By Kolten Smith –   It is a busy time for baseball players across the country right now. Youth athletes are in the middle of their travel ball season, many high schools are starting their district play, and colleges are now in their conference play. With that said, many families are planning their summer schedules now, too, whether that be playing on a travel ball team, a summer league, or just focusing on training. Whatever plans you are considering, I believe a Texas Baseball Ranch® visit would benefit your son.   At the Ranch, we have multiple options available. The first one I’ll ..read more

By Jill Wolforth –    Several years ago, Coach Wolforth introduced a practice where staff members were assigned individual books related to their interests. They were expected to share their thoughts on the current chapter they were reading each week and discuss its relevance to our work at The Texas Baseball Ranch®.   This past year, we had an intern named Laila Marcia. She chose not to attend college immediately after high school and expressed an interest in entrepreneurship. Laila had a pleasant personality and enjoyed working with people, so we offered her an internship at T ..read more

By Pierce Jones –    Baseball is known to have its ups and downs throughout the season that can take a toll on you mentally, make it seem like everything you try to do does not add up, or does not provide you with the rhythm you are looking for. This is where becoming precise can be very beneficial in your game and help you get into that groove much easier.   Unfortunately, where athletes often fail, especially at a younger age, is they do not have a set routine that they like to follow and/or do not know how to create one. It is oftentimes much easier to “follow the herd” of yo ..read more

By Jonathan Massey –     This is the story of the pump. A simple pump, when used properly, can be used for many important tasks, such as providing drinking water for a community or removing unwanted water from a flooded area.   To understand this story, you must be able to understand the physics of a pump. As you begin to pump the pump, fluid begins to fill the inside. During the early stages of your efforts, you do not see any results in terms of fluid coming out of the pump. The pump is being “primed,” meaning the fluid level inside the pump is being built up so that, eventual ..read more

By Coach Wolforth –   Jill and I recently visited our granddaughters in Fishers, Indiana. They’re aged 12, 11, and 7. Our daughter and son-in-law took a short vacation, leaving us in charge of the chaos for six days.   During our brief stay, we immersed ourselves in the world of youth sports. We attended three basketball games, one soccer practice, and one softball practice. It’s clear that Indiana takes its basketball very seriously, with a variety of games from AAU to private parochial school matches.   Ah, the memories.   Reflecting on our own experiences with our son, G ..read more

By Isaiah Trevino –    Whether you’re in the middle of your high school or college season or just beginning your professional season, all can feel very long and grueling. In my experience, here are a few things that helped me get through the season mentally and emotionally.   At the beginning of the season, the excitement and joy of starting another year can be unmatched. However, the “fizz” from the start of the season can begin to wear off, especially if you’re not in the right frame of mind throughout the year. Being present with every game, practice, pitch, rep, etc., can he ..read more

By Kolten Smith –   No matter the age, baseball players this time of year have started their playing season or are just on the cusp to begin. Youth baseball is in the middle of its spring season, and high schools and colleges are getting ready to play their first games. With this in mind, many athletes face a difficult question: How can I do my Ranch training during the season? It can be very tough, especially with a coach who is unfamiliar with the Ranch or who does not agree with our teachings. Because of this, in my article this week, I will outline a few different ways you and/or your ..read more

By Jill Wolforth –   Recently, I have witnessed something that I’m finding to be epidemic.  Yes, I realize that’s a heavy word, but I do want to make it a big deal.   It’s this, knowing what needs to be done versus actually doing it.   This distinction is critical for success at ANYTHING! Let me give you three examples:   1.     I want to get stronger and I know in order to do so I must do some type of strength training (pushups, lifting, kettle bells, etc.), so many days a week, for a specific period of time.  Yet, I don’t do it.   2.&nbs ..read more

By Pierce Jones –    With the season nearing (or having already begun) for many baseball players across the country, it can become a stressful time for pitchers to find consistency in their workload/training management. This can be due to various reasons, such as schedules constantly changing or maybe even how practices are being conducted. The main thing I want to emphasize throughout this blog is the importance of continuing to blend your drill work throughout the season and not falling into the one-size-fits-all program with your team or training regiments.    The first ..read more

By Coach Wolforth –   At the Texas Baseball Ranch®, we are known primarily for the physical part of player development. However, I firmly believe it’s our work on the mental/emotional side of the equation that is often the real game-changer.    For young athletes embarking on their journey toward excellence, physical prowess is just one piece of the puzzle. The often underestimated (yet critical) factor in achieving athletic success is the power of mindset. A positive and resilient mind can be the game-changer that propels aspiring athletes to new heights.   Mental Resilie ..read more