Why Splinters?

Why Splinters Baseball?

With our current social climate, kids are seeking activities that grab their interest. Activities that give them a sense of purpose challenge them and help them grow both physically and mentally. We are confident that they will become a better baseball player through Splinters Baseball programs. They will be given tools to be a better person through Splinters Baseball programs as well. These tools include leadership, self confidence and building a strong work ethic. Below are the 10 foundations of Splinters Baseball that make us a great choice for your young player.

  • Splinters Baseball is a community focused organization.

Improving Communities through Baseball is the mission statement of Splinters Baseball. Through our baseball instruction we introduce skills that transcend the diamond and impact lives in a positive direction. It is with our SplinterWALK Project that we introduce players to our community improvement incentive plan. Our instructors also live in our community and are often seen at local parks checking up on all the action.

  •  Emphasis on guided discovery versus command and demand.

We are dealing with players from the age of 6-18. We don’t believe in the “do this because I said, and I am the coach” mentality. Our job is to guide the player to the desired result and allow them to learn the process along the way. Players gain awareness of how their process is connected to their outcome likely for the first time in their young career. Namely, how the process dictates their results. First we work to understand where a player is in their development. Before they can get anywhere they need to know where they are. Splinters Baseball has a process in place to help players discover where they are. We provide the parameters they then are responsible for staying on track.

  • Emphasis on principles over personal preferences.

We keep the main think the main thing. This is consistent with the technique focal points, we work very hard to prove these techniques work. They aren’t the result of what an instructor would like to see based on personal preference. Basically, we don’t major in minor stuff.

  • Student is in charge of learning environment

The player bears the responsibility for their development. In order for their successful development, we work to give the player ownership of the process. Again, we provide the parameters they then are responsible for staying on track.

  • Splinters Baseball is a learning sanctuary that encourages risk, growth, challenges, discovery, trial and trust.

If a player feels like they can go in and fail, it opens the ability to retain the material. By that I mean we allow the player to fail in our sessions without fear of disapproval. We then use that failure as a learning experience. The player must feel comfortable and relaxed knowing that they aren’t going to be ridiculed for each mistake. It is heard often at our sessions “alright, do it again. 500 more times and we have something.” We don’t let the players become afraid of failure. Failure is never fatal and success is never final.

  • Technique over Style.

Splinters Baseball designs our curriculum to work on improving the results a player has. The only time we look to change players style is when it is a hindrance to desired results. If constant bat motion is their style, and it works for them (See Gary Sheffield), Great we will not change that. If the constant bat motion gets in the way of them getting to a point of leverage, its time to adjust. 

  • Emphasis on effective over efficient.

Our goal is to instill techniques that work, not to put a temporary fix in place. We design each program to achieve the maximum impact in the minimal amount of training time. What gets the desired results? What will get them to their desired goal?  We work hard to create open dialogue environment. This builds trust and builds relationships.  We also work very hard at removing the redundant exercise of asking the player “Does that make sense” and getting the obligatory Yes as to not hurt our feelings. Instead we have the player explain the theories back to ensure they fully understand what is being asked of them. If they are unable to do that, we have failed as instructors and need to take a look at how we explained the given method. 

  • Total integration, give the player ownership.

Optimize progress and sustained growth. Homework and progress reports are our way of keeping the development an on going process. The player is responsible for working on drills in between sessions. This is paramount in their growth.  It also gives the player ownership of their success. If the y don’t succeed it is their responsibility.

  • Expect nothing on faith.

Our job as an academy is to prove every piece of the instruction. We are confident we can do that. Don’t believe the lesson because “we” say so. Work the mechanics. And play devils advocate at times and Splinters Baseball techniques work.  We all seek the truth together.

  • The System is always evolving.

The learning process does not stop. We are constantly learning and that needs to be embraced.  We work to continually expand our program. We maintain our belief system and continue to improve it. With the development of our players as the ultimate target, we seek the best techniques and methods to achieve that target.