If you feel that too many pitchers are "getting in your kitchen" too often and jamming you inside, there may be several reasons why. We'll look at some possible solutions, starting with the easiest fixes first. Make sure you are not standing too close to the plate and make sure you don't have a bat that's too heavy or too long. Remember, it's always better to err on the side of a bat being too light but never err on the side of having a bat...more
When trying to overcome any baseball hitting struggles, you should always look for the "easy fix" first before getting more complicated. Here is a list of things to try if low and away pitches are causing baseball hitting problems for you. The two most obvious reasons can be you are standing too far away from the plate or maybe your bat is not long enough and you cannot effectively reach the pitch over the outside corner. Like I said, we always...more
I can't think of anything on the baseball field that's more important than the well being of my players. Can you? This really holds true when it comes to your pitchers. When they are tiring, the risk of injury to their throwing arm skyrockets. Skyrockets. Hey, let's forget that the outcome of the baseball game may be put in jeopardy. Of much greater importance is the well being of your pitcher's throwing arm. Some Obvious Things Anyone Involved in Baseball Coaching Should Always Look For:*Keep track of the number of pitches thrown. There isn't anyone on the planet that can give me one valid reason as to why baseball coaches at any level of play do not keep a pitch count on their pitchers. In no time at all, you will know for sure at what number of pitches any of your pitchers are starting to run out of gas. It can influence the outcome of the game by leaving the pitcher in the game too long but more importantly it can increase the chance of injury to your pitcher's arm! It's one of the easiest things to do on the ball field. You can pick one person on the team to do it. It can be the manager, coach or a player on the bench. If you are not doing this, you really should start...more
I truly believe in giving a baseball hitter some good guidelines and starting points and then "backing off." The hitter is the one in the "hot seat" at the plate. Not the coach, not the parent and not anyone else. On the other hand, there are some very good guidelines and starting points and then it's up to YOU, because YOU have to feel comfortable...more
What would be better being one of the biggest fans of your favorite team and supporting them with all the shirts, hats and jackets you can find. Well, how about being decked out in all that gear but also being able to dress your kid up in an infant baseball shirt. With your son or daughter dressed up with your favorite team on well, you can just...more
If anyone involved in baseball coaching doesn't make this the first thing they teach a player, they are making a huge mistake. Especially, if it is a young player who is just learning the game of baseball. I can't think of ANY baseball tips on hitting that are more important.Getting hit by a pitch can be a very serious matter and at times can be downright disheartening. It should be on the very top of the list of baseball coaching tips.Unfortunately, many baseball players at ALL levels of play have not learned the proper way to get out of the way from an inside pitch. Even in the professional ranks, quite often it is not executed properly.I find it bothersome that anyone involved in baseball coaching would not teach the proper way to do this BEFORE worrying about batting averages, hitting line drives and home runs. There is no excuse for this.The Very Simple And Proper Way To Protect Yourself:*You take your stride and see that the baseball is coming in your direction.*You should fairly easily be able to tuck your head in and turn a quarter turn toward the catcher like you are going to have a nose to nose argument with him.*Tuck your chin against your chest so your head is lowered...more
Here is an alphabetized list of baseball fielding tips for grounders. All bases are covered. Sorry, pun was intended.ARM EXTENSIONYou should extend your arms almost straight out and field the ball in front of your body. You should never field...more
Here is a list of SEVEN baseball coaching tips or beliefs that were either wrong from the start or have become totally obsolete:Come On Johnny, Get Your Elbow Up The reference is to the height of the back elbow when hitting. You will very often hear...more
If you are a runner on first base and a ground ball is headed to the second baseman, make a quick observation as to where the second baseman is going to field the ball. If the second baseman has to go pretty far to his LEFT to field the grounder, it...more
By now, we've all heard the expression, "hit it where it's pitched." It's very frustrating for a baseball pitcher when he throws a perfect low and away strike and the batter hits the ball to the opposite field for a hit. Most baseball pitchers will...more
The directness of the baseball swing should be right near the top on your list of baseball hitting tips if you are seriously trying to be a very successful baseball hitter or coaching baseball hitters. You must swing directly to the baseball and the...more
If while pitching, you have the very good fortune to have a plate umpire who is calling strikes on pitches not in the strike zone, don't feel any obligation whatsoever to throw strikes.If he is calling them high, why should you bring your pitches...more