TeeBall Baseball Drill: Load, Stride, Swing off tee

Teeball Batting Drill Using Batting Tee

Here is a great hitting drills for teaching teeball players to hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5gLLyI_YcI&playnext=1&list=PL80219A037F60B0FB

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Youth Baseball Digest - 11 Simple Batting Terms Every Tee Ball and Little League Coach Should Know

Youth Baseball Digest - 11 Simple Batting Terms Every Tee Ball and Little League Coach Should Know
By Nick Dixon

1. Grip - The first thing every young player must be taught is how to properly grip the bat. The bat is gripped with the "knocking knuckles" on the top and bottom hands aligned perfectly in a straight line with each other. The purpose of this grip is to place the bat handle in the fingers away from the palms of the hands. This grip allows the hands to be move quicker and to have maximum control of the bat. Tension is a batters worst enemy when it comes having a quality swing. Gripping the bat improperly often causes tension throughout the body. A relaxed grip on the bat allows the batter to react with better bat speed and hand quickness. Feeling relaxed at the plate is a key to a batters confidence.

2. Stance - A batters stance is how a batter initially stands in the batter's box to look out at the pitcher. A batter's stance is the position of the hands and feet prior to the start of the swing. The feet should be shoulder width apart with toes pointing toward the plate. The feet should be square to the plate. Square to the plate means that they are an equal distance from the plate. The stance also refers to the position of the hands and the angle of the bat. The hands should be no more that several inches from the shoulder. The stance should comfortable and should allow the batter to look at the pitcher with ease.

3. Stride - The term refers to the batters weight shift or step prior to the swing. The stride should be short and only about three to four inches if the front foot moves. Many batters simply pick the front foot up and replace it without moving it forward. If a step is taken, it should be a little step forward with the toes pointing toward the pitcher. It is important to teach young players that they must stride to get ready to hit. They do not stride to hit, but rather, they should stride to get ready to hit. The batters stride foot should be set before the pitchers front foot lands.

4. Hip Turn - Hip turn refers to the process of a batter generating power by driving the hips through a power rotation. Only pitches over the middle and inside 3rds of the plate allow a batter to get full hip turn. The closer the pitch is to the batter, the more hip turn is needed to properly hit the ball. Pitches on the outer part of the plate require little hip turn to hit. The hitter will rotate his hips open farther on an inside pitch than an outside pitch. The batter should rotate the hips on a level plane. Player should not lean forward over the plate or lean back away from the plate. The batter's back foot must pivot in order to have good hip rotation.

5. Balance - A batter must have good balance to be successful. Balance refers to proper weight distribution prior, during the swing, and at the finish of the swing. Good balance allows the hitter to have more control at the plate. Good balance begins with even weight distribution with a proper stance. The batters ability to control the body during the stride is the key to good balance.

6. Bat Speed - The speed of the bat during a swing. The bat the batter used must be the correct length and weight for a batter to generate optimum bat speed.

7. Squash the Bug - This term refers to the pivot the back foot during the baseball swing. This foot action allows the hips to open up or turn.

8. Shoe Laces to Pitcher - The best back foot action is not a squashing action with downward pressure. The best motion is to turn the back foot with the shoelaces toward the pitcher. This turn should be performed with a "light-weight" pivoting motion with little downward pressure. The batter pushes off from the ball of his rear foot to shift weight to the front side. Putting downward pressure on the ball of the back foot as it pivots and the hips rotate tends to constrict the quickness and power swing.

9. Trigger - Load - Both have the same meaning. Batters must learn to trigger or load to get ready to hit. The loading or triggering process is a batter's final movement of the body and hands to the optimum bat launching position to get ready for the swing. Different batters use different movement as a triggering mechanism. Many batters turn the front knee and should slightly inward. Other batters simply take the hands slightly up and back to what they call their launch position. The loading or triggering action should be a very slight movement.

10. A, B, C Baseball Swing - The "A, B, to C baseball swing" means a baseball swing that is not fundamentally correct. The term describes a swing that is not compact and not direct to the ball. The batter sweeps the bat in a slow long arch.

11. A to C Swing - Used to refer to a sort compact swing that take the bat from the "A" launch position directed to the "C" or contact position. The perfect baseball swing is a short compact "A to C" Swing.

For more articles on coaching baseball visit the Youth Baseball Digest, Little League Digest and the Baseball Coaching Digest.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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Bring Out the Best in Your Youth Sports Team by Setting the Example

Tee Ball Coaching Tips
By Greg A. Marshall

Bring out the best ... in your youth sports team, in yourself, and in your team's parents. So, how do you do this? By setting the example - in the way you coach, the way you think, and the way you behave. We all hear the horror stories of coaches whose bad examples of preferential coaching treatment, poor sportsmanship, and negative attitudes seem to hold sway on youth sports.

But it doesn't have to be that way. You CAN be the coach who sets a positive example in these and other areas. What's more you can lead by example, showing the way for other coaches and parents to see your positive demeanor and honorable character as a yardstick for themselves, perhaps. Even if your behavior doesn't change another coach's style of coaching, at least you will always be able to know that you conducted yourself in an honorable and sportsmanlike manner.

Certainly, if nothing else, you can be the best possible example for your team's players, parents and "extended family." If your players see you as a coach whom they can trust - who conducts himself honorably, and treats the team fairly, they will respond to you better in the long haul. What's more, they will move on from your team and carry some of those attributes to their next team and allow them to develop their own sense of fair play and "best behavior."

This works for parents as well. Those parents who tend to behave poorly during a game will be more likely to temper their behavior if they observe that you keep yourself under control. Even if they don't change their behavior long term, they will generally be motivated to "tone it down" by the rest of the parents on your team "buying in" to your style of coaching. This encourages the parents to be more mindful of their attitude and actions than they might normally.

But the best possible result? It may cause a youngster to stop and think, "I'm going to play fair because my coach does."

And THAT is well worth the effort.

Greg A. Marshall is the creator of Teeball-To-A-Tee.com, a unique website offering excellent teaching and coaching tools for coaches and parents of very young baseball enthusiasts. The resources on the website are designed for the parent or prospective youth coach who is overwhelmed at the prospect of starting from scratch. The website and materials offered are full of practical advice to help youth coaches from the very first day of practice. http://www.teeball-to-a-tee.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_A._Marshall

A Few Little League Baseball Drills to Teach Swing Mechanics

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A Few Little League Baseball Drills to Teach Swing Mechanics
By Joseph Harrison Jr

Batting a baseball is no easy task. Often it is especially frustrating and discouraging for a child. A successful swing requires control and sound technique. This article will cover basics of hitting and introduce some very simple and effective little league baseball drills, aimed at improving mechanics and technique.

First of all and most importantly your child should watch the ball all the way to the bat. Meaning when they hit the ball they should actually see the ball hit the bat.

There are several simple little league baseball drills you can do to improve "picking up", or seeing the ball.

Perhaps the most common is to stand, chin on front shoulder. As the swing is completed the chin will rest finally on the other shoulder. A batting tee can be used to develop this skill. Soft toss is equally as effective and can offer a change of pace. Both of this little league baseball drills are very effective at improving eye hand coordination and increasing bat speed.

To be a successful hitter balance is a must. Most people feel comfortable with feet shoulder width apart, although this is the norm there are a wide range of stances out there so go with what feels comfortable and more importantly with what works. However they stand be sure they are firm footed and well balanced.

A fluid swing is the result of several parts of the upper and lower muscle groups working together. Bat speed is created by the hands and wrists and is as important, if not more, than lower body muscle groups in hitting for power. A short, quick swing will generate more power than a long over extending of the arms. A shorter swing speeds your bat up, generating more power.

The hands are also extremely important in hitting. Hands should be held at chest level with the bat in front. This is a generalization, many prefer to hold their hands high and others low but chest level is the best point from which to begin a swing for most.

Avoid dropping the hands before swinging. This cuts the time a batter has to react to a pitch. The soft toss drill is one of several little league baseball drills that will develop wrists and hands. A tennis ball can be used to promote hand strength. Stronger hands mean more bat speed can be generated.

The lower body is also an important part of hitting. Many players over stride when swinging, creating an awkward swing. Have your child lift the front foot off the ground and simply place it back. This helps in keeping their weight back, creating more power in the swing.

Proper hip usage is crucial to a good fluid swing. Squashing the bug is one of several little league baseball drills to teach proper hip usage. Your child can practice swinging by placing the left hand out in front of the body over an imaginary strike zone. Then have them swing through with the right and make contact with the left in the center of the zone, keeping in mind to pay attention to form and technique. The drill is used to teach correct balance. The batter will sharply turn the right, or back, ankle as if to squash a bug with the toe as the hand swings through the zone.

The key aspects of hitting are balance, seeing the ball and precise timing of the body's lower and upper muscle groups. Hitting is very difficult by any measure. Improvement will come through good habits and practice.

I am Joseph Harrison, a baseball coach since 20 years ago. I love baseball since I am young, especially the feeling when you know you will absolutely crush the ball. Training your kid to gain interest in baseball will benefit him from both mentally and physically. In with he will gain team spirit, learn how to cope with teammates, and at the same time train up his physical, and concentration (to have good eye and hand coordination and the ability to use both at once). Go through my article and you will know all the benefits of baseball.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Harrison_Jr

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Baseball Hitting Tips - 100 Swings a Day

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Baseball Hitting Tips - 100 Swings a Day
By Tom Read

An old baseball coach use to say after every practice, "go home and swing the bat 100 times each and every day. If you want to hit against the high level of competition we are going to be playing, swing that bat 100 times everyday". What he did not explain to the players was that doing something over and over makes it easier each time. It eventually becomes natural, second nature. So when that fastball comes flying in, and there is a half second to react, and you know where the swing needs to go, the muscle memory takes over and the swing comes naturally.

Hitting off the tee is a great baseball hitting drill. Take a 100 cuts a day off the tee and you will see your batting average start to climb. Another good baseball drill is soft toss. Here the tosser can change the location and the speed of the ball. Again, a 100 cuts a day of soft toss will bring improvement to your swing. The old coach used to tell the players that even if they did not have a tee to use, or no one was around to do soft toss with them, just go out in the yard and swing the bat thru the air. A 100 times a day. Doing this will get you comfortable with your swing. At game time, you want to be confident at the plate, and comfort brings confidence. You have swung that bat so many times, you know it is not going to let you down. You are concentrating on the pitch, not your swing. At just the right moment, you let loose with that same swing you have taken a 100 times a day.

The last thing I want to say is very important. You play like you practice. Before you start swinging a 100 time a day, you need to have found a good batting stance and good mechanics. It will not help you if each one of the 100 swings is different. Each swing needs to be identical. Find that perfect swing for you and practice it a 100 times a day.

For more hitting tips you might want to check out this site http://battingtips.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Read


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Youth Baseball Digest - How to Calculate Your Batting Average

Youth Baseball Digest - How to Calculate Your Batting Average
By Nick Dixon

Individual and team batting averages are one of the best indicators of how effective your practice drills and game preparation is. Batting average is a simple 3 digit number that expresses how often a batter has gotten a hit for the total number of at-bats. There is a simple formula used to determine your batting average. This articles clearly explains how it is calculated.

Youth Baseball Digest: Calculating your Batting Average

There is a simple formula used to determine your batting average:

H ÷ AB = BA

What the formula is saying is that you divide the total number of hits by the total number of at bats and the resulting number is your average.

If you need it to be broken down into clearly defined steps, here they are:

Step #1 - Count the total number of hits your batter has recorded in the score book, up to this date. This is a task that is made much easier if your keep your individual player per game totals updated after every game.

Step #2 - Count your total number of at-bats that have been recorded up to this date in your score book. This is a task that is made much easier if your keep your individual player game totals updated after every game. At-bats include all hits, strikeouts, reaches on errors, sacrifices, walks, and hit by pitch events.

Step #3 - Now Divide your hits by your at bats to get a number. Round the number to 3 decimal places such as.250,.333 or.257.

Here are other points to remember when calculating your average:

1. The Batting Average is a number with three decimal places that represents a percentage. For example, a batter with a.333 average has gotten on base with a hit 33.33 % of the times he has batted. A batter with a.250 average has gotten on base with a hit 25% of the times he has batted.

2. Getting on base as a result of an error or fielder's choice does not count as a hit on the hit total.

I hope that you found this article to be informative. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it. Good Luck to your team in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
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Batting Lessons Can Be the Most Determining Factor of Winning the Game

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Batting Lessons Can Be the Most Determining Factor of Winning the Game
By Christopher Parrish

Without the proper batting lessons you will not achieve the batting average that can compliment your team. How can you improve your batting average? Good batting lessons. Not too complicated of a thought, but it is easier said than done. Whether you are in a youth program or a major league hitter, the only way you are going to be able to raise your average is to spend time working on batting. A simple example would be a spelling bee champ did not get good at spelling because he worked on his diagramming, you get the point.

Now, you can not just go out there and say "I am going to practice batting" when you do not even know where to start. Practicing the wrong swing will only make you worse. The more you practice something the more you are going to make it permanent, so it is vital that you get the proper batting lessons and steps for a perfect swing. It is said that it can take 3,000 swings before you can make it permanent. That is a manageable number, 15-20 minutes equals out to about 100 swings per day, so in a month you should obtain a more permanent perfect swing. Now that right there should bump up that batting average, but you have got to take action! I am not saying that 3,000 is a magical number but it is a good rule of thumb to go by, although the more you do the more permanent that swing will become.

There is said to be 7 steps for a perfect swing, that is 7 things you will have to keep in your mind while you swing until that perfect swing becomes permanent. Steps from how your knuckles should be placed to how your big toe should start the swing with weight landing on it to the red zone or success zone where the ball hits the bat. I am not here to give you all the steps and necessarily give you batting lessons but rather to encourage you to explore what you are capable of when it comes to your batting average. A skill is something acquired, it is up to you to acquire it, and with today's information floating around it just takes sometimes seconds to get that information.

There are a number of ways you can go about getting great batting lessons, you can either get a local coach, an online coach, or get steps and tips for a great swing via hard copy. Which one that will work best for you is determined by you and how much time and effort you put into it. Practice only makes perfect if you are practicing perfect.

Here is a site that can get you the proper batting lessons and learn the skill set for a perfect swing. http://www.bestatbat.com There are many ways you can try to achieve this goal but if you can not afford a private batting coach you might want to check that out, it has helped a few of my friends and they recommend this program. Here is another program that I have heard about, http://www.freetipsandsecrets.com Remember though, whatever method you choose, choose to take action!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Parrish




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The Road to a Little-League Championship

The Road to a Little-League Championship
By Michael Lamont

For kids, the thought of baseball brings to mind one thought: Little League season. Kids everywhere hit the field and try and emulate their favorite player's batting stance. However, Little League coaches know that even though the main goal is to have fun, taking home a championship trophy would be a nice added bonus. Here are a few tips to help your Little League team make it to the finals while making sure the kids are having fun on the field:

o Use the proper equipment. For a list of approved equipment, most Little Leagues will have a list of model numbers for each product. The last thing you want is to be stuck with illegal gear.
o Take the team to a sporting goods store and have them try on items like gloves, bats, shoes, and catcher's gear. Not only will the kids be able to find the equipment that suits them well, but the coach can also make sure that each item provides the highest level of safety.
o When receiving the team sports uniforms at the beginning of the season, ask each kid which number they want. If you're willing to spend some extra cash, an added perk would be to have the names of each player embroidered on to the back of the jerseys. This will help the kids feel more like a team, which will give them a boost of confidence.
o Never put pressure on the kids. Remind them every day that they're there to have fun. Playing worry-free baseball is the easiest way to have the team go out and play their best.

It is important to remember that no matter what, baseball is just a game. Little leaguers aren't getting paid millions of dollars like the pros, so their main objective should be having a good time and playing safe. The right mentality and the right equipment, like gear from Russell Athletic or Louisville Slugger, will help your team make a championship run each year.

MidwestSportsWarehouse carries name brand sports equipment from companies like Russell Athletic. The author of this article is Derek Schimmel, a freelance writer.

It is important to remember that no matter what, baseball is just a game. Little leaguers aren't getting paid millions of dollars like the pros, so their main objective is having a good time and playing safe. The right mentality and the right equipment, like gear from Russell Athletic or Louisville Slugger, will help your team make a championship run each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lamont

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What is it About Baseball?

What is it About Baseball?
By Nancy Kelsey Smith
What is it about baseball that has made it such a beloved game in America over the last 150 plus years? There has been a huge fan base for this game since the days of its' inception over 150 years ago and that remains true to this day, although some of its' popularity has now dwindled in favor of other sports such as football, basketball and hockey. Never the less, it remains an extremely popular game for millions of people in this country.

In the early days when baseball was indeed the "national pastime" it was considered almost a religion by some of the fans. This game wedged its' way into the hearts of the American public and became an important part of our national culture. Over the years there has been a seemingly insatiable appetite for this sport among Americans' of all age groups, nationalities and incomes brackets. Although the game today is still enjoyed by millions of fans, it has suffered in popularity due to the rise in interest for other sports such as football, basketball and hockey. Another obstacle has been the apparent widespread use of steroids among prominent major league players which puts a black mark on the sport. This beloved sport that was once considered as wholesome and American as apple pie has been tarnished to a great extent by scandal.

Baseball was at one time considered the sport of choice for most people in this country but that has changed as more financially successful individuals have come to prefer attending sporting events that have much higher ticket prices. These days it seems that baseball appeals more to a blue collar oriented crowd.
Polls taken over the last few years have shown that the interest in baseball has diminished in favor of football at a rate of 2-1.

Even so, baseball remains the sport that receives the greatest attendance of any sport. This is due in large part to the length of the baseball season which is seven months compared to roughly four months for football. In 2008 attendance records indicated that over 78.6 million people were in attendance at baseball games that year.

While baseball has definitely evolved over the years and take some hits in popularity and appeal since its' early days, it remains a game dear to many people in this country.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in basketball backboards and punching dummies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Kelsey_Smith

Baseball Skills For the Beginning Player

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Baseball Skills For the Beginning Player
By Ethan D Orman

If your child is serious about becoming a better baseball player, then he will need to devote some extra time to develop his skills. One of the most important areas to focus on is hitting. Since most kids don't get enough time at bat during team practice, any amount of extra time with the bat should yield results. But if your child really wants to make a run for the Hall of Fame, make sure that the extra time focuses on technique and bat speed.

Begin by making sure that your child is using the correct sized bat. We spend time making sure we have the right fit for shoes and gloves, but we sometimes ignore the size of the bat. Since bat speed is critical to successful hitting, a bat that is too heavy will slow down your slugger. Have your child hold the bat out away from his body, parallel to the ground. If he can't hold it for 15 seconds, or his arms start to wobble, then the bat is probably too heavy.

You should also focus on position at the plate. If your child stands too close or too far from the plate, then it will hinder his ability to make a strong connection with the ball. This is why it is important to practice swinging at a plate. If you are using a field that doesn't have a home plate, bring one with you, even if it is made of paper. This will allow your child to develop a consistent feel for proper foot positioning and distance from the plate.

Bat speed is a key to good hitting. A simple exercise to help young hitters is to add a donut to your child's regular bat. Have him swing at eight pitches with the loaded bat, and then remove the donut and have him swing at eight more pitches. Two or three sets of this a week should help your player build up his bat speed, resulting in better hitting.

Your child will also want to improve his vision. Players are often told to keep their eye on the ball, and there are some excellent drills to help them do just that. First, soft toss some plastic golf balls to your little leaguer. The small ball will force him to focus on his target all the way through contact. You can then switch to larger whiffle balls, which will help instill confidence with a larger target. A fun twist on this is to use different colored balls. Have your child call out the color of the ball when he swings. This will help him stay focused on the ball throughout the entire swing.

When trying to become a better hitter, nothing is more important that time at the plate. Repetition will help your little slugger develop a better feel for his swing and making contact with the ball. But by adding in the above drills, your player will hone different parts of his swing that will lead to more success at the plate, and just possibly the Major Leagues.

Ethan has been an online writer for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in sports, finance, and product reviews, you can also check out his latest website on T069120 Epson Ink which reviews and lists the best T069120 Epson Cartridge for your Epson printer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ethan_D_Orman

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Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds.

Baseball For Kids - Useful Tips For Parents

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Article Title: Baseball For Kids - Useful Tips For Parents
By Tobias Moeller

If your children love baseball, there are many opportunities for baseball for kids you can take advantage of. The games are fun and they are not as physically demanding as the ones in other sports. Apart from the fine physical training your children will receive, they will also learn to be team players and will gain self confidence, which is important for the young ones. Finding a good school and a coach who is experienced in working with kids is the first step towards giving your little ones the superb sport training they deserve. However, the role of the parents does not end there and you will certainly need to adjust your time and attitude to the new situation. Here are some ideas that can help you in this task.

When looking for a team or school, which offers baseball for kids you have to take into account a number of factors. The current standing of the team and the sport reputation of the school are not that important. After all, your children need to have fun and be physically active rather than be winners all the time. In case your kid happens to have an exceptional talent, you can always transfer them to a different place of training at a later stage. It is essential, however, for the coach to have experience and also a good attitude towards the young players. They should also be able to motivate and encourage the kids and treat them with respect. When choosing the appropriate training place, try to inspect their facilities. These are usually of good quality and well maintained, but you have to be certain that the little ones are safe and well. It is also a good idea to pick a place that is near your home especially if the baseball practice has to be outside of the general school hours. You might not be able to take your children far away during the day, so it is best if they can travel quickly on their own. When signing up your kids you might want to pay attention to the training schedule as well as to the program of the tournaments in order to make sure the little ones are not going to be overly tired and have enough time to do their homework.

The different teams and schools usually provide the necessary equipment for their baseball for kids training. Still, if the little one wants a special bat or a glove, you should buy it to encourage them as long as you can afford to spend money on such an item. Before making the purchase, remember to consult the coach or another specialist concerning the type of bat or glove that is appropriate for your kid. As a parent you have to be actively supporting your child and try to motivate them not only with treats. Do not be too pushy, however, it is best to listen and to show understanding when necessary.

The baseball for kids can be a lot of fun indeed, but it is a good idea to schedule a medical check for your children before they start playing sports actively just to be on the safe side.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tobias_Moeller


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How to Improve Your Batting Efficiency

Article Title: How to Improve Your Batting Efficiency
By Nancy Kelsey Smith

If you are a baseball player and you want to be an asset to your team, you know how important it is to be proficient at batting. No matter how good you may be at pitching or fielding, if you have a poor batting average you are hurting your team.

No one hits the ball every time they step up to the plate, not even the very highly paid professionals. However, there are tips you can take that when followed will improve your efficiency and the satisfaction you feel with your level of play and your ability to contribute to your teams success.

Consistency is an important goal for someone who wants to be good at batting. You want to feel that your bat is going to connect with the ball every single time and that when you step up to home plate you have the confidence to get the job done.

Being good at anything requires practice and learning to be a good hitter is no exception. Plan to spend a fair amount of time working on improving your skills. You can go to a local school yard, a park or an empty field and get someone to pitch balls to you. Family members and friends come in very handy for this project. Remember that the more practice you put in, the greater the likelihood that you will achieve your goals.

Mental preparation is also important. You need to be mentally ready to bat a ball with complete focus on the task at hand. The hand to eye coordination which is so necessary to this sport requires that you concentrate fully on your objective. You might want to try some visualization exercises. Get a mental image of the perfect swing and how it feels. Set this in your mind to crowd out any negativity about your ability to hit the ball.

Take a deep breath and relax your body relieving built up tension that can cause your body to stiffen up. Think positively. Many events in life involve mind over matter and batting a baseball is certainly one of them.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in volleyball nets and basketball backboard.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Kelsey_Smith

How to Hit a Baseball

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Article Title: How to Hit a Baseball
By Chris Moheno

There is a science to the sport of baseball, especially in the batters box. It really is more than just standing up there and hoping to hit the ball. A player can either research baseball hitting information on their own or seek out professional baseball training. Either way, learning is the companion of success.

There are several principles involved with hitting a baseball successfully and consistently. Once these principles are learned and memorized, practice is the key. Ever wonder how the MLB players hit a 98 mph fastball? Lots and lots of baseball batting training.

So take these basics and practice them until they become second nature. Everything should feel natural and comfortable. Now let's take a look at the elements of baseball hitting.

1. Select the proper bat. Bats come in different lengths and weights. Then there is what is called "bat drop". This is the difference between the length and the weight. For instance, a bat that is 29" long and weighs 18 ounces has a drop of -11. This means that it feels lighter and is easier to swing. The higher the drop number, the better (and more expensive) the bat. Selection is made based on the batters height and weight.

2. Develop a hitting approach. This is also known as plate discipline and is extremely important as the player gets older. The batter needs to be able to distinguish what is a "hittable" pitch and what is not. Simply going to the plate and swinging away works for very young players as it helps allay the fear of being hit, but older players need discipline. A good start is to watch the ball from the pitcher's hand all the way to the plate, or preferably, to your bat. Adjust your strike zone as the strike count develops. A smaller zone for 0 strikes, a bit larger for 1 strike and larger still for 2 strikes.

3. Develop a good bat grip. Not tense yet firm. Not loose yet relaxed. When you grab the bat, it is important to stay relaxed in your whole body, starting with the hands on the bat. The hands should be positioned so that the top knuckles of the lower hand line up somewhere between the middle and top knuckles of the upper hand. Anywhere in that area that is comfortable is workable. The idea is to keep the bat out of the palm and closer to the fingers for more control. This also helps keep the grip relaxed, helps avoid "bat drag" resulting from tension and increases bat speed/reaction time.

4. Take note of how you stand in the batters box. Always remember the three B's: Be comfortable, be confident and be balanced. All three are necessary for hitting success. Make sure you can cover the plate and your strike zone(s) completely. Find the right depth in the box, too. You will want to be able to get on top of a fastball as well as time the breaking pitches. Most important of all is to be perfectly balanced with the hands at the top of the strike zone.

5. Learn to "pick up the ball" as it is released by the pitcher. Watch his arm until the ball is released, then pick up the ball as it travels towards you. After a little practice, you will learn to distinguish the type of pitch that is coming and that goes a long way towards hitting the baseball. Baseball training focuses on this aspect of hitting mechanics.

6. Take your stride before you swing the bat. As the ball travels towards you, take your step (stride) and keep the weight on the back leg. As you begin to take the swing, bring the weight forward and use the momentum for power.

7. As the swing starts and your weight comes forward, pivot the back foot and keep the front as planted as you can. The hips will begin to open up and work with the legs to add the power to the swing. Arms and hands should be brought through close to the body. This helps with bat speed and accuracy. The head should be picking up the ball the entire time it is in flight.

If you practice these basics of baseball hitting, you will see a difference at the cages as well as on the field. Your batting average will soar and you will hit the ball consistently. Baseball training is the way to go for baseball hitting success!

Chris Moheno has a long time passion for sports in general and for baseball coaching more specifically. His goal is to spread the word about effective non-fluff baseball training techniques for both more experienced and young baseball players, to help them perform better during the game. Discover more about baseball training on baseballtrainingsecrets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Moheno

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The Basic Gripping and Throwing of a Baseball

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By John R Di Nicola

Pitching is like building a house. You have to start with the foundation, in pitching this is the very basic fundamentals. Before you can even think about throwing different pitches, you have to work on how and where to hold the ball in your hand when it comes to basic playing catch and warming up.

• The ball should be held with very little pressure with your fingers. Most young pitchers make the mistake of sliding the ball back toward the hand. You must keep ball on your finger tips.

• The first time trying to hold the ball with little pressure can be very uncomfortable. Like everything else it takes time and practice.

• This should be done as part of your off season workout and practice routine.

Each off-season should include improving and perfecting your pitches and this starts with becoming comfortable when holding and gripping each pitch. No matter if you are throwing on the side, warming up, long tossing, or pitching in a game, the way you throw is critical. You should pay close attention to your form as bad habits can be created from just playing around in your back yard.

Most people while warming up or throwing just catch the ball and throw the ball back. For example, they may just stand flat footed with shoulders facing the person and never get into the proper throwing position.

1) As the ball is approaching you should start to turn your glove shoulder toward the person throwing the ball. This is so when you catch the ball, you are in a throwing position.

2) Once you catch the ball, you should start the process to start the backward swing of your throwing arm.

3) Once the ball leaves your glove, your front shoulder should be level and pointing toward the person you are throwing to.

4) You will have to develop the comfort level as to how far you bring the ball down during the backward rotation of your arm, before you bring it back to the throwing position.

5) The importance of comfort and the ability to get all the moving parts together so that you are not rushing your delivery is very important. Ideally, the ball should never drop below your waist.

6) When you bring the ball back behind you, keep your shoulders square and the ball must be pointing toward second base with your finger tips on top of ball.

7) Your front shoulder still should be level and as you start your arm forward your glove should start coming toward your chest. You should have to pull your glove through as your proper throwing motion should push it through automatically.

8) Bring your throwing arm to your comfortable arm slot, with fingers on top of the ball with your front shoulder being your guide still pointing toward the other person.

9) The lead elbow should be tucked into your side and pulling motion to bring the throwing arm through the zone.

10) As you're your throwing arm is going through zone prior to release, your arm should be in a L shape if you throw over the top or in more of a 45 degree angle if throwing motion is closer to three quarters.

11) Once you are in position to release the ball, your throwing arm should be extended out as to reach out and touch the other person.

12) At this point you should snap your wrist downward in line with your arm angle and follow through with the throwing arm coming through towards your glove side knee.

End of Practice

Always end on a Positive

Practice makes Perfect

John R Di Nicola coached High School baseball for 12 years and many of players continue on to play junior college, division I, II, III, and several to be drafted.

For more information on how to properly throw a baseball, grips, and become a fundamentally sound pitcher. Please visit... http://www.easypitching.com, http://twitter.com/easypitching

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R_Di_Nicola

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