Welcome to the YOUTH BASEBALL COACHING CLINIC. Our site features free articles, tips, and drills related to the successful coaching of youth baseball teams. Our information is useful to Little League, Dixie Youth, Babe Ruth, and Cal Ripkin baseball coaches.
Youth Baseball Coaching Clinic Official Blog
Welcome to the official blog of the Youth Baseball Coaching Clinic. Our blog features free youth baseball articles and daily posts on every aspect of coaching youth baseball including youth baseball practice organization, youth baseball practice drills for youth baseball, youth baseball coaching tips and baseball strategy for coaching kids. Make sure to save this site to your favorites. You will want to visit our site regularly because we update daily. Good Luck to You and Your Team!
Baseball Hitting Tips for Motivation By Jeffery A Wise There are countless stories of very successful people who were at one time told they wouldn't amount to anything. They were destined to fail in the eyes of the world, but the world was proved wrong. One such case was Babe Ruth.
Another, perhaps less extreme case, is Oakland A's Dallas Braden. He pitched a perfect game, probably the hardest thing to do in all sports, but he was never considered a prospect for great pitching. I bet he is now, though.
Examples like these should encourage and motivate you. One of the most important baseball hitting tips to remember is that you should never give up. Be determined and confident each time you go up to bat. Even if you are in a bad slump, clear your mind and be ready to attack the ball each time at bat. Forget about your last strike out and remember that you're not finished.
Even the greatest hitters in the world only get a hit one out of three or four times. Be patient and know that you can get the job done.
Believe in yourself, even if no one else does. If you are like Braden and not highly regarded by many, remember that your destiny is not sealed. You can make a difference with hard work, motivation and belief in yourself.
Work hard at practice every day and when you get your opportunity you will show them how dedicated you are. Hopefully stories like Braden's and Babe Ruth's will push you in the right direction to accomplishing your baseball goals.
Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of baseball hitting tips so that you can learn how to hit a baseball better. Start learning today by following our baseball hitting Twitter account, reading our information and watching our videos.
How to Throw a Change Up Pitch : Power Positioning for Change Up Pitches expertvillageLearn how to put your body in a power position for a change up pitch in baseball with expert tips and techniques in this free sports instruction video.
Expert: Mike Lumley Bio: Mike Lumley is the President and head instructor of Lumley School of Baseball and has a very extensive back ground in baseball and baseball camps; two years Scholarship at Eastern Michigan University, Filmmaker: Melissa Schenk
Jack Hubbard Youth Baseball Clinic - Approach on ground balls mrpumba2147 Former MLB player Darnell Coles gives instruction on how to approach a hit ground ball for an infield player.
Coaching Little League Baseball - A Guide to Keeping Young Players Focused By Jack Perconte
Keeping young players focused is a challenge in any sport but can be especially challenging in baseball because of the amount of time players stand around. There is not constant action or as much physical exertion in baseball as there are in other sports. Because of the amount of time in between pitches and the amount of pitches that are not put in play, it is easy for players' minds to wander. Coaching little league is a constant process of reminding young players to "keep their heads in the game." This is easier said than done, of course. Some young players have great sports instincts and are very focused and others are not mentally in the game at all. Most little league players are somewhere in between, where their focus comes and goes.
This is the reason why coaching little league baseball can be more challenging than coaching any other youth sport. Because of the lack of good little league coaching, many of the good athletes gravitate to other sports after playing little league baseball. It is a shame when good athletes choose another sport because coaches do not know positive coaching practices that will help young players stay focused. Following are good positive coaching practices that will help players remain focused during games.
First though, good coaches run fast moving practices with lots of attention given to each player and to the fundamentals of the game. Good little league coaches do not miss opportunities to teach game strategy during practice, as well as in games.
For keeping hitters focused, coaches should:
1. Never teach mechanics during a game at-bat. 2. Simply remind hitters to "see' the ball. 3. Teach the mentality to expect every pitch to be their pitch unless they see otherwise - with this in mind little league coaches should use a take sign sparingly, if at all. 4. Remind hitters they can only control one thing when hitting - talking good swings at good pitches. 5. Never get upset when players are aggressive and swing at bad pitches, just remind them to learn from that the next time.
For keeping fielders focused, coaches should:
1. Teach little league players how to get into ready position as the ball is being pitched. 2. Teach players to think two things before each pitch: what am I going to do with the ball if it is hit to me and what am I going to do if the ball is hit somewhere else. Of course, practice time is where players are taught the responsibilities at the various positions. 3. Teach pitchers to get in a quick rhythm, this will keep fielders on their toes and not allow minds to wander in between pitches. 4. Get in the habit of asking players, "Who wants the ball hit to them?" This mentality is slightly different than expecting the ball to be hit to them. I want players to want the ball hit to them. 5. Practice communication methods so players can remain aggressive, but safe, when going for batted balls.
For keeping pitchers focused, coaches should:
1. Explain to pitchers the importance of working quickly. After receiving the ball from catcher and taking a deep breath, pitchers should pitch the next ball. (Have pitchers watch Chicago White Sox pitcher, Mark Buerhle, to get the idea.) 2. Teach pitchers to focus on the glove and not the batter. 3. Teach pitchers what poise is about - the ability to stay in the moment and only worry about the things they can control - the next pitch. 4. Remind pitchers that they are a fielder after releasing the ball. Good fielding pitchers can help win games.
For keeping base runners focused, coaches should:
1. Remind players to be attentive to the scoreboard at all times - the score of the game, the count on the hitter and, most important, the number of outs in the inning. 2. Allow base runners to make their own decisions during games. This will force them to focus on the situation more, knowing they cannot rely on the coach to make decisions for them. 3. Work-on game-situation base running, rounding and leadoff technique as often as possible in practice.
Finally, it is always a good idea for coaches, before and after practices, to give players in-game scenarios and ask players what they would do in those situations. Players will begin to draw up the scenarios in their heads and will be more focused and prepared for those situations when they happen in games. This type visualization-challenge process is a good first step for players to focus their mind on baseball even when away from practice.
Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com
Baseball Coaching - Developing a Philosophy By Kenny Buford
The key to successful baseball coaching is developing a philosophy. A baseball philosophy should encompass your approach to the game, how you want your team to play, and how you want others to perceive your team. If you are able to effectively communicate your philosophy to your team, then everyone - coaches, players, and parents - will be able to work together towards the same goal.
Where to Begin
The first step in developing a baseball philosophy is considering your past experiences. Think back on your growth as a player and a coach and remember who had an impact on you and why you wanted to play. Try to define the style of baseball you like to play.
In baseball coaching, especially when first developing a program, it is important to remember that baseball will not always be the number one priority for your players. Other factors, like family, school, and church, will be - and should be - more important to them. When developing your philosophy, try to use baseball as a way for players to round out their established priorities.
Remember the Past
When looking back at past experiences in baseball, it is important to remember both the good and the bad. What made something a positive or negative experience? How did your coach's interaction with you make you feel? Use these memories to determine how you want to treat your players - or those you have to cut from the team.
Keep in mind that being a successful coach is less about being a good player and more about being a good teacher. Good players can't always explain how they play so well, but a good teacher should be able to explain any skill in a way the players can understand.
Learn from the Present
A good baseball coach is willing to learn from others and adjust to make necessary changes. Use every interaction with other coaches and teams as a means of expanding your understanding of the game. Everyone has a different approach and style, and if you find some new way that works, you should feel free to incorporate it into your coaching. Ask questions and let coaches know that you admire what they are doing.
Look to the Future
The final step in developing a baseball philosophy is setting goals. What do you want to accomplish with your team? A good goal is to get to the point where every player is playing to the best of his ability. This would mean your team is successful, even if you don't have a winning season.
For more youth baseball coaching ideas and practice planning tips, go here to watch a free video:
Traditional Wooden Baseball Bats By guest author: Jason Gluckman
Wood baseball bats are available for all leagues and levels. Some believe wood baseball bats embody the art or the poetry of baseball. Precision crafted wood bats are replete with the spine-tingling crack of a home run or the splintered remains of wooden warrior that drilled its last base hit. Though aluminum or alloy bats outnumber wood bats in the non-professional leagues, many players feel a kinship with the natural wood and when using them, feel like they're walking in the footsteps of baseball greats like Babe Ruth or Derek Jeter.
When selecting a wood bat you should carefully hold the handle. Ensure the shape and form work for your grip and batting style. Also make sure the length/ weight ratio is appropriate for your size. Wood bats are carved from mostly maple or ash woods. Wood grains vary greatly in quality. Like furniture dealers, wood bat manufacturers can select from a plethora of wood qualities. The higher quality wood bats strive for hardness, strength, and density without being too heavy. Many claim that maple bats achieve this crucial balance.
Maple baseball bats are among the most popular choices, with ash being its biggest competitor. Maple wood is endowed with a tight grain that offers many of the qualities suited for smacking a baseball. The finer the grade of maple, the more expensive the bat, so remember to ask about the wood grain.
Factors to consider when purchasing a maple bat, like other bats, are weight, length, and grip. Additionally, many players take advantage of the swing-empowering benefits of owning a maple baseball bat. Serious batters in the non-professional leagues, or who have major league aspirations, will often practice with a maple bat instead of an aluminum bat. The sweet spot is more precise and wood bats are solid so they weigh more. After practicing with a wood bat, come game time, your aluminum bat swing will be much more dangerous.
Baseball Bats Info provides detailed information on youth, wood, college, senior league, and discount baseball bats, baseball bat reviews and more. Baseball Bats Info is the sister site of Baseball Gloves Web.
Rich Gedman Baseball Clinic metrowestvideos Former Red Sox catcher and current Worcester Tornadoes Manager Rich Gedman holds a baseball clinic for kids at Shrewsbury (MA) Middle School.
Mizuno Baseball Cleats - For a Better Game By guest author: Reba C. Geoghegan
Baseball games are extremely fun. They make us feel very happy and help us understand the meaning of teamwork. They are also a great way of exercising both our bodies and our minds. However, in order to excel at the game, we need to ensure that we have the right gear. The most important of these is Mizuno baseball cleats.
When we play baseball, it is possible that we play on a grass ground, or on a muddy ground. Either way, we cannot tell when we will need to scramble suddenly and run in different directions. While we concentrate on the game, we may miss the fact we are not wearing the right boots, and thus may slip. It is very important therefore that we wear the right shoes for the game. These must have an excellent grip on the ground, and enable us to play the game without facing any problems.
Mizuno baseball cleats are the best tools for this. These shoes enable us to gain the best possible grip on the ground, even if it is very slippery. We will be able to concentrate better in the game with the help of these foot wears. They also help us stay safer from injuries. With these foot wears, you will be ensuring that the game turns out to be what it was supposed to be - completely fun, and not a disaster.
Mizuno baseball cleats are also available in various styles that add a great touch of fashion to your game. Not only will you be able to play better, but Mizuno baseball cleats ensure that you also look much better. Just make sure though, that you get the exact size. You can purchase these either online, or in a store. Make sure that you select one that goes with your baseball apparel as well. You can buy these too from the same brand to get the complete look.
