Wow! FREE Shipping....

To celebrate our country's Independance Day I am offering FREE shipping on ALL orders throughout the holiday weekend...

When I told my girlfriend Tina I was going to do this, she asked me if I wanted to go bankrupt! I told her my loyal readers (yes, that means you!) deserved this great gift...

So I am offering FREE shipping on all orders starting right now (It's 1:01 AM EST on Friday June 30th as I type this). Now is the the time to get those products you've had your eye on...

Don't delay because I can only keep this very generous offer up for so long because I really will go bankrupt if I go overboard with this...At most this offer will be good through the weekend...

Click Here to go to My Products page now!!!

I will pull this offer as soon as I come to my senses!!

Front Squat

The front squat is one of the most underused and overlooked exercises a baseball player can do...

This exercise can drastically improve strength, speed, power and endurance while increasing wrist, shoulder and back flexibility!








In the movement the bar, sits in the “rack” position as it rests on collarbone / shoulder region. The lifter may in fact allow their hands to open yet have total control of the bar. The elbows turn under the bar, basically with the upper arm parallel to the ground and the torso stays taunt and firm. The feet are spaced roughly shoulder-width apart and turned out slightly. Drop into the squat by pushing the butt back into a full rock-bottom squat then push drive up and thru the ground.

Forget everything you have heard about suqts being bad for the knees...that is nothing but a lie. Squatting, done correctly as explained above, will actually bullet-proof your knees (and body) so injury isn't an issue.

For complete exercise descriptions and everything you have ever wanted to know about baseball training click here now for a manual only available to my blog readers and newsletter subscribers...

You Can Now Contribute!

You are now allowed to reply to my blogs...Blog away!!

Rotational Strength Secret

As a baseball player, a large goal is to increase rotational strength, speed and power and covert that newfound ability into your swing, throw and run. Many try to do this but are woefully unsuccessful in their attempt.

One reason is rotational development is only performed to the players strong side. For example right handed hitters only swing right handed (hundreds of times per day)and do not focus on balancing out rotational development in the gym. This is a monumental mistake.

All hitters and throwers should perform swings or throw for their non-hitting/throwing side. Your body wants to be in balance and if there is a strength or range of motion imbalance...and there is in 99% of all baseball players...the body will not be able to realize it's full potential...EVER!

So for every 100 swings or throw you make right handed (assuming your a righty) take 10 or so swing left handed and focus on specific drills that increase strength, speed, power and range of motion during your workouts.

These "opposite" swings or throws do not have to be done full speed or very hard. But taking th ebody through the motion will go a long way in athletic development and injury prevention.

One reason I decided to release Unbreakable Abs: The Ultimate Guide to Baseball-Specific Core Development was to teach players how to get the most out of their bodies, no matter how athletic, or unathletic, they are. To learn more about Unbreakable Abs click here.

National Champs

Congrats goes out to Oregon State University for their win tonight, making them the 2006 NCAA D1 National Champions.

Great game that came down to the last batter. A heartfelt loss for North Carolina, who should also be congratulated for an amazing season.

Looking forward to 2007!

Long Tee Work

Most tee and soft toss work is done hitting into a net or fence.

While this is certainly OK, you should also perform hitting drills where you hit into a net or fence 20-30 feet away.

This will give you a better idea of where your mechanics are and if you are doing anything incorrectly (i.e. pulling off the ball).

You can do this to all fields and practice different situations.

Just make sure you have a bucket of balls near the tee so you don't have to chase the ball after every swing!

Enjoy your weekend!

Steal More Bases

Base stealing is a lost art these days.

Here are 3 quick tips that you apply immediately to cut a few tenths off your time and allow you to steal bags in your sleep...

1. Get as big of a lead as possible. If you aren't getting your uniform dirty you aren't leading far enough

2. Get momentum (walking lead). You should be getting a walking lead so when the picther goes to the plate all of your momentum is going towards second.

3. Stay low. Most players actually start to stand up when they take off for second. Keep your body position forward and stay low to the ground with long strides.

Winning Breakfast

Everyone knows they should eat a great breakfast. So why don't they? Who know there are a million excuses.

Here is a great breakfast that will enhance performance and the mind...

2 whole organic eggs
2 organic egg whites
1/2 cup blueberries
1 apple sliced

water w/ lemon

Don't have time? I don't want to hear it. Go to bed 10 minutes earlier and make time!

New Article

Hello everyone...There is a new article posted on my website, BaseballTrainingSecrets.com.

It's called "The Top 10 Bonehead Workout Mistakes"

You can read the article by Clicking Here...

Enjoy!

Father's Day Special...

My father has supported me my entire life. From the first day he asked me to play Little League (can you believe I said no!) to him traveling around the country watching me play in high school, American Legion and NCAA. In my entire life he has only missed 3 or 4 games! So this Father's day is dedicated to him...Thanks Dad!

To celebrate Father's Day I am offering two great gifts only to my
valued newsletter subscribers:

1. FREE Shipping on every order over $50 this weekend. The special starts at 12:01 AM Friday June 16th and ends at 11:59 PM Sunday June 18th!

This is your chance to get that program you have had your eye on rushed to your doorstep on my dime. You should go now and get the program you want...Click Here For My Products Page.

2. FREE Shipping & FREE DVD for every order over $100! I will send one of three DVD's absolutely FREE with every order over $100! Choose from Rotator Cuff FIX, Speed or Rotational Training. Simply name which DVD you want in the "Comments" Box on the order form...It's that easy!

I'm in a particularly good mood as of late and this is certainly no exception!

Note: These are first come first serve. While you can request which one you want, I only have a limited amount of each. So to be sure you get the DVD you want. So don't delay and go to my products page now...Click Here For My Products Page.

3. I am about to take away the special on my new book "Diamonds". I will guarantee this offer good through Sunday night, but I will take it down soon after that. It is still not available on my website, only to you by Clicking Here To Learn About Diamonds.

There has never been a better time than now to get ahold of the world's best baseball training information...

Interesting Home Run Viewpoint...

Every now and then I come across a viewpoint that I may not agree totally with, but I feel it is important that you check it out for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

It is written by Arthur Devany, who is a very, very smart man.

Let me just warn you this is a 46 page essay on his home run theory. So if you are really interested in the subject give it a look.

Click Here To Access the Adobe PDF File

How Pitchers Really Throw Cheddar...

As you all know I had a special "contest" yesterday for anyone who watched the Red Sox/Twins match up. The pitching duel lived up to it's hype going 12 innings. Schilling and Santana bith brough their "A" game.

And the winner of our contest is...Phillip Griffith! Phillip will receive a FREE set of my 6-DVD Power/Speed Development Series! A $97 value!!!

Phillip said in his email...

"Johan and Curt both rely on the same biomechanics that all power pitchers do. The ability to use rotational strength to form a whip like action with the arm. In order to do so, pitchers such as Schilling and Santana open their hips before their shoulders. The shoulders then rotate last as the arm comes around forming the whip action. Attatched is a picture of Casey Fossum opening his hips while still keeping his shoulders closed."

The picture above of Fossum is the one Phillip sent along and proves to be a great snapshot of how pro picthers generate their power.

I received so many great responses that I just had pick a runner-up. So the runner-up, and winner of a FREE copy of my brand-new unreleased DVD titled "SPEED" ($40 Value), is...Greg Mitro!

Greg said in his email...

"They generate power and force by loading up on their back leg, having strong legs and core, and using their arm as a whip to produce power."

Thank you to everyone who entered. I am positive everyone learned a great deal about pitching...or at least refreshed some very important points.

You never know when I am going to come up with a great contest so be sure to check my blog everyday!

Stay tuned for an AWESOME Father's Day special I will announce early Friday morning...

Watch Tonight...And Instantly Increase Velocity!

I want you to watch the Red Sox vs. Twins tonight if you can access the game.

Curt Schilling and Johan Santana are throwing and I want you to watch how each of them generates power and force behind their fatsball. While it may look different to the naked eye, it is very very similar.

This is an important lesson on how to make the most of what you have. If you can take what you learn tonight and translate it over to your own mechanics you will instantly increase your velocity.

If you can't watch the game try and catch as many of the highlights as you can...

After the game email me by clicking here. I will pick one lucky winner who provides a good description of what these two stars pitchers do to generate force and send them a FREE set of my 6 DVD Power/Speed Development series!

6 DVD's just for sending an email...wow, I'm generous! Again, the FREE set will go one lucky winner...

Seriously, just a little incentive to force you to learn a great deal about how the human body works...

Rice Bucket

Here is a simple, yet very effective grip and forearm strengthening exercise.

1. Get a bucket. A bucket that baseball are kept in is fine.

2. Fill 3/4 with rice.

3. Dig your hand down, alternating between inwards and outwards rotation, grab a handfull of rice and squeeze as hard as you can for 5 seconds.

4. Repeat 10 times.

5. Perform with opposite hand.

This is awesome. If you haven't tried it, get your rice bucket now!

Forgotten Arm Strengthening Method

Arm strength is all the buzz these days. The lucky ones who were born with it can receive millions of dollars just for having this critical talent. As you very well know, it's one of the 5 tools scouts look for in a position player and even more important (in scouts eyes) for pitchers.

What if I told you there was a method that you can use to increase your arm strength AND endurance drastically? What If I told you it didn't take any special equipment?

In fact, it can be done with a ball, a glove and some space.

I'm sure you want to know the answer. Chances are you have done this at one point in your baseball playing career andmay even be doing it now.

Ok, Ok tell me already!!!

The secret you ask?...LONG TOSS

Sure everyone knows they should long toss, but hardly anyone does it.

For an arm that fires bullets and simply won't quit you should long toss year round. In the off-season 2-3 long-toss sessions per week is the correct amount for most.

In-season 1-2 sessions is typically the best option for most.

A few rules of long toss...

1. Work on mechanics. Every throw should be quality. Further reinforcing proper throwing patterns.

2. Get "On Top of The Ball". Throw line drives not pop-ups.

3. Long Toss consistantly

4. Long Toss year round.

Very simple, yet very effective. No excuses, just get out and start throwing!

*REMINDER*...I am about to pull my special offer (and awesome FREE bonus you can't afford to miss) on my new manual "Diamonds." If you have not taken advantage of this awesome deal do so by clicking here now before I take it down. This offer will be over by the end of this weekend at the latest...go now!!

And The Winner Is...

Christopher McMillan of Seattle, Washington. Christopher was the only person to correctly guess the first 3 picks of this year's 2006 MLB draft. That is some feat considering there were 1,237 entries! For his efforts Christopher gets a FREE 3 months of program design based upon his goals. That is a $500 value!

Considering only 1 person guessed correctly, I just had to give more away! So I randomly selected 3 entries for my runner up prize of 1 month Unlimited Email Access. I will answer any and all questions for these three lucky winners for 1 month...free of charge! A $200 value! These winners have been notified by email.

$1100 in total prizes...Not bad for a random Monday contest! That's just one reason why you should read my blog everyday!

Heavier Bat?

Back in the day ball player took pride in the of their bats. Where do you think the phrase "He walks tall and carries a big stick" comes from?

These days everyone is focused on bat speed. To get there they use a lighter bat.

While you should be focused on bat speed do not make the mistake of using a bat that is too light in weight. I see this mistake made everyday.

How many times have you hit a ball very solid and were disappointed with the lack of distance? Chances are more than once. And I'm sure you have seen the same from your teammates and opponents.

Your goal should be to use as heavy a bat as you can while keeping your mechanics. This obviously includes bat speed. As long as you can get around on a great fastball your bat isn't "too heavy."

Here's how you should increase the weight of your bat without messing up your mechanics.

During your tee work, soft toss and BP use a wood bat (you should never use a metal bat except in BP before a game and during actual game competition) that is 1 ounce heavier than your game metal bat.

This will get you used to swining a heavier bat. Not to mention the other great benefits a wood bat provides.

After a few months of doing this start using a wood bat two ounces heavier than your game bat. So If you are using a 22 ounce bat use a 24 ounce wood bat. If you use a 30 ounces game metal bat get ahold of a 32 ounce wood bat.

Finally, after another 6-10 weeks of the plus two wood bat, get a plus three wood bat. Once you gain some comfort with that you are ready to make the jump up an ounce in your game used metal bat.

What will this do? If you can swing a heavier bat and make the same contact you will hit the ball harder and farther than you would with the lighter bat. A significant amount.

Take a look at Alfonso Soriano. He uses a very heavy bat in relation to his weight. But he has the ability to whip it around and he rakes the ball a ton.

New Baseball Training Manual!

To celebrate the MLB Draft, I am releasing my Brand-New Baseball Training Manual titled "Diamonds"

I wrote this along with John Davies and Darren Nicholson. Many of our collegues are saying this is the finest book ever written on baseball training!

This book is 105 pages of pure meat and potatoes! Here is the outline...

Introduction
Chapter 1 Training Theory & Application
Chapter 2 Range of Motion
Chapter 3 GPP
Chapter 4 Theory of Resistance Training
Chapter 5 Unique Strength Training Modalities for Baseball
Rotational Training
Wrist / Forearm Power
Shoulder Capsule Training
Trunk Postural Isometric holds
Chapter 6 Resistance Training Protocols
Chapter 7 Agility
Chapter 8 Linear Speed

6 Essays on the Game from Jon Doyle and Darren Nicholson

with extra coaching tips throughout the book by Jon Doyle, Grant Hansen, Jim Massaro, Darren Nicholson and Mike Ranfone.

I am offering a very special deal to readers of my blog and newsletter. If you check my website there is no sign of "Diamonds" anywhere. This is because I am holding out a few days and only offering this deal (along with an awesome bonus!) to my loyal readers.

Click here to learn more about "Diamonds" and get your copy today!

Don't delay as I am going to pull this offer in a very short period of time...

Contest!

Anyone who correctly predicts and sends me the top 3 selections in Tuesday's MLB draft will receive FREE prize from me worth $200!

That's right. Simply send me your top three selections. If they are correct you will receieve this FREE gift from me.

HINT: It involves personal interaction with yours truly!!

I must receive the email by 9 AM Tuesday June 7th.

Click here to email me

Real Shoulder Strength

When you heartalk about a pitcher and his shoulder, most often you hear the phrase "Rotator Cuff"." WE all know how importantthe rotator cuff is to performance and health.

However, what is rarely talked about are the scapular muscles of the upper back.

Try this right now. Sit upright with good posture (chest high, eyes looking straight). Now reall pinch your shoulder blades together. Be careful not to shrug. These are the scapular muscles working. See how long you can hold this position. Chances are not very long. This means your posture is not where it needs to be, along with your scapular strength.

Without proper posture and scapular strength you are losing serious velocity off of your fastball. In addition you are setting yourself up for a serious injury.

But, I have great news...The best part about this is that it can be fixed quickly and easily. In as little as 7 minutes a day!

I cover it in extreme depth in my Rotator Cuff/Scapula/Shoulder DVD. Check it out by clicking here.

I'm Begging You...Leave The Batter Alone!

Many good natured coaches with nothing but the best intentions end up doing more harm than good when a batter is batting.

Considering the batter has between .4 and .8 seconds to see the ball, recognize the pitch and location, decide if he/she should swing and then put a good swing on the ball, the last thing a coach, player or parent should yell is hitting advice.

"Keep Your Weight Back!", "Swing Down!", "Keep Your Eyes On The Ball", and "Shift Your Weight Bacl!" can be heard at any game. Again, this si done with nothing but the best intentions but will cause the batter to think far too much.

Once the hitter is in the batter's box nothing can be done. If you haven't prepared (hitting practice, weight training, mental training) then all you can do is pray. It's like never attending class and showing up for the final without any notes. You better hope it's multiple choice!

Again, cheer all you want. Scream incouraging comments that reinforce confidence such as "Stay Hot Jonny" and "Nobody's Better" but please don't yell hitting advice. There is a time and place for everything. The batter's box is not that time or place for hitting instruction.