Why Baseball and Softball Players Slide into Bases

Hello Everyone!

Why do baseball and softball athletes slide? Often the first response is to avoid the tag out, which is true, but there's more to it than that.

AGSP athlete, Tyler Tofil, slides to avoid the home-plate tag. Read-on for the other reason why baseball players slide.

Why do baseball and softball players almost never slide into first base? First base is unique because it's the only base (besides home) that you are allowed to run through. You don't have to stop on first. 

This rule is why baseball and softball athletes have learned to slide into second and third base. Because sliding is the fastest way to stop!

When players are flying around the bases, especially when trying for extra bases, there is no better way to stop all that forward energy than to slide. Trying to use your legs and hips to stop creates a ton of unneeded force on the joints and ligaments. It is also a slower way to stop than sliding. Even when athletes do stop by using their feet and hips, they find it challenging to not sway off of the base.

Many athletes train to improve their starting speed and running, but very few ever focus on stopping (deceleration). You can have all the speed in the world, but if you can't stop fast and controlled than you won't be able to do much once you get to where you're going.

If you're a baseball or softball player you need to train to improve your sliding. If you're football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, etc you need to train to improve your stopping!

We teach athletes how to stop on a dime so they can make big plays and do what others can't.

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Athlete Spotlight #75) Madison Shinaberry

Hello Everyone!

Our 75th athlete has been training at AGSP with her brother and sisters for a few years. She's always willing to put in the extra work and she takes advantage of opportunities to better herself. She's always a team player and supportive of those around her. She likes to be challenged in her training and has seen a lot of great results from her consistent efforts. It’s time to meet our newest athlete spotlight!

Athlete Name: Madison Shinaberry
Sport(s): Soccer
Position(s): Defender
School: Walsh Jesuit High School
Graduation Year: 2019
AGSP Athlete Since: 2009

Favorite Professional Sports Team: US Women's National Soccer Team

Favorite Professional Athlete: Carli Lloyd

Favorite Lift: Back Squat

Favorite Movement Skill: Resistance Band Sprints

When I am not training at AGSP, I am:Practicing soccer on my own or with my team at practice. 

What are your short-term goals? My short-term goals are to make and start varsity soccer at Walsh Jesuit, all 4 years. 
What are your long-term goals? Play soccer in college and eventually work up to play on the National Team. 
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? AGSP has impacted my performance as an athlete because it has made me faster, stronger, and more explosive. It taught me that the pain you feel when you are doing something hard only lasts a short period of time, but if you quit, that hangs over you forever, so you need to fake it until you make and push through until the end.  

Check out some video of Madison in action at AGSP!

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #74) Collin Hohman

Hello Everyone!

Our 74th athlete may be one of the nicest hardworking athletes we've ever had a AGSP. We still remember his first day, we thought he was going to pass out from exertion! We asked him if he was okay, not realizing that he works that hard at everything!  He always has a great attitude and always celebrates others' successes. A great leader and teammate, it is time to meet our newest athlete spotlight!

Athlete Name: Collin Hohman
Sport(s): Baseball and Football
Position(s): Catcher
School: Trinity High School
Graduation Year: 2017
AGSP Athlete Since: 2013

Collin catching a Clean.

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Indians

Favorite Professional Athlete: Buster Posey

Focused and ready.

Favorite Lift: Hang Clean

Favorite Movement Skill: Resistance Band Sprints

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: playing baseball, hunting, fishing, and hanging with friends.

What are your short-term goals? To have a .400 batting average and throw out 50% of runners stealing. 
What are your long-term goals? Playing Division One college baseball.
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? AGSP has improved not only my strength, but has improved how I view working out and has helped me to work as hard as I can because it's a grind now, but worth it come season.  

Check out some video of Collin in action at AGSP!

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #73) Maryn Shinaberry

Hello Everyone!

Our 73rd athlete has been training at AGSP with her brother and sisters for a few years. It has been great watching her passion, skill, strength, and power grow. She truly loves both her sport and the training that goes along with it. She always has a smile on her face and her desire to be the best she can be is strong and genuine. It’s time to meet our newest athlete spotlight!

Athlete Name: Maryn Shinaberry
Sport(s):Volleyball
Position(s): Defensive Specialist and/or Libero
School: Walsh Jesuit
Graduation Year: 2018
AGSP Athlete Since: 2009

Favorite Professional Sports Team: USA Women's National Volleyball Team

Favorite Professional Athlete: Kerri Walsh

Favorite Lift: Clean Pull

Favorite Movement Skill: Lateral Shuffle and Changing Direction

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: either at volleyball practice or at an out-of-state volleyball tournament.

What are your short-term goals? My short-term goals are to be the starting libero and maintain that for my next 3 years of high school.
What are your long-term goals? My long-term goals are to play D1 and start all 4 years at my college.
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? AGSP has impacted my performance by making me faster, stronger, and more explosive. Once you get to a higher level in your sport, most of your competition is going to be at the same skill level as you. So, from there the person who is faster and stronger will start over you. AGSP has also impacted me by teaching me to work hard and to "fake it until I make it." 

Check out some video of Maryn in action at AGSP!

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #72) Nicole Kessinger

Hello Everyone!

Our 72nd athlete always works hard while training at AGSP. She's positive, helpful, encouraging, and brings consistently great effort. She's strong and she's learned a lot about the details of speed (because she asks great questions and really wants to know the "why" behind the training)! It’s time to meet our newest athlete spotlight!

Athlete Name: Nicole Kessinger
Sport(s):Tennis
Position(s): Singles and Doubles
School: Walsh Jesuit
Graduation Year: 2016
AGSP Athlete Since: 2011 

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Denver Broncos

Favorite Professional Athlete: Peyton Manning 

Favorite Lift: Back Squat

Favorite Movement Skill: Max Velocity

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: Playing tennis.

What are your short-term goals? To make it to States.
What are your long-term goals? To run a half marathon.
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? While I have become stronger and more powerful, my biggest improvement has been speed.

Check out some video of Nicole in action at AGSP!

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Warm-ups the Heart of an Athlete's Event

Hello Everyone!

Warm-ups are important everyday, but especially during cold weather days!

My article for STRIVE Youth Sports Magazine shares what a great warm-up is, why successful athletes take them seriously, and how you can make your own great warm-up!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #71) Bryce Marshall

Hello Everyone!

Our 71st athlete spotlight has made an immediate positive impact at AGSP. He has a strong work ethic that raises the levels of those around him. His desire to master his body's potential has him completely committed to maximizing the details of every speed, agility, and power skill we coach. He is a natural leader that  is always improving. It’s time to meet our newest athlete spotlight!

Athlete Name:Bryce Marshall
Sport(s): Baseball
Position(s): Shortstop and 2nd Base
School: Walsh Jesuit
Graduation Year: 2016
AGSP Athlete Since: 2014

  

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Indians

Favorite Professional Athlete: Jose Altuve 

Favorite Lift: Kang Squat

Favorite Movement Skill: Pro-Agility (Shuttle/5-10-5)

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: Training for baseball, watching film, volunteering, listening to music, and talking to friends.

What are your short-term goals? Better linear speed for the 60 yard dash.
What are your long-term goals? To win a State Championship at Walsh Jesuit. To commit to a college for baseball.
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? I am finding a way to maintain (even gain) speed while lifting. Usually, I have had to sacrifice one or the other. 

Check out some video of Bryce in action at AGSP!

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance