Mike Holtz

[southpaw6565]

In 2005 I played for the Yokohama Baystars in Japan. Never once had I ever heard of this pitch. He pitched against us and never once did our interpreter say anything about the gyro. The shuto was the infamous pitch that american hitters had such a tough time with. When I played for the Angels, Shegatoshi Hasagawa threw the shuto. It's the Japanese version of a change up however it is more like a fork ball. Hasagawa and I were good friends and never once did he mention the gyro. The shuto is no secret pitch and is as common as the circle change up is in the states. I would think that with all the hype surrounding this pitch that I would of heard of it while in Japan. I'm not saying that it doesn't exist because it obviously does. Mike

[GoldenBoy11]

Mike what's happening? I had a question along the lines of Kid's question. My fellow pitcher friend and I were watching Oregon State play whoever it was in the College World Series last year, and we both remarked on how the OSU pitcher was topping out at like 84 on his fastball. He wasn't a power pitcher obviously, and if I can remember correctly he had a very good change up and effective slider. He was a quality pitcher, and we weren't doubting that. But the thing we were wondering is how does a kid that tops out at 84 on his fastball ever even get noticed by a national program like Oregon State to begin with? With showcases and all that jazz trusting the radar gun more than the Bible sometimes, it just seemed weird that a CWS starting pitcher was a college Tom Glavine/Jamie Moyer. Is there any consistent way that kids low on the MPH but high on the other stuff can get noticed by big colleges, or is this OSU kid just an exception to the norm?

[blueberry11]

Mike---how can kids get noticed now-a-days---- it seems impossible that any kid could be looked at by a major college coming out of the LHAC or westpac--- help me out here----I want to help some family friends of mine let there kid get a chance---but I don't think it would be possible just even if he could be one kid to catch a lucky break???

is there anyway??

[southpaw6565]

Goldenboy11,

First of all, there are more D1 college pitchers that throw in that range than you think. When I played at Clemson on average per season there were maybe 6 of the 11 pitchers on the staff that threw in the upper 80's. In 1991 we went to the College World Series with 5 that threw in the high 80's. Being lefthanded or righthanded obviously has to be taken into consideration. It is true that the radar gun plays a major role in recruiting high school pitchers but many other factors must be weighed in. As for the OS pitcher, he could have been an underclassmen. The reason I say this is because of projectability. Maybe he had a high upside. When Kris Benson came to Clemson his freshman year his velocity was 83-84 mph. Apparently, when they recruited him they took into consideration his character, work ethic, personality, mound presence, and projectability, grades etc. Character has become a more and more important factor in the last 5 or six years. Many schools are aprehensive in bringing a player in who is going to be a problem (drinking, poor grades, troublemaker etc.) Regardless of talent. Projectability is what scouts use to determine what a players full potential is. Kris Benson was tall but with a lean build. He was pretty skinny. They felt that with a proper training ruitine and maturity that his velocity would increase. Kris also had a smooth delivery. Over time, with good instruction and a strength and conditioning coach, his velocity began to increase incrementally. By the time he was a junior he was throwing in the low 90's. This is a excellent example of a high school kid that Clemson's recruiters looked at and determined that he would continue to develope over time. Now there are high school pitchers such as myself at that time that are close to being maxed out velocity wise. Size and body type are factors used in determining this. I threw 87 to 90 in high school and was a max effort pitcher( I didn't throw "easy gas"). They new that my volocity was maxed out. What I needed was refinement. I needed a more sound delivery and a change up. This I could be tought. My point with all this rambling is that there are alot of factors that colleges use in determining whether a player has D1 college ability.

[cats9]

So Mike, what you are saying is that a pitcher with a fastball in the low 80s can pitch at the D 1 level as long as they have a good curveball and change and maybe project well? It seems like more and more these days that if you aren't throwing at least 85 you might as well not even think D 1.

[longball5]

I think what he's trying to say is that there are many factors (some can be measured---some can't be) that figure into whether someone makes it or not....enjoy the discussion...don't overanalyze his thoughts....he was asked..he answered....I enjoy hearing from someone that has been there and done that....

[southpaw6565]

Exactly longball5. I can't possibly cover all of the factors involved in this discussion. Every players' situation is unique. You cannot generalize when it comes to whether a pitcher can pitch D1 or not. Velocity is important to a point. If I were a D1 college recruiter of course I would be looking for hard throwers but would also be looking for pitchers with good movement, control, 3 pitches they can throw consistently for a stike with one of those pitches being a power out pitch.

[Wrangler]

Mike,

Rick & you are doing an excellent job at ERA - my son started in December and really enjoys it - I actually enjoy it sitting on the sidelines in the front row learning all the details your instructors are teaching these kids from pitching & hitting - keep up the great job & I am sure glad that Rick & you are making a difference in developing local talent - I have told my son it is a year round effort and we look to continue with ERA for years!

Congratulations to both Rick & you on your past accomplishments and sharing your expertise with these local kids.

Thanks!

[southpaw6565]

Wrangler,
Thank you for the compliments. It is always nice to hear feedback as to whether or not the parents feel we are doing a good job teaching their children. Most importantly for Rick and I is that the kids have fun when they come. If they are having fun, it makes it much easier for us to instruct. We try to make our instruction very interactive and want our instructors to be very personable with the students. We have probably between 600 to 700 hundred kids come through our facility per week between our regular program, softball and team rentals. It's fun seeing all of the different personalities. Thank you for trusting us when it comes to insructing your son. We do have a website now ERAsportsinc.com. The website is online now but isn't completely finished. Thanks again, Mike

[Storyofourlives]

wow its awesome to see Mike Holtz in here now...we finally have someone who knows what there talking about when it comes to baseball welcome mike