Raoul Martinez's Page

Bats:

Right

Throws:

Right

Height:

5'10''

Weight:

230

Position(s):

P, SS, OF

Type of hitter... Power? Average? Slap? Pull?

Power, contact hitter and power gap hitter. I had many triples, doubles and in side the park home runs. I was fast and once I reached first base, I was a threat to steal home which I did many times. My swing was such that I hit a great deal of line drives. I stopped hitting just a bit under the ball after little league where I hit 19 home runs in 16 games at that time.

If you pitch, what type of pitcher are you... Power? Ground ball, Fly ball, Knuckleball?

I matured physically earlier than other, so I was a power pitcher with a great curve ball and what they now call a slider that broke big down and out. I could get it the pitch to simply fall once it reached the plate.I pitched legion baseball after a lay off doing football training. I played in Ohio's Classic North-South All-Star football game while my legion team was playing in the state legion tournament at Ohio University. I can only recall one hitter who I could not blaze a fast ball by him. I think the reason was he was a great hitter but he was a left handed hitter so it was difficult to use breaking balls on him. So he pretty much knew what was coming. I was flown to Athens Ohio to pitch in the legion tournament, I faced 6 batters and struck all 6 out. I could not stay over night because I was leaving for Jr. College the following day. I regret that decision to this day.

I currently:

Play Baseball, Coach Baseball, Am a Hitting Instructor, Play Slow Pitch Softball, Coach Slow Pitch Softball, Play Fast Pitch Softball, Coach Fast Pitch Softball, Play Wiffleball, Coach Teeball, Umpire Baseball, Umpire Fast Pitch Softball, Enjoy watching games

Baseball Playing Experience:

Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion, AAU

Baseball Coaching Experience:

Little League, Babe Ruth, High School, AAU, Independent

Softball Playing Experience:

Little League, Youth, USSSA, AAU, Independent, Slow Pitch

Who is your favorite hitter and why?

My favorite hitter was/is Roger Marris because he was a self-made hitter, worked hard to obtain and maintain his hitting skills. Roger Marris was able to remain focused during the most trying times of his baseball career and still managed to break Babe Ruth's single season home run record under tremendous public and private pressure.

Who is your favorite pitcher and why?

Pedro Martinez, he showed no fear and was always focus on winning. I also admire him because he was not a large man like many power pitcher however, when he pitched one could see that he pitched from the tips of his toes to the top of his cap. He threw with heart and soul and gave everything inside of him. His arm was connect to his heart and mind would do anything within and sometimes above his powers to win.

Additional Playing/Coaching Info (If applicable, include detailed info here such as - HS, College, Pro Leagues, Summer Leagues, Arm Speed, 60 Time, Catcher Pop Time, etc.):

Coached and played summer league college baseball. I took was offered football scholarships from Division 1 schools in 1968. However after high school, I did not have the discipline nor maturity to follow through on the many opportunities offered. I played around too much until I was drafted into the Army in 1969. It is so very important to guide kids, it would have helped me a great deal in 1968. I then worked a school counselor and licensed mental health therapist. However after leaving the army I played semi professional baseball in Ohio and Colorado.

More About Me:

I was very good at playing football so my coach had me run track because I was very fast however I regret not saying no to coach and wished I had played baseball in the Spring for my high school team.I did not have the strength at the time to say no to my football coach.