Posted by: Andy Proctor (AKPsr45@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 21 11:24:50 2003

John:

Clearly functional athletic fitness is a requirement. If anyone has a doubt, just look at the Quakes and Stars success last weekend in USSSA...both teams played 7 games in 3 days(2 double headers and a triple header) to take their tournaments...my club played 7 and lost to the Stars primarily because they played great fundamental baseball and we were flat out exhuasted. So many great lessons learned.

I am becoming a huge believer in making conditioning a bigger part of our program. Medicine ball drills, form running, and weight lifting (we use the Husker Power program at home, since age 10). I've observed that the kids with the strongest legs will be the fastest, most agile, and athletic.

John...what exercises and conditioning program do you use with your kids?

Thanks.