Host Families and Minor League Baseball Players
By Jean Bedord | September 11, 2007
Host families are a key part of the minor league baseball system. Players simply don’t make enough money to afford to live in Silicon Valley for the six months they play for the San Jose Giants. This article from a local newspaper, the Campbell Reporter, describes Paul Oseguera’s life with his host family. Paul is a pitcher for the 2007 San Jose team, an affiliate of the San Francisco Major League Giants.
We enjoy hosting these players and following their careers….
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »
Dealing with Ups and Downs of Playing Baseball
By Jean Bedord | September 10, 2007
From Ask the Baseball Pro:
New Host Mom, Shari wrote:
My husband and I have for the last 2 months been a new host family for a AA Minor leaguer. We are so thrilled to do this but have ran into a problem. What do you do when he is so discouraged and down on himself . He is an incredible defensive player but his bat has not been consistant and one month he is batting great and the next his bat is stone cold. It’s the end of season and he has not been hitting. I know he is worried and extremely stressed out. What can we do? or say? My heart breaks for him. What would you recommend?
From the Baseball Pro:
Shari,
If I had the answer to this question I would have more money than I knew what to do with. This is something that plagues all athletes. The fact of the matter is that when baseball players try harder they perform worse. Somehow he has to relax and just play the game
like he knows how to play it. You can not think about all the negative things, ie getting released, moving down, etc.. My only suggestion would be to tell him to stay in the moment and concentrate on the one task at hand.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm
P.S. Your player might try listening to motivational tapes/CD’s…athletic performance is as much mental as physical.
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »
Video for College Baseball Consideration
By Jean Bedord | September 9, 2007
From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Bill wrote:
My son had Tommy John surgery in August, 2006. As a result he “lost” his High School Junior year and has just begun to regain his strength during summer ball. He’s just entering his Senior year, but he has no stats from his Junior year. His high school Varsity coach wants to video tape him and send the tapes to college coaches. Does this work?
Thanks.
From the Baseball Pro:
Bill,
College coaches have one way of improving their team and that is to have better players. The reason they build these monstorous facilities is to bring in better in recruits. So to answer your question. Yes, it should work. But you also have to understand that you are not the only parent in the country thinking of this. So my suggestion would be to have someone the college coach knows or respects, to send the video for you. Maybe a scout or the high school coach himself.
The only thing I would be afraid of would be the coach not even having the time to see the video. If there are a few schools you are really interested in maybe you can contact the coach before hand, then send the video after he knows who you are.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm
P.S. Don’t forget high school grades! If your son has a 3.0 GPA or better, AND athletic skills, he’ll get a better shot.
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: College Baseball life, Youth Baseball life | No Comments »
Major League Rehab for the San Francisco Giants
By Jean Bedord | August 11, 2007
Minor league baseball teams like the San Jose Giants are used by the major league teams for rehabilitating injured big league players, particularly pitchers. As players come off the disabled list, they need to regain their skills by with game time playing at a lower level.
Proximity is a key advantage for the San Jose Giants. It’s much easier to bring a player back up by rotating them from the San Jose A club to Fresno AAA then to San Francisco, rather than flying them to the AA club in Connecticut. Both Russ Ortiz and Shawn Estes have pitched this season in San Jose on their way back to the majors. And being able to see these players in action, without the major league ticket prices, is a treat for minor league baseball fans!
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »
Our Player, Wayne Foltin, Goes to Georgia Minor League Baseball
By Jean Bedord | August 10, 2007
It’s time for late season moves….Wayne got called to go to the Augusta Green Jackets in the South Atlantic League for the rest of the season. He’s a closing pitcher, so we didn’t get a chance to see him actually play. Then he had injured his shoulder, so hadn’t gotten much game time. This move will give him more game time and pitching, then he expects to move back to San Jose next season.
In typical baseball fashion, he found out during afternoon practice, and had to stay for the game that evening. Then he told us when he arrived back at the house about 10:30 in the evening. He had to leave the house 7 hours later to catch a flight with two stops to join the team on the road in Hagerstown, Maryland for the evening game. He grabbed the opportunity to wash his clothes, made arrangements to have his family pick up his car, and said good-bye! We wish him good luck….And this is why experienced ball players learn to travel light, and keep their belongings organized!
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »
Baseball in Division 1 vs. Junior College for Playing Time
By Jean Bedord | August 9, 2007
From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Lisa wrote: Hello!
My son is a sophomore player for a Division 1 college. Two days ago (two weeks before school is to start) the coaches told him they have a roster spot for him but he will probably receive very limited playing time due to current players not taking their draft options and injured players coming back.
They have suggested he go JC to get the at bats and field time he deserves. Of course, he would rather play at another D1 school. Is is so late now- any suggestions?
Do D1 schools take transfers this late in the game? Will going down to a JC help or hinder future recruiting?
Great kid,great player- just needs a spot. Any ideas are welcomed!
From the Baseball Pro:
Lisa,
Your son is in an interesting postion. I have always felt that the only way to improve and get better is to play. Obviously his chances of playing in the current situation do not sound that good. So the choice comes down to him and his goals. Does he just want to be part of a team or actually play? Is he deserving of a starting spot? These are questions for you and him to answer.
I went to a JC then left and went to a different JC my sophomore year. Then I went on to a four year program. So transfering is not a bad option you, just have to make sure you transfer into a good situation. Going the JC route will not hinder future recruiting. Every division I coach in the country wants to win, and if your son can help them do that, they will recruit him. As for transfering to a DIV 1 school I believe his current coach would have to give him a release. This is something that you might have to fight for but in this case you should be able to achieve it.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm
Topics: College Baseball life | No Comments »
Booth Talk at the Connecticut Defenders…..
By Jean Bedord | August 8, 2007
From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Martin wrote:
I’ve seen you play this year at Dodd Stadium and you certainly deserved to be a 2007 Eastern League All Star. At the minor league level, how much does a catcher’s calling of the game factor into what the pitcher actually throws… and what is it like dealing with two of the most talented and fastest rising broadcasters in the business in Rory Duyon and Bobby Morales?
From the Baseball Pro:
Martin,
Thanks for the compliment. When it comes to calling the game the catcher will do 99 percent of it. The pitchers do have the ability to shake off after the catcher has put his sign down. The amount this happens depends on the pitcher and the catcher and how much they have worked together. As for the broadcaster question, I certainly think they are both tremendous broadcasting prospects. I would like to add though that having watched them both actually play on the field, Rory Duyon is a much better athlete. In fact, Bobby Morales’ glove had holes in it and it looked like his dog chewed on it. That can not be tolerated!
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »
Eligibility for Junior College Sports
By Jean Bedord | August 7, 2007
From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Chaz wrote:
I am transferring from 4 year to a Junior College to play Baseball and Basketball. I did not play any sports my freshman year at the 4 year college. I passed a total of 17 credits of a total attempted of 29 credit hours. My basketball coach says I must have 24 credit hours passed to be eligible. My baseball coach says it is no problem. Everything I read says that the 24 hours of credit only applies to student athletes. I was not an athlete. Do you know about this rule? Thank you for any and all advice!
From the Baseball Pro:
This is without a doubt not my expertise. I do not feel qualified to counsel you in any way when it comes to NCAA rules and regulations. They are constantly changing their rules so your coach or athletic counselor would be the best advisor.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm
P.S. Eligibility would not be a problem if you passed more classes! Seriously, focus on the academics. Steve made a very smart move by taking an extra year in the off season to complete his degree–so he is eligible to become a college baseball coach after the pros. It’s a good career……but colleges do require that their coaches set an example for players!
Team Mom, Jean
Topics: College Baseball life | No Comments »
24 Hour Safeway and Baseball Players……
By Jean Bedord | July 20, 2007
Getting nutritious meals is problematic for minor league players, particularly with road games which get them back to San Jose late at night. Energy bars and drinks are the best food available on the team bus. Silicon Valley just doesn’t have the 24 hour truck stops common along major interstate highways. There are a few fast food places that are open late, but even the convenience stores are closed in the wee hours of the morning after a long road trip.
But then we discovered that Safeway has stores near our house which are actually open 24 hours a day. So now they can get fresh fruit and milk, even if there isn’t any sit-down service!
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »
Top Ten Bargains includes San Jose Giants Minor League Baseball Team
By Jean Bedord | July 7, 2007
A fun article this week this week in the San Jose Mercury News on the top 10 bargains in Silicon Valley listed the San Jose Giants baseball team. “In an era when major league baseball has priced itself beyond many budgets, there’s a cheaper alternative at home: General admission tickets to the A-level Giants go for $7 to $10. “You can enjoy the best barbecue in town from a picnic table just a few feet from the action,” writes reader Russ Reynolds.
From personal experience, it’s a great place to have BBQ at Turnkey Mike’s and watch a reasonably priced game! It’s family friendly, without blowing the budget…..
Host Mom, Jean
Topics: Minor League Baseball life | No Comments »