Who's on First? Everything Baseball Players and Their Parents Need to Know

Copyright © 2021 by Bobby Bramhall and Nathan Headley

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

Published in the United States of America

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Design: Kathy Mitchell, kathymitchelldesign.com

Cover Design: Danielle Myers

EDITOR: Donald Weise

EBOOK DESIGN: Jessica Kleinman

Bobby Bramhall Nathan Headley Who’s on First? Everything Baseball Players and Their Parents Need to Know/ Who’s On First LLC. Printed in the United States of America

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DEDICATION

Bramhall

This book was made possible from the years of dedication, wisdom, sacrifice, and support throughout my career from my parents, J.P. and Belle Bramhall, and my sister, Kaci Anderson. The information and experiences in this career guide were gathered either directly from our challenges and accomplishments, or because of the opportunities and support they provided to make my way. I am forever grateful.

Headley

I must first dedicate this book to my parents, Jane and Kim Headley, who ingrained in me at a young age to never be outworked nor settle for the norm. Thank you both for helping Chase and me navigate our baseball careers before there was ever a guide available like this book. I must also thank my younger brother Chase Headley who was a major part of baseball being a family passion and career path for us both. The memories and hours we spent on the field together and in the backyard training and developing our passion for the game is something I hold near and dear to my heart.

To my wife, Lori Headley, your patience and understanding have allowed me to pursue my goals and dreams of providing opportunities for so many others in this game. I cannot thank you enough for your selflessness in allowing me to travel all over the country and work ridiculous hours in order to create opportunities for young athletes. Finally, I dedicate this book to the thousands upon thousands of athletes and parents who have trusted me in any small way in the development of their game and career whether through on-field coaching or lessons in the cages. You are the ones who have fueled my passion to write this book and share the information we have learned together along the way. My only hope is that this book will help open doors and provide some structure and peace of mind to parents and athletes who do not have the resources available or guidance needed to navigate this process.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Overview

Our Anthem

PART I: DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITION

Introduction

Private Baseball Instruction

How to Identify Quality Instruction, How to Maximize Efficiency of Instruction, The Market Price, Lesson Blueprint, Parent Participation and Etiquette, Group Sessions, Facilities, Online Training and Evaluation

Navigating the Travel Baseball Circuit

When to Pursue Travel Baseball, Travel Baseball and Scholastic Baseball Teams, Identifying and Selecting a Travel Ball Team, Specialization, Financial and Time Resource Considerations, Levels of Youth Baseball (6U-14U), Where Does the Athlete Belong?, Prospect Age Competition (15U-18U), Parent Etiquette During Travel Ball, Treatment of Umpires

Camps and Showcases

When to Begin Attending Camps and Showcases, Camps (Ages 6-18), Recreation Camps vs. Prospect Camps, Private Skills Camps, Showcases (Ages 14-18), High Academic Showcases, Showcase Format, How to Maximize Exposure at Camps and Showcases, Top National Prospect Events, Recruiting Services, Additional Resources

High School Baseball, Recruiting, & 70Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

Program Structure and Season Layout, The Political Landscape and Parent Etiquette, Inside the Mind of a High School Baseball Coach, Earn Your Keep, How to Be a Good Teammate, Recruiting, What is Signing Day?, Personal Branding and the Right of Publicity (NIL)

Junior College Baseball

Why Attend a Junior College?, JUCO Realities, Schedule, Recruitment, Transfers, and Academics, Scouting

Four-Year COLLEGE Baseball

DI Baseball, A Day in the Life of a DI Baseball Student Athlete, Amateurism, Academic, and Admission Requirements, Success in the Classroom, Competition for Playing Time, Scholarship Information, The Secrets to Success, Parent Etiquette in College Athletics, Fall Ball, Regular Season, Conference Tournament, The NCAA Playoffs and The College World Series

College Summer Baseball Leagues

Overview, The Cape Cod Baseball League, Other Reputable Summer Baseball Leagues

Agents and Advisors

Overview, Agent Involvement, Selection Process and Valuation of an Agent, Agent Market, Fees and Services, Rules for Advisors and Agents, Agent Certification, MLB Draft Process and Agent Involvement

Amateur and Pro Scouting

Amateur Scouting, Professional Scouting

Professional Baseball

360 Degrees of Professional Baseball, Reality Check, Welcome to the Pros, Emotional Stability = Longevity, A Day in the Life, Spring Training, Extended Spring Training, Regular Season Levels, Minor League Playoffs, Arizona Fall League, Minor League Hardships, International and Independent Professional Baseball, Major League Baseball The Show, Parent Etiquette in Professional Baseball

PART II: FOUNDATIONAL ESSENTIALS

Introduction

Failure and Adaptation

Overspecialization and Overall Athleticism

Sport Specialization Studies

Throwing Insider

Overview, Safe Balance, Accessible Throwing Instructors and Resources, Recommended Throwing and Pitching Literature, Throwing Studies and Articles

Hitting Insider

Overview, Bats and Sizing, Accessible Hitting Instructors and Resources, Podcasts, Hitting Literature, Hitting Studies and Research Articles

Part III: PERFORMANCE AND WELLNESS

Introduction

Nutrition, Fueling the Fire

Initial Advice, Advances in Sport Nutrition, Fueling the Athlete, Making the Connection, Digesting the Information, Meal Time, Meal Timing, Hydration and Rehydration, Body Composition, Let’s Talk Supplements

Strength and Conditioning

Before We Begin, Baseball Strength and Conditioning, Program Design, Differing Approaches at Different Levels in Baseball Strength and Conditioning, Injury Prevention During Strength and Conditioning Training, Common Myths in Baseball Strength and Conditioning, Position-Specific Training Considerations, Arm Care, Flexibility, Recovery, Final Word, Our Favorite Performance and Wellness Tools

The Mental Edge

Wise Counsel, Preparation and Performance, Utilize Coaches as a Benefit, Umpires as Allies, Clinically Proven Methods of Internal Improvement, Sleep Science, Life After Baseball

Baseball Injuries

Swinging Injuries, Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder, Throwing Injuries of the Elbow, Management of Baseball Injuries

Performance Aides & Evaluation Technology

Hitting, Pitching, and Catching Monitors, Additional State-of-the-Art Technology, Useful Training Tools and Programs

The Last Out

Post-Game: Life After Baseball

Key Contributors

Acknowledgements

References

AUTHOR BIOS

Bobby Bramhall is the President and Co-Founder of Athlete Licensing Company (ALC), a former NCAA Division I Assistant Athletics Director, and former professional baseball player. After receiving 2nd Team All-American honors at Rice University as a left-handed pitcher and appearing in back-to-back College World Series, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2007 MLB Draft following his junior year. He went on to play with 4 MLB organizations over 7 seasons in the United States, and in Puerto Rico with the Gigantes de Carolina of La Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC), before attending law school at the University of Tennessee. He is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and currently resides in Nashville, TN.

Nate Headley is a former collegiate athlete, former NCAA Division I Baseball Coach and Director of Baseball Operations, and current owner and operator of RBI Baseball & Softball in Knoxville, TN. He is also a professional hitting consultant for amateur, MiLB, and MLB players and teams, and a coach for the nationally ranked prospect team, the Home Plate Chili Dogs. Under his watch, his prospect-age athletes have a 98% scholarship rate at the collegiate level. Nate earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting from Colorado State University and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of Tennessee. Nate and his wife, Lori, reside in Knoxville, TN.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Our individual journeys have spanned from the Little League days of local competitive youth sports all the way to the national arenas of the College World Series and professional competition with Major League Baseball organizations. In addition to the priceless playing experiences, we have coached all levels from youth sports to Division I collegiate baseball, provided skill instruction to developing ballplayers, and counseled parents along every step of that journey for the last twenty years.

Athletes, parents, guardians, and mentors frequently want answers to the many questions that naturally come with this specific path of talent development. In this book, we have compiled for your benefit, all of the knowledge and information we have learned and passed on to others over the years.

We have found that organizational psychologist, Adam Grant, was right when he said, The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.¹ With our help, you will gain a meaningful understanding of everything required for baseball career success, which could begin as young as seven years old. In addition to innate ability and genetic makeup, success is largely determined by what a player is privileged to know or learn through key coaches and mentors along the way. Accordingly, the best action you can take is to educate yourself on the various aspects of this industry.

This is the first comprehensive guide in book form, available to all, to lead parents and their athlete(s) from youth baseball all the way to The Bigs. The information you receive will empower you to direct your focus, invest wisely, and reap the rewards. Parents, you matter to the ultimate success of your athlete more than you probably realize.

Without firsthand experience or a conversation with a professional, this information was previously difficult to obtain. As a result, many athletes have missed out on the opportunities and information needed to succeed. You need to be proactive with many aspects of this game because the windows of opportunity narrow as competition increases, and you must be prepared. The more you know, the better off you will be.

This is not a book about baseball technique, mechanics, or any other specific skill, for that matter. The baseball industry already has an abundance of skill trainers and experts, many of whom we reference and endorse in the following chapters. This book is the ultimate baseball career advisor. It is a guide to success for players and parents in a sport that has many moving parts, both on and off the field.

By putting this information to practice, great achievement can come for rising baseball stars. Don’t worry, it won’t take you long to understand the bigger picture. We provide an immense amount of credible information to help you navigate this industry in order to understand the variables you actually have an influence over. You can then make informed decisions that yield the results you are striving to achieve.

Here are the most frequently asked questions we receive that we will answer in the chapters to follow:

Who are the best private baseball instructors and what do they teach?

Can you share the most impactful books on technique?

What should my expectations be as an athlete progresses to

the next level?

How do I navigate the travel baseball circuit?

How does the industry look from the coach, agent/advisor, and scout perspectives?

What are coaches and scouts searching for when evaluating talent?

What options do athletes have to play competitively after

high school?

How do we navigate the recruiting process at prospect age?

Teach me about parent etiquette.

Who are agents and advisors and what do they do? Do we need one? If so, when?

What is Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)?

How can I prepare for the political landscape of each level?

How can I invest wisely in nutrition, training, and injury

prevention?

Can you share your firsthand high school, college, and

professional baseball experiences?

What are the most common injuries and how does an athlete manage the rehabilitation process following an injury?

What are the best resources to improve performance?

This book follows a natural baseball career progression and can be read chronologically for an overall big picture knowledge of the industry as a ballplayer develops. It may also be used to focus on the current phase of an athlete’s career by referencing the Table of Contents and choosing the relevant section. Don’t be afraid to skip around to different chapters to learn about and verify what others are saying about particular topics. Find what the athlete needs for their mental and physical toolkit. As a ballplayer continues to develop, each phase passes seemingly more quickly than the previous.

Trust this guide to accompany you through the hours of practice, private lessons, and road trips that the journey will take you on. With our help, the decisions you make off the field will be more effective and economical, ensuring results on the field. Maximize the potential of this opportunity, whether you are an athlete or a parent.

We look forward to hearing the many success stories of ballplayers worldwide. 

Bobby Bramhall and Nate Headley

OVERVIEW

Navigating the performance and political landscape of one of the most popular and competitive American sports requires not only willpower and skill development to meet the challenges of the game but also the ability to exercise sound judgment, develop talent, and understand the industry. We divided this career guide into three distinct parts to allow you to focus independently and process all the information you will need for each phase of the journey. Ultimately, this book will:

Educate you on all aspects of the game off the field, and

Help develop a specific plan for artful execution on the field.

Part I: Development and Competition. This part covers everything you need to know about private baseball instruction, recreation and travel leagues, camps and showcases, middle school, high school, junior college, NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and all levels of professional baseball, including the recruitment process, agent and advisor representation, scouting, and parent etiquette. This section contains contributions from current and former big league players who reached the pinnacle of this career journey. The personal stories shared in this section are what bring meaning to the game, humanizing even the stars, and providing an inside perspective from players who progressed through each level.

Part II: Foundational Essentials. Regardless of what you think you know, pursuing the right development path is crucial as a ballplayer develops their career-determining playing habits and skill sets. If you are already in the middle of the journey, evaluate your current learning processes, coaching options, and development choices with the information we share to understand the aspects you should be aware of with respect to training.

With insights into the necessities of failure and advice on developing athleticism prior to specializing in baseball, you will gain a foundational understanding of the best paths to take for long-term improvements. The Throwing Insider and Hitting Insider chapters that follow provide the most credible resources in the game to maximize the time and effort you will invest in this journey.

Part III: Performance and Wellness. This section will undoubtedly be part of the athlete’s future, whether the journey ends before high school or at the Major League level. Building the foundation for success starts early. We first dive into baseball nutrition, strength, conditioning, and recovery, to build explosive, injury-free power, as well as prime the mental practices that separate the winners from the losers.

Next, we provide industry-leading insight regarding baseball injuries and treatment. We include the latest medical practices and research on recovery remedies with surgical and non-surgical considerations. Trust this section to answer your questions, address common misconceptions, and provide relevant information when making decisions on general wellness, performance tools or injury prevention and recovery.

Finally, Part III concludes with an overview of performance aides and state-of-the-art evaluation technologies, such as launch monitors, that will give the athlete the best chance at a long and prosperous journey.

OUR ANTHEM

"To fight the good fight is one of the bravest and noblest of life’s experiences. Not the bloodshed and the battle of man with man, but the grappling with mental and spiritual adversaries that determines the inner caliber of the contestant. It is the quality of the struggle put forth by a man that proclaims to the world what manner of man he is, far more than may be by the termination of the battle.

It matters not nearly so much to a man that he succeeds in winning some long-sought prize as it does that he has worked for it honestly and unfalteringly with all the force and energy there is in him. It is in the effort that the soul grows and asserts itself to the fullest extent of its possibilities, and he that has worked will, persevering in the face of all opposition and apparent failure, fairly and squarely endeavoring to perform his part to the utmost extent of his capabilities, may well look back upon his labor regardless of any seeming defeat in its result and say, ‘I have fought a good fight.’

As you throw the weight of your influence on the side of the good, the true and the beautiful, your life will achieve an endless splendor. It will continue in the lives of others, higher, finer, nobler than you can even contemplate."

Hugh B. Brown

INTRODUCTION

Part I provides realistic and transparent information from the industry professionals who understand the big picture and how to succeed at each level. As a ballplayer’s personal playing journey unfolds, they will come to many crossroads, and it is important that they are educated on each level of competitive baseball by credible sources. Our goal is to guide your decision-making processes to help you understand the landscape and opportunities that you will encounter each step along the way.

To put things in perspective, 7.3% of high school players will reach NCAA Division I, II, or III. Of those who play at the college level, a mere 9.8% (0.71% overall) will be drafted from a four-year college baseball program to a professional baseball organization. Of those professional baseball players, only 82 per year will make a big league debut. From 2011 to 2018, 17.6% of all players who were drafted and signed with an MLB organization made it to the Major Leagues. Analyzed differently, there is a .0296% chance of a Little League baseball player making a Major League debut.²

Part of why we wrote this book is that in addition to the incredible odds to overcome and fortunate breaks necessary to reach the pinnacle, players with previous knowledge of the industry, skill development resources, a network, and good genes have a higher likelihood of realizing this dream. Although the playing field will never be completely level, we want to share valuable information to allow talent and competition to be the deciding factor, rather than an athlete having a disadvantage from being uninformed.

It is also important to realize that in team sports, there are many factors outside of the individual player’s control. This is different than in individual sports, such as tennis or golf, where success is determined by the athlete alone. Objectively winning a match, tournament, or championship guarantees advancement, prize money, and/or recognition. For a golfer or tennis player, they must win the qualifier and place high in the subsequent tournament to move on and receive future invitations. Rankings are entirely dependent on individual wins, losses, and results.

In these sports, the athlete is in complete control of their outcome, win or lose. For example, a situation never occurs where a tennis player wins each match without any disqualification in a tournament and is not awarded the championship purse and trophy. Yet, baseball career success, especially at the higher levels, is largely dependent on a combination of network, projectability, market value, draft status, and measurable performance. Many subjective decisions are made on the athlete’s future, and the athlete is forced to accept their fate in another decision maker’s hands. Different from individual sports, politics are equally as impactful as performance.

In baseball, most of the players who are promoted or who ultimately reach the highest level are there because they are simply the best. Think about Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Carlos Correa here. These players have the most talent and are head and shoulders above the competition, and it shows. However, there is another group of players that does not exist in individual sports where winning is all that determines and ensures career longevity. These players may receive advancement opportunities because of previous knowledge, prior investment, and projected value, which is why we share as much information as possible to give the athlete an edge over the competition.

Establishing trust is a key component to building psychological safety in teams.

This combination of team and individual aspects in baseball has the potential to be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding in the life of the athlete, regardless of the ultimate level achieved. As the athlete and parent make decisions to invest in the athlete’s future by joining competitive organizations from youth to the professional ranks, it is vitally important to join organizations that act with integrity and where their best interests are prioritized.

Red Auerbach, former sixteen-time NBA Champion Boston Celtics coach (including eight-straight) believed that a high level of trust in the organization leads to stability and commitment from the players. Where players find themselves in a situation where management has a great deal of integrity, and they can depend on the word of the organization, they feel secure. And if players feel secure, they don’t want to leave, and if they don’t want to leave, they will do everything they can . . . to stay, said Auerbach.³ Establishing trust is a key component to building psychological safety in teams. Google agrees. In fact, the company found that psychological safety was the top factor in high performing teams within their organization.⁴

In addition to evaluating and selecting teams and organizations in this section, we will discuss many other key components, and the nuances and challenges at each level. While you absorb the insights, our overarching message to you is this: enjoy baseball, compete hard, and control what you are able to while maintaining a realistic perspective. Remember that each successive opportunity is a gift that others may not reach, therefore, cherish the journey.

PRIVATE BASEBALL INSTRUCTION

It is the things done when no fans are around that turn ordinary players into champions.

Warren Morris

There is no limit on ‘better.’ Talent is distributed unfairly, but there is no limit on how much we can improve what we start with.

Kevin Kelly

Introduction

This chapter will provide you with the information necessary to: evaluate whether private baseball instruction is beneficial; and determine if the investment is worthwhile.

Most elite players likely had the benefit of a family member or private instructor they consistently worked with throughout their career, especially during the critical youth developmental years. As baseball evolves and players become more refined, it is exceedingly rare to encounter a professional athlete who did not utilize private baseball instruction in addition to team practices and/or self-instruction. Plainly stated, team practice is simply not enough.

A knowledgeable coach/instructor is crucial when it comes to demonstrating the right technique, developing mental fortitude, and addressing poor habits as they arise. Many private instructors are often owners of prospect age travel baseball teams, which will help an athlete’s opportunities beyond private instruction due to their exposure to weekly team competition. These instructors have a vast network to connect players with teams, and understand the importance and intricacies of the recruiting process and the evolution of ever-changing performance philosophies. They make it their life’s work to improve the abilities of the athletes they coach to compete at the highest level possible.

Private instructors are not all created equal. It is important to find one who utilizes the most current information available about the game. Poor instruction can lead to inefficient movements and poor habits. Once developed, poor habits are both difficult to change and developmentally oppressive because of the time and effort it takes to unlearn a sequence of movements after weeks, months, or years of dedicated practice. Physical ability should dictate a player’s ceiling, not poor habits or lack of understanding arising from the philosophies of an uninformed instructor.

Therefore, it is crucial to invest in an instructor who understands what each individual needs to succeed and who supplements physical skill development with the psychology of success. Raw tools or potential, while necessary, do not translate to success in baseball without an understanding of how to efficiently and diligently work towards a mentally and physically polished product. Be careful of quick fixes, and trust the process!

How to Identify Quality Instruction

We understand how difficult it is for you to know which drills or instructors are most beneficial. In fact, that’s probably why you are reading this book. Many drills are not necessarily designed to address an athlete’s specific skill set or mechanical inefficiencies. However, finding an instructor who can direct the athlete’s development and relate to their specific needs is essential. A quality instructor will communicate well and individually prescribe specific drills and programming for each player’s specific mechanical and psychological needs. Furthermore, a good instructor will build trust and confidence with the athlete. This only comes when the instructor is credible. An athlete’s self-confidence and confidence in their instructor is important!

Private instructors charge more for their time due to sheer level of experience and expertise in a one-on-one setting, which allows for a custom program defined by each athlete’s specific needs, deficiencies, and goals. If participation, rather than focused development, is the athlete’s end goal, recreational day camp is probably a better and more affordable choice.

A quality instructor will communicate well and individually prescribe specific drills and programming for each player’s specific mechanical and psychological needs.

Whether the athlete takes a lesson with a Cy Young Award winner or a former high school baseball coach, the key is to find an instructor who understands the best way to apply advanced subject matter on an individual player-by-player basis. It is one thing to be able to successfully perform a movement at a professional level and another to effectively teach the fundamentals to equip aspiring athletes with the proper tools to reach such a level.

Never allow an instructor to change natural aspects of a player’s mechanics or limit their freedom of movement or athleticism. Individual technique instruction is never a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all situation. It is most important for an instructor to understand how the athlete learns, whether through visual or auditory cues, and diagnose the individual’s mechanics to properly move forward. Does the athlete learn by repetition at full-speed or slow motion? Will they benefit