Force = Mass x Acceleration
Oct 10, 2023
Read time: 3 minutes
New Patrick Jones Baseball Podcast is out:
Joe Tourville works at Blast Motion. In this episode, we discuss the importance of Blast Motion metrics in evaluating and improving a player's performance.
We also touch on the role of bat speed, rotational acceleration, and early connection in a player's swing.
Listen: patrickjonesbaseball.com
Force = Mass x Acceleration
If you want to hit the ball harder, this is the formula.
I know hitters who have impressive bat speeds, but they have no mass.
There’s going to be outliers like Mookie Betts. That’s not the norm.
Today, we will discuss 1 way to help hitters increase their mass.
1-week commitment
The biggest mistake that players make is they don’t track their calories. With everything else they have going on, I get it.
However, I tell the kids I work with this: you must track your calories religiously for one week.
Just commit to doing it for 1 whole week. Track everything.
If I tell them to do it forever, they might get overwhelmed. I want them to track it for 1 week because I know what will happen next. They won’t realize how many calories they’re consuming; if they do, they won’t realize how many are from all processed foods.
The app I always recommend is myfitnesspal.
It’s free.
I will ask kids if they think they’re eating enough.
Usually, the answer is yes.
They start tracking it, and I get texts like this on the first day.
When calculating a player's macros, their body type must be considered.
3 different body types:
1. Ectomorphs (naturally thin with skinny limbs) = 25% protein, 55% carbs, 20% fat
2. Mesomorphs (naturally muscular and athletic) - 30% protein, 40% carb, 30% fat
3. Endomorphs (naturally broad and thick) = 35% protein, 25% carb, 40% fat
* Also, it is important to note that 1 gram is a different amount of calories for proteins, carbs, and fats.
Protein = 4 calories per gram
Carbs = 4 calories per gram
Fat = 9 calories per gram
“Eating is much harder than lifting.”
Nutrition is about discipline.
It’s boring.
But I like to emphasize to the kids I work with that the boring stuff makes you great.
If you can push yourself to do the boring stuff when you don’t want to, and you do it for a long time, it will compound into something special.
Mental Game
We’ve talked about how mental hitting is, right?
Nutrition plays a MASSIVE role in our mental state. I know firsthand that when I’m eating well, I have way less anxiety than when I’m eating processed foods and not tracking my calories.
I’m a big believer in planning AHEAD of time for nutrition. Players (like all of us) will not 'WILL' their way to eating more.
That’s why fast food is a big deal; people don’t plan, so they become tired and take the most convenient thing possible.
Okay, let’s talk about the most common scenario.
A hitter needs to gain weight this off-season.
Let’s say this hitter needs to put on 10-15 pounds of muscle.
We'll say as an example that they need 4,000 calories a day.
“But I don’t have time to make it; I have school, practice, and homework.”
Yes, you’re very busy. That’s why you need to learn to meal prep.
Here’s an example of what you can buy at the store on a budget.
Players need to get stronger to withstand the long season. They need to eat more foods that are minimally processed.
Not French fries and chocolate cake. Although those are very good. Lol.
Hydration
This is essential to a player's ability to perform at a high level. They should be drinking a lot of water.
It's important to note that the need for electrolytes and the amount of water required can vary depending on temperature, humidity, individual sweat rate, and exercise intensity.
Players should pay attention to their body's signals, such as thirst and urine color (pale yellow is a good indicator of proper hydration), to adjust their fluid and electrolyte intake accordingly.
Lastly, here are 4 cost-effective snacks that you, as the coach, can provide for players in-season during practice or games.
Conclusion
As Peter Drucker says:
"What gets measured, gets managed"
So, let's start measuring.
Whenever you're ready, there's 1 way I can help you:
I'm currently working with hitters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
If you have a player who wants to improve:
- Mental Game
- Approach
- Consistency
Fill out the form below: