jb

here for respectful conversations and BANTER, not on your team

[jb @baileyjroc]

I know my reach here is minimal, but after a four year break I’m starting another podcast for fun.

If you know any coaches who would make great guests, please reach out or tag them.

Thanks in advance!

Marketing and audience will come, gonna get rolling with content first!

[jb @baileyjroc]

@TheArmedLiberal @CallMeCookie I’ve served under 5 presidents, care to explain exactly what you mean by “what happened under Obama?”

[jb @baileyjroc]

@KSSTH20 @HJhughes79 He’s prolly just focused on the biggest game of his life.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@HJhughes79 @KSSTH20 I don’t necessarily think nationality plays a role. I’ve been in attendance for lots of foreign anthems and I stand with my hands at my side. I just think it’s not something he’s thinking about in general. I actually am all for keeping athletes in the locker room 4 anthem.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@KSSTH20 @HJhughes79 Most civilians don’t know how to stand at attention and it’s not required. Arms crossed isn’t a great look but whatev… play ball!

[jb @baileyjroc]

@transjewtalian Do leftists discuss sports differently than rightists?

[jb @baileyjroc]

@matthewdmarsden I wouldn’t cross my arms at a foreign national anthem (and haven’t) , but this is def overblown today.

[jb @baileyjroc]

This is the best of social media. Expert insight from a real expert.

[Jermaine Curtis @JermaineCurtis]

When I was with the St. Louis Cardinals, we had a team meeting about hitting with two strikes.

Albert Pujols was leading it.

At the time, he was hitting something ridiculous with two strikes.

I want to say it was around .265.

Naturally, everyone wanted to know how.

So somebody asked:

"What's your two-strike approach?"

Albert's answer surprised me.

He said:

"I think fastball inside and hit it back through the middle."

That was it.

No complicated mechanics.

No secret formula.

Just:

Fastball inside.

Back through the middle.

I remember sitting there thinking:

"Why would you think fastball inside with two strikes?"

So somebody asked him.

And Albert said something I'll never forget.

He said:

"If I can hit a fastball inside back through the middle..."

"I can hit the fastball away."

"I can stay on the changeup."

"I can stay on the slider."

"I can stay on the curveball."

Then he paused.

And said:

"The ball gets deeper."

That's when it clicked for me.

He wasn't trying to pull the inside fastball.

He was using one thought to cover everything.

The more I thought about it...

The more it made sense.

So I started trying it.

And it changed the way I thought about hitting with two strikes.

Instead of worrying about every pitch...

I focused on one.

Fastball inside.

Back through the middle.

See it DEEP.

If you're struggling with two strikes, here's what I'd do tonight:

Round 1: Short Box

(Set the distance somewhere between front toss and batting practice.)

Have a coach throw only fastballs inside.

Your only thought:

"Fastball inside."

Drive the ball back through the middle.

10 swings.

Round 2: Mix Speeds

Now the coach mixes:

- Fastballs
- Changeups
- Breaking balls
- Sliders

But your thought never changes.

You're still looking:

"Fastball inside."

10 swings.

Round 3: Two-Strike BP

Every pitch starts 0-2.

Compete.

Battle.

Use the same approach.

"Fastball inside."

Back through the middle.

10 swings.

That's it.

30 focused swings.

One thought.

One approach.

One goal.

Drive the baseball back through the middle.

One thing I've learned:

Most hitters get worse with two strikes because they add thoughts.

Albert got better because he removed them.

With two strikes, simplicity is a weapon.

Thank you for reading,
Jermaine Curtis

P.S. - If you enjoyed this and thought it was helpful, please share it.

(When you share it, it tells me you want more content like this.)

[jb @baileyjroc]

@JShalooby @TheBuddyCSM I worked for two warrants at my first duty station who were both so bad ass in different ways I knew I wanted that swag 🤣

[jb @baileyjroc]

@HodlFlorida 999…. One thousand

[jb @baileyjroc]

Took me a long time to accept that you can’t help someone who doesn’t truly want it (ie isn’t willing to take a step).

[MEDPROS Center of Excellence @Asst_to_the_RM]

June is PTSD Awareness Month. If you're struggling, remember that ignoring the problem won't make it disappear. Getting help for your mental health is your responsibility & no one else’s. Don’t make your inaction for help become someone else’s problem.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@JShalooby @TheBuddyCSM Totally get that. Luckily I’ve mostly been able to hang with the troops… and pass on whatever knowledge I may have. I don’t miss the babysitting 🤣.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@JShalooby @TheBuddyCSM Going warrant was the best thing I ever did but still know that NCOs make it happen and still believe the NCO creed may be the best piece of writing ever !

[jb @baileyjroc]

@lance_corporate My profession has taken me away from home so much that if I had to deal with this, we’d have never made it. My wife is a rock star when it comes to navigating this , and it is extra burden on her no doubt.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@AmFirstDaily @RayAbla @Skyline_Chili The one linked here says it’s set up by skyline , and it’s shared by skyline official.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@Azkanurulzaaa @KosherChutzpah Americans would love this benefit to be articulated.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@KosherChutzpah @afc_bro Actually the opposite is true. My entire life ppl Americans have railed against foreign aid to many countries, only recently have they realized how much we send to Israel.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@BlastingThrough @Hummingbirder We need to bring back spec-5!

[jb @baileyjroc]

@SGTWipper1Each All I know is you better known the proper name at CIF …

[jb @baileyjroc]

@infantrydort Using your words wisely, concisely, and effectively is peak masculinity.

[jb @baileyjroc]

@Asst_to_the_RM Undershirt now optional 🤣