Elijah R.

I have been giving pitching and catching lessons to athletes for the last 6 years, as well as helped out high schools around the San Antonio area with their pitching staff and catchers. In 2016 - 2017, I was a volunteer pitching coach at Central Catholic and helped condition and train the pitching staff. I also specialize in strength and conditioning, as I will have my CSCS Certification (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) in November 2018, and my B.A. in Exercise and Sports Science in December 2018. I also currently intern at Explosive Sports Performance in San Antonio, Texas.

In my playing career, I played 4 years of Varsity at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas. For most of my high school career, I pitched and caught. After high school, I signed to catch at The University of the Incarnate Word in 2013. After my fist year of college, I decided to attend Angelina College, which is Division I Junior College in Lufkin, Texas. My first year, I was primarily a reliever/closer, and held the lowest ERA in Region XIV for relievers. After my 2 years at Angelina, I attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, but I was out due to a UCL tear.

For pitching lessons, depending on the age, I like to see where the player currently is in regards to their mechanics and their pitching philosophy. After discussing that aspect, we get into throwing/pitching and I can get a good look at their technique, as well as find areas we can improve not only arm strength and precision, but arm care as well. For the older kids, pitching is 95% mental and having a good approach to batters is key, so in addition to learning HOW and WHEN we throw a pitch, it is best to learn WHY we are doing it.

For catching lessons, we will be focusing on drills to help with blocking, receiving, throwing, and foot work. Blocking is BIG in catching, and that is what can make or break a catcher is how well they can block a ball. It not only makes them look like a hard worker, but gives the pitcher confidence to throw any pitch and know it will be stopped. Receiving is huge too, because most of the time, balls and strikes are called by how the catchers presents the pitch thrown. The better you receive and catch, the more strikes and calls you get. Throwing and footwork go hand in hand behind the dish. The quicker your feet and movements, the faster your throw downs. Behind the plate is different than any other position, so by doing foot work, we can improve the pop time as well.