Posts by andy

  When base runners come into a bag and perform a well executed slide it can be an act of poetry.  Done well, the extension of a player’s body to transition from a sprint to a stop brings style and functionality together into a rhythmic exercise of athleticism. At the same time a poorly executed…

  Some people say they want to be the best. And then some say they are striving to be their best. The former have identified a ceiling and the latter have embraced a process. Put Gavyn Byrd in the latter category. The 2020 uncommitted RHP/OF of Wesleyan Christian in High Point, NC, has long recognized…

  The defensive responsibilities of the outfielder in baseball is a pretty simple collection of tasks and skills related to collecting and returning balls that reach beyond the infield.  Abilities to perform are often tied to the tools a player possesses to run, in order to cover ground, and arm strength, to restrict advancing base…

  Putting oneself around the right type of people can often bring positive results.  That’s what right-handed pitcher Zach Lewis must have been thinking when he joined the Dirtbags in the fall of 2018. The uncommitted 2021 out of West Forsyth said he made the decision with the purpose of gaining exposure to college programs.…

  Preparing should be seen as an ongoing process for any athlete.  Even when players are in the performance mode of their sport, taking advantage of those moments of inactivity to both access situations and refine skills can lead to achieving optimal execution. Whether the preparation is cognitive or physical, the best players will take…

  The proverb “speaking softly and carrying a big stick” became an identifying phrase if not an ideology for an American president.  It personified how Teddy Roosevelt conducted his policies and his life. If the phrase were to turn and become “speak softly and carry a baseball bat” the same could be said for 2022…

 Hitters in the game of baseball are always looking for an advantage or an edge to leverage their efforts to find success at the plate.  The number of ways to improve results with the bat are plentiful. While beginning with a fundamentally sound swing is a good starting point, other avenues may require more subtle…

 When looking in the dictionary for a definition of a “student-athlete” one may find a picture of Matt Walker. As a 2020 uncommitted outfielder, the junior out of St. Stephens High School in Hickory, NC, is in fact a top performer both in the classroom and on the baseball field. And he hopes to parlay…

Dirtbag Week in Review May 27-June 3 Washer named Greenville Regional Most Outstanding Player for ECU Jake Washer went 7-17 with 4 HR’s 9 RBI’s and 6 R’s scored in helping lead the Pirates to a regional title and advancing to the Super Regionals. The Pirates lost game 1 and won 4 straight games to…

 When it comes to addressing the necessary skills of a defensive player in the game of baseball a conversation will not go far without mentioning fielding the ground ball. Assuredly, sound mechanics and proper instruction are the best methods to acquire the skills needed to perform the task consistently, effectively and efficiently.  . The topic…