2007 Little League Pitching Rules and Coaching Points Click here for the January 2007 publication. GOAL OF NEW LITTLE LEAGUE REGULATION: PROTECTING PITCHERS’ ARMS - The main concern is to guarantee enough rest between outings, based on pitches thrown. These rules are the results of extensive research regarding youth pitchers, many of whom have, at a young age, required extensive surgery on shoulders and/or elbows, and/or experience chronic injuries. This document also contains an excellent section on the fundamentals of pitching including step by step information regarding teaching pitching and pictures showing grips for various pitches, etc. “This is one of the most important injury prevention steps ever initiated in youth baseball by the leader in youth baseball,” Dr. Andrews said. “It is certain to serve as the youth sports injury prevention cornerstone and the inspiration for other youth organizations to take the initiative to get serious about injury prevention in youth sports. I am proud that out American Sports Medicine Institute and USA Baseball can play a small role in this important initiative.”
Choosing the Right Bat Click here for an outstanding article on selecting a bat.
When shopping for a bat, have your child hold it out to his side with the top hand (right hand for right-handed batter). If he cannot hold it straight out for 20 seconds or so without the arm starting to shake and the bat dropping, it's too heavy.
Coaching Tips For Pitching Coaches
Teaching the Proper Stride Leg Motion
One of the most important aspects of a pitcher's delivery is the stride leg's motion from the balance position. The proper and correct stride leg motion is "down and out" from the balance position.
Too many times we see a pitcher drive the stride leg forward from the top of the balance position. The result is the body gets out too quick and the arm is left behind. The pitcher has to "rush" the arm to "catch-up". The front side of the body opens too soon and the pitch loses velocity.
The proper "lead-leg" motion follows these steps:
The stride leg goes up until the thigh is at least parallel to the ground.
The leg should come up and in at a angle that puts the thigh inside the lead elbow.
The proper balance position has the toe pointed downward.
The stride leg should come straight down from the balance position until the bottom of the foot is within 3 to 6 inches of the ground.
The stride leg should not start the forward movement until the foot is flat and parallel to the ground. A that moment forward moment should begin.
Any forward movement before the foot gets to the "bottom" is considered "leaking" or "lunging". This flaw causes premature rotation of the hips and shoulders.
The heel of the stride foot should lead the leg's movement forward most of the way out.
The stride foot should land flat on the ball of the foot. Careful attention should be given to make sure the pitcher is not landing on the back or heel of the stride foot.
The pitcher should not begin shoulder or hip rotation until his full weight has been transferred onto the stride leg.
When throwing the fastball, careful attention should be given to eliminating toe drag as the back foot leaves the rubber. Maximum velocity is achieved when the back foot steps cleanly out of the "hole" and does not drag. Of course "toe drag" can be and often is a part of the delivery when off speed pitches are thrown.
(from www.hit2win.com)
Focus on Hitting - Perfecting the Stride
Perfecting the Stride
Article courtesy of Jon Hoelter at goodswing.com
Young players need to practice their stride (or the little step taken before they swing the bat). The stride should be
1. Straight. Unless they are using an open or closed stance, the stride should be at the pitcher. When opened or closed, the stride should put them in a position where their shoulders make a line pointing at the pitcher.
2. Short (especially for young players). Long strides make it difficult to keep the head relatively still and thus making it difficult to see the ball. Long strides also make timing more difficult, because long strides take more time than short strides.
3. Soft. The weight must be kept back during the stride. Remember that the swing doesn't start until after the stride is complete. If the batter's weight shifts forward during the stride, they will not be able to keep their hands back and will not be able to get their weight into the pitch when they swing. Weight should shift during the swing. Teaching players to turn their front knee in toward their body during the stride will help them to keep the stride soft.
4. Flat. At least for young hitters, the front foot should stay close to the ground during the stride. Some young players lift the front foot to the back of their thigh which makes a soft stride next to impossible.
5. Closed. Many young hitters point their front toe at the pitcher when they stride usually because they want to start swinging the bat before their stride foot lands. The front foot should not be turned more than 45 degrees upon landing. Often the front foot will pivot somewhat during the swing (and may end up pointing at the pitcher), but this is okay as long as it lands closed.
Focus on Pitching - The Seven Mistakes Made by Youth Pitchers and How to Correct Them
The Seven Mistakes Made By Youth Pitchers and How To Correct Them
Most articles and books written on the mechanics of pitching usually stress the importance of pitching correctly but forget to focus on the things youth pitchers do incorrectly and how to fix them.
Therefore, I'm going to concentrate on the seven most common things youth pitchers do incorrectly and how to create new habits to do away with these mistakes.
GRIP
Youth pitchers usually grip the ball too hard and some can't control the ball because their hand is too small, so they use three or four fingers. To make things easier, players, no matter what age they are, should grip the ball easily with a gap between the ball and the palm of their hand. That way their wrist is free and easy and loose. Young pitchers (6,7,8) can grip the ball with three or four fingers as long as they adhere to the above grip. Nine and ten year olds should start to grip the ball with 2 fingers, and 11 and 12 year olds should definitely use two fingers.
SHORT ARMING
A lot of young pitchers don't reach all the way back behind them with their arm extended before they throw the ball. This is called shortarming and a lot of youth pitchers do this which leads to sore arms, bad mechanics and the inability to get a stronger arm. I try to tell players to reach back and touch second base or try and touch the centerfield fence when they are on the mound. This gets them to think about extension. Most likely, a youth pitcher who is shortarming, is also trying to aim the ball rather than cutting loose and throwing it. A lot of youth pitchers never realize how hard they can actually throw the ball because they shortarm. By just playing catch and learning to reach back and then doorway the ball, you'll eliminate shortarming. If you learn to cut loose and throw, muscle memory will take care of the accuracy.
ARM ANGLE
If you tell a youth pitcher to get his arm up, he probably doesn't know what you mean. Kids work better with visualization in relation to throwing the ball. He can have his arm up too high (12 o'clock) or have it next to his ear(stemming from shortarming). I tell players to think of a doorway in their house. I have them draw the doorway over their heads with their arms. At the upper right and left I have them stop. This is about 2 o'clock. This is also great arm angle. The ball is away from their head and the elbow is above the shoulder. This is the "doorway method". Kids can visualize and do it! And most importantly--- they understand what you're talking about. Put this together with eliminating shortarming and you'll get decent arm action.
RUSHING
If you rush on the mound you'll end up shortarming the ball, because your arm is trying to catch up with your body. Rushing means going too fast through the power position. There is only one way to stop this. Again, using visualization, you can't go forward until your front leg ( non-pivot ) gets to its highest point in the power position. You can say slow down--- it won't work! You can try other things---they won't work! So use this as a guide and you'll never have a problem. Another key factor in this important part of the delivery is to make sure before you go forward that your hands are breaking so that you can throw the ball. Just because you didn't go forward before your front leg got to its highest point, doesn't mean you won't be shortarming. Don't pull the hands apart. They should be dropping down freely just as if you were playing catch. Remember: The hands break or begin to move before the body goes forward.
STEPPING STRAIGHT
When stepping to the plate a lot of young pitchers open up and step incorrectly. From the pivot foot in the power position, draw a straight line from the toe toward the plate. The pitchers non-pivot foot should land on that line. If he opens up way too much it will be difficult to maintain proper arm angle and balance. This is a very common problem in young pitchers (7-10). So watch this point carefully, because sometimes this can effect everything else.
FINISHING CORRECTLY
I like youth pitchers to finish the same way all the time so they can develop a consistent release point. I call this finishing square. Again, a term they can visualize. "Follow Through" is a general statement and means different things to different kids. Finishing square means that your landing foot and pivot foot (after it comes around) finish spread apart and even with one another, leaving you facing the plate. It also puts you in a good position to field the ball. Your arm should finish outside the knee of your front leg (non-pivot) and the palm of your throwing hand should be facing the sky. This assures good wrist snap and continued arm speed to the end of your delivery. After this, your arm will naturally recoil.
RHYTHM
Going too fast means you'll probably rush. Going too slow means you'll most likely aim the ball or look like a robot. Pitching is all TIMING and BALANCE! Your rhythm will be determined by this. If you can do all the 11 points in my book "Molding the Young Pitcher" correctly and balanced, you'll eliminate the seven problem areas. This now becomes your rhythm. It is different for everyone. However, remember one important factor---your arm should be moving the fastest, not your body. The more arm speed you generate, the faster the ball goes. Faster body speed doesn't mean the ball will go faster. This is always a misconception with youth pitchers.
If these seven mistakes can be minimized or eliminated altogether, youth pitchers will begin to be successful on the mound and feel good about themselves, leading to...... you guessed it--- more strikes!
(from www.3-outs.com)
Outfield Drills That Build Confidence
Outfield drills are not emphasized as much as they should be. Here I outline some drills that we use to build confidence and increase skill.
DRILL # 1 "Go Back" Drill: This drill is done in pairs. Two outfielders face each other at about 30 feet. The purpose of the drill is to give the outfileder repetitive practice at correctly going back on a ball hit over his head. The drill normally is done with 4 pairs of outfielders lined up facing each other and spaced far enough apart for safety. The drill begins with one player "crow hopping" and throwing the ball over his partners head far enough to make him go back, but not too far that he can not make the play. The key to maintaining distance during the drill is that when a partner is "turning" to go back and as he goes back, the "thrower" is moving forward. When the "catcher" stops going back, the thrower stops and gets ready to make his play. His partner will make the catch, crow-hop and throw. We normally do about 6 or 8 of these daily. Make sure the players have properly stretched and thrown to warmup before performing this drill.
DRILL #2 - "Slide Unders" - This drill is for advanced level players only. It's purpose is to practice making catches that require the outfielder to slide under a low fly ball or linedrive to execute the catch. It is a difficult task for some to learn. We normally do only about 6 daily. The outfielder will slide under, catch the ball, and pop-up as quickly as possible. This skill that is a must for advanced players at the high school and collegiate level. The ball is tossed and not thrown hard.
DRILL #3 - "Diving Drill Series" - We try to have our outfielders practice making diving catches everyday. We take the time to show them the proper way to dive and roll to prevent injury and to prevent the glove arm elbow from hitting the ground and jarring the ball loose. The 3 dive drills we do are "no step" drills. The player has to go airborne from behind a marked line or designated spot. The player dives from a still position. The player may not take a step. The dives are low impact dives that are performed in "soft-turf" areas in our outfield. The 3 drive drills we do are:
Dive Left - The catch is made and the player rolls on contact with the ground.
Dive Right - The catch is made and the player rolls on contact with the ground.
Dive Forward - The catch is made and the player makes sure the glove elbow does not hit the ground.
Note: The ball is simply tossed on a line-drive trajectory out in front of the dive. The player must go full horizontal to make the catch. The ball should not be thrown hard.
DRILL #4 - "Shoe-Top" Drill-The purpose of this drill is to practice executing the shoe-top catch while in a full sprint. The player must start from a marked point and sprint straight toward the coach at full speed. The coach tosses the ball so that the player must execute a shoe-top catch with full extension of the arm. The ball is not thrown hard. The player must make the catch and get under control and get in proper throwing position as soon as possible while running full speed.
Be Positive
Players need a patient, supportive coach that can teach and motivate in a positive way. Knowing how to be positive and having the ability to communicate with your players is more important to a successful season than knowing many aspects of the game. Show Them You Care
Each player needs to know that you care for him as an individual and that you believe he is an important part of the team. Take time to talk to all players individually. Try to take interest in what is going on in their life outside of baseball. Have Fun
Fun is essential for kids of all ages. Develop practices that let them do the things they enjoy. It's also important for you to have fun. Create an environment that is structured and varied enough for you to enjoy what your doing. If you're having fun, chances are your players will be having fun also. Emphasize Improvement
Players want to improve and gain new skills. Make sure that you challenge all your players at an appropriate level to foster improvement. This may require that players focus on different skills than other players during practice. Be Organized and Discipline as Needed
Kids quickly pick up on a coach that is unorganized and doesn't communicate his expectations. If you don't establish certain rules and don't follow up with an appropriate punishment if the rules are broken, you will quickly lose control of your team. I always have a rule about talking when I'm talking during practice. I expect that when I'm explaining something, that the players will have their eyes on me and pay attention. If they interrupt or don't pay attention, I stop talking and we wait as a team for the individual to stop. If he does it again in the same practice he sits down and watches for awhile. I rarely have a player sitting on the side after the first couple of practices. Remember That Players Learn By Doing
I love the quote in Mike Krzyzewski's book 'Leading With The Heart'. "When teaching, always remember this simple phrase: 'You hear, you forget. You see, you remember. You do, you understand." Often coaches try to teach players a skill by talking about it. The younger the player the less effective it will be. Give a quick explanation while you show them the skill you want them to perform. Then, have them do it. Emphasize Attitude And Effort
Coaches that believe winning is everything have only one direction to take the team...down. Everyone wants to win, but when the main goal is winning, a really good season can be lost. If, on the other hand, you emphasize attitude and effort, a successful season can be had without a league championship. Winning games really will take care of itself, if you prepare the team to play hard and always give their best effort. Teach Sportsmanship
The idea of sportsmanship seems to be lost on many youth players. The fact is, sportsmanship must be taught. If children watch professional sports then their idea of sportsmanship may be to trash talk, spike the ball in the opponent's face, or to mimic some other visual statement that demonstrates their superiority. As a coach it's important that you teach the value of sportsmanship. I want my team to show joy when they make an exciting play, but not at the expense of the players on the opposing team. I want my players to always show the other team respect. Your leadership is the best way to get this across to your players. Interact with the players on the other team. Compliment them when they make a good play. Show your players that you appreciate the other team and the opportunity to play against them.
reprinted from www.QCbaseball.com)
How Many Pitches and What Types of Pitches Should I Allow my Child to Throw?
USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee
Position Statement on Youth Baseball Injuries
Updated: May 2004
Baseball is one of the safest sports available for today's youth. However, many of the serious injuries suffered by adult baseball pitchers may have begun to develop at the youth level. One of the missions of the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee is to provide scientifically based information to its youth baseball members to reduce the risk of injury and maximize the younger player's ability to perform and advance to higher levels.
Pitch Counts
Pitches are counted and monitored for professional, collegiate, and high school pitchers in order for them to reduce the risk of injury. A 1996 survey conducted by the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee (USA Baseball News, 1996) showed that most experts believed pitch counts should be kept for youth pitchers as well. In response to this charge, the committee sponsored an epidemiological study by the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) to look at this issue. This study - published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2002 - showed a significant relationship between the number of pitches thrown and the risk of shoulder and elbow pain in youth baseball. It is the opinion of ASMI and the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee that joint pain indicates the early development of a potentially serious joint injury. Thus pitch count limits are recommended for youth baseball. If - for some valid reason - a league is unable or unwilling to enact pitch count limits, the league should limit the number of batters faced. Since 9 to 12 year-old baseball pitchers average about 5 pitches per batter, pitch count recommendations can be converted into batter limitations by dividing by 5. However, pitch limitations are a better choice than batter limitations for accurately monitoring and controlling risk of overuse.
Pitch Types
The 2002 study by the ASMI also showed that youth baseball pitchers who throw curveballs or sliders have an increased risk of elbow and shoulder pain. Therefore, youth pitchers should avoid throwing breaking pitches in order to reduce the risk of future overuse injuries.
Pitching Mechanics and Physical Conditioning
A study by ASMI published in 1999 (Journal of Biomechanics) showed that elite pitchers of all levels use similar mechanics, but significantly more force at higher levels. Therefore, pitchers should develop proper mechanics as early as possible and include more year-round physical conditioning as their body develops.
Multiple Appearances
Because a youth pitcher usually stays in the game at another position after pitching, the player is eligible to return to the mound later in the game, according to the rules of baseball. While it may be good strategy to have a starting pitcher come back in and finish a game, it is not a good idea from a health and safety perspective. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments need time to "cool down" after physical activity, just like they need to "warm up" before activity.
Showcases
Showcases are established to give young players the opportunity to display their skills to scouts at higher levels of baseball. Unfortunately, showcases often occur near the end of the players' season, when players are often fatigued and require rest and recovery. In other instances, players participate in a showcase after a prolonged period since their league ended and without adequate preparation to throw hard again. It is without a doubt that young throwers will try to overthrow at these events in an effort to impress the scouts and coaches, which further increases the risk of serious arm injury.
Multiple Leagues
In order to get more opportunity to develop skills, many young players play in multiple leagues. Although the amount of pitching in a league is often limited by league rules or the judgment of its coaches, individual pitchers sometimes exceed such limitations by pitching in more than one league at a time. The strength and skills needed to be a successful pitcher are developed by repetition; however, a pitcher must also give his body time to rest and recover in order to optimize his development.
Year-Round Baseball
In certain parts of warm-weather states (Florida, Texas, California, etc.) baseball leagues are available in all seasons. However, the principle of periodization states that an athlete should have different periods and activities in his annual conditioning schedule. Specifically, baseball pitchers need a period of "active rest" after their season ends and before the next preseason begins. During active rest a pitcher is encouraged to participate in physical activities that do not include a great amount of overhand throwing.
Recommendations
Based upon its expertise and review of existing studies, the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee makes the following recommendations for minimizing a pitcher's risk of future serious arm injury and maximizing his chance of success
· Coaches and parents should listen and react appropriately to a youth pitcher when he/she complains about arm pain. A pitcher who complains or shows signs of arm pain during a game should be removed immediately from pitching. Parents should seek medical attention if pain is not relieved within four days or if the pain recurs immediately the next time the player pitches. League officials should inform parents about this consideration.
· Pitch counts should be monitored and regulated in youth baseball. Recommended limits for youth pitchers are as follows:
9-10 year old pitchers
50 pitches per game
75 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
2000 pitches per year
11-12 year old pitchers
75 pitches per game
100 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year
13-14 year old pitchers
75 pitches per game
125 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year
Pitch count limits pertain to pitches thrown in games only. These limits do not include throws from other positions, instructional pitching during practice sessions, and throwing drills, which are important for the development of technique and strength. Backyard pitching practice after a pitched game is strongly discouraged.
· Pitchers should not throw breaking pitches (curveballs, sliders, etc.) in competition until their bones have matured (indicated by puberty) - typically about 13 years of age. In order to succeed, a youth pitcher should focus on good mechanics, a fast fastball, a good change-up, and good control.
· Pitchers should develop proper mechanics as early as possible and include more year-round physical conditioning as their body develops.
· It should be discouraged for a pitcher to return to the mound in a game once he/she has been removed as the pitcher.
· Baseball players - especially pitchers - are discouraged from participating in showcases due to the risk of injury. The importance of "showcases" should be de-emphasized, and at the least, pitchers should be permitted time to appropriately prepare.
· Baseball pitchers are discouraged from pitching for more than one team in a given season.
· Baseball pitchers should compete in baseball no more than nine months in any given year, as periodization is needed to give the pitcher's body time to rest and recover. For at least three months a year, a baseball pitcher should not play any baseball, participate in throwing drills, or participate in other stressful overhead activities (javelin throwing, football quarterback, softball, competitive swimming, etc.).
References
Andrews JR, Chmielewski T, Escamilla RF, Fleisig GS, Wilk KE. Conditioning program for professional baseball pitchers. American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, AL, 1997.
Andrews JR, Fleisig GS. How many pitches should I allow my child to throw? USA Baseball News April, 1996
Fleisig GS, Barrentine SW, Zheng N, Escamilla RF, Andrews JR. Kinematic and kinetic comparison of baseball pitching among various levels of development. Journal of Biomechanics 32(12):1371-1375, 1999.
Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Osinski ED. Effect of pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics on risk of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 30(4):463-468, 2002.
Additional publications and research findings available at www.asmi.org
The Game Eliminates Us All: Why Some Players Leave Too Soon
The Game Eliminates Us All: Why Some Players Leave Too Soon
Coach John Peter - Publisher of Baseball Tips.com
Some day, some time, it will happen. Our last day as a player or as a coach. It happens to all of us…and it’s ok. You can bet even the likes of Cal Ripken, Jr. had that haunting feeling.
My reason for writing on this topic is simply that I feel that many young budding stars quit before they should, and some may even regret it later!
We all know some player, sometime in our past, who really had talent … then just stopped playing the game. We also don’t know which player, who maybe wasn’t so good, but might have really blossomed, if only he would have played one more season. Remember, the best 7 year old player doesn’t necessarily become the best 13 year old player. Maybe a less-talented 7 year old grows and figures out some of the tips below and avoids some of the pitfalls as well. Keep reading and you might see some avoidable problems and not leave these kids to chance, luck or fate.
Let’s first take a brief look as to why some players leave the game prematurely and maybe we can help just one more good player give it just one more try and stay in the game just long enough to realize the confidence & potential that he might have missed.
Why Some Players Leave The Game Too Soon
1. There’s Lots of Sports to Choose From
Young players should be encouraged to play different sports and different positions within those sports. Coaches need to make sure that fun is job number one. Teaching an early love for the game will go further than any of us can even understand. To build this strong foundation, it is the adult’s responsibility to make sure both practices and the games are first and foremost, fun! Why should any kid want to play any sport that isn’t any fun!
Coach's Tip:
Spend the last 5 – 10 minutes of every practice with a fun activity. Leave ‘em tired and happy. It’s best to make it competitive. Here’s some great suggestions:
Home Run Derby - An old favorite with a twist. Have the coach side or soft toss 5 balls within an achievable home run distance for at least half the team (try swinging from the 2nd base area?) In the next round finalists get 3 swings until a winner is crowned.
Throwing Contest – Players get in a single file line behind 2nd base or into centerfield where they take turns throwing into a trash can or bucket that’s sitting at home plate on it’s side. You can add hitting fly balls to the players too. (Players will do this every practice if you let them!)
Water Balloon Soft Hands Drill – This is a fun way to teach the soft hands necessary to play the infield. Players get 8-12 ft. apart in a long line where they are to underhand small and fully filled water balloons to each other. Teach players to have the heels of each hand together with fingers outstretched and pointing outward and to receive the ‘ball” with hands working out – to – in and cradling the “ball’ toward the body as they catch it. Make it a “last pair standing” wins the contest. Maybe the winners get to splash the coach with the count of three to run for their lives (your choice coach).
Football or Basketball Pick Up Game – Sometimes, you’ve just got to loosen them up. This is particularly beneficial after a tough loss or when the team is in a down period. It simply takes the life or death pressure off the players. Remember, they are kids playing a kids game, no matter what their age.
2. Burnout Can Be a Problem
Coaches, players & parents have to realize that this is avoidable. There is no set formula other than that of the individual player. Never fall into the trap of worrying about a player’s “losing ground to the others” or losing that roster spot on that elite team. It may be a tough decision and one where you lose immediate gratification, but let your heart and not your ego guide you. A baseball season, like a baseball career, is a long, long journey. Steady always wins the race.
3. A Lack of Success
It is understandable that a struggling player may be the first to leave the game. Maybe he’s the last who should be gone.
Tips For Coaches:
Give your time to all your players, not just your studs. You can probably figure within reason, how well your best players will do during the season, but it is the less skilled, least experienced players who will turn a 4th place team into a 2nd place team! Let me prove it. Notice how some school teams always seem to have the best programs and win-loss records? Think about why this happens in a team sport where teams are based on where players live and not who drafted or stocked (stacked) which players. It’s the players from top to bottom & not just the “stars.” Doesn’t this make sense?
It’s the Team, the Whole Team & Nothing But the Team
It doesn’t matter how much knowledge you feel you have or do not have (though it is amazingly quick & easy to obtain free and inexpensive knowledge on the net). It’s up to you as the coach to organize and motivate through individual attention and creative on and off field fun. I promise that it will take less of your time and that you will get more personal satisfaction if you do some thinking along these lines… than if you do not! Your efforts in obtaining knowledge and getting the players to truly have fun will progress into a winning baseball program. Remember who has the most fun are the players that are doing well. It is equally true that the teams who are having the most fun, will win more. If your goal is winning… HAVE MORE FUN!
Tips For Parents:
We all want to see every player succeed and have fun. We also ache for the player and families in the stands when things don’t work out. But, let’s be honest. Would we really be sitting through yet another hot muggy game if we didn’t have a “favorite player” out there? We, the great parental cheerleaders, sitting in the hot sun again are many of the reasons why some kids stay in the game…or don’t. We are a vitally important part.
Tips For Players:
For a player, it feels good to be with family, plain and simple! I truly believe that baseball is a great life experience no matter the age, or skill level. Fair play, lousy calls, hard hits that get caught, bad swings that result in cheap hits, strikeouts etc. It all parallels life and it isn’t always fair. And what better way to get through the bad times and celebrate the victories than with family. And all the above has nothing to do with becoming the best player on the team or in the league…it’s even more important than that! This alone will keep any boy in the game a long time.
Now, How About Becoming That Best Player?
Step 1 - Learn the proper way to swing, throw and field.
Step 2 - Do it the same, correct way. Do it a hundred times, a thousand times, a million times. Do it in the back yard with dad or mom (why not) or ANYBODY! The more you do it and do it right…the better you become.
If you know anyone with a back yard pitching machine (yes, I know there’s not a lot of these lucky kids), tell me what kind of hitters they are. Any good? You bet they probably are. And if they aren’t today…just wait and watch because they will be soon. Do you get the point? Learn it, do it the same way every time and do it again and again. Someone told me that Cal Ripken once said to “practice the same way you play!” It sure makes sense to me.
4. The Biggest Reason – The Adult Factor!
We’ve all heard or seen stories of parents and coaches who lose their temper or composure at a youth sporting event. Of course no adult sees himself in this group. But the ugly reality is that this does happen, though the incidents tend to be minor ones and not the kind that make the news.
The bottom line is prevention. The best prevention is the following that I heard in the audience of Gordie Gillespie, the winningest coach in college baseball history (and the single greatest man I have ever met in baseball). He said, and I paraphrase…
“If you are in this game for any reason other than the kids… GET OUT NOW! Kids are the only reason that youth baseball should exist!"
Weight Lifting for Young Athletes
The onset of puberty creates a dividing line, of sorts, in terms of the potential effects of various physical training programs . . . Can significant gains in muscular strength occur as a result of strength training programs, will any gains made actually help the athlete's performance, and are strength-training programs safe? In a recent article in the Research Consortium News (AAHPERD, Winter 1997), Larry Isaacs reviewed current research, which attempts to address these questions. He offers the following conclusions:
*Resistance training, in any of a variety of forms such as weight lifting and self-supportive (body weight) activities, can result in improving muscular strength.
*These activities appear to be safe as long as recommended guidelines are followed.
*Whether the gains made as a result of strength training transfer to actual athletic performance seems to depend on the nature of the sport being played. For example, if the activity involves complex movements, less benefit is likely to occur. If strength is a primary factor in the performance, then transfer will occur.
Although the physical onset of puberty varies from athlete to athlete, we suggest the following as general guidelines for resistance training using grade level as approximate markers:
>6th grade and younger: body weight exercises only, such as push ups, sit ups, vertical jump for height, calf raises, pull ups.
>7th & 8th grade: add universal type machines, no free weights, Use high repetitions with low weight, no more than 3 days per week with one day off between lifting days.
>9th grade: can add free weights with lifts such as bench press, partial squats, lunges. Still stick to 3 days per week and restrict lifts to 3 repetitions maximum. Never do show-off lifts of one repetition with maximum weight.
By Greg Gentry and Richard Stratton
from: http://www.24hourfitness.com
Copyright 2000 Richard Stratton Coaching Youth Sports
Constructive and Destructive Advice
(from http://www.decatursports.com/drills/base/par1.htm) How many times have you seen this? A young pitcher is on the mound. He just walked a batter and has thrown two straight balls to the next batter. He’s obviously struggling with his control. Almost in unison, the coaches, his father and people he doesn’t even know are yelling, "Just throw a strike." What do they think he is trying to do? Walk another batter on purpose? The only thing these people have accomplished is to increase the pitcher’s tension. In doing so, they have lowered the likelihood that he will throw a strike on the next pitch.
Similar advice is often given to a hitter: "You have to get a hit." Getting a hit is outside of the player’s control. He can take a good swing at a hitable pitch, but he can’t keep a line drive from being snagged by the defense. One irritating remark often heard is "just make contact." Hitters who take this advice to heart will start their bat real early and real slow, tapping a weak ground ball to someone.
A less damaging but equally useless comment is to tell the hitter to "straighten it out" after fouling off a pitch. What’s he supposed to do? Actually, this advice is probably not even heard by a hitter and is shouted out for the sake of interacting with the game. We can live with it.
Constructive advice doesn’t involve asking the player to do something he can’t control. It also gives the player some direction. If the pitcher isn’t throwing strikes, make sure he isn’t doing something wrong mechanically. "Keep your elbow up" is probably a lot more useful to a pitcher than "get it over the plate." When a pitcher is on the emotional edge and is getting wild, and his mechanics appear fine, it can be helpful to reassure him that the game is just a game, nothing to get too serious about – just concentrate on the catcher’s mitt and keep adjusting until you hit it.
In terms of hitters, proper constructive advice is often evident. If they are swinging late, tell them to get their stride foot started earlier or to hit the ball further out in front of the plate. When they swing and miss with good timing, they may need to be reminded to keep their head still or to keep it down at contact. These are things they can control.
The next time I hear a coach yell at a pitcher who just loaded the bases, "There’s no place to put this next guy, you better not walk him," I would love to hear the pitcher respond, "But coach, I really enjoy letting the other team score runs."
Anonymous
