All Star Outfield Play

Hi Guys

I've been out of town again, just got back, and it is pretty wonderful reading about a bunch of great dads and moms still scratching their heads about helping their kids get a cheer or two.

You know, Splitter, I am left handed, couldn't hit, and couldn't catch a fly ball, so they made me a pitcher. I hit .021 as a freshman in college, then lost the National Championship game because I got drilled on my pitching elbow while batting. My coach was just the tiniest bit peeved about that, and as a result told me I MUST bat left handed forever. I hit around .200 the next several years.

See, no one even suggested that I bat left handed before then, and no one knew enough to just hit me a lot of fly balls and teach me to run on my toes so they didn't jiggle around in my vision.
It's so darned simple if only someone knows the trick to teach.

(In case some of you are from rio Linda, the reason I got hit on my left elbow is I was batting right handed because that's what every one else did.)

You know, everyone "says" that one builds a team through the middle, but they always forget the two crucial players "through the middle" THE CATCHER, AND THE CENTER FIELDER.

TOURNAMENT TEAMS: yes you should have plenty of pitchers, but just as important, you better have three GREAT catchers, (defined as a kid who can bring out the best a pitcher has to give), and four GREAT outfielders.

(Personally, I would have nine GREAT bunters in the above categories.) See everyone says that great pitching always defeats great hitting. My response is..."BUT GREAT BUNTING ALWAYS DEFEATS GREAT PITCHING!"

(Splitter, I am fortunate. I can still focus at forty inches without putting on my bi-focals so I can still hit. Conversely, catching a fly ball is a genuine adventure...evey time.)

Best regards
Kenneth Bean...Author...Bean's About Baseball.