An Intro to Perry Hill
May 11, 2011 by Stephanie Paluch · 1 Comment
Web gems – they are easily one of the most exciting parts of the game. The footwork, quick hands, and the finesse it requires to be a middle infielder ‘turning two’ may be the most poetic and graceful movement in a game of baseball. And whenever you start to think about how easy they make it look, remember the great Teddy Williams when he said, “Ballplayers are not born great. They’re not born great hitters or pitchers or managers, and luck isn’t the big factor. No one has come up with a substitute for hard work. I’ve never met a great player who didn’t have to work harder at learning to play ball than anything else he ever did.”
Now, remind yourself that these players put in endless hours of repetitive drills in order to make it look “that easy.” Each ballplayer, no matter his background or where he use to play, has done the same drills – the same footwork, glove-hand transfers, and charges to the ball for decades. For the elite, which every major leaguer is have made it to the top, did more work than his fellow peers in high school, summer ball, and college and that is why he is in the Majors today. That… and he survived the Minor Leagues.
The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, you can’t even imagine. I still can’t believe how much I learn on a daily basis about the wear and tear of the practice and conditioning put in before a game. No matter how die hard you think you are… you haven’t seen anything until you have seen the Florida Marlins defensive genius, Perry Hill in action.
I learned about Perry at Spring Training this year. On my flight to Florida, I read an article in USA Today’s Sports Weekly (March 23-29) written by Paul White entitled, “Years of glove and devotion pay off.” I learned about someone worth the time of the most die hard baseball fans out there… and then I started my research. I spent an entire afternoon looking up every stat or article ever written about Perry. I watched video after video of defensive plays by his highest regarded pupils, too.
Perry Hill’s current, official title with the Florida Marlins is first base coach, but what he teaches and instills throughout Spring Training and the grind of the regular season is something that players around the majors appreciate and respect. Luis Castillo, a 6 time gold glove winner, accredits all of his success to his former coach, Hill. In fact, Castillo even sent Hill the first ever gold glove that he earned in 2003. And, it doesn’t stop there – ask Castillo about Hill today- he still pays him full credit – “I’ve spent a long time in the big leagues. It wouldn’t have happened without him,” he told White in the USA Today article. Derrek Lee, Orlando Cabrera, and Mike Lowell are other Hill disciples who have also sent their teacher their respects – in the form the mitts they used in their gold glove years, including Lee’s which is personalized.
“A lot of people know how to teach the game. Few know how to teach the game well. In two days, [Perry Hill] made me focus on small but very important things. He’s the master at teaching the absolute fundamentals of baseball,” Greg Dobbs, 7 year MLB veteran and current Florida Marlins infielder.
The accolades for Perry Hill go on and on. If I were to include every quote about him that I found online and in articles, you would stop reading because you’d probably yell “I get it already!!!” And while all those quotes would just solidify your respect for the man, I’d rather encourage you to do the work yourself. The next time the Marlins come to your city, go to the game and make sure you get there when the gates open for batting practice. You’ll see Hill hitting grounders to infielders, side coaching players and always with a smile on his face while he don’s his #7 jersey – because Hill loves baseball. He loves baseball as much as any fan or player and he treats the game with respect while passing on his knowledge to his players. Castillo calls Hill, “..a smart man; the most positive person and the best infield coach” he’s ever worked with. He’s consistent, whether be in the clubhouse or on the field. His players even wear t-shirts under their jerseys that say, “27 Outs, No More” showing their belief in Hill’s sounding moto of defensive consciousness.
“27 Outs, No More”
The Baseball Life,
– Stephanie
Stef,All the old school guys make baseball the best sport there ever could be. I’m sure you heard of Jimmy Reese. If not do some research. I think he was 93 when he finally left the game.
Uncle Jeff