Plant, Shuffle, Flip & Drop Step

Which zone the pitcher fielding this bunt in?
Plant | Shuffle | Flip | Drop Step

The bunt is back in play. Why? New BBCOR bats is probably the main reason. Colleges and High School baseball has changed and the 'bunt' is now a tool being used more to get runners on base, move runners over, score runs and make the defense antsy and uncomfortable.

So what does - 'Plant, Shuffle, Flip & Drop Step' have to do with bunts?

TCA Twins Coach, Jace Findley, at Monday's Extra Work showed & explained to pitchers four (4) zones for fielding bunts.

The four zones in front of the pitchers mound, yet far enough from the catcher - from third base line to the first base line are as follows:

1. Plant - When a bunt is fielded in this zone, the pitcher does not have a lot of time to re-shuffle their feet and then throw because the bunt is near the third base foul line. When a ball is bunted in this zone, the pitcher must field the bunt, with their feet in a good position to throw - thus they must field the ball in a 'plant' position. Once they field the fall, they must keep their feet 'planted' and throw.
2. Shuffle - When a bunt is fielded in this zone, the pitcher has some time, so we want the pitcher to shuffle, get their feet under them and sometimes shuffle to get off the mound. Granted this is not a good bunt by the offense - as this bunt is right back to the pitcher.
3. Flip - When a bunt is fielded in this zone, the pitcher will be fielding this with some momentum moving towards first base and it is too close to first base to throw the ball. When the pitcher fields this bunt (usually a push-bunt towards the second basemen), the pitcher will field this bunt and use an under-hand flip (or what I like to describe as a toss) to the player covering first base.
4. Drop Step - When a bunt is fielded in this zone, the pitcher is close to the first base line and needs to create a throwing lane so the throw does not hit the runner running to first base. After the bunt is fielded in this zone, the pitcher will use a drop step towards the pitchers mound and then throw to the player covering first base.

The Plant, Shuffle, Flip and Drop Step zones are primarily used for fielding bunts by the pitcher and making the play to first base.

Thanks to TCA Twins coach Jace (12U Head Coach, 10U Assistant & 15U Co-Head Coach) for providing our TCA Twins players with a method and zones for fielding bunts as a pitcher.

Triple Creek Make-Over

Curb Appeal - you got it!!

Triple Creek Academy is getting a make-over and it's starting at the curb. A new entrance, with walkway, garden area - gets you to Fields 1 & 2.

The main highlight is the crushed granite pathways. Two pathways from the parking lot to the 'clubhouse' and a winding pathway from the 'clubhouse' to Fields 1 & 2.

The make-over doesn't stop there - Field 1, used for 13U & 14U has got a new infield 'skin'. New bermuda grass turf has been laid down in the foul territories from infield/outfield edge - from 1st base to 3rd base. Not only that - the infield got cut back a bit deeper - so now the shortstop and second basemen can play in the right spot and get better angles to balls in the hole and up the middle. Wait for it.....the infield grass has also been renewed with the same bermuda turf that is laid in foul territory.

Field 1 is still having final touches done - so it won't be ready for this weekend's tournament - however it is targeted to be ready for next weekend's tournament - "Clover all Over".

The following are more photos of the pathways - photos of Field 1 coming soon. 

Link to images.

A New Way

Excitement @ TCA

The Triple Creek Academy Twins (TCA Twins) select baseball organization is taking a new approach to teams, practices and organization.

After kicking off their season with a uniform fitting and team meetings, the TCA Twins introduced shared practice times, an organizational culture and extra workouts. For over a month now - teams have adapted to working together to leverage practice facilities - even during rainy days - to ensure their players are getting 'deliberate workouts'. Not just 'reps', but deliberate reps that are focused to increase muscle memory and instill great fundamentals.

The 'extra work' program has been extremely well received with families and players taking full advantage. Extra work programs are 30-90 minute workouts focused on various aspects of the game: pitching, catching, middle infielders, outfielders, corner infielders, speed & agility, base running and much much more. This is a way the organization provides focused work on areas that is sometimes difficult to work into a 'team' practice. Sometimes the workouts occur before practices, sometimes on the weekend and sometimes in the evening during other team practices.

The TCA Twins organization is promoting a new culture for youth sports - encouraging their coaches, players and parents to 'ENJOY' the game being played. With experienced leadership from Ross Powell (ex-major league player) who knows what it takes to get to a high level of baseball, but more importantly the characteristics of what makes a successful person - Ross takes an approach to youth baseball that is unfortunately - way to uncommon. Coaches and players are encouraged to push the limits during practice and build solid fundamentals. Parents are requested to 'enjoy' - practices, workouts, scrimmages and games.

The 'TCA Twins Way' is not so much 'New' - but just uncommon amongst most youth sports organizations. Just like anything that is a bit new or different - it will take time, however we are very excited. The staff, coaches, families and players for this 2012 season are great and just the right folks to make this happend and be the beginning of something great!