Every year I used to tell my players the same thing. "I'd prefer to watch a good college baseball game than a pro baseball game any day."
Pro ballplayers are paid entirely too much money these days to care about every at bat and about making the game saving play. College games are where you see the true essence of the game of baseball because these kids are hungry! Not to mention college baseball players are constantly on the front step of the dugout from the first pitch to the last.
Watch this year's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska and you are likely to see all of the following:
- Good situational hitting
- Bunting runners over
- Hit and Run
- Diving for close balls
- Cheers from the dugout
- Enthusiastic play
- Good Hustle
And the list goes on.
If you are a coach who wants to get the most out of your players, have your kids watch the best 8 teams in the country battle for the National Championship and forget about the overpaid babbies who make millions.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Bat Selection (Youth League)
Over the years I have been asked hundreds of times by youth coaches and fathers this question. "What size bat is good for my player(s) or son/daughter?"
Bat Speed is the Key
My response was always the same. "Pick a bat that your player can swing effortlessly with good bat speed." Many times coaches and fathers will let their player pick a bat themselves and often times this leads to disaster. Kids will typically pick a bat that 'looks good' and pay little attention to the size and weight.
Watch him or her swing it a few times in the store and make an honest assessment. Is the bat swinging him or is he in control of the barrel through the hitting zone? Explain to them that hits come from bat speed, not looks.
Where to Buy a good Bat
I have always found that my players (recent years) have found their bats on the Internet. This works good for older players because they know the size and weight of the bat they can handle. Younger players are better off going to a sporting goods store (i.e. Sports Authority, Modell's, or Play It Again Sports) to find a good bat.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
Bat Speed is the Key
My response was always the same. "Pick a bat that your player can swing effortlessly with good bat speed." Many times coaches and fathers will let their player pick a bat themselves and often times this leads to disaster. Kids will typically pick a bat that 'looks good' and pay little attention to the size and weight.
Watch him or her swing it a few times in the store and make an honest assessment. Is the bat swinging him or is he in control of the barrel through the hitting zone? Explain to them that hits come from bat speed, not looks.
Where to Buy a good Bat
I have always found that my players (recent years) have found their bats on the Internet. This works good for older players because they know the size and weight of the bat they can handle. Younger players are better off going to a sporting goods store (i.e. Sports Authority, Modell's, or Play It Again Sports) to find a good bat.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Throwing Progressions
Arm Strength among young baseball players is definitely not as good as it used to be. Why? I blame the age of technology, and I'm certainly not the only one who says that.
In any event, I have see many young players who have poor throwing mechanics that severely limits their ability to have good arm strength right from the start. Additionally poor mechanics is the #1 cause of arm strain, pain, and injury. So let me give you some good throwing drills you should have your player do before every practice and/or game at every age.
* Before they even start throwing, check that every player has a 4 seam grip on the ball. Their index and middle fingers should laying across 2 seams of the ball with the thumb directly under the fingers. If you draw a line the thumb should split the fingers. Fingers should be an inch apart for good accuracy.
1. (Flip Toss) Start from a seated cross leg position and have them toss to their partner with the throwing arm out in front of their body. Simply keep the throwing elbow high, bring the hand back and to the throwing side ear and extend to their partner. The last 10% of the throw is what this emphasizes. Do this drill at about 5 yards, adjusting distance if needed by age.
Cues: 4-Seam rotation, Good extension, and Elbow high.
2. (1 Knee Drill) Have the two players move back and put the throwing side knee on the ground and the non-throwing knee pointed at their partner. Bring the hands up and use the upper body only to throw to the partner. Focus on being accurate with this drill and the thrower keeping his nose on their partners glove, keeping the head relatively still while rotating the body during the throwing motion. Finish on the other side of the knee that is up.
Cues: Knee to target, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, Good follow-through.
3. (10 Toes Drill) Moving back several feet have players start with both feet pointing straight forward. This drill is to isolate the upper body. Turn upper torso pointing glove side shoulder at your partner. After throw is made the upper torso should be bent forward - not standing straight up.
Cues: Front hip to target, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, Upper body bend, nose to target.
4. (Figure 8 Drill) Moving back another couple of feet have players stay in a 10 Toes position. Circle hands to glove side and then to the throwing side in a figure 8 motion. This drill is to establish rhythm when throwing. Stay loose and smooth through the movement.
Cues: Smooth delivery, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, nose to target.
5. (Walking 8 Drill) Moving back several more feet (70'-90' depending on age) this will be the start of long toss. Have players walk forward while performing the figure 8. Finish by bringing the backside forward towards the target into a 10 toes position.
Cues: Good Rhythm, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, nose to target, Backside through.
6. (Long Toss) Moving back from the Walking 8 drill, players begin throwing by position. Catchers and Infielders should throw together and Outfielders should throw together. If your team has designated Pitchers, they should throw together as well. Infielders should have a shorter arm action than outfielders and pitchers. Have infielders and catchers work on a quick shuffle step and throw and outfielders work on crow hop throwing. All players should work on following their throw and not stopping after they release the ball. Take an extra step or two towards the target. Make sure players are staying in a straight line towards their target after release, don't peel off right or left. Additionally, make sure the elbow doesn't drop as distance increases. This is the tendency in younger players.
Cues: Combine cues above, Follow-through, Nose to target, and Elbow High.
Other related throwing drills to be discussed later:
- Cutoffs and Relays
- Catcher throws
- Double play feeds
- Pick offs
In any event, I have see many young players who have poor throwing mechanics that severely limits their ability to have good arm strength right from the start. Additionally poor mechanics is the #1 cause of arm strain, pain, and injury. So let me give you some good throwing drills you should have your player do before every practice and/or game at every age.
* Before they even start throwing, check that every player has a 4 seam grip on the ball. Their index and middle fingers should laying across 2 seams of the ball with the thumb directly under the fingers. If you draw a line the thumb should split the fingers. Fingers should be an inch apart for good accuracy.
1. (Flip Toss) Start from a seated cross leg position and have them toss to their partner with the throwing arm out in front of their body. Simply keep the throwing elbow high, bring the hand back and to the throwing side ear and extend to their partner. The last 10% of the throw is what this emphasizes. Do this drill at about 5 yards, adjusting distance if needed by age.
Cues: 4-Seam rotation, Good extension, and Elbow high.
2. (1 Knee Drill) Have the two players move back and put the throwing side knee on the ground and the non-throwing knee pointed at their partner. Bring the hands up and use the upper body only to throw to the partner. Focus on being accurate with this drill and the thrower keeping his nose on their partners glove, keeping the head relatively still while rotating the body during the throwing motion. Finish on the other side of the knee that is up.
Cues: Knee to target, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, Good follow-through.
3. (10 Toes Drill) Moving back several feet have players start with both feet pointing straight forward. This drill is to isolate the upper body. Turn upper torso pointing glove side shoulder at your partner. After throw is made the upper torso should be bent forward - not standing straight up.
Cues: Front hip to target, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, Upper body bend, nose to target.
4. (Figure 8 Drill) Moving back another couple of feet have players stay in a 10 Toes position. Circle hands to glove side and then to the throwing side in a figure 8 motion. This drill is to establish rhythm when throwing. Stay loose and smooth through the movement.
Cues: Smooth delivery, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, nose to target.
5. (Walking 8 Drill) Moving back several more feet (70'-90' depending on age) this will be the start of long toss. Have players walk forward while performing the figure 8. Finish by bringing the backside forward towards the target into a 10 toes position.
Cues: Good Rhythm, Front shoulder to target, Elbow high, nose to target, Backside through.
6. (Long Toss) Moving back from the Walking 8 drill, players begin throwing by position. Catchers and Infielders should throw together and Outfielders should throw together. If your team has designated Pitchers, they should throw together as well. Infielders should have a shorter arm action than outfielders and pitchers. Have infielders and catchers work on a quick shuffle step and throw and outfielders work on crow hop throwing. All players should work on following their throw and not stopping after they release the ball. Take an extra step or two towards the target. Make sure players are staying in a straight line towards their target after release, don't peel off right or left. Additionally, make sure the elbow doesn't drop as distance increases. This is the tendency in younger players.
Cues: Combine cues above, Follow-through, Nose to target, and Elbow High.
Other related throwing drills to be discussed later:
- Cutoffs and Relays
- Catcher throws
- Double play feeds
- Pick offs
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Play Ball!
Welcome to Coaching Baseball. The site for coaches at all levels, whether you are a father coaching his first Little League season or a veteran coaching at the next level, you will find info on this site that will keep you coming back for more.
As a former professional player and 20 year coach at 3 different levels, I will attempt to share with you everything I have learned from some of the countries top players, coaches, and trainers.
Whether you're wondering about how to prepare for the seaon, run a successful practice, or throw a ball, I will attempt to answer all of your questions. Additionally I will be constantly adding info for you to keep you in the game.
As a former professional player and 20 year coach at 3 different levels, I will attempt to share with you everything I have learned from some of the countries top players, coaches, and trainers.
Whether you're wondering about how to prepare for the seaon, run a successful practice, or throw a ball, I will attempt to answer all of your questions. Additionally I will be constantly adding info for you to keep you in the game.
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