Princeton University baseball coach Scott Bradley had just finished explaining the importance of doing “all of the little things” correctly when you are behind the plate. Mendoza, who had looked so sharp throughout the camp, was absorbing it all.
“Tangibles are things you can see obviously,” said Bradley. “Intangibles are the little things no one sees but are really important.”
Dozens of young pitchers and catchers gained more of an intimate knowledge of their positions during Diamond Nation’s Pitchers and Catchers Summer Baseball Camp. The instructors included Bradley, the former Major League catcher, Travis Anderson, a longtime pro catcher, and Brian DelRosso, a pitcher with a wealth of experience that includes professional ball.
The pitchers and catchers were taken through a series of drills during the two-day camp on Tuesday and Wednesday that highlighted the basics of what a good pitcher and a good catcher should be doing from a physical and mental standpoint.
“I learned how to block an outside pitch,” said Mendoza, a veteran of Diamond Nation’s Patriot League. “You have to move your body to the ball. And coach told us how it’s important to always be ready for a bad pitch.” Excellent advice, particularly at the 8 year-old level where bad pitches can come in flurries.
Bradley, who just concluded his 21st season as the Princeton head coach, exhibited a amiable but firm presence with the 8-to-12 year old boys, impressing upon the campers the importance of the catcher taking control behind the plate.
“All the energy of a team comes from the catcher,” said Bradley. “The catcher has to work hard and be hungrier than everyone else on the field. The team feeds off the energy of its catcher.”
Anderson, Diamond Nation’s catching coordinator, re-emphasized Bradley’s point when he told the boys, “The game has a great flow and rhythm when the catcher has control of the game.” Anderson then suggested, “We’ve given you these small, simple drills so you can do them yourselves. You can get in front of a mirror and work on your set up and your blocking position.”
Grant Como, an 11 year-old lefthanded pitcher from Westfield, stood out, too, as he found a few suggestions and the instruction by Del Rosso extremely helpful.
“I was leaving my back foot on the ground at the end of my windup,” said Como, at his first Diamond Nation camp. “Now I know I should be bringing that foot and my leg around with me as I finish my windup.” Como (in photo on cover) plays his travel ball for Westfield White.
Del Rosso, who always has an amazing rapport with his players, says he attempts to give each young pitcher a few things they can use to help in their improvement and development.
“I try to give the guys a few things they can repeat and make sure it’s a good habit, not a bad habit,” said Del Rosso. “I want them to keep it simple, have good balance and proper form.”
One more thought from coach Bradley that catchers at every level can embrace.
“I always like to see how a catcher behaves after he makes the last out of an inning,” said Bradley. “Does he mope and take that at bat with him back behind the plate? Or does he put it behind him. That will tell me a lot about that catcher.”