Former Atlanta Braves Pitcher, Justin Jackson’s New Adventure To Teach The Youth
By Jeff Schafer
Justin Jackson‘s New Media Outreach Could Be A Game Changer
After eight seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Atlanta Braves signed free agent relief pitcher Justin Jackson on November 15, 2014 on a minor league deal. The Blue Jays selected Jackson with the 45th overall selection in the 2007 MLB draft as a shortstop coming out of high school. During his professional career, he played infield and outfield positions, before being converted to a pitcher for the first time in 2013.
Knowing his time on the mound was a work in progress, the Braves saw his 94-95 mph fastball and decided to give him a chance.
After signing with the Braves, Jackson announced the big news on social media…
With social media being a huge presence in Jackson’s life (follow him @jaxchillinone), he has decided to take his knowledge of baseball to a brand new outlet. His could be a huge game changer with professional athletes spreading their knowledge of baseball to the youth. When learning, folks usually turn to professionals who’ve actually been in the action and learned underneath other very knowledgable coaches.
Jackson graciously answered a couple of questions from Tomahawk Take about his new YouTube page and his website…
Tomahawk Take: First off, tell us about your brand new YouTube channel and why you decided to start this?
Justin Jackson: I wanted to start this YouTube channel basically because during the season it’s a lot easier to connect with the baseball community by making video blogs, plus I really think the fans will dig checking out what happens behind the scenes in the clubhouse on the bus, etc.
TT: What message are you wanting to send and which audience are you trying to reach out to with making these videos?
JJ: The main message that I want to send is to teach kids about the fundamentals of baseball. I believe that having the proper techniques will ultimately lead to success on the field.
It’s important for me to give back to the youth the information that someone gave me in the past to help me get to where I am!
TT: The video is very knowledgeable and gave me an inside view of a professional pitchers mind…sometimes kids think they have all the answers, are you thinking this new way to reach out could benefit the youth of baseball?
JJ: Talking baseball is so important in the development of the mental game. I think this will be a great way for me to connect and answer questions and talk about some the things in baseball that you don’t really hear about!! Sometimes it’s the small things that make all the difference in a big game and talking about those things and making young players aware is my motivation!!
TT: You also have your own website where you offer lessons…talk a little about this
JJ: My website is JustinJacksonbaseball.com and on here I will provide online baseball lessons everything from hitting to fielding to pitching to defense and I’ll even have some mental game tidbits involved. It’s coming soon and you can go to the website today enjoying the mailing list and you will be notified on release when the lessons are available!
TT: Talk about your first video on count leverage…give us an inside look to what you’ll be discussing in the video
JJ: I’m speaking on count leverage and this is basically pointing out the stats on what hitters hit for batting average based on what count the pitch is delivered. It shows how important it is to throw strike one for pitchers, and batters should see pitches!!!
Check Out His Videos With Links Below! He plans to update regularly, so keep checking back in!
Jackson on Proper Ways To Grip A Baseball
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Jackson is currently a free agent and will be playing in Lancaster for the barnstormer In the Atlantic League.