Dalton Parks

Head Baseball Coach at University of Maine Fort Kent. Former UMC Golden Eagle. Brooklyn,Siobhán, Sophie 🎀🎀

[Jermaine Curtis @JermaineCurtis]

When I was with the Cincinnati Reds organization, I played against a player from the Texas Rangers organization.

The reason I noticed him was because he used to hit a lot like me.

- Lots of singles.
- A few doubles.
- An occasional extra-base hit.

Not much power.

He wasn't a big guy either.

Maybe 185 pounds soaking wet.

Fast center fielder.

The type of player nobody would look at and think:

"Power hitter."

Then one day I saw him again.

And he looked like a completely different hitter.

Balls were jumping off his bat.

He was driving balls into the gaps.

Hitting home runs.

I remember thinking:

"What happened to this guy?"

A few days later, he hit a double and ended up standing on second base.

So I asked him:

"What did you do differently?"

His answer surprised me.

He said:

"I started hitting with a fungo."

That was it.

A fungo.

I looked at him and said:

"A fungo?"

He laughed.

Then he said:

"Yeah."

"The thing is lighter, so it gives you instant feedback."

"If I take a bad swing, I know it immediately."

"If I roll over, I can feel it."

"If I stay through the baseball, I can feel that too."

"And when I really square one up..."

"You can feel the backspin come off the bat."

Then he said:

"It's teaching me how to catch the ball farther out front."

"I don't know how else to explain it."

"It just gives me feedback."

I couldn't stop thinking about it.

The next day, we were traveling home.

I couldn't wait to try it.

So before batting practice, I grabbed a fungo and started hitting with it.

The feel was completely different.

A few days later, I hit my first home run of the season.

That's when I learned:

Power isn't always strength.

Sometimes it's skill.

He didn't become a different athlete.

He learned a different movement.

So here's what I'd do tonight if I wanted a little power boost:

1. Fungo Tee Work (10 Swings)

Focus on catching the ball out front and staying through it.

2. Fungo Front Toss (10 Swings)

Pay attention to the feel.

Can you feel the barrel staying through the baseball?

Can you feel the backspin?

3. Regular Bat Front Toss (10 Swings)

The first few swings might feel off because your regular bat is heavier.

Don't get discouraged.

Stay with the same feeling you had with the fungo.

Thank you for reading,
Jermaine Curtis

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

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[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

An absolute stud for his this year. Consistent, tough, and gritty. Can’t wait to see what this guy does for us next season!

[Seth Walker @Seth_Walker7]

Freshman Season:
Average:388
OBP: 528
31 hits
80 AB’s
5 Strikeouts
21 Walks
3 HBP
@daltonparks
@DatDude_RySattz

[Williston State Baseball @TetonBaseball]

#RollTons @_TheJBB @NJCAABaseball

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

School doesn’t start until Jan 20th. If you’re still looking for a home this spring reach out! Looking for 1 or 2 more guys to solidify the roster! Small roster= more opportunities to get on the field! Reach out and let’s get to work!

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

@CoachCam10 My guy Brandon Scheurer showing everyone how it’s done!

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

UMFK is looking for a couple of arms to come in at break and get significant innings right away
- Small roster=better opportunity for playing time
-Affordable tuition with scholarship $ available
- Will take a spring trip to Florida
Come help set the foundation!!

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

We are looking for some guys looking to make an immediate impact at semester here at the University of Maine Fort Kent.
-New Program, we get to build it our way
-Affordable Tuition
-Small Roster=more chances to get on the field
-Florida Spring Trip
Let’s build something special

[Bhrett McCabe, PhD @DrBhrettMcCabe]

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." — Vince Lombardi

[Lane Kiffin @Lane_Kiffin]

This was so perfect to start the day!! 🧘🏼‍♀️ Every word is exactly how I feel about my life NOW. Thank you so much 🧎‍➡️
The love is deep within the chaous of life. You just have to get to the other side to see it all happened how it was suppose to happen when it was supposed to

[Seth Walker @Seth_Walker7]

1.89 in game pop
@daltonparks
@DatDude_RySattz

[Adam Stenson @AdamStensonACS]

The Program Spotlight- University Of Maine Fort Kent HC @DaltonParks https://t.co/0fTr68wnqz

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

@Crazy_Quacker Thank you for your support!

[UMC Baseball @UMCBaseball]

Oh what a year for Minnesota Crookston alum Jake Dykhoff!

Jake led the league with a 1.63 ERA, WHIP of .93, tied for the league lead in wins with 11, and was named American Association Starting Pitcher of the Year. His 1.63 ERA also set a 30 year franchise record.

[UMC Baseball @UMCBaseball]

Minnesota Crookston alum Connor Richardson opens play in the Pioneer League Championship starting tomorrow with the Oakland Ballers. Richardson is 6-0 and has two saves on the year.

[USCAA @USCAA]

🌟⚽️ The wait is over! The soccer preseason poll has dropped, and we’re buzzing with excitement! Who’s feeling that game day energy?

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

@ClintHurdle13 Will absolutely be stealing this!

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

What year are we going to fix the targeting rule? How long do we have to keep saying how bad the rule is before it gets changed?

[UMC Baseball @UMCBaseball]

Baseball alum Jason Angelo recently received a life-saving award as a North Dakota firefighter. He is seen here with his wife, Taylor, and his two children.

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

@Baseball_Help1 Would love to hear about him!

[Dalton Parks @daltonparks]

@AdamStensonACS This is going to be a game changer!