Mike Holtz

[southpaw6565]

I have had several people tell me about this site so I thought I would check it out. Since Rick Roberts and I opened ERA sports inc (ERAsportsinc.com) we have had had the opportunity to see and work with many of the players discussed on this forum. Rick has been around for a while and knows alot of these players where I have recently retired from professional baseball and am just getting to know them. I assure you that there is definately some untapped talent in this area. Many of these players have been coming to us since we opened our facility on Dec. 3. Many have been coming to Rick for years. Rick and I wish the best of luck for these players for the upcoming season. Many of them I will see this year as I am Northern Cambria's new head coach. Mike Holtz

[sydfinch]

Geez Mike, I know you're new here and everything but a) posting under your real name, and b) saying something positive? You've got a lot to learn ;-)

Seriously, welcome.

[blueberry11]

Yes Mike. I have to agree. Welcome to the site, and I hope you have an excellent first season at Northern Cambria

[southpaw6565]

Maybe so, but I do like to discuss baseball and especially locally. You have to remember that I have been away from this area for along time. I graduated from Central Cambria in 1990. I was at Clemson from '91 to '94 and was drafted my senior year. From '94 to 2006 I had been playing professional baseball, even playing in Japan's major leagues during that time. When I was a high school player I truly new nothing about baseball and what it really took to succeed. I had a good fastball and curveball and that was it. I never had any kind of instruction. You have to remember that I am only 5'8. No one ever really believed that I would ever amount to anything. Most times I didn't think so either. But, as I matured I realized that the work ethic that I had in high school was horrible. I only learned through time and many mistakes. My point is is that many of these local boys have some talent and with the right instruction and dedication could move on and play college ball. In all the years that I played(13 professional and 8 big league seasons) I have 2 highlights. Playing college baseball, earning an education and playing in Japan. Rick and I are trying to bring baseball back to this area the right way. Rick heads Delweld's program and I am working with the Renegades. Many people ask us why we didn't coach together. The reason is that if we did coach together we would be able to recruite almost any player we wanted because of our backgrounds. The AAABA is unbalanced already and needs fixed. That would do nothing for the league. It will take years to rebuild baseball in this area but we are doing our best to help. I don't like to be negative about anybody and I won't post anything negative here. If that is what is expected when in this site I will move on. I appreciate the replies. Mike

[Coach]

Welcome aboard. I hope you enjoy your time here at BC!

[deliverance]

It is good to see a former MLB player on here. Also, it is wonderful to see that you came back to the area to coach. I was surprised to see your name in the Altoona Mirror as Northern Cambria's coach. I wish you the best of luck this season with your team. This site is not all about negativity, so please stay with your insight and help make this site better than it already is.

[southpaw6565]

Much appreciated. I don't pretend to know everything about the game and it is a guaranteed fact that I will make more than my share of managerial mistakes. I have been very fortunate to have many great people around me. Without them I would have never made it to the major leagues. My talent was average at best, but, I worked extremely hard over my playing years to be average at the major league level. I wish I would have had that discipline when I was a high school player. That is one of the reasons why Rick Roberts and I opened ERA sports. To teach the game the right way. ERA stands for earn respect athletics. When I played, I played for self respect and the respect of my fellow teammates and coaches. I played with many great players that taught me very valuable lessons. Above all, respect the game of baseball. You see this attitude no where more than in Japan. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have. Mike

[My name is Kid]

Realistically, Mr. Holtz, do you think someone can pitch in college throwing only in the mid to upper 70's? I mean, with good control, breaking ball and all that jazz. I just see 80 as a benchmark for pitchers.

[southpaw6565]

You don't have to call me Mr. Holtz. Makes me feel old. Just Mike is fine. To answer your question. There are several variables that apply here. I would say that 80 mph would be a bench mark for college pitchers, however, having 3 quality pitches you can throw for strikes in any count is the determining factor. Fastball location is the key as is an excellent change up or curveball that can be CONSISTANTLY thrown for a stike. If a pitcher has an average of 75 mph on his fastball with an excellent changeup that he can sell as a fastball, his fastball looks like it's 81-82 mph. Two seam fastball movement is also a factor. Also, having an above average curveball, slider, or cutter factors in. A prime example would be my brother Steve. He only threw in the mid 70's but had an excellent curveball that he could throw for strikes. He pitched at ACC and IUP and had success. However, D1 and D2 schools mainly focus on velocity and feel they can teach off speed pitches later. Jamie Moyer has pitched 20 years in the Major leagues and has done so with an 83 mph fastball, excellent change up and a curveball he can throw for a strike. Mike

[BlueWhite23]

hey mike, nice to see you back in cambria county helping our young players. just wondering, but during your playing tenure in Japan how often did you come across other pitchers using the infamous "gyroball?" We're all aware that Dice-K's arrival in the U.S. hyped up this pitch. One local player, Drew Klezek from CC, is rumored to throw this deadly rotating strike out machine. But that's just a rumor. In all seriousness, how is the pitch thrown and how effective can it be if used properly?