EBCA Exchange Program

EBCA exchange Ronny Heymans Pomona Pitzer.

2012-01-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

Last Day in Claremont.

Today will be my last day. Packing in the morning and heading for a jog with assistant coach Nick Sussman.

Yesterday's practice was also the last one before the season starts. The Sagehens are playing their 1st season game on Friday.
The goal now during practice is to have everything covered before the first game.
1st and 3rd plays are reviewed and executed, pick off plays, baserunning, pop up communication. Pitchers got their conditionning in and hitters took BP.

After practice we headed to the restaurant with my host family and coach P.
Nice place, good food. We loved it.
I would like to stress it again but Lisa and Dennis Beckett-Berger made my stay so comfortable. They are really special. I would really like to thank them for these 2 weeks.

We have practice today at 3:15, my last time with the team, my last BP for them. I'll wish them the best for the season and maybe I'll see again if they come to play for us like Nick Frederick did in 2011. They will remind me of a group of hard working kids, helping, caring for each other, and always thankfull.

Tomorrow, early wake up : 3:30 AM, my flight from LA to Philly is at 8:30. I should be back in Brussels on saturday morning.
My father, my wife Sarah, my daughter Maureen and my son Tom will be there. They missed me so much. I'll be glad to find them again. I'd also like to thank them for understanding my passion and accepting it.

See you soon guys.

Ronny

EBCA exchange Pomona Pitzer Ronny Heymans

2012-01-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

The weekend in LA

No baseball actually on the weekend.

We had double intersquad games to be played on saturday but none of them could be played. I don't know if it's me because I'm from Belgium where it rains every other day but it rained a lot saturday morning, well enough to cancel the full day. I could then enjoy a full day of shopping in a great shopping mall.
On sunday, got to Santa Monica and Venice. Really strange people out there, you have to see it to believe it. Then to Beverly Hills, Rodeo drive and it's incredible shops. it's amazing how clean and nice that place is.

Then on to Hollywood boulevard for the Walk of fame and Kodak theater. Captain America was there, Dark Vador, Super Jamie and Jack Sparrow where on hand.

After a walk on Sunset boulevard, I wanted to head to Dodger stadium for a possible tour, off to Melrose Avenue but the stadium was closed so no stadium visit for me this year...

I decided to compensate this by some shopping at the local mall. That actually put the finishing touch on that awesome sunday.
Monday morning...it's raining again (yeah it's got to be me)
Intersquad cancelled but the players still got the weightlifting done in the morning and got the inside gym for some rundow drills :

All players gathered then for the signs. No folks I'm not going to say what it was. Had a burger at one of the many restaurants on campus and went back home.

Tomorrow, practice in the afternoon (it should not rain) and diner at Coach Pericolosi's place.

See you tomorrow guys!

Ronny

EBCA exchange program Ronny Heymans

2012-01-20T17:15:00.000-08:00

Day 4

Good day today!

Shopping at Sports Authority
Back for lunch at noon in the language dining hall and just got the news that I'm going to the LA Clippers - Timberwolves game...sweeeeet.

Practice was earlier and we did scrimmage game
I again threw early BP for 45'
Here's a video of the team warming up, pretty cool ending.

Score was 3-1. Losing team runs, winning team clears equipment.

3 players will be cut tonight. That's one of the toughest part of the job according to coach Pericolosi.

And now folks I'm gonna get myself ready for some Bball.

Ronny Heymans

EBCA exchange Pomona Pitzer Ronny Heymans

2012-01-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

Day 3 :

Morning dedicated to shopping. Coach Pericolosi picked me up to go to Dick's sporting goods. Great sho,p lots of quality items which is not usual.
Mexican eating for lunch in a place where tortillas are home made in front of you. The bomb.
Practice in the afternoon.
I threw a part of early BP, it seems that my arm is getting back in shape. While some pitchers where still long tossing, the majority of them participated in a sort of 21 outs : simulated situations where the coach is fungoing from the mound to all fields. A great drill because everybody is involved : outfielders have to chase gappers and hit the cut-off man, infielders move around for relays, cut-offs and base coverage and back-ups, pitchers back up bases and baserunners work on conditionning leads, breaks and turns.
These baserunners go full out, no semi running, all sliding hard. Definitely different from europe!
Then back again for batting practice. Several groups get to rotate between hitting live, hitting in the cage, defense, conditionning.

Back home, shower and done for the day!

See you tomorrow guys!

Ronny Heymans

EBCA Exchange Pomona Pitzer Ronny Heymans

2012-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

Day 2

This is what you can call a good long day.
It all started with some testing of players on the mile run. Players had to do this test at 6:30 AM . So I also showed up at the same time (5:30 wake up call)
Cold, still dark, you got to love the game…
At 7:00 AM weight lifting for 45’ and conditioning for 15’. Actually, when players are about to start their classes, they all have already done a good amount of work.
I then came back home and took the bike to drive around Claremont and see where we would head the next day for shopping in the morning.
Lunch at 12:00 in what is I believe a great initiative : A dining hall is devoted to language : You eat for free if you speak the language that is designed at that table. French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Swahili, all the languages you can imagine. You get to know people and learning a language by discussing in an unformal way.
Early practice was scheduled at 2:15. I threw BP for about 35’ My first BP of the season. It didn’t went too bad despite some regular misses.
Then the official practice began at 3:15, 2 ex-Sagehens, now pro players are also showing for practice. 1 is pitching in the mariners organization and the other one is short stop in the Red Sox farm system.
•    Run stretch and throw
•    PFP where all infielders, catchers and pitchers are involved.
•    Individual work : I also got to work with some infielders for the first part and a little bit with the catchers.
•    I watched the pitchers do their mound work for the day
•    Then regular BP in groups where I get to hit groundballs to infielders.
End of the practice at 5:15
I need to mention this but it’s a great group of players, disciplined, helping each other, thankful for whatever you do for them. A great group of kids to work with.
Lots of players on the team talks to me about Nick Frederick who played for the Angels last year. Nick it seams that you left some good memories over here!
Back home for shower, and getting ready for the big basket ball game! The rivalry between the Pomona Pitzer and CMS, cross street rivals. Both teams are unbeaten.
A thriller in a packed house! Both teams played solid defense but Pomona lost after scoring a 3 pointer with 3 seconds left. CMS just got the best in what finished with a 55-57 mark. Things heated up at the end, sign that it was really tensed.
Tomorrow is another day…

Ronny Heymans

EBCA Exchange : Pomona Pitzer Ronny Heymans

2012-01-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

Arrival day:

It was a long trip...
25 hours to make it to Los Angeles.
After a lay over in Philadelphia and an extra 2 hours delay I finally land at Los Angeles international airport.
The Beckett familly is waiting for me. Lisa is working at Pomona College as senior administrator. Dennis works in the LA area as an operations manager. They have 3 childrens, Danny Jo who plays soccer at Chico state, Holly she plays volleyball at Navy university. They also have a son, Henry, which plays ice hockey in Buffalo, New-York.
I get to have a taste at the American culture by eating at In and Out burger restaurant, apparently a very good reference.

Day 1 :

Guess what? Blue sky, nice temperatures, great setting with the mountains. Frank, the head coah of the teams tours me around the campus. The baseball field, football fields, the 2 inside gyms, swimming pool, tennis courts, track and field, everything you can imagine.
Pre practice work consists of live BP. Since it's only the second practice of the season it's good to have those extra cuts to get the timing in. All players now are gathering and getting ready for the warmup. Good warmup, arms get loose, and there is the infield outfield. Afternoon practice will be mostly for pitchers to get their innings in. All 8 pitchers get to do their work by the time it gets too dark.
Practice is over time now for some mexican food... Got to ask Frank again what we had I don't remember exactly but it was really good!

Tomorrow will start early... 6:30 AM with the team testing for the mile run. Who said enjoy your holiday??? Then back again for the pre-practice at 2PM.

Apply for the 2012 EBCA Coach Exchange Program

2011-10-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

In 2011, 4 coaches, from 4 different nations and different levels were awarded a spot for the 2011 EBCA Coach Exchange Program.

Germany's Benjamin Kleiner went to Indiana with coach Steve Farley's Butler Bulldogs.

France's Bertrand Rue, spent 2 amazing weeks with Caliendo Sports International in Chicago and was exposed to all levels of baseball, from youth to professional levels.

England's Pietro Sollecito was headed to Florida to attend coach Vodenlich's Wisonsin Whitewater Warhawks' Spring Training in Florida.

And of course, Belgian academy coach Filip Vandermeiren, who just got back from Arizona and has been spoiled with the Milwaukee Brewers.

All of them had a great experience and all host organizations have really enjoyed the chance to spread their knowledge and share their love of our game.

It is now time for you, to apply and possibly become one of the 2012 EBCA Exchange Program ambassadors in the US.

Become a member of the EBCA, apply and YOU may one of the lucky coaches to be featured on this blog in a few months and the experience related here as early as January may be YOURS.

Exchange season 2011 officially over. Heads turn towards 2012

2011-10-16T02:48:00.000-07:00

Filip flew home this Friday October 7th at 6.00AM.

The Instructional league is over and the complex is far less buzy then the previous 14 days.

I make a point to attending the last possible advanced team game at Peoria (though Intructional League is over, the advanced players are there for one more week).
The Brewers/Mariners team can't work the magic this time and their streak ends.
In the bottom of the 7th, with 1st and 2nd base loaded, a Mariners hitter fails to understand the bunt sign and eventually pops out. The rest is easy. We don't score and next innings, the baseball gods punish us for not taking care a execution and Goodyear (Indians/Reds) score 4 runs to blow the game open and take the win home.

I get the chance to speak with the players on the bus ride. Which country has the best-looking girls in Europe?, what is the best place to spend a week?, is Amsterdam as wild people say it is?.... All questions that I'm trying to answer. Not always easy but fun. I find out that Hunter Morris actually visited Europe a few years ago at the Haarlem Honkbal Week and in Czech Republic on a team that featured players like Mike Leake, Stephen Strasburg and some other current MLB players.

After a stop at a fast food restaurant, I'm heading towards Glendale, near the coaches' place.
Lee Tunnell, Fred Dabney and I meet at a sports bar and we watch the deciding game 5 of the NLDS. With a series tied 2-2, we are watching a very good baseball game. Good pitching from Gallardo and Kennedy.

Fred Dabney on the left - Lee Tunnell on the right. The 2 persons John Axford credits for turning his career around

"I don't like the flow of the game right now" confesses Lee. "Gallardo is battling too much to get outs". "Even Kennedy (the pitcher) had a long at-bat".

The game is tied at 1, with Braun at 2nd base, Fielder at 1st base, with one out and Jerry Hairston Jr at the plate. Hairston is battling before unleashing a shot to the centerfield fence for what appears to be extra-bases. Chris Young, sprinting back makes a great catch at the fence as Hairston can't believe what he just saw.

Nyjer Morgan interviewed after his series clinching base-hit off closer JJ Putz

..."You know how hard it is to get that 3rd out after a play like this?" asks Fred with a confident smile.
"What do you mean, Fred?"
He answers: "It's like when you have a runner at 3rd and you get that big strike-out to get the 2nd out. It's incredibly tough to get that 3rd out". "The manager should ask a time-out and go talk to his pitcher now"
But he doesn't.
Sure enough, the next batter, Yunieski Betancourt is wasting no time and lines one to left field and Braun scors the go-ahead run.
I was shocked. These guys have seen so much baseball and lived so much that they feel it.
The D-Backs come back though and send this thing to extra-innings.
In the 10th inning, Nyjer Morgan hits a groundball through the infield and propels the Brewers into the NLCS.

A great finish to 2 great weeks. Saying goodbye to the guys in such a good moment is amazing.

Off to some shopping, then pack and the stay is over.

It closes the book on the 2011 EBCA Exchange Program that was a tremendous success.
Four coaches, from 4 different nations and involved at 4 different levels had the chance to get a new view on coaching an complement what they have learned on this side of the ocean with great hands-on instructions from renowned baseball teachers.
EBCA is thanking all these organizations for the tremendous help they provided by hosting our guys.
We would also like to thank all the coaches who were selected to represent the EBCA as all hosts were pleased with their attitude, desire to learn and passion for the game.

So it officially opens the EBCA Exchange Coach Program 2012. EBCA members can now go to our website and apply to maybe get selected and spend some time in top US programs as early as January 201.

The bulk of the interviews will be conducted in Prague during the EBCA Convention and decisions should be made by mid-December at the latest.

Thursday - Last Instructional League day

2011-10-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

The mood is a bit dull this morning.

When we arrive, the guys are like : " You guys went to the Stadium again, yesterday?".
"Yes", tough game". we reply
"I knew it" one of them said, "they jinxed us"
Baseball is full of superstition. Sportsmen are pretty superstitious in general but the baseball guys are at a different level.
Knowing that fact, we send the attention to another target.
"Well, we were not the ones who were howling like a Wolf, saying that Randy was going to get the job done and playing some Duran Duran's Hungry like the Wolf in the clubhouse"
"Com'on man, I was just trying to get some positive vibes for him, because nobody had faith".
All this is said with big smiles, as always with this very nice staff.

You could feel some kind of tension though.
We witnessed a lot of instruction out here during our stay. And clearly, the staff doesn't take it like a job, but more like a passion. You can feel a very good atmosphere between players and staff. The staff actually cares about the players. And for a small market team like the Brewers, that's a key.
But the ownership has spent some extra bucks this season and they want results. In baseball, everytime an organization feels like they don't get their money's worth, changes are likely to happen.

So, yes, for that reason and also the fact that the staff has instructed a lot of the big league Brewers over the years (Braun, Fielder, Gallardo, Hart, Weeks,...), the staff is a bit anxious and hopes that the road of the red-hot D-Backs will come to an end tomorrow.

Anyways, today is the last day in Phoenix for most players and coaches.
Only a few coaches, trainers and Strength & Conditioning coaches will stay to guide the advanced team who is playing one more week.

Sandy Guerrero, the animated hitting instructor is giving tips to Filip on giving signs from 3rd base.

The day starts with some routine Batting Practice, bullpens and grounders, and outfield play.
This program quickly comes to an end as the regular team is facing the Rangers. On that team, Dutch shortstop Nick Urbanus. Flip and Nick talked briefly, in Dutch, after the game.

After that game, we head towards Glendale to join the advanced team, already busy defeating today's host. The main fact from the game is one of the White Sox hitters hit right in a place where his cup should have made some noise. But it didn't... The poor guy had already broken 2 bats in the game, as mentioned one of his former college teammates in our dugout. Bad day...
Our team picked up its 5th consecutive win in the process.

The advanced team rolled over Glendale for a 5th straight win

After the game, we go to the mall in Peoria where Filip is using his last hours in Arizona to do some shopping.

We then head to Peoria's field to watch the game between the Javelinas and the Desert Dogs.
Each team is composed by a mix of players from 5 different MLB teams. Most players are AA or AAA guys.
A 21 year old Venezuelan player from the Indians, Jesus Aguilar, is putting on a show. In his first AB, he goes deep over the batter's eye. His next 2 at-bats are "only" doubles in the gaps.

At the game, we meet Matt Kerls, Adam Guttridge and Charlie Greene.

Matt can be known as the video guy. At least, that is one of the things he does when we are there in Phoenix. Of course, that's not his only job there. He stores all the data from all the Brewers Minor league games with his software. It's a pretty neat tool that allows, once the video has been set up, to see all the pitches thrown by a pitchers, from 3 different angles. The software allows to get much more data than that but it's the one feature that we have seen used everyday as an instructional tool for the pitching staff. Every pitch from every game, pitch, location, velocity, ... are tracked and added to the database.

Adam is, let's say, Peter Brand from the Moneyball movie. Or Paul DiPodesta from the book, or from real life. He is the statistical analyser for the Brewers. Consistently looking for more efficient ways to grade players, he is at the game to challenge the numbers he has on computer with what his eyes are seeing. He is advising the Brewers management on the statistical projections and true value of a player to a team, thanks to pretty advanced sabermetric calculations.

Charlie, the on-field coordinator that we talked about a lot already, is at the game because he loves being at the park, and he takes pride in watching his kids move all along the way.

We spend a lot of time talking about long toss and its perceived positive or negative impacts, and about ways to teach more efficiently. "You haven't taught until they have learned"...

The game ends with of loss from Peoria Javelinas and it's time for goodbyes.

Filip is ready to take his flight tomorrow morning and to start sharing the new things learned.

He will be at the EBCA Convention in November and will be available to talk about his experience to interested members.

Pictures from the AFL between the Javelinas and the Desert Dogs

Logan Shafer, a Brewers prospect

Team Europe is in the place

2011-10-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, we get to Maryvale complex between 7 and 7.30 like every day.

We get our breakfast.
Coaches and players eat breakfast between 7.30 and 8.30. They can choose between different types of cereals, bagels, bread, waffles, fruits, yogurt, jams... Pretty wide selection even for the pickiest persons.

7.30 - coach meeting.
Right after the meeting, we order our tickets online and use our coupon from yesterday to get seats in the 36th row, behind the 1st base dugout. this time, we order E-tickets, which should save a lot of drama.

Off to the field. the coaches decided to make it competitive today. After the warm up and play-catch, a target, maybe a bit bigger than a strike zone, is set about 30 meters away from the players. Bob Misciz is tossing balls to the players and they need to make the throw in the same action. It's catchers vs infielders, vs outfielders. It's a surprisingly tight game but the infielders are eventually winning it, overcoming an early deficit.

Then, it's time for DP Busters. The sliding mat is set up on the field and a dummy is held vertically by the coaches. Players need to learn how to break up the double play. It seems pretty awkward for some of them but they get better at it by the end of the practice.

DP Busters

That's why you only get one out on that play

At 9.35, players split into positions. We follow Andy Guerrero in the cages to see their routines. Hitters get a serie of cuts facing the 3-wheeled pitching machine, throwing curveballs today. In cage 2, Darnell Coles is throwing BP.

Sandy Guerrero feeds the curve-throwing machine during BP

On field 4, infielders work on DP and are soon joined by a group of picthers to work on PFPs.

Tony Diggs is working with the outfielders on do or die plays. In this drills, players charge the ball that he is hitting. Every round, the players move up closer to the next cone. The last flawless player wins the game.

After a quick lunch break, we are headed to the game.
Both teams are playing home but we are assigned to the advanced game in the stadium.
Team Europe is in charge of having the Mariners/Brewers team score some runs.
Filip has 3rd base and relays the signs sent from the dugout by Matt Erickson.
Chris has 1st base.

The guys tease you a bit if you don't score runs. "You know what they say" told Charlie a few days before. " When your team doesn't score, the 1st base coach is the one who is blamed"

Matt Erckkson is posting the line-up for the game against Goodyar

Well, in that game, The Indians/Reds advanced team peppered the ball all over the field in the first few innings. Our team loads the bases twice with 1 out but each time, consecutive strike-outs by middle of the order players, prevent us from getting back in the game.
"Chris, you get guys on base but they fail to score, if I was you, I know I would get on my 3rd base's coach case" teases Matt Erickson.
In the 8th inning however, one of the opponents' pitchers, a funky side-armer gets on the mound and things start to change for the best. The erratic pitcher struggles to throw strikes and when he does, he gets hit pretty hard and we come back from a 4-1 decifit to take the lead at 4-5. The rest is history as our next pitcher doesn't leave any hope to Goodyear (name of that combo team) to come back in the game.

Team Europe gets the win...

A quick note on the advanced Instructional team team or regular instructional team.
Most players are on the regular team but a smaller group of players who are either higher draft picks or a bit more experienced players take part to these games. The advanced teams are usually composed of 2 clubs, Mariners and Brewers in our case.

After that, it's time to head to Chase Field again.

A few seats to our left, Robin Yount, a legendary player from the Brewers

We quickly get to keep our grand slam streak alive as the D-backs do it again in the 1st inning. Randy Wolf is struggling from the start and it doesn't look good. The Brewers are resilient but they fail to score with guys on base and give away a series-tying win to their host.

Fans go crazy during game 4 at Chase Field

Once again,we don't get to celebrate. Hopefully the Brew Crew wil get it done Friday in front of their own fans.

Tomorrow is the last day of instructional league. Let's hope it will be a good one.

Tuesday October 4th - NLDS game 3

2011-10-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well, rough start for tueasday as we tried to figure out if and how we will get our tickets to see the possibly deciding game 3 of the NLDS between the club hosting us and the club from the city where we are based.

We called the agency and they don't really know what happened. No real valid information about how we will get our precious passes.

Filip is on the field with the infielders, hitting some fungoes with Ned Yost Jr (Son of the Royals manager) Matt Erickson (manager of class A Wisconsion Timber Rattlers) and infield coordinator Bob Miczick.

Twenty minutes later, theboutfielders get out of the cages and on the field for the IPS (Individual Position Skills) while infielder sand catcher shead to the cages to take care of their hitting routines.

We have a full staff again as all the coaches who were in Milwaukee during the play-off week-end are back.

At 9.00 AM, we take the bus to Glendale to face the Dodgers.
Glendale, like more and more MLB facilities in Arizona, is hoting 2 MLB clubs. The Dodgers and the White Sox.
Rockies and Diamondbacks share the newest Stadium in Scottsdale's Salt River Fields, Royals and Rangers in Surprise, Padres and Mariners in Peoria, Indians and Reds in Goodyear.
It's a relatively new complex and the stadium, Camelback ranch, is shared by both teams. A way for the host city to make sure they have a home game every day during Spring Training.
For the rest, each team has its individual facilities (gym, offices, practice fields...) and you can spend a lot of time on the site without seeing a players from the other organization.

Pitching coach Elvin Nina walking towards the field on the gorgeous Dodgers' side of Glendale complex

Josh Wilson stays sharp with the Instructional League team, waiting to maybe be added to the play-off roster.

Two Brewers Major leaguers show up for that game. They are not on the NLDS roster but may be added for next round. They practice with the big club but are sent by the Brewers staff in order to get some at bats and stay sharp.
Josh Wilson (UT) and Martin Maldonado (C) get their work in and it doesn't take a scientist to understand the difference of level between them and the rest of the players. The sound of the bats and the flawless defensive plays speak for themselves.

Back to our tickets...

We find out that the only way to get our tickets in time is to drive 30 minutes and get them at the seller's place. The good news however, is that we will be refunded from all the handling fees and we also receive a coupon valid for next tickets. That would be really useful in the event the Brewers couldn't seal the deal tonight.

After we meet the seller, who happens to have lived in Brussels for a few years and speaks french fluently, we are headed to Chase Field.

We are pretty early and attend the batting practice.

No baseballs for us as we have no luck in our positioning.
It's also true that we don't want it as badly as most fans there.

Teams line-up during the National Anthem

The game startst and it's a wild one.
Some brewers fans brought their brooms, hoping to celebrate of sweep over the D-backs.
The resilient Snakes don't go that way however, as they stay alive in the series, thanks to a grand slam, the third in 3 straight home games and the 2nd we get to see live.

Seems like we will see another game at Chase Field...

Chase Field during BP

Take part to the EBCA Coach of the Year Award selection process.

2011-10-10T01:29:00.000-07:00

TheEuropean Baseball Coaches Association is proud to announce the selectionprocess for the 2011 EBCA Coach of the Year Award.

Now, youcan be part of it. Here is how.

Nomination Process:

- Nominations including a description of the coaches'achievements during the past 12 months need to be sentto the EBCA by October 20th at the latest. (Anyone can submit a nomination)

Pre-selection Process:

- Each EBCA board member will evaluate each candidateand will grade each one of them from 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest, 5 the highestscore)
- The membership record of each candidate will be taken into account in thepre-election process

- These rankings will be collected by the EBCA AwardCommittee, which then will nominate the 5 highest scoring candidates to theEBCA membership to vote on

Final Election Process:

- Active EBCAmembers (after November 2010) will receive the right to vote on one of theremaining five candidates. The votes of our EBCA membership will count for 50%of the overall votes.

- Following the same voting process, the votes of theEBCA board members will count for the remaining 50%

Announcement:

- The recipient of the Coach of the Year Award will beannounced at the upcoming EBCAConvention in November.

Brewers exchange - Monday October 3rd

2011-10-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

The Brewers have won the first 2 games of the NLDS and the excitement is big over here.

Everybody here is looking forward to game 3 that will be played Tuesday in Phoenix. A win by Milwaukee at Chase Field would open the doors of the NLCS to the Brew Crew.

We are still short staffed here as the guys who were invited to Milwaukee by the front office will only be back for Tuesday.

The day stats a bit later then usual. The staff meets 30 minutes later than usual and on-field activities only start at 10.
We get to hit some fungoes for the inflielders with IF coach Bob Miczick.

Catchers, outfielders and pitchers are spread out on the different fields and get their work in as every day.

First basemen Nick Ramirez (4th round draft pick 2011) and Hunter Morris (4th round draft pick 2010 who took part to the Arizona Fall League last year)

A group of pitchers then joins the infielders to work on PFPs.
All IF positions are filled and 3 situations are been worked one after each other.

Runner at 2nd base - daylight play (with the SS)
Next play, we simulate a runner at 1st and 2nd. A ball is rolled towards 3rd and pitcher and 3rd baseman have to communicate to either get the runner at 3rd of get the out at 1st base.
The last play is a "in between grounder" for the pitcher or 1st baseman.

Off to the batting cages for some hitting work before lunch. Nothing really special there. Just getting some work done, finding a groove.

After lunch, Chris is headed to Glendale to coach 1st base with the advanced team while Filip is staying home to coach 1st base against the Angels.

Camelback Ranch, Spring home of the Dodgers and White Sox

It's again a great experience. Coaches are there to bring some input on positioning, how to communicate...
The Brewers' staff has really given a lot of freedom and it's exciting to be challenged. Being able to make mistakes and be corrected is the best way to learn.

Stand behing homeplate at Camelback Ranch

Back to the hotel, where our tickets should have arrived for the highly anticipated NLDS game 3. Just a small problem, the tickets didn't make it, the tickets reseller is closed and the game is in less then 24 hours. That doesn't look good...

End of 1st week

2011-10-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

Short days with the Brewers at the end of the week.

A good half of the staff was invited by the front office to fly to Milwaukee to attend the games of the NLDS in Milwaukee.

So, we get the chance to do more things on the field.

Friday morning, we start the day hitting fungoes to the infielders for early work on field 8.
Good work out. The infielders are sharp.

We had an early lunch as we played at Scottsdale, Spring home of the Giants.

Filip coached first base under a hard sun. Brewers lost the game 6-5 in the last inning. Two 2-out walks followed by a broken bat blooper just out of the reach of the leaping 1st baseman were all the Giants needed to walk-off. Lesson of the day : If you walk people, you will allow bad luck to kick in.
Quick fix: Don't walk hitters ;-)

Saturday was another short day. A camp day, which means that we don't face another team.
We have a very short practice where we get to hit fungoes to the infielders.
We are then headed for the intrasquad game. We alternate coaching 1st and 3rd base.
The intrasquad games all have a purpose.
So far, the focus has been put on controlling the running game.
The young Lopez, one of the top draft picks out of high schools, starts the game.
A player is placed at 1st or at second base every time. Runners will be moving. He needs to hold them, mostly by varying his hold times. The catchers from the Brewers do a really good job, retiring virtually every would-be stealers. The runners don't get great jumps. Part of the reason is the lack of experience but the pitchers do a very good job at disrupting the the runners' timing.

With runners at second base, Brewers work on some timing plays to pick the runners off.
Sometimes, the young pitchers go to the plate while the shortstop in on the bag waiting for a throw.
That's all part of the learning process and that's exactly why these players are here.
Baseball is a tough sport to learn and goes way beyond throwing, catching and hitting.
The way from the rookie ball to the majors is long for most players and talent isn't the only component in there. There are so many things that need to be taught, especially with the kids drafted out of high school.

Saturday we called it a day as early as 10.30. The reason is that the Brewers are playing game 1 of the NLDS and the staff wants all players to be able to watch the game.

We watched the game at the clubhouse and Charlie is very animated. He is talking about the players from the Brewers. The Brewers' staff takes a lot of pride in their players. They can't spend much money on free agents, so they have to develop their own talent. Which makes it very rewarding for the coaches because they know they know if they work well, the big club will be good down the road.
On the play-off team from the Brewers, 5 of the 9 starters are home-grown talents as well as their game 1 starting pitcher and closer.

Here is a great article about the Brewers closer, John Axford.

Sunday is an off-day, also known as shopping day.

Monday, we will be back on a normal schedule.

Thursday September 30

2011-09-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

We get on the field and get to see the catching practice in the cages with Charlie Greene and Nestor Corredor.

Their practice is a well prepared routine. For those who attended the ABCA Convention of San Diego a few years ago or the German Clinic las year, it's pretty much the same routine that Charlie explained in his topics there.

Seeing live though brings a different perspective.

Halfway blocks, doubles, triples... off a pitching machine shooting sliders.

In another cage, Nestor is shooting balls for catchers to receive. Some of these balls reach 102 MPH. And they handle it pretty well.

Filip went to see the pitchers and infielders work on bunt defenses and double plays.

After some more talks about pitching, we are handed a coaching helmet. After a first experience in the intrasquad game Wednesday, we are allowed to coach 1st base in the next 2 games.

Darnell Coles is kind enough to give us some tips about coaching on base.

Director of Player Development, Reid Nichols is giving us some advice ad corrections during the game and Charlie brings his pieces of advices too.

The guys here actually care about about making us better, which makes the trip really worth it.

We get killed 12-2 by a heavy hitting Diamondbacks squad. Let's hope the result of this game won't reflect the same matchup tat will start on Saturday in the NLDS where the two organizations will square up.

The day at the complex is over and we take advantage of the free time to go to the movie theater. Not totally away from baseball as our pick for today is no other that the movie "Moneyball" based on the book by Michael Lewis. A must-read book and a must-see movie for all people who like baseball.

The day is over and it was another good one. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Wednesday - Camp day

2011-09-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

Wednesday started strong as rehab guys were busy doing some shoulder strengthening exercises.
We took some pictures and videos of the exercises.

7.30 - Coach meeting.
8.00 - Early work with the infielders. Some news interesting drills and points are brought and and we take some notes of those.
8.40 - IPS Individual Position Skills.
We follow the catcher on one side, with Charlie Greene putting up a clinic in stance and signals.
On another field, we take some notes on outfield drills, PFPs and infield drills.

It's a short day, (Camp day, our team doesn't face another team), we head to the field to play an intrasquad game.

We get the chance to coach 1st and 3rd base alternatively and be corrected by the most experienced coaches. It's amazing how the Brewers are really willing to help us in getting better. Everybody is willing to give us some tips on some topics and those first few days have been incredibly enlightening.

After that game and lunch, we head towards Peoria where our advanced team, paired up with the advanced guys from the Mariners face the Rangers/Royals advanced guys.

Good pitching overall. Offensively though, Brewers struggle as they don't score any run.

It's a great time to say hi to the Royals guys from last year. Vance Wilson, Mark Davies and some others.

After the day is over with the Brewers, we go to Chase field where Stan Luketich, coach at Desert Mesa High School and MLB Envoy Coach.
Incredible baseball night obviously as nothing is determined yet for the play-offs.
Who will play the play-offs, against who, who will get the home field advantage? All these questions were in the air.
Some major upsets obviously as Boston and Atlanta were kicked out of the play-offs by the Rays and Cardinals.

A great day overall in all aspects.

First steps on the field with the Brewers

2011-09-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

This first day on the field, was certainly a great day.
Filip, arrived a day early but didn't take part to on-field activities because the Brewers want all their staff to pass a physical before they clear them to take the field.
Tuesday, by 9.30, that was done and things could really begin.
Here are some of the highlights of the day.

At 8.35, the pitchers who pitched on Monday gather in the classroom and look at the videos taken during their outing.
Pretty fascinating software. The pitchers are filmed from 4 different angles. The software, after some preparation work has been done, allows to see the pitching sequence of every batter of the game. Also, if you want to check all the low pitches on the video, you just click to a zone of the strike-zone, and it displays all the videos of those pitches, one after the other, in the angle you chose. Coaches do comment but not too much. Players need to see and be critical about what they did.
The thing wit the pitchers is that you sense a process where the pitchers is empowered in his own development. He is taught to become his own coach, down the road.

9AM, Physical test with the Doc and we are cleared to get on the field.

As we get on the field, it's like a kid in a toys' store. You just don't know where to look.
The work is pretty individualized and players are all over the different places of the complex. Catchers wok in the cage with Charlie Greene junior, who spoke a few times in Europe. His dad is also in camp. He visited Europe many times and they both love to share their passion for baseball.

Outfielders and infielders are working on field 7 for while while some pitchers are in the bullpen.
In the bullpen, it's not random playing catch. Pitchers work on holding the ball, varying their looks, and throw the pitches in a pre-determined sequence. Another pitcher stand behind each of them and is assessing if the pitch was executed or not.
2 of the pitchers finish their pen with a little game where one picks a pitch and a spot and, if he succeeds, the other one needs to execute it too. If he fails, the first one is credited with a point.
A great way to have the kids really focus on what they are doing.
In the meantime, some other pitchers have joined the infielders, for PFPs.
Outfielders have moved to the indoor cages to take some cuts on front toss.

Then, off to batting practice. BP takes place on several fields. Small groups of players are on each field.
It's really a hitting practice. Not a full BP with runners and fungoers and tons of things going on. We haven't figured out the details of the BP yet (group sorted by position or specific needs?).

11 AM, early lunch then, the advanced team goes to Goodyear (one of the numerous stadiums in the Phoenix area) while the Instructional team squares off with the Cubs at home.
During the game, coaches and staff ask us about baseball in Europe. How we picked it up, what's our background. You can tell, they have passion for the game.
Charlie Greene Jr talks about Euro catchers and tells how surprised he was to see a Czech catcher with the Indians who seemed pretty polished. We start a conversation about European players and talk about a young catcher signed recently by the Cubs as we are currently playing them. Sure enough a few innings later, Alberto Mineo, steps up to the plate and catches the end of the game.
He is staying here for the Instructional League then will head back to Italy to finish school. After he is done with high school, he will play full time in the US.

The day was over around 3.30 PM and we went out to some sports shop and ate something before going to bed.

Wednesday promises to be very exciting. Stay tuned...

EBCA launches new website

2011-09-16T10:48:00.001-07:00

The European Baseball Coaches Association is launching its new website.
This tool will help the organization to communicate more efficiently and more transparently with the baseball coaches interested in growing the game in Europe.
The new website will have many new features like:

Online membership application
Online Convention pre-registration
Online EBCA Exchange Program application
Awards year by year and much more…

Check it out www.baseball-in-europe.com

EBCA Exchange coach Van Der Meiren with the Brewers

2011-09-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Since its creation in 2004, EBCA has tried to create opportunitiees for its coaches.
Over the years EBCA coaches have been sent with teams like the Rockies, White Sox… but not a regular basis.
Last year, EBCA decided to give a new face to its program and to make it available to more coaches.
In 2010, EBCA was able to send one of theirs with the Royals, in Surprise, near Phoenix, AZ, thanks to the collaboration with Major League Baseball and its Coach Development Program.
EBCA was then able to officially launch its EBCA Exchange Program, sending 3 coaches in US baseball organizations of various levels in the Spring of 2011.
A few months later, Filip Van Der Meiren, a coach from the MLB supported Belgian Baseball Academy is now selected to represent EBCA at the Fall Instructional League from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Van Der Meiren was an infielder in Belgium Division 1, winning many championships there. He faced the top European players with his club and the Belgian national team.
He also played college baseball and made it to the NAIA World Series tournament with Bellevue University.
In 2009, he hung up his cleats to be able to fully focus on the development of one of the 2 national MLB-endorsed academies as well as on the Belgian junior National Team he has been leading for the past 4 years.

"This is a lifetime opportunity that was presented to me, here. Spending time in this professional environment will be an awesome experience", says the 33 year old Belgian coach.
"It’s a great chance to learn things you can’t learn at clinics. It’s the hands-on instruction that any coach dreams about".

As an EBCA/MLB exchange coach, Filip will be taking part to the on-field activities of the Instructional League from the Brewers in Maryvale, near Phoenix, AZ.
From the 25th of September to the 7th of October, he will be exposed to the top young talent in the Brewers organization and will sure get a feel of the level to aim for with the academy program.
He will also have the opportunity to pick brains from some of the top teachers in the game in order to be able to spread that knowledge around Europe.
The EBCA Exchange Program blog will be fully active again during that period to let everybody get a taste of the experience.

UWW Spring Training vs. Allegheny

2011-04-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

This was the next to last day of Spring Training and the Warhawks had completed their official schedule in Florida and played some reserve games today. The last of these was versus Allegheny which was a pleasant afternoon game which the Warhawks won easily. I have decided to dedicate this entry to third base as I will tomorrow to second. I have uploaded video of the third base warm ups and think these to be great snapshots of the proper form to field and throw from the third base position. Once again, the Warhawks are skilled in fielding through the ball and staying on their toes while getting their butts down and keeping all three eyes in full view.

On the next clip not much changes except that they are checking the runner at third before throwing over to first. Notice how the body continues to move and set up for the throw to first base. If the runner breaks for home, there will be plenty of time to adjust the body and to make an accurate throw home.

And finally, over to second base. Once again, the fielding is impeccable and the body is getting into position to deliver a quick and accurate throw.

After the days activities we relaxed to a nice plate of Spaghetti Carbonara back at the ranch. The recipe follows:

100g of bacon or pancetta

50g of grated pecorino romano cheese

50g of grated parmigiano cheese (or 100g of either if you cannot find both)

3 large eggs

350g spaghetti

2 plump garlic cloves, peeled and left whole

50g unsalted butter

Fine sea salt and freshley grated black pepper

Put a large saucepan of water on to boil. Finely chop the pancetta, having first removed any rind. Finely grate both cheeses and mix them together. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl, season with a little freshly grated black pepper and set everything aside.

Add 1 tsp salt to the boiling water, add the spaghetti and when the water comes back to the boil, cook at a constant simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until al dente (just cooked).

Squash the garlic with the blade of a knife, just to bruise it. While the spaghetti is cooking, fry the pancetta with the garlic. Drop the butter into a large wide frying pan or wok and, as soon as the butter has melted, tip in the pancetta and garlic. Leave these to cook on a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is golden and crisp. The garlic has now imparted its flavour, so take it out with a slotted spoon and discard.

Keep the heat under the pancetta on low.When the pasta is ready lift it from the water with a pasta fork or tongs and put it in the frying pan with the pancetta (see left). Don't worry if a little water drops in the pan as well (you want this to happen) and don't throw the rest of the pasta water away yet.

Mix most of the cheese in with the eggs, keeping a small handful back for sprinkling over later. Take the pan of spaghetti and pancetta off the heat. Now quickly pour in the eggs and cheese and, using the tongs or a long fork, lift up the spaghetti so it mixes easily with the egg mixture, which thickens but doesn't scramble, and everything is coated. Add extra pasta cooking water to keep it saucy (several tablespoons should do it). You don't want it wet, just moist. Season with a little salt, if needed.

Use a long-pronged fork to twist the pasta on to the serving plate or bowl. Serve immediately with a little sprinkling of the remaining cheese and a grating of black pepper. If the dish does get a little dry before serving, splash in some more hot pasta water and the glossy sauciness will be revived.

When I prepared it, we added some green peas for flavor and color. If you would like to do the same you should simply add cooked green peas into the mix right at the end before serving.

Spring Training 2011 vs. Mt. Vernon Nazarene

2011-04-05T01:29:00.000-07:00

Rob Coe recorded three more RBIs to add to his team leading total (14) as the Warhawks defeated Mt. Vernon Nazarene 8-6 on Monday in Auburndale, Florida. UW-W has won three straight and improves to 6-1 while Mt. Vernon Nazarene falls to 8-5. UW-W got on the board first in the top of the first when Coe pushed his first RBI across the plate on a ground out. UW-W built on that lead with two more in the top of the third, again thanks to Coe. Coe doubled in Daniel Putnam and Matt Meisenheimer who reached on back-to-back singles to start the inning. Mt. Vernon Nazarene closed the gap to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth scoring one run on a double to right center, but UW-W continued to pull away going up 5-1 in the top of the fifth and adding one more in the sixth. The Cougars tightened the score at 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth scoring a run on a single through the right side of the infield but two more UW-W insurance runs in the top of the eighth proved to be the difference in the game as Mt. Vernon plated four in the bottom half of the inning. Eric Schmitz struck out the final batter of the inning and got the Cougars to go 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Some more pitching clinic courtesy Monsieur Lambert:

UWW Spring Training vs. St. Thomas - game 2

2011-04-05T01:15:00.000-07:00

In the second game of the day, the Warhawks stumbled a bit. A five-run fourth inning for St. Thomas proved to be the difference maker in a 6-4 UW-Whitewater loss in Leesburg, Florida. The loss is the second of the season for UW-W who is now 5-2. St. Thomas made the first blow scoring on a sacrifice fly to right field in the top of the first. The 'Hawks answered with three in the bottom of the third to take a 3-1 lead. A Jeff Donovan triple with the bases loaded scored 3. However, UW-W relinquished their lead in the top of the fourth serving up five runs to go down 6-3. UW-W fought back tallying one run in the bottom of the eighth when, but UW-W was unable to complete the comeback and fell to St. Thomas 6-4. Notwithstanding this setback, the parents offered up a sumptuous Wisconsin style pot-luck dinner. I have never seen as many family and friends at a college Spring Training week and so it is a testament to their commitment and to the UW-W program's quality overall. Great pulled pork, and mac and cheese. There was much more, but I was glad to have a taste of Wisconsin while in Florida. Again, no recipes but there are a couple on the way!

Spring Training 2011 vs. St. Thomas

2011-04-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

Matt Beyer recorded three RBI on a 2-for4 performance at the plate for the UW-Whitewater in its 7-6 win over St. Thomas on Sunday in Leesburg, Florida. The Warhawks jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first and the Tommies responded with four of their own in the bottom half of the frame to knot the score at 4-4. UW-W tacked on two more runs in the top of the third to go up 6-4 and they never relinquished their lead. The Tommies fought back to notch a run in the bottom of the fourth and the bottom of the seventh to inch closer at 7-6, but never overcame Kyle Lee's solid performance on the mound. Lee came on after two outs in the first and faced 33 batters, gave up seven hits, two runs, walked three and struck out three. Lee went eight innings to earn his first victory of the year in his first appearance. Colin Grove earned the save by retiring the final batter of the game with runners on first and second.

As pitching was a big part of today's win, i have put together some stills which demonstrate the consistently superior mechanics demonstrated thusfar by the Warhawk hurlers. We start with our hero today, Kyle Lee. Not scheduled to start, he came on in relief in the first inning and lasted until the ninth. Here is a breakdown of his delivery which is almost perfect at every point. The first is the point of arm seperation. Kyle has great arm extension after dropping the ball out of his glove:

Next, he is striding while bringing his arms to the throwing position. Can he tell time on both wrist watches? I think so:

Kyle moves forward and gets his arms in perfect position. Lead arm tucked, pulling his hips through the throwing motion for maximum result, elbow over the shoulder and fingers directly behind the ball:

Perfect follow-through:

And for those of you who still doubt me, check out those straight lines to the catcher from a more frontal view:

Thanks Kyle, you have made my job much easier!

Tonight we had at the Dockside Restaurant with an assortment of fried fish entres. Very good but no recipes sorry.

Spring Training 2011 vs. St. Olaf

2011-03-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Today things got serious with a double header against a big midwest rival in St Olafs. The games were played in the firendly confines of Pat Thomas Stadium which was built in 1937 and served as the 1960’s Sping Training complex for the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics. It was fantastic to think that such baseball greats as Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson made their first steps to greatness in this complex and the two teams seemed to step it up a notch for each game. Unfortunately, the Warhawks dropped their first game of the season in the opener notwithstanding the great pitching from Riley Tincher, a dominant lefty who will produce great things this season in Wisconsin. Game 2 was more to our liking with another dominant start from Jeff Donovan but with the much better score line of 7-2 in favor of Wisconsin Whitewater. So a split which in honesty probably should have been a sweep, but that's baseball.

As for the images and lessons, I spent a bit more time analyzing the hitters today and the focus on getting inside the ball with a focus on leading the swing with the hands and knob of the bat. This technique is to ensure that our weight stays behind the ball and that we are not overcommitting for either breaking pitches or overextending in the case of inside heat. The Warhawks are once again very well drilled in this art as can be seen for the short videos and the real game photos.

After the log day of baseball, we return to a feast of spaghetti bolognese and garlic bread. As requested, the recipe for the Spaghetti is below:

(For 4 servings)

1lb package Spaghetti (Barilla, De Cecco, Davilla)

1 small white onion

1 clove garlic

4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1/4 lb of diced pancetta (or lean bacon)

1lb lean ground beef

1 glass of red wine

1 pint (can) of chopped tomatoes

1 pint (can) of peeled whole tomatoes in tomato sauce

1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons of sea salt

Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Thinly chop both the onion and the garlic and heat the olive oil in a large sauce pan. Add the onions to the oil first and when translucent add the garlic and pancetta (or bacon) until all is golden brown. Add the ground beef stirring frequently until the beef is evenly browned throughout and add the red wine. Allow the red wine to reduce until about one quarter of the liquid has evaporated and add the tomatoes both chopped and peeled. With a wooden spon split the whole peeled tomatoes in the pan or before adding so that the tomatoes are at least halved. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes ar medium/low heat and add the bay leaf and some salt and pepper to taste and sitring frequently. Reduce to low heat, cover sauce pan and allow to simmer stirring occasionally for another 20 minutes. While waiting for the sauce to finish cooking put water to boil in a large pot and when boiling add the spaghetti and two tablespoons of sea salt. Stir the pasta to avoid sticking and reduce the heat to medium. The pasta should be ready after 10 minutes and should then be well strained and returned to the pot. Add two ladels of the sauce, which should now be ready, to the pot with the stained pasta and stir into the pasta thoroughly. This will help avoid the pasta sticking in the pot while serving. Serve the pasta into dishes individually adding a ladel of sauce to the top and offer the grated parmigiano cheese according to each diners taste. Enjoy!

Spring Training 2011 vs. Southern Maine - Day 4

2011-03-27T05:51:00.000-07:00

Today the Warhawks took on Southern Maine in a Reserve Game at the beautiful Lake Myrtle Park complex. We arrived to a welcome sight for an adoptive Londoner, a thick and unpenetrable fog. The Florida sun did not take long to reaffirm its dominance and burned through the pea soup in just under an hour, but in the meantime, the Warhawks split into three stations of wiffle ball batting practice. The peculiar thing about this practice was the use of modified wiffle balls. These wiffle balls were covered with the normal baseball leather and some were drilled with holes. The use simulated the look and feel of real baseballs and the ones with holes added extra movement at the strike zone. The best part is the limited space necessary to conduct these batting practices and the limited damage these balls present. In fact, those shagging the balls being hit did not use gloves and could themselves refine their eye hand coordination and fielding technique.

In the photos, we highlight two wonderful sequences: The first is the anatomy of a caught stealing from the perspective of the shortstop covering the base and making the putout. Note the perfect position to receive the ball and the wonderful technique in applying the tag:

Second, we have the anatomy of knocking in a run. See the ball come off the bat and headed down the third base line. A wonderful follow through and notable is the base runner's eyes as he follows the flight of the ball over the thrid baseman's glove before breaking for home plate.

The Warhawks took this game as well.

Afterwards, the coaches got together and bought a grill so they could prepare some fantastic steaks. The marinade was prepared by the expert hands of Head Coach John Vodenlich and so I will give him the opportunity to write us a few words on how to prepare it.

Spring Training 2011 vs. St. Lawrence

2011-03-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

On the first day of action, the Warhawks took on a French Canadian team from St Lawrence, Quebec at a very professional baseball complex at Lake Bonny. It was my first chance to see the team in action albeit the junior members of the squad, as it was a reserve game and did not count towards the teams regular season record. Nonetheless, it was also interesting for a London Met as St Lawrence is a club similar to our own and is not affiliated to a University as most teams for the 17-22 age group would be in the US.

The complex included three different diamonds and so we were able to conduct separate practices simultaneous batting, fielding, and pitching practices on each diamond. I even got a chance to throw some BP which was a humbling experience as I watched some balls take off into the trees beyond the confines of the field! I also saw a proper pregame warm-up before the actual game which the Warhawks eventually won.

At night back home it was my chance to show my hosts a taste of Europe, cooking the coaches a typical Apulian dish Spaghetti with Broccoli Rape. As promised and as will follow, I hereby include the recipe for this signature Italian dish.

(For 4 servings)

1lb package Spaghetti (Barilla, De Cecco, Davilla)

1 small white onion

1 clove garlic

2 anchovies (optional)

1 bunch of Broccoli Rape (Rapini or can be substituted with normal or tender stem Broccoli)

4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons of sea salt

Start trimming the Broccoli Rape which is essential done by discarding the tough part of the stems. You should be left with the leaves and rape flowers (cime di rape in Italian) but do not discard the whole stem as the parts near the leaves and flowers are tender enough to eat as well. When done by putting a pot of water over heat to boil. While the water is heating up, thinly chop both the onion and the garlic and heat the olive oil in a sauce pan. Add the onions to the oil first and when translucent add the garlic until all is golden brown. When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and reduce heat to medium. After two minutes, add the Broccoli Rape and the salt and allow all to cook together for another five minutes or until the Rape are tender. While waiting for the Pasta Rape mix to finish add the anchovies to the sauce mix and stir into the blend until the anchovies and oil fuse into a homogeneous liquid (the anchovies should not be discernible in the sauce). Drain the pasta and Rape when ready, return to pot, add the sauce and mix vigorously or until the ingredients seem evenly distributed. Serve and enjoy!

Last day (11) in Chicago's aera

2011-03-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last day in Chicago which ends this amazing EBCA coache's exchange. It could be assumed that it would be quiet. But not! Until the end (leaving at 9.45 pm) Pete and I organized a busy day. First back to Hooters for lunch with those pretty waitresses ! I think my teammates will like the photos!... After this Pete wanted to show me Wrigley Field. Normally, it was impossible to visit it. But I was so lucky ... Pete met Mary Kusmirek (Cubs Exterior Stadium Operations Coordinator)walking on the sidewalk behind the left field. 1 minute later I was taking inside a special tour with her. Thank you so much Mary !

Next step was a stop downtown and arroud the lake. It was a great moment especially at St Patrick's Day. To close this exchange program, we scheduled a practice to see at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC Flames), Pete's team when he was student. I discovered the best (all in turf) field I ever seen before. There, the players did a strong practive. No time to stay, Coach Sean Mc Dermott made them work hard and we saw a lot of new drills. Thanks Sean for this awesome moment.

Now, a 3 hours before leaving I think how lucky a was to be there. So many people to thank: particularly the EBCA (and Christophe Dassy) for this first and huge program, all the coaches and players who wellcome me so friendly ! Finally my biggest thanks need to go to Al Budding, Beverly and Pete "GPS" Caliendo for hosting me so well. I had a lot of fun ! Hope to see you soon in France....

2011-03-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

I finally got a good connection and so am loading the inflied pregame warmup as promissed.

I will be posting a seperate position each time from now on and start here with shortstop. The key is how the boys get around the ball whether they are throwing to first or second. This is to foster better fielding but also to ensure that momentum is always moving towards the base to which we are intending to throw. The Warhawk shortstops perform the moves with grace and precision.

Pietro Sollecito - UWW Exchange - n°2

2011-03-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

We have completed our first full game of spring training with the Wisconsin Whitewater Warhawks and I can honestly say that the players, teams and program seems to be of top quality. I have been lucky enough to immediately participate in the practice and pregame preperations which were executed flawlessly by this fine group of baseball professionals. I have recorded and am trying to post a few photos and a rough video shot at field level of the pregame infield drill.

Of the things to note in the drill most interesting are the constant movement and lack of interuption. The Warhawks all know how and what to do and execute without interuption or much instruction. As far as technique, I am hoping to bring back some good pointers on inflied footwork and to use this or other videos to demonstrate the correct footwork for approach, fielding and throwing on a ground ball play. Oh and yes, the weather is fantastic in Florida!!

As a final point, please make all the comments you want and especially questions on things which may be helpful for you. If I know what to look for from you then I am sure I can find it, film it and post it.

Pietro

Day 8, 9 & 10 in Chicago's Area

2011-03-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Monday morning nice to stay home after this busy week-end... Afternoon we were going to Maine West High School. There we met Nelson C. Cord, Head Coach of the freshmen's team. The practice was scheduled outside. A lot of outfield routines to see. Despite the cold those young players were enthusiastic. But after 2 hours, we were totaly frozen !

We drove immediatly to Play Ball USA, the office and baseball facilitie of Nelson. There kids and girls can have private practices and lessons. This is the club housetoo for differents travel teams that Nelson is managing. After closing the office, I could had a BP practice with the objective to analyse my batting motion. A great moment especialy when he put the the film of my BP on the computer to see in details all my mouvements. Very rewarding.

Tuesday was a new big day too. First, Pete and I met Al Budding and Tom O'Connel (Vice-President of International Sports Group & Former President of the ABCA) at US Cellular Field Home of the White Sox. Due to Pete Catizone (WS Tickets Manager) we've got an unforgettable private visite of this huge field. A great time!

Later, back to St Charles High School for my last time with the North Stars. One part of this meeting was to analyse the pitcher's motion with me throwing. A good exercice to correct live the incorrect mechanics and a better way to adjust it for my future teaching. For myself, I would like to stay a little longer with this team a coaching staff for the opening day. Thanks to Tood, Terry, all the coaches and players for this amazing time with you. Have a succesfull season...

In the evening, we went to Professional Sports Performance in East Dundee. There Pete an d I had a private lesson to give. A nice facilitie for a very efficient infield practice. As often we drove back home late.

Today first quiet day. A little shopping, a nice tour in Chicago's suburds and country. In the evening I had a dinner whith Pete and Beverly Caliendo. The end of this trip sounds like to come...

Day 5 , 6 & 7 in Chicago's Area

2011-03-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

Friday, Pete and I went to St Charles High School (North Stars). Here we could saw an infield- outfield practice. It was my first sunny day but cold and windy too... There, I spended a very good time with the coaches who run one of the best high school's program. Head Coach Todd Genke (Milwaukee Brewers AAA pitcher and Terry Ayers ABCA Hall of Farmer) introduce me during the coaches time. I had the possibility to present the goals of the EBCA exchange and more generaly the baseball situation in my french's area. After this, Pete had a seminar with Leattle League coaches from Huntley's aera. A very interesting time to discover the volunters baseball program in a nice place (Pro Player Academy).

Saturday, It was the biggest schedule that Pete organized. At 6 am ready to roll !

7 am back to St Charles High School where Todd gaves me a personal topic of each practice stations (videos to come). Very instructive and thanks a lot to him ! After this, Pete had a new seminar for the Elgin's Leattle League coaches. An interesting time too.

3rd step was at Algonquin HD Jabobs Highs School. Here I saw an all teams practice (freshmen, softmore, varsity). Al lot a different exercices with a special time with Head Coach Eric Kehoe and John Sarna (Athl. trainer Florida Marlins and Jon Anderson Red Sox minor leaguer).

4 pm ready to go to Chicago White Sox Academy after a quick lunch break... 15 minutes !... Here we saw their young softball team (10 to 12 years old). A very nice time to saw those girls have a fast and hard practice. Amazing too.

We begun to be a little tired but had to finish with the last step: our 2nd seminar. Pete had to present practice organisation to coaches from Roselle Baseball League. Here the volunteers rent for 3 months an empty warehouse. They use this space, modify it in an indoor facilitie with an infield and 4 batting cages. Awesome ! Pete left me do my first talk to those coaches. A good experience. 10 pm time to drive home for lunch... It was certainly one of my more intense coaching day in my life.

3rd day was our seminar's day. Pete had scheduled 3 talk for volunteers coaches at Schamberg Baseball Association, Bartlett baseball Association and Try Cities Little League. I was a great day too. For the second time, Pete left me do some practice drill stations with different groups of coaches. But the biggest think with all the people I've met is their so friendly wellcome.

Pietro Sollecito - UWW Exchange

2011-03-14T00:59:00.000-07:00

London, 14 March 2011

Well, I leave what is argueably the original seed of baseball today. It all began with the novel idea of throwing a solid ball to a batter who would hit it accurately and then run (somewhere) to score runs. The story seems to go that this concept evolved into cricket and rounders two games which were exported to the wider world by British sailors and settlers. In America, these games gave birth to a new form of bat and ball sport called baseball which saw its first professional experiments in either Cooperstown or Hoboken depending on who you believe!

This latest British bat and ball export does not pretend to be anywhere near as significant, but it is rather interesting to think about where baseball has gone and how much further it has to go. Perhaps the game will not have really achieved its full potential unless it can be retransported and fully integrated into the home from whence it originally began. Perhaps I can play a small part in that process. As a kid born in Hoboken, NJ, I am certainly intrigued by the possibilites.

I have posted a few photos from the London Mets' recent practice. I will miss the boys and girls we train at Finsbury Park, but I am sure that my experiences in the US will only contribute to the work we do in London through the summer. Wisconsin, here I come....

Day 3 & 4 in Chicago's aera

2011-03-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

At Lincoln Way North High School I discovered some amazing sports facilities I ever seen before. This school has, beside other, a huge gym with separation nets and a track arround.

The practice was organized in 2 groups for infielders -outfielders and 2 others for pitchers-catchers. Each ones had to rotate during the stations at batting cage and other for BP exercices. After finishing their work, the pitchers stopped in the weight room for cardio excercices. The practice ended with a dynamic infield pratice. Coach Joe Skerbek makes here a great job and thanks to him for his disponibility.

Later in the night, Al droves me in Chigago downtown. A nice tour in the city by night. Like the other days I had to discover a new speciality: the famous Uno's Chicago Dip Dish Pizza. Nothing else to say than big and tasty. I've met there Aaron a funny waiter who memorize all names of the clients ! A restaurant to advise...

Day after, I've got whith Al and Pete a VIP card for the official presentation ceremony of Joliet's Slammers new logo and uniforms. This team will play this season in the Frontier League (Professionnal Independant Baseball). A big event at the Joliet Rialto Theater. I've met there some old time Negro League and recent MLB players.
After those 4 days, I would thank a lot Al Budding for his kindness, hospitality and sharing of his baseball knowleges.

BP-2 at Joliet Collège

2011-03-11T10:15:00.001-08:00

BP at Joliet College

2011-03-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

Practice at Moraine Valley

2011-03-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

Practice at Moraine Valley College

2011-03-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

Day 1 & 2 in Chicago's area

2011-03-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

After being wellcomed at the airport, I went to Al Budding's house where I will stay during 4 days. Al is a 1966 NCAA Ohio State College World Series Champion and well known coach with a huge international experience.

2:30 hours after landing, I will have my first experiance here: an indoor practice at Moraine Valley Community College. Al was Head Coach there for 18 years. We meet Coach Dave Murray and Tom Rads for a dynamic practice. A lot of different stations wheer the work to do is well divided: infield / outfield, pitcher defense routine, pitcher / catcher, BP... At the end, it was a good practice to see and a good experience for me (a lot of ideas to reproduce myself in France because we practice indoors too).

Day after, big program. In the morning we drove to Joliet Junior Collège. Cold and rainy weather, but to come an outdoor practice. Once there I found a nice and dry baseball field, home of the Wolves. Then I meet Coach Wayne King. He is known in the area to be the coach who practices and plays the earliest in the season. At the program today, a lot of BP and an inersquad game. Here all runs perfect and each player knows what to do.

Later in the afternoon, Al and I went to Sandberg High School. we met their Coach Jim Febianski and Anna Olson. Here too, was a very interesting softball practice to see. A lot of different indoor stations (pitching/ infield-outfield) and game situations. But here the most interesting was the BP: 2 batting cages (1 for live BP / 1 with 2 pitching machines high fast balls and change-ups) + 3 stations (1 outside pitch / 1 batting tees / 1 conditionning). During all this practice, all runs fast and simple and girls have fun.

Thank you all for this first 2 days.

Last Night In Indy

2011-03-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

Last Blog...

Check this out! a newspaper article in the The Butler Collegian.

the Butler Baseballteam and me...

The Butler Baseballcoaches and me:

Butler First Pitch:

Unfortunatly this trip is coming to an end, but thank you to the people that made it so special:

EBCA, Farley Family, Butler Coaches, Butler Staff, Butler players and their families, and my baseballfriends in Germany hope to see you soon...

Ps: if you want to you can add me on facebook...Benjamin Kleiner

French coach Bertrand Rue has arrived in Chicago

2011-03-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

Mulhouse royals coach Bertrand Rue arrived in Chicago on Monday.

He was welcomed at O'Hare International by coaches Pete Caliendo and Al Budding (Moraine Junior College). While Bertrand Rue is visiting the US, coach Budding will be coaching a German team for 10 weeks this Spring.

On his first day, Bertrand went to see a high school practice in the area and finished the day enjoying real home-made Chicago Hot Dogs.

More info to come on this trip in the next few days.

Day 5 and Day 6

2011-03-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

Gameday Butler had scheduled to play 2 games (doubleheader) against Oakland from Michigan.

The weather was lousy and it had been raining heavily for the last couple of days. The White Water River, nearby the baseballfield, was about 9 feet higher than normal but the baseballfield was in great shape.
It was freezing cold, somewhere between 30 and 40 Fahrenheit and a little windy not a day which you actually want to be playing baseball or even worse just sit and watch.

Team Breakfast had been scheduled for 8.45. For Team Breakfast some parents of the Butler Baseballplayers organised and cooked Pancakes, Gravy, Biscuits, Bacon, Eggs, Drinks and more.
Butler lost the first game but shut the opponent down in the second game and scored three runs, on a three run bomb by Michael Letzter, after he missed two bunt attempts with runners on first and second. Great pitching pitching by Wagoner (7 Innings)and Earle (2 Innings) who both owned the strike zone with great breaking stuff and a good fastball. Pictures and more news about the game you can find here.

Up in the press box it was warm...here a video of the press box crew...

That was a long tough day for all the players, coaches and fans.

Glad the Bulldogs won the second game!

Day 6

The people in Indy make this stay really special and this what I am going to take home. Hopefully we will stay in touch for a long time.

can t wait for tomorrow :)

Day 3 and 4

2011-03-06T03:42:00.000-08:00

Day 3

It was raining most of the day.

Coach Farley and I went to the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Indy 500 race track, and the Indiana Indians AAA Stadium.

Sonya Hopkins, the athletic student advisor, dropped by for a quick chat about her work while I was at Coach Tyners office. She helps the athletes to perform in the classroom if they are struggling.

At the beginning of practice I was talking to the Bulldog players about the oppurtunity to play baseball in europe, after they finished going to College.

Coach Tyner took me out to eat at Champs restaurent (I had a blue cheese hamburger some good local beer) and later to a music bar in Broad Ripple, where we got the chance to listen to a very talented musician called St.Claire.

The Butler Baseballteam took me from there to a few other Locations in Broad Ripple, and we had a lot of fun.

Took a cab and crashed on the couch at the house where some of the senior players live.

Day 4

Woke up feeling not so well. I had pancakes with syrup made by one of the Butler seniors. We where talking Baseball, School, Girls...

It was still raining outside when we left for practice. At practice I threw BP to the guys and that was fun.

Coach Farley showed me some more indoor sports facilities where kids have the chance to work on some of their baseball hitting skills, fielding, etc...

We picked up his daughter from a soccer game and I met a german guy who I was talking german to for a while...

went to bed real early...

Hopefully I ll get to see some games ...

Go Dawgs

Days 1 and 2

2011-03-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

Day 1:

It started off with getting late into Indianapolis cause I missed my connection flight from newark to Indy. Had to wait for 6 hours on the airport to get the next connection flight.
Coach Steve Farley picked me up from the airport at a quarter to midnight, armed with some food and drinks assuming that I must have been hungry and thirsty after travelling for 23 hours.

During the car ride he told me very interesting information about his work, being the coach for Butler University. When we got to his house I met his wife Lisa Farley, also a teacher at Butler University. They have to children Hannah and Sarah and a dog called Griffin.

Day 2:

Woke up at the farley farm after 4 hours of sleep and had a cup of coffee and cereal for breakfast. Got a chance to chat with Lisa and Hannah. Before we left Steve showed me how the famous maple sirup was made for the even more famous pancakes...
Coach Coach Farley gave me a Butler campus tour, by car, which was really cool and introduced me to very nice people: Groundskeeper Jimmy, Butlers Laundry woman Jenn, Coach Throneburg, Coach Jackson from Bloomington Indiana, Coach Tyner, Karen from the sports administration, Butler Newsmen Jim and Josh, The Butler Baseballteam (picture will follow) and Tiffany the team Trainer.

During practice I got to hit some fungo to the infielders and took batting practice with the team. Afterwards I shot some hoops in the famous Hinkle Fieldhouse.

For Dinner we had some fish, veggies, mashed potatoes...

Go Bulldawgs!

It s going to be nice

2011-02-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

Berlin Alexanderplatz, 2 more days of sleep before I head to the airport.

Earlier on Sunday, I had the youth indoor baseball tournament on my baseball to go list. I Just got there in time for the championship ceremony, which the Sluggers won for the 2nd time in a row plus I got the chance to use the radar gun and give the kids high fives for their effort;)

Big Lukas Kiner, 10 year old lefty pitcher from the Berlin Roadrunners (also participant of the Afroklauss Baseball School), threw an 84 kph fastball. Always fun when the people appreciate what you are trying to do.

I dont want to brag about the german baseball, but will try to highlight some of the nice things
that have been happening around here. For example there is a new indoor baseball facilty in Paderborn, Germany and its called Ahorn-Sportpark.
This January, the ISG Sports Group (USA) was represented by Tom O´Conell and his coaching team, who held a Clinc for Coaches at the Ahorn Sportpark. For me always a must go to event, I can learn something new and besides that all the others are there too.

Also on Sunday I had the time to talk to one of my teammates about going to Indy and I asked him, what could I tell a coach that has been coaching D1 College Baseball since 19 Years. He gave me a quick 10 minute seminar, called "the history of german baseball" from the 90ies till now...which was really helpful!

Regensburg Germany

How it started playing on all "dirt/grass" soccer fields and now that every Bundesliga Team has a field with a cut out diamond, fences, backstop, and dugouts...
How these days there are kids like, 19 year old Marcus Solbach Pitcher from Pulheim Germany, signing pro contracts with the Minnesota Twins, or the 18 year old Max Kepler Rozycki a first baseman and outfielder from Berlin Germany, who also signed with the Minnesota Twins and is one of the top 10 prospects in their organisation.

Berlin Sluggers Youth Team 1992

It used to be different and most of the kids that played baseball weren t just good enough to excel in Soccer and therefore tried to play baseball in order to have succes/playing time, like it was just the other way around in the US.
Even things got better, there is still a lot more potential in this 80 Million strong nation.

Thanks

PS:
The List of stuff, that my players want to have, is finally picking up:) Cleats, Pants, Glove, Skittles, Souvenirs, Catchers Helmet...

EBCA announces participants for Coaches Exchange Program

2011-02-23T12:20:00.000-08:00

Selected coaches will travel to the US in March

The European Baseball Coaches Association is proud to announce the three selected participants for its Coaches Exchange Program 2011.

The Program was put in place by coaches for coaches. The idea behind it is for developing european coaches to receive coaching insight in every aspect of the game from experienced american coaches. For this purpose European coaches will travel to the US to spend time at high quality baseball University and high school programs.

By spending time in those overseas programs, the Europeans will be able to receive insight into running practices, handling teams and game coaching situations. Participants can pick the brains of their hosts regarding mechanics, strategy and philosophy.

From Berlin, Germany, Benjamin Kleiner will travel to Butler University. The 33-year old is currently involved with the Berlin Sluggers and recently started his own Baseball School in the german capital. For ten days Kleiner will be hosted by Butler´s head coach Steve Farley. Butler University is a renowned NCAA division I school based in Indianapolis. Coach Farley, who received ABCA 2011 Ethics Award and is in his 19th season leading the Bulldogs, will tutor the German coach from March 1st until March 11th.

Pietro Sollecito from England will also represent European Baseball Coaches in the United States. Sollecito is currently coaching for the London Mets Baseball Club. He will be hosted by John Vodenlich of the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. The Warhawks have been ranked 5th in NCAA D3 pre-season Poll. Coach Vodenlich, who is no stranger to Europe after speaking at several clinics for ISG Sports Group in the past, has invited Sollecito to join his team on its spring break trip to Florida.

French Coach Bertrand Rue is travelling to Chicago to spend time at Caliendo Sports International. Founder Pete Caliendo will host the Mulhouse Royals coach from March 5th until the 15th. During that time Rue can improve his knowledge and skill in planning and running indoor practices. Caliendo Sports is an organization focusing not only on player development, sending out teams to baseball events all over the world. The Academy also helps improve the level of coaching by offering an in-depth coaching library and its own coaching books and manuals through the Websitewww.coachingmadeeasy.com Upon request Caliendo hold workshops and certifies volunteer coaches in order to help the instructors improve the skill level of their players.