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ABOUT US

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As a former MLB 10th round pick chosen by the Washington Nationals, my passion is understanding and teaching the defensive side of playing the game of baseball. I am honored to have this opportunity to share in my experiences of being a successful infielder with all of you. Baseball is a game of failure, but not on defense.

 

 

Great infielders are vital to any baseball team’s success! Infielders must possess the skills of throwing accurately and fielding ground balls efficiently. It is vital to possess speed laterally, forwards, and backwards with quickness to not only field ground balls but also to track down line drives, balls hit in the gap, and cover the bases. 

 

As an infielder, we should practice with a high level of consistency and understanding for making the routine plays all of the time. This program will teach how playing infield is broken down into specific "scripted plays" allowing each infielder to maximize positioning, angles, footwork, and throwing mechanics into each play.

 

This mentality will eliminate inconsistencies and provide a checklist to follow that leads to an easy-to-understand formula for success.

 

 

Aimed at Excellence

Diamond  Defense Academy is passionately focused on helping youth baseball players understand and develop the necessary skill set to rise to the next level. 

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Instruction Breakdown

Key Throwing Mechanics

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Overhead throwing imposes the shoulder to extreme multi-directional forces. It is important to understand the proper mechanics of throwing and how this makes a long lasting career impact on health, accuracy, and arm strength.

 

Focus Areas:   

1. Centering the Baseball

2. Power Position

3. Core Throwing Program

 

Footwork & Transfer

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Defense at an advanced level requires understanding how to effectively position yourself to field specific ground balls that are hit. Having good footwork and transfer skills are crucial to remaining consistent. We will discuss some of the top drills that will help develop quick feet while incorporating a consistent transfer of the ball. 

 

Focus Areas:   

1. Feet & Body Positon

2. Weight Transfer

3. Body Control

 

Pre-Pitch Routine

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The pre-pitch is the position that the fielder is in when the ball is entering the "hitting zone." The pre-pitch gives the fielder the best opportunity to move into the fielding position seamlessly, as well as puts the player in the best possible athletic position before the ball is actually hit. 

 

3 types of Pre-Pitch Routines  

1. Split

2. Hop

3. Sway

 

Routine Ground Ball

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Any ball that is hit at you, slightly to the right or left, that you can stay to the right of, field from right to left, in between your feet to the left of center, with your momentum moving back towards your target.

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Focus Areas:   

1. Fielding Position

2. Hands Routines

3. Routes & Full Plays

 

Backhand Ground Ball

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Any ball that is hit to the throwing hand side of the infielder that is outside of the "routine" ground ball range. We will extend to receive this ground ball with our glove turned over. 

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3 types of Backhand Ground Balls  

1. Inside-the-Body

2. Extension

3. Full Extension

 

Forehand Ground Ball

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Any ball that is hit to the glove hand side of the infielder that is out of the "routine" ground ball range. We will extend to receive this ground ball with one hand outside of our feet. Our momentum will be moving laterally or away from the diamond 

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2 types of Backhand Ground Balls  

1. Extension

2. Reverse Pivot

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Slow Roller Ground Ball

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Any ball that is hit slow enough that the player must field and throw the ball on the run. 

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3 types of Slow Roller Ground Balls  

1. Outside Slow Roller

2. Inside Slow Roller

3. Barehand Slow Roller

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Short Hop Ground Ball

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A short hop ground ball is any ball that is caught just as it makes contact with the ground. One of the most predictable hops in baseball therefore allowing us to shorten the distance between hop and glove. Short hops can be fielded in any of the "Core 7 Scripted Fielding Positions." 

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Focus Areas:

1. Footwork

2. Timing

3. Glove Position

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Double Plays

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Double Plays are some of the most valuable assets to take advantage of in the game of baseball. While there are many variables that are taken into account when teaching and practicing double plays, we will break our double plays down and cover all feeds & pivots from the 4 infield positions

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Focus Areas:

1. Double Play Feeds (3B, SS, 2B, 1B)

2. Double Play Pivots (SS, 2B)

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FILM FESTIVAL

2023

BEST DIRECTOR

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FILM FESTIVAL

2023

BEST SCRIPT

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FILM FESTIVAL

2023

BEST FILM

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