FUNGOMAN JOURNAL

"It doesn't look the same as a ball coming off a bat." "I'm an old-school coach; that machine doesn't follow the traditions of baseball." "That thing is out to take my job." These are things we hear from well-meaning, baseball-loving coaches quite frequently. Today, we'd like to address some of these statements and debunk a few of the misconceptions about FungoMan, what we are about, and why we believe FungoMan is a tool for the coach, not his replacement. A carpenter doesn't use a circular saw for detail carpentry work when he needs a chisel. Similarly, FungoMan can not and should not replace the fungo. The fungo bat and Fungoman can coexist and compliment one another on the coach's tool belt for the work to be done to better the players. We've asked one of our customers at Old Dominion University Baseball (D1), to share how and why they use their machines the way they do.

The time has come for you to know who you really are as coaches. It's time for you to learn your true identity...as a Marvel superhero. Yep. We said it, and this we will keep on saying: Coaches are the lifeblood of the sport and that's no small role to play. So let's have a little fun with this and discover who you might in all that Avenger armor. Take the quiz and find out. But remember: "With great power comes great responsibility."

It's one thing to put together a stellar team, but it's another thing to get each player well-sharpened and ready for the season -- which is where nailing your practice comes into play. All the little details that go into practice separate the exceptional teams from the mediocre. And great coaches know this and capitalize on those little details to take their team to the next level. Check out some of those little details that we know will improve any baseball practice. Most likely you already put most of these good practices into your program (and good on you!), but you may be inspired to try out one or two for the team.