I agree with Matt. Kids should be allowed to play whatever sport they want to play. I know plenty of kids who play baseball ALL THE TIME and still can't throw or hit. Yet I've seen kids who have only played a bit with their dads at the park and are way ahead of their peers in terms of raw talent. Parents don't like to hear this but your kid either has it, or he doesn't. Period.
Good video. This was terrific advice for parents and kids as well. I'm afraid concentrating on one sport in childhood could lead to a burned out player who loses interest in a game he no longer considers fun.
Hey Matt, your videos are great! The year you played with the Padres in the majors they went 63-99, last place in the NL West and never really in contention... I've always wondered what it's like going through the grind and playing these games day in and day out knowing your team doesn't stand a chance. How do you still celebrate home runs or walk off wins? If you could shed some light on this or make a video I think it would be really interesting!
That is the same as my team, I feel like you're arm deserves at least 1 month off a year. You played hockey? Wow I did too but I'm playing less competitive hockey now so I can focus more on my baseball, I'm a goalie now, to help my catching. Love your videos I think you actually understand things like this more than others. We need more people like you.
Demetrio Torres my state is a wood only state meaning we can not use metal in high school. I reccomend you use metal so you can stand out more from your teamates to colleges and you'll only have to adjust to wood if you get drafted. But if you hit better with wood go for it
As a family doctor with an interest in sports medicine I can tell you that medical research shows kids shouldn’t specialize in one sport. Multiple studies have shown kids burn out of sports at a higher rate when they specialize. They also have higher injury rates (especially overuse injuries). Multiple sports develop different muscle groups, movements etc that make better athletes in general. Athletes are statistically more likely to play at higher levels if they do not specialize.
In a sports literature class i took i read that kids/students that specialized in 1 sport often didnt play at the collegiate level or higher but kids/students who played multiple sports more often than not played at the collegiate level or higher. i dont remember the percentages but they r pretty significant difference
What's the uniform protocol like in the big leagues? How do you get outfitted/provided with jerseys/caps/etc. and what are your thoughts on alternate/special event unis?
Honestly you don't really need to play for a big team...none of the coaches on the big teams got through to me...sometimes you feel like a check...u feel like you are not learning anything...I found success on a smaller team...good luck man
I wish my son wanted to play other sports. He just turned 9 and we’ve put him in soccer and basketball before, but he’s just doesn’t like them. So he’s playing fall ball for a good club here in the SF Bay Area. Maybe as he gets older he’ll get into other sports. For me, soccer was huge for my baseball footwork and speed.
Do you check grades of players? Not every player will play college ball much less beyond that. Also, what is a good base to charge for club (travel) ball?
We don't check before they make our team, but we need to know in order to help them if they want to play college. And it really depends on the age. Most teams I see are $2,500 - $3,500 for high school aged. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Do more of these everyday baseball question videos instead of just answering questions about your MLB career and your time there. Think it will help grow your channel faster to appeal to the younger audiences.
So last year as a freshmen I worked on baseball the whole year. My school started lifting and conditioning in October and I showed up to everyone of those sessions. My teachers who've talked to the varsity coach say he speaks very highly of me because of my work ethic and attentiveness. I'm a left handed pitcher and I made the JV team that year. Next year 5 spots open up on varsity and they have no left handed upperclassmen pitchers. If I want a spot as one of those pitchers what should I work on the most, velocity or good off-speed and control?
Patrick McBirney depends on your weakness. If you sit 85 but walk 5 guys a game I'd work on control, but if you're sitting 75 but hit your spots with ease work more on velocity.
The problem I saw in some high school and travel ball programs is a lot of these coaches give these kids an ultimatum. Like you said in the fall and winter, you played in fall games/attended winter workouts when you could, unfortunately a lot of coaches won't have that. They make kids 100% choose baseball or they can't be on the team, which sucks. That's how the first high school I played for like. Hell, this one poor guy needed to have a job to help his family, so he couldn't make every practice, so the dickhead varsity coach essentially kicked him off the team for not "committing to the program" What is ironic is that high school team sucked, and the higher level travel team I played on, did the opposite, they encouraged us to play other sports and have summer jobs!
Kids should play other sports. I had a basketball scholarship going into my senior year of high school. So I chose to skip playing football and baseball senior year. Looking back now I regret it. I thought it was a good decision to protect my body for basketball but I now regret not playing my other two sports senior year.
Hahaha.... I played football last year and I injured my shoulder and was out all of this year 😂 Also everyone one our football team is a jerk. So.... just baseball for me! What was it like playing against your favorite team?
Mateo Gonzales Oh ok. That's good. Means I didn't tear it, I can throw a ball. But like 10min after practice it hurts soooo much. Like it's not just sore. It's way worse. Idk what it it
3B Don't blindly trust opinions on the internet. Go to a doctor. You should probably start doing some sort of throwers program to strengthen your rotator cuff.
Do pitchers have to be able to run fast ? I hear athleticism all the time, (I am a switch pitcher 13 yo. 5ft 6 inches 140 lbs ) I'm not "fat" or anything I just can't naturally run fast. I am just wondering if my running speed would effect anything with my pitching, thanks 🙏🏻. Anyone please tell me if they know !!!
Lavar Ball I don't know what Matt would say but I know that when I was that age I was pretty fast but what really matters more is leg strength more than running.
I agree with you 100%... these guys encouraging kids to play one sport are only looking out for themselves and to make money... it’s a racket that needs to be governed
Anthony Capogna baseball can only get you around 40% on a scholarship and good grades could get you more, if you have really great grades you could up to 90% and even a fullride.
You shouldn't because you are only working certain parts of your body and if you only do one sport you will become more injury prone than if you did more than one sport so you use more parts of your body and you won't get injured as easily
Tyler Baillie Ya your only using one part of your body, but that's the part of your body that is necessary for the sport. If you play year-round, you won't be more likely to get hurt because it's still the same. Your still using the same parts of you body you would during the season. Playing in the winter and during the season doesn't change the chance of injury
As a ball player im very superstitious (mind you in every day life im not) What were your superstitions if you had any and what were some of the superstitions ypu saw from other players throughout your career?
Hey Matt I just made a video of me pitching and it's on my channel and I was wondering if you could check it out and give me any advice? Anybody else feel free to comment as well!
at the NFL Draft this year 90% of 1st round picks, were multi sport athletes in HS
We’ve started having this debate in my family, so thank you for the video and the good advice.
I agree with Matt. Kids should be allowed to play whatever sport they want to play. I know plenty of kids who play baseball ALL THE TIME and still can't throw or hit. Yet I've seen kids who have only played a bit with their dads at the park and are way ahead of their peers in terms of raw talent. Parents don't like to hear this but your kid either has it, or he doesn't. Period.
Thanks!!!
Good video. This was terrific advice for parents and kids as well. I'm afraid concentrating on one sport in childhood could lead to a burned out player who loses interest in a game he no longer considers fun.
Hey Matt, your videos are great! The year you played with the Padres in the majors they went 63-99, last place in the NL West and never really in contention... I've always wondered what it's like going through the grind and playing these games day in and day out knowing your team doesn't stand a chance. How do you still celebrate home runs or walk off wins? If you could shed some light on this or make a video I think it would be really interesting!
That is the same as my team, I feel like you're arm deserves at least 1 month off a year. You played hockey? Wow I did too but I'm playing less competitive hockey now so I can focus more on my baseball, I'm a goalie now, to help my catching. Love your videos I think you actually understand things like this more than others. We need more people like you.
Thanks so much!!!
Do a vid on if it is benifitial to use metal or wood in hs
agreed, I like the wood bat but I don't know which to use.
Demetrio Torres my state is a wood only state meaning we can not use metal in high school. I reccomend you use metal so you can stand out more from your teamates to colleges and you'll only have to adjust to wood if you get drafted. But if you hit better with wood go for it
As a family doctor with an interest in sports medicine I can tell you that medical research shows kids shouldn’t specialize in one sport. Multiple studies have shown kids burn out of sports at a higher rate when they specialize. They also have higher injury rates (especially overuse injuries). Multiple sports develop different muscle groups, movements etc that make better athletes in general. Athletes are statistically more likely to play at higher levels if they do not specialize.
In a sports literature class i took i read that kids/students that specialized in 1 sport often didnt play at the collegiate level or higher but kids/students who played multiple sports more often than not played at the collegiate level or higher. i dont remember the percentages but they r pretty significant difference
Great video! Kids need to hear it, from someone that's been there. Thanks
What's the uniform protocol like in the big leagues? How do you get outfitted/provided with jerseys/caps/etc. and what are your thoughts on alternate/special event unis?
I truly appreciate your input on this.
Thanks!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
My parents cant afford to let me play with the big teams? what should i do about that?
Luke Lecker don't worry about playing on big teams. If you're good enough you'll get scouted in high school.
that's kind of what i expected, its just you learn more from better coaches if you play at a big level when you younger
Honestly you don't really need to play for a big team...none of the coaches on the big teams got through to me...sometimes you feel like a check...u feel like you are not learning anything...I found success on a smaller team...good luck man
The only thing those leagues teach kids is how to write a check.
When do you you have practice in the MLB when do you and your coach make a game plan for a certain pitcher
Does golf affect your baseball swing
Adam Levine it did for me...screwed me all up
UphillCube3 No, your baseball swing screws up your golf swing. Look it up if you dont believe me
Adam Levine for me, my baseball swing was screwed.
Adam Levine I golf all summer while playing baseball and both of my swings go uneffected
Ben DeKruyf The consensus here should be that it affects people in different ways, or doesn't effect people at all
Do the players do any celebration in the clubhouse when it's one of their birthdays?
best way to get recruited from a juco? i'm looking to move on to a bigger school
I wish my son wanted to play other sports. He just turned 9 and we’ve put him in soccer and basketball before, but he’s just doesn’t like them. So he’s playing fall ball for a good club here in the SF Bay Area. Maybe as he gets older he’ll get into other sports. For me, soccer was huge for my baseball footwork and speed.
Do you check grades of players? Not every player will play college ball much less beyond that.
Also, what is a good base to charge for club (travel) ball?
We don't check before they make our team, but we need to know in order to help them if they want to play college. And it really depends on the age. Most teams I see are $2,500 - $3,500 for high school aged. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Do more of these everyday baseball question videos instead of just answering questions about your MLB career and your time there. Think it will help grow your channel faster to appeal to the younger audiences.
I don't even play baseball but in every sport... You need time to rest... A college coach said to rest for 1-3 months a year (basketball wise)
Pretty cool to see an American that played hockey.
Haha yeah!!! Thanks for watching!
So last year as a freshmen I worked on baseball the whole year. My school started lifting and conditioning in October and I showed up to everyone of those sessions. My teachers who've talked to the varsity coach say he speaks very highly of me because of my work ethic and attentiveness. I'm a left handed pitcher and I made the JV team that year. Next year 5 spots open up on varsity and they have no left handed upperclassmen pitchers. If I want a spot as one of those pitchers what should I work on the most, velocity or good off-speed and control?
Patrick McBirney depends on your weakness. If you sit 85 but walk 5 guys a game I'd work on control, but if you're sitting 75 but hit your spots with ease work more on velocity.
Patrick McBirney control and offspeed, lifting helps out velocity already pretty well
What's it like being a highschool ⭐️
Matt, what other sports does your son play?
The problem I saw in some high school and travel ball programs is a lot of these coaches give these kids an ultimatum. Like you said in the fall and winter, you played in fall games/attended winter workouts when you could, unfortunately a lot of coaches won't have that. They make kids 100% choose baseball or they can't be on the team, which sucks. That's how the first high school I played for like. Hell, this one poor guy needed to have a job to help his family, so he couldn't make every practice, so the dickhead varsity coach essentially kicked him off the team for not "committing to the program"
What is ironic is that high school team sucked, and the higher level travel team I played on, did the opposite, they encouraged us to play other sports and have summer jobs!
what's the deal with agents and finding/getting an agent?
what sized bat do most players use?
Kids should play other sports. I had a basketball scholarship going into my senior year of high school. So I chose to skip playing football and baseball senior year. Looking back now I regret it. I thought it was a good decision to protect my body for basketball but I now regret not playing my other two sports senior year.
How to rehab a back injury??
Tennis players make good Infielders, as they have quick feet and strong arms.
how is it like hitting a walk off
How do you get endorsements in the MLB?
Hahaha.... I played football last year and I injured my shoulder and was out all of this year 😂
Also everyone one our football team is a jerk. So.... just baseball for me!
What was it like playing against your favorite team?
Do you think getting a job and playing baseball at a high level in high school is possible?
If you only work the weekends and want no social life, yea.
I think I tore my rotator cuff but my highschool tryouts are coming soon. Should I play through it?
Oh hell No if you tore you rotator cuff you couldn't throw a baseball
hell no, you're young get it fixed
Mateo Gonzales Oh ok. That's good. Means I didn't tear it, I can throw a ball. But like 10min after practice it hurts soooo much. Like it's not just sore. It's way worse. Idk what it it
3B Don't blindly trust opinions on the internet. Go to a doctor. You should probably start doing some sort of throwers program to strengthen your rotator cuff.
And year round swim
Were big crowds scary
I play 11 months of Ct bombers baseball
Do pitchers have to be able to run fast ? I hear athleticism all the time, (I am a switch pitcher 13 yo. 5ft 6 inches 140 lbs ) I'm not "fat" or anything I just can't naturally run fast. I am just wondering if my running speed would effect anything with my pitching, thanks 🙏🏻. Anyone please tell me if they know !!!
Lavar Ball I don't know what Matt would say but I know that when I was that age I was pretty fast but what really matters more is leg strength more than running.
Lavar Ball ^ leg strength is key to pitching faster and you will eventually get faster too
Flexibility is key to speed. Stride is what i mean
I agree with you 100%... these guys encouraging kids to play one sport are only looking out for themselves and to make money... it’s a racket that needs to be governed
In Dominican Republic you play the whole year, when you are young including at least your first three years on the big league
I play 14u travelball and if your serious about baseball then play year round
Does your academics mean anything when getting scouted? Ps love your videos
Anthony Capogna it helps to have good grades
Anthony Capogna baseball can only get you around 40% on a scholarship and good grades could get you more, if you have really great grades you could up to 90% and even a fullride.
Cristiaan Aguilar thanks for replying
Why do runners always step on the first base bag even if they are out by a mile?
Evan Turner respect 90
Evan Turner just in case, the first baseman could get pulled off the bag and you can appeal the call and get it reversed
And it's a hustle thing to...
and don't your coaches tell you run through the bag!
Have u ever got ejected
You shouldn't because you are only working certain parts of your body and if you only do one sport you will become more injury prone than if you did more than one sport so you use more parts of your body and you won't get injured as easily
But you should do baseball just not year round maybe spring ball summer ball
Tyler Baillie Ya your only using one part of your body, but that's the part of your body that is necessary for the sport. If you play year-round, you won't be more likely to get hurt because it's still the same. Your still using the same parts of you body you would during the season. Playing in the winter and during the season doesn't change the chance of injury
I know SOOO many people who arnt burnt out on baseball and just simply quit. I agree with you.
I played baseball year round due to the fact my parents said I didn't have size for football, and I really didn't care for basketball.
jason watson what r u doing now?gaining size for football is rlly easy
Get closer to the camera and add some lighting
Just like your cover photo for videos
I play travel
As a ball player im very superstitious (mind you in every day life im not)
What were your superstitions if you had any and what were some of the superstitions ypu saw from other players throughout your career?
where you good at hockey
what happens after you get ejected
cjoman1000 you go to the locker room and you can't go into the dugout/field till the end of the game
Walk up music
Greg Fisher he put a video up on that
Hey Matt I just made a video of me pitching and it's on my channel and I was wondering if you could check it out and give me any advice? Anybody else feel free to comment as well!
First
NOO! You shouldn't
Football is a much more exciting sport. What positions did you play in football?
First