Vincent Zanfordino

KU Baseball #42 If you dont work hard to make your dreams a reality, you'll spend the rest of your life working to make someone else's dream a reality

[Big League Digest @BigLeagueDigest]

Derek Jeter gives his opinion on analytics.

"You can't measure a persons heartbeat." 😳

[Steve Bucchignano @stevebuccs]

WINNER!! Unique, unorthodox and done his way, proud to be apart of a lot of these wins as a player and now coach.

Role Model and Mentor turned Friend, it’s been an awesome to be along for this ride.

Congrats Neil, thanks for showing me & so many how it’s done!

[Matt Lisle @CoachLisle]

This is why we coach.

[Matt Lisle @CoachLisle]

Geno Auriemma was asked how every single player on his team is so enthusiastic.

He gave an answer that every young athlete should hear 👏

[Next Level Baseball @nextlevelbb]

The kids that miss their high school spring break tournament for vacation miraculously have parents that complain about playing time and will ultimately try to get the coach fired if needed.
It's all about their kid and creating the path of least resistance.
They could care a less about the team or the coaches.

[Next Level Baseball @nextlevelbb]

HS players...your travel ball responsibilities should start after your high school season is complete. High school baseball during the spring season absolutely takes precedent over travel ball. Any organization asking you to play or practice before the completion of your high school season, need to take a lap.

[Vincent Zanfordino @the_man_42]

@Coach_Chuck41 Congrats big fella!

[Next Level Baseball @nextlevelbb]

Your Phone
-Doesn't belong in the dugout
-Doesn't belong in the weight room
-Doesn't belong in the cages
Start acting like baseball is more important to YOU than your phone!

[LockedInQB @LockedInQB]

1 minute 30 seconds, do it ⬇️

[Thomas Carrieri @Thomas_Carrieri]

This kids coach needs to be arrested. 😂

[Coach Hill @CoachMarcusHill]

Parents, I’ve gotta address something because I think the kids are too young to understand. Injuries happen, it’s understandable and unfortunately part of the game. For some reason, people seem to forget that doesn’t mean the kid is not on the TEAM anymore. When I was young, if a player got hurt they still went to their team’s games and supported their teammates. I understand if the games are in another state and hotels are involved then yes Ofcourse you don’t need to blow thousands of dollars traveling but if your son or daughter is hurt and can’t play and the team has a game, they should still go support their teammates. That’s what COMMITTMENT to a TEAM means.

[Bobby Tewksbary @TewksHitting]

- The wrong people who care the least about the kids are getting rich
- The right people who care the most about the kids are struggling

[Bobby Tewksbary @TewksHitting]

Current Market Status:
- Good coaches know showcases and most tournaments are a waste of time/money. (Some a good/appropriate.)
- Good coaches can't offer what they truly believe in b/c uneducated parents/players seek validation from wrong places
- Tons of wasted time/money

[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!!

[Matt Pagni @CoachPags775]

PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

D2 National champs @RamsASUbaseball (56-9) averaged LESS THAN ONE HR PER GAME this season

THEY DOMINATED W/ SMALL BALL INSTEAD
#1 in sac bunts (69)
#1 in HBP (153)
#2 in stolen bases (205)
#6 in BA (.341)
#6 in runs/game (9.3)

💯
#OnOverIn
#BuntLife

[Matt Pagni @CoachPags775]

BUNTING ON RELIEVERS

Relief pitchers often enter in high stress situations - tied games, RISP - & making them feel uncomfortable is a must
SO BUNT!

Interrupt focus
Get them off the mound
Force athletic play
Disrupt throwing motion
CREATE CHAOS
#BuntLife

[Ben Brewster @TreadAthletics]

"Until we find a better way to pitch, throw strike one."

[Rob Friedman @PitchingNinja]

Brandon Bielak, Wicked Changeups. 🤢