| A number of years ago I was helping at a local | | | | overall athleticism in several sports, baseball |
| tryout camp for a Major League Baseball Team. | | | | included. SPARQ stands for speed, power, agility, |
| We had about 50 attending an open tryout in the | | | | and quickness. The overall idea was developed by |
| area for players ranging in ages from 16-23. I | | | | Rudy Chapa, a former All American cross country |
| arrived early and helped measure and paint a line | | | | and track runner at the University of Oregon. The |
| for the 60 yard dash. If you have ever been to | | | | baseball testing for SPARQ was developed by |
| any type of MLB tryout or even a top baseball | | | | ERic Trice of Trice Athletics in 2006, while he was |
| showcase, they will always start the day off with | | | | working for SPARQ. Trice was a former track |
| a 60 yard dash. That morning was no different. | | | | and professional baseball athlete. SPARQ has been |
| We split the players up into several groups and | | | | used by Nike as overall marketing tool (a very |
| had them begin stretching, then we started to run | | | | popular one) since 2004 to sell cross training |
| them in pairs. At the end of the testing we had a | | | | footwear, apparel, and equipment. |
| young man that was 23 years old and a recent | | | | The SPARQ testing for baseball consists of the |
| small college football player that ran a 6.3 second | | | | following tests: |
| 60 yard dash. | | | | - 20 Yard Shuttle Run: Lateral movement testing |
| If you know anything about the 60, that is an | | | | that measures agility |
| extremely good time, and the best I have ever | | | | - 30 Yard Dash: Measures acceleration |
| witnessed. The scout running the tryout (who had | | | | - Rotational (3 kg) Power Ball Throw: Measures |
| scouted for over 30 years and signed a number | | | | core strength, total body power, and rotational |
| of big league players) said it was the best he had | | | | core movement common in baseball. |
| ever timed. In fact, he asked the young man to | | | | - Vertical Jump: Overall athleticism |
| run it a second time, just to make sure. The time | | | | The overall testing involved in SPARQ is good, but |
| was the same. The next thing the scout said to | | | | MLB still embraces the 60 yard dash. The SPARQ |
| me was "If he can hit, field, or throw we will sign | | | | rating system has been accepted more by |
| him to a contract today" Unfortunately, he had | | | | football than baseball so far, although a number of |
| never played baseball before and had no other | | | | Universities and top baseball showcases are using |
| baseball skills. | | | | the SPARQ testing. |
| All MLB teams still use the 60 yard dash today, | | | | Another component to the SPARQ system is |
| but only has a starting point to measure speed | | | | SPARQ training. This second component is the |
| and quickness. It has been a standard for some | | | | training system to help young athletes improve. |
| time and is a good indicator of the speed needed | | | | Individuals can obtain certification, videos, and |
| on the field. The distance from 1B to 3B is 180 | | | | training tools in order to set up shop and begin |
| feet (60 yards). also outfielders have to cover a | | | | the business of training young athletes. The |
| large area in the outfield when catching fly balls. | | | | problem is that some individuals obtaining the |
| The average major league player will run the 60 | | | | credentials and equipment are not always fully |
| yard dash in a time under 7.0 seconds, but this is | | | | certified athletic trainers. SPARQ is in the current |
| more important for middle infielders and | | | | process of reevaluating its rating and training |
| outfielders. Power hitting first/third basemen, | | | | certification, although many SPARQ events are |
| catchers, and pitchers do not need to run a good | | | | still being held across the country. |
| 60 time. | | | | For now, MLB will continue to use the 60 yard |
| Overall a baseball player must still have specific | | | | dash. One thing for sure, with the right type of |
| skills and instincts. Without the ability to run the | | | | training in both strength and technique, a player |
| bases, throw and catch, and hit a fastball, running | | | | can become more athletic and explosive. With |
| speed is not very helpful. | | | | enough hard work and dedication by the athlete |
| There are many that will tell you that Major | | | | their running times can be improved and the |
| League Baseball is behind in evaluating athletes and | | | | overall confidence of the athlete will increase. |
| that the measurement for the 60 yard dash is | | | | To learn more about improving your players time |
| outdated. In the late 1990s and early 2000 the | | | | in the 60 yard dash and learn why football uses |
| SPARQ testing system was designed to test | | | | the 40 yard dash for testing CLICK HERE! |