This was my throwing routine when in the starting rotation: Game Day • Day 1 = No Throw • Day 2 = Long toss and short 20ish pitch bullpen (usually just fastballs working on location in, out, up and down). If there was something else that needed attention, I would adjust. • Day 3 = Enough catch to get loose then a full bullpen (35-40+ pitches). • Day 4 = No Throw • Day 5 = Game Day ** At the end of long toss after coming back in and in day 3 catch, I would throw 10-15 change ups, throw some cutters and spin my breaking balls (curveballs and sliders 5-10 times each). ***Full bullpen included all pitches ended with 1-2 simulated batters. So every day I threw the baseball I was getting on a mound (bullpen or in a game). I learned taking no throw days helped me to stay strong and healthy from the start to the end of a season. No, I never iced (during the second half of my career, 7 years) but was religious with doing some band work at the end of each throwing day (tried to get it down within 30 minutes of being done pitching). When used as a reliever, I would find time to have a no throw day, usually after a long 2-3 inning outing when I knew I wouldn’t be available that day. I would also make sure I never went three days without getting on the mound. Even if I was available that night I would throw a light 10-15 pitches off the mound earlier in the day just to get on the slope (mound) and feel my delivery and release. Obviously the youth world isn’t the same type of schedule but I’m sure there is something someone can take from this to help them establish a plan to ensure preparedness and arm health. I’m always available over DM if anyone needs some advice.

10 Tips for Parents of Athletes: 1. Control your emotions. Be a consistent example of mental stability. Show them how to properly respond when things don't our way. They will be able to get the most out of their skills when they are mentally in control. 2. Support them away from their team. All players should practice their sport on their own time. They will always have more time away from their team to get better than they will while with them. Help them develop this great habit. Help them learn to take their development into their own hands. 3. Be realistic. Put them in a position to thrive. We want them to get better but just because we want them to be ready for a certain level doesn't always mean they are ready for that level. Just because that's where their friends are doesn't mean it's the right place for them at that moment. 4. Don't allow excuses and blaming. The longer they do this the longer they will stunt their own growth. Teach them the difference between the controllable's and the un-controllable's. Their attitude, effort, energy and focus. 5. Think twice about your conversations. What are you allowing? What are you participating in? What are you instigating? The tone, the message, the impact. Know this too, sometimes the best thing we can say is nothing at all. Silence is okay! 6. Sports are hard. If you played while you were younger, keep perspective on how hard it was. If you never did, I suggest you go out there and practice with them. Try doing everything they are trying to do. 7. Slow down!! It's a process. They all grow at different rates. Support them, encourage them, motivate them and help them be their best but be careful of comparing them to their peers. The process and journey is different for all. Some are early bloomers while many are late bloomers. The most important years for an athletes performance don't even happen until after puberity kicks in and again, that even hits at different ages. 8. Look for leaders. Place them in front of those who are great people. People who will help instill the same values you are trying to tech them at home. Raising children is hard. Never underestimate the power of outside voices. 9. Youth sports has a way of becoming a toxic enviornment. From gossip about other players to coach bashing to berating and belittling officials. Don't be a part of it. Don't get sucked into the emotions of it. If you want these years to be as enjoyable as possible, beware of the nonsense and stay away from it. 10. Please don't ever let sports come between you are your child(ren). Don't let your attitude about their performance cause strain in your relationship. This game is a temporary phase in their life and meant to be enjoyable. Your relationship is forever. Nurture it now to have for life.

Just my view… All I care about is the kids getting better. Them enjoying the game and being excited for their next season. I feel winning is a by-product of real development. Development is learning and then providing reps…Repeat. The process of growth varies by player and that’s part of the challenge of coaching. We as coaches need the skills and ability to help them all from all angles of the game. If we have weaknesses in our knowledge and ability, we either need to find those who have those different strengths and get their help or dig deep and get better ourselves. The game is about them and them only. Once things start to get twisted and become more about a team’s name, a coaches name or adult emotions, drama will always be present. Most every problem there ever is out there can be trailed back to how the adults carried themselves. The kids end up being caught in the middle. And in some cases unfortunately take the brunt of those adult issues. Keep it all in perspective. It’s their game. It’s their experience. Our playing days are long over (unless you’re playing in a men’s league). It’s time to give back and help them get the most out of this short phase in their life.

Dear Parents: Please understand that your athletes coaches are not miracle workers. Sure, some may be better at what they do than others but in the end it will come down to an athletes innate ability (what they were born with), their love for the game, their level of focus, their aptitude (ability to apply what they are learning), their level of mental toughness, how much work they put in on their own time and their personal desire to just get better. Teach your athlete responsibility and accountability. To never rely on others to help them get better. To be a student of the game. To seek out those with more experience and pick their brains and to look for ways to get better everyday.