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Offensive Tip of the Week
Catching the Baseball- Some random rules of thumb on teaching young players to catch the ball.
- If the ball is above the waist, catch it in the glove with the fingers up.
- Below the waist, catch it with fingers pointing down.
- A common fault among youth players is that they reach for the ball if it is not thrown directly at them. Instruct a young player to “Move your feet”.
- Look to see if the glove is open when they are fielding ground balls or catching a fly ball.
- It’s okay, quite often, to catch the ball with one hand rather than two. You have more “reach” with one hand than with two. (First basemen should always catch the ball with one hand.)
- Teach players to concentrate on the ball out of the thrower’s hand. (Young players don’t always see the ball all the way.)
- Make sure they “look” the ball into the glove.
- Teach players that are running to their right (RH) to backhand a fly ball (That’s another one-hand instance.)
- If the ball is over their head and they are running back and to the left they must backhand the ball as well.
- Catch routine fly balls with both hands above the head.
Offensive Tip of the Week
Learn to relax at the plate when you are at bat. Tension is your enemy! Players that try harder cause more tension; especially in their hands, arms and neck. Learn to breathe deeply and relax your muscles. A good swing is controlled aggression beginning from a relaxed state. When you are relaxed, you are much quicker and have a greater chance of success.
Offensive Tip
Work on you improving your balance. Stand on one leg and after, learn to stand balanced with your weight on your toes of one foot. Make sure to work on both legs equally. A strong balanced hitter at the plate gets fooled less on curve balls and off speed pitches.
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POISE
As pitchers, you are inherently leaders. Like it or not, it is your responsibility to keep your teammates in the game and maintain a confident, and controlled, attitude. I speak often about self-confidence and the true belief in yourself and your abilities. Poise is a virtue that is a direct relative of self-confidence, and is defined as... a state of balance or equilibrium; stability.
Maintaining poise essentially means not showing your emotions while on the mound. Often times, "a pitcher having poise" refers to one that handles difficult situations without appearing outwardly affected. They remain a pillar of strength for their teammates, and have a calming effect on nervous infielders. When Roger Clemens encounters a ferocious opponent's rally and a hostile Boston crowd, do you see him back down, or give in? Most definitely not! Although he may be nervous, his body language stays the same the entire time. And although he may have given up a couple hits, his confidence remains high enabling him to make the pitches he needs to get out of the jam. Positive body language, and strong self-confidence are two important ingredients to a pitcher with poise.
Major League Baseball Scouts will often refer to poise as an intangible skill. That is, a skill that cannot be graded the same way as running speed, pitching velocity, or home run power. While you can receive a specific time in the 60-yard dash or hit 85mph on the radar gun, it is difficult to measure a pitcher's poise. Instead, scouts look to how a pitcher will handle stressful and difficult times. Will he crumble when the going gets tough in the second inning? Or, will he maintain the exact same demeanor he displayed while striking out the side in the first inning? When applied to the rest of your lives, the concept of maintaining an even disposition or having poise can assist you when the going gets tough.
- Have you prepared thoroughly for your class presentation? When the teacher asks you an unexpected question, will you have the poise to handle the pressure and answer calmly and confidently? Will you stand tall with poise or slouch with timid insecurity?
- When you go to pick up your date for your first school dance, will your shirt be tucked in... your hair neat... and your appearance sharp?
- When you stand at the free-throw line with the score tied and two seconds on the clock, will you show the other team you are scared? Or, will you assure your teammates that you have everything under control?
POISE - Do you have it?
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Defensive Tip
You should be in motion as the ball reaches the plate! Work on your timing, some players start too early and have stopped before the ball reaches the plate and others never move at all.
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Outfielders Fielding Ground Balls
There is a specific technique for outfielders fielding ground balls on the run. This technique is necessary when there is a do-or-die play or the outfielder is attempting to prevent the base runner from advancing.
The outfielder should field the ball on the outside of his left foot (Right Hand Player) The ball should enter his glove and his left foot should hit the ground at the same time.
Using this method he will not have to break stride. And fielding the ball on the outside of his foot allows his arm to come through a full throwing arc.
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Shovel Toss
There are many instances where the underhand shovel toss is the proper throw for an infielder. The first baseman shovels the ball to the pitcher covering first base. The middle infielders use the underhand toss for close plays around second base.
As the fielder fields the ball he doesn’t stand straight up but keeps his knees bent. His palm is up and his wrist is firm with his elbow in. His glove hand is by his side so as not “hide” the ball from the player who will catch it. He “shows” the ball to his partner to give him time to track the ball.
He steps with his left foot and releases the ball with a firm throw at the teammate’s chest. He keeps his knees bent as he releases the ball and “walks behind” the ball to insure accuracy. He should not stand up because the ball will have a tendency to sail.
Drill this play by lining up the infielders at shortstop and hitting sharp ground balls to them and have them shovel toss the ball to a player at second base. For first basemen this is also a part of Pitchers Fielding Practice.
If this play is ignored, the tendency is for the players to stand up as they underhand the ball. Drill it several times in the off season.
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Base Running Tip
When tagging up at 3rd base on a fly ball, the runner should always watch the fielder catch the ball and then run. I know some coaches that have their players watch them and they tell the runner when to go. The problem with that is a good third baseman will learn to yell “go” a little early so that the runner could be confused or called out for leaving the base too soon.
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Base Running Tips
Good base running is just for fast guys, right? Wrong. You do not have to possess great speed to be a good base runner. Good base running comes under the category of paying attention to details. Many games are won and lost on the base paths. Speed is nice but not a mandatory talent for competent base running. A good base runner should know his limitations and should be aggressive within those limits. He should exercise good judgment and keep foolish mistakes to minimum. Base runners should know the game situation and what their run represents. They should not be satisfied with one base and should always think a base ahead. A base runner should be aware while he is on base, of game-related details:
How many outs?
Is there a runner ahead of me?
Where are the outfielders? (Cue: "Find the outfielders.")
Where are the infielders? (Playing in, double play depth, standard positioning.)
What is the score?
What kind of move does the pitcher have?
Is the infield dirt hard or soft?
Does the pitcher have a tendency to throw his curve in the dirt? (Cue: "Read the ball in the dirt.")
Does this team use special or trick defensive plays?
Did the coach give me a sign?
Does their catcher have a good arm and is he accurate?
Practice your leads, sliding, rounding bases, taking the extra base, hit and runs, stealing, 2 out leads, breaking up a double play and diving back to bases. Don't underestimate the importance of good base running.
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Offensive Tip Of The Week:
This week’s tip is very simple, but many baserunners fail in this department. When you are a baserunner...never, ever take your eyes off of the ball! As an example, a runner will get a lead at first and then look back at the bag to see how far he is off of first base...a good team will pick you off when you look back. Instead of looking back, learn to measure the distance by the number of your steps off of the bag.
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Long Toss
THROWER'S CHECKLIST -Proper throwing mechanics throughout the long toss workout is very important. Throw the ball with a limited arc. Do not throw as if you are throwing "uphill." If the distance becomes challenging, use a crow hop. If you can't reach a certain distance, one-hop the ball. Poor mechanics add stress to the arm. Good mechanics strengthen it. It's early in the season for most. Start the season by teaching your players good throwing mechanics.
Grip- check to see if the grip is a 4- seam fastball grip and the ball is not choked back into the palm. From the time the player catches the ball to the time his arm is in the cocked position, he should have the ball in a 4-seam grip. (He should practice that every time he plays catch until it becomes second nature.)
Feet- throwing starts with the feet. Usually when a player makes a throwing error it is because he didn't have his feet set properly. The anklebone of his throwing-side foot should be pointed at the target (closed). The lead foot should land slightly closed and pointing at the target.
Arm alignment- both arms should be aligned with the head and shoulders. (If he were a pitcher, his arms would be aligned with second base.)
Elbow shoulder high- whether he has the arm action of a pitcher or outfielder or catcher or infielder, his elbow should be at shoulder height the instant before he brings his arm forward.
Lead arm- the lead arm should be shoulder high also and aligned properly. The lead arm elbow should be pointed at the target. (This is unique to the player. The main point is that the lead arm is shoulder high and closed to the target.)
Extension- the ball is released out in front of the head and not beside the head. Get the chest out over the front leg. The fingers remain on top of the ball and do not flop off to the side. The arm snaps to full extension.
Smooth follow through- finish the throw with a smooth fluid motion and the head out over the landing foot.
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Offensive Tip Of The Week:
Hitters are told to study the opposing pitcher while waiting to hit. There is something else that can help you before you get to the plate - study the umpire’s strike zone as well. Umpires have different strike zones, and recognition of their zone before you bat may prevent you from being called out.
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Offensive Tip Of The Week:
Hit more doubles. Every time you hit the ball into the outfield, assume that it is a double and run quickly until you are forced to stop after you round first base. Instead of looking to see if you can take second base on the play, make the defense prove that you can’t.
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Offensive Tip Of The Week
When tagging up on a fly ball, always get into position so that you can see the ball make contact with the defensive players glove. To get a good jump, you must rely on your own instincts and not wait for a coach to tell you to go. If you are waiting for the coach’s verbal signal and then you react you lose .2 to .4th of a second.
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FAILURE VERSUS SUCCESS
No one likes to fail on the baseball field or anywhere else. Though failure may be a part of life, what really matters is how we handle it. Failure should not to be feared, but should be challenged!
Coaches Want To See You Fail: It is equally important for a coach to see you fail, as it is to succeed on the ball field. You may have thought before that coaches want to see good plays. However, if you stop and think about it, even a .400 hitter will make 6 outs in 10 at bats! There is no such thing as a shortstop that never makes errors. Your reaction to failure is very important to the coach that is watching you play.
Things That Turn Coaches Off: If you want to draw NEGATIVE attention to yourself, then you should do these things: (1) Throw your bat or batting helmet, (2) Yell at a teammate for making a mistake (3) Trash talk at the other team (4) Blame your mistake on someone else –“It’s not my fault!” (5) After popping up just turn and walk towards the dugout without running to first base. These things are guaranteed to lower your standing with a coach.
How To React After Making A Mistake: First, try to remain as calm as possible. You may need to take deep breaths. When a player loses his temper, he is likely to make another mistake. Try to think of something positive very quickly. Think about a good play that you made or a good at bat. Tell yourself – “I am a good player!” Look forward to your next at bat or next ground ball - BELIEVE that you will succeed on your next attempt. Coaches like players that are even tempered.
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Defensive Tip Of The Week:
When approaching a ground ball, keep your hands below the baseball and then come up and meet it. It is much easier to go up than it is to try to go down to field the ball.
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Defensive Tip Of The Week
When a ball is hit over your head use a “drop step”. Don’t back pedal (also known as drifting), because you may not get to the ball. If the ball is hit to your left and over your head, take a drop step with your left foot and cross over with your right. Whenever a ball that is hit over your head, drop step and cross over.
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Catchers Are Special
The catcher is unique in baseball. He is the only player that faces the defense. He is the only one that sees the entire field. He is the leader, the quarterback. It is arguably the toughest position in the game. He is in on every play and has more responsibilities than any other player. A team cannot win without a competent, effective and skilled catcher. It is that simple.
What qualities should you look for in a catcher? Look for a slow shortstop-great hands and feet and a strong arm. It is also important for him to have leadership qualities and he should want to play that position. Don't force a player to play there. It takes a lot of "want to."
Catcher's Commandments:
The catcher will never show negative emotion or 'show up' his pitcher or teammates. Instead he will offer constant encouragement. He will exhibit the positive traits of a leader.
He will constantly be aware of all defensive situations and verbalize or signal them to his team on the field.
He knows that how he receives the pitch has a direct bearing on how the umpire calls the game so he works constantly on improvement in that area.
He works every day at practice or even at home on improving technique- blocking balls in the dirt, tagging out runners, throwing to bases and fielding.
He hustles and shows positive body language in all game circumstances. The fact his team is winning or losing is irrelevant.
He never questions umpires calls or decisions.
He takes conditioning and strength and agility drills seriously at practice.
He understands the importance of his position and the responsibilities it entails.
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"Catch the Ball with Two Hands!" NOT! There are many baseball plays that require fielding the ball with one hand instead of two. In many instances it's better to say, "Catch the ball with one hand!"
When you catch the ball with one hand you have more 'reach.' Try it. Hold both your arms straight out in front of your body and reach. Now put only one arm out and reach. See how much more range you have?
The plays better made with one hand are:
All catches at first base- better reach.
Ground balls going to your left.
The backhand.
Receiving a thrown ball in a rundown.
Slow roller.
Any fly ball where you have to run down left or right.
Fly balls where you have to 'lay out' or dive for.
Tag plays.
Two hand plays are:
Routine ground balls in front of you.
Receiving a throw as the pivot on a double play.*
A routine fly ball in front of you.
A fly routine fly ball with a runner ready to advance.*
Receiving a thrown ball as the cutoff or relay man.*
*The reason for having both hands close together on those plays is so that you will be quicker taking the ball out of your glove.
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Defensive Tip of the Week
Stretch for flexibility! Hang from a chin-up bar. Not only does it loosen your body, but it also strengthens your arms and shoulders. Bend over and touch your toes or try to put your palms flat on the floor. Do this daily and you will find that it is easier to stay down on a ground ball and your body action becomes more fluid and athletic.
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Offensive Tip of the Week
Learn to relax at the plate when you are at bat. Tension is your enemy! Players that try harder cause more tension; especially in their hands, arms and neck. Learn to breathe deeply and relax your muscles. A good swing is controlled aggression beginning from a relaxed state. When you are relaxed, you are much quicker and have a greater chance of success.
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Palm Desert Youth Sports
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