Showing up to The Show: Tony Wolter’s Call Up

During the last couple days of spring training I got called in to meetings with the Indians management. Needless to say, you are always nervous when that happens. I knew the Indians were big on me, so what could it be about? Well, Tito (Terry Francona, the manager of the big league club), saw something in me. He felt that I had the body and actions of a catcher. And while all in the room felt I could be a really good infIelder, they felt I had the chance to become an All-Star catcher. And, with my versatility in positions that I could play in the field, I would be able to get to the “Show” faster.

Needless to say, this caught me off guard. I would have to start over in a new fielding position I haven’t played since Little League and two games in high school. But, I really respect what Tito has to say. Come on…the guy is a great manager and has something I would love to have with the Indians: a World Series ring. After taking a couple of days to talk it over with my agent and with my parents, I decided to go for it.

Instead of heading out of camp to start the season at AA Akron, I was off to Carolina again to DH for a couple of weeks and to catch bullpen. After those two weeks, I headed back to Goodyear, Arizona, our spring training home, for ten days of extended spring training.

3.5 weeks in to what would normally be my regular season, I headed to Cleveland for 2 days. It was amazing. I hung with the big league team and worked on my catching with Sandy Alomar (a great catcher with the Tribe in the 90s) and with Kevin Cash, the Indians bullpen coach. We worked on my stance, I got a bunch of catching tips, and, equally as important, it further validated that the Indians were behind me.

For those two days at Progressive Field, I would show up and head to the clubhouse. The guys were all very cool and I got to share a locker with Carlos Santana. I started my day working out at the stadium (amazing workout room with a bunch of machines to use), then I did bullpen work (even catching Kluber’s bullpen session) and, lastly, hit in the cage.

My whirlwind tour finally was ready to settle down as I headed to Lynchburg to meet up with my Carolina teammates, who were on the road….and to play my first official game as catcher the very next day. It felt good, but I have to admit I was pretty nervous.

Moving from the field to behind the plate comes with some obvious big differences that take getting used to. First, you can see the whole field. No one is staring at my back, except for the ump and fans, or there to help cover some ground. Second, as a catcher you have to be constantly thinking. I have to know the hitters, what pitches my guy should throw, and I have to act as the field general. I’m essentially the manager on the field. Way different than playing second base where you wait to react.

In preparation for games, I still arrive at the same time as I would have when playing the infield, but now I head straight to the pitching coach to discuss how to approach the game. He and I go over each opposing hitter, deciding what our pitcher is going to throw. Strategy and scenarios are constantly running through my mind during the game.

As part of my improvement process, I’ve been watching video of some of the catchers I look up to (besides my guys with the Indians). I’ve watched Pudge, Victor Martinez and Bengie Moligna, and others. A big part of my focus is how they throw to second base. All seem to approach the position in different ways, but it’s good for me to be able to see these different approaches to help try out new techniques as I figure out what will work best for me.

To my fellow wanna-be catchers out there, here are some tips that have been shared with me and that I have learned that have helped me improve as a catcher:

– be big with your stance and show a big target to your pitcher.

– be vocal.

– be thinking ahead constantly.

– always be in a position to block the ball.

– never take a pitch off–one pitch can easily change the game.

Even my workouts have changed. I have to take it easier on my legs. Now, it’s more running and less leg squats.

Well, more to come soon. Thanks for taking the time and for allowing me to share my adventure.

-Tony

Hitting Advice from Pittsburgh Pirates’ Josh Harrison

Check out this Phoenix Bats‘ sponsored interview with Josh Harrison of the Pittsburgh Pirates on what hitting advice he would give to aspiring players! The interview is conducted by our friend, David Franco, over at NextLevelBallplayer.

Josh mentions that the most important aspect of hitting when you’re struggling is to trust your core training, practice, and swing and focus more on timing, focus, and readiness. Seems pretty simple, right!

Player Advice From Dayton Moore of the Kansas City Royals

Here is a Phoenix Bats sponsored interview video with Dayton Moore of the Kansas City Royals about general tips for all aspiring ballplayers out there. The interview was conducted by our buddy, David Franco over at NextLevelBallplayer. Using Phoenix wood bats and a team-oriented state of mind, any player can be successful at a high level with practice and determination!

The Journey of a Pro Baseball Player with Tony Wolters

Hey guys, I’m Tony Wolters, I’m from San Diego, California. I play with the Cleveland Indians Organization, middle infielder. I was drafted in 2010 out of high school in Vista, CA. I have teamed up with Phoenix Bats to give an insider prospective on the journey of a professional baseball player.

On February 10, 2013, I left for camp in Goodyear, AZ. Leaving all my family and friends was difficult but I’m looking forward to the year ahead, full of great opportunities. When I arrived in AZ I immediately started team workouts, every morning; 5:30am sharp; getting ready for the spring training games during the month ahead.

Once at the park, it’s off to grab some breakfast; definitely not your typical drive through food. Everything offered is healthy – scrambled eggs, oatmeal, turkey bacon. About the only thing closely resembling unhealthy is the waffles. With each meal you have to drink a protein shake.

After breakfast, we do our pre-workout activities. This includes stretches and time in the Jacuzzi loosening up muscles. My warm-up routine for strength training included medicine ball slams, glute activities using resistance bands, ladders and jump rope.

Team activities begin at 9 am with stretches and batting practice. We also work on ground balls and bunt defense. After completing these drills and BP, it’s off to meetings and lunch, then on to a game in the afternoon.

With spring training games in full swing, I got the opportunity to play in some big league games. The first big league spring training game, I was excited and nervous, but as the game progressed, I wasn’t in until the fifth inning. So, I had a moment to take it all in and get used to the rhythm of these games, and let my nerves calm down a bit. How I found out I was getting put in the game was Terry Francona said to me, “Tony, you’re going to pinch run and then you’re in at second.” I felt very blessed at this moment, very emotional, realizing this was one huge step closer to my big dream. Of course, I just kept telling myself “I can’t get picked off”. I was all over the place in my thoughts. Guys that I watched on TV, I was now playing with or against. I used to go to Padres games and now I’m on the same field watching Adrian Gonzalez.

Fortunately, I got to 2nd on a past ball, then to 3rd on a hit, and then scored on a sacrifice fly. Coming in to the dugout was very cool with everyone high fiving me. When a run scores in the Bigs, everyone gets up and high fives you. In the minors during spring training, you don’t see it as much, probably because everyone is so focused on the competition.

Big league camp definitely had a different vibe. It just seems more professional. There, it seemed there was more focus on being a good teammate as well as the intangibles. The big league guys for the Indians were pretty much all very personable. Of course, they treated you like a rookie – having fun with you. It was like a big brother, little brother situation. Nick Swisher always made it fun on and off the field. Guys always answered questions, which helped a lot with the schedule and nerves.

After the game, if you don’t have meetings (which by that time you are fighting to stay awake) you get in the ice bath, float in the pool for more therapy, get stretched out, then have your last protein shake. Somewhere between 4:00-5:00pm, you’re done. It’s a long day but it’s been a great experience. In the next few days I’ll be headed off to my team for at least part of the season. I’m looking forward to the new experience…although maybe not the cold weather early spring in Ohio.

Baseball has taught me a lot about life. Life has its obstacles, its ups and downs but there’s nothing you cant over come. Being in my first big league game was breath taking. I’m not at my end result yet but its one step closer. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” –Thomas Jefferson

Anything is Possible

The Ohio State Club Baseball team has started the season hot with the bats coming alive instantly. Last week the Buckeyes traveled to Tampa, Florida to take on a few of the top ranked teams in the nation: the #10Gators, #2University of Pitt and #16Appalation State. Over the 6 game’s, the Bucks absolutely crushed the ball achieving a team batting average of .302 and 44 total runs scored. Coupled with great pitching, the buckeyes went 5-0 vs ranked opponents and moved up in the National rankings to #9 in the nation. OSU pitcher Mike Leone commented, “Everyone’s making great contact with the ball, we’ve hardly had any easy outs. I’m glad I don’t have to pitch against these guys.”
This weekend they continued their hot streak against Ohio University. The 3 game series would mostly likely determine the conference champion for the season. OU took advantage of a few buckeye mistakes in the chilly Saturday morning faceoff winning game 1. The Buck’s came to play the 2nd game of the double header and tied the series at 1 apiece. The winner of the series would have be decided by a 3rd game, which ended up being one of the most unique games of baseball ever played by each team.
The deciding game was started 2 hours earlier than planned to avoid the impending snow storm coming across the mid-west. OSU led off the game by scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st, feeling like the game would be an easy win. But by the 3rd inning the score was 13-3 OU, with the momentum favoring the Bobcats. Knowing that the season was on the line and the Road to Tampa (location of the World Series) could be stopped that snowy morning, the buckeyes needed to act quickly or the chance of a run-rule was more than a possibility. Unfortunately OU added another 3 runs to their commanding lead making the score 16-3. Then something happened, whether it was the makeshift fireplace the buckeye dugout started or the baseball gods holding off the severe snow storm on the way, the Bucks bats came alive and produced an astonishing 27 runs over the next 4 innings to beat OU 30-17! Any game with that many runs is extremely unusual, but for a team to be down 13 and then win by 13 just shows the capability and spirit of the Buckeye players chasing the dream of winning a world series.

Snowy deciding series game at Ohio University. Buckeyes win 30-17

Buckeyes Stay warm in the sub-freezing temperatures

 

OSU Club Baseball Team Swings exclusively Phoenix Wood Bats this off-season

The Ohio State Club Baseball Team partnered with Phoenix Bats this fall resulting in the #13 ranked team in the Nation practicing exclusively with Phoenix Wood Bats.  For the past months the team has been training to chase a World Series Title.  This weekend they were scheduled to play Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA but the games were cancelled due to weather.  OSU is scheduled to face Indiana University at Home this coming weekend and will continue to prepare for the highly anticipated opening day

Elliot Mast and Phoenix Bats – Partnering To Support The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Please consider donating to our inspiring partner, Elliot Mast, in support of his cause, “For The Kids”. It may be past 2012 already but that doesn’t mean we can’t all help Elliot work towards his 2013 goal.

For those of you who don’t know Elliot, he is a 14 year old boy who was born with a club foot. Thankfully, the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh helped fix his club foot and now he is an adamant baseball player and fan!

In February of 2010, he officially teamed up with the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation to raise awareness and funds for them and the vital Child Life Program. Since then, he has raised thousands of dollars in support of the hospital’s cause.

Learn more at Elliot’s website here.

Elliot has partnered with us here at Phoenix Bats in order to help him spread the word about his cause and raise funds. In exchange, we have given Elliot some Phoenix gear to use, which he loves!

Thanks again, Elliot. Keep up the great work!

MLB All-Star Game: 5 Ways To Make The Game More Enjoyable For Fans and Players

The 83^rd addition of the MLB All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium was by all accounts a smashing success. While the score may not have indicated an exciting contest with the National League cruising to an 8-0 whitewashing of the American League, TV ratings were up from the previous season and the city of Kansas City was widely praised for providing fans with a memorable experience.

However, there are still ways to make the MLB All-Star Game itself even better. Here are five suggestions.

1. Eliminate rule that all MLB teams are represented

Why does every team absolutely need to be represented? All too often, deserving players are excluded/snubbed because of this silly rule.

Inevitably, at least three to five players each year are left off All-Star squads in spite of having better overall stats than players picked from teams who honestly don’t deserve representation. This rule needs to be eliminated.

2. Limit All-Star rosters to 28 players per league

The All-Star Game is supposed to be about the best of the best. Gone are the days when starters played entire games in favor of managers making sure to try to get everyone on the roster into the game.

This was evident two weeks ago, when National League manager Tony LaRussa made three pitching changes in the ninth inning alone, with three different relievers pitching a third of an inning each. Five pitchers combined worked the last two innings in what turned out to be a blowout.

Was that really necessary? I hearken back to 1970, when American League center fielder Carl Yastrzemski won the All-Star Game MVP with four hits in six at-bats. When was the last time that happened?

3. Eliminate the “This Time It Counts” Rule

After the infamous “tie” game in the 2002 All-Star Game, MLB mandated that the league who wins the All-Star teams earns home field advantage for the World Series that same year.

The last time I checked, the All-Star Game was an exhibition game that had no bearing on the season standings whatsoever. If managers are worried about getting all their players in the game, are they really playing to win, or are they trying to assuage egos by making sure players get their face time on the field?

The All-Star Game doesn’t “count” in season standings. Home field advantage in the World Series should be rewarded to the team with the best record, plain and simple.

4. Let fans continue to vote, but not for starters

The starters in the MLB All-Star Game have long been decided by fans. But in many cases, starters are voted in over other players who are simply more deserving.

This isn’t about taking away the fan vote—let them continue voting. However, change the system so that fans vote for the players to be included on each roster. Let the managers decide the starting lineups.

5. Include local broadcasters in calling play-by-play for the All-Star Game

Back in the 1970s, NBC invited play-by-play announcers from teams represented in the World Series to participate in the calling of the action during the Fall Classic.

It was a terrific way to engage each team’s loyal viewers and listeners by hearing the familiar calls of their local TV talent.

The All-Star should implement the same policy. Use announcers from the city hosting the All-Star Game. This will engage even more interest from fans who might not otherwise watch.

This is a guest post submitted by Ally Silva. Ally played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports now, particularly Chicago sports. She works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class custom wood bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world. Ally loves writing on different sports topics and is very grateful to be able to contribute here.

The Best Wooden Softball Bats

Here’s an old article (link) that was posted on Livestrong.com mentioning Phoenix Bats wood softball bats.

We like where they say “Phoenix Bats…are the top of the line in wooden softball bats”.

Elliot Mast’s 2012 FTK “For The Kids” Auction – The Rocky Bleier Experience!

 

Here is our buddy, Elliot Mast, with Pittsburgh Steeler great, Rocky Bleier, promoting the “For The Kids” Auction! We especially love the nice wood bat that Elliot is holding at the end of the video 🙂

Again, keep up the great work, Elliot! Everyone, check out Elliot’s blog here.

FTK (“For The Kids”)