Joomla! site syndication http://www.fletchspen.net 2010-09-04T16:39:27+01:00 http://www.fletchspen.net http://www.fletchspen.net/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png text/html 2006-12-03T13:43:49+01:00 http://www.fletchspen.net http://www.fletchspen.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31 See http://www.extremepitchingmakeover.com (http://www.extremepitchingmakeover.com) to order PEN DVD/Manual set Latest DVD TestimonialsPaul, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m tired of the traditional training methods for pitchers. Fletch and Zinger’s program is thought provoking and inspirational in the fight against traditional training. To say I’m a fan would probably be an understatement. I’ve already incorporated a few of the exercises with our guys and I’m getting incredible feedback. I’ve got 18-22 year old guys wanting to work out because they can see where the movements will be beneficial to what they are trying to accomplish on the mound. I’m excited to see them excited. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to get a kid in that age group to drink almond milk but hey, babysteps! Thanks for making this available to the general public. Tell Fletch and Zinger to keep up the good work. I’m excited to see what they will come up with next. Mick Fieldbinder Pitching Coach Samford University 800 Lakeshore Dr. Birmingham, AL 35229 (205) 726-4095 Write me down as a BIG Fletch Fan. He’s fresh, innovative and isn’t afraid to color outside the lines. Whenever I watch his stuff a smile comes across my face. I like it when people ‘get it’. I view him as a kindred spirit. Keep up the great work Flecth! I’m cheering for ya every day at the Ranch here in Texas”. Ron Wolforth Thank you so much for getting that video out to my grandson. He received it today and when I called him tonight he was outside practicing with the pitch-back. He called me just now and said the DVD is great.........so much in there and so much for him to learn. He has a double header on Saturday so hope he gets to use some of it . Thanks again, Lorayne See weekend games results (March 1st) at JU with Billy Schlee and Sean Greeen at JU...nice job guys! GO JU!!! Undefeated SO Far!!http://judolphins.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/022908aaa.html PEN CLINIC IN DETROIT AREALimited spots open for a very unique pre-season pitching information clinic at PTC in Shelby Township on Wed March 12th from 7 to 9pm. ALL AGES WELCOME including parents and coaches. emailfletch@springcom.com for details or call 517-331-2791 PEN pitchers are obsessed with becoming better pitchers. We live our lives around the constant vision of what can be done DAILY to take us to the next level no matter what we have achieved or accomplished. See new site below as I have been invited to join the Paul Reddick and Brian Cain team... http://paulreddickbaseball.com (http://paulreddickbaseball.com) (site is now back up and running after high traffic delay) SEE LATEST CLIPS FROM THE WEEKEND IN PHOENIX WEEKEND JAN 21st Look for some exciting new products for serious pitching training coming in '08! Click below to see PEN Pitcher Hayden Fox with an interview with Paul Reddick: http://web.mac.com/paulreddick/Site/Blank.html (http://web.mac.com/paulreddick/Site/Blank.html) Wow, pure filth! See summer 2007 Jon Huizinga (post-injury) highlight video link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9QhQrumeLM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9QhQrumeLM) Also see the new PEN Training DVD Intro on link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8t-t5IJSRA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8t-t5IJSRA) Latest newsJeff Gerbe Called up to Major League Spring Training! LUCKY 21: Tigers announce 21 invitees to Lakeland January 23, 2008 BY JON PAUL MOROSI FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER Outfielder Matt Joyce learned last week that he had been invited to the Tigers' major league camp in Lakeland, Fla. He has had a little trouble sleeping ever since. Your mind races, Joyce said Tuesday, after the team announced its 21 invitees. You're a step closer to the big leagues. It's a big accomplishment, but you have to take it in stride, have fun with it and not pressure yourself too much. ; Jeff Gerbe, a right-hander from Shelby Township and Michigan State, is among seven invited pitchers. For several weeks, at least, he will use the same spring training clubhouse as Justin Verlander, Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez and the other All-Stars. As soon as Gerbe's friends found out, the requests began. A bunch of people said, 'You've got to get me so-and-so's autograph,' said Gerbe, 23. That's not happening. Thanks Jeff for helping out at PTC on over the past couple months. You have shown a true knack for coaching. We appreciate your enthusiasm, wisdom and humor. We wish you all the best in spring training this year with the big boys!!! Fletch and All Michigan PEN Pitchers VIPERS MAKE BLOCKBUSTER TRADE; COMPLETE COACHING STAFF The Calgary Vipers have made the blockbuster trade of the off-season in the Golden Baseball League. The Vipers today sent all-star first baseman and 2007 Northern League RBI king Jason Colson to the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am League along with right handed starting pitcher Chris Schutt. In return Calgary gets former Viper and outstanding relief pitcher Jon Huizinga, veteran second baseman Jorge Mejia and a pitcher to be named at a later date. Huizinga, who led the Vipers with 12 saves in the 2006 season, was the key to the deal. “We never really had a try closer last season”, said Vipers Field Manager Mike Busch. “Zinger is one of the best in all of independent baseball so that fills an instant hole. We may have been forced to use our best starter, Evan Greusel, in that role but now he can concentrate on what he does best.” Huizinga has only lost five games in his five year professional career. He played the 2007 season with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association where he finished 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA while appearing in 36 games.See http://www.calgaryvipers.com/press/top_story.html for more PEN '08 College Bound Pitchers:Mark Shaver RHP Hammond, Wisconsin Signed at University of Duluth (NCAA D-2) on scholarship Kyle Teague RHP Oxford HS, MI Signed at Oakland University (NCAA D-1) on Scholarship. JD Osbourne LHP Rochester Adams Signed at Wofford Cololege (NCAA D-1) out of Spartansburg NC on Scholarship. Jed Bradley LHP Huntsville, AL (formerly Shelby Tomwnship, MI) Signed at Georgia Tech on scholarship (Nov 19th 2007) Clay Vanderlaan RHP Houston Texas, Cypress Ridge HS Signed at Michigan State U. on scholarship Jordan Westra RHP Kellogg CC Signed at Sam Houston State (D-1 Texas) on scholarship in November Dave Silonowicz LHP Mott CC Committed to Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana PEN '07 College Signees Sean Green RHP Chesterton IN HS Signed at Jacksonville University on scholarship later drafted by TampaBilly Schlee RHP Kellogg CC Signed at Jacksonville University on scholarshipChris DeGuilio RHP Andrean HS. Merrillville, IN Signed at Valparaiso U. Mike Sudburry LHP Munster HS, Munster IN Signed at Ohio Dominican on scholarshipTony Manville RHP Mt Carmel HS Signed at U. of Iowa on scholarshipTommy Zelasko LHP Mt. Carmel HS Signed at Northern Illinois U. on scholarshipScott Handley LHP Lake Central HS IN. Signed at South Suburban College on scholarship Brett Shankin RHP Romeo, MI Signed at Wayne State U. on scholarship Nick Tritchler RHP Mt. Carmel HS, Chicago. Verbal to Central Michigan U. Austin Evans RHP Brother Rice HS, Rochester Michigan. Signed at South Suburban College(Chicago) on Scholarship James Bertakis RHP Grosse Point South HS, Michigan Signed at Edgewood College in Wisconsin Andrew Oakley RHP Chippewaw Valley HS (Detroit Area) Signed at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology Matt Crane LHP Kellogg CC signed at Bethune Cookman College (Daytona Beach Florida, D-1) on Aug 9th 2007 Recent PEN Member Testimonials: By the way, Tyler pitched 4 innings in a simulated game (i.e., live batters, ump) last weekend. He faced 12 batters and struck out 12 and most important, no walks. We need to see a real game, but that’s a good sign. He also comments often, that his arm is not sore at all – which was a problem for him a year ago. We really feel the work you have done with him has been very beneficial, and we thank you! I know Jed will write to you separately; but, Will and I just want to express our gratitude to you for everything you have done for Jed. A few years ago when we sat across the kitchen table and talked about the future, you saw Jed signing with a major D1 program. As you know, he signed his National Letter of Intent today to play at Georgia Tech. It is a great day for Jed and for you too! You helped him focus and put the pieces together. I know Jed believes he wouldn’t be where he is today without your guidance and I believe he’s right. I’m so excited to look into the future and see the great things to come. I really can’t express the respect I have for you and for the program you have put together to train pitchers as athletes and bring them to the next level. I think we should go ahead and make hotel reservations in Omaha; we’re going to need them! Regards, Lori Bradley (Mother of Jed Bradley) '08 Scholarship to Ga Tech. Click below for footage of PEN Pitcher Jed Bradley: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OeqvhLteZC4 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=OeqvhLteZC4) If you want to become a great pitcher, it starts in the mind then the body and then the soul. We are not human beings living a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings living a human experience. The universe is inside all of us if we realize it. We are capable of SO much more if we grasp that we can become anything we want. You become what you think about Dr. Wayne Dyer I like thinking big. If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big. Donald Trump It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. Nolan Ryan Huizinga back from Mexico Jon gave up one earned run and one walk in 16 IP during his time in Mexico. Jon will be making additions to the New PEN Video Series during his time in Michigan at Christmas and in Jan in his home in Arizona. See Jon's latest workout blog: http://www.revfire.com/ (http://www.revfire.com/) Also look for a couple new articles coming out on Insidepitching.com related to this subject. EDGEWOOD COLLEGE ATHLETICS www.EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com 1000 Edgewood College Drive, Madison, WI 53711 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday, September 02, 2007 Grosse Pointe South standout to attend Edgewood College MADISON, Wis. – Edgewood College head baseball coach Al Brisack announced today that James Bertakis, a 2007 graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School, will attend and play baseball at Edgewood College beginning this fall semester. “I’m looking forward to going to school and playing baseball at Edgewood College,” said Bertakis, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher. “I’d like to thank Coach [Dan] Griesbaum and all the coaches at Grosse Pointe South High School for four great years; my pitching coach, Joe Fletcher, for his guidance and encouragement; my Fed Ball and Little League coaches who taught me to play and love the game of baseball; my family for their love and support; and Coach Brisack for all his efforts and for giving me the opportunity to play baseball at the next level.” Bertakis’ 2.02 career earned run average ranks sixth all-time at Grosse Pointe South, as do his 14 career victories. He compiled 89 strikeouts in just over 93 innings pitched during his prep career. Bertakis was an all-conference and all-district selection following both his junior and senior seasons with the Blue Devils. “James has the ability and work ethic to contribute to our pitching staff as a freshman,” said Brisack. “It would not surprise us at all if he found his way into the starting rotation. He is an outstanding young man, from a strong, supportive family. He has faced quality competition in both high school and summer ball, and this will have him well-prepared for facing college hitters. Our staff is eager to start working with James to help him reach his full potential. He will be a perfect fit with our program, and we believe he will excel as a student-athlete at Edgewood College.” Edgewood College is a member of the Northern Athletics Conference, competing at the NCAA Division III level. Since 2001, Edgewood College baseball has perennially been ranked as one of the top 10 teams in the Midwest Region. Thanks James! You deserve most of the credit for all the work YOU put in...Congrats!Fletch The '07 Kris Regas Watch Soux Falls Canaries (Independents Pro) Pitching Stats PITCHERW-LERAGGSCGSHOSVIPHRERHRHBBBSOWPOPPAVG Bays, Leonard 7- 1 2.88 29 3 1 1 0 68.2 50 24 22 2 1 27 73 7 .206 Casares, Kelly 3- 3 2.31 29 0 0 0 0 39.0 42 15 10 4 1 13 37 3 .261 Cheppenko, Kevin 6- 6 4.63 16 16 0 0 0 93.1 106 58 48 8 4 35 65 4 .288 Donlin, Sean 2- 2 3.86 23 0 0 0 0 44.1 45 25 19 4 4 20 45 4 .259 Ford, Ryan 6- 5 3.87 16 16 1 0 0 95.1 100 45 41 8 3 31 61 3 .266 Fuell, Jerrod 1- 1 4.34 30 0 0 0 22 29.0 35 17 14 4 0 10 31 0 .289 Garrison, Aaron 1- 2 3.68 30 0 0 0 1 44.0 43 23 18 3 1 19 38 8 .250 Landing, Jeffrey 6- 4 4.30 17 17 0 0 0 98.1 108 56 47 4 8 28 68 12 .281 Mahomes, Pat11- 3 3.22 18 18 3 1 0 125.2 134 56 45 9 0 44 105 4 .269 Posey, Micah 4- 9 5.18 16 16 1 0 0 92.0 117 73 53 7 5 37 63 6 .302 Regas, Kris 2- 2 1.56 32 0 0 0 1 40.1 39 11 7 1 3 8 51 0 .247 All Others 1- 1 7.77 7 3 0 0 0 24.1 28 23 21 2 1 15 24 1 .280 Totals 50- 39 3.91 89 6 5 24 794.1 847 426 345 56 31 287 661 52 .269 see www.americanassociationbaseball.com/ for updates Note the strikeout to walk ratio....nice job Kris!! Hardest Working Man in Baseball Written by Mike Clark, Times News Regas named to all-star team Some RailCats probably used Thursday's off day to catch up on sleep or laundry. Others might have enjoyed the beautiful late summer weather to soak up some rays.Not Kris Regas.The busiest pitcher in Northern League history spent the day on his other job, teaching three math classes at Minnesota State-Mankato.Fitting for a guy who makes the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker, and who was recognized Thursday for pitching often and well. Regas, who appeared in a league-record 56 games in his debut NL season, is the lone RailCat on the league's All-Star team selected by league officials and media. Awesome, said the 26-year-old left-hander, who went 5-2 with four saves and a 2.36 EAR. He shared the left-handed pitcher spot on the team with Luis Villareal (6-5, 2.71), who played for Joliet and Winnipeg. text/html 2006-12-13T22:59:27+01:00 http://www.fletchspen.net http://www.fletchspen.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34 Matt Gerbe liked Michigan’s Pitch and next year he will be pitching for the Wolverines. A senior at Eisenhower, Gerbe verbally committed to play at Michigan next season. He said he will sign the National Letter of Intent in November. “It feels good,” said the 6 foot 4, 185-pound Gerbe. “The coaching staff is phenomenal and the players are great to be around. And U-M is a prestigious university.” Though he is not a hard thrower, Gebe can throw three pitches – a fastball, curveball and changeup – for strikes and he has the potential to get better said Joe Fletcher, Gerbe’s private pitching coach. text/html 2005-12-01T18:00:00+01:00 http://www.fletchspen.net http://www.fletchspen.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33 Lefty replaces Roberto Hernandez on the roster PHILADELPHIA -- A player wearing a No. 75 jersey sat in the corner of the Phillies dugout, his first time in a Major League stadium for a Major League regular season game since 1997. Jim Crowell arrived after a two-hour trek from Scranton on Wednesday afternoon. His journey back to the big leagues took considerably longer. Having been released from his fourth organization, Crowell's career teetered on extinction, especially after Sept. 10, 2001, surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow. He awoke the next day and saw what was happening around the country. text/html 2006-12-03T13:33:49+01:00 http://www.fletchspen.net http://www.fletchspen.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29 PROMISING PROSPECT: Baseball preview: No. 1 player Dan Kapala. Originally Published: April 4, 2003 Once a wild unknown, Shrine's senior pitcher worked his way to a college scholarship and major league consideration The second the ball would leave Dan Kapala's hand, Royal Oak Shrine coach Matt Riggins would think of pitchers out of those funny baseball movies. Remember the movie 'Major League,' and the character Wild Thing? Riggins said. That was Danny. It was classic 'Bull Durham' when the guy hit the bull with a pitch. Back then, the Knights' right-hander was more of a danger on the mound than a staff ace. But Riggins can laugh now, because Kapala has much more control of his fastball as a senior than he did as a sophomore. And Kapala, who throws in the low 90-m.p.h. range, might be laughing his way to a major league contract. Before last summer, Kapala, 6-feet-4 1/2 and 197 pounds, was virtually unheard of among pro scouts and college coaches. But when Kapala traveled to play in summer camps, including ones in Arizona and Tennessee, he pitched well enough -- and threw hard enough -- to interest scouts and college coaches alike. Then his showing at Notre Dame's fall camp won Kapala a scholarship from the Irish. What started last summer has continued this spring as scouts flock to see Kapala. Last Saturday, when Kapala pitched in a doubleheader against Allen Park Cabrini, at least five scouts were there to see him. If the scouts are correct, come June and the amateur draft, Kapala will have to decide whether to honor his commitment to Notre Dame or sign a pro contract. I think Dan's grown into his arm, said Riggins, a first baseman at Michigan State in 1993-96. He's put in his time and worked really hard to get to where he's at. When I first saw him as a sophomore he was probably throwing 85. His mechanics have gotten so much better. And his strength has gotten better and he's only 17 years old. Hard work changed Kapala from a wild thing to a sure thing and made him what he is today, the Free Press' No. 1 prospect in the state. The transformation began three years ago. After suffering two broken bones in his left arm when a runner slid into him as Kapala covered home plate, he spent the summer of 2000 throwing in his parents' backyard. When I broke my arm I would go out to this little bullpen that I had set up and just throw the balls as hard as I could, Kapala said. All the time I was growing up, people told me that I wasn't a pitcher and that I should forget about that. So I was having fun just throwing the baseball and it didn't bother me where it went. Then I got on the mound and I carried over the same attitude, where I was going to throw really hard. I just threw fastballs, and I've gone nine innings since against good teams using only a fastball. I just thought that I'll throw the ball as fast as I can, see what happens, and kids couldn't hit. Granted, back in my sophomore year I had some walks and whatnot, but nobody hit it. Then when I realized that I could be good at this pitching thing, I wanted to work at this. Last season, Kapala, who has a 3.7 grade-point average, was 9-2 with an 0.41 ERA. He allowed only 19 hits in 68 2/3 innings and had 122 strikeouts and only 38 walks. The kid's got the liveliest arm I've ever seen, Riggins said. It's the loosest and most explosive arm. He plays rightfield when he's not pitching and if the ball is hit sharply to him, he's going to throw you out at first. He did it several times last year. Kapala's strength also impressed Notre Dame coach Paul Mainieri. Dan stood out at our fall camp with his arm strength and deceptiveness, Mainieri said. His low arm angle produces enormous movement and sink, making his fastball very difficult to hit. But that unorthodox arm angle has baseball analysts split on Kapala's potential. Some coaches and scouts like his arm-whip motion and have compared it with those of Kevin Brown of the Los Angeles Dodgers and former big leaguer Dennis Eckersley. But other scouts think Kapala will flame out, because they say his delivery puts too much pressure on his shoulder and elbow. He has command of two pitches -- a fastball and a slider -- and is working on a change-up. Last July, Kapala solicited the help of former Michigan State pitching coach Joe Fletcher, who operates a pitching academy near Kalamazoo. Kapala, who was an All-Catholic end as a junior, gave up football to concentrate on pitching. Dan was as a mechanical disaster, Fletcher said. With all of that leverage and the length of his arms and that body it looked like he was just going to tear. I started breaking his motion down and got him to use some simple laws of physics when he throws. If I were to put a number on his mechanics now, I would say he's at an 8 out of 10. He still has some work ahead of him, but it's because he's so tall that it's hard for guys like him with all of that violence, to keep everything perfect. Still, he's improving every day. Fletcher is a disciple of former major leaguer Tom House, who was Nolan Ryan's pitching coach with the Texas Rangers and has authored a number of books on conditioning, mechanics and psychology for pitchers. Kapala has benefited from Fletcher and House's advice. Tom has worked with top surgeons in America on this and the conclusion they've arrived at is that so long as your arm angle is natural, and you take care of your arm and your mechanics are proper, you're not going to have any problems, Kapala said. Joe has done wonders with my delivery and cleaning it up and getting me to use my body more, which takes the stress off my arm, so now when I throw there is virtually no stress on my arm. Now only opponents are potential sources of stress. Last Saturday, Cabrini swept a season-opening doubleheader against Shrine, 9-0 and 5-1. Kapala took the loss in the second game. Cabrini also was a source of disappointment for Kapala two seasons ago in the Catholic League championships at Comerica Park, beating the Knights, 7-0, in the C-D final. Kapala, who started in rightfield, threw three pitches in late relief. I'm not going to make any guarantees or anything, Kapala said, but I have confidence that we're going to win in Comerica Park this year. Contact BILL ROOSE at 313-223-4413 or roose@freepress.com (mailto:roose@freepress.com). text/html 2006-12-03T13:58:20+01:00 http://www.fletchspen.net http://www.fletchspen.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=28 These RailCats are proof that baseball is a thinking man's game Kris Regas knows how some people look at guys who play a kid's game for a living. There's the 'dumb jock' stereotype, said Regas, who's having a standout season in the RailCats' bullpen. You see people that get surprised when they find out. 'Oh, you've got a master's degree? What are you talking about?' I guess it's kind of cool to have a stereotype and be able to knock it down. Regas wrapped up his master's earlier this year at Minnesota State University-Mankato, where he's snagged a one-year appointment to teach math this offseason. He's one of several RailCats who knock down the idea that baseball players' interests don't go much past the sports page.