Youth Baseball Coaching Clinic

Youth Baseball Bats - How Do I Choose the Right One?

2011-11-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Bats - How Do I Choose the Right One?
By guest author: Jeff Heitz

When purchasing a youth baseball bat, there are a number of important things that need to be taken into consideration. The bat's weight, length and barrel width are very important and must be selected based on your league requirements. Some leagues will only allow a 2 ¼" barrel and this will change how you choose the proper bat verses leagues that allow 2 ¾" barrels. Wood bats are still available and make an excellent choice for all of your cage work as it helps to develop a proper swing and gain an understanding of the sweet spots on wood verses aluminum or alloy bats.

The most popular choice for youth baseball bats are aluminum or alloy. The technological advancements in these bats have come a long way and they keep improving from year to year. A basic rule for selecting the right bat is to choose the lightest bat for its length in order to fully maximize your swing power. In a lot of cases, lighter youth baseball bats are just as costly as some of the heavier ones, but with so many quality suppliers, you are sure to find one that will satisfy your budget.

When choosing a longer bat, you are insuring more plate coverage; but it might cause the bat to be too heavy and slow down or alter the mechanics of the proper swing. Not a good idea! Shorter, lighter bats will cause the player to crowd the plate a little more but will definitely create more bat speed. Bat speed is essential and choosing the right bat is very important. It would be best to have a bat that is a little too light than to choose one that is too heavy.

Barrel size has become the talk of the dugout. A larger barrel will produce more power and have a bigger sweet spot allowing the hitter to drive balls that would otherwise be harmless outs. Choosing the proper youth baseball bat is an imperfect science. If you are playing in a league that will allow 2 ¾" barrels, I would always recommend choosing bat speed over any other factor. Players come in all shapes and sizes and all have different strength levels...this complicates the process when choosing. Before purchasing, you might talk to your coach or a youth baseball bat representative and get information based on your players age and size and what the general trend is.

The rules for Little League Baseball differ from most all other youth organizations on their bat requirements. A 2 ¼" barrel and a maximum length of 33 inches is all that is allowed. Little League bats are required to have a taped handle up to 10 inches. Youth bats are measured in inches for the length and ounces for the weight. Negative or minus numbers are used to determine the bats weight. For example if a bat is 29" long and has a -10 rating the bat will weigh 19 ounces. The bat would be referred as a minus ten negative ten or a drop ten bat. The higher the negative number the lighter the bat is for its length.

For more detailed information on choosing the right baseball or softball bat visit http://youthbaseballbats.ws

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

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3 Drills to Improve Your Ability to Catch Fly Balls

2011-10-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

3 Drills to Improve Your Ability to Catch Fly Balls
By guest author: Jim Bain

Just like any other position in baseball, playing the outfield is not nearly as easy as it appears, and just like any other position, there are drills which are intended to teach players how to properly execute their responsibilities. We'll briefly look at three drills which will increase your skills to catch a fly ball.

When someone says "The outfielder caught the fly ball," we normally visualize a player standing in one place, moving slightly to the flight of the ball, and easily catching the ball above their head with two hands. This type of play happens 1000s of times a day through out the youth ball parks of America, however just as many 1000s of times a day the player has to go get the ball, and those are the situations we'll review.

*** Whether a fly ball will be caught for an out or not is often determined in the initial reaction of the outfielder, his determination of what he must do before he even begins to move from his position, and should he determine wrong, well... he'd better hope he's extremely fleet a foot.

The Which Way to Turn Drill at first glance may appear rather odd, but the disciplines taught by this drill are extremely serious. Ever see a player going back on a fly ball only to realize the ball is on the wrong side of his body in order for him to catch it, then attempt to turn, tangling his feet and falling. That mistake was created by turning the wrong way when he initially began giving chase to the ball.

For this drill the coach will hit fungos, (fly balls) to the outfielders, but with a twist to the normal fielding exercise. The outfielder will be instructed to look down at the ground instead of at the coach or flight of the ball, until the coach yells "Now!" At that instant the player is to locate the ball, determine which way to turn, then attempt to field the fly ball.

The intent of this drill is two fold, forcing the fielder into instantly deciding on the proper way to turn and quickly reacting to give chase, which is a real plus when the ball is lost in the sun or lights, then relocated.

*** TheFootball Drill is a takeoff from the "Turn Drill" as the fielder will be running after the ball, as if choosing the correct direction to turn, and will catch the ball over his shoulder similar to a football receiver.

In order to correctly utilize this drill, unless the coach is very accurate with his hitting of fly balls where intended, it's better to loft the balls by hand. The intent is to familiarize the player with catching the fly ball while running sideways looking back, not to chase balls hit well beyond his reach.

*** The third drill is Turn and Go Drill. This drill is intended to teach players to anticipate the flight of the ball, run to an anticipated spot, then relocate the ball and catch it.

Let's assume the player is stationed in left field, the coach will indicate to the fielder he's going to hit the ball to left center field. Once the coach hits the ball, the player is to quickly analyze where he thinks the ball will land, run to that spot, then turn, locate, readjust and catch the ball.

These are extremely difficult drills intended for higher skilled players, but just another stepping stone in the long baseball education.

Jim Bain - Former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth. Visit his exciting info packed website: http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

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Correct Batting Practice Methods For Little League Baseball Teams

2011-10-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

Correct Batting Practice Methods For Little League Baseball Teams
By guest author: Marty Schupak

In my eighteen years of coaching youth baseball, I am always looking for the most efficient practice methods for every aspect of baseball. It took me only a few years to realize that most youth baseball coaches and myself were running batting practice, not incorrectly, but not efficiently. From what I have seen with the typical batting practice, a coach will pitch a predetermined number of balls for each batter with the fielders fielding the hit balls and throwing them to first base. Usually the coach will yell something like "run the last one out", and the batter does just that. If the ball is an infield hit, they try to throw him out at first. If it is hit into the outfield, he usually runs until he is thrown out. This is all well and good intentioned, but it is wasting valuable time when a coach wants to run an efficient practice.

Here is the most efficient way of running a batting practice that I've come up with. First of all, let me say this. Batting practice is just what it is, batting practice. Batting practice is not fielding practice or base running practice. So all youth coaches and parents should really define what a youth batting practice is and what they want to get out of it.

Most of my youth practices do not run more than one hour. Every minute of wasted time will affect all other aspects and time of any other drills or techniques I want to accomplish. The first thing a coach needs to have is an over abundance of baseballs. The league will provide baseballs but I always make sure I purchase a few dozen extras. I try to work with three-dozen and keep an extra dozen in my trunk. And don't think I'm not frugal accounting for every baseball at the end of practice. I try to make sure we find each one, and after practice, we comb the field to make sure we got them all. Usually we find extras and end up with more than what we started with.

Now, here is the actual logistics and set up that I do about 95% of the time I run batting practice. I'm a big proponent of bunting. I set up two cones on the third base line, about six feet apart, approximately where the bunt is suppose to go. I set up two empty buckets, one about three feet behind second base and the other one at the far base of the mound toward second. I have another bucket with the baseballs on the mound easily accessible to me. Now, this is a key. As a youth coach who wants a well-run practice and a lot of repetitions for the kids, I move up almost to the front base of the mound to pitch. I do this mainly so I can throw strikes consistently. For safety purposes, an "L" screen would be required from a shorter distance for safety. If your league doesn't have any, make them get them.

I have the first person up at bat with the 2nd and 3rd player ready to go. I have the 3rd hitter (or double on deck hitter) on the outside of the screen hitting balls on a batting tee using pickle balls (plastic) or wiffle balls with another parent feeding the balls on the tee. I always have the number 2, or on deck hitter, ready to hit.

The batter bunts the first to pitches. For each successful bunt, the player receives an extra swing. I usually give a player five swings besides his two bunts. So if a player lays one bunt between the cones, he get six regular swings. If he lays both bunts between the cones, he gets seven swings (the maximum per hitter). Now, there are certain things that have to happen to make this work. Remember there are two buckets strategically located. After the bunts, when the hitter swings away, wherever the ball is hit, the fielder tosses it into the bucket closet to him. If it is hit to the outfield, he will throw the ball as close to the bucket behind second base. If he hits it to the infield, the fielder will toss it to the bucket behind the pitcher's mound. Reinforce to the players that they must toss to the bucket on one or two bounces or they will tend to play basketball with the baseball and bucket.

Now the point here is that the fielders do not make a play to first and the hitter does not run the last one out. We get more repetitions in a short period of time. The players are always facing the hitter. One might ask, isn't this boring for most of the players in the field? Well, not really. Because of the amount of balls hit in a short period of time, the ball is usually hit all over the place. And the coach throwing batting practice will keep one or two extra balls in his glove and is ready to pitch the next ball right away. When out of baseballs, have the players in the infield hustle to gather up the balls, combine buckets, and we're ready to go again. This works great!

Batting practice is a favorite of any baseball player at almost every level. Do not deny batting practice at any practice. And always look for the most efficient, safest procedure to help enhance your whole practice.

http://www.YouthSportsClub.com
http://www.VideosForCoaches.com

Marty Schupak has coached youth baseball for 18 years and is the video creator of "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice", "Backyard Baseball Drills", "Winning Baseball Strategies", "Hitting Drills & Techniques" and author of the popular book, "Youth Baseball Drills". He is a principle for Videos For Coaches and is also President of the Youth Sports Club, a group dedicated to making sports practices and games more enjoyable for kids.

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

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Why Youth Baseball Players Should Get Hitting Instruction

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Why Youth Baseball Players Should Get Hitting Instruction
By guest author: Chip Lemin

Happy Spring training to all coaches!

I never gave professional hitting instruction for youth baseball players much thought until my child started playing travel baseball. I then noticed that many teams did indeed use paid instructors to help players learn proper fundamentals. After I attended my first lesson, I realized what I thought I knew didn't amount to much in the big picture.I was giving instruction such as, keep your elbow up,and keep your eye on the ball.I don't think too many kids go up to the plate with their eyes closed. I was completely underwhelmed by my knowledge of hitting instruction.

I remember the instructor talked about the grip first. I didn't know about lining up the middle knuckles on each hand when the bat is gripped. He showed us(me included) how these knuckles will end up in this position as the player swings anyway.It was explained that the bat doesn't have to be held in a death grip.The bat should be held as loosely as the batter can tolerate.This helps keep the hands flexible during the swing. He also showed us how to choose the right length and weight of bat for each player. He discussed what a "long swing" was,and how it hurt the player's bat speed.

The instructor took the players through a couple fun drills to show us what he meant. The players have not even taken a swing at a pitch yet,and I had learned a lot. Some players will not like a different approach to hitting. They are comfortable with their current swing. A good instructor will not blow up a kid's swing in the first lesson. They will a take a small part of the swing,and modify it. Then at the next lesson, something else is introduced to help the hitter.Many players are doing a lot right in their swings to begin with. A smart instructor will take care not to overload, or completely change a player's swing right away. A good instructor should give fun "homework" in the form of drills to help the players develop their swings. This gives you the "coach" something concrete to work with. Be sure to take notes so you can use this great information at practice. This will help you to provide variety at practice. Bored players are much harder to motivate.

So don't hesitate to get professional instruction for your players. Most qualified hitting instructors will charge anywhere from 30-75 dollars per hour. It is worth the money when the players and the coaches use the information during practice.It also takes more than one lesson the make a difference. Plan on a series of lessons with no more than one week in between sessions. The less time off the better to enhance muscle memory. So ask around, or get out the phone book, and get some quotes. Then actually go watch some lessons in person. Don't be afraid to interview the instructor to see if you like their style.Do some homework like any other investment to get the best return on your team's hard earned money. Your coaching ability will grow as you learn more about hitting. You don't have to "know it all" ahead of time. Go soak up all the knowledge you can with professional hitting instruction for youth baseball players.

Thanks

Coach Chip

Chip Lemin has been a promoter of youth baseball since they started using aluminum bats. That's a long time. I have witnessed many good people get into coaching without solid coaching skills and it is not fun for them or the kids.Today's newer coaches are also being shortchanged on sportsmanship, like there is none. Visit my site to sign up for a insightful, informational, free coaching e-course at http://www.baseballecourse.com

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Common Sense Coaching, Teaching Hitting To Little League Baseball Players

2011-09-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Common Sense Coaching, Teaching Hitting To Little League Baseball Players
By guest author: Marty Schupak

One thing I learned in my 21 years coaching youth baseball is that there is no perfect way to coach hitters. I never considered myself an expert at teaching young 7-12 year old ballplayers the most refined hitting techniques. The most success I've had with improving hitters' techniques is when I didn't over coach them. I've attended my share of baseball conventions and hitting clinics.

Sometimes I come away more confused than when I went in. The hitting coaches I enjoy the most are the ones that simplify not just the hitting technique itself, but the explanation so young players will understand it. Most of the speakers at these clinics have incredible knowledge about hitting but I believe many should work on targeting their lessons to younger players. With that said, I would like to share the five biggest mistakes I see young players make year in and year out and what I do to correct them.

Mistake #1 is a batter stepping towards third base with his front foot. For lefty hitters it would be stepping towards first. For young players, this might be the most common hitting mistake I see. Instead of stepping toward the pitcher or even just lifting the front foot and putting it down, many players step toward third.

This can also throw off the whole rhythm of the player's swing and also reduce the amount of power the player can put into the swing. If the batter does make contact and hits the ball fair, the ball usually is a grounder to the right side of the infield. This hitting flaw is easy to recognize. To correct it can take time. What I do is take two pieces of 2X4 wood each about 36" long. Putting them on each side of the player's feet during batting practice will force his front foot from stepping to the side. Very rarely do players actually step into the wood while batting. Coaches should have the batter practice stepping first without even swinging for a few pitches. One session alone will usually not solve the problem but over a period of time this can work more times than not with most young players. You can also use two bats but I prefer wood because the bats can roll.

Mistake #2 is when the batter takes too big a step forward toward the pitcher. Many hitting coaches teach that batters need to limit excessive movement of the head. When a player takes an extra big step, his head can drop a good 4-6" or more. Plus, stepping too far forward can limit the batter's hip rotation and power. To help curb this, I will take a flat piece of wood like a piece of " plywood 4"X36" long. This would have to be cut to size. I put it about 6-8" in front of the player's front foot. He has to avoid stepping on it. Again, the coach or parent must give the player numerous repetitions to reinforce the muscle memory of the act.

Mistake #3 is when players lift their head too soon. Everyone who ever hit a baseball or a softball wants to see the result of their effort. At the youth level, batters will sometimes move their heads prematurely, losing site of the pitched ball. This is almost equivalent to a batter closing his eyes and trying to hit the ball. Young players tend to do the same thing when hitting off a batting tee. First, I have the player hit off the batting tee and he must yell "hit" upon contact. In giving them the extra challenge, this is forcing them to focus more and they will tend to keep their head and eye on the ball. The second technique is to color code a few balls.

I usually use blue painter's tape on some and yellow duct tape on others and keep some unmarked. So we have blue, yellow and white. Coaches and parents, if you do this do not over mark the balls with the tape. One small slice about two inches on each side is sufficient. Then a coach will throw the balls and the batter must track or follow the baseball into the catcher's glove. He will then call out the color once he recognizes it. The next step in this drill is to have the batter bat and yell out the color after swinging and making contact. I've had pretty good results with these two drills.

Mistake #4 is when a player stops his swing. I can't tell you how many young players I've seen who have a tendency to not swing through the baseball. This happens when a player makes contact with the ball. His swing all of a sudden slows down. We all know the importance of the follow through. Again, the batting tee has given me the best results. I stand next to the hitter and just tell him to swing through the ball. This is a process that can take a while. Also having him take numerous practice swings is a good idea.

Mistake #5 is the upper cut. To help solve this, I use the "Chair Drill." I set up a batting tee with a chair just behind it with the set up such that the bat must go past the highest part of the chair first. When swinging and trying to hit the ball off the tee, the batter must avoid hitting the back of the chair. I like to use the term swinging "high to low." The player understands this and knows what he has to do in this drill. I will also take a young batter and pitch batting practice and he has to try and hit only grounders without chopping down on the baseball. This also helps solve the upper cut issue.

For these remedies to work, repetition is the key. With young people, keep it simple. My own "Hitting 101" lesson is the soft toss drill 6-10 feet from a fence or a wall with rag ball (which are rags wrapped in masking tape). I then tell the hitter he must try and hit the ball so it lands at eye level or lower. I have no scientific proof but when the hitter does hit the ball at eye level or lower, it seems the batter is doing more things correct than not.

Hitting instructors are incredibly knowledgeable. They must convey their theories so both the hitter and the layman coach like myself can understand the common nuances of this great skill. And we all have to keep it simple and supplement all instruction with relevant hitting drills.

http://www.YouthSportsClub.com

Marty Schupak, President of the Youth Sports Club, has coached youth sports for 21 years and has run more than 1,500 youth sports practices. He is the creator of 22 sports instructional videos including the best selling video "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice." He is also author of the popular book, "Youth Baseball Drills." For samples of his videos, go to http://www.VideosForCoaches.com. Contact him at YouthSportsClub@aol.com.

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

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Are You a Good Youth Baseball Coach?

2011-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Are You a Good Youth Baseball Coach?
By guest author: Chip Lemin

Hello Coaches,

Are you ready for another season of watching your youth baseball team make tons of errors? Well, if your not,check out a few drills you can use winter work outs or spring training. These drills are fun for youth baseball players, along with helping them learn fielding fundamentals lacking many of today's youth baseball players.So print them up for for better results fielding the ball this year.

Outfield Bucket Drill

Place a large garbage can (clean one please) on its side, on home plate so that the opening faces second base

Players make 2 lines in right and left field. Coach is at 2nd base with bucket of balls. * Have the first two players in each line break away from their groups and assume a normal ready fielding position

Throw a soft pop fly into the air for the fielders to catch. * After the catch, they crow hop and throw the ball at cutoff-height to home plate. Instruct them to throw the ball into the bucket with the ball bouncing once or twice prior to home plate. Players rotate after each throw, and then
Change lines after 2 throws. Add grounders to the mix, showing them how to field balls along
With making proper strong throws home.

Throwing skills include aggressively squaring the body to the target, the crow hop; correct arm extension with fingers atop the ball and pointed straight back; grip the ball across the seams; hip roll and follow through.

Emphasize proper fielding techniques. The players should be catching the ball with there
Momentum taking them towards home plate or the base they are throwing to. Show them
How to run to the spot, step back some, and then come in on the ball. Receive the ball above the bill of their hat, slightly toward the throwing shoulder; glove fingers are pointed to the sky (not turned SIDEWAYS.

To improve focus of the players in this drill, make it a contest between 2 or 3 evenly matched groups. Make up scoring rules, and watch the focus improve. This always adds fun to a work
Out as long as the teams are even. Our Advanced course goes into drop steps, crossover steps, fielding grounders on the run, and much more.

Call out the Number Drill

Take 12 to 24 balls and put the number 1 or 2 on each ball, evenly divided as possible. Have players line up at shortstop, 2nd base, 1st base, and home plate with their gloves. Divide them evenly as possible; you can have whole team in on this drill if you want.

The thrower at home plate picks a ball out of the bucket, and rolls a pretty hard grounder to player at short. The player fielding the ball at short will call out the number on the ball, and throws it to 1st or 2nd base.

After ball is thrown to 1st base, that player will then throw ball to second base, where that player will run ball back to a bucket by shortstop. Each time a throw is made, the player must tag that base before the next throw is made. Errant throws must be retrieved and that base tagged before next throw is made. Any of the 3 players can go get the poor throw, but the throw must go back to the right base before the next throw is made.

The players rotate while ball is being put in the bucket (fielder goes to first, first baseman goes to second, and second baseman goes to end of line), or they can go to home plate and be a thrower. Thrower then would go to short to become a fielder.

The drill can be turned into a competition by splitting up into teams and simultaneously conducting the drill (other team starts in between home and first and throw to third for #1 and home for #2) or timing each team on how long it takes them to complete 12-24 balls. Emphasis should be put on setting the feet to throw to the proper base, along with a quick release with out taking an extra step, and that making good throws will avoid lost time chasing after wild throws. As players advance, make sure proper footwork for tagging a base and throwing to the next base is taught. Players should be taught to stay in low crouching position while making quick throws to 2nd base from shortstop

Circle the Bucket Drill

Helps player to use proper footwork (shuffling and rounding of ball) by circling the bucket before fielding ball. This will help them to use footwork that will square them to target, and provide momentum for their throws.

Need bucket of balls along with extra bucket.

Players line up at shortstop with a bucket 5 feet in front of them. The coach sets up at pitcher's mound with bucket of balls.

As the coach rolls slower speed grounders at the bucket, the player circles the bucket from the 3rd base side and fields the ball, keeping his footwork right, and momentum moving toward 1st base.

The speed of the grounders will increase, as players get better at this drill. This drill is about proper form, not how fast we do it. Increase speed only as players do drill correctly. To add more difficulty have players circle ball from first base side.

Have each player do this 5-6 times. You can have players be the rollers also, and then rotate back to fielding line.

I hope you find these drills helpful.The key to a good practice is that the kids have fun while they learn.You really don't have yell and shout if the team doesn't do it just right.Just look first for the effort.

Thanks Coach Chip

Hello My name is Chip Lemin. I'm a long time youth baseball coach who loves to promote this great game of youth baseball. Promoting sportsmanship in this game of youth baseball is something that really needs I feel. I have a free e-course that will give you some solid coaching information along with great help on the inter-personal relationships we must have to be good youth baseball coaches. Things such as parents, travel baseball, getting parents to help out, how to communicate better to parents and players, just to touch on a few. This course will help to organize practices like an elite coach. How to motivate players and other coaches with your positive attitude. It really is not very hard to be a great coach when you know what to do.Best of all you will learn how to have fun with these great kids that you have the privilege of coaching. Do yourself a favor and check it out, it's free,you will get 1 part every couple of days in your e-mail. Coaching can be fun and rewarding if you have a plan in place first, and you have an idea what you are doing.

http://www.baseballecourse.com

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Youth Baseball Coaching Challenge - Get Your Players to Think

2011-09-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Coaching Challenge - Get Your Players to Think
By guest author: Larry Miljas

One critical key to a successful baseball player is knowing what to do before the time for action arises.

As a youth baseball coach you need to teach your players to think: Focus on teaching them baseball rules and strategies.

I question if these goals would appear on many coach's radars. During my seasons of coaching, a lot of coaches do not make this a priority. However, if asked, most coaches will agree that this is one of the most important goals. When a youth ballplayer realizes the proper play at any given time, they will not need to be reminded in the future each and every time the given play occurs. Therefore, the player will get a greater enjoyment out of the game, due to their increased knowledge.

The following are common circumstances that I recommend working on with your youth ball players, especially players that have very little or no exposure to the game of baseball.

Running the Bases:

When to take off immediately for the next base -- This can be a confusing time for a base runner. Sometimes the coach is telling you to go on contact, other times, they are instructed to tag up, and still others, they are supposed to wait until a play is made ahead of them before advancing. If you wait until game time and hope that your base coaches will be able to instruct your base runners, you are asking for a headache. It is far better to spend ten minutes a practice to drill these situations into your player's head. The scoreboard will reflect the fruits of working on this.

Outfielders:

Throwing to the correct base -- Every outfielder must know the process of figuring out what base to throw to before they get the receive the baseball. Not only should the outfielders be thinking about where to throw, but the infielders should be helping them out. The initial base to throw to is based upon the base runners, if the ball was caught or fielded off the ground and where the fielder is when they get the ball.

Backing up plays -- One highly overlooked, yet very important responsibility of the outfield is to back up the plays. A team that realizes that every player has a responsibility on every play, regardless of if the ball is hit to them or not, will have golden opportunities to make outs that would otherwise not be there. Proper movement based on the location the ball was hit and where the play is being made is very good to teach your players.

Infielders:
Where the play is at -- Teach your infielder to know where the play is before they get the ball. Too many times a player is trying to decide where to make the play while they are in the middle of it. This causes everything from fumbled ground balls to late or erratic throws.

Covering Bases -- There is not much more frustrating then a sure out turning into an extra base, because your shortstop didn't move to cover 2nd on a ground ball that the 2nd baseman threw past first. The base runner takes off for second on the throwing error and the first baseman has the ball in plenty of time only to eat it, because no one is covering 2nd. Tons of variations on this can be seen in every little league game.

I have no doubt that there are hundreds of other of situations that can be thought of for your players. I tried to cover some of the main issues that can be easily fixed with proper instruction and dedicated practice time. Youth baseball coaching can be fun and rewarding. Try these suggestions and you will see games go a lot smoother and you may find some of those precious outs that would have otherwise not been recorded.

Larry Miljas believes that coaching youth is very important as it gives us a chance to influence tomorrow's leaders. He is a martial arts instructor and little league baseball coach that wants to provide baseball tips, drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his website at http://www.TheYouthBaseballCoach.com.

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

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Fundamental Youth Baseball Coaching Tips!

2011-09-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

Fundamental Youth Baseball Coaching Tips!
By guest author: Stephen K Reynolds

Getting young players to keep their attention span at a high level is always a challenge for the youth baseball coach.

My Suggestion is to incorporate a games type scenario into your practices.

Heres is a great game you can use to keep your players practicing at their peak.

1st run some ground ball drills maybe cross field throws and after a while stop the practice and tell the players you are going to make it a friendly competition!!

Here is the game: get 6 players on ea side defense is pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and shortstop. Offense is 6 base runners, put them behind home plate and tell everyone you are going to hit ground balls at the defense and their objective is to get the runner out at 1st. Award a point when they get the runner out. After the play is over have the runner come back to home and get back in line.

Continue on with this drill go thru the defense 2-3 times and then switch sides.

Now continue on with this game. once you have done this again with the other team you can put a runner on 1st and run the same game but now they have the option of trying to get lead runner and then on to 1st possibly for the double play.

This is just 1 example of how to keep it interesting for your players. The main Secret for coaching youth baseball is to keep in exciting so you have the players focus the entire time you with them!!

Remember bottom line Keep it fun!

One of the reasons i am able to coach youth baseball is because I have home based business on the Internet which gives me the freedom to have a flexible Schedule.

If you would like more information about that contact me at

406-542-1723 or go to

[http://www.urticket.org]

Stephen K Reynolds is publisher of the LSR Unlimted "Free" newsletter which focuses on helping newcomers & seasoned pros learn the secrets to marketing in the ever changing world of the internet! For more information on this e-mail lsrwealth@gmail.com

(800)758-1282

406-542-1723

[http://www.urticket.org]

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

========================
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Infield Drills For Softball and Baseball Players - Get the Outs Your Team Needs!

2011-09-02T04:10:00.000-07:00

The ZipnHit PRO Youth Baseball Trainer is available at Baseball2u.com at a discount price.

Infield Drills For Softball and Baseball Players - Get the Outs Your Team Needs!
By Dennis McCurley

Some old expressions just get better with time. To be any good at almost any sport you must "keep your eye on the ball". This is especially true when it comes to playing an infield position on any softball or baseball team. To fully live up to this statement you must practice, practice, and practice some more.

Someone once said that practice makes prefect. I totally disagree. However, prefect practice will make one prefect. Playing any of the infield positions on a baseball diamond requires many skills and some talent. To improve at the skill level one must participate in the drills of practice.

The first drill that most coaches and players work on is simply ground balls. Here it is important for the fielder to ensure that he/she is in front of the ball as it approaches. In youth ball it is recommended that the player actually go down on his/her left knee for right handed, opposite for left handed, and field the ball. The reason for going down on one knee to make sure the glove is on the ground so the ball will go under the glove and into the outfield. It is easier for a young player to drop to one knee than it is to lower the butt to allow the glove to be on the ground.

After all players have fielded several ground balls now it is time to begin situational drills. No body is on base, the ball is hit on the ground to third, the third baseman scopes up the ball and throws to first. This drill is repeated until all infielders, including the catcher, fields several ground balls hit to his/her area and successfully throws to first.

Now then the situation changes. Here you have a runner on first so the intent is to make sure you prevent this runner from advancing to second. So, wherever the ball is hit the first throw is made to second base. If the ball is hit to the left side of the infield then the second baseman covers the bag. If the ball is hit to the right side of the infield then the shortstop covers second. After several of these situational plays have been made it is time to step it up just a bit.

Once again you have a runner on first with less than two outs. Now you will still be concerned with preventing the runner from advancing to second but also want to attempt to throw out the batter at first base. This is call a double- play and is very important in the games of baseball and even softball.

If the ball is hit to third base, the infielder fields the ball, he is to throw to second base which will be covered by the second baseman. Here it is very important for the third baseman to make sure he steps directly towards second. If his step is more towards left center then the ball will tail in that direction and pull the second baseman off of the bag therefore preventing the first out of the double-play. If his step is more towards right cent or even right field then the ball will tail in that direction causing the second baseman to be pulled into the base path and possibly causing a collision between the fielder and the runner. Even if the second baseman is able to apply the tag the umpire might rule runner interference and award the base to the runner. This is why it is imperative for the third baseman to work on his footwork so that he/she will be able to make a true throw to begin the double-play.

Assuming that the third baseman delivered the ball to the second baseman without pulling the player in any direction it is now time for the second part of the double-play. If the second baseman was at the bag when he/she caught the ball all that needs to be done is the bag needs to be touch by either shoe, a step backwards is taken, then step and throw to first. This is the ideal way in which to turn a double-play. If the second baseman receives the ball as he/she is approaching the bag then the base must be touched and since the forward progress will take the player towards third the fielder would then jump in the air, twist his/her body around in the direction of first base, and then attempt the throw. I am sure that you can easily see why being at the base before the throw is the best way to complete this type of double play.

Now then if the ball is hit to the shortstop a simple relay toss needs to be made to the second baseman. Here it is important to make sure that the shortstop does not throw the ball in the same manner as if he was throwing to first base. While a quick throw is important, throwing the ball too hard for such a short throw will probably end up with the ball being missed or dropped by the second baseman. Again it is best for the second baseman to be at the bag awaiting the throw so he/she can then pivot and make the throw to first.

If the ball is hit to second the fielder must set his/her feet to make a clean toss or throw to the shortstop so that the throw to first can be made quickly and accurately. If the second baseman fields the ball as he/she is headed towards second then a simple underhand should suffice. If the fielder is moving towards first then the fielder will have to set his/her feet to enable an accurate throw to second which normally will be a sidearm throw.

Now then, if the ball is hit to the first baseman he/she will need to make sure that the lead foot is inline towards second base so the shortstop can then relay the ball back to first. The same manner as the third baseman the footwork must be correct. Again if the lead foot is more towards left field the ball will tail in that direction and if the foot is more towards center field the ball will tail that way. After making the throw the first baseman must then turn and return to first so that the relay throw from the shortstop will have a chance of completing the double-play.

After these situations have been covered and fully explained it is now time to work on the pop-up. Here it is important for the fielder to position themselves under the pop fly. They should make the catch with both hands to assure that the ball will not be able to spin out of their glove. If games will be played during the day then each fielder will need to practice shielding the sun from their eyes by using their glove to block the sun. This is not as easy as it appears but with practice the skill is obtainable.

By working on these drills one can only hope that the learned skills will equate into the outs that are needed to be reached in every game. Remember, practice does not make one prefect;however, prefect practice does enable one to be prefect.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5999412

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Baseball Coaching Product Spotlight: Glove Radar Baseball Pitch Speed Velocity Radar

2011-08-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

The Glove Radar™ is a small inexpensive Doppler radar velocity sensor which attaches to a baseball or softball glove to measure the speed of the ball just before it is caught. It is easily attached to, and removed from virtually any ball glove. Clever design results in a small, versatile, low-cost device affordable for youth and senior level teams and individual players.

The purpose of Glove Radar™ is to assist in developing players' throwing capabilities by providing a measure of velocity improvement which results from using proper throwing techniques. By learning the proper way to condition, train, warm-up, and throw, players can achieve their best accuracy and velocity performance, while reducing the risks of injury to their arm and body.

The Glove Radar™ can aid any player - infielders and outfielders, as well as pitchers and catchers, throwing from any distance. Professional and amateur players can use the Glove Radar™ when warming-up. Young ballplayers will benefit from velocity information when tossing or training, and will have fun using it.

The Glove radar can be purchased for just $69.95 at Baseball2u.com.
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Fundamentals of Throwing a Baseball

2011-08-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Fundamentals of Throwing a Baseball
By guest author: Lou Schneider

I know you are busy. Life is hectic. However, you want to make the most of teaching youth baseball skills to your team, child or youth organization. This article is designed to reduce the amount of time you must invest, to be a more effective coach, teacher, parent or administrator of youth baseball players. The following instruction will provide easy to use methods to teach youth baseball players the proper fundamentals when throwing a baseball.

These baseball throwing fundamentals are designed for parents, managers and coaches to instruct players on properly throwing the baseball to:

1. Improve your throwing accuracy
2. Maximize your throwing speed
3. Improve the speed of the glove to hand exchange
4. Reduce the risk of arm injuries

Holding the baseball

It all starts here! The key to baseball throwing fundamentals starts with holding the ball correctly. The correct way to hold a baseball is using what's called a 4-seam grip. Please note - Pitchers grips can and will vary, as ball movement may be desired to deceive hitters. This grip should be used by all other positions.

I'll take you through the proper way to hold and throw a baseball. I'm constantly amazed at how few players properly hold and throw a baseball. This technique will make your son throw with more velocity, more accurately, and reduced injury risk. You should only use your index and middle fingers and your thumb. Your index and middle fingers should be on top of the ball crossing the widest seams. Your thumb will support the weight of the ball on the bottom of the grip. Don't squeeze the ball, but hold it tight enough so you won't drop it. Leave a little space between the ball and your hand.

Advantages of using this grip:

1. Better accuracy, as the ball is less likely to tail away from your target.
2. Ball will travel further with less effort, as it takes a more direct route to the target.
3. Ball will get to the target faster, as it takes a more direct route.

Releasing the Baseball

The last motion before you release the baseball should be a wrist flicking motion toward your target that creates a backspin on the baseball. Even though it's the last motion in the process, it should be taught and practiced before the rest of the motion as it should be reinforced as the others parts are learned. This motion, combined with the 4-seam grip, will ensure you maximize the above referenced advantages of this technique.

Bringing it all Together with the Proper Upper/Lower Body Movements We'll cover 4 steps in this section to complete the baseball throwing fundamentals technique:

1. Ready Position

Begin by holding the ball in your throwing hand using the 4-seam grip to begin.

Your glove side shoulder and arm should face your target. At this time, your feet should be shoulder width apart and square with your body.

2. Weight Transfer

Your weight should shift to your rear leg (throwing arm side leg). Once your weight has shifted to your back foot, your throwing arm will extend away from your target (4-seam hold, fingers on top, thumb on bottom) while your glove arm extends toward the target. Take a small step toward your target as your arms extend. This will begin the transition of your weight from back to front. Proper weight transition will give you better leverage, thus more power behind your throw. This increases the velocity of your throw.

3. The Throw

Simultaneously:

-Pivot your waist/hips to square with your target
-Pull your glove away from the target
-Move your arm toward the target (elbow will be above the shoulder).

4. Follow Through

Simultaneously release the ball to its target, continue your throwing arm down (towards the ground) and across your body and follow with your throwing arm leg moving forward toward the target.

Lou Schneider
http://youth-baseball-made-easy.com/
Dedicated to providing coaches and parents the tools to teach baseball fundamentals and drills to youth players. Please visit the website for more detailed instruction including illustrations.

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

=========================
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Attention Youth Baseball Coaches & Parents - Receive Free Baseball Drills & Tips

2011-08-17T04:01:00.001-07:00

You are invited to join the Baseball Coaching Digest community and begin receiving the Baseball Coaching Digest free every month. This emailed newsletter contains free baseball drills, free baseball coaching tips, articles on how to teach hitting, articles on how to teach pitching mechanics, and baseball practice planning tips and templates.

BaseballCoachingDigest.org

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How To Properly Grip A Baseball Bat

2011-08-16T04:33:00.000-07:00

How to Avoid Bat Drag - How The Best Hitters in Baseball Use Their Hands
In order to swing the bat effectively and produce bat speed you need to learn to torque the handle of the bat. This video explains the hand mechanics which 95% of the best hitters in MLB use.

How To Properly Grip A Baseball Bat

UNC Assistant Baseball Coach Chad Holbrook demonstrates how to get the maximum power from your grip

=====================

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Youth Baseball Catching Clinic

2011-08-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Catching Clinic
Uploaded by ClubHouseGas On http://ClubHouseGAS.com , noted baseball instructor Russ Dickerson talks about catching. Also check-out http://YouthSportTravel.com.

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Youth Baseball - Solving Youth Baseball Hitting Problems

2011-08-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Training - Solving Hitting Problems
By Jake Wyatt

In youth baseball training, hitting the baseball is often the most practiced skill. Every kid lives for the "crack" sound when the bat meets the baseball perfectly and sends the ball flying over the fence!

But many kids have yet to experience this thrill. With proper coaching and training, you can give your players the best possible chance of hitting a home run. Here are some hitting problems and potential ways to correct them:

Striking Out Too Much

Every team has a player that almost never hits the ball. The coach needs to play him, but doesn't know where to put him in the batting line up. With some special coaching, this player just might become a top hitter.

Here are some things to consider with a strike-out player:

1. Have his eyesight checked.

2. Make sure he isn't swinging too hard - if he is losing his balance after each swing, he is swinging too hard.

3. Tell him to adjust his goal from an over-the-fence home run to a nice even line drive.

4. Make sure the bat isn't too heavy for the player.

5. Have him develop a two-strike approach to guard against a strikeout (change his stance, change his grip on the bat, something different than the prior two strikes).

6. Encourage extra "hitting off the tee" practice.

Trouble With Inside Pitch

Some kids are scared of the inside pitch - with good reason. In youth baseball, pitcher inexperience causes many more players to be hit by pitched baseballs.

1. The most common cause of having a hard time hitting inside pitches is standing too close to the plate. Have the player move away from the plate a bit.

2. Have the player overcome his fear of being hit by tossing balls at him (slowly) and having him dodge them, so he can get his confidence up that he can avoid a direct body hit from an inside fast ball.

3. Again, additional practice off the tee setup inside the base can help improve this problem.

Hitting Too Many Pop-Ups.

All players love to hit the ball, but the pop-up is almost always an out. Preventing pop-ups is important in youth baseball.

1. Pop-ups are caused by hitting under the ball. Have the player practice hitting high pitches, to help them stay on top of the ball and learn how to hit it down.

2. Locking hips can cause pop-ups as well. Have the player practice a smooth stride and weight transfer.

These are some of the biggest hitting problems seen in youth baseball. With a little extra work, the coach can mitigate these problems and help lead the team to victory!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5754397

Gatemen Youth Baseball Camp 6-21-11.m4v

2011-07-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Gatemen Youth Baseball Camp 6-21-11.m4v
Uploaded by warehamgatementv On the 1st day of summer, there is no better place to be then the ballpark. Area youngsters grabbed their gloves & bats, and headed over to the Wareham Gatemen's Youth Baseball Clinics. The 1st session started this week, but the clinics continue throughout the summer. It's not too late to sign up & learn from the best ballplayers in the Cape League & in college baseball. Gatemen like Brent Suter (Harvard), Derek Dennis (Michigan), Andy Flett (Louisville), Josh Turley (Baylor), & Joe Flynn (Franklin Pierce) are teaching the youngsters the fundamentals this session...and these kids may be learning from future pro's! Team Broadcaster Lisa Pride has the inside scoop for you from Gatemen Camp. For more information about the Instruction Clinic & the Advanced Clinic...go to www.gatemen.org or pick up your registration form at the next Gatemen ballgame.

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Recommended Baseball DVDs and Baseball Books

2011-07-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Baseball2u.com - Has the Baseball Coaching and Baseball Practice Books and DVDs that help coaches take their team to the next level. Check out the baseball coaching titles below found at the Baseball2u Online Book Store

Book: "The Baseball Playbook"
by Ron Polk$29.95
Book: "The Baseball Handbook"
by Bernie Walter $19.95
DVD: "Hitting Drills & Techniques" by Marty Schupak $24.95
Book - Mike Epstein on Hitting $24.95
DVD - The Mechanics of Hitting by Tony Dello $39.95
Book - 101 Championship Baseball Drills
by Glenn Cecchini $19.95
DVD Series - 6 Tape DVD Series:
"Ron Jackson's Hitting Factory" $199.99
DVD - Teaching the Mechanics of
the Major League Swing II
with Tom Emanski $29.95
Book - The Natural Hitter's Drill
Handbook-Vol 2: 101 Advanced
Hitting Drills by Luis Ortiz$19.95
6 DVD Series: Hitting For Excellence
by Dave Hudgens
Cleveland Indians Hitting Coordinator $99.95
A Youth Baseball Coaches Tool Kit $19.95
Book - Youth Baseball: A Coach's and Parent's Guide $19.95
Book: "Baseball Strategies"
with the American Baseball
Coaches Association by Wendell Kim $24.95
DVD: "Winning Baseball Strategies"
by Coach Marty Schupak $24.95
DVD: Baseball World's Dynamic
Practice Organization
with Tom Emanski $29.95
DVD: 6 Set Series
Tom Emanski Series $169.95
Book: "Coaching Baseball Successfully"
by Mike Curran $19.95
Book: "Coaching Baseball the Cal Ripkin Way"
by Cal and Bill Ripken $16.95
DVD: "Baseball Skills & Drills DVD"
by American Baseball Coaches Association $49.95
Book - 101 Defensive Baseball Drills
by Pat McMahon $19.95
Book: "Gold Glove Baseball" by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) $19.95

Baseball Coaching Books and DVDs from Baseball2u.com

2011-07-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Coaching Baseball - Four Valuable Coaching Tools That Every Baseball Coach Should Own

2011-07-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Coaching Baseball - Four Valuable Coaching Tools That Every Baseball Coach Should Own
By guest author: Nick Dixon

First of all, let me say this is not a commercial or endorsement for a baseball training tool or product, although my company sells some of the best in baseball. This article is about 4 relatively inexpensive components that are valuable coaching tools that are available in your favorite mass merchant store. I feel that these components should be in the carry bag of every sports coach.

We all know and realize that productive practices do not happen by chance. The good practices are well planned and organized with specific practice time periods and specific skill drills. As a high school football and baseball coach with over 25 years of experience, I am 100% convinced that these four components can make any sport practice, at any level, more organized and productive. Those components are 1) a Stop Watch, 2) A Detailed Practice Schedule, 3) a Video Camera, and 4) Practice Cones or Markers.

How these four coaching tools improve the quality of practice and instruction.

1. Stop Watch - It is essential that every practice be divided into specific individual or team drill periods. A good stop watch helps keep everything on time and running smooth. It is recommended that time slots be kept shorter for younger age groups. Very seldom would a drill go over 10 minutes for youth teams.

2. Written Practice Schedule - Going on a practice field without a written practice schedule is like driving a car without a steering wheel. You can not conduct good practices without good planning and organization. The practice schedule is divided into time periods with specific team and individual drill. Taking the time to evaluate what the team needs most is extremely important. These written schedules should be kept and reviewed to see when various topics, fundamentals, and skills were taught and practiced. Each schedule outlines what drills are done, the time of the session, what players are involved, and what coaches are conducting the drill.

3. Digital Video Camera - As you have heard many times over and over, the "big eye in the sky does not lie". A saying that coaches use to emphasize that what you see on video is exactly the way it is. The video camera is a coaches best friend when it comes to teaching hitting, pitching and fielding fundamentals. Video filmed practice action shows players what they need to improve on or correct. Video play backs can also provide positive or negative feedback to reinforce coaching and teaching sessions. If they actions are wrong, they can see their mistakes. If their action is correct, they can see how well they performed. Players recognize and understand verbal instruction much better when they can see a video. Hitters can correct a flaw in swing mechanics much easier if they can actually see the mistake they are making. It is a good idea to video both individual and team drills for later review.

4. Plastic Practice Cones or Markers - These relatively inexpensive cones or markers are used to set up drills. They are orange in color and stack inside themselves to make this easy to store and carry. There are many uses that these can be used for. You can mark bunt zones. You are mark the "get to the line" spot for pitching fielding practice. You can use them to mark the path for a base runner to "fish hook" at first base on a ball hit through the infield. You will come up with many more uses as you plan your practices and workouts.

I hope this article has been useful to you. If you are looking for more articles on baseball, you may visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog and the Youth Baseball Clinic Blog. Both feature daily post and articles on all aspects of coaching baseball.

Players develop incredible bat speed and confidence when they regularly use the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine. See it at http://www.HurricaneMachine.com. See the world's most advanced batting tee at AdvancedSkillsTee.com.

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

=========================
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Getting Your Baseball Bat Swing Started

2011-07-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hit2win.com - Free Hitting Tips for Improving Your Swing

Getting Your Baseball Bat Swing Started
By Jeffery A Wise

There are steps to perfecting a baseball bat swing and you first need to start at the beginning. You need to know how to start your swing so you can hit the ball as good as possible. It is as the start of your swing that you begin to generate power that can push your ball way into the outfield.

The trigger action is really crucial for your baseball bat swing. This aspect of hitting determines the power of your swing and how far the ball will travel. Since you at least want to get a base hit while you're at bat, practicing your trigger regularly will improve your batting average.

During the trigger, your weight and power are transferred from the front, then to the back, and to the front again, all in a very short time. This is the building of momentum that transfers from the bat to the ball.

The trigger mechanism is so important because it prepares you for any pitch that is thrown. It starts your baseball bat swing early so you can be ready for the fastball. It also allows you to be prepared so you can wait for the curveball.

Players use different parts of their body to shift their weight, including their legs, feet and hands. It doesn't really matter what you use, as long as your weight is shifted forward at the point that you swing the bat. So, you must build up the power before the ball reaches the hitting zone. This will take a lot of practice to calculate the right timing, but once you master it, it will be second nature to you.

It will help if you view baseball highlights from professional games. Then, if you can, compare a video of yourself to them to see if you're doing it right. You'll see that the professionals have a smooth baseball bat swing and they do it every single time they're up to bat, even if they don't swing.

As you practice, make sure your swing isn't jerky. It should be natural and smooth. If you're not sure if you're doing it right, as for input from a coach or teammate.

This aspect of the baseball bat swing is very important for hitting well. The best thing is that you can practice this anywhere and at any time. So, you have no excuse to not be the best you can possibly be.

Remember that the reason to practice your baseball bat swing is to give you skills and talent to become the baseball player you want to be. Find out why you need Baseball Bats that are comfortable in your hands.

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

Happy Independence Day - 2011

2011-07-04T08:53:00.001-07:00

Happy Independence Day - 2011
Happy Birthday America!

For free articles, drills & tips, visit Hit2win.com

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Youth Baseball : Little League Baseball Batting Tips

2011-06-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball : Little League Baseball Batting Tips

Teaching little league baseball players how to bat requires a great deal of practice, patience and making sure each kid feels comfortable at the plate. Get the most out of your hitters with tips from a professional baseball instructor in this free video on little league baseball batting tips.

Youth Baseball Coaching Challenge - Developing a Coaching Philosophy

2011-06-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Coaching Challenge - Developing a Coaching Philosophy
By guest author: Larry Miljas

Developing a coaching philosophy is an often overlooked yet very important aspect of coaching. Many youth baseball coaches have an idea of their philosophy, but never take the time to write it down or convey it to their parents and players. By doing so you will be helping your team understand you and your expectation and believe me, this will make your job A LOT easier.

Your philosophy is a collection of principles that you will use to run your team. The principles that you have will guide you in creating your team policies and these policies will guide your coaching decisions throughout the year. If parents and baseball players know what your philosophy is, what your policies are and what you expect from them, you will be ahead of about 90% of all youth coaches in heading off potential disasters. However, let me make one thing clear. If your philosophy and policies should change during the season, you MUST communicate this as early as possible.

It's not as complicated as it may seem. To break it down -- Your coaching philosophy is made up of your principles, your principles will drive your policies and your policies will drive your decisions. As stated earlier, all coaches have an idea of what their philosophy, principles and policies are, but by organizing, clarifying and communicating them, you will increase your coaching effectiveness.

Step 1 -- Organize. Think about what is important to you as a baseball coach and write it down. Create a spreadsheet or word document of what you feel is important for you as a coach to do for your players. Make a list.

Step 2 -- Clarify. Once your list is finished, go through and make sure you didn't miss anything. Also, look for things that appear contradictory. If you find some, think about what the differences are between the two and then remove one, or clarify it if need be. Once you get a clear understanding of what is important to you as a coach, you should have a good list of principles to use to develop your policies.

Step 3 -- Communicate. Clean up and edit your document and then use it as a handout at your first practice, or attach it to your introductory letter. At your parent meeting (yes you should have one of these), go over it with parents and let them ask questions. This should put everyone on the same page. By communicating your philosophy and policies at the beginning of the season, you will save yourself headaches and distractions later on.

In closing, here are some sample principles that I have heard other coaches incorporate into their philosophy.

* Doing your best is more important than success.
* Coaches, Players and Parents should be positive at all times.
* Good sportsmanship is mandatory.
* Players and Coaches should have fun.
* Players and Coaches should be disciplined.
* Players and Coaches should be enthusiastic.
* Always keep a good attitude.

There are probably hundreds or thousands more, but this should give you a good start. I wish you success in your youth baseball coaching endeavors. Make it a great season!

Larry Miljas believes that coaching youth is very important as it gives us a chance to influence tomorrow's leaders. He is a martial arts instructor and little league baseball coach that wants to provide baseball tips, drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his website at http://www.TheYouthBaseballCoach.com

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Little League Digest - 2 Free Baseball Batting Tee Drills That Produce Incredible Results

2011-05-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Little League Digest - 2 Free Baseball Batting Tee Drills That Produce Incredible Results
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Many people underestimate the versatility and effectiveness of the baseball batting tee. The batting tee can be used in a variety of locations and heights. Improve your Little League Team hitting success with these two recommended hitting drills for coaching Little League batters. The two batting drills are the "High Tee Drill"and the "Low Ball Tee Drill". Each of these drills allows the batter to practice hitting a specific pitch location that is often difficult to practice hitting.

High Tee Drill

The purpose of this drill is to allow the batter practice repetition at hitting the high fastball. The high fastball is the most difficult pitch to hit. Extending the batting tee to its highest level and placing the tee over the middle of the plate allows repetitive practice at hitting this pitch location.

The high tee drill makes the batter use more muscles to swing the bat than a lower setting. Keeping the target ball high makes the batter control and drive the bat without the use of gravity that can be used on a lower ball target setting.

Low Ball Tee Drill

The most difficult pitch location to hit is the low and away strike. By lowering your batting tee you give your player practice repetition at hitting the most difficult pitch location. You may place the tee inside, away and on the middle of the plate to give the batter practice at hitting all possible low strike locations.

I hope that you found this article informative and useful. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Good Luck to you and your team. Have a great day, Nick

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane 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. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine and the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine. 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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Youth Baseball Digest - Good Pitcher Sometimes Can Not Throw a Strike - 10 Things to Check First

2011-05-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Digest - Good Pitcher Sometimes Can Not Throw a Strike - 10 Things to Check First
By guest author: Nick Dixon

If you have a young baseball pitcher that at times looks like a Josh Beckett or Randy Smith and other times he struggles to throw two strikes in a row, what can cause of his control problems? There are 10 key elements of his delivery that should always be checked first. Those key elements are outlined in this article.

There are 10 key elements of his delivery that should always be checked first. Those key elements are outlined below.

The 10 most common causes of control problem in Little League Pitchers are:

1. Pitcher is Not Concentrating on The Target. The pitcher does not keep his eyes locked in on the target from the start to the finish of his delivery. Many young pitchers when get half through their delivery they look away. They take their eyes off the mitt. They must keep their eyes focused on the target at all times during the delivery.

2. Bad Stride Foot Angle - The pitcher is not steeping in the direction of the target. The stride foot landing must be close to an imaginary straight line from the middle of the pitching rubber to the middle of home plate. If the pitcher steps too far to either side of this imaginary line, there will be control problems. The stride foot should land no more than an inch or two off that line to either side. It is best for some part of the stride foot to land directly on that line.

3. Bad Stride Foot Landing - The stride foot should land flat. Many times young pitchers will land on their heel. This can and will cause control problems.

4. Stride Leg Does Not Flex or Bend - Many young pitchers lock the stride leg. This locking action makes the body "pole vault" upward upon the landing of the front foot. The stride leg must bend slightly to allow the pitcher to drive and snap the hips.

5. Dragging the Back toe - The back side toe should be lifted up and out of an imaginary bucket. If a pitcher sometimes drags the back too when throwing the fastball, his control will be inconsistent. Sometimes a pitcher will intentionally drag the back toe when throwing off-speed pitches. That is acceptable so long as the pitcher is conscientious of the action.

6. Inconsistent Release Point - The pitcher is not consistent with his throwing arm extension toward the plate or his release point. To have consistent control, the pitcher must release every fastball in the same release spot. He must release very breaking ball at the same release point. It requires a lot of pitching practice to master the muscle memory that allows these release points to be consistent.

7. Not Finishing Low Enough - The pitcher does not bend at the waist. The pitcher must bend, get low, and drive through the pitch delivery. Trying to pitch while standing more upright is going to cause problems and a lack of control.

8. The Finish and Following Through are Poor - Pitch quality suffers when a pitcher does not finish properly or execute a smooth proper follow through. The pitcher's throwing arm should finish with the elbow below his off side knee. The pitcher's chin must finish down and the head should be in front of the stride toe. The head should finish lower than the waist with the back leg foot lifting above the pitcher's entire body.

9. The Trunk rotates too early - Many young pitchers open the front shoulder prematurely or rotate the truck of the body too early. The shoulder should stay closed until the weight is shifted onto the stride foot. The torso rotation should be delayed until at least 60 to 70% of the pitcher's stride is completed.

10. The grip is inconsistent - The pitcher must practice pitching enough to get a consistent feel for each pitch grip. The pitcher should keep the fastball gripped as far out in the fingers as possible. Pitchers that sometimes grip the ball wrong or change their grip without knowing it will definitely have problems throwing pitches consistently and hitting their sports.

I know that some of these keys were elementary, but sometimes it is the simplest thing that throws the most advanced pitcher we have off his game. I would always check these 10 keys to see if I could diagnose the problem and correct it as soon as possible.

I hope that you found this article to be informative and interesting. wish your team good luck 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.

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Youth Baseball Conditioning

2011-04-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Conditioning
By guest author: Trevor Sumner

There are many valuable youth baseball conditioning techniques to increase your players' abilities by maximizing their strength, range of motion, and flexibility. Just as a car can only travel as fast as its engine will allow, in like manner, baseball players can only perform to the degree that their bodies will allow. If coaches, parents and mentors ensure that their players are involved in recommended youth baseball conditioning training, they will be increasing their players' chances to fulfil their maximum potential.

Here are some advised youth baseball conditioning techniques that are recommended for youth baseball coaches for the development of their players:

Pitching Better through Swimming - Swimming can actually strengthen the shoulder muscles and enable pitchers to throw the baseball harder while protecting pitchers from devastating shoulder injuries. It is recommended that pitchers swim in free style for two minutes with a series of 4 repetitions. If the player can not swim, then the pitcher can stand waist deep in water under adult supervision and push the water away from the body with a hard thrust and fingers spread apart. This should be repeated for 2 minutes at a time.
Sprint to Success - One of the traditional youth baseball training programs remains the best. Players need to build up their endurance in order to play the entire game with strength and energy. Wind sprints are the best way for youth baseball players to build up their endurance and, at the same time, bond with their teammates. If your players run wind sprints as a team or in bunches, such as pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders, you will be building up their endurance and the team will become closer as a unit. Ten 60 yard sprints are a good way to start, and you can lengthen the distance and repetitions over time.
Squeeze that Ball -Another simple youth baseball conditioning exercise can be done everywhere from the ball field to the schoolyard and even to bed. Baseball players can increase their wrist strength by squeezing a rubber Spalding ball. Yes, these pink balls are still of infinite value to baseball players - pitchers, to increase the speed of their pitch; hitters by increasing their bat speed and, therefore, the distance of their drives; and fielders by increasing the strength of their throws.
Stretch Before Games - Stretching and warm-ups are a key element of baseball conditioning training protocols to prevent injuries. Prior to every game and practice, baseball coaches should lead their team in a regular series of stretching and warm-up exercises for at least 10-12 minutes. Before the players begin playing baseball, make sure to cover all major muscle groups including shoulders, legs, arms, hips, and back.

Of course these are just a few, simple youth baseball conditioning exercises among many. Baseball coaches should be familiar with a wide variety of exercises and should weave these into a more holistic conditioning training plan that is appropriate to the age of their players.

Combined with a variety of baseball drills that make the game fun and build the fundamental skills needed to play, a strong baseball conditioning training regimen will ensure that players reach the top of their game and avoid unnecessary injury.

By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth baseball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information they need to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay has one of the most comprehensive baseball drill libraries in its active baseball community.

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Little League Digest - The KISS Rule of Teaching Youth Baseball Players a Proper Swing

2011-04-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

Little League Digest - The KISS Rule of Teaching Youth Baseball Players a Proper Swing
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Coaching baseball is not rocket science. I believe in the KISS rule of coaching young baseball batters. The KISS or "Keep it Super Simple" rule means that the coach will present the batting instruction in a way that it is easy for young baseball players to understand, visualize and perform. This article explains the 6 simple steps in teaching youth baseball batters using the "KISS" method.

The KISS method of coaching little league batters can be broken down into 5 easy steps:

Step 1 - GRIP & HANDS - The knocking knuckles must be aligned. This grip places the handle in the fingers and away from the palm. A proper grip increase hands speed and power.

Step 2 - STANCE - The feet should be shoulder width part with the insteps of the feet aligned under each arm pit. The toes should point straight toward the plate.

Step 3 - STRIDE - The stride is the step or weight transfer achieved during the swing. The stride may be a simple motion such as simply easing the weight off the front foot and restoring it. The front foot can move but does not have to. The less movement of the front foot forward is better. However, a wide stance is necessary to give the hitter a good lower body foundation and strength.

Step 4 - SEE TARGET - The batter should concentrate on the ball. He should try to see it come out of the pitcher's hand and track it with his eyes as it approaches the plate. The batter will watch the ball all the way to the bat or the catcher's mitt. The batter should keep the head down and the eyes on the ball. The batter should concentrate on hitting the top half of the baseball. Hitting the top half will insure that a fly ball will not be hit. The batter should try to hit a ground ball or a line drive.

Step 5 - SWING - The swing should be level and quick. A short quick motion taking the bat directly to the ball is desirable. A long sweeping motion or upper cut swing is not desirable. A wood chopping swing is not acceptable.

Step 6 - FINISH - The younger batter should finish the swing with two hands. The batter should concentrate on keeping the head down through the finish. Prematurely pulling or jerking the head up to see where the ball is hit, is a batting flaw that should be eliminated immediately.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. Good luck this season! Have a great day, Nick.

The Coaches Best 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 and the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine. Dixon is also a contributing writer for Baseball Coaching Digest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

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The Professional Youth Baseball Coach

2011-04-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Professional Youth Baseball Coach
By guest author: Andy Pohl

Coaching is not just about winning games. In fact, winning is a very small component to the job. Successful coaches help athletes master new skills, enjoy competition with others, and develop a team first attitude. They are not only well versed in the techniques and skills of their sport, but they also understand how to effectively teach those skills through age appropriate practice regimens and skill building drills. The ability to apply and communicate life lessons learned from sports participation is also of extreme importance.

The influence coaches have on young adults is far too great to believe that the utilization of volunteer coaches diminishes the professional responsibilities for effectively executing the mission. In fact, any youth league organization that does not coordinate a mandatory coaching certification course for all volunteer coaches is doing a tremendous disservice to their community. Ultimately, the amount of accessible educational coaching materials and resources is far too great for anyone to make excuses for volunteer coaches who inadequately carry out their duties and responsibilities.

I like to term the coach who responsibly performs their various roles and obligations as a 'professional coach.' Anyone can be a 'professional coach,' even the dad who coaches his son's five year old T-Ball Team. The Professional Coach is one who understands that the physical, emotional, social, and psychological development of their athletes takes precedence over winning. They are individuals of sound moral character who understand the true meaning of integrity. They are organized, disciplined, focused, and value driven decision makers. The Professional Coach has a solid understanding of sport science, sport management, risk management, nutrition, and sport specific techniques and tactics. The Professional Coach always seeks to better him/herself by attending coaching conferences, reading books and professional journals, or exchanging ideas with peers and mentors. In addition, the Professional Coach has superior communication skills and understands the psychology behind reinforcement, motivation, and how young people learn.

Now that we have described what a Professional Coach is, let's examine what a Professional Coach is not:

o The Win-at-all-Costs Coach: Coaches who adopt this style care more about their win-loss record and personal ego than the development of their athletes. They will use every tactic imaginable to give them a competitive edge, even if these tactics are unsportsmanlike and dishonest.

o The Me Coach: Coaches who adopt this philosophy are more focused on 'me' than 'we.' For example, they may say, "I need you to play flawless today," or "I need you to work hard for me today." In order to build a team concept, this coach should be saying, "We (or the team) need you to play flawless today," or "We need you to work hard for the good of the group today."

o The Want to be Popular Coach: Coaches who adopt this style make few decisions as possible. They do not hold their players accountable, nor do they demand excellence from their athletes. The Want to be Popular Coach focuses more on having fun and giving meaningless praise and extrinsic reward than challenging the team to meet high standards and expectations. The Want to be Popular Coach provides minimal guidance and instruction, and cares more about being liked than doing the job right.

If you are thinking of being a volunteer coach, please take your responsibilities seriously. Understand that coaches at all levels of competition have the power to make a significant, life long impact on the lives of young adults.

Andy Pohl - Co-Founder, DNA Sports

DNA Sports specializes in personalized baseball and softball skill programs, college recruiting education and preparation, and coaching clinics. Learn more: http://www.dnasportsonline.com
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Intricate And Advanced Hitting Skills

2011-03-31T04:09:00.000-07:00

Intricate And Advanced Hitting Skills
By Jim Bain

At times there seems to be such a tremendous amount of information pertaining to how to play baseball we become literally overwhelmed and shut down. We don't seem to know which drill or exercise to perform in what order.

I've found that sometimes just throwing a few drills, tips or advise out and letting the player choose which to take first lends to getting back on track and that's exactly what I have done here by offering various hitting drills from which you may choose.

1. Batting Gloves It seems somewhat out of place listing batting gloves as a way to hit as it really has nothing to do with mechanics. However, the use of batting gloves have become so popular it's worth a mention.

When buying batting gloves, only buy gloves that do not wrinkle. They will be more expensive, but ironically batting gloves were first used to keep players from developing blisters due to extended batting practices. Now ill fitting or wrinkling gloves are producing the blisters they were intended to prevent.

2. Batters Box We are constantly drilled to keep our head still as we swing in order to maintain eye / bat contact with the ball, but we never stop and think about always standing in the exact same spot in the batters box. If we constantly change where we stand in the batters box, it changes the perception of the oncoming ball and produces muscle confusion, which will prevent us from ever being able to consistently hit a breaking ball.

Unless you're changing your batting location in the box permanently, take your stance in the exact same spot every bat, every game. If the catcher's squeezing you, crowd back...he'll move.

Follow Through We're always hearing the Coaches yell "Follow Through" to their pitchers. Maybe we ought to start doing the same to hitters. We say we want to Hit the ball, but actually that's not quite correct. What we should be saying is we want to Hit Through the ball.

When finished swinging a hitter's bat should be high over and behind his head. Just as there is a beginning to a swing there is an ending and swinging through the ball is where the power originates. Have you ever seen a golfer stop his swing immediately after he hit's the ball? Be sure to finish your swing.

Bringing the Knob Thru the Zone You've probably heard the saying "Throw the Bat head thru the zone." What they are referring to is bringing the barrel of the bat, the sweet spot, in front of your hands. This offers a quick bat and power when good contact is made.

I'd like to offer a different theory. In order to maintain better bat control, which means more hits, but not necessarily of the power type, we lead with our hands. Another way of saying this is we lead with the knob of the bat.

In order to do this we control the bat with our top hand (on the bat). When we bring the bat thru the strike zone the top hand must be palm up. This guides and controls the bat towards the ball. Using this technique will make you a better hitter as far as contact.

Jim Bain - Former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth. Visit his exciting info packed website: http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

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Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Tips for Extending Your Powerban...

2011-03-30T04:27:00.000-07:00

Running A Little League Baseball Fall League By Marty Schupak

2011-03-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Running A Little League Baseball Fall League By Marty Schupak
By guest author: Marty Schupak

Youth baseball seasons seem to be going longer and longer. Some leagues enter All Star tournaments all the way through August. Come the fall, do some of these players who have played the last six months really want to enter a Fall League? The answer is yes. More and more fall leagues are cropping up around the country. Even with the competition from football and soccer leagues, some baseball purists still can't get enough. How should a youth baseball organization run a fall league? The first thing the league has to do is see if their league insurance covers them for the whole year or just the baseball season. The league Board should look into this and determine the fee for the league. As for uniforms, nothing more than colored t-shirts from the league are really necessary.

The games themselves can be played a number of ways. I happen to think that the league should be as non competitive as possible. This is a great opportunity for players to play different positions that they didn't do during the season. Pitchers innings should be limited. For example, if it is a four game season a player can't pitch more than four innings the whole fall season. If it is an eight game season, no more than eight innings, total for the Fall league season. One inning per game per pitcher should be the average. This is forcing the manager to use different pitchers. Also how about having a batting order comprised of the whole team, let's say one thru twelve. With this we have free fielding substitutions. The point here is to get each player up. You can add other rules to keep the game moving like nine players maximum at bat per inning or seven walks per inning.

There are a number of other creative rules a league can try. The league has to make sure if they have certain rule changes it is aloud by the League Board of Directors and the League Charter. The main point is some kids prefer playing baseball to soccer or football in the fall. If there is enough interest, it's a shame to keep these fields empty during the months of September and October and when timed correctly a youth baseball fall league can be run right up to league tryouts for the next Spring season.

http://www.YouthSportsClub.com
Marty Schupak has coached youth baseball for 18 years and is the creator of "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice", "Backyard Baseball Drills", "Hitting Drills & Techniques" and author of the popular book, "Youth Baseball Drills". He is also President of the Youth Sports Club, a group dedicated to making sports practices and games more enjoyable for kids. He is also creator of "48 Chamnpionship Basketball Drills" and "Championship Soccer Drills". His best seeling videos have been viewed by millions of youth coaches and parents and are required viewing by many youth leagues around the world.

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The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, 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, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Base Running Tips for Youth Baseball Coaches

2011-03-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Base Running Tips for Youth Baseball Coaches
By guest author: Chip Lemin

Greetings,

Battle Stations base running drill

Divide your team in half as equally as possible and assemble two lines at home plate, one line slightly ahead and inside the other. Now have a coach on the pitcher's mound give a command for the lead runner in both lines to take off. . One runs straight through first base as if they are beating out a groundball, the other makes a turn and continues into second. At the next command, the drill continues in the same manner but the runner on second now rounds third and scores while the runner on first takes third. Now you have bases loaded on every cycle of this drill .It goes on with the runner on third tagging up and scoring. Two runners will now score each time the bats are hit together. Players go to the end of the opposite line when they score and bases remain loaded continuously.

It's a much more instructional drill than having the players continually circle the bases, and give every player a chance to perform just about all the situations they will see in a game. Coaches can check for base running technique, how they are rounding the bags etc...It help players get into baseball shape which it more short quick bursts of energy needed. You can help players learn to get good jumps and to anticipate when to go.

This drill should be done at the end of practice, because the players will be pretty tired after. End the drill when you can see they have had enough and are starting to get sloppy

Study the pitcher drill

Align all players on the first base foul line, in the outfield. The line becomes the base. Somewhere near the infield dirt, near where the second baseman would play. On second base two out lead, delay steal, etc.). Other coaches should be positioned to watch players and make corrections.

Spend 5-10 minutes of every practice on this. We also spent at least 5 minutes before every game on this drill.

This drill is usually done with the entire team. Splitting up the team prevents players from just copying what the others are doing. This forces them to focus more and actually retain more of your coaching.

This not a long drill, just a quick refresher on studying the pitchers foot work to determine whether or not to dive back, go back standing, or just move back toward base. Just assume that it is 1st base we are working on. You can add 2nd or 3rd base if you want.

Split your players up into as small of groups as you can, depending on the current situation at practice or pre-game. Use the outfield foul or any kind of line, depending if you are indoors or not. A coach acts as the pitcher. All players should have a good view. The coach should alternate between right-hander, left-hander, stretch, windup, stepping off the rubber, and picks. Players are given a scenario before every pitch (on first base straight steal, on first base hit and run, etc... Players assume the correct position, take a proper lead, and react according to the play called and the movement of the pitcher.

When it is a team drill, have other coaches watching players, don't let players take this drill lightly, base running blunders can blow up promising innings

Off to the races drill

This is another fun way to end practice with a base running drill kids will like. Split the team in half, with one group of kids behind home plate and other half behind second. Just don't have them all run the bases together, there's not much being learned that way. Turn it into a relay race with baseballs as the batons being passed from runner to runner. Give the first kid of each group a ball (this will be the "baton" for the relay race). At "GO!" the first kid from each team begins running the bases, ball in hand. After making a complete lap around the bases (back to each kid's starting point) that kid hands the ball off to the next kid in line, who continues the relay race. Try to have coaches at the bases encouraging proper turns and foot work. First group of kids to finish the race wins. They will not want practice to be over most of the time. Kids love to compete, and when you can use contests to help you teach, it's always more effective.

These are some of the more basic drills, look for more advanced drills coming up later.

Get more coaching info by signing up for my free e-course http://www.baseballecourse.com
Hello My name is Chip Lemin. I'm a long time youth baseball coach who loves to promote this great game of youth baseball. Promoting sportsmanship in this game of youth baseball is something that really needs I feel. I have a free e-course that will give you some solid coaching information along with great help on the inter-personal relationships we must have to be good youth baseball coaches. Things such as parents, travel baseball, getting parents to help out, how to communicate better to parents and players, just to touch on a few. This course will help to organize practices like an elite coach. How to motivate players and other coaches with your positive attitude. It really is not very hard to be a great coach when you know what to do.Best of all you will learn how to have fun with these great kids that you have the privilege of coaching. Do yourself a favor and check it out, it's free,you will get 1 part every couple of days in your e-mail. Coaching can be fun and rewarding if you have a plan in place first, and you have an idea what you are doing.

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

===============
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Baseball Coaching Digest - What is the Most Important Thing in Coaching Little League Baseball?

2011-03-01T04:21:00.000-08:00

Baseball Coaching Digest - What is the Most Important Thing in Coaching Little League Baseball?

Ny Nick Dixon

If you ask 100 baseball coaches the question, "What is the Most Important Thing in Baseball?", you will get a wide variety of answers. Some will say winning is the most important thing. Some will say that "expecting to win" is the most important thing. Others will say that helping kids grow, mature, and develop a sincere love for the game is the most important reason for playing baseball. When I ask myself this question, I have one simple answer. This articles explains what I feel that the most important thing in baseball to me is that I see some level of improvement every day.

This "level of improvement" can be in any aspect of the game. I may leave practice knowing that our team improved their knowledge and skill in defending the bunt. I may leave a game knowing that our team, although we lost, learned how to "come back" and compete when we were down by 4 and made it a one run loss at the end.

You may see an improvement in team unity, team chemistry, or team leadership. You may see a certain player show improvement in pitching control, hitting the off-speed pitch, or reading the pitcher to get a better jump when stealing a base. See these improvements are what coaching and playing baseball is all about.

Is it better for a team to show absolutely no improvement in a season and go undefeated because they dominate their league or for a team to play.500 baseball on the season, but show incredible levels of improvement from the top of the lineup to the bottom? You see what I mean? Improvement is the "name of the game". Improvement is what coaching baseball is all about.

Coaches must keep in mind that only half of the teams that play every day, win. The other half lose. Should 50% of the coaches feel their day was a total loss ever day they play? When it comes to playoffs it is a fact that less than 1/100 of 1 percent of all baseball teams will end their season with a win each year. The other 99.999 % of the teams will find themselves ending their season with a loss or not being in the playoffs.

Now, I want you to know that I value winning as much as any coach on this planet. But what I am saying is that coaches must make winning a goal and getting better a priority. You should feel satisfaction when you see improvement on a daily basis. If you do not see improvement, chances are that you will find it difficult to win anyway. So the message here is to make it known to you team that you want to see them improve as players and as a team every day in some way. It is their job to make it happen. It is your job to give them the opportunity to do so in practices and games.

The Baseball2u.com 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

5 Disturbing Items in Youth Baseball Today

2011-02-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

5 Disturbing Items in Youth Baseball Today
By guest author: Allen R.

I love baseball. I played baseball from the age of 5 to the age of 18. I was in organized baseball leagues starting at the age of 8. After a layoff of 11 years, I played in a men's league for another 3 years and I've been an umpire for the past 5 years.

I've seen and experienced a lot during my time in the game. The last few years as an umpire, dad and coach has been eye-opening in regards to youth baseball. Here are 5 things I find disturbing about youth baseball at this time:

1. T-Ball as a "Level" - Yes, everyone does make contact but it does not prepare the player for the reality that they will miss the ball more often than make contact. I believe that it also retards the development of hand-eye coordination. One of the hardest things to do in sports is to hit a round baseball with a round bat while both are in motion. Why not allow children the opportunity to improve this skill as soon as they can? A hitting "T" removes most of that development by placing the ball in a stationary position. The batting "T" is a tool to improve one's swing or reestablish it after a long layoff or offseason - not a division in a youth baseball league.

2. Games Without a Score - This is prevalent throughout the lower levels of all youth sports. It is supposed to foster higher self-esteem in the players since nobody loses (I think this is supposed to make the parents feel better about themselves). In reality, all of the players lose. Keeping score is essential to charting a team's progress. I must admit that in my first year as head coach of my son's baseball team I succumbed to this regulation. This year, while the official line is we are not keeping score, I will keep it. This way I can see how we are progressing. The kids always ask me anyway!

3. Facemasks on helmets - Fortunately, this is not too common - yet. I understand the intent - to protect the player against injury and also alleviate a fear of the ball. While it will help the player now, these are 2 things they will have to deal with down the line when the consequences are much greater. I'd rather a player understand the mechanics of getting out of the way of the pitch (turn away from the ball) when it is traveling at 30 mph or so vs. 65 - 75 mph and higher.

4. Non-throwing rules for catchers - Again, thankfully, I have not run across this many times. There was a league that I umpired games for that forbid the catcher from throwing the ball to third base on a steal. This went hand-in-hand with the restriction on stealing third base only once per inning. This rule was put in place so the catcher wouldn't overthrow the base. Well, how is a catcher supposed to sharpen his accuracy if he cannot throw in a game situation? This was at a 9 year-old level, mind you.

5. Batting through the order each inning - This one I am torn on. The premise is a good one at the younger levels. Each team bats all the way through without regard for the number of outs. While it doesn't reinforce the importance of making proper plays and getting 3 outs quickly, it does keep the game moving at a good pace.

There are more things that bother me about the youth baseball leagues. These are just some of the most egregious.

Allen. R is a technology professional with over 10 years experience. He's been involved with the game of baseball for over 20 years as a player, umpire and manager. He currently resides in New York with his family.

For more helpful tips and articles, please visit http://www.prudentdad.com

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

=================

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Little League Digest - Proper Baseball Swing Mechanics and the "Belly Button" Rule of Hip Turn

2011-02-21T04:26:00.000-08:00

Little League Digest - Proper Baseball Swing Mechanics and the "Belly Button" Rule of Hip Turn
By Nick Dixon
Little league Digest: Baseball Batting Coaching Tips: Teaching Hip Turn Mechanics and Using the "Belly Button" Rule to Improve Baseball Swing Quality

The hips play an important part in the baseball swing process. The turn of the hips helps to generate power and bat speed. There are several important coaching points about the involvement of the hips in the swing. The "B B" rule is one good way to teach young players the degree of hip turn on various pitch locations. This article presents several coaching points and explains the "B B" rule.

Here are 10 Coaching Points related to Hip Movement Mechanics:

1. The degree of hip movement is determined by the location of the pitch.

2. The hips must turn more when hitting an inside pitch.

3. The hips will turn less when hitting a pitch away.

4. The hips should not move before the hands and bat.

5. To free the hips, the back foot must spin, rotate or turn onto the toe.

6. The hips follow the barrel. The hips should open behind the barrel, not before it.

7. Premature front side or hip movement will cause a batter to pull the head and to pull of pitches.

8. The correct hip movement is a spin. Lunging or sliding the hips forward is not acceptable.

9. The hip movement should be a thrust or fast rotation. The faster the rotation of the hips, the faster the bats speed.

10. The degree of hip rotation can be taught by teaching the "Belly Button" rule as explained below.

The "Belly Button Rule" is explained as the following:

The Belly Button should follow the barrel of the bat through the baseball swing process. The location of a pitch determines hip turn. The degree of hip turn determines where the belly button is pointing when the batter finishes the baseball swing. The belly button should always finish in a position that points toward the direction in which the baseball was hit.

For example, when a ball is hit to the opposite field, the batters "Button" should point or be directed toward the opposite field when the swing is completed. If a batter pulls an inside pitch, the belly button should follow the ball and point toward the direction in which the ball was hit.

Coaching Point: For right and left handed batters, if the ball is hit through the box, up the middle, the belly button should "shine" or point toward second base when the swing is complete. For right handed batter, is a ball is pulled, the belly button should finish pointing toward third base. If a right handed batter hits the baseball down the right field line, the button should point toward first base when the swing is completed. If a left handed batter pulls the baseball, the hips should turn completely and the button should finish pointing at first base. If a left handed batter hits the ball to left field, the hips should turn less and the belly button should finish the swing pointing the 5-6 hole or between 3rd and 2nd base.

I hope that you found this article to be informative and helpful. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I wish you and your team good luck this season! Have a great day, Nick.

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

Youth Baseball Training - Three Tips to Increase Baserunning Speed

2011-01-25T04:02:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Training - Three Tips to Increase Baserunning Speed
By Jake Wyatt

Youth baseball coaches spend a lot of practice time focusing on batting, throwing, and fielding skills. Speed training often consists of just having the kids run the bases as fast as they can a few times. Coaches that take the time to work with their players on their base running speed will make their teams more competitive.

Here are some specific tips to use to help your players run faster. Working with each player individually to help them increase their speed will have the most benefit, as each player will need different improvements.

1. Arm position. The runner's arm position should be close to the body at a 90 degree angle and about waist high. As the player runs, the arms should be moving front to back. Sideways movements will slow the runner down. The shoulders and hands should be relaxed. Have players practice the correct movements in slow motion until they develop the appropriate muscle memory.

2. Focus. The runner should be looking at his destination, not at the ground in front of him. For baseball players this means the next base. However, the player does need to be aware of what's going on around him, so he doesn't get tagged on the baseline or run into another player.

3. Foot position. Keep runners OFF their heels. The proper foot position for the fastest speed is to land on the ball of the foot and push off, rolling forward to the toes. Professional running shoes have the cleats only on the front of the shoe, because this is where a runner's power comes from.

If a coach spends a few minutes every practice working with his players on their running form, his team will be faster overall. And a faster team wins more baseball games!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

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

======================

Recommended Baseball Sites:
Baseball Coaching Digest
Baseball Coaching Digest - Today's Post
Baseball Coaching Digest: Daily Post Archive
New Articles for Coaches
Baseball Coaching Articles by Coach Nick Dixon
New Baseball Blogs
Videos for Baseball Coaches

YouthBaseballDigest.com
Homepage
Today's Youth Baseball Coaching Feature Article
Videos for Coaches
Blogs & Knols for Baseball Coaches, Players & Parents

BaseballParentGuide.com
Homepage
Baseball Parent Guide: Today's Post
Baseball Articles for Coaches
Baseball Blogs
Teaching Your Child to Hit
Throwing and Pitching Fundamentals
Buying Guide For Baseball Parents
Current Topics and Issues Related to Safety in Baseball

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Youth Baseball Training: "Eye On The Ball" Drill

2011-01-24T04:13:00.000-08:00

http://www.baseballsmith.com is another great resource for players, coaches and parents involved in youth baseball.

Youth Baseball Training drill to improve ball tracking with hitters. Coaches of professional baseball players use this drill to improve hand eye coordination. Now you too can use this drill as a player, coach or parent.
www.ebaseballtips.com

The 4 Best Batting Tees in Baseball:
Advanced Skills Tee
Stay Back Tee
Hands Back Hitter
5 Position Batting Tee

Youth Baseball Coaching Tips, Techniques and Strategy

2011-01-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Digest: 10 Things Every Youth Baseball Coach Should Know About Bunting
Bunting is an important aspect of the game. Every youth baseball coach must be able to properly teach the techniques and skills related to bunting. You must also be able to "sell" your kids on the importance of learning, practicing, and properly executing both the sacrifice and base hit bunt. This article list 10 important coaching points that every youth coach should be familiar with.

Youth Baseball Digest: The 3 Absolutes of Coaching Youth Baseball
Baseball is one of the most demanding sports to coach. The purpose and function of youth baseball is to provide a quality sports team experience that builds baseball skills, teaches team-first attitudes, builds a respect for authority and regulations, and develops an appreciation for the value and consequences of hard work. To be a successful baseball coach, you must have an understanding how the game is taught, played and practiced. There are three absolutes that every youth baseball coach should remember when they plan, organize, and prepare their "game plan" for the coming season! This article outlines those three absolutes.

Baseball Coaching Digest - Coaching Young Baseball Pitchers With the 1, 2, 3 Pitching DrillQuality pitching is one of the keys to winning baseball games. Regardless if you are coaching a Little League, High School or College baseball team, it is difficult to consistently win with a weak pitching staff. Quality pitching staffs are made not made through hard work, off season training, and a commitment to detail when it comes to baseball pitching instruction. Learning to pitch a baseball requires a lot of practice repetition and drill work. The player must learn to control both his body and the flight of the baseball.

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

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Youth Baseball Training - Pitching Drills for Little Leaguers

2011-01-21T04:02:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Training - Pitching Drills for Little Leaguers
By Jake Wyatt

In youth baseball training, the coach shouldn't wait until problems develop to use pitching drills. Pitching baseballs should be practiced all the time to promote good pitching habits and fundamentals. Here are some pitching drills that can be used by Little League coaches.

Before beginning pitching drills, you must know pitching mechanics. The type of pitching drills and number of throws depends on the age and strength of the player. Every coach should teach the mechanics first. This will be boring for the players but the coach must require proper mechanics of all his pitchers to prevent injuries.

Here are some great pitching drills for young players:

1. Balance Drill. This involves the pitcher "playing ball" from the mound, to get the feel of compensating for the slope of the mound. Have a "catcher" set up in front of the plate, giving a good target to the pitcher. Since the distance is shorter, the pitcher can work on his mechanics while not using his arm as much. This drill helps reinforce the wind up and throw, with balance, while throwing strikes.

2. Stay-closed Drill. This is another drill that helps reinforce good mechanics. Again, the catcher will position himself six or so feet in front of home plate. After warming up, have the pitcher stand sideways on the mound with his feet spread the approximate width of his stride. Next, have the pitcher shift his weight to his back foot to throw the ball to the catcher. You want the pitcher to develop good tempo by smoothly transferring his weight from back to front. The goal of this drill is to make sure the pitcher's head stays on line with the target and to have his head down as he finishes the pitch (have him take his hat off and pick it up at the end of the drill to reinforce this). The goal is to throw efficiently, not hard, in this drill.

3. On-your-knee Drill. This drill reinforces the hip and trunk rotation needed for a mechanically correct delivery. Have a right-handed pitcher place his right knee on the ground, with his left shoulder closed and pointing toward the catcher. Have the catcher set up in front of the plate to make the drill easier. Have the pitcher "rock back" and throw the ball. Make sure the pitcher keeps his head in line and finishes the delivery properly. This drill is good for developing curve balls and changeups.

Making pitching drills part of your regular practices will improve your team's pitching consistency and help prevent injuries as well!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

==============

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How the Derek Jeter Hurricane Baseball Batting Trainer Operates

2011-01-17T18:54:00.000-08:00

Video shows the rotating movement and action of the Derek Jeter Hurricane Machine as it is being hit, You will see the wrapping and unwrapping motion. You will also see a college batter working out on the machine and hitting all three of the pitch locations, middle, away and inside. The batter practices hitting all three locations without stopping, adjusting or moving the machine. Visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com or the Hurricane Machine Training blog at http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachi... See more info at http://store.baseball2u.com/husotrmaj...

How To Have More Fun Playing Baseball - This Works!

2011-01-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

How To Have More Fun Playing Baseball - This Works!
By Tim Willsonman

If you are reading this article, chances are you are trying to figure out how to have more fun playing baseball. First of all, if you aren't having fun in something, then you probably shouldn't be doing it. If you are forced into playing baseball or if you just don't enjoy it anymore, I recommend that you stop playing. It may be hard for you to do because maybe your family has always played or maybe your family is pushing you to do it, but if you don't truly love the game and if you don't enjoy doing it, then it's time for you to hang up your cleats. But if you enjoy the game and you are just simply worn out by all the strikeouts and all the failures, then this is the article for you to read.

The first thing you need to remember that baseball is a game. Unless you are playing at the professional level, baseball is not your job or your career. You need to treat it like a game. If you fail, it's okay to get upset for a little while and think about what you did wrong, but definitely do not dwell on the past. This will only lead to future failures.

The next thing you need to do if you are trying to have more fun playing the game of baseball is enjoy the simple things. A lot of the times when players feel overwhelmed or they are just not having fun, it is because they are trying to do too much at once. Try to enjoy showing up at the ballpark. Try to enjoy the simple things such as chewing sunflower seeds. Try and enjoy every time you step into the batter's box. Smell the grass, smell the air, and just have fun. Another great thing to do to have more fun playing baseball is to enjoy it with other people. Make jokes with your teammates, laugh, and chitchat about whatever you feel like talking about. This is a great way to relieve stress and have more fun playing a simple game.

I hope you've enjoyed this article. These are a few simple ways on how you can become a better baseball player, a more rounded player, and have more fun doing it!

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

===============

Recommended Baseball Sites:
Baseball Coaching Digest
Baseball Coaching Digest - Today's Post
Baseball Coaching Digest: Daily Post Archive
New Articles for Coaches
Baseball Coaching Articles by Coach Nick Dixon
New Baseball Blogs
Videos for Baseball Coaches

YouthBaseballDigest.com
Homepage
Today's Youth Baseball Coaching Feature Article
Videos for Coaches
Blogs & Knols for Baseball Coaches, Players & Parents

BaseballParentGuide.com
Homepage
Baseball Parent Guide: Today's Post
Baseball Articles for Coaches
Baseball Blogs
Teaching Your Child to Hit
Throwing and Pitching Fundamentals
Buying Guide For Baseball Parents
Current Topics and Issues Related to Safety in Baseball

Also:
Check out our network of baseball blogs:

Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballcoachesdigest
Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballparentguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballhomeworkhelp
Blogger (Blogspot) - batactionbaseballtraining
Blogger (Blogspot) - battingcagebuyingguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - coachesbest
Blogger (Blogspot) - teeballcoachingclinic
Blogger (Blogspot) - hurricanebaseballtrainingmachine
Blogger (Blogspot) - teeballparentsguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - youthbaseballcoachingclinic

Coaching Youth Baseball - Preventing Injuries

2011-01-13T06:05:00.000-08:00

By Jake Wyatt

Youth baseball coaches have many duties. An important one is to reduce the risk of injury to players during practice and games. There are several things a youth baseball coach can do to help prevent injuries in their players. Some involve practice and pre-game routines, other involve teaching the players what they can do on their own time to keep their injury risk low.

The coach should require the following before all practices and games:

1. Significant stretching. The coach should establish a stretching routine for his team early in training so that players will know what to do before practices and games. The coach should ensure that adequate effort is put into the stretching routine by all players.

2. Running. The coach should require a certain amount of running at every practice and before every game. This cardiac warm-up will get the players ready for the physical activity that is to come.

It is important that the warm-up routine be well defined and communicated to the players. All players should start at the same time. The coach needs to be involved in these activities, not spending this time visiting with parents.

During practice, the coach should always watch a player's form in all activities. Improper form should be addressed and worked on until corrected. Proper form in pitching, hitting and throwing the ball will substantially reduce the potential for injury.

The coach should encourage, and perhaps require, the players to do some training on their own. This could involve the following:

1. Age appropriate weight training or band work.

2. Calisthenics, such as sits up, pull ups and push ups.

3. Cardio work, such as jumping rope or bicycling.

4. Yoga. Most kids will think this is silly, but yoga can increase flexibility and therefore reduce the risk of injury.

If a coach is diligent, he can reduce the risk of injury to his players significantly. This will lead to more enjoyable games for all involved - players, coaches and parents!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

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

======================

The 4 Best Batting Tees in Baseball:
Advanced Skills Tee
Stay Back Tee
Hands Back Hitter
5 Position Batting Tee

Baseball Hand Exerciser for Great Hitting Strength

2011-01-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

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The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, 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, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Baseball Practice - How to Prepare for a Successful Season

2010-12-23T16:43:00.000-08:00

Baseball Practice - How to Prepare for a Successful Season
By Kenny Buford

The key to successful baseball practice -- and a successful season -- is communication. Coaches, players, and parents should all be on the same page regarding the expectations and philosophy of the team.

Communication is Key

Some important issues that should be communicated at the beginning of the season are:

Schedule: players and parents should receive a practice and game calendar as soon as possible so that they can make family and travel plans around it.
Uniform: communicate to players (and parents, depending on age) what you expect them to wear to practice. Games will most likely require uniforms, but if you have any expectations of what players will wear to practice, you need to let them know early.
Practice plan: coaches and players should know what's expected of them during practice and how long each practice is going to last. Each coach should have a clipboard outlining the practice plan for that day, and it would also be beneficial for the plan to be posted so that players can access it as well.
Having all this information available requires a lot of organization and thinking ahead. By knowing your philosophy and approach ahead of time, you can effectively communicate with your team.

Organizing Baseball Practice

When organizing a practice schedule, you should first consider what your goals are for both the short and long term. This will help you determine what to accomplish over the entire season, and you can then break it down into months, weeks, and single practice sessions. Your plan should be flexible to allow change as needed, but having goals will keep your team focused and provide direction for the season.

Any given practice might go something like this:

Begin with stretching while talking about baseball. Players should get their head in the game as soon as practice starts.
Next have the players run to get warmed up.
After running, pair up the players for catch. More advanced players should be paired based on their positions, and beginning players should be paired based on ability level.
Next players should work on drills based on their positions. When teaching drills, coaches should first demonstrate them so that they know players do them correctly, and then have them repeat the drill until it becomes habit.
After drills on the individual, group, and team level, players should have batting practice.
The final part of practice should be running. Running conditioning is most effective if it is somehow related to game play, like exercises to improve base-running technique or even sprinting on or off the field.
For a successful season, practices should be consistent and progressive. Follow the steps above for each practice, knowing ahead of time which skills you would like to focus on. By being organized and communicating your goals to your team, players will come to practice knowing that their hard work is going to pay off!

To learn more 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 practice drills, tips, and ideas for youth and high school coaches.

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

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2010-12-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

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The Pros and Cons Of Coaching Your Own Child's Baseball Team

2010-12-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

The Pros and Cons Of Coaching Your Own Child's Baseball Team
By Mitchell Pierce

As children get older and become involved in sports like little league baseball, some parents make a choice to sign up to coach the teams themselves. At the onset of the idea it may seem like a lot of fun, but there is always a downside to any choice. How will it affect your child? Do you know enough about the particular sport? Will you be responsible for other children if they get hurt? All good questions, so let's take a closer look at the good and the bad of signing up to coach your child's baseball team. I'm going to focus on little league because that is what I signed up to do, so I can speak from experience.

Here is a look at some of the pros:

1. You will be spending more time bonding with your child and showing him that you care enough to take on this responsibility.
2. You can have a positive affect on other children and help them grow an understanding of the game of baseball and love for team sports.
3. Winning is always a bonus, but you might really feel a sense that you are connecting with the community and making new friends.

And now for the cons:

1. Because there are other children on the team, you may not have time to devote to your child which could make the child feel neglected or jealous that you are spending time and attention to other kids.
2. Politics and conflicts with the parents could come to being accused of favoring your own child or going easier on your child while being harsh on other children. This result is disastrous for both you and your child.
3. Less free time for other relationships in your life, and your wife or other children might feel like you are not spending enough time with them and too much coaching.

If you really want to have the experience and are dedicated and responsible enough to stay committed to the team, then I say sign up and get ready for the wild ride. On the other hand, if you are stressed already or just have a demanding job, or whatever the reason that you might drop the ball, then maybe your place is on the bleachers. Either way it is important to remember that creating the best and most fun season should be the goal no matter who signs up to be the coach.

About The Author

Mitchell Pierce hopes that you found this article helpful. Mr. Pierce runs several websites including a site that offers free advice on Internet Home Businesses, please visit the Internet Based Businesses site today. There is also a great hub page resource on coaching kids at this link, Coaching Youth Sports.

(C) Copyright, Mitchell Pierce, Internet Based Home Business Guide, All Rights Reserved World Wide.

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

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BatAction Hitting Machine - The Perfect Youth Baseball Trainer

2010-12-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

Hitting Mechanics - Stationary Axis' or 'Weight Shift'

2010-12-15T18:14:00.000-08:00

Overlooked Fundamentals by Youth Baseball Coaches

2010-12-15T05:54:00.000-08:00

Baseball Playing & Coaching Tips : How to Coach Baseball

2010-12-15T05:51:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Hitting Instruction

2010-12-15T04:25:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Hitting Instruction
By Jeffery A Wise

Baseball is a sport that's played year round. There's spring ball, summer ball, fall ball and winter conditioning. For this reason, coaches are always looking for information on youth baseball hitting instruction so they can continue to improve their teams.

In one of our recent blog posts titled "How To Teach Kids To Hit a Baseball" we discussed the basics of teaching youth about hitting. Now we'll go deeper into that topic and give some tips that will give your kids an edge for the upcoming season.

First, an important aspect of hitting is confidence. You can immediately tell when a young player has lost his confidence. His first pitch may be a strike and he gets upset, almost to tears. Then his confidence will waiver the rest of his at-bat.

I like to teach kids to remain confident no matter what happens. Don't worry about the first strike. You get at least three chances to hit the ball. There are lots of game winning hits made with two strikes already on the player. As a kid, it's hard not to get upset because they want to please their parents. If we teach kids to stay confident, they are more likely to get a hit. It will also help their confidence later in life.

Second, a child must have fun. Growing up, I learned that the most important part of baseball is to have fun. As soon as baseball becomes a chore, your hitting will fall apart. This is especially true for young players. Teach your youth baseball players to have fun while hitting. Make practice fun. See how many balls they can hit to a certain part of the field. Or, split the team into two groups and have them compete to see which group hits the most line drives into the outfield.

Finally, teach young players to never give up. Youth baseball hitting instruction should include talks about never giving up. Teach them to always work hard at hitting and that it may be their last at-bat of the game when they get the hit needed to win. Show them that baseball is a great game because you have dozens upon dozens of opportunities to do something great.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn more about baseball hitting so that you can help your team win. Start learning today at our site through articles, blog posts and videos and start hitting a baseball with confidence.

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

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2010-12-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

Coaching Youth Baseball - Tips to Be Successful Without Alienating Parents

2010-12-14T17:08:00.000-08:00

Coaching Youth Baseball - Tips to Be Successful Without Alienating Parents
By J Michael Wright

Every parent wants their child to be successful in sports. Youth baseball is normally the first sport in which a child participates. After all, baseball is "America's Game". Youth baseball presents a unique challenge to those that choose to coach. In addition to the task of teaching young children the sport and its many facets, the coach of a youth baseball team must also interact with the parents of the children on the team.

Children are introduced to this team sport as early as five years of age. Parents often become coaches at this time because they feel their child will get a better opportunity to play. Every parent, whether a coach or not, wants their child to be the team's star player. This will undoubtedly cause conflicts between coaches and parents.

Tips to be Successful Without Alienating Parents

1. The purpose of the coach in youth baseball is to teach children how to play the game of baseball and to work together in a team setting.

2. You should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the rules of youth baseball and the league in which you are coaching.

3. Treat every child on your team fairly and give each an equal chance to play every position.

4. Do not show favoritism to any of the players on your team, especially your own child.

5. Understand that winning is not everything. It is more important that the children participate and have fun instead of worrying about the final outcome of a game.

6. Always maintain your focus on teaching the fundamentals of the game.

7. Plan your practices and the fundamentals you intend to teach at each in advance and stick to your itinerary.

8. Make your practices educational and fun. You will keep your players attention and help them learn and retain the lessons being taught.

9. Instill a sense of discipline and pride in your players. Teach them to listen, follow instructions and take pride in their accomplishments both on and off the field.

10. Offer encouragement and support to your players when mistakes are made. Keep criticism to a minimum.

Following these tips will help you be successful as a youth baseball coach and will prevent alienating the parents of your team members. Your success as a coach should be measured by the knowledge and appreciation of the game you instill in your players, not by the number of games won. Remember that your role as coach is to educate, promote enthusiasm for the sport and, above all, to have fun. In doing so you will find that conflicts with your players' parents will be kept to a minimum and create a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

(C) J Michael Wright

J Michael Wright is the proud parent of two children, has 12 years experience in coaching youth sports teams and has served on the boards of multiple youth sports organizations.

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

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Seven Tips on How to Hit a Baseball

2010-12-06T18:36:00.000-08:00

Seven Tips on How to Hit a Baseball
By Daniel J Cogan

Trying to hit a baseball is one of the toughest things to do in sports. Not many people can go out with a bat and hit a baseball that is moving all different directions while coming in at a high speed. It takes a lot of determination and focus to hit a baseball and most do not succeed because they are not willing to put the time and practice in. I am going to tell you seven steps that will teach you how to hit a baseball if you are willing to put the time in.

1. Find the bat you would like to use. It should not be too heavy or too light, you want a bat that you can get around to strike the ball with the most power.

2. Find a comfortable grip around the base of the bat. Most people grip the bat as tight as they can, but that is incorrect. You want to hold the bat loosely right around the base of your fingertips, but not the palm of your hand.

3. Get into a comfortable stance. Spread your feet about shoulder length apart, bend your knees and crouch over a little bit. Then bring the bat up to a comfortable spot to where you can bring it down to hit the ball at a direct angle. Most people have their own individual stance. As long as it feels comfortable to the hitter, it can be worked with.

4. Being in the batter's box can be very stressful. It is important for the hitter to stay focused. As long at the hitter can stay relaxed and go through the proper motions the hits will start to come. But if the hitter gets up to the plate very tense it is going to be tough to get a hit.

5. The hitter should know his strike zone. The ideal pitch is right down the middle of the plate, but that isn't going to happen very often. So the hitter should find a zone usually from his chest to the knees, where he has the ability to hit the ball.

6. While in the box there is a process to go though, when the pitcher is in his wind up, the hitter should get in his stance and bring the bat back. Then he should load his weight onto his back foot. This allows the batter to use his whole body to hit the ball instead of just hit arms. Once the hitter has loaded up, and the pitch is on its way, the hitter should step then swing. The hitter should keep his eyes on the ball so he should watch the ball connect off the bat.

7. The last step is to practice. When trying to hit a baseball you can never have enough practice it is all about muscle memory. The more you practice the more you will become comfortable with seeing the baseball come in and you will be able to hit the pitch in your strike zone.

Just remember hitting a baseball can be very frustrating most of the time the pitcher has the upper hand and the batter will fail, but as long as you follow these seven steps and continue to practice, hitting a baseball will become a lot easier than it once was.

Dan Cogan

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

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2010-12-05T19:38:00.001-08:00

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2010-11-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

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Gain a Competitive Advantage With Baseball Training Aids

2010-11-24T11:42:00.000-08:00

Gain a Competitive Advantage With Baseball Training Aids
By Louis Seeley

Are you looking to take your baseball skills to the next level? Do you dream of throwing harder, batting better, and fielding with ease? These are skills that can be learned, honed, and perfected and baseball-training aids can make it possible.

Practice is the key to success in any athletic endeavor, and baseball is no exception.
The old adage "practice makes perfect" may be cliché, but it is true. Unfortunately, many sports, specifically a team sport like baseball, typically require a group of people to practice effectively. Conventional wisdom tells us that effective baseball training requires at least two athletes. Fortunately, this is no longer true as baseball training aids allow athletes to perform effective and efficient training without a partner or team.

Baseball and softball training aids are athletic training tools designed to develop and improve baseball specific skills. There are a variety of different training aids, each designed to perfect a specific area of your game. Each training tool improves skill-specific muscle memory; so effective training with these tools will vastly improve game performance.

Muscle memory is a form of procedural memory that stores the physical mechanics behind a specific task inside the brain. Muscle memory training is a very important part of athletic success. While it is always great to get faster and stronger, an athlete should really focus on getting faster and stronger in a way that is relevant to his or her specific sport or even his or her specific position.

Baseball training aids not only improve strength, conditioning, and hand-eye-coordination, they do so in a way that directly correlates to baseball success. For example, the Swift Stik lightweight training bat allows hitters to practice hundred of swings in one training session without the injury risks of a heavier bat. This type of repetition is the most important factor in building effective muscle memory.

Another training tool, the Arm Strong, improves throwing strength, accuracy and speed by combining light resistance training with a natural throwing motion. The benefits of this type of training are plain to see. In order to see the same results with an outdated training regimen, an athlete would have to spend hours in the gym, followed by hours playing catch and taking batting practice. That's not exactly efficient.

While no training tool can ever replace real-game experience, there is no reason to risk injury and waste time by treating skill and strength conditioning as different types of training. With baseball training aids, all of these necessary training steps can be combined into one simple program.

That's not all. The best part about these types of training tools is the fact that they can be used alone. There are no more excuses to slack off in the off-season. These training tools put success squarely in the hands of the competitor. It is time to gain a competitive edge with professional baseball and softball training aids.

Louis Seeley is an expert in the area of baseball training aids. For more information on top-of-the-line baseball training aids, visit: http://www.pikproducts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_Seeley

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Baseball - Knee Drill for Pitchers

2010-11-12T09:04:00.000-08:00

Baseball - Knee Drill for Pitchers
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Youth Baseball Digest - 4 Important Factors That Can Help New Little League Coaches Be Successful

2010-11-09T04:07:00.000-08:00

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Youth Baseball Digest - 4 Important Factors That Can Help New Little League Coaches Be Successful
By Nick Dixon

The 4 Most Important Rules that all New Little League Baseball Coaches Should Follow

Coaching Little league is a great way for baseball and softball players to give back to your community. Every baseball player remembers his first t-ball coach, coach pitch coach, little league coach, and high school coach. Baseball coaches have a profound effect on the lives of the players they coach. Being or becoming a great youth baseball coach requires a high level of commitment and dedication. There are 3 important rules that every new little league coach must always follow. Those rules are:

1. You must be a student of the game. To be a good youth baseball coach, you must have a good knowledge of how the game is played, how the rules are applied, and how certain skills and drills are performed. If you feel uncomfortable about a certain position, skill or fundamental, look for help. You may ask another coach. You may go to your local library or book store and find a book on how to coach baseball. You have access to an enormous amount of information about every aspect of the game through your computer and the internet.

2. You must have good help. You can never have too much help when coaching a youth team. Ask your parents and friends to find other volunteers to help you coach your team. It is best to have a parent meeting. Ask for parent volunteers. The parents that volunteer to help should choose a specific area in which they concentrate their effort. You will need at least 2 good assistant coaches. One needs to have enough knowledge and patience to be the pitching coach. One should be the hitting coach.

3. You must remediate your weaker players. In you draft, you may find that you must pick children that are good at certain skills but extremely week in other areas.One often overlooked and neglected aspect of coaching is remediation/ Remediation is special attention and help given to those players that need it. This is a job for what I refer to as the remediation coach. The coach that takes one or two players to the side and works on specific areas of the game in which they are too weak to compete. They may need help with swing mechanics, throwing mechanics, or simple footwork. These kids will master these skills easier and faster when they receive one-on-one personal attention. These "tutoring" lessons pay back huge returns if you can have enough help. The theory is that you must bring every player up to a certain level or much valuable team time will be lost to working with them during team drills. It is best to take these kids aside and work them separately from the team until they get their skill levels up. These lessons should be done in such a way to not embarrass the child or players involved.

4. You must work hard and set a good example. A willingness to work hard may be the most important trait of a successful coach. They work hard at planning, organizing, and executing individual and team drills for both offense and defense. They have high energy levels and are always willing to put forth that little extra effort to make a practice or game run smother.

I hope that you found this article to be helpful. Good luck to you and your team. 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

Baseball Tips for Hitting: What Every Player Needs to Know

2010-11-08T04:10:00.000-08:00

Baseball Tips for Hitting: What Every Player Needs to Know
By Jeffery A Wise

Every great ball player knows you can't step up the plate unprepared. You've got to be focused, mentally and physically ready for any situation. Every at bat is different and you will never experience the same situation twice. But, there are some baseball tips you must know that will help with whatever circumstance you face.

To be the best hitter possible, you have to work hard. It requires more than just skill. You need to discipline yourself and focus on your goals. For hitting the ball better, here are steps you should take to make it happen:

Find at least two hitting drills that challenge you and practice them regularly.
On or off season, you should be participating in some physical conditioning to keep your body strong and in good shape.
At each live batting practice, hit at least 20 balls. Hit to all areas of the field and even bunt a few balls.
Study professional games and watch the hitters and pitchers. Follow those who have good mechanics, good work ethic and a good attitude.
Take care of your body by eating and drinking right.

None of these steps are incredibly hard and with commitment and endurance, they will make you the hitter you want to be. Growing up, I played with guys who are now in the MLB. They stood out because they worked so hard to be the best. And now you can see why they are where they are. Their hard work paid off.

You get out of hitting what you put into it. And don't be shy to ask for help from a parent, coach or teammate. Every great player has had help. Support from others, hard work and preparation will get you where you want to be.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of baseball hitting so that you can learn how to hit a baseball better. Start learning today with our blog about hitting the baseball, watching our videos and following us on Twitter and Facebook.

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

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Baseball Coaching Digest: The Perils of Defensive Assumption in Baseball Action

2010-11-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

By Nick Dixon

Assuming or taking for granted certain things when your team is playing defense can lead to costly mistakes and could lead to a loss. This article outlines three things that coaches and players should never assume when you are playing defense.

Assuming Every Player Knows the Number of Outs

This is the most common mental mistake a team or coach makes. They have a player that does not know how many out there are. I have witnessed in many different forms. Several times I have seen catchers think that there were three outs and the inning was over, so they rolled the ball toward the pitcher and allowed an alert runner on third score on a mental error.

I have seen an outfielder think that there were two outs when he caught a fly ball hit shallow into center field. He assumed that there were two out when he caught what he thought was the third out. He relaxes after the catch only to realize that the runner at third base has just tagged up and scored.

Making such mental mistakes can be prevented if the middle infielders relay and communicate the number of outs to the outfielders and other players after each out is made. It should be a standard procedure that every player on the team show at least one teammate the sign for the current number of outs after each out is made.

Assuming Everybody Knows the Bunt Coverage

Assuming everyone in the infield knows what the bunt situation is and the coverage that is on at the time can lead to a costly mistake. We have all seen it happen. The first baseman charges the bunt. The pitcher bounces off to the third base side and the catcher bounces out perfectly. The catcher calls the first base man off the ball, fields it, and comes up throwing to first. However, the second baseman was napping and did not get there to field the throw. The second baseman had what we call a "brain fart". He was not mentally alert and in the game. Therefore, it is important that the catcher call time, step out in front of the plate, and signal the bunt coverage that has been called for the situation.

Coaches must not assume that every player is alert. The key is communication between coaches and players. The coach must talk to his catcher and middle infielders constantly to make sure that they are in the game. Players should be taught to talk the game between pitches and communicate the situation, likely plays by the offense, and whose "got the bag" between pitches.

Assuming a play will or will not be made
Wrong assumptions can lead to devastating results when a team is on defense. A player should always hustle to a ball or to the correct position when the ball is hit or put into play. It can be costly for an outfielder to relax on a ball in the gap because he thinks the other outfielder is going to make the play. Not getting over to back up a fellow outfielder can cost a team valuable bases and even a run, if the ball is miss-played, missed or is a base it that gets by an outfielder.

Outfielders should always hustle, talk, and communicate when the ball is hit. Even if the other outfielder calls the ball, the outfielder should hustle over the back up on the play.

Outfielders should always back up throws as if the throw is going to be missed. Defensive players should never assume a catch. Catchers should sprint to back up throws at first base when there are not runners on. Just when the catcher assumes a ball will be caught, rather than missed, the first baseman will let the tying run get to second base with a miss-played short hop. If the catcher hustles to back-up on the play as he should, the runner does not advance to second base.

I hope that you found this article to be informative. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. For more articles like it, visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, and the Baseball Parent Guide websites and blogs. Good luck to you and your team.
Have a great day, Nick.

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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. Dixon coaches at Boaz High in Boaz Alabama. Dixon is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and Alabama Baseball Coaches Association.

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 considered an expert in baseball training and skills development. Dixon also serves as an active consultant to baseball equipment companies and other sports product inventors.

Dixon is also a contributing writer for the Baseball Coaching Digest, the baseball Coaching Digest Blog, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Youth Baseball Digest Blog, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

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

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Youth Baseball Digest: One Cause of Poor Hitting Performance that Often Goes Undetected

2010-11-05T04:04:00.000-07:00

By Nick Dixon

Have you ever had a kid that had the perfect baseball swing but sometimes has difficulty hitting live pitching? In drills, the player simply kills the baseball. Every soft-toss rep is a line drive. Every front toss rep is a line drive with power. The player is perfect in every drill that your team but has difficulty hitting live pitching. The player often struggles to hit in games although he has one of the best swings on the team. What could cause a player to perform perfectly in practice but have a difficult time hitting the ball when a pitcher is pitching from regulation distances?

I am speaking from experience here. I once had a right handed player on my high school team that was absolutely a dream hitter in practice and a nightmare hitter in games and live inter-squad games. He would dominate every hitting station with his high velocity bat speed, precision bat control, and unbelievable ability to adjust to every pitch location with the perfect swing adaptation. However, when he faced live pitching he simply looked like "Ned in the First Grade". He would miss or be late on routine and average fastballs. He would be late or completely misjudge curve balls and when he should attack them.

I quickly realized that there was a problem and began to do some research. I soon found some definite performance tendencies. In day games, when he made contact, he almost always hit a ground ball to the second baseman. On ball he should pull, he nearly always got jammed. At night, he hit for 150 points less than in day games. With all these facts considered, we realized his cause for poor hitting. The cause was poor eye sight. We sent him to have his eyes checked. He had extremely poor vision in his dominate eye. He could perform well in our hitting stations and toss drills because they were all done at short distances. When the distance the pitch came from was increased, his ability to see and pick the ball up quickly was diminished. A new set of contact lens got him back on his "A" game. He quickly became as dominate in games as he was in drills.

So the moral of is that if you have a kid that is inconsistent from his hitting in practice to hitting in a game, make sure to have his vision checked. Poor eye sight may be the cause of his poor hitting performance.

I hope that you found this article to be informative and useful. I thank you for taking the time to read it. For more great articles on coaching baseball visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Little League Digest, and the Baseball Parent Guide. Good luck to you and your team. 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.com, the YouthBaseballDigest.com, the BaseballParentGuide.com, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.com.

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

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Baseball Pitching Mechanics to Improve Pitching Performance

2010-11-03T09:04:00.001-07:00

Baseball Pitching Mechanics to Improve Pitching Performance
By guest author: Bobby Woods

Over the years the most asked questions presented to me is "How do I develop more speed? How do I throw harder? How can I increase velocity? Through experience, research and study, I have found a multitude of concepts and techniques presented to increase throwing speed. Most of all professionals agree that the two main ingredients of speed development are mechanics (the basic and fundamental movement in a sequential pattern) and strength development.

In mechanics, there are various movement aspects that have to be explained. The first is arm path or the path the arm takes when it separates from the glove. This includes arm action, or the speed in which the arm is moving through its path, and arm extension which is how long the arm reaches and extends out in front of the body at release and beyond. Pitchers that have full extension of the hand and the arm will increase speed naturally.

The next factor in mechanics is the trunk or torso rotation. Through torso rotation, there is a transfer of energy to power then speed. The torso has approximately 55 to 60 percent of all the energy needed to throw with speed; therefore it is essential to rotate the torso in order to transfer this energy needed in the arm and hand to develop speed.

To achieve full extension, I am constantly teaching pitchers to have a complete stride length; to move their head out in front of their stride foot, reach out in front of home plate after release and finally, bend at the waist.

The second main ingredient to improving speed is strength development. Overall muscle strength is vital in speed development. The muscles of the legs, torso, chest, back, and arms must be strong and flexible to ensure proper movement. When developing strength in the body for increasing speed, it is imperative that with speed or acceleration there must be shock absorption or deceleration. Most pitchers train their muscles for acceleration and forget that the majority of injuries in the deceleration phase.

One way to develop speed that incorporates both mechanics and strength is by long toss throwing. Long toss will help develop proper throwing mechanics by increasing throwing distances through progressing the number of throws.

It also develops endurance for the muscles of the arm. Structured long toss programs are extremely important in improving throwing speed. There are many different programs, so be careful in choosing the proper program, depending on your level of play.

Remember, speed in pitching is the ability of the pitcher to change the reaction time of the hitter, so learn to maximize your fastball and continue working on your mechanics and strength development.

Remember, have fun and enjoy this great game!

Bobby Woods 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 pitching techniques for both more experienced and young baseball players, to help them perform better during the game. Discover more about baseball pitching mechanics on bobbywoodsbaseball.com

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Baseball Drill: Hitting the 3 Basic Strike Locations - Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine

2010-11-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Baseball Drill: Hitting the 3 Basic Strike Locations - Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine
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Video shows how to practice hitting all three of the basic strike locations. Batters can practice hitting the inside, middle and away strike location. Video shows a college player hitting the Derek Jeter Hurricane Baseball Trainer. For free tips, drills, and coaching articles, visit the Derek Jeter Hurricane Training Blog at http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachi... For more product information visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com Available at http://www.baseball2u.com/husotrmajes...

Baseball Hitting Tips for Motivation

2010-10-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

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.

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

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How to Throw a Change Up Pitch : Power Positioning for Change Up Pitches

2010-10-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Jack Hubbard Youth Baseball Clinic - Approach on ground balls
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Former MLB player Darnell Coles gives instruction on how to approach a hit ground ball for an infield player.

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Coaching Little League Baseball - A Guide to Keeping Young Players Focused

2010-10-25T03:55:00.000-07:00

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

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

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Baseball Coaching - Developing a Philosophy

2010-10-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

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:

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 youth baseball drills, tips, and practice ideas for coaches.

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

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First Day of Little League

2010-10-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

First Day of Little League
halfstanding
Sunshine, Kids, Baseball!

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Traditional Wooden Baseball Bats

2010-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

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.

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Rich Gedman Baseball Clinic

2010-10-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Rich Gedman Baseball Clinic
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Former Red Sox catcher and current Worcester Tornadoes Manager Rich Gedman holds a baseball clinic for kids at Shrewsbury (MA) Middle School.

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Mizuno Baseball Cleats - For a Better Game

2010-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

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.

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Big Barrel Bats

2010-09-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Big Barrel Bats
By guest author: Glenn Downer

If you are looking for a new baseball bat to replace your old one, you might want to consider one of the big barrel bats. These bats are fast becoming more popular among baseball players in recent years, and you can easily buy one from your local sports shop, or from an online store. However, you should not head out right away to buy your big barrel bat, without finding out more about it first.

Baseball is a very popular sport in the United States, and as a result of its high demand, manufacturers are constantly coming up with new designs and styles. In the olden days, the hitters had only the choice of using the wooden types. They were heavy and clumsy.

Then came the year 1970 when a man named Worth started the ball rolling on the use of aluminum baseball bats, which are light in nature, and hard and strong when alloyed. Aluminum bats have been in high demand until the contemporary designed composites came into the market. These bats, which are manufactured from composite materials, are popular due to their durability and potency.

If you were to compare the big barrels bats with the other bats that are used by players, you will find that they actually have thicker composites, and that is probably the reason why they are better for hitting hardballs, rather than softballs.

However, these big barrel baseball bats do not make it easy for bat rolling, a process to make the new bats hotter, so as to add on to the speed of the baseball when hit.

A new bat is placed between two rollers and then pressure is applied to the bat as it passes through them. What this process will achieve ultimately is the flexibility of the fibers, which then leads to a better trampoline effect.

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Improving Your Baseball Throw

2010-09-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Improving Your Baseball Throw
By guest author: Nancy Kelsey Smith

Without a doubt, one of the most popular of American sports is the game of baseball. It is played by pee wees and little league players, some of whom are not even of school age yet. It is played in high schools and colleges and at the professional level. It is also a popular activity for city and county recreational teams.

Baseball is a game that requires skill, speed, coordination and accuracy. In order to become proficient at this sport (or any other), it is necessary to learn the correct techniques associated with this game and then to put in a sufficient amount of time practicing those techniques.

One of the most important elements of the game of baseball is the art of throwing a ball accurately and with sufficient speed. Nothing can adequately substitute for training and practice but it is helpful to understand the mechanics of good ball throwing. The hand placement is crucial is you want to throw a ball quickly and have it go where you intend it to go. Placing the ball in your dominant hand (your throwing arm) with the first and second fingers griping across the seams and your thumb on the underneath side for support but also griping across the seams on the bottom is the correct placement of the ball. This position may not seem natural at first but after some practice using this technique one can understand how this ball placement allows the ball to travel straighter and faster.

Keeping the ball on the fingertips where it will get the fastest release rather than settling toward the back of the hand will result in a superior throw. The optimum throw involves wrist action as well as hand and arm movement. When preparing to throw, cock the wrist backward so that it becomes a full arm effort when the ball is brought forward rather than just an arm movement only. This will also increase power and speed.

Correct body alignment calls for squaring your body toward the object you are aiming at and then lining up the rest of your body in like manner. As you progress into the throw, your throwing elbow should be at shoulder height and your knuckles pointing skyward. The ideal throw is more of a circular motion than a straight back and forth movement. Again, this may seem unfamiliar and odd if you are not used to throwing this way but with practice it will produce much better results than a simple back to front movement with the ball.

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Dominant Hand Baseball Softball Hitting Guide Trainer

2010-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Dominant Hand Baseball Softball Hitting Guide Trainer
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