OFFENSIVE CATEGORIES:
BATSPEED
The ability of an athlete to generate bat speed at the most critical part of the swing just prior to contact and maintain bat speed thru contact is very important characteristic of great hitters. Bat speed is one indicator of the hitter’s ability to sequence all of the body parts together to maximize the amount of transfer of power.
SWING PATH
The quality and consistency of the swing path measures the hands from swing initiation thru the contact zone and follow thru. The swing path is clearly one of the most important components in evaluating a hitter’s ability to transition to a higher level
of competition and better pitching.
PRESENCE
Presence is based purely on the amount of confidence and aggressiveness that the athlete presented at the plate and during the rounds. How an athlete responded to a poor swing also feeds into the perception of that hitter as an athlete in stressful situation that often deals with high levels of failure.
POWER
Power generation is clearly a valuable asset offensively and can vary from hitter to hitter. Hitters were rated as to the
consistent power generated from their contact. The quality of the swing was not rated here, just the power generated during
the rounds of swings or the at bats.
VISION
A hitter’s ability to track a pitch and attack strikes is a direct component of their vision. In this category, the hitter’s ability to swing at good pitches in the strike zone is very important as well as their ability to make contact with pitches that have lots of movement.
RATING SYSTEM:
SS-Small School
LM-Low Major
MM-Mid Major
HM-High Major
Tuesday Offense Evaluation.pdf
DEFENSIVE CATEGORIES:
FOOTWORK
Defensively, the footwork category includes a combination of several skill sets. Set up: which includes strength and consistency of the foot placement during fielding/catching position. Range/Mobility: The ability for the defender to move laterally when fielding.
GLOVE WORK
Defensively the Glove work rating includes a couple of skill sets. The HANDS are rated as to receiving the ball and how well the glove and
hands work together in receiving. BACKHAND specifically address the consistency and quality of the hand position when receiving a ball on
the backhand side. TRANSITION is the ability of the athlete to move the hands and glove from the field position into a throwing position.
THROWING
The throwing category deals with the qualitative aspects of the throwing motion. Both arm speed and glove to glove pop times are recorded separately and are listed quantitatively in another category. RELEASE of the throw from position is rated as to the smoothness and
efficiency of the throwing motion. STRENGTH of the arm and ACCURACY are also reviewed from the field position and are rated qualitatively.
BLOCKING
Blocking scores have been broken down into two specific categories. Blocking TECHNIQUE address the positioning of the body when in the blocking position as well as the relative quickness and efficiency with blocking balls in the dirt.
PITCHING:
FASTBALL MECHANICS
Pitchers were evaluated in the quality and consistency in the following areas: Leg Drive, Arm Circle, Body Posture, and Spacing.
CHANGE UP
Pitchers were evaluated in the quality and consistency in the following areas when throwing their change up: Deception of the motion to disguise the pitch, speed change from the fastball and control of the pitch.
MOVEMENT PITCHES
Moving pitches were evaluated in several areas: quality and tightness of the spin of the pitch, the control of the pitch execution, and the amount and quality of the movement resulting from throwing the pitch.
RATING SYSTEM:
SS-Small School
LM-Low Major
MM-Mid Major
HM-High Major
Tuesday Defense Evaluations.pdf
STRENGTH CATEGORIES:
GRIP STRENGTH
Athletes were tested with their dominant hand and scores are listed as pounds of pressure.
GLOVE TO GLOVE
Athletes were tested by their position for a throw made at 75 feet. The time was calculated from first touch of the ball to the fielders glove to touching the receivers glove. Additionally, the arm speed is measured in MPH.
VERTICAL LEAP
Athletes were tested on a vertical leap testing pad and is calculated in inches off the ground.
MED BALL THROW
Athletes were tested by tossing an 8 LB medicine ball on their dominant side for distance and measured in feet.
HOME TO HOME RUNNING TIME
Times are calculated in seconds.