“When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.”  -  La Rochefoucauld, Maxims

Tiger Woods had the ability to make golf shots that seemed to be impossible, much to the amazement of his opponents, because of his mind-set and calmness.  Boldness. Brilliance – leads to tranquility within.  “It’s a thrill to see what you have inside … Sure, I get nervous, but I know how to handle it.  Focus everything on what you’re doing.

Read the entire article on our new blog, "Dugout Chattuh" by clicking here.

Congratulations to Ohana Tigers Quarles/Urbina for earning their Premier Berth to PGF Nationals this summer! They worked hard as a team and outscored their opponents 31-10. Great job girls!

Team: Ohana Tigers 18U Herrera
Position: C / 1B
High School: La Reina HS, Thousand Oaks, CA
Grade: Senior, Class of 2019
Other sports/school activities: Lit Team, Retreat Leader, National Honor Society
Years in Ohana: 2 years
Signed to: YALE University
Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Band: Gavin DeGraw 
Favorite Athlete: Mike Trout
Favorite Store: Bath & Body Works
Hobbies: Hiking, puzzles, going to the beach

What courses/major do you plan to explore in college? Neurology, Physical Science, Psychology

Most important qualities in a person: integrity, optimism, kindness, trustworthiness

Biggest turn-off or pet peeve: loud chewing, taking food without asking, clicking/tapping pens

Favorite quote to live by: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the Glory of God."

If I could do one thing to change the world: End Third World hunger and poverty

1. Learn the umpire’s strike zone as early in the game as possible.  The lowest strike, the highest strike, outside limit and inside limit.  Know what he will give you and what he won’t give you.  Most of the time, they will be consistent with their calls.
2. Get ahead of your “pitch count”.  Most often, first pitch strike is important, unless you consciously pitch outside the strike zone (pitch out, “fish” pitch, learning umpires strike zone).
3. Make every effort to get the first out in each inning.  Opposing teams have fewer scoring options with one out and no runner on base.
4. Pitch with efficiency by limiting the number of three ball counts.  In a 7 inning game, your pitch count goal should be about 80-85 pitches, (an average of 12 pitches per inning).  A pitchers strike to ball ratio should be approximately 2:1 (two strikes pitched for every ball). 
5. Pitchers must work at being good fielders.  Good fielding pitchers help their efficiency.
6. Know yourself!  On any given day, know which of your pitches is working most effectively during warm ups. Which of your pitches is not working well during warm ups.  Every pitcher should have 1 or 2 go to “OUT” pitches.  Following your pre-game warm up, it is IMPORTANT to share this information with your catcher and the coach calling pitches.
7. The most effective pitcher, is not necessarily the pitcher who can overpower a hitter.  The most effective pitchers are pitchers who keep hitters off balance (disrupt the hitter’s timing) by changing speeds and pitch location.  Learn to do this well.  You MUST have a “change up” that you can spot locate with consistency.
8. Good pitchers don’t get beat by the bottom half of the opposing team’s line-up.  Don’t give free bases (walks, hit batters, errors, etc.) to the bottom half (7, 8, and 9 hitters) of the opposing team’s line-up , however don’t take them for granite.
9. Good pitchers are able to get a strike out (K) when they need it. Good pitchers don’t give up a lot of home runs because of bad pitches, or POOR PITCH LOCATION.  Minimize the need to make a bad pitch (middle of the plate) by staying ahead of the count.  By being ahead of the count, pitchers can “work” the edges of the strike zone.
10. Be smart!  Think like a pitcher, not a thrower.

Position: 3B, Catcher, Util
High School: Gahr HS, Cerritos, CA
Grade: Junior, Class of 2020
Years in Ohana: 4 years
Signed to: San Jose State
Favorite Subject: Engineering
Hobbies: Watching Youtube
Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers
Favorite Snack: Acai bowls
Favorite TV Show: Riverdale
Favorite Movie: Benchwarmers

I play softball because: it is where I can forget about school and just have fun with my friends.

My most recent embarassing moment: I tripped over a bench in front of random people at school during lunch and I got so red and my knees were bleeding!!

Biggest role model and why: My brother because he has been through alot and has perservered.

What I still work on to improve / tip to younger players: Speed. #speedkills