About

Grandpa has never been an organized baseball player, he is not a coach, he is not a recognized authority of any kind regarding baseball.  He is a highly trained human factors engineer with years of experience in that field and has been issued two US Patents.  In addition, he has an extensive background in research.  He has directed, managed research projects, and published research for one of the world’s most prestigious US research laboratories.

Portions of the information contained in the book are based on his research regarding: baseball player training and development, the technology behind baseball, coaching baseball, baseball mechanics, best practices in playing baseball most of which is already in the public domain all supplemented with his own observations at baseball games.

Grandpa has authored this book to give other parents, grandparents, and players a layman’s realistic idea of what to expect if you are going to play organized baseball in the Little League and high school.  For some parents this will be an eye opener for what to look for in your child’s baseball experience as well as your own experiences.

The book is also meant to provide coaches and fans, and all those associated with developing baseball players, with an insight into the more technical aspects of baseball. Not that coaches don’t already have this knowledge, but Grandpa’s observations suggest that many coaches either don’t know or don’t care to demonstrate that player development matters to them to the detriment of our young players. No organized sport is perfect when it comes to player development, coaching quality, player evaluation, or position assignment and baseball is no exception.  Parents would be well advised to read this book in its entirety if their child is going to enter any baseball program.

Baseball fans should enjoy knowing the information presented in this book because it will enhance their understanding of the game as they watch the game of baseball in real time.

About The Co-Author

Coach Hatcher

“Coach Hatcher began his baseball career playing at Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. In 1981, at the age of 17, he was the top hitter in the nation for high school baseball players, with zero strikeouts. Coach Hatcher was drafted out of high school by the Major League Detroit Tigers. As a two-sport standout, he was recruited to play baseball and football at a number of universities. He opted to play baseball at California Polytechnic under Coach John Scolinos. After three seasons playing for the Cal Poly Broncos, he was drafted and signed by the Houston Astros.

Early in his career, he was diagnosed with a career-ending heart condition and was given a medical release. He immediately began his career as a player development coach and scout for Major League Baseball. He has worked with the Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Saint Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds and has been a member of the MLB Scouting Bureau since 2007. He has provided coaching assistance at universities, high schools, and the MLB Academy System, as well as individual player development at all levels of the game. In addition, he has coached in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Coach Hatcher has been in baseball for 45 years as a player, coach, and scout.

Coach Hatcher’s son followed in his father’s footsteps in playing baseball. His son was drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees but opted to attend college. He played baseball and was drafted again by the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. In his senior year, he suffered a weightroom knee injury that ended his playing career, and he left baseball for the corporate world.”