TYLER MOORE
1B Washington Nationals & Miami Marlins |
"Hey this is Tyler Moore. I've been around baseball my whole life. I was blessed enough to play over 3 years in the big leagues with the Nationals and hope to continue my career with the Marlins. I've had the pleasure working with Steve Lombardozzi Sr. when I was coming up in the Nationals organization. He not only helped me with my infield defense, but most importantly he taught me how to be a big leaguer mentally. His mentality helped me out tremendously. He has played in the big leagues for a long time so he has wisdom and feel for what is required. I would definitely recommend him not only as a mentor but a defensive specialist. He will do it the right way all the time. True professional to the game!"
Work hard!, Tyler |
JORDY MERCER
SS Pittsburgh Pirates |
Hi, my name is Jordy Mercer shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. I have had the pleasure of not only working with Steve Lombardozzi Sr. in one-on-one sessions but he was my infield coach for a year in the Pirates organization. I know first hand how much hard work he puts in and how much he cares about his players.
His focus on the details is special, I've never been around a coach who is more meticulous about perfecting my game than him. He's able to break down complex body movements and effectively communicate the most efficient mechanics necessary to field every single type of ground ball you're called upon to make at your position. From the routine to the spectacular play, we had to practice them all. Trust me when I say "all" because it was "all" of the plays "all" of the time under his watch! Not only has he helped me with my fielding mechanics but with my mental game. Guidance in this phase of the game separates him from the rest, bar none. Command of your emotions and thoughts in high pressure situations is something you must have to survive in the big leagues. Lombo Sr's mental strategies for game play are advanced yet simple to use from one play to the next. Don't let the simplicity fool you, great instructors have the unique ability to make the complex simple to understand and execute. For example, his aggressive fielding mentality when used always seems to play me into the perfect hops. Lombo Sr has played at the highest level of baseball, because of this he has a true feel for the game. He's a master at teaching the fundamentals, is trustworthy and gravitates towards more of mentor than simply and instructor. If you want to give yourself the absolute best chance of making it, I highly recommend you get with him. From first hand experience; once with him you better be ready to work, and work hard because he see's no other way to get there! Good luck to you, Jordy |
NEIL WALKER
2B New York Mets |
Lombo,
You were an integral part of my development as someone who never thought of playing second, so I certainly can speak first hand! When I started working with Lombo, I was at a crossroads in my professional career. Mulling in AAA for the 3rd straight year, I found myself bouncing around the field defensively, mostly lost but hoping to find a spot that I could stick with. He was given the task of turning me into a second basemen, I had about 3 years of 3rd base experience coming into that year, but zero at second! He was able to break down the nuances of the position in laymen terms for me and help me trust myself as a defender. Working from ground zero on simple ground balls right at me, then progressing onto much more skilled plays like ranging ground balls and quick double play feeds and turns. His attention to detail and patience with me was much appreciated and needed! When it was time to start playing games at the position i didn't feel totally lost because of how many different techniques we worked on and all the scenarios we ran through in our drills. I only had a few dozen games at second base before I was called to the big leagues, and a few years later finished in the top 5 in the gold glove voting. I definitely feel without the help I got from Him, His knowledge of the position and the game, and his great support as a coach and friend, that I wouldn't nearly have learned the position in the amount of time I did. As many Big Leaguers will tell you, the difference between players at the Big League level is so small, but it's the guys that pay attention to every detail, work tirelessly, have a positive attitude day in and day out, and believe in themselves fully that separate themselves and end up with long prosperous Major League careers, and Lombo understands that better than most! What I thought was once impossible turned out to be very possible and now I've been playing second base for 7 years in the Big Leagues, and I owe a lot to Steve for everything he did and continues to do for me! If you engrain the perfect mechanics of the fundamentals your game will hold up under the pressure of competition. So if your going to put in the work its critical that the instructor you utilize is knowledgeable of the perfect actions required of all fundamentals. Good luck and have some fun playing the game! Neil |
