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by Kevin Long, NY Yankees hitting Coach; and Glen Waggoner, founding editor of ESPN The Magazine From Yankees hitting coach Kevin Longthe man who coaches all-stars like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Canocomes this indispensable guide to hitting, full of practical advice, behind-the-scenes baseball action, and an enduring, inspiring love for America's national pastime In Cage Rat, Long draws on more than 20 years of experience playing and coaching professional baseball to demonstrate to readers the techniques, practices, and habits of great hitting. From bat angle to grip, and from plate coverage to athletic stance and hitting drills, Long takes us into the Yankees' batting cage, where he shows us how major-league players hone their hitting and refine their skills. Not just a practical guide to hitting, Cage Rat is also a dynamic, engaging, and moving portrait of a man realizing his goals. From his early days in the minor leagues to his major league dreams of playing with the Kansas City Royals, from the dramatic decision to turn to coaching to the fateful call from the New York Yankees, Kevin Long's story is a quintessentially American narrative that celebrates hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude. Chock-full of practical advice, behind-the-scenes action, instructional photographs, and inspirational stories, Cage Rat is a must-read for aspiring players, Yankees fans, and anyone who loves baseball. 198 pages. 2011.

with Joe Stolzer, Manhattan College Strength and Conditioning Coach and Five-Star Basketball Instructor; 20+ years working with NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB athletes, host of many vertical jump camps across the US Every basketball player wants to improve his or her vertical jump. Now you can! Joe Stolzer provides a visual instruction manual to help your players build their explosiveness and blast off. Coach Stolzer reveals and addresses weak links throughout the body that, by themselves, might increase vertical jump without additional training. Stolzer highlights the three main areas that effect vertical jump. Feet and Ankles - The vertical jump starts at ground contact. Improve strength, flexibility and the health of your feet and ankles. Hips - The hips account for 80% of the body's power. With unilateral training, athletes can build twice the power as those who just train with their legs. Core - Learn core exercises to increase the power of your jump, hang time and balance. Stolzer provides detailed instruction on correct jumping and landing mechanics. These techniques will both ensure maximum vertical jump and assistance in reducing injuries upon landing. To bring it all together, Stolzer includes over 20 Blast Off Drills. These drills incorporate scientific and psychological principles to fully enhance the power in your jump. The Blast Off Drills will lend variety to your workouts and will help prevent muscle plateau so your athletes' can continue to improve. Stolzer includes eight unique aquatic drills and his "speed training in disguise" drills. This program is specifically designed for athletes under 225 lbs. and who are post-adolescent. Work with your athletes to vastly improve their explosiveness and blast off using this excellent training tool. Create an edge in athleticism and prevent injuries for the players on your team! 80 minutes. 2010.

with Ryan Shotzberger, Texas Christian University Assistant Coach/Catchers; Mentored two all-conference catchers in Andrew Walker and Bryan Holaday. Walker was a fifth-round draft pick in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Holaday was named the 2010 Johnny Bench Award winner, the 2010 Collegiate Baseball Easton Defensive Player of the Year and was named a 2nd Team All-American in 2010. Learn and develop the skills you need to play the most demanding position in baseball. Ryan Shotzberger takes you through the three "Catching Musts:" Catching - Learn three stances and proper glove position for every situation Blocking - Give your pitcher the confidence to throw any pitch in any situation without giving away free bases. Throwing - Get the keys to making stronger, more accurate throws and to improving your glove-to-hand ball transfer. For each "Catching Must, " Shotzberger explains the common flaws associated with it and demonstrates drills to correct the problems. He demonstrates 15 targeted drills in all including a blocking series, the six shooter series and catching drills with a pitching machine. Solidify your defense behind the plate and make better use of your practice time. 36 minutes. 2010.

with Len Solesky, a professional scout for 18 years and a pitching consultant for nine years. and James T. Cain, author of One-on-One Baseball, written with former Yankee coach Dom Scala. and Rusty Meacham, former professional league baseball pitcher for almost 20 seasons, with his most successful stretch coming as a reliever with the Kansas City Royals from 1992-1995. Meacham's success has carried over to a career as a teacher and pitching coach, most recently with minor league clubs in the Washington Nationals system. The Physics of Pitching is a well-rounded and comprehensive study that explores the formula for success in pitching and the secret to staying healthy and injury free. It brings together the expertise of a professional scout and pitching consultant, a former major league pitcher and current pitching coach, a sports orthopedic surgeon, and a strength and conditioning specialist. Step-by-step instruction is combined with a discussion of the fundamentals of pitching mechanics and kinetics, physiology and orthopedics, weight training, and the mental and strategic sides of baseball. Illustrated throughout with step-by-step photography and detailed illustrations of the key mechanics, The Physics of Pitching is accompanied by an instructional DVD. Book (192 pages) and DVD combo. 2011.

with Joe Schaefer, Point Loma Nazarene University Head Coach; 2009 NAIA National Runner Up; 2x NAIA World Series qualifiers; 2x Conference Champions; 8 consecutive postseason appearances The most underrated aspect of winning baseball is defensive play. In his first two seasons at Point Loma Nazarene, Joe Schaefer has guided his team to two NAIA World Series appearances. Much of his success stems from his emphasis on defensive play. In this baseball DVD, he guides you through many of the defensive drills that he uses in practice to fine tune his infielders' mechanics and keep them sharp throughout the season. Learn a warm-up progression to get your athletes ready for practice. These exercises get the arms and feet moving on every catch and throw to simulate game play. Schaefer then moves into seven drill areas that will put your infielders in many different defensive situations. These drills include: Glove Only Drill Reinforce proper glove position and aggressiveness when fielding ground balls. Short Fungo Drill Train players to go both right and left, improve their reaction time and teach them to dive with confidence. Do or Die Drill Develop effective technique for a slow roller or high chopper. Backhand Short Hops with a Throw Drill - This drill is great for hand eye coordination as it focuses on catching and transitioning, while reinforcing proper footwork, glove position and body position. Ball in Glove Double Play Drill Schaefer gives you different variations of this drill that will enable you to start in different receiving positions and work on footwork, transition and making a strong throw. Short Hop Double Play Drill This drill places an emphasis on the catch, while reinforcing proper glove position and footwork around the bag. Ground Ball Communication Drill - Allows infielders to work on off-balance plays and communication to minimize errors. These drills will improve fielding technique and awareness with a game-like atmosphere. You will see how being aggressive when charging the baseball will give your athletes confidence during game situations. Make fewer errors using these excellent fundamental infield drills! 71 minutes. 2011.

with Chris Sinacori, Peoria Mariners Pitching Coach (Seattle Mariners Rookie League affiliate); former Wake Forest University Pitching Coach; former Arizona State University Pitching Coach Learn how to shut down the running game, keep your opponents out of scoring position, and improve your defense by improving your pitchers' fielding. With on-field demonstration, Sinacori, a former pitching coach in the Phillies organization for four years, shares his expertise on how to become a complete pitcher by stressing the importance of often overlooked facets of pitching and defense. He details a 4-step process to holding baserunners on and keeping them guessing, and to set up your defense to save runs. Sinacori also covers the essential principles of pick-offs for both right and left-handed pitchers; he then goes through pick-off plays and moves for each base including the spin move, daylight play, and the inside move. Next, Sinacori shows you how to develop your pitchers to be a vital part of your team defense through a pitcher's fielding practice routine. You will learn the proper techniques for pitchers to field bunts in the four most common bunt locations. In addition, you will learn how to get your pitchers to cover first base like its second nature to them, and also the essentials to fielding and effectively starting a double play to solidify your defense. This video will help you develop complete pitchers and shut down your opponents with great infield defense! 46 minutes. 2004.

with Bill Bethea, Power Pitching and Hitting, Inc. (Founder and owner); associate scout for the Houston Astros Coach Bethea has used his years of pitching experience to fine tune a conditioning program that can add 5 to 10 mph to your athlete's fastball! This conditioning program starts with 10 plyometric exercises followed by core work with a medicine ball and core ball. Sprinting and kettle ball strength training complete the pitcher-conditioning program. Bethea demonstrates seven arm warm-up exercises and four arm care exercises to help prevent injuries. Finally, Bethea explains his cutting edge velocity training program using weighted baseballs. He talks about the correct way to start velocity training and how to progress through his weighted ball training system. Bethea's 8-16 week program uses four different variations of weighted ball throwing, which focus on developing base strength, arm speed and power. This DVD will have your pitchers well conditioned and throwing hard in no time! 95 minutes. 2008.

with Rick Mathews, former Pitching Coordinator and Bullpen Coach for the Colorado Rockies (MLB) for seven seasons; minor league pitching coordinator with the Colorado Rockies (MLB) for eight seasons; former Indian Hills Community College Head Coach, qualifier to the NJCAA World Series, former Iowa Western Community College Head Coach, 3x qualifier to the NJCAA World Series Discover over 10 proven drills that will assist your pitchers in executing their pitches to perfection! Rick Mathews calls on his 20 years of Major League Baseball experience to show you how to develop complete pitchers both in delivery mechanics and in fielding the position. Mathews begins this two-part pitching DVD with drills that will improve your pitcher's delivery. Specifically, these drills will fine-tune your balance, extension, timing and downhill plane. With each drill, Mathews defines the purpose of the drill and explains the key teaching points. Mathews' essential 6-Step Pitching Program isolates and improves each phase of the delivery mechanics. When executed repeatedly and correctly, this program will improve your pitchers' ability to throw strikes and improve his mechanics. Great pitchers help their teams by fielding their position. In Part Two, Mathews breaks down the art of fielding the position. He simulates over 10 different fielding situations that your pitchers face in games and breaks down the correct technique to record the out. He includes the 3-1 putout, 3-6-1 double play, bunt coverages, wild pitches, squeeze plays and more. These secondary skills are important to every pitcher as they can "control the damage" on defense. A pitcher who fields his position, wins more games. 53 minutes. 2009.

with Joe Schaefer, Point Loma Nazarene University Head Coach; 2009 NAIA National Runner Up; 2x NAIA World Series qualifiers; 2x Conference Champions; 8 consecutive postseason appearances Maximize the speed, power and consistency of your swing! This fantastic instructional baseball video from Joe Schaefer shows you how to correct the common errors that plague your team's batting average. In seven areas of hitting, Coach Schaefer demonstrates a common swing flaw so you can easily recognize it in your players. Next he follows with drill instruction that will help your athletes correct the flaw and improve their swing. Schaefer's drills will help your players correct the following swing issues: All upper or lower body swing Swing plane Hand path Balance Pitch recognition Hitting too many fly balls Power position form Schaefer's teams have consistently ranked nationally in the top 10 in hitting, mainly because they use these drills to maximize potential and minimize swing flaws. This video will help your players get more hits, score more runs and win more games! 54 minutes. 2011.

with Joe Schaefer, Point Loma Nazarene University Head Coach; 2009 NAIA national runner up; two NAIA World Series appearances; two conference championships; Eight consecutive postseason appearances Teach your hitters how to change their hitting strategy based on the situation they are facing. In this extensive baseball DVD, Joe Schaefer shares eight complete hitting drills you can use to raise the level of intensity in your batting practice. Designed to maximize the number and quality of swings in each practice, these drills are executed in a game-like manner and many include a competitive element. Schaefer's drills include: Execution Batting Practice Drill: Get all of your hitters on the field at once under the direction of one coach-perfect for a team with a small coaching staff. Two-Strike Drill: Learn to hit off-speed pitches and drive a mistake fastballs that are over the plate. Three-Tee Drill: Enable your athletes to hit pitches to different areas of the field based on pitch location. Angle Batting Practice: Develops the ability to drive breaking pitches to opposite field. Cross Angle Batting Practice: Works on hitting the slider and advancing runners. Push/Drag Challenge: Improve focus and bunt placement while breaking up the monotony of every day practice. Oppo Hitting Game: Improve your approach to hitting an outside pitch and focus on driving the ball on a line or on the ground to the opposite field. Three-lane Drill: Affords an opportunity for players to see the ball and react to its location. Make the most out of every base runner with these situational hitting drills. Improve your team's effectiveness at the plate today. 63 minutes. 2009.

with Kevin Long, Hitting Coach for the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees; featuring Alex Rodriguez; 3x American League MVP; 10x Silver Slugger Award Winner, 4x Hank Aaron Award Winner Now you can perform the same hitting techniques, strategies and drills that Alex Rodriguez uses every day! In this sensational DVD from Championship Productions, New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long reveals techniques and strategies for becoming a successful hitter. Coach Long covers six keys to becoming a great hitter: Grip Find the best grip to stay loose and increase bat speed. Stance Stay flexible to maximize the power in the lower half of your body. Plate coverage Use your best swing regardless of pitch location. Load How to put yourself in a stronger hitting position for each swing. Knee drive Learn how to level your swing and generate power. Hip torque Increase your bat speed using your hips. Watch as Coach Long takes A-Rod through a batting workout to fine tune hitting mechanics with soft toss and tee drills using a short and regular bat. These drills focus on balance and staying tight to your core to get your bat through the hitting zone quicker. In addition, Long and A-Rod sit down and discuss the key techniques from a hitter's perspective. This section includes strategies to develop the best swing possible; scouting the opposing pitcher; guessing on pitches; batting practice for success; and off-season work. What makes this DVD unique is that you can see how these drills are used at the Major League level and how they can be adjusted to work at any level: youth, high school, collegiate and professional. Long goes through a number of errors that are common among younger hitters and how you can correct them. Among the problem areas covered are: Stride in where the batter's hips won't get through the swing; Stride Open which mostly occurs left handed batters; flexed front side; turning in - creates long bat path; and leaning forward. Long closes with a Coach's Q&A session. He covers a number of topics including: Absolutes of hitting, strategies for left- vs right-hand pitchers, scouting reports, two-strike approach, hitting when you're ahead in the count, identifying pitches, getting over the fear of being hit by a pitch, and more. This is the workout that helped A-Rod to one of his best statistical seasons as a pro in 2007. Get help with your swing from one of the top hitting instructors in the world! 106 minutes. 2010.

With Mark Brew, Lee University Head Baseball Coach, 2010 & 2008 NAIA National Runner-up; 2008 NAIA National Coach of the Year Increase your success on the field with this strategic, fundamental practice regimen. Mark Brew, who has lead Lee University to the NAIA World Series each of the last four seasons (2007-10), takes you through the five key components of his dynamic coaching philosophy and demonstrates how he incorporates them into his daily practices. Get detailed insight into how Brew designs his practice plans and watch him implement his plan into an efficient, intense practice session that will help develop your players individually and as a team. Coach Brew's practice features eight segments that include all players working with the coaching staff on game-like situations. The practice includes: Pre Practice Set (individual work) A high-energy agility warm-up Form Running with Dynamic Stretching Base Running to All Bases Includes a different game-like situation at each base Offensive Bunt Sets the work on sacrifice bunts, drag bunts and push bunts Position Specific Throwing Drills Defensive Sets Team Batting Practice Now you can create game-like situations; focus, intensity and competitiveness in your practices using Brew's successful formula! 55 minutes. 2011.

with Scot Thomas, Virginia Tech University Head Softball Coach; 2007 ACC Coach of the Year; 2007 & 2008 ACC Conference Champs Coach Thomas provides a comprehensive look at the hitting mechanics and drills that spurred the Hokies to a Top 10 finish and a trip to the College World Series in 2008. Demonstrators provide great illustrations of Thomas's teaching points on batting stance, swing mechanics, stride, pitch location, hitting with a purpose and more. He thoroughly explains over 15 drills and discusses why he uses each drill and its objective. He includes long tee drills, tee drills into a net, soft toss drills and team drills. Thomas includes creative variations on the drills that you can use to make them more challenging for your advanced athletes. From the ground up, each drill will help you learn how to assemble a comprehensive hitting instruction program with your team. 50 minutes. 2009.

with Bill Bethea, Power Pitching and Hitting, Inc. (Founder and owner); associate scout for the Houston Astros This DVD features cutting edge ideas on pitching mechanics from baseball expert Bill Bethea. This program can make pitchers more athletic and free flowing on the mound. The pitching package includes mechanical theory, weighted ball protocol and philosophy, conditioning and development. The Power Pitching philosophy believes in optimal performance at maximum velocity by pushing pitchers to their next level. Pitchers can find their tempo and rhythm with this specific training. Strategies involved in the rocker step are the step back, chin forward, hands in motion and load up the lower body. The gathering point, hip movement and momentum toward the plate are key teaching points that Bethea focuses on. A secret to increased velocity comes from your hips leading and pushing out. He includes a number of drills to work on those areas. After studying different pitching progams for years, Coach Bethea has come with this well-rounded package. 51 minutes. 2008.

with Tim Walton, University of Florida Head Coach; 2009 Women's College World Series runner-up; 2009 & 2008 SEC Coach of the Year; 2008 Women's College World Series semifinalists Coach Walton knows how to maximize his fielders' performance and has a record setting 70-win season to prove it. With the help of his Assistant Coach Jenny Gladding, Walton shows you an extensive list of drills they use to get the most out of their infield and outfield. Ground balls, short hops, double plays, bunts, plays at the plate, deep fly balls, drop steps and plays off the wall are just some of the skills and exercises Walton delivers. He also covers the importance of good communication, working with other fielders, getting every player involved and being prepared for any defensive situation. A great team starts with a great defense, so prepare your team with these proven drills. 109 minutes. 2009.

featuring Chad Curtis, former Major League baseball player; 2x World Series Champion with the New York Yankees (1998, 1999) and Stacy Steensma, 3x National Champion cheerleader at the University of Louisville Two time World Series Champion Chad Curtis and three time National Cheerleading Champion Stacy Steensma (also a former American Gladiator) team up to show over 30 strength and 20 flexibility exercises for Advanced Youth athletes. (all things you can do at home with little or no weights). 68 minutes. 2010.

featuring Pete Rose, former Major League Baseball All Star, played 24 seasons for the Cincinnatti Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos; 1963 NL Rookie of the Year; 1973 NL MVP; 17x All-Star; MLB all-time hits leader with 4, 256; a lifetime .303 batting average Pete Rose currently holds 22 MAJOR LEAGUE BATTING RECORDS. Come and learn what made him the truly undisputed HIT KING!! In this DVD you will hear his philosophy of hitting. You will see him giving instruction and tips while working with a beginner, intermediate and advanced hitter. This DVD is for anyone that wants to improve their child's hitting. From beginner all the way through high school and college. You will also hear some great baseball stories! Learn how Pete Rose got his name "Charley Hustle" (hint, Mickey Mantle gave him that name). Find out more about Pete Rose, the man. He tells some great stories about his father, his son, playing for Sparky Anderson and the "Big Red Machine." He also mentions the controversy that surrounds him. This DVD is not only instructional and educational, but it is for anyone that has a passion or love for the game of baseball. You get a real sense of what it was like in the big leagues back then and an understanding of what it took for this man to accomplish what he did. 121 minutes. 2011.

with Ron Jackson, former Boston Red Sox Hitting Coach, 2004 World Champions! One of the keys to being a successful hitting coach is to identify hitting errors for an individual and replace them with corrections. Ron Jackson, Boston Red Sox Hitting Coach, has proved to be one of the best at making hitters successful, as the Red Sox offense led the majors in 10 offensive categories in 2003-2004, leading them to a World Series Championship in 2004. Using player demonstration, Jackson shows some of the most common hitting errors and how to replace them with correct individual instruction and training. Jackson breaks down every component of the swing and approach going through stance, grip, contact point, plate coverage, focus, approach, and plate discipline. Jackson shares multiple drills to improve on these problem areas and develop good habits. Coaches will learn to better examine player's swings and make adjustments more easily, and players will learn to know their swing better and get the right "feel" of their swing and approach, via this excellent instruction. 50 minutes. 2005.