Sports Vision TherapyAn Athlete’s Point of ViewBy Corey KeylorOutfielder for the Fredrick Keys; Baltimore Orioles’ Farm Team
In the game of baseball, nothing is more important than visual concentration and hand-eye coordination. I began my sports vision training as a freshman in high school. With the help and guidance of Dr. Bill Lay, as well as hard work on the baseball diamond, I became a starter my sophomore year for my high school’s state ranked varsity team. As I continued working with the vision training program, my baseball career began to blossom. By the end of my senior year, I had become a standout player in the state of Ohio with numerous scholarship offers from Division 1 baseball programs throughout the country, as well as considerable attention from professional baseball scouts.
I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at Ohio University where I continued to excel on the baseball diamond. I became a starter my freshman year and quickly adjusted to baseball on the Division 1 level. With my continued work with Dr. Lay, through the sports vision program, I was named Ohio University’s Outstanding Sophomore and received All-Mac and All-Midwest Region Honors. Professional scouts and sports agents were knocking on my door by the time my junior season began. After a successful junior year, I was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and signed my first professional contract.
Since the summer of 2001, I have been playing professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles’ farm system. To date, I have played as high as the AA level. I have also had the privilege of playing in the Arizona Fall League, which is composed of the best prospects in Minor League Baseball. Although I have not yet reached the Major Leagues, I am playing at a level that very few are able to reach.
Baseball is a game of skill where success and failure are separated by only fractions of inches and seconds. To reach and elite level in baseball (or any sport) it takes uncountable hours of practice and persistence to refine the skills necessary to be successful. However, vision is what ultimately allows an athlete to perform his or her skill…ie “You have to see it, to hit it!” Stated simply, the body will follow the eyes. Speaking from my experiences, vision training has undoubtedly given me a great performance boost and an advantage over my competition. I would strongly recommend vision training to any young athlete working towards the pinnacle of their sport.