Stride

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 make 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.

1ST Baseman Tips

The defensive skills of the first baseman are often taken for granted. This position is the most under-rated defensive position on a team. The defensive skills of a good first baseman can often make the difference in winning a championship.

Set & Ready Position - With No Runners On Base

The first baseman positions himself approximately 15 to 20 feet behind first base and about 10 feet from the line. This is the normal positioning when a bunt is not anticipated and there are no runners on base.
Weight slightly forward, left foot in front three or four inches, knees slightly bent and weight up on the balls of the feet.
Glove held waist high, open, facing toward the batter.
Always check with the second baseman to make sure there is no mix up on ground balls hit to the right side of the infield.
Always focus your eyes into the strike zone, assuming that the ball will be hit in your direction.

Set & Ready Position - Holding The Runner On
The purpose of this position is to receive the pitcher's pick-off throw and apply a quick tag. Secondly, if the pitcher throws to home, moving into position to field the ball.
Touch the inside of the bag with your right foot and stretch out with your glove hand, making an inviting target for the pitcher to throw to.
When the pitcher throws over, catch the ball and apply a tag with a sweeping motion.
If the pitcher throws towards the plate, move quickly into a position to field the ball.

Fielding Balls Hit To The Left Of The Pitcher
It is the pitcher's responsibility to cover first base when the first baseman has to field the ball. Always make an unassisted putout when you can. When relaying the ball to the pitcher, the following tips will help avoid errors.
Wave the pitcher off before making an unassisted putout.
When sprinting to the bag, hold onto the ball in your bare hand. You will have better control and the ball will not fall out of your glove, since you do not have to apply a tag.
You can toss the ball to the pitcher quicker if you have to.
When relaying the ball to the pitcher, use the underhand shovel type release.
Throw the ball at the bag so the pitcher can catch the ball chest-high as he crosses the bag.
After releasing the ball to the pitcher, you must give him directions if there are other runners on base.
When fielding balls that are hit to right, plant your pivot foot and make an overhand throw to the pitcher.
Communicate with your pitcher. It is his responsibility to field all ground balls that he can get to. Make sure you cover the bag if he fields any balls. Remind him constantly to let you know what his intentions are before it is too late. On critical plays he must yell loud when he is fielding the ball.

Teaching Your Boy Baseball coach john peter

For those who "coach your son" (or those players who are coached by Dear Old Dad), lend me your ears. Here are some quick and easy thoughts to answer the common problems that surround coaching your own kid.

1st & Foremost
Help him become the best player that He wants to be. When it becomes more about You, the coach, the player's Dad . . . rethink immediately because you just became ONE OF THEM! You know, the guy whose son plays shortstop and pitches, he bats 3rd . . . always . . . and probably shouldn't . . . yes, there are worse things to be than a pushy baseball Dad. So the good news is it's curable! But seriously...think about this.

2nd
Consider the reality of the above and understand that you probably would treat discipline and talk to your own boy differently than you will with the other 12 kids on your team. So when you need to discipline ANY of your team attempt to do this "evenly" and with the same methods. This may take practice as well as having a pre-season discussion with your boy, as he knows Dad and just may attempt to take advantage (I know . . . not my boy!). REVISIT #1 . . . lol.

Along with this thought is the idea of playing time and position play. On all teams there are weak links and positions you just cannot find a player to fill. It's a common problem especially at the younger level up to around age 13.

Here's my own experience. I have coached my son through many levels, from Tee Ball on up. One year we didn't have a catcher, so he played catcher a lot when not pitching. At the next level, a player I counted on for a lot of pitching left a hole at short and yet another season, a hole at 2nd. My first reaction each year was the same . . . teach my son the essentials of these positions . . . as long as he understood that he would be helping the team, and me as well. Confiding in him how I was proud of him to make the sacrifice didn't hurt either.

3rd
Is it easy? Not every day. Know this now! Why should it always have to be easy? Very few things that are important to two people are always easy. Know that you are each other's favorite coach and favorite player. Nothing is more important than that!

Here's the Downside:
Your boy won't progress quite as quickly in what you may see as his "natural position."

Here's the Upside:
Until approximately age 14 he doesn't have a natural position. He has ability and interest in his "natural position" and he has Dad hoping he will play and excel at his "natural position." But unless any boy gets experience all over the field, he may not truly find that "natural position."

My son had as much fun as a catcher throughout his 11-12-13 years as any time I ever saw him play another position . . . for whatever his reasons were. His experience there was due to his team's needs. It ended up allowing him to learn and do something he never really thought much about or had much interest in. It also helped me out of a jam because he got good at it. And yes, he enjoyed it! It also helped our pitchers because he improved where they could count on him . . . and now, as an older player, it allowed him to understand the game infinitely better, now that he is developing into a pitcher and a solid middle infielder.

Ultimately, all it took was he and I initially discussing it (I asked for and frankly needed his help - I truly believe that kids like to help), and secondly I spent time working with him at home, one-on-one, and at the park, which gave us time for just he and I! That time is worth it just by itself. . . the added benefit is that it was time spent at a baseball field!

Under the category of "never say never," my son's High School asked him to play shortstop on the JV summer team a few years ago. He regarded it as quite an honor, as he was only an 8th grader in a school of 2,000 students. Although he certainly had, and has, a lot of learning to do at such a complex position.I think he was extremely happy that he was at least forced out of his "natural position" earlier in his career and could call on past game experiences. It certainly made for a more confident and enjoyable transition!

10 commandments of baseball

The 10 Commandments of Baseball

1. Nobody ever became a ballplayer by walking after a ball

2. You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the
bat off your shoulder.

3. An outfielder who throws back of a runner is locking
the barn after the horse is stolen.

4. Keep your head up and you may not have to hold it down.

5. When you start to slide, S-L-I-D-E. He who changes
his mind may have to change a good leg for a bad one.

6. Do not alibi on bad hops. Anybody can field the good ones.

7. Always run them out. You can never tell.

8. Do not quit.

9. Do not find too much fault with the umpires. You cannot expect
them to be as perfect as you are.

10. A pitcher who hasn't got control, hasn't got anything.

Best,
Paul Reddick
"The Master Of MPH"
Director, Baseball Education Center
Yogi Berra Museum
Reddick Sports

395 Springfield Ave
Berkeley Heights, NJ
07922

Being A Good Shortstop

Anticipates all defensive plays that could involve him; ready to throw to right base or home plate.
Stays on top of the ball, with most throws. Plants his feet and throws overhand when possible.
Works on holding runners close.
Charges the ball aggressively especially on topped or slow hit balls past the pitcher.
Covers second base when the bunt is on.
When positioning to field the ball, cheats slightly towards his weaker side.

Set Position

Feet are spread slightly more than shoulder width.
Toes are turned out to make the lateral move easier.
Left foot three or four inches in front of your right foot. Body weight up on the balls of the feet and knees slightly bent.
Keep your back straight, hands resting on knees and head up.

Ready Position

When the pitcher releases the ball assume the ready position. The difference between the set and ready positions is slight but very significant.
Move hands from your knees to stomach level and slightly out in front.
Keep your eyes focused intently into the strike zone, focusing on the ball and anticipating a line drive in the direction of third-base.

Fielding Ground Balls

Move straight towards the ball without straightening up. Straightening up will cause your weight to shift from the balls of your feet to the back of your heels.
Stay low, keep your body under control, and eyes on the ball until it rolls into your glove.
On balls hit to your right, use the cross over step, straighten up and then make the throw.
Ground balls to the left require the cross over step, then pivoting on left foot, keeping the body in front of the ball, then straightening up, and planting the right foot before throwing.

Fielding Pop Flies

Go back on all pop flies until an outfielder calls you off.
Always make an effort to get to balls that are hit behind the third baseman.

Making The Double Play

Do not leave your fielding position too soon. The ball is your focus as it may be hit towards you.
Do not assume that every ball hit is a double play chance. Always focus on getting the lead runner.
If the shortstop fields the ball and is making an unassisted putout, their momentum should carry them across the bag and out of the way of a charging runner.

Backing Up The Bases

Second Base - When the second baseman is covering on a steal attempt.
Third Base - On throws from the catcher

Infield Drills Video

Developing Outfielders: Drills & Principles

Too many times we as coaches think we have to hit fly balls with a bat to our outfielders for every practice. Some problems arise when we consistently attempt this feat: an inability to hit a good fly ball, fly balls that don't challenge our players, and a lot of "standing around" waiting for a fly ball to be hit.
Eventually we (coaches) have to hit fly balls to our players in order for them to practice reading the ball off the bat, but the following drills will give players more repetition and a "feel" of getting under a fly ball. These drills can be done at any level and are always a lot of fun.
Quarterback Drill
Outfielder is 10 feet away from the coach with both feet pointing toward the coach. The coach uses the words "drop step and go" and points in the direction to where he wants his player to drop step and go.
As soon as the outfielder hears the coach's command the player uses the drop step and cross over in order to turn his body and sprint in the direction to where the coach has pointed. If the coach points to the player's right - the player will drop step with his right foot and cross over with his left. If the coach points to the player's left - the outfielder will drop step with his left and cross over with his right.
Once the player has sprinted approximately 20-40 yards (depending on skill and age) the coach will throw a high fly ball, and the outfielder who is sprinting must try to get under the ball in order to make the catch on the run. Once players get comfortable with the drill and make several catches you can increase the difficulty by throwing the ball further in order to make outfielders run harder and possibly make a diving catch.
To make the drill easier and work the players harder, have each player line up with a ball in their glove. When it is their turn they will toss you the ball and wait for your command. Once they have caught the ball they will jog back to the line up with the ball in their glove.
Tennis Racquet Fly Balls
Using a tennis racquet and tennis balls, hit fly balls to your outfielders but add a communication element to the drill. Have half of your outfielders line up in center and the other half in right (or left field). Hit tennis balls with the racquet in places where the two outfielders will have to communicate in order to catch the ball. Hit balls that are over their shoulder and in front of them.
This drill also works well if you add your middle infield and work on communication with the outfielders and infielders on fly balls that are hit softly between the outfield and infield.

Fly Ball Principles

Never "back peddle" to catch a ball that is hit over your shoulder. Always use the drop step and run!

Once the fly ball is descending the ball must be called by one of the defensive players.

On balls that are hit softly between the outfield and infield, the outfield has priority. Therefore the infield should go after the ball and try to make the catch until the outfielder calls the infielder off. This method will avoid the ugly collision between the outfield and infield.

The outfielder always has priority over the infielder on fly balls.

  GREG BRONS

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