Softball and
baseball’s favorite newspaper since 1987
Combat’s Scott Brown with Bryson Baker
By
Scott Brown
Hello again LPS
readers, Scott Brown again, coming at you with our next installment of
articles. I want to introduce Bryson Baker from Dan Smith/Team Combat. Bryson
is the type of player that you build your team around. He does it all and has
all the tools.
Bryson plays both
infield and outfield and has the power of a home run hitter, the accuracy to
hit for average, speed in the field and around the bases, and he has a cannon for an arm. Bryson is a great ambassador of the
game and has been a solid addition to the Combat Sports family. He is
definitely a “5-Tool Player.”
Bryson
Baker here. I’m with you today
to talk about being a “5-Tool Player.” Today’s game is much different than it
was 10 or 15 years ago. It’s not just 10 catchers and DH’s with unlimited home
runs. It’s now 8 to 10 athletes with one or two catchers and DHs, with limited
homeruns.
For me, and I’m sure for many, it makes the game of upper level softball a lot
more fun to play and watch.
First off, let me talk about “DEFENSE” which
is one of the most important things you need to work on to reach the upper
level of softball. In today’s game, this is definitely something everybody
should work on improving during the off season, whether it is ground balls for
infielders or fly balls for outfielders.
I usually take
ground balls before I take batting practice. Since I’m already going out there,
I might as well do it all at once. I take 30 to 40 ground balls, 10-12 right at
me, 10-12 to my right side which is my back hand and then 10-12 to my left
which is my glove side. Depending on how I feel I’ll also take some to work on
my range a little.
It is also good to
work on throwing while you’re taking ground balls just to keep your arm
strength up. Every once in a while I will take fly balls as well, while
somebody else is hitting just in case I get called to the outfield to fill in.
The next thing is “OFFENSE” and at the upper
level of softball, it’s not just home runs anymore. You have to spray the ball
all over the field.
The first thing I like
to work on is hitting for average because to me that is harder than hitting for
power, especially with the bat technology of today. After I get warmed up with
15-20 balls with my heavy wood baseball bat, I take about 15-20 balls to right
field trying to keep the ball off the infield. Then I hit about 10-12 balls to
the right side but I try to find the holes in the infield to keep the ball on
the ground. After that I do the same routine but pulling the ball to left
field.
After this I work on
hitting for power. I typically hit about 20-25 balls, working on spinning the
ball to make it travel farther.
The last thing I work on is “SPEED” and to do
this you need to go to the gym and work your legs as well as the rest of your
body. To work your legs, you need to do cardio and weight training. I also like
to run stairs as this will help with strength and endurance. If you do all of
these things, it will help you become a “5-Tool Player.” Keep training and best
of luck.
Every player should
take notice of what Bryson has done, considering his accomplishments as a top
level player. Today’s game is not just about hitting home runs. You have to
learn to play several positions, make the plays you are supposed to and work
within the rules given to us in the game.
If you get a chance
to come out to the Dudley Classic this year, make sure you watch Bryson play
the game. You are going to walk away saying, “Wow, he is an all-around
tremendous player.”
Please tune in to
the next article for the Dudley Classic, where I will be talking about what it
means to play in such a tremendous event and how you should prepare yourself
for the rest of the season. Please check with your local retailer for the new
Bryson Baker Combat Gear Virus. It is a bat that you will want to have in the
batter’s box. Until next time, train
hard and play hard!