Interview with Kenny Lofton
On the field, Philadelphia Philly outfielder Kenny Lofton is known for his fly glove and hot feet. But in the clubhouse, dugout and cage, Lofton plays it much cooler. His pre-game routine has nothing to do with superstition or habit. Instead, he warms up with a soak, chills out with his teammates and occasionally does a little dance.
The whirlpool
The key is to be loose—at least for me. First I get in the whirlpool—it helps loosen things up. With a higher body temperature, I am able to stretch my muscles better.
The stretch
Stretched muscles give me better flexibility, so when I am on the field I can get a better jump on balls, swing quicker at the plate and get a better jump off first base.
The workout
Stretching is followed by a leg workout. My leg workout helps with flexibility and strength. I wear cuff weights and do a series of exercises that work on motions of the hip and knee joints.
On the field
We then have batting practice, which lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. I begin my BP by taking fly balls in the outfield. One of the coaches will hit balls to me and I run them down.
In the dugout
After that, I come in the dugout, check out my bats, get my helmet and hit the cage.
In the cage
As a starter, I’m usually in one of the last two groups to hit. The routine helps with eye-hand coordination. Sometimes I work on things like hitting the ball the other way—whatever I think I need to work on that day.
In the mindset
I also chat with other players, get their insight on opposing pitchers and stuff like that and joke around with them. It all comes back to staying loose.
The music
I put on my headphones to relax my mind and pick some music to get loose. I generally listen to hip-hop/R&B—nothing specific, whatever I feel from day to day. Then I do a little dancing.
The food
I’m not really a creature of habit, which I guess may be rare in this business, but I have no certain food that I must eat or a time that I must eat on a game day. I will eat fruit.
Mental visualization
I don’t have any particular technique. I just try to relax my mind and clean my head.
The film room
I’ve been around a while, so I know a lot of my opponents, but I do watch videos of them. I watch the upcoming pitcher—his moves and tendencies.
Final thoughts
I do make sure I eat right and work out. It’s a long season and you got to have energy to get through it.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MOST POPULAR
Interview with Kenny Lofton
On the field, Philadelphia Philly outfielder Kenny Lofton is known for his fly glove and hot feet. But in the clubhouse, dugout and cage, Lofton plays it much cooler. His pre-game routine has nothing to do with superstition or habit. Instead, he warms up with a soak, chills out with his teammates and occasionally does a little dance.
The whirlpool
The key is to be loose—at least for me. First I get in the whirlpool—it helps loosen things up. With a higher body temperature, I am able to stretch my muscles better.
The stretch
Stretched muscles give me better flexibility, so when I am on the field I can get a better jump on balls, swing quicker at the plate and get a better jump off first base.
The workout
Stretching is followed by a leg workout. My leg workout helps with flexibility and strength. I wear cuff weights and do a series of exercises that work on motions of the hip and knee joints.
On the field
We then have batting practice, which lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. I begin my BP by taking fly balls in the outfield. One of the coaches will hit balls to me and I run them down.
In the dugout
After that, I come in the dugout, check out my bats, get my helmet and hit the cage.
In the cage
As a starter, I’m usually in one of the last two groups to hit. The routine helps with eye-hand coordination. Sometimes I work on things like hitting the ball the other way—whatever I think I need to work on that day.
In the mindset
I also chat with other players, get their insight on opposing pitchers and stuff like that and joke around with them. It all comes back to staying loose.
The music
I put on my headphones to relax my mind and pick some music to get loose. I generally listen to hip-hop/R&B—nothing specific, whatever I feel from day to day. Then I do a little dancing.
The food
I’m not really a creature of habit, which I guess may be rare in this business, but I have no certain food that I must eat or a time that I must eat on a game day. I will eat fruit.
Mental visualization
I don’t have any particular technique. I just try to relax my mind and clean my head.
The film room
I’ve been around a while, so I know a lot of my opponents, but I do watch videos of them. I watch the upcoming pitcher—his moves and tendencies.
Final thoughts
I do make sure I eat right and work out. It’s a long season and you got to have energy to get through it.