Little League Baseball Drills - Batting Practice

Little League Baseball Drills - Batting Practice
By guest author: Chris Campbell

I have heard it said by many an accomplished athlete, that one of the hardest things you can do in professional sports, is to hit a major league fastball. Or any major league pitch for that matter. Just ask Micheal Jordan. He may be a living legend in the world of professional basketball, but he only managed a 202 batting average for the Birmingham Barons (a farm team for the Chicago White Sox). The moral being, it's best to get your little leaguer started early, if they plan on challenging some of the MLB hitting records.

With that in mind, lets consider a few hitting drills that the kids can use to get their bats swinging true, and making contact as soon as possible. One of the best drills you can do with your kids, is simply to grab a bucket of balls, and pitch a few to them every day you can find the time to do so. It's practically impossible, for most kids to get enough batting practice with the team. There's a limited number of pitchers, catchers, and backstops for most little league coaches to work with. It's almost impossible for them to get more then a few minutes hitting each practice. A one on one practice with mom or dad every day or so will really help out.

Now just swinging for the sake of swinging will make you a better hitter, but there are a few simple points you should keep in mind, to maximize the time put in. Don't harp on these items too much, as they can be a bit technical and boring for kids. Try to make it fun for them at the same time.

Choosing The Right Bat

Picking a bat that's appropriate for your child's height and strength can make all the difference. It should feel comfortable for them to hold and swing the bat. If the bat is slowing down their swing too much, it's probably a little too heavy. There is a simple way to test a bat, even before you buy one. Simply have your son or daughter hold the bat by the handle, and hold it straight out to the side, so the bat is parallel to the ground. They should be able to hold the bat steady for at least fifteen seconds. If they can't, or their arms starts to shake, you should try a smaller bat.

Batter Positioning

It's important to know where the batters box is, where home plate is, and where the strike zone is. That way, even little league players, can put themselves in good position to reach any ball that is passing through the strike zone. Even if your in your back yard practicing, you can mock up a plate, and batters box. Just use a can of spray paint on the grass to mark out home plate and a made up batters box. Don't worry, it'll disappear the next time you cut the grass.

Little League Baseball Drills is a great resource for helping your little leaguer get the most out of his or hers favorite pastime. With a little good training, amateur or even professional ball players will see a dramatic improvement in the way they play.

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

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There is More to Baseball Training Than Simply Youth Baseball Drills

There is More to Baseball Training Than Simply Youth Baseball Drills
By guest author: Joseph Harrison Jr

Many new coaches would like nothing more than to simply jump right in with both feet and begin having their team play the game without teaching them youth baseball drills. Of course, this can simply be the absolutely worse thing coach can do.

As a coach, it takes hard work and even harder work to come up with a practice game plan. Going in completely unprepared is basically setting both you and your team up for a big fall. First of all, there are numerous places that a coach can explore to find drills to teach their team. And, there are many different drills out there that a coach can employ too. Therefore, specific drills cannot be stressed enough. But, with younger children, especially concentrate on the three main areas which are namely hitting, catching, and base running.

When using or creating drills that pertain to hitting, certain aspects will need to be considered. Items such as the player's stance, their swing, and even what they do with their feet are all equally important and must be addressed.

Keep their stance as wide as their shoulders and this will be a good start. This will allow the younger player to be able to balance properly as well as comfortably. Show them not only how to hold the bat, but also explain why they need to hold the bat a certain way.

When exploring these aspects, there is a drill that can be quite useful. It is primarily a way for both you as well as the player to be able to understand their swing. Stand on the mound and pretend like you are pitching to the player in the batting box. Go through the wind up and the pitch. The player is then expected to pretend like they are hitting the ball. All the while, maintain and stress the importance of the player being aware of how they are actually swinging the bat. This ensures that the player will see where they will need improvement.

Running the bases can be the fun part of learning the game of baseball. And, it may even allow the player the chance to get dirty too.

Certain drills are able to teach the finer points of base running. One very good drill is to have all the players line up at home plate and subsequently run after the coach calls out the type of hit that was made. For example, by calling out a single, the base runner would be expected to stop at first base. While a double would have them running to second base and so on and so forth. This can open a door for explaining the importance of how the player should turn after getting past first base and can even include a sliding drill on the other bases.

Catching a little white ball is not as easy as it seems, especially for younger players. The youngest players are usually quite afraid of getting hit with the ball and they will have a tendency to avoid any throws. This problem can probably be solved by one single drill. Have the player stand a short distance from you and easily toss the ball back and forth. While tossing the ball, explain how to properly hold the glove and to always watch the ball. Before long, the young player will gain confidence and will eventually lose their fright of getting hit with the ball altogether. Basically, they will realize that they are actually able to catch it and they will certainly do so.

Many younger players are quite familiar with the art of playing baseball. But, by using youth baseball drills, this can only improve.

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.

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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 guet author: 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.

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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.

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Baseball Drills - Hitting Drills to Strengthen Players

Baseball Drills - Hitting Drills to Strengthen Players
By guest author: Kenny Buford

Drills are routine practice elements used to build strong foundations in players. Hitting drills are effective for solving problems players face at the bat. Once a coach has identified what problem the player has, he can utilize the appropriate drill to strengthen that element of the hitter's technique.

One-knee, One-hand

This hitting drill involves the coach, acting as pitcher, and player both on one knee. The player extends the front leg, keeps his bottom hand on the bat handle and hits soft tosses from the pitcher, keeping his wrist flat and palm down. The player should use a short swing, keep his hand inside the ball and avoid rolling the wrist.

This drill isolates the player's movements to focus on hand position and technique, building strength in the wrists and forearms. The coach should be able to see if the player is employing improper technique, like rolling his wrists or swinging too long. To take the drill further, the player can use a smaller bat and swing with only one hand, alternating between the top and bottom hand.

Front Inside Soft-Toss

This baseball drill also emphasizes shortening the swing and maintaining flat wrists to build strength and increase quickness. In this drill, the coach feeds inside pitches from behind a screen.

The hitter stands, with both hands on the bat, and tries to hit the inside half of the ball. This positioning requires the player to use quick hands, because slow hands that drag the barrel of the bat will cause the pitch to jam him. In addition to using quick hands, the player also needs to maintain flat wrists to ensure that the fat part of the bat makes contact with the ball.

The feeder should watch the player's technique to make sure he is not rolling his wrists or using a long swing. The coach may want to hold the ball on some pitches to better observe the balance and stance of the hitter.

Stride and Freeze Tee

This drill addresses the stance and balance of the hitter. If a hitter gets out on his front foot and struggles to keep his weight back, he is not able to generate enough power to be an effective hitter. By using a tee, the hitter and coach can both focus on positioning and stance without the added element of watching for the pitch.

To begin this drill, set up the tee without the ball. The player then prepares to hit the imaginary ball by taking his stride and releasing his hands back. The hitter then freezes and allows the coach to check positioning, making sure his hands and weight are back and in proper balance.

At this point, the coach then puts the ball on the tee and allows the player to hit from that position, watching to ensure proper follow-through and balance. After repeating this drill 10-15 times, the hitter can then swing with the ball on the tee from the beginning.

And if you'd like to see more free baseball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/vid/

Kenny Buford is a youth baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for baseball drills, tips, and practice ideas for youth and high school coaches.

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Developing Hitters at an Early Age and I Mean Early

Developing Hitters at an Early Age and I Mean Early
By Jack Perconte

Hitting a ball may be difficult to do, but the thrill of hitting the ball solidly is a special moment for ballplayers, especially when children first begin to play baseball or softball. The sound of the crack of the bat, I mean the ping of the medal or the thud of the whiffle bat is an exhilarating moment for a young hitter. Whatever the sound, hitting a ball and then running the bases creates great pleasure for the little guy/girl. It is at this young age (3 - 7 years old), where a love for the game and the initial development of players' skill begins. It is never too early to begin developing hand-eye coordination in a young player. The following are ways to develop a baseball or softball hitter at a young age:

Ages 3 - 6

1. Keeping everyone and surroundings safe is a necessary priority. A whiffle ball and whiffle ball bat should be used at the very young ages. It is very common for youngsters to "let the bat fly" after contact and this can prove dangerous when using a real bat. The big barrel whiffle bat is great for producing contact but be sure the weight of the big barrel does not overwhelm the little one.
2. Using more than one ball when there is not a catcher is good so the player doesn't get bored or tired chasing and picking up missed balls.
3. A batting tee to place the ball on is good for beginners as long as the parent shows the young player where to place the tee (out front of hitter in direction of pitcher).
4. Pitching a ball to the hitter is also good (even at this young age) as long as it is done correctly.

A. Underhand from a close range is best.

B. If throwing overhand, parent should be on their knee.

C. Initially trying to hit the player's bat by watching the arc of their swing as often as possible is good when they are just beginning. This placement of the ball will give them the initial thrill of contact and confidence that they can do it.

D. Show excitement when they make contact and set up a short distance base for them to run to after contact, when room. Show them how to set the bat down after contact and before running.

E. Only play as long as the player is interested.

Ages 7 & 8

Baseball players can fall behind in skill development very quickly if they are not challenged some at these ages. With this in mind, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. It is very important to avoid looping the ball into the hitter. Adults should throw from one or two knees to mimic a player of the same age pitching and to avoid putting an arc on the ball. Incorrect fundamentals are developed early in hitters when pitches are thrown with arcs on them. If a hitter cannot make contact because of the pitch speed (to avoid arc), then the pitcher should throw underhand from a close range to give the ball a level path to the hitter.
2. Hitters should move from the whiffle ball to a rag ball and a light aluminum bat at these ages.
3. Provide basic instruction and demonstration but keep it simple.
4. Never allow total frustration, if any, to develop with the young hitter. Try to hit their bat if possible with some pitches so the hitter can get a good feel for hitting and develop some confidence.
5. When contact comes more often, challenge the hitter slightly more with speed changes.
6. Adults should seek out a few basic hitting drills to begin the process of teaching the correct hitting fundamentals.
7. Attending an instructional program or two at this age may be advantageous for kids of parents who do not know baseball very well and for kids who really are excited about the game.
8. A positive, optimistic demeanor in actions and words are necessary for adults when working with young hitters.

Players should never get away from using a batting tee for swing development, even at the higher levels of baseball. Finally, I have seen many hitters develop a fear of being hit by the ball at these ages so using a safer ball is advised. In this manner, young players can learn good fundamentals and hand-eye coordination without fear, as well as the development of confidence.

"Playing major league baseball - cool; helping kids - priceless." Jack Perconte helps kids and their parents get through the complicated world of youth sports. He shares his playing, coaching and parenting experiences in his books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete: How to Instill Confidence, Build Skills and Inspire a Love of Sport. Learn more at http://www.jackperconte.com

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

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Suggested Sites:

Baseball Coaching Digest
Youth Baseball Digest
Little League Digest
American Baseball Directory

Teeball Coaching Clinic: Baseball Throwing Drills

Baseball Throwing Drills
Visit http://www.BaseballTutorials.com for more baseball coaching videos.

In this edition, we go over throwing fundamentals as they relate to baseball and softball fielding.
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Hitting Did You Knows

Hitting Did You Knows

By Todd Thomas

Did you know...

...a baseball and/or softball bat is one of the few retail products of significant value that comes with no directions on how to use it?

...hitting is at the very least 50% from the neck up and very few hitters are taught the mental side of the hitting equation?

...most hitters and coaches will say on average that a player's mental game of confidence, focus, and composure make up 80% of how they perform in game situations over and above their mechanics. Yet, those same people will readily admit that they spend 2% or less of their time practicing their mental game while practicing 98% on the other 20% of the game. Hmmm???

...there are only TWO hitting techniques? A hitter either comes forward or stays back. If he weight-shifts forward (continuously moves his vertical plane forward out over the top of the front foot)as he swings, the hitter is linear. Rotational hitters also weight-shift, but once they reach the balance point in their stride, they rotate around a stationary axis as they swing. Simply put, hitters that "stay back" are rotational. A hitter CANNOT stay back and be considered linear.

...good hitting mechanics incorporate BOTH linear and rotational movements? A "hybrid" swing is nothing new. Good swings have always been "hybrid".

...that despite all the talk of what "linear" hitting is and what linear hitting isn't, it barely resembles what it was 25 years ago?

...there is no such thing as the one "perfect swing?" The perfect swing is the adjustments a hitter makes to the pitch each different pitch they see. As a result, the "perfect swing" constantly changes!

...that parents and too often even coaches are confusing young hitters by telling them when they are in the batter's box to get their elbow up or down? Having the elbow "up" or "down" is a "style" issue--NOT a mechanics issue?

...the major league average bat speed is 78 mph?

...that bat "speed" and bat "quickness are two distinctly different things?" Bat speed measures bat velocity or the actual speed of the bat; bat quickness measures the time lapse from launch-to-contact. If a hitter has good bat quickness (major league average is .16 seconds), they will have high bat velocity. However, a hitter can have high bat velocity and NOT have good bat quickness. Good bat quickness is a product of good torque in the swing.

...to get the "same" performance/production from a wood bat that hitters get from aluminum, the wood bat should be two inches longer and two ounces heavier?

...there is no "proper" batting stance? It's different for each hitter and is a product of the hitter's "style"--not his technique.

..."no stride" hitting can make it easier for a hitter to focus on the pitch better because of less body/head movement?

...that Rogers Hornsby when asked what he did during the winter when there wasn't baseball said..."I stare out the window and wait for spring." Don't we all!

Now you know...if you didn't already.

Todd Thomas is a Baseball Coach and Professional Hitting Instructor for Mike Epstein Hitting. Coach Todd's personal hitting website is http://www.HitItHere.net . Coach Todd also enthusiastically endorses http://PlayMyBestBaseball.com as a place where baseball and softball hitters can master the Confidence, Composure, Focus and Consistency of their game so they can reach their full potential.

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

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 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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Baseball Hitting Tips to Help You Master Your Game

Article Title: Baseball Hitting Tips to Help You Master Your Game
By Carolyn Anderson

Hitting the baseball is a very important skill that every baseball player should possess, and if indeed, you are someone who wants to learn baseball or just want to improve your skills, you can find baseball hitting tips and techniques on how to improve your game or impress your coach, your friends and your family.

Although practice makes perfect, there are also certain tips to keep in mind to make you play at your best.

- Condition your mind for your every game. Getting into sports is not just about strength and energy. An important part of it is in your head. In order to execute the best swing or hit you need, you have to clear up your mind before getting into the batter's box. Focus and concentration on the game are essential as well.

- Be patient. It helps to be patient and be focused when you are in the game most especially if you are in the batter's box. Do not be in a hurry to hit the ball. You just wait for a good pitch and never swing in bad pitches.

- Engage in practice and drills that can help you increase your power in hitting the ball. One of the baseball hitting tips you can do to avoid slowing down your power upon the impact of the ball with your bat is to practice hitting basketballs, soccer or other heavier balls. This will also improve the strength in your forearms and wrists to be able to retain the power of your swing or your hit.

- Learn the basics of a good baseball hit. To be able to master batting the ball, you have to learn how to do each skill correctly, from the swing to the grip and to the stance - you have to learn each of them and master these skills. By doing so, you have to learn how to stand, how to hold the bat properly and so on and so forth.

- Do not be afraid of the ball. This may sound commonsense but most players especially those who are just starting with the sports and for children who are just learning, the hindrance lies in their fear of being hit by the ball, thus their tendency is move back and may affect the way they execute a good swing as well as giving the ball a good hit. One practice tip that coaches often do in this case is throw the ball on the other side of the player to prevent him from backing up.

- Focus on hitting the bottom half of the baseball. This will help in sending the baseball farthest.

- Shift your weight from the back of your body foot to the front upon contact of your bat with the baseball so that you can obtain more power in hitting it.

Start with these baseball hitting tips to help you become a better baseball player. However, you should not also forget the basic tips on getting the right equipment for you as this can also help in your performance too.

Carolyn Anderson is a book reviewer, an avid reader and a lover of sports. To master the skill of hitting a baseball, check out this baseball hitting training manual. Also check out Marathon Training For Beginners, a marathon training schedule and program to help beginners in performing their best in marathon.

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



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Baseball Coaching Drills - Overcoming a Fear of the Baseball

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By Larry Cicchiello

First of all, please realize that if you have a fear of the baseball, you are not alone. Just the opposite is true. In fact, almost all baseball hitters at every level have a fear of the baseball to one extent or the other. True, the amount of fear does vary significantly.

You may have possibly gotten hit by a pitch and it may have been very painful experience and given you a very unpleasant lasting memory. Getting hit by a pitched ball can be outright disheartening and scary and you have every right in the world to be fearful.

If this is the case, it will take some time for you to have most of that fear fade away. The best cure in the world is many, many at bats. The more at bats you have without going through this painful experience again is the best cure and you should be able to get your fear under much better control.

Don't ever be embarrassed about having a fear of the baseball. Many hitters have a fear of the baseball and the amount of fear they have will vary. Many will not admit they have a fear. So if you have a fear of the ball, trust me, you are not alone by any means.

Baseball Coaching Tips That Should Help:


Open up your stance and turn your head more toward the pitcher. It seems a little ironic to recommend turning more toward the pitcher if you already have a fear of the ball. But what happens is that you will see the ball much better. And just seeing the ball better will give you much more confidence that you can get out of the way of the pitch if you have to.
Make sure that your front shoulder is not too high. Make sure it is low enough so it is not even coming close to obstructing any of your view of the ball.
With younger players especially, pitch to them with a tennis or plastic ball and occasionally throw the ball right at them. Watch and enjoy as their confidence grows when they come to realize they CAN safely get out of the way of the ball. This is one of the best baseball coaching drills that can be used to help a player, especially a younger one.
And remember the safest way to get out of the way from an inside pitch. Tuck your chin in against your chest, bend at the waist and make a quarter turn toward the catcher. Think of it as if you are going to have a nose to nose argument with the catcher. This will protect your head and face, chest, stomach and groin area. You are much better off getting hit in the upper, middle or lower part of the back or the rear end than getting hit in the front of your body.

Larry Cicchiello is the author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." His very user friendly eBooks cover 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY players, coaches or parents who want to help their child improve will be fully equipped! Some FREE tips are available at http://www.LarryBaseball.com/product/all

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

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Baseball Coaching Digest - Batting Flaw - Young Batter Has Started Popping Up Every Time He Bats

The BatAction Hitting Machine is the Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players.

By Nick Dixon

It can be very frustrating to have a talented young batter go into a mid season slump. This is going to happen to at least one or two players on every youth baseball team in America this summer. The players had been ripping the cover off the ball, and all of a sudden, he goes into a drastic slump. The batter is popping up every time he makes contact with the ball.

The other times he swings the bat, he completely misses the baseball.
How do you handle this situation? What are the first things that a coach should check? What are the most common causes of this "sudden slump"? I am going to explain to you what I would do. I am going to outline the main three flaws that I look for to detect which is causing the problem.

The three flaws I would check for first are:

1. Drastic dropping of the hands. The must keep his hands above the ball. If he is dropping the hands, he is dropping the bat. Often times this may cause an upper cut swing. Caution the batter to make sure that he keeps the hands high and above the ball.

2. Backside or back leg collapse - This is caused by the batter bending the knee thus collapsing the back side. The batter should be cautioned to stay tall on the back side. There should never be a drastic elevation change from the start of the swing to the finish. Back leg bend or collapse caused the back shoulder to drop, thus causing an unacceptable upper-cut swing.

3. Batter is striding to long - A long stride is a recipe for all kinds of problems. The farther the front foot strides out toward the pitcher, the more there will be an elevation drop of the head, eyes, shoulders, hands, and bat. The drop in head elevation could be as much as several inches if the stride to long. This drop of several inches takes the batter from the top of the batter that he thought he was hitting to the very bottom edge of the ball. Hitting the very bottom edge of the ball most often result in the hitting of a pop up. It is recommended that batters set their feet shoulder width apart and simply shift the weight or slightly pick the foot up and place it back down where it was. This prevents the dropping action from happening. If the batter must stride, the stride should be restricted to no more than two to three inches.

Coaching Point: It is recommended that coaches constantly tell young hitters to see and hit the top half of the baseball. If they visually concentrate on the top third of the ball, and they were to drop slightly in the stride, then their swing should put them in the middle of the baseball. Concentrating on the top half allows them to hit more line drives and ground balls. You want your hitters to develop the line drive swing and a line drive mentality. After all, we all know that line drives make the world go round.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope that you found it to be informative. Have a great day.

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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Baseball for Dummies

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I'm writing this article for the person who knows nothing about baseball, the person who doesn't know the difference between the Triple Crown and an unassisted Triple Play. I'm not going to write about the history of baseball so if that's what you want look somewhere else, I'm going to tell you the necessary information so you can sit down on a Saturday afternoon and watch a baseball game. Even if you do know a lot I'm hoping you can learn a little.

Introduction

Baseball is a bat and ball sport played by 2 teams of 9 players a side. The goal of baseball is to score runs by hitting a ball that is thrown by the pitcher and run around the bases. The bases are arranged on the corners of a 90 foot square called the diamond. Players on the batting team take turns hitting while the fielding team tries to get them out. Once a player on the batting team gets on base he can choose to stop in the hope that a teammate will drive him in. The teams switch between batting and fielding when the fielding team gets 3 outs. Once each team gets 3 outs that is an inning, there are 9 innings in a MLB game. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.


Major League Baseball

In the United States and Canada the professional baseball league is called Major League Baseball (MLB.) MLB is divided into 2 leagues, the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) which in turn, are divided into 3 divisions: East, Central and West. To determine the champion of baseball MLB uses an 8 team playoff. The teams that make it are all 6 division winners plus a Wild Card. The wild card is the team with the best record that isn’t a division winner. The first round is best of 5 while the second round and the World Series are best of 7. Each major league team has a farm system of minor league teams at various levels. These teams allow players to gain improve while playing against opponents with a similar skill level.


Equipment and Field

There are 4 basic tools in baseball: the bat, the ball, the mitt and the field

The bat is an offensive tool used by the batter that is either wood or aluminum depending on the league. It is a long stick maybe 35 inches long, 2 inches wide and 35 ounces heavy.

The mitt otherwise known as a glove is worn by the fielding team to assist in catching the ball. Mitts take various shapes and sizes to accommodate the needs of individual positions.

A baseball is about the size of a fist and white with red lacing (Although other colors could be used.)

Baseball is played on a field in which the dimensions vary depending on age. However every field has bases which are arranged on a diamond that offensive payers try to run around counterclockwise. The part of the field closest to the bases is the infield and the part farther away is the outfield.


Game Play

Baseball is played in a series of 9 innings, each of which are divided in to 2 halves, top and bottom. In each half-inning, the offensive team attempts to score runs until three of its players are put out. After the third out, the teams switch roles for the other half of the inning. The home team plays defense first, and so plays defense in the top of every inning and offense in the bottom of every inning. At the beginning of each half-inning, the nine defensive players arrange themselves on the field. One defensive player is called the pitcher and stands at the center of the diamond on a designated spot, called the mound or the rubber. Another defensive player is called the catcher and stands on the other side of home plate from the pitcher. Typically four more players are arranged along the lines between first, second, and third bases, and the other three are in the outfield.

Runs are scored as follows: starting at home plate, each offensive player attempts to earn the right to run to the next base of the diamond, then to touch the base at that corner, continuing on to each following base in order, and finally returning to home, whereupon a run is scored. Often an offensive player will achieve a base but be forced to stop there; on future plays the player may continue to advance, or else be put out.

A play begins with an offensive player called a batter standing at home plate, holding a bat. The batter then waits for the pitcher to throw a pitch (the ball) toward home plate, and attempts to hit the ball with the bat. If the batter hits the ball into play, the batter must drop the bat and begin running toward first base. There are other ways to earn the right to run the bases, such as walks or being hit by a pitched ball. The catcher catches pitches that the batter does not hit (either by choice or simple failure to make contact) and returns them to the pitcher.

If the batter fails to hit a well-pitched ball (one within the strike zone) or if he hits it so that it goes outside of the field of play it is called a strike. However, if the ball is hit over the outfield and exits the field there, it is instead (one type of) a Homerun: the batter and all other offensive players on bases may complete a tour of the bases and score a run.

When a batter begins running, he or she is then referred to as a. Runners attempt to reach a base, where they are safe and may remain there. The runner defensive players attempt to prevent this by putting the runners out using the ball; runners put out must leave the field (returning to the bench or Dugout the location where all the other inactive players and managers observe the game).

There are many ways that the team on defense can get an offensive player out. For the sake of simplicity, only the five most common ways are listed here:

1. The Strikeout: occurs when the batter acquires three strikes before hitting the ball (within the field); the batter never becomes a runner.

2. The Groundout: when the batter hits the ball but a defensive player retrieves it after it has touched the ground and throws it to another defensive player standing on first base before the runner arrives there.

3. The Forceout: occurs when a runner is required to run to advance bases ahead of a teammate's hit but fails to reach it before a defensive player reaches the base with the ball. The "ground out" is actually a special case of "force out."

4. The Flyout: if a defensive player catches a hit ball before it touches the ground, the batter (now a runner) is out (regardless of his location).

5. The Tagout: while between bases, a runner is out if a defensive player touches him with a held ball.



Baseball Statistics

Statistics play an important role in summarizing baseball performance and evaluating players in the sport. Since the flow of baseball has natural breaks to it, the game lends itself to easy record keeping and statistics. This makes comparisons between players' on field performance relatively easy, and therefore gives statistics more importance in baseball than in most other sports. Statistics have been kept for professional baseball since the creation of each league.
boondog is a current member of , and he loves to talk sports. He, especially, loves baseball talk.


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