Branden Berry worked toward becoming a polished product. Photo by Joe Cavanaugh

Over the course of the Kettleers season, players have many ways of  keeping track of what they need to do and how things are progressing.

Branden Berry (Cal State Northridge) was added to the Kettleers roster after opening day, but he made quite an impact with his dedication and hard work. The California native kept a summer journal during his time in Cotuit and was kind enough to share some of his thoughts with us. The following are his notes and what he wanted to accomplish to make him a polished product.

Practice Notes

Hitting

finish the swing
use your legs/ over rotate back foot

Game goals

I will see the ball, hit the ball
I will finish my swing and use my legs
I will play great defense
I will be a vocal leader and I will use my defense to flush every at bat

Thursday vs. Hyannis 6/25

I will execute a calm load/ stride and a violent swing
I will execute a middle away approach at the plate
I will look middle away and drive the ball to the opposite field
I will throw my hands and drive my legs at the plate
I will be a great leader all game

Friday vs. Gateman  6/26

I will execute a no stride approach while still getting rhythm with my hands/front foot
I will be ready to attack every pitch I see
I will be a vocal leader on/off the field
I will see the ball, hit the ball

Saturday at Home 6/27

Early work goals-
I will get a good feeling with my rhythm and load and no stride approach at the plate
I will use my legs every swing and throw my hands at the ball

Monday at home vs. Bourne  7/6

I will execute a calm no stride approach at the plate
I will use my lower half and finish my swing
I will see the ball, and hit the ball
I will be a vocal leader on/off the field
I am a servant to the good Lord
I will say thank you to the Lord

Friday Early work

I will use my legs on every swing by rotating my back leg/foot and using my glute
I will finish my swing by letting the bat go all the way around
I will throw my hands at the ball “buggy whip”
I will use the whole field

Saturday at home vs Falmouth  7/4

I will be calm and under control at the plate during all of my at bats
I will execute a no stride/minimal movement swing at the plate
I will throw my hands at the ball, use my legs, and finish my swing
I will see the ball, hit the ball
I will be a vocal leader all 9 innings no matter the score

Sunday at Hyannis  7/5

Early work
I will feel a comfortable rhythm at the plate
I will see the ball deep
I will let the ball travel
I will throw my hands and use my legs every swing
I will let it get deep!!!

Tuesday vs Wareham  7/7

I am confidant at the plate
I am free from distractions
I am confident in a easy load/ no stride approach at the plate
I will throw my hands at the ball and will drive my legs firing my glute
I will be a leader all game

Wednesday Early Work

I will have an athletic stance with a no stride approach
I will throw my hands and use my legs
I will use my breath and pre pitch routine to keep me consistent

Friday vs Bourne  7/10

I will have a calm load/ easy stride
I will have relaxed hands
I will throw my hands at the ball and drive my legs
I will be a vocal leader
I will see the ball, hit the ball

Saturday vs Wareham  7/11

I have been feeling more confident at the plate as of late with the adjustments I’ve been making at the plate.
Today I will continue that good feeling I have at the plate
I will have a calm load/ stride foot
I will throw my hands at the ball, drive my legs, and finish my swing
I will be ready to attack every pitch
I will see the ball, hit the ball
I will be a vocal leader and servant to the Lord
I am confident
I am strong
I am a relentless competitor
I am a servant to the Lord and am exactly where I am supposed to be
2 Timothy 2:2

Sunday vs  Brewster 7/12

I am confident in my swing at the plate
I will continue to execute an easy rhythm no stride/ easy load
I will throw my hands at the ball and drive my legs to the ground and finish my swing
I will be ready to attack every pitch I see
I will use my routine to get that good feeling at the plate and in between pitches
I will see the ball, hit the ball

Monday Early Work

I will throw my hands at the baseball, stay level, and drive the ball with my legs
I will finish my swing
no stride with good rhythm

Tuesday vs Bourne  7/14

I will have a good rhythm at the plate, I will throw my hands at the ball
I will use my legs and over rotate my backside
I will be ready to attack every pitch
I will be a vocal leader all game

Wednesday at Brewster  7/15

I will see the ball, hit the ball
I have been a little out of control as of late…
I will attack the baseball
I will throw my hands at the ball and drive the ball with my legs
I will be a vocal leader all game
I am fearless
I am confident
let er rip!!

Friday at home vs Falmouth 7/17

I will be a vocal leader
I will have a calm no stride approach at the plate
I will throw my hands at the ball and drive my legs
I will see the ball, and hit the ball. BOOM!

Saturday at Falmouth  7/18

I will be ready to attack every pitch
I will execute a calm/ under control approach at the plate
I will see the ball out of hand very well all day
I will be loose with my hands and throw them at the ball
I will use my legs on every swing

Sunday at Wareham 7/19

Early work
hands close to my body
throw the hands
drive with legs
see it, be easy

Game

I will see the ball really well out of hand
I will execute a calm under control approach at the plate
I will throw my hands at the ball and drive with my legs
I will be a vocal leader

Tuesday Early Work

throw my hands to the ball
use my legs
finish the swing!!
no stride/ minimal stride approach

Sunday v Orleans  7/26

I will throw my hands at the ball, finish my swing, and drive my legs
I will be ready to attack every pitch i see
I will have a nice easy approach at the plate
I will use BP to get that good feeling
I am a leader
I am confident
I will let it eat

Tuesday at home vs Falmouth  7/28

I will be ready to hit every pitch i see
I will have a calm easy no stride approach at the plate
I will throw my hands at the ball and finish my swing
I will drive with my legs into the ground and finish with my back side
I am a servant to the Lord
Thank the Lord!!

Wednesday at Hyannis 7/29

I am ready to hit every pitch
I am confident  in finishing my swing, using my legs, and driving my back foot
I am confident in my defense and arm
I am a leader on and off the field

Thursday at Bourne  7/30

I will have relaxed hands at the plate
I will throw my hands at the ball and finish my swing
I am ready to hit every pitch
See ball, hit ball

Friday Focus

take the steps needed to be locked in by game time
I will have fun and play hard
I will be vocal all game
I will be calm at the plate
I am confident in my ability to hit every pitch
I will be calm at the plate
I will look fastball and adjust off speed
I will throw my hands and finish my swing

Saturday at home vs YD  8/1

see ball hit ball,
I am exactly where I am supposed to be
BOOM!!