Matt In Char Nc

[Degenerate39]

I hope he's not attached to the number 24. He'll have to change it once he becomes a Cincinnati Red

[RANDY IN INDY]

Thanks for all the nice words. He has worked very hard and has become a really good player. We played at the Ripken Baseball Experience in Myrtle Beach this weekend. Just got home. What a wonderful facility! The kids had a blast. Field turf fields that are all replica's of former big league ball parks. Our team lost in the semi-finals in extra innings, 7-6. To get to the semi-finals, we had to win our last pool play game, this morning at 9:00am. Matt got the call on the mound and pitched a one hitter against a team from the Northern Part of North Carolina, close to Rocky Mount. I was real happy with his performance.

With this tournament, baseball is over for the season. We started in late January. We will continue to work on the side and basketball tryouts are next Sunday. We stay busy, but I love every minute.

[Stephenk29]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN CHAR NC

Thanks for all the nice words. He has worked very hard and has become a really good player. We played at the Ripken Baseball Experience in Myrtle Beach this weekend. Just got home. What a wonderful facility! The kids had a blast. Field turf fields that are all replica's of former big league ball parks. Our team lost in the semi-finals in extra innings, 7-6. To get to the semi-finals, we had to win our last pool play game, this morning at 9:00am. Matt got the call on the mound and pitched a one hitter against a team from the Northern Part of North Carolina, close to Rocky Mount. I was real happy with his performance.

With this tournament, baseball is over for the season. We started in late January. We will continue to work on the side and basketball tryouts are next Sunday. We stay busy, but I love every minute.

One of my friends worked for Ripken Academy this summer in Baltimore. They definitely have some nice facilities all over the place. I went up there for a visit and checked that one out, very nice. The main field in Baltimore was a replica of Camden, the factory in right field was a dormatory for all the players. Pretty sweet stuff.

[RFS62]

Fantastic pics, Randy.

Perfect form.

Well done.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Thanks, RFS62. That means something, coming from you.

[Team Clark]

Sharp looking swing. What I liked most was his head position and ability to stay on the ball. Very nice. Most kids his age just grip and rip.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Matt

[RANDY IN INDY]

Some pics of Matt pitching from this season. We won our first tournament and only allowed 1 run the entire tournament (4 games). The most impressive thing was that our pitchers only allowed one walk the entire tournament. Matt pitched a two hitter in the final. We travel to Atlanta this week for a Super NIT with teams from Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana. I'm sure we will see some great teams there.

http://www.redszone.com/forums/attac...1&d=1237299660

[camisadelgolf]

Sounds like he's doing great. Congratulations. I'm just wondering--is he throwing a breaking pitch yet?

[RANDY IN INDY]

Thanks, camisadelgolf. He is, on a very limited basis. He is mainly four seam fastball, two seam fastball, and changeup. He throws two changes, circle and a knuckleball. This year, we have a former big league pitcher, Mike Trombley, as our pitching coach. His son is also on the team. We have emphasized that if the boys are going to throw a curve ball, they are going to throw it correctly.

This is from an earlier post in this thread:

If they learn to throw it correctly, I have no problem if they throw it on a very limited basis. Believe me, I see a lot of kids trying to throw it when they are warming up and fooling around. The problem is, very few are throwing it correctly, and for me, that is where a lot of kids are hurting their arms. To the extent that I see it in the Little League World Series? No. Some of those kids are throwing it way too much.

On another note, it is unbelievable how many kids are not throwing the fastball correctly and, that, is hurting their arms every bit as much as throwing the breaking ball. We really emphasize the proper throwing mechanics, every practice. The facility that we play out of, Carolina's Baseball Center, is very big on teaching baseball the correct way.

[camisadelgolf]

Throwing curveballs is more than likely what ended my pitching. In my little league years, I would throw 100+ curveballs per week, and it didn't take long for it to catch up to me. I was starting to get some attention from people outside of town, but I tore a labrum and never got back to where I was. It's an unfortunate situation, but I'm glad to hear that there's a lot more awareness about it now. I'm excited for you, and I wish you and your son luck.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Much appreciated!

[RANDY IN INDY]

Couple of pictures of Matt from the Ripken Experience this spring.


http://www.redszone.com/forums/attac...1&d=1251725026



http://www.redszone.com/forums/attac...1&d=1251725026

[RedsBaron]

Looks great Randy. Have the Reds offered Matt a contract yet?

[RANDY IN INDY]

Originally Posted by RedsBaron

Looks great Randy. Have the Reds offered Matt a contract yet?

Not hardly. He is progressing very nicely, both pitching and hitting and plays a very good first base. We are trying to get him some time in the outfield this fall to give him a few more options. We don't usually notice how good he is at first base until we move him off of it. He continues to love the game and works very hard at it. His 12 year old season will be coming up this spring. Thanks for the nice comments!