The Rexdale Baseball League would like to thank you for volunteering your time to coach. Were it not for individuals like you, our children would not have the opportunity to play organized baseball.
The coaching emphasis will be on teamwork, skill development and fun. The children will look to the coaches to set an example. The "win at all costs" attitude is not tolerated.
We again thank you for your participation and wish you a very successful 2011 baseball season.
Sincerely,
Carolina Kay
President
Rexdale Baseball League
THROWING THE BALL
"THE GRIP" - Place the pads of your first and second fingers across any seam. Fingers should be about one finger width apart with your thumb directly underneath the ball. Leave a small gap between the ball and the curve formed by your thumb and the index finger. This will give you more wrist snap and result in a more powerful throw. Grip the ball firmly using the first knucles of the fingers. Now you're reafy to throw.
1. FIND THE GRIP - Catch the ball in the palm, not the webbing, of the glove and grip it.
2. STARTER STEP - Begin your throw by taking a small starter step with your power foot.(Right foot for right-handers, left foot for lefties).Turn your other foot (pivot foot) outwards at a 90 degree angle. This allows you to use your hips in the throw. Keep your eyes on the target.
3. ARM DOWN POSITION - When you take the ball from your glove, your throwing hand should break down, back and up, keeping your hand over the ball.
4. ARM BACK POSITION - Extend your throwing arm straight back. Turn so your front hip and shoulder are pointed at the target. Put your weight on your pivot foot and bring your front foot off the ground.
5. STEP AND THROW - Now step forward and plant your front foot forward to the target. Bring your arm forward, elbow pointing out, the ball close to your head. As you throw, your hip and shoulder should turn toward your target.
6. FOLLOW THROUGH - Bring your arm forward until it's completely extended. Snap your wrist as you release the ball.Finish up with your throwing arm shoulder pointing at the target. Swing your pivot leg forward to complete the throw.
CATCHING THE BALL
WEARING THE GLOVE - Put a finger in each of the finger holes. You can leave your index finger out to lessen the impact of the ball when it's caught in the palm.
CATCH THE BALL IN THE PALM - Always try to catch the ball in the palm of your glove. If you catch the ball in the webbing, it will be more difficult to throw quickly.
LEARN THESE THREE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A GOOD CATCH
1. MOVE YOUR BODY - Place your body in front of the ball, legs shoulder width apart, both arms extended forward and slightly bent at the elbows with your throwing hand next to your glove hand. Step with your glove foot toward the incoming ball.
2. CUSHION THE BALL - As you catch the ball - always with two hands - bend your elbows and bring your hands toward your body. That way, the force of the throw will be absorbed. Catch the ball in the palm of the glove, not the webbing.
3. PREPARE TO THROW - Watch the ball into the palm of your glove. Grip and throw the ball as described in "THROWING".
HIGH CATCH - Above the waist - Place your hands in a thumbs-together/palms-down position.
LOW CATCH - Below the waist - hands should be in together/palms-up position.
CATCHING A THROW AT A BASE - Straddle the bag with both hands out in front of the base. Do not block the runner.
HITTING
Hitting is one of the most difficult skills for a young ballplayer to learn because both the ball and bat are round and the contact point is the size of a dime. Bat selection is very important. Choose one that is not too heavy or too long.
DO: Keep your eye on the ball; be aggressive; step directly toward the pitcher when you swing.
DON'T: Lunge or overstride; drop your hands before you swing (hitching); swing at bad pitches; worry about your last at bat; take your eye off the ball.
THE GRIP - Grip the bat with your fingers, not your palms. Keep your grip loose until you swing.
HAND POSITION - Keep your hands loose. Line up each hand's second set of knuckles. this allows proper "wrist roll" after contacting the ball.
CHOKE UP - If your bat feels too heavy or too long, slide your hands up the handle for better bat control.
PARALLEL STANCE - This is the best stance for learning proper hitting skills. Both feet are the same distance from the plate, hips and shoulders parallel to it.
DISTANCE FROM THE PLATE - Make sure your hitting zone covers the entire plate. 1. Hook the fingers of your forward hand (closest to the pitcher)over the bat's knob. 2. Assume your parallel stance and hitting posture. 3. Align yourself so that the bat's end just reaches the far edge of the plate.
1. RELAXED AND READY - Relaxed grips - hands back, at shoulder level-arms away from body-rear elbow slightly up-head steady-eyes on the ball-shoulders level-knees slightly bent-feet shoulder width apart-body balanced.
2. STEP AND COCK - As the pitcher throws, shift weight to your rear foot and take a short gliding step(maximum 30cm)toward the pitcher. At the same time, pull your hands back. Brace your front leg as it hits the ground, keep your head steady and your eye on the ball.
3. THE SWING - Throw your hands and bat down through the ball for a level swing, arms extended and away from your body. Shift weight to front foot without bending your front leg. keep your eye on the ball.
4. THE CONTACT POINT - Make contact in front of the plate, not on top of it. On contact, roll your wrists for maximum power. snap your back hip toward the pitcher.
5. THE WRIST ROLL - In contacting the ball the top hand on the bat is in a palm up position. The wrist roll following contact allows you to finish the swing with a natural follow through.
6. FOLLOW THROUGH - Pivot on both feet so you can "uncoil". Hips and upper body finish facing the pitcher. Take a natural full follow-through, both hands on bat, head down until contact is made. Keep your body under control and balanced at the finish.
FIELDING GROUND BALLS
INTRO - Handling grounders is tricky. It can take a long time to learn. You're always going to have errors. Don't let them bother you and, if you practice, you'll make fewer and fewer of them!
1. RELAXED POSITION - Face the batter. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, hands on knees.
2. READY POSITION - As the pitcher moves, spread your feet further. Extend your hands, keeping them low, in the "palms-up" position, elbows in front of your kneres, seat down, head up.
3. RECEIVING THE GROUND BALL - Quickly move in front of the ball. Extend both hands, palms up. Keep your head and seat down.
4. SUCK IT UP - Watch the ball into the palm of your glove. suck the ball up into your stomach area with both hands, bringing your elbows past your waist. Grip the ball in the glove. Stay low.
5. STARTER STEP - Move your pivot foot forward, head up, target in view. Keep the ball in your glove till this point.
6. ARM DOWN POSITION - Follow the procedure described in "THROWING". Take the ball from your glove while finding the grip.
7. ARM BACK POSITION - Extend your throwing arm staight back, front foot toward the target. Bring your arm around, elbow pointing out, ball close to your head.
8. FOLLOW THROUGH - Extend your arm fully. Snap wrist. Follow through with the throwing arm, throwing shoulder turning, pivot foot swinging around and planted to complete the throw.This is the "DOWN-BACK-THROUGH" MOTION.
PLAYING THE OUTFIELD
READY POSITION - Eyes fixed on the ball, feet shoulder-width apart, weight on the balls of your feet. This balanced stance allows quick movement in all directions. Remember, you're responsible for all balls hit to your area. Be alert and ready to move all the time.
GROUND BALL - Ball in front of your body, glove leg sightly forward, go down on your power leg knee, hands in the "palms-up" position.
1. FIELDING A FLY BALL-FOREHAND - For a ball hit on your glove side, use a cross over step with your power foot. Run quickly, on the balls of your feet, with arms and hands down. Keep your eyes on the ball.
2. FIELDING A FLY BALL-BACKHAND - For a ball hit on your throwing side (backhand)use a cross-over step with your no-pivot(glove)foot. Run on the balls of your feet with both hands at your side. Keep your eyes on the ball.
3. MAKING THE CATCH - Reach for the ball with both hands, thumbs together. Catch the ball in the palm of the glove. Always try to catch the ball on your throwing side while stepping toward the infield. This movement will help you make a quicker, stronger throw.
