats, bats in @adelman_trent for the game-tying run!

No deficit as we head to the bottom of the inning!

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12 striking out the first batter in his 1-2-3 9th inning, after came a pop up and another strikeout. His nasty slider was working.

[Stevie Thomas @Stevie_T12]

Some plays I’m really proud of from my first home game catching for @DCGrays

[DC Grays @DCGrays]

Steve Thomas has had some tremendous plays behind the plate today, just throwing down a batter at third for a crucial out for the Grays as they battle from behind at the top of the eighth.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@xanbarksdale @Sean_Downing93 @LegKickNationOG I dealt with this a lot when my son (now playing college ball) was younger. As a coach, you must be able to forecast, proactively, what skills and abilities your players will need (appropriate to level of play) and that should inform plans for practice and instruction.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@xanbarksdale Any announcer that refers to a “launch angle swing” - I just lose respect.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12 RBI single for Catholic’s first run today.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12 RBI single yesterday for Catholic, a hard low line drive thru the 5-6 hole. 0.423/0.444/0.538 so far

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

Steve Thomas MSI 2021, catcher throws out 3 runners vs PA Bellringers. Steve's playlist: https://t.co/8WHEGjfP9Y
@MSI_Baseball #uncommitted

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

A catcher MUST be tough: Steve Thomas MSI 2021, takes a shot to the cup but makes the play anyway. Watch Steve's playlist: https://t.co/SxfLmblXeF
@MSI_Baseball #uncommitted

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12 single to drive in two runs to put CUA ahead vs the Coast Guard Academy.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@KenSpang He was probably about the age of your oldest.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@KenSpang No video, but we did track with metrics. Here's the schedule. He and I came up with the pics so he understood before he could read. With the analog clock all he had to do was match up the picture to the clock on the wall.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@xanbarksdale A good coach will set up a relationship that’s appropriate for the age of the players that makes them feel comfortable approaching him about performance and playing time. A coach should be giving appropriate constructive feedback frequently so a player knows where they stand.

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@xanbarksdale In my experience (two teen boys and coached youth baseball for years) absolutely by age 13, but the earlier the better. It is going to depend on the kid, how mature they are, etc but also the coach, some may be more approachable than others. Ten Isn’t too early!

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@George_Zirkel Can’t say it enough, thanks for all you’ve done for Stevie, including being a friend and mentor. You have our support wherever your path takes you next!

[Steve Thomas @Steve_Thomas_PA]

@Stevie_T12 former catching instructor at Ascent (MSI) and St. Joe’s standout, Brian O’Keefe getting his first MLB hit!