Farm Boy Strong

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

In the last week, I have spent a lot of time shoveling snow. Here in Baltimore, we received 50” of snow in a five day stretch. As I piled snow higher than my head on the sides of walkways, driveways and cars, I taxed muscles that had not been awakened in some time. Hours of doing this also gave me plenty of time alone with my thoughts. One thought involved the type of shape I would be in if this kind of shoveling was a daily routine for me.

It made me remember a scouting term that I have heard before: “farm boy strong.” This term is used to describe a young player who is naturally thick and strong referencing young men who grew up on a farm and developed their strength by doing difficult manual labor on a daily basis. These guys are hard to find these days. We see many more “soft-bodied” prospects than “farm boy strong” prospects. Society has changed with more jobs done by automated machines than in generations past, but it is also widely chronicled that today’s young players spend more time playing video games and staring at the computer than ever before.

When Mickey Mantle was growing up he worked in the lead mines in the summers. One of his jobs involved smashing large rocks into smaller ones with a sledgehammer. Some credit his immense wrist and forearm strength to this. Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks both worked in the cotton fields as young men building naturally strong hands from their hours of picking cotton. These “farm boy strong” players combined for 1,803 home runs in their storied careers. As the rules continue to eliminate players with chemically enhanced strength, I think the player with some skill and natural strength will become an extremely hot commodity.

Maybe some of today’s young high school players should pick their summer jobs not based on which is the easiest, but by which will build up some usable strength for them in the future. It paid off for guys like Mantle, Banks and Aaron.



Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

The Seventh Tool

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

What do Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams all have in common? Yes, they’re Hall of Famers and yes they belong in the discussion of the greatest hitters of all time, but did you know that they also all walked more times than they struck out in their careers? They all had knowledge and control of the strike zone. They all had plate discipline.

I know that the walk to strikeout ratio is considered by many as an archaic way to measure plate discipline. Statisticians have conducted many recent analyses of plate discipline that include percentages of balls swung at that are out of the strike zone, contact percentages, pitches per at bat, hitter tendencies toward passive or aggressive approaches and others. For this discussion we’ll keep it simple and stick with the BB/K ratio that I happen to feel still has merit.

Strikeout totals continue to rise in baseball today and they seem to be more accepted. I understand that there are a lot of variables in the mix. Closers, set-up men, splitters and sliders have emerged. So has the line-up in which every player is capable of hitting the ball out of today’s smaller parks at any time, as well as a propensity for working deeper counts. Gone are the days of the 2-strike approach and fighting to avoid making that walk back to the dugout after being beaten by the pitcher.

Despite the high strikeout totals, some players do buck the trend. Recent HOF inductees Rickey Henderson, Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs all walked more than they struck out as did the current career HR leader, Barry Bonds. In today’s game it’s getting harder to find players that maintain a positive ratio. Superstar Albert Pujols has walked 802 times while striking out just 566 times at this point in his career. Others with a positive ratio are Chipper Jones, Todd Helton and Dustin Pedroia, all quality hitters.

I discussed in a previous blog that a player’s make-up should be regarded as the 6th tool for position players joining the standard five tools (hitting ability, power, defensive ability, arm, speed). Finding a player with multiple plus tools out of the “original” five will normally result in a productive Major Leaguer and if those “tools guys” have solid make-up you normally have an All-Star. Add in plate discipline to the mix and the result seems to be a Hall of Famer. I think plate discipline deserves its place as the 7th tool when scouting position players.




Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Stop Hiding Behind the Radar Gun

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Here’s the exchange.

“How did John pitch today?”

“He was 87-89mph.”

We all do it. Scouts, coaches, parents, players…we all love to spit out velocities when asked about pitchers. And while velocity certainly has its place, it’s time to come out from behind the radar gun and see who can really pitch.

In January of 2005 we invited a young, skinny left-handed pitcher from Ohio to participate in our Pre-Season All-America Tournament. This player was already a part of our Exclusive College Recruiting Program, so we had seen him on several occasions and liked him. He was exactly the kind of player we like to invite to that event. At the same time, he was exactly the kind of player that has drawn criticism over the years from parents and supposed experts for being invited to play in the Pre-Season All-America event because he wasn’t listed on any national player rating lists, he wasn’t committed to a major Division I school (or any school for that matter) and he didn’t throw harder than 83 mph.

But when one of the scouts working the event for us (Mac Seibert, current scout for the NY Mets), saw this young LHP throw, he liked him. He looked past the low 80’s velocity to see a good athlete and competitor with clean arm action, good secondary pitches and the ability to throw strikes. He envisioned how good this young man could be down the road. Mac liked him so much that he recommended him to his friend Randy Putman, Head Coach at powerhouse Wallace State CC – Hanceville. After two very successful seasons at Wallace State, more and more people were beginning to realize that this young man could pitch. He committed to play at Arizona State University, but never reached their campus, electing instead to sign with the Texas Rangers who had selected him in that year’s (2007) amateur draft.

That young man’s name is Derek Holland and just a few years later he is in the Major Leagues with the Rangers. Many coaches and scouts passed over him in high school. They held the gun up for a few of his pitches and after a few readings of 81 and 82 they put their guns away and concentrated on other players on the field. He is bigger and stronger now and he does throw harder, but in a velocity-only baseball world he almost didn’t get the chance to develop. A few weeks ago, Derek beat the Angels throwing a complete game 3-hit shutout. I think as he walked off the mound in Anaheim, the Rangers were probably glad that someone a few years back had looked beyond the radar gun to dream on a skinny lefty who could really pitch.



Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

How Do I Get Noticed?

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

I get asked this question hundreds of times each year by high school players who are looking to catch the eye of college coaches and professional scouts. There are many answers to this question, but the simplest one and easiest to control is summed up in one word: HUSTLE.

In today’s game, players who run hard out of the box all the way through the bag each and every at bat are the ones that stand out from the crowd. Because so many players jog to first when they hit a routine ground ball or “Big League it” when they hit a clean single, the guys who always run hard get noticed by everyone in attendance. A player who runs hard each at bat, and is the first guy on and off the field for his team defensively will make a positive impression on any coaches or scouts in attendance.

I recently attended a high school game where I witnessed all of the following in a matter of four innings:

1. A player failed to make an attempt to run to first base after a dropped third strike. It was apparent that he initially forgot to run and then, when he realized he should, decided it was not worth the effort.

2. The player in the above example was talked to by the coach after the third out of the inning. The coach was positive and made a good point that the player needed to be aware of the situation and needs to make an effort to get to first base the next time a similar situation arises. Obviously upset that the coach was actually coaching him, the player proceeded to walk from in front of the third base dugout to his defensive position in right field. This allowed him one throw with the center fielder before the inning began.

3. As I sat in the third base bleachers, the left fielder for one team jogged to the third base dugout after the third out of the inning. On his way by, he yelled to his apparent girlfriend in the bleachers to text him when he got back to the dugout.

4. I did not witness one player run hard all the way through first base on a ground out, or go full speed around first base and make a hard turn on a clean single. In fact, I saw a couple of players who either stopped and headed to the dugout before they got to first base on a ground out or jogged all the way and missed the bag on their way past it.

Needless to say, not a lot of players stood out to me in a good way at this game.

On the other hand, I searched out and wrote down the names of players who did the following at games this year (and I wasn’t alone in reaching for my pen and checking my roster on these guys):

1. A player went from second to third after a single when the third baseman strayed too far from the bag and neither the third baseman nor pitcher was paying any attention to the base runner.

2. I saw a player hit a fairly routine single to center field. The hitter ran hard out of the box and through the turn at first. When he noticed that the center fielder was taking his time getting to the ball, the hitter never broke stride and slid into second just before the surprised center fielder could get the ball in.

3. In another game at a field where the dugouts and on-deck areas are a good distance from home plate, a player singled to right field with a runner on second. The on-deck hitter sprinted out to home plate, got the bat out of the way and signaled to the base runner trying to score to slide to the third base side of the plate. The runner followed the instructions and just beat the throw home to score a big run for his team. The on-deck hitter showed me he was into the game, understood his responsibilities and hustled into position to help his team win the game.

It may be jaded and simple, but hustling everywhere is the easiest way to get noticed by Recruiting Coordinators and Scouts. Not everyone can hit a baseball 450 feet or run a 6.5 60-yard dash, but everyone can control their level of effort and hustle.


Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

When in Doubt…Draft a Quarterback

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

College baseball is in full swing and so is the high school season in most parts of the country. That means that scouts are busy canvassing the nation to evaluate prospects for this June’s MLB Amateur Draft.

Because scouting continues to be an inexact science with only a small percentage of drafted players ever putting on a Major League uniform, Scouting Departments are always looking for an edge over other organizations. To find the next superstar, maybe they should throw out psychological tests, personality tests and leadership questionnaires and turn instead to a consultant better known for a different draft – Mel Kiper.

Leadership, work ethic and toughness are valuable intangibles normally found in a quality big leaguer. Do you know where else they are usually found? They’re found in quarterbacks. In fact, some of today’s top players have a history as very successful and highly recruited QBs. Listed below is a pretty solid line-up made up of ex- quarterbacks:

Catcher -Joe Mauer
Mauer was the top QB in the country coming out of high school and committed to play for Florida State before signing with the Twins.

First Baseman – Todd Helton
Helton played QB at the University of Tennessee before yielding to Peyton Manning and then concentrating on baseball full-time.

Second Baseman – Mark DeRosa
DeRosa played QB at the University of Pennsylvania and had some NFL free agent interest before settling on baseball as his future.

Shortstop – Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez committed to play QB at the University of Miami before becoming the first overall pick in the draft and signing with the Mariners as a shortstop.

Third Baseman – Casey Blake
Blake is one of the best high school athletes in Iowa history and turned down QB offers from Iowa, Kansas State and others to play baseball at Wichita State.

Left Fielder –Matt Holliday
Holliday was a highly regarded high school QB who committed to play for Oklahoma State before signing with the Rockies

Center Fielder – Grady Sizemore
Sizemore was a tremendous athlete who committed to play QB for Coach Rick Neuheisel at the University of Washington before signing with the Expos.

Right Fielder – Carl Crawford
Crawford, one of the best option QB’s in the country when he came out of high school, committed to play at the University of Nebraska before signing with the Devil Rays

Starting Pitcher – Scott Kazmir
Kazmir was recruited heavily by the University of Texas as a QB before making baseball his priority.

Closer – Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon was heavily recruited to play QB in the SEC before settling on baseball as his future at Mississippi State University.

Designated Hitter – Adam Dunn
Dunn’s original contract with the Reds allowed him to attend the University of Texas in the fall to play QB. After falling behind Major Applewhite and Chris Simms on the depth chart, he stayed with baseball full time.

This list doesn’t even mention many of the other quality high school quarterbacks who ultimately chose baseball. MLB All-Stars like Torii Hunter, Jason Giambi, Nate McLouth and Vernon Wells were all accomplished signal callers in their younger years.

With more and more high school athletes concentrating on just one sport year-round, multiple sport athletes are not as prevalent as they once were. The argument of one sport versus multiple sports is a topic for a future blog, but the names listed above seem to make a case for at least continuing to play QB if you have the ability. It appears to me that when baseball tools are combined with the athleticism and make-up necessary to excel at the quarterback position, you have a pretty good chance of finding a special baseball player. Just ask Mel Kiper.



Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Change of Pace

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

What do the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner, the MVP of the 2008 World Series, the 2008 ERA champ and the All-Time ML Saves Leader have in common?

They all throw a great changeup.

Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Johan Santana and Trevor Hoffman are among the pitchers in the Major Leagues who have perfected the pitch that every young pitcher should have in his repertoire. After all, a major goal of pitching is to disrupt the timing of the hitter. A quality changeup disrupts timing better than any other pitch.

I have written before about the importance of fastball command to a pitcher. That is still the top priority, but the next pitch to establish is a changeup. Too many young pitchers are caught up in throwing a curveball or slider at a young age without ever learning a change. You will be amazed at the swing-and-misses and weak contact that a quality change will induce.

For many high school players around the country, there are a few more weeks before games start. Take that time to get comfortable in the bullpen with a changeup. It is a feel pitch that can be thrown from a number of different grips (circle, three-finger and vulcan a just a few of the many variations). As long as the pitch is thrown with the same delivery and arm speed as the fastball but with less velocity, it can be extremely effective. Not only will you see more success in games, but this pitch is easier on your arm than a breaking ball. In fact, most Major League pitchers throw exclusively fastballs and changeups during the early weeks of Spring Training working on command and feel while limiting the stress on their arm.

I should mention one other successful Major Leaguer with a quality changeup – Tim Lincecum. He won the National League Cy Young Award last year. Although he is best known for his electric fastball that he throws at 95-plus, this is what he said in an article on MLB.com after receiving the award as the league’s best pitcher:

"That's the thing that helped me out the most, to get more ground balls and strikeouts," Lincecum said of his changeup, explaining that finding a comfortable grip for the pitch gave him the command he lacked as a rookie.

If it’s a major part of the success of the most recent Cy Young Award Winners as well as the World Series MVP, don’t you think you should make it a part of your arsenal?


Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Your Season is Your Responsibility

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

All of the hard work you did throughout the off-season is for one reason: to have a great high school season!

Since you turned in your high school uniform last spring, you most likely have played summer and fall baseball, attended some player development camps and showcases and worked throughout the winter to prepare for this new season. Let’s keep in mind that this is YOUR season. You need to take ownership of it from the first practice through the final out of the last game.

When I speak with players in the midst of their high school season, I love to hear an excited voice on the other end of the phone telling me about a positive contribution he made to his team’s victory. What I don’t like to hear is a player making excuses for a lack of success. I understand that obstacles appear for a player throughout every season, but how you deal with these obstacles usually determines how satisfied you are with your individual performance at the end of the year. Although at times these obstacles are out of your control, how you deal with them is entirely your decision.

For instance, let’s understand going into the season that if you live in the north, you are going to play games in cold weather. A player with some mental toughness who embraces a cold weather game and is just excited to get a chance to play a game outside that day has a distinct advantage over the player on the corner of the bench shivering in a winter coat complaining that his hands are cold. I’ve seen teams beat much more talented teams on bad weather days simply because the less talented team wanted to play despite the conditions while the “better team” was upset to be on the field.

Another issue that arises this time of year involves the limited amount of time certain high schools practice. I understand that the amount of practice time or the actual practice itinerary may not provide you with the number of defensive reps, swings in the cage, or pitches off the rubber that you feel you need. In that case, find other ways and times to get what you need. Play catch with a teammate on the tennis courts, throw to each other at a local batting cage, find an open field and get someone to hit you ground balls or fly balls. You know when you feel prepared for a game; it is your responsibility to do the things outside of organized practice times that get you to that feeling of readiness.

I could go on and list every obstacle/excuse that I have heard over the years, but I think you get the idea. This is your career and you need to take responsibility for it. The beginning of a high school season is an exciting time. I’m sure you have both team and individual goals that you are striving to reach this spring. There will be ups and downs throughout the year and how you deal with them will usually dictate whether you reach those goals. I hope all of you stay positive, overcome obstacles and see successful results from all of your hard work. I hope all of you have a great season.

Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Parents Need to Lead by Example

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

The start of baseball season is only a few weeks away. This is an exciting time in the lives of high school baseball families. The start of a new season brings a lot of hope and aspiration for a strong performance, and for juniors and seniors in particular, a leg up in the college recruiting process.

At Baseball Factory, the start of the high school season also causes some interesting discussion to percolate between our staff and parents across the country. When we speak to parents and ask how they view the outlook for the season, we are often on the receiving end of a lot of negativity concerning team politics, how unfair the coach is, how the teachers hurt their son’s chances to be eligible, and so on.

While I certainly understand that challenging situations present themselves every day in each person’s life, and high school baseball is no different, how you react to those situations is often how you are judged. Young men often feed off the energy and perspective of their parents and how you as parents react can be a mirror for your children to emulate. So make the commitment to be a good example for your son to follow as it relates to your part in high school baseball. Here are some quick tips to help get you on the right path and frame of mind.

1. Stay away from blaming politics. The truth is that politics exist everywhere in life. Instead of complaining about them, use it as motivation. For more information on this topic visit Steve Bernhardt’s blog which has a lot of great advice.

2. Stop blaming the high school coach. Some high school coaches are more knowledgeable than others. Some are more committed. Try to take the most positive aspects of your coach's personality and skill set and focus on those. If you require additional professional help to achieve your son’s baseball goals, seek outside help from Baseball Factory or other local contacts.

3. Don’t ride the umpires. One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing parents ride the umpire for questionable calls. Just encourage the boys to play the game and do their best. Bad calls are a part of every level of play. Shake them off and don’t make excuses.

4. Stay away from the dugout during games. This is a big no-no in my mind. During games, players need to stand on their own and focus on their teammates and coaches. They don’t need to be distracted during games to seek your approval by looking to the stands or behind the dugout. Do your part and stay in the bleachers and be supportive of their efforts.

5. Be a good fan. Support all the players on the team, even if one is playing over your son. Don’t back stab other players and talk about how your son should be playing instead. Be supportive and encourage everyone. If you want to be your son's advocate, do it in a positive way that highlights his strengths.

I can guarantee that if you take a positive approach and “lead by example” your son will be sure to follow.



Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 13 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

The Epitome of the 6th Tool

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

We talk a lot about the five tools that scouts look for in position players - hitting, power, defense, arm strength and running speed. In addition to these five, scouts have to assess a player’s make-up. This is the group of intangibles inside a player’s heart and mind that cannot be measured by a stopwatch or radar gun. Desire, work ethic, competitiveness, character and being a good teammate are just a few of the intangibles that go into a player’s make-up. This make-up is often referred to as “the 6th tool.”

Sean Casey retired this week after twelve seasons in Major League Baseball and with him he retired the game’s best sixth tool.

I first met Sean when I was working in the off-season for the Athletic Department at my alma mater, the University of Richmond. At night, I would hit in the small, dimly lit indoor cages that the baseball team used for winter workouts while I prepared for Spring Training with the Rockies. As I worked on the tee one night, I heard the door open and saw two current Spider players come in with their bats. I introduced myself to Sean Casey and John Dorman (who also ended up playing professionally after college), two freshmen who I would see over and over again at night in that cage. A few things struck me immediately about Sean. He was very friendly, nearly crushed my hand with his powerful hand shake, was an extremely hard worker, had unbelievably quick hands and hit nearly every ball off the barrel in each drill and cage session that I saw. From what I saw in the cage, he seemed like he would be a very good hitter for Richmond, but I had no idea that he would make himself into one of top hitters in all of baseball.

I ran into Sean a few more times over the next several years. I played against him in both the Carolina League and Eastern League as he was ascending through the minor leagues. He was always a fan favorite and a favorite of both his teammates and opponents. He was always positive and seemed genuinely happy to see you and spend time with you. My other encounters with him were off the field after he had established himself in Major Leagues. He gave a speech as the best man at a fellow college teammate’s wedding and roasted our former college coach Ron Atkins on his way into the University of Richmond Hall of Fame. At both, Sean was exactly the same genuine person that I met in the cages that night - unaffected by his success and fame.

Throughout his outstanding career on the field, Sean continued to give back to the community. He has won or been nominated for the Hutch Award, Branch Rickey Award, Sporting News’ Good Guy Award, Roberto Clemente Award, USA Weekend’s Most Caring Athlete Award and the Marvin Miller Award. He has also been active in Big Brothers, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Catholic Athletes for Christ, Labels Are For Jars, Casey’s Crew and many other charitable organizations.

Much has been written over the years about what a terrific human being Sean is and the way he treats everyone he meets. Sean is a role model that you want young people to choose to emulate. I look forward to hearing his insight on the MLB network this year. He has combined all of the best intangibles and defined the standard for the 6th tool that all others will now be measured against. Let’s hope there are some young players with the same ideals as Sean ready to come onto the Major League scene this year.



Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Need to Make a Change? Do it Now!

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

This is the perfect time of year to make a necessary change in your game. It takes time to “teach” your body to do something in a different way. These next few months offer you the time necessary to make a mechanical adjustment that will help you when your season arrives next spring.

I often work with young players who can benefit from making a minor adjustment to the way they are currently doing something. At times, they are having success at their current level of baseball and are reluctant to change anything. If you work with a qualified coach or instructor, you need to trust that they are looking out for your best interest. They see something that may eventually prevent you from reaching your full potential.

Keep in mind that change is difficult. It will feel “weird” to change a grip on the bat, or the width of your stance, or your leg lift on the mound, but give it some time. Through repetition, the feeling will change from weird to natural. If you are dedicated to making the adjustment, it will become second-nature to you by the time your high school season begins.

Remember to keep an open mind and don’t get discouraged. We all need to make improvements. Major League players are constantly working on ways to improve. On the golf course, Tiger Woods re-vamped his swing despite being the #1 ranked player in the world with several Major Championships already to his credit.

Good luck improving your game this off-season. It’s hard work, but you’ll be glad you did it.


Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Preparation Leads to World Series Championship

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

The biggest play of the World Series clinching game wasn’t the RBI single by Feliz or the slider by Lidge that ended it; it was Chase Utley’s defensive play in the top of the 7th. Utley changed the game and he did it through the long-term and short-term preparation that we preach at our own Baseball Factory Player Development events.

In case you missed it, the play happened in the top of the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on second base. Akinori Iwamura hit a ground ball up the middle that Utley backhanded. He faked a throw to first and threw home to get Jason Bartlett trying to score all the way from second. The inning was over and the tie was preserved. In the bottom of the seventh, the Phillies gained the lead that they would never relinquish.

Let’s look at the many ways Utley had to prepare himself both physically and mentally to make this play.

Physical Preparation

1. He has spent time working on his agility and first step quickness. That showed as he reacted quickly with a crossover step immediately after the ball was hit and had enough range to get to the ball in the first place.

2. He has put in countless hours of mechanical work and it paid off as he flawlessly backhanded the ball – the most difficult play for most infielders.

3. He has worked on his arm strength as he made a throw that is longer than normally required from a 2B. It shows why second basemen need to long toss regularly and not form the habit of all throws being a ¾ arm slot “flip.”

4. He has practiced throwing on the run. His throw was accurate and bouncing it gave the catcher a chance as opposed to a high throw.

Mental Preparation

1. He knew that the runner on 2B (Bartlett) was a fast and aggressive baserunner.

2. He knew the speed of the hitter – Iwamura is a fast runner and is quick out of the box after contact.

3. He had anticipated the different scenarios in his head for any ball hit to him or anywhere else on the field. This way he wasn’t surprised by the play.

4. He understood how valuable the ball is and that a throw must be made with a purpose. A throw to 1B there would not have gotten Iwamura and a futile throw there would have allowed Bartlett to score easily.

5. He knew to always keep your head up and look for the next play. There was no hesitation between his pump fake and making the throw home.

Everything Chase Utley did showed that he is a “true” baseball player. Thanks to his preparation, both mentally and physically, he made the biggest play of the game and put his team in position to celebrate a World Series victory.


Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Versatility = Chances to Play

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

At our Player Development events one of the things we stress is defensive versatility. We try to encourage every player to be comfortable at multiple positions, because you never know the circumstances you will find yourself in each year. Many players in our program have made the jump from high school to college only to find a successful upperclassman cemented at their primary position. When that happens, it doesn’t matter how great you were in high school, the returning college shortstop who hit .400 last year is going to be the starter. Your ability to play another position (and keep your ego in check) may be the only chance you have to crack the lineup.

As I watched the Angels and Red Sox play in the ALDS, two Team One alumni reminded me of the importance of having the ability and willingness to play different positions. Jed Lowrie knocked in the winning run in the final game of the series for the Red Sox. He is their starting shortstop – the same position he played at North Salem High School in Oregon when he attended our Team One event – but this has not always been the case. In fact, Lowrie played very little shortstop while starring for powerhouse Stanford University. His first taste of college baseball came in the spring of his freshman year when he got to play several games at third base. By the end of the season, he had won the starting second base job. He remained their All-American second baseman through his junior year when he was selected as the 45th pick overall in the 2005 draft by the Red Sox. His versatility has helped him already in his short Major League career as Jed has played 2B and 3B in addition to SS this year for the Sox.

Another talented player who made a position switch is Mark Teixeira. Teixeira was one of the top high school players in the country when we saw him at Team One as a third baseman. He started at 3B from the day he set foot on the Georgia Tech campus and put up impressive numbers during his ACC career. In fact, he won the Dick Howser Trophy as the College Player of the Year. Despite all of his success, professional baseball presented Mark with a new challenge. His path to be the Texas Rangers’ third baseman was blocked by another top prospect, Hank Blalock. As we all know, Mark made a seamless transition to first base where he has won two gold gloves and is a perennial All-Star. Mark’s versatility and willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team is evidenced by the fact that he played 3B, LF, RF, DH and 1B during his first year in the Major Leagues.

These are just two examples of players who had tasted success at one position but were willing and able to change positions in order to earn playing time and help their team. Do yourself a favor – keep working hard at your primary position, but make sure you’re comfortable playing another position or two if the situation arises.


Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Taking Advantage of an Opportunity

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

On November 11, 2007 we hosted an Under Armour National Tryout at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. This event, like most we hold in Texas, had many talented players in attendance. One of these players was an unheralded catcher named Josh Elander. He was not from one of the powerhouse high school programs in the Houston or Dallas areas. He also wasn’t listed on any national Top Prospect lists for the 2009 class, but he impressed our scouts at the Tryout and earned an invitation to the Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament in Tucson, Arizona.

Josh spent that January weekend in Tucson continuing to impress scouts and coaches. He was named the top Underclass Prospect at the event after showing off his tools in both the workout and game settings. At 6’0”, 195 pounds of muscle, Josh has a classic catcher’s build with plus arm strength. What isn’t so conventional is that this catcher runs the sixty in the 6.75 range. When you combine that with power at the plate, you have a legitimate prospect with several plus tools.

Our guys liked him so much that we invited him to the prestigious Under Armour All-America Game held at Wrigley Field last month. Not only did Josh show great again, this time it was at a Major League stadium in front of many of baseball’s high level decision makers. In fact, as I threw to Josh in the first round of the game’s Home Run Derby, and watched him hit ball after ball into Wrigley’s left field bleachers and onto Waveland Avenue, I couldn’t help but think back to how he continues to seize every opportunity to show people that he can play.

We preach to our players at all of our events that you never know who’s watching, so you must play hard and show what you can do every time you step on the baseball field. Josh did that and he found himself going from a tryout at a Texas high school field to playing at Wrigley Field on national television just nine months later. I congratulate Josh for his accomplishments and wish him continued success. In the meantime, I can’t wait to find the next diamond in the rough who takes advantage of an opportunity to show us he can really play.

On a sad note, the news of the passing of Jim Spooner has hit all of us hard at the Factory. Coach Spooner was a great man who used his position of influence as the Head Coach at the University of West Florida to mold boys into quality young men while also winning an unbelievable number of baseball games. I had the honor of working with Spoon at several Baseball Factory events and enjoyed all of my time working with and learning from him. His combination of values, positive energy, compassion and baseball knowledge was unsurpassed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Spooner family and I thank them for sharing Coach with us for the last few years – we are all better for it.


Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Summer Pitching Development

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

As summer baseball gets into full swing, pitchers throughout the country should be feeling great. With most high school seasons that were filled with cold weather, rain and missed starts now over, pitchers can settle into a regular summer rotation. Throughout our summer game schedule we need to continue to work on improving.

In my opinion, young pitchers should concentrate on two areas: fastball command and arm strength. Let’s look at each.

First, and most important, is fastball command. This means that you, as a pitcher, can throw your fastball exactly where you want. Keep in mind that command is different than control. Control means that you can throw your fastball for strikes. Command means that you can throw it to your target. This may mean on the inside corner, it may mean low and away, it may even mean throwing it intentionally six inches off the plate with an 0-2 count on the hitter. Being able to command your fastball is the single most important part to being a successful pitcher.

In order to have command, you must be able to repeat your delivery and release point every pitch. There are many stories of pitchers in the Major Leagues who drew the strike zone on a wall growing up and threw to spots on that wall in and out of the strike zone. Their command got so good that they wore out certain spots on the wall. Whether you work on this on your own or in organized bullpen sessions, work hard to throw your fastball where you want it.

Secondly, continue to work on arm strength. To this day, the only proven way to improve arm strength is to play long toss. Even throughout your summer season, you need to find days that you can stretch out your arm and throw long. This helps to build arm strength and arm speed, ultimately resulting in improved velocity.

All pitchers should implement a regular program over the summer that includes their game starts, side sessions with an emphasis on fastball command, and long toss sessions. After several months of following that schedule, your results are sure to improve.


Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Major League Baseball’s Amateur Draft

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Major League Baseball’s Amateur Draft is set to take place next Thursday and Friday. This is an extremely exciting time for many young baseball players, as having their name called by a team next week gives them a chance to continue furthering their dream of playing in the Big Leagues.

For most people outside of the professional baseball community, the draft is a mystery. I field thousands of draft questions each year from players and parents at our Baseball Factory events. I won’t take this time to go through all of the rules and processes of the draft, but I do want to clear up one thing. You do not have to live in Florida, Texas or California or play in the College World Series to get drafted. Do a lot of players in those three states get selected? Yes. Do players from major DI schools get drafted? Yes, but along the lines of last week’s blog on different college levels – there are schools everywhere that are producing players selected in the draft.

Let’s take a quick look at the Boston Red Sox drafted players in 2007. In last year’s draft the Red Sox selected forty-seven players – twenty-five high school players and twenty-two college players. They drafted high school players from Long Beach, CA, Flower Mound, TX and Parkland, FL, but they also took players from high schools like St. Mary’s in Paducah, KY, Kalani in Honolulu, HI, Northwest Catholic in West Hartford, CT, Don Bosco Prep in Teaneck, NJ, Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, CO and Blue Springs in Blue Springs, MO among others. On the college side, they took players from well known schools like Rice, Oklahoma, Washington and Duke, but they also drafted quality players at LSU-Eunice, High Point, Northeastern, Edmonds CC in Washington, Trinidad State in Colorado, Dixie State College in Utah and Dominican College in New York.

I know – the Red Sox have the money to scout in all these places, but what about other teams? To compare, let’s look at an extremely low budget team, the Florida Marlins. Last year, the Marlins selected fifty players in the June draft. Eighteen of the fifty were high school players and the other thirty-two came from the collegiate ranks. The Marlins did select several high school players from California including their top two picks, but they also found talent in some interesting places. Their sixth rounder came from Oak Grove HS in Hattiesburg, MS while their seventh rounder played at Tremper High in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Add in some players from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri and Georgia and it looks like the Marlins’ scouts see a good bit of the country as well. Of their college selections, they drafted players from schools like the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Carson-Newman College, Kaskaskia JC in Illinois, Delta State and Itawamba CC both in Mississippi, Norfolk State in Virginia and Compton CC and JC of the Canyons in California.

As you can see, both teams scour the country to find the best talent. It is true that, with very few exceptions, if you can play – they will find you. One thing these players do have in common is that they PLAYED. You don’t see many teams draft players who sit on the bench. Go to a place – no matter where it is - where you can play, and if you have the talent your name will be called during a future ML Draft.

The Road to Omaha…and Appleton

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

This is the time of year that college baseball turns it attention to the post-season. Teams hope to make runs through Conference Tournaments, Regionals, Super Regionals and ultimately the World Series. There is nothing better in the game of baseball than playing for a team that wins a Championship. Being the only team left standing (or dog-piling as the case may be) at the end of a long season is a feeling of accomplishment that very few get to experience.

When most fans think of the College World Series, they think of Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha and the games that have been televised for years on ESPN. The players who join us for our Omaha Pro Weekly Training and Tournament get to attend some of these games and I must confess that the atmosphere at Rosenblatt Stadium is unbelievable. This is the highest profile World Series for college baseball, but it is certainly not the only World Series for college players. In fact, Omaha is only one of seven college-level World Series that will be played over the next month.

The Junior College Division III Championship is hosted in Tyler, TX while the top teams at the JC DII level play in Millington, TN. The Junior College Division I World Series is a great event held in Grand Junction, CO where Chipola College won last year’s event before a crowd of 10,000 plus at the final game. The NAIA hosts its National Championship in Lewiston, Idaho where host Lewis and Clark won last year’s final before a crowd of 5,400 fans. The NCAA Division II World Series is played in Sauget, IL where the University of Tampa under Coach Joe Urso will try for their third Championship in a row this year. And finally, local Baltimore powerhouse Johns Hopkins, where eight Baseball Factory alums contribute, will try to bring home the NCAA Division III title from Appleton, Wisconsin.

The bottom line is that all of these National Championships provide top-level competition in great atmospheres. Players who participate in any of these World Series will leave with memories for a lifetime and some may even leave with a National Championship Trophy for their school and a ring for their finger.

When you choose a school, make sure that you approach the selection process with an open mind. Division I baseball offers many great opportunities, but they are not the only opportunities—and for some they are not the best opportunities. My guess is that the players who won last year’s Division III National Championship at Kean University wouldn’t trade places with anyone. They’ll tell you that Appelton is a pretty cool place to be this time of year.

Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

A Guaranteed Way to Get Better

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

I don’t have a secret formula for getting faster or throwing harder or hitting with more power. I’m also not going to generically tell you to work harder and subsequently get better. What I am going to do is to offer one piece of advice that I guarantee, if followed, will lead to better results.

What is this great advice?
Keep your eye on the ball.

I know – you heard this in tee ball. It’s elementary. It’s below you as a player. But is it really? Do you properly track each pitch as a hitter? Do you follow ground balls and fly balls into your glove every time?

What I really mean by “keep your eye on the ball” is to improve your head and eye discipline as it relates to all parts of the game. If you consciously work to watch the ball longer at the plate; you will have more success as a hitter. If you work to track the ball all the way to the glove; you will be a better defensive player. If you, as a pitcher, lock your head and eyes on the target earlier and keep them there longer, you will throw more strikes. If catchers will lock their eyes on their target at second base earlier and infielders will lock on the first baseman earlier after fielding ground balls; their throws will be consistently more accurate.

I don’t have proof of the old saying, “your head is the heaviest part of your body,” but I do know that where your head goes…your body follows. When a hitter “pulls” his head, his front shoulder and hips follow the head and open early. The result is a poor mechanical swing that rarely results in a hit. When a right handed pitcher’s head leans to the first base side, his shoulders and hips also open early. This usually results in a bad pitch, strain on the arm or both.

It may be simple, but watching the ball longer at the plate and in the field and seeing the target longer when pitching or making a throw will immediately make you a better player. I guarantee it!


Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Learn the Game

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Do you want to stand out from the other high school players across the country? Here’s one of the ways to do it – Learn the Game!

I’m not talking about learning the rulebook (though that is a good idea as well) and I don’t mean that you need to read books about Abner Doubleday and study the history of baseball (also good knowledge to have). What you need to do is learn about every situation that may arise during a game and know your responsibilities in each situation as well as the responsibilities of your teammates. A young player who is always in the right position and can anticipate the next play in each situation really stands out to college recruiters and professional scouts.

The best way to learn these things is to watch Major League Baseball games whenever possible. It is ideal if you can watch games in person at the stadium, because you are not limited to only seeing what is on the TV screen. Study the players playing your position. If you are a catcher, study everything that the catchers do. Even watch one of them in the dugout between innings. He is likely talking to the pitcher, pitching coach or both. If you play the outfield, bear down on those players. Watch how they communicate with each other when they change their positioning for certain hitters. Watch them react on a batted ball to the other side of the field. They are not involved in that part of the play, but are most likely moving into a position to back-up a throw.

Let’s look at one “learning the game” situation that consistently presents a problem to high school players at a certain position. Here’s the situation: 1 out, runner on second base and the hitter singles to right field. Everyone on the field has a job during this play – let’s briefly look at each player’s responsibility:

RF: Field the ball cleanly and make an accurate throw through the cut-off man.
1B: Cut-off man.
C: Line-up the first baseman, catch the ball and make the tag or communicate on a cut-off.
SS: Cover second base in case of a play.
3B: Cover third base in case of a play.
LF: Get into position to back-up a potential throw from the cut-off man or catcher to third base.
CF: Initially move to back-up the right fielder. When he fields the ball cleanly, move to back-up a potential throw from the cut-off man or catcher to second base.
P: Back-up home plate.

Now for the problem position on this play: 2B

The second baseman must cover first base. If the base runner from 2nd scores, the first baseman cuts the ball off and the hitter takes a wide turn at first base, the second baseman must be there to take a throw behind the runner from the first baseman. This can be an extremely valuable out! It just takes the second baseman immediately knowing where he needs to be and hustling to get into proper position. In nearly ten years of running Player Development events for Baseball Factory, I can count the number of second baseman who have done this properly (before being told) on one hand. That includes game situations and basic pre-game infield/outfield at all events.

This situation and others like it may seem simple when written out, but the amateur players who react properly to all game situations, make scouts and recruiters take notice. They are the ones that are labeled with tags like “good instincts,” or “always in the right place at the right time,” or “high baseball IQ,” or “student of the game.” Scouts and college coaches trust those players. My advice to you is to watch more high-level baseball games and become one of the few amateur players who have learned the game. You’ll separate yourself from the pack by doing it.

Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

No More Politics

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Enough talk about politics already! No, not the Presidential Race, I mean the complaints about politics on your high school or summer league baseball team.

I know that politics exist out there. Someone made the team or is starting because of “politics.” Here’s a news flash: They will exist in everything you do for the rest of your life, so let’s learn how to handle them. Whether it involves a Minor League player being penciled into the line-up every day because of the signing bonus invested in him, a co-worker getting a promotion because he’s related to the boss or a company landing a large new client because the CEO’s play golf together every week, politics exist in all facets of life. In the long run, dealing with them properly will help build mental toughness and make us better all-around individuals.

Let’s stop using politics as an excuse and learn the ways to prevent the situation from occurring in the first place. Here are some ways to avoid being benched by politics:

1. Follow the rules – Many players and parents who have a “political situation” also have some sort of rule infringement in their past. Don’t open yourself up to a negative repercussion by breaking a rule. Get to practice on time. Listen to your coaches. Do what they ask. Do well in the classroom and have accountability for your actions on and off the field.
2. Be versatile – Have the ability to play several positions. Maybe you are better than the starting catcher whose father paid for the new scoreboard, but I think you would enjoy the season more as the starting 1B or LF than pouting on the bench in your catcher’s equipment. Give yourself options – Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers is a great example. In 2003 he caught 104 games for the Tigers. In the off-season, Detroit signed Ivan Rodriguez. Inge’s versatility allowed him to be the starting 3B instead of a back-up catcher. He was a major part of the Tigers’ trip to the World Series in 2006 with 27 HR and 83 RBI as their 3B.
3. Be likeable – This sounds a bit ridiculous I know, but stay with me here. Coaches are regular people; they will be biased toward people they like. If you work hard, are positive, are a good teammate and respectful of your Coach, he will probably like you. Bad body language, ill-timed comments and laziness stick in a coach’s mind for a long time.
   

You’ve followed these elementary rules, but you still think you are wrongfully on the bench. It’s time to talk to the coach. Here’s how to do it:

1. YOU (The Player) must be the one to initiate the contact and meet with your Coach. Parents are not involved at this point. The coach will listen more to you as a player and ultimately respect you more for handling the situation yourself. Also, a man-to-man talk with an authority figure is a beneficial learning experience for the future.
2. You ask the coach in a private setting (without any other players or parents around) if you can speak with him privately at some time in the near future. Set an appointment or be ready to talk on the spot if your Coach says he has time now.
3. Be non-confrontational and ask for advice. The first line should be something like “Coach, I really want to help our team win and I would like to know where I need to improve so that I can get into the line-up and contribute”. This should be plenty to get the conversation rolling. Remember to be positive, have good body language, no matter what the coach says, and stress your willingness to improve in an effort to help the team. The difference between what the Coach sees in you and what you think about your own abilities may amaze you. You should leave this conversation knowing what you need to show the coach in order to get on the field. Remember, whether you agree with the Coach or not – he writes out the line-up for every game, so you need to cater to what he is looking for in a player.
   

These political situations don’t always have happy endings, but our best chance is to handle them properly. After the ordeal is finally over, we emerge more mature and with more mental toughness. This mental toughness is a key ingredient to a successful baseball player and a successful person. It’s just one more block that helps us build a better baseball player.


Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

A Plan of Action - Part 3

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Last week I discussed two new steps from our player development action plan. So far we have covered the following steps:

Week 1
Step 1: Create an honest evaluation
Step 2: Formulate long-term goals

Week 2
Step 3: Develop a game plan
Step 4: Formulate short-term goals

This week I want to touch on the last two steps in our plan to develop successful young players.

Step 5: Execute the game plan through quality practice – It all looks good on paper, but now it is the player’s responsibility to execute the game plan and begin reaching those short-term goals. Proper repetition at the right intensity is the key to executing the game plan. In order to change muscle memory, the body must perform the task in the new, or proper way, over and over again until it becomes the natural, engrained way for the body to react. Players and parents can benefit from seeking out expert instructors to assure that their practice time is being used most efficiently. Working on swinging the bat is usually a fun exercise for all players, the tougher thing is for catchers to spend time working on blocking balls to the glove side or infielders to perfect fielding slow rollers. Making fundamental changes requires hard work and patience.

Step 6: Perform in games – The final piece to the puzzle and ultimate goal is to be successful when it counts: IN GAMES. By concentrating on the process of player development, successful results will emerge during the games. These game results will provide feedback that will show players the continual adjustments that must be made to their game plan, goals and practice routine.

The process of building a better baseball player is not a short or easy one. Players, coaches and parents must all share in the responsibility of saying no to the seventh tournament of the summer and yes to more practice time. The long-term results will be much more rewarding.

Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

A Plan of Action – Part 2

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Last week I discussed the first two steps that young players should take in order to get better through player development. The first two steps were to create an honest evaluation and formulate long-term goals. This week I want to touch on the next two steps to successful player development.

Step 3: Develop a game plan – A game plan must be designed, put on paper and committed to by the player. This game plan must encompass all facets of player development and have a unique structure for both in-season and off-season training. The game plan should include specific weekly workout schedules that include training in all areas: strength, speed, agility, flexibility, mental preparation, arm strength, offensive skill development, defensive skill development, baserunning and game situations. Pitchers should have a game plan that includes specific mechanical work, secondary pitch work, command/control work and pick-off work as well. Each area will not be addressed every day, but each category should be incorporated into the workouts multiple times per week.

Step 4: Formulate short-term goals – Once the game plan has been set, short-term goals should be made. These should specifically target each of the areas and will act as checkpoints along the way for the player. As these goals are hit, new ones should be developed to continue the player’s development and get him closer to his long-term goals.

Check back next week, as I review the last two steps in the player development process: Executing the game plan through quality practice and performing in games.


Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

A Plan of Action – Part 1

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Last week I wrote about the need for more practice time for young players trying to get better. If you are committed to that idea of true player development, then follow the steps I’ve outlined for you this week. There is no overnight fix, but dedication to this process will make you a better player for sure.

Step 1: Create an honest evaluation – This should include a self-evaluation as well as an objective evaluation from a baseball professional. In the self-evaluation phase, players must be honest with themselves. They know their own abilities and shortcomings well, but are often hesitant to admit any weakness. Without addressing these things they can’t formulate a truly helpful game plan. A professional scout is the best person to offer an objective evaluation of the player, but coaches and former players also have the ability to outline a player’s strengths and weaknesses. A player who wants to improve must be able to put away his ego and accept constructive criticism during the evaluation process. Moving forward he must be willing to work not just on accentuating strengths, but on attacking weaknesses as well. Knowing these strengths and weaknesses is the first step.

Step 2: Formulate long-term goals – Players need very specific future goals to work towards. These goals should be realistic and encompass the big picture. They must be more than game statistics; they must drive the player in all areas on and off the field. Once a player determines where he is now as a baseball player and where he realistically wants to be in the future, he is ready to move forward in the player development process.

Check back next week as I will touch on two more steps in the player development process: Developing a game plan and formulating short-term goals.

Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

The Lost Art of Player Development

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Twenty high school games, sixty-five summer league games, eighteen fall league games and a handful of practices mixed in. Too many young players follow a schedule that nearly mirrors this one. With many of the practices being relaxed batting practice sessions with a round of infield or a scrimmage included, it is no surprise that youth baseball today is turning out more experienced players but not necessarily better players. Game experience is an extremely important aspect of developing a player, but it is only one of many elements involved in truly building a better baseball player. By shifting more of the already designated “baseball time” from games to practices players can accelerate their development process.

Take a look at what players at higher levels are doing. Professional players at the absolute pinnacle of the sport spend over a month before the season in Spring Training. Most college programs practice exclusively for a full six weeks in the fall and then practice for several more weeks leading up to their spring season. With this being the case, why do younger players—those still needing the most skill development—practice intermittently through their high school season and only a handful of times throughout the entire summer and fall? It’s simple: games are easier and more fun.

Building a better baseball player is a large undertaking that takes a major commitment from both player and coach. It takes desire and time. It takes hours on the field and in the gym as well as the passage of time to allow the hard work to turn into results. The misconception today is that the players have the desire, but not enough time. Quite the opposite is usually true. They want success but don’t have the deep down desire to really work for that success. They have plenty of time, but they just don’t use the time they have the right way. They are spending enough time on the game, but the ratio of game time to practice time is too lopsided.

Baseball should certainly be fun. We want more young players playing the game and that comes from enjoying their time on the field. In most cases, the fun of baseball in a player’s eyes is the result of team or individual success. A player’s chance for success increases by either becoming a better player or by playing more games. Unfortunately the latter is chosen more often today—let’s just play as many games as possible and eventually everyone will have a taste of success. If coaches learn how to make an instructional practice environment fun and effective we can get back to the true development of young players.

This commitment to the development process encompasses much more than hitting in the cage during the winter and showing up for every game throughout the season. Developing as a player involves improving not only baseball skills, but also speed, strength, conditioning, mental understanding of the game and the ability to deal with both failure and success. To truly maximize one’s ability, all of these areas must be addressed. Stressing development more will produce better players, better teams and a better brand of baseball at the high school level.

If you’re ready to commit to becoming a better baseball player then check back next week when I outline the six-step process you’ll need to make it happen.

Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.