TeeBall Coaching Clinic - Free TBall Tips and Drills

T-Ball / Coach Pitch - How to Choose a Glove (Ages 4-6)

2011-12-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

T-Ball / Coach Pitch - How to Choose a Glove (Ages 4-6)
By guest auhor: Larry Callicoat

You've signed your Little League player up for T-ball/coach pitch and now he needs a glove. Starting a new sport can be a drain on the wallet, especially if you're not sure if your son will enjoy playing baseball. You do not need to spend a lot of money on a glove in order to get a good quality one that can be used throughout the T-ball and coach pitch seasons. You just need to know how to pick out a good glove.

1. Size does matter. Contrary to popular belief, bigger is not always better for the beginner player. Beginning players need a smaller glove so that they can hone the skill of catching and fielding a baseball. Look for a youth glove that is 9 1/2" to 10 3/4". At this age, players do not need an 11" glove or a specialized glove (one made for 1st baseman, infielder, outfielder, etc.). They need an all purpose glove for T-ball and or coach pitch. Don't worry about playing certain positions at this point, T-ball is geared towards teaching fundamentals and making baseball FUN so that they want to come back next season.

2. Construction and Material. Most youth gloves are constructed with a leather palm and synthetic material for the outer shell. This allows for a lighter glove and one that easier to close. Look for a glove that is mostly leather and leather laces. If taken care of properly, a mostly leather glove can be used season to season. You will also need to look for a glove that has a good rounded pocket and one that features "easy close" or "power close" technology. Because beginning players are still developing muscles, gloves with closing technology make it easier to squeeze the glove closed when a ball is caught.

Once you get your player's glove, have him try it on and practice catching balls with it before the season starts. Not only will this practice help him, it will also help break in the glove. Since most youth gloves are a combination of leather and synthetic material, it is not advisable to use a glove conditioner. The best way to loosen up youth glove is to USE IT!

Once your player completes T-ball/coach pitch and moves into the upper leagues, it may be time to get a new glove. Again, there are key elements to look for when choosing a glove for the intermediate player.

Coach Larry is a youth baseball coach, having coached t-ball through high school. Visit http://www.superstarbaseball.blogspot.com for more on hitting, pitching, coaching and baseball tips, techniques and inspiration.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Callicoat

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Youth Baseball Digest - Free Baseball Batting Drill - Batting Tee Curve Ball Hitting Drill

2011-10-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Digest - Free Baseball Batting Drill - Batting Tee Curve Ball Hitting Drill
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Many coaches use the batting tee to practice proper baseball swing mechanics. The batting tee is a great batter training tool. It offers batting practice repetition and is easy to use. Most coaches use it in drills to practice hitting the low, medium, and high fast ball locations. The batting tee can also be used to practice hitting a curve ball. One of the most difficult pitches to learn to hit is the curve ball on the outer edge of the plate. This article explains how the tee can be used to teach young players the proper mechanics and timing to hit that type curve ball. Curve Ball Batting Tee Drill

Many coaches would say that the batting tee is not a useful tool in teaching a player to hit a curve ball. That is untrue. By placing at the optimum contact point for a curve ball, the batter is allowed batting practice repetition at attacking the curve ball with proper timing and baseball swing mechanics. The batting tee should be placed as shown below. The "8's" represent a right handed batter's feet. The "x" marks the spot where the tee is located. This is the proper spot for a batter to attack the off speed curve ball on the other portion of the plate.

................X

8------------8

The tee is placed even with the instep of the back foot. The tee is placed on the outer edge of the plate. The batter will practice hitting the curve ball to the opposite field. This allows the batter to get the proper feel of hitting the off speed pitch. Placing the target ball at this spot teaches the hitter to keep the hands back, to let the ball get deep, and to drive the ball to the opposite field.

I hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. Thanks for taking the time to read it. For more article like it visit the Youth Baseball Digest, Baseball Coaching Digest, Little League Digest or Baseball Parent Guide. Good luck to you and your team. Have a great day, Nick.

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Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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Youth Baseball Drills - Start the Kids on the Road to Success Early

2011-10-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Drills - Start the Kids on the Road to Success Early
By guest author: KC Andrus

Why Youth Baseball Drills?
Ahh, the joys of youth baseball. What a wonderful sight to behold, the children out there giving it there all, wearing their emotions on their sleeves and the parents in the stands biting their fingernails, overcome with nervousness. The sights and sounds of a little league game are one of the fondest memories of many children's childhoods and also becomes ingrained in the minds of their parents. Whether you are a parent, coach or player, however, it takes steady practice doing the RIGHT youth baseball drills to make your team a winner.

What Youth Baseball Drills are Effective?
Everyone knows that the most glamorous asset for a baseball player's inventory is his hitting skills, it is also his most valuable. So here are some common problems facing young hitters and some drills to help you improve.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball!
It's the first thing you learn as a baseball player and one of the most important. A good drill to improve this is to have someone stand on a mound and throw a ball and have the player track the ball all the way into the catcher's glove. Very simple and effective.

Hit Line Drives
If you're popping the ball up a lot or hitting way too many choppers, it is always one of two things: your timing is off or your swing is off and your bat path isn't straight to the ball. A good drill to make sure your bat path takes you straight to the ball is to practice hitting sharp line drives off of a tee.

My Timing Is Off
If you're struggling with timing and rhythm within your swing one of the best drills you can do to correct that problem would be soft toss. Have someone kneel on one knee out to the side and softly toss the ball up to you while you focus on timing and hitting the ball up the middle squarely.

What Other Measures Should I Take?

There are various other resources that can help you come up with Youth Baseball Drills and provide fantastic coaching tips. In order to get the best information, you have to sift through all of the misinformation on the internet. This is where I found the best information for me, it provides solid tips and even lets you in on some secrets to maximize hitting potential:

Youth Baseball Drills

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KC_Andrus

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Are You a Heavy Hitter?

2011-09-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Are You a Heavy Hitter?
By guest author: Chip Lemin

Hitting is the Spice of Life in Baseball

There are plenty of theories on how to hit a baseball. Let's start with some real live facts. Home plate is 17 inches wide. Batter's box it is 4 ft. wide and 6 ft. long. The catcher's box is 8 ft. from tip of home plate. So as you can see, you do have room to move closer to pitcher, or farther from pitcher.

When there is a pitcher who has an overpowering fastball, batters should move toward the back of the batter's box. When we face a pitcher who is throwing slower than normal, we may want to move up in batter's box.

In youth baseball, especially younger ages, a common mistake is being too far away from the plate. Younger player's bats are too short to cover entire plate unless they stand close to the plate. Crowding the plate will help the player to reach the outside corner of the plate. It will also help teach the player to react quickly inside pitches and pull them.

Young players should use bats that are light enough to generate good bat speed. Make sure your players use the right length bat also. A bat that is too long will also slow down bat speed. A good way to check if the bat weight is right for the player is to hold out your weaker arm at shoulder height while holding the bat near the knob. If you can't hold the bat without struggling, then the bat is too heavy for the player.

The length of the bat should be no more than three to 8 in. longer than the number of ounces it weighs. Players 8 years old should use bats that weigh anywhere from 15 to 21 ounces. Players who are 9 to 12 years old will swing bats that weigh around 21 to 25 ounces.

Every player should know how to get out of the way of a pitch. That should be one of the first things you show a young player to do. We recommend a complete drop down to the ground, just dropping the bat, as you sprawl to the ground. We will have video links to this technique.

Players should hold bat loosely, so that they don't restrict wrist movement during the swing. The player's middle knuckles on both hands should be lined up on the bat. That is where they will end up after the swing anyway, so you might as well put them there to begin with.

We feel that you should have your players hold their hands up high while in their stance. This will help them to keep from holding their hands too close to their body. Having your hands too close to your body restricts your ability to throw your bottom hand at the baseball quickly.

Your players or their parents should clean their bats once in awhile and look for any damage to the bat. The bats should be cleaned occasionally including the grip. Just use some cleaning spray on the handle to bring back a nice sticky grip. Also wipe the barrel and check for damage.

These bats sometimes cost up to $300 or more, so let's take care of them. When using a hitting stick with a coach, use an old bat, to prevent damage to your game bat. When hitting at the batting cages, don't use your game bat, because the cage balls can damage your bat. When the temperature is below 50 degrees don't use your game bat unless there is a real a game being played.

Put your name or some identifying mark on your bat somewhere where it will not come off, like just above the grip. There are barrel covers available to use during batting practice to help protect your game bat.

Hitting is probably the favorite part baseball for most players, although it is arguably the most difficult. There is nothing like hitting solid line drives, or bombing a pitch over the outfielders head. Even little kids at T ball games love hitting the baseball.

There are many types of approaches to hitting. We hear of linear, rotational, or a combination of both. Or you can just plain attack the baseball. Good consistent hitters all share some similar traits. They may not show or arrive at these points at the same time in their swings. Our course doesn't endorse nor oppose any of these approaches. We will stress good simple methods you can use to help develop good hitters.

In our course, we will share what we believe to be some solid pointers on hitting. Hitting is hitting. Some old sayings are true, see ball hit ball, drive the ball, hit the middle of the ball, stay back on ball, are only a few of them. Good hitters have a plan, for example, try to hit only strikes, look for a certain pitch early in the count, or try to get into a hitters count.

Most good hitters have good balance. They keep themselves under control during their swing. You will not see them lose control during a swing. Usually they hold the bat fairly loosely, not in a death grip, with middle knuckles lined up. They often swing only at good pitches.

Every player will have their own style in their stance. This course will address some of the basics of hitting. It will not attempt to change any player's stance or swing. That is the job of the youth baseball coach, or parents after reviewing our course. Professional instruction is always a solid option.

Our hitting drills will help you to develop basic hitting fundamentals. The main objective is to make it fun to learn. That is why we encourage a positive mindset when running these drills. There are many other hitting drills out there for you to use. We are introducing you to the ones that been successful in the past. By purchasing this course you will have access to more instruction in all areas of youth baseball as part of our website.[http://www.youthbaseballonline.com]. If you so choose, we will give you updates and instruction information as part of our newsletter which we hope you enjoy.

ATTENTION: Please always wear helmets when conducting any kind of hitting. Please train your hitters to always be aware of hit or thrown balls while on deck waiting to hit.

Hello My name is Chip Lemin. I'm a long time youth baseball coach who loves to promote this great game of youth baseball. Promoting sportsmanship in this game of youth baseball is something that is greatly needed. I have a free e-course that will give you some solid coaching information along with great help on the inter-personal relationships we must have to be good youth baseball coaches. Things such as parents, travel baseball, getting parents to help out, how to communicate better to parents and players, just to touch on a few. This course will help to organize practices like an elite coach. How to motivate players and other coaches with your positive attitude. It really is not very hard to be a great coach when you know what to do.Best of all you will learn how to have fun with these great kids that you have the privilege of coaching. Do yourself a favor and check it out, it's free,you will get 1 part every couple of days in your e-mail. Coaching can be fun and rewarding if you have a plan in place first, and you have an idea what you are doing. http://www.baseballecourse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chip_Lemin

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Free Youth Baseball Drills - 3 Great Ways to Improve the Youth!

2011-09-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Free Youth Baseball Drills - 3 Great Ways to Improve the Youth!
By guest author: KC Andrus

Youth baseball is a deep tradition, certainly in the American culture, and has always filled kids and parents live's with an amazing get away from the redundancy of normal life, as well as a way to channel children's energy (and hopefully wear them out, right parents? *wink* *wink*). But whether you're a parent, coach or player these six simple, free youth baseball drills are sure to get you and you're team going in the right direction, which is having fun, of course...and winning:

1. The first difficult transition in a baseball player's life is making the jump from tee ball to coach pitch (or machine pitch) whatever the case may be. A drill that makes this transition easier is to get a big, nerf soccer ball and have them hit that for a while just to get the feel of hitting a moving ball.

2. Baseball Ready Position Drill- this drill is great to teach kids the value of being in "ready position" when the ball is delivered to the plate. Have the infielder's line up at shortstop for ground ball practice just like normal, but BEFORE you hit them a ground ball make sure they get in a good athletic position so they can get a good jump on the ball.

3. Double Leg Kick Drill- This drill is for when the youngster's start pitching. Have the child stand in the outfield and pitch from the stretch the same as he would off the mound. But when he gets to his leg kick and his leg reaches it's highest point have him pause briefly, and then put his leg back down and leg kick again. This makes sure the pitcher is keeping his weight back and using his momentum toward the plate.

There are so many more great, free youth baseball drills. that will help your children improve and reach their true potential. It is wonderful for children to improve, and it is highly likely that the better they get the more fun they will have. It's just natural. Make sure to gather all the resources you can. The following site is one that I like a lot:

free youth baseball drills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KC_Andrus

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Drills for Tee Ball that Work at All Levels

2011-09-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

Drills for Tee Ball that Work at All Levels
Uploaded by ClubHouseGas On http://ClubHouseGAS.com , Jim Weldon talks about tee ball fundamentals that work at all levels of baseball. Also check-out http://YouthSportTravel.com

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The Rules of T Ball - Get Ready to Play!

2011-09-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Rules of T Ball - Get Ready to Play!
By guest author: Adam Niebs

This game is the entry sport to baseball and the rules of t ball are easy! The age range is generally four to eight years old. Players of two teams take turns hitting a ball off a batting tee set on home plate. Batters try to get on base and run to home while fielders try to stop that from happening. The elimination of pitching gives kids a chance to participate without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball. Tee ball develops the basic baseball skills of hitting, running, fielding and throwing. The players gain an understanding of the fundamental rules of t ball.

In T ball there is no pitcher and he is used somewhere else on the field. The ball looks just like a regular baseball, but is made from a soft, foam like material. It is placed on top of an adjustable tee at a height that is perfect for the batter. The tee is at home plate with coach nearby.

In most leagues, score is not kept and the rules of t ball are made to allow participation from all children. An inning is finished when each kid has had a turn hitting the ball of the tee. In some leagues and depending on the skill level, you can use the traditional three out baseball rule. The game is played on a smaller field and your outfield will usually see some action.

Umpires are not used and many parents assist during the game. Parents play a key role and are seen in the dugout, on the bases and at the plate. They also help with the practice sessions.

When it comes to equipment, the rules of t ball are generally the same too. Kids wear regular baseball uniforms, hats and rubber cleats. The bats are lightweight, aluminum and are typically 25 to 26 inches long.

T ball is a great way to get kids introduced to the game of baseball. It's America's pastime and dates back to the 1940's!

A great way for your child to learn the rules of t ball is by using the Little Tikes T Ball Set. This all in one kit is the best tool for your little slugger to begin learning. This set is an awesome skill builder and a great introductory to the game of T Ball! Learn and practice at the local park or in the comfort of your own back yard.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Niebs

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SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

How to Hit a Baseball

2011-08-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

How to Hit

How to Hit a Baseball demonstrates the key elements of the proper swing. This is proper instruction for a baseball player, based on how hitting is actually done, not on folk wisdom.

Bob Caswell has worked as a hitting instructor for professional teams, college teams and leagues, and has coached amateurs at all levels. He's providing some great baseball hitting tips to help you succeed.

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Build a Better Swing!

2011-08-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

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An Easy Way to Motivate Young Players

2011-08-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

An Easy Way to Motivate Young Players
By Tony Argula

As a youth sports coach you will find that through a long season, it's difficult to keep your players excited, motivated and focused throughout the season. A long season coupled with young, easily distracted players, pose a great challenge for any youth sports coach. A great and simple way to help motivate your players and keep them focused is with the Golden Ball Award.

For the Golden Ball Award, all you need is an old ball and a can of gold spray paint. To make the Golden Ball Award, simply take any old ball (baseball, football, basketball, soccer ball, etc.) and spray paint it metallic gold. Let the ball dry, and presto, you have an award that will motivate your young players to push themselves and give 100% in each and every practice.

The coach should award the Golden Ball to the player that has performed the best in a practice or game. At the end of a practice, present the player with the award and explain to the rest of the team why the winning player deserved the award. The player who is awarded the Golden Ball will get to keep the ball until the next practice or game. You will be surprised how much this simple award means to young players as well as how motivating it is.

The coach should remind the team of the award at the start of each and every practice and challenge them to win it. Try your best to ensure that every player wins the award during the year.

This motivation technique can work for any sport: Youth Football, Youth Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, etc.

Tony Argula

targula@coachyouthsports.com

For more great coaching tips, articles, drill and practice plans, visit us at: http://www.CoachYouthSports.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Argula

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1738304
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TeeBall Coaching Drill - The Do Not Swam the Ball Drill

2011-08-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

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Common Sense Coaching, Teaching Hitting To Little League Baseball Players

2011-08-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

Common Sense Coaching, Teaching Hitting To Little League Baseball Players
By guest author: Marty Schupak

One thing I learned in my 21 years coaching youth baseball is that there is no perfect way to coach hitters. I never considered myself an expert at teaching young 7-12 year old ballplayers the most refined hitting techniques. The most success I've had with improving hitters' techniques is when I didn't over coach them. I've attended my share of baseball conventions and hitting clinics.

Sometimes I come away more confused than when I went in. The hitting coaches I enjoy the most are the ones that simplify not just the hitting technique itself, but the explanation so young players will understand it. Most of the speakers at these clinics have incredible knowledge about hitting but I believe many should work on targeting their lessons to younger players. With that said, I would like to share the five biggest mistakes I see young players make year in and year out and what I do to correct them.

Mistake #1 is a batter stepping towards third base with his front foot. For lefty hitters it would be stepping towards first. For young players, this might be the most common hitting mistake I see. Instead of stepping toward the pitcher or even just lifting the front foot and putting it down, many players step toward third.

This can also throw off the whole rhythm of the player's swing and also reduce the amount of power the player can put into the swing. If the batter does make contact and hits the ball fair, the ball usually is a grounder to the right side of the infield. This hitting flaw is easy to recognize. To correct it can take time. What I do is take two pieces of 2X4 wood each about 36" long. Putting them on each side of the player's feet during batting practice will force his front foot from stepping to the side. Very rarely do players actually step into the wood while batting. Coaches should have the batter practice stepping first without even swinging for a few pitches. One session alone will usually not solve the problem but over a period of time this can work more times than not with most young players. You can also use two bats but I prefer wood because the bats can roll.

Mistake #2 is when the batter takes too big a step forward toward the pitcher. Many hitting coaches teach that batters need to limit excessive movement of the head. When a player takes an extra big step, his head can drop a good 4-6" or more. Plus, stepping too far forward can limit the batter's hip rotation and power. To help curb this, I will take a flat piece of wood like a piece of " plywood 4"X36" long. This would have to be cut to size. I put it about 6-8" in front of the player's front foot. He has to avoid stepping on it. Again, the coach or parent must give the player numerous repetitions to reinforce the muscle memory of the act.

Mistake #3 is when players lift their head too soon. Everyone who ever hit a baseball or a softball wants to see the result of their effort. At the youth level, batters will sometimes move their heads prematurely, losing site of the pitched ball. This is almost equivalent to a batter closing his eyes and trying to hit the ball. Young players tend to do the same thing when hitting off a batting tee. First, I have the player hit off the batting tee and he must yell "hit" upon contact. In giving them the extra challenge, this is forcing them to focus more and they will tend to keep their head and eye on the ball. The second technique is to color code a few balls.

I usually use blue painter's tape on some and yellow duct tape on others and keep some unmarked. So we have blue, yellow and white. Coaches and parents, if you do this do not over mark the balls with the tape. One small slice about two inches on each side is sufficient. Then a coach will throw the balls and the batter must track or follow the baseball into the catcher's glove. He will then call out the color once he recognizes it. The next step in this drill is to have the batter bat and yell out the color after swinging and making contact. I've had pretty good results with these two drills.

Mistake #4 is when a player stops his swing. I can't tell you how many young players I've seen who have a tendency to not swing through the baseball. This happens when a player makes contact with the ball. His swing all of a sudden slows down. We all know the importance of the follow through. Again, the batting tee has given me the best results. I stand next to the hitter and just tell him to swing through the ball. This is a process that can take a while. Also having him take numerous practice swings is a good idea.

Mistake #5 is the upper cut. To help solve this, I use the "Chair Drill." I set up a batting tee with a chair just behind it with the set up such that the bat must go past the highest part of the chair first. When swinging and trying to hit the ball off the tee, the batter must avoid hitting the back of the chair. I like to use the term swinging "high to low." The player understands this and knows what he has to do in this drill. I will also take a young batter and pitch batting practice and he has to try and hit only grounders without chopping down on the baseball. This also helps solve the upper cut issue.

For these remedies to work, repetition is the key. With young people, keep it simple. My own "Hitting 101" lesson is the soft toss drill 6-10 feet from a fence or a wall with rag ball (which are rags wrapped in masking tape). I then tell the hitter he must try and hit the ball so it lands at eye level or lower. I have no scientific proof but when the hitter does hit the ball at eye level or lower, it seems the batter is doing more things correct than not.

Hitting instructors are incredibly knowledgeable. They must convey their theories so both the hitter and the layman coach like myself can understand the common nuances of this great skill. And we all have to keep it simple and supplement all instruction with relevant hitting drills.

http://www.YouthSportsClub.com

Marty Schupak, President of the Youth Sports Club, has coached youth sports for 21 years and has run more than 1,500 youth sports practices. He is the creator of 22 sports instructional videos including the best selling video "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice." He is also author of the popular book, "Youth Baseball Drills." For samples of his videos, go to http://www.VideosForCoaches.com. Contact him at YouthSportsClub@aol.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marty_Schupak

=====================
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DVD - The Mechanics of Hitting by Tony Dello $39.95
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by Glenn Cecchini $19.95
DVD Series - 6 Tape DVD Series:
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Handbook-Vol 2: 101 Advanced
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T-Ball University Scoop, Load and Fire Drill tballu.com

2011-07-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

T-Ball University Scoop, Load and Fire Drill tballu.com
Uploaded by TBALLUNIVERSITY This T-Ball University Drill (www.tballu.com) is designed to train coaches and parents how to train children on the Scoop, Load and Fire fielding drill. The T-Ball University System provides training for coaches and parents at www.tballu.com. Downloadable drill sheets, practice plans and coaching forms are also available at www.tballu.com.

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Teaching Kids How to Hit a Baseball

2011-07-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Teaching Kids How to Hit a Baseball
By Jeffery A Wise

There are differences and similarities when comparing the hitting instruction for young players and older players. No matter the age, you can teach kids how to hit a baseball properly as long as you have the right instruction.

The basic fundamentals of hitting are the same throughout baseball, whether you're a kid or a college player. Proper hitting fundamentals remain the same and should be taught to kids early on. Here are the basic fundamentals that are the same no matter the age.

1.Proper hitting stance is shoulder width apart. At a young age don't worry about teaching open or closed stances.
2.Hold the bat vertical 6-8 inches away from chest level. Angle the bat slightly over the back shoulder.
3.Trigger mechanism to shift weight back to front at contact. This trigger generates the power in your swing.
4.Keep your eyes on the ball at all times. You can't hit the ball if you can't see it.
5.Maintain a smooth, consistent swing through the hitting zone. You will feel most comfortable if you have an established way to swing the bat.

Those are the main hitting fundamentals that every player needs to know.

There are differences, though, in what kids should be taught depending on their age. When teaching kids how to hit a baseball, you want to adjust your approach. Be very patient when working with kids. Don't rush them or get upset if they don't understand something. It's more important that they have fun than get it right. If you are going over hitting drills with kids and you see they are bored after awhile, then move to another part of practice, another hitting drill or something different all together.

Thirty minutes of well-planned hitting practice is more than enough for a small group of kids. If you want to teach kids how to hit a baseball better, then you need to do some practice too. Improve your knowledge by reading articles, books and watching baseball hitting videos. Soon you and the child will feel comfortable and confident.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn more about how to hit a baseball so that you can become a better hitter and help your team win. Start learning today at our site through articles, blog posts and videos and begin hitting the baseball with confidence.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

================

Baseball2u.com - Has the Baseball Coaching and Baseball Practice Books and DVDs that help coaches take their team to the next level. Check out the baseball coaching titles below found at the Baseball2u Online Book Store

Book: "The Baseball Playbook"
by Ron Polk$29.95
Book: "The Baseball Handbook"
by Bernie Walter $19.95
DVD: "Hitting Drills & Techniques" by Marty Schupak $24.95
Book - Mike Epstein on Hitting $24.95
DVD - The Mechanics of Hitting by Tony Dello $39.95
Book - 101 Championship Baseball Drills
by Glenn Cecchini $19.95
DVD Series - 6 Tape DVD Series:
"Ron Jackson's Hitting Factory" $199.99
DVD - Teaching the Mechanics of
the Major League Swing II
with Tom Emanski $29.95
Book - The Natural Hitter's Drill
Handbook-Vol 2: 101 Advanced
Hitting Drills by Luis Ortiz$19.95
6 DVD Series: Hitting For Excellence
by Dave Hudgens
Cleveland Indians Hitting Coordinator $99.95
A Youth Baseball Coaches Tool Kit $19.95
Book - Youth Baseball: A Coach's and Parent's Guide $19.95
Book: "Baseball Strategies"
with the American Baseball
Coaches Association by Wendell Kim $24.95
DVD: "Winning Baseball Strategies"
by Coach Marty Schupak $24.95
DVD: Baseball World's Dynamic
Practice Organization
with Tom Emanski $29.95
DVD: 6 Set Series
Tom Emanski Series $169.95
Book: "Coaching Baseball Successfully"
by Mike Curran $19.95
Book: "Coaching Baseball the Cal Ripkin Way"
by Cal and Bill Ripken $16.95
DVD: "Baseball Skills & Drills DVD"
by American Baseball Coaches Association $49.95
Book - 101 Defensive Baseball Drills
by Pat McMahon $19.95
Book: "Gold Glove Baseball" by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) $19.95

T-Ball University Squash The Bug Drill www.tballu.com

2011-07-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

T-Ball University Squash The Bug Drill www.tballu.com
Uploaded by TBALLUNIVERSITY
This T-Ball University Mini Drill (www.tballu.com) is designed to train coaches and parents how to instruct children on how to "Squash-the-Bug" or proper foot, leg and hip movement for batting. This drill is a sample of the many drills available at T-Ball University at www.tballu.com . By enrolling in T-Ball University, you can gain access to all of our video drills, downloadable drill sheets, practice plans and coaching forms and much more.

=================
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Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Just Beginning Youth Sports? Two Questions to Consider

2011-07-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

Just Beginning Youth Sports? Two Questions to Consider
By Greg A. Marshall

If you are the coach of a youth team (or planning to be one), you should share these thoughts with the parents on your team. You may want to prepare a handout with your coaching philosophies and distribute them at your pre-season team meeting.

Before a parent signs a up a child to participate in a youth sports activity, the parent must answer a couple of questions about the child's role in the activity as well as his own

A. Make sure your child is ready for Youth Sports.

Obviously, this is the most fundamental element of whether you and your child enjoy the youth sports experience. Many children play sports simply because their parents want them to play. Children WANT to please their parents, so naturally they will usually do what their parents wish whether they want to or not.

Ask yourself:

1."Does my child even WANT to play an organized sport?"

2. Is he/she physically/mentally ready for an organized sport?

If the answer to either of these questions is no, it is better to wait until next year, simply because of the level of interest and safety concerns.

B. Assuming your child is ready and wants to play, what must you, as a parent do to help get them ready to play?

Long before the first practice, spend some time in preparation. Begin by making the experience a fun and learning one. The best way is to begin teaching without the child even realizing that he or she is being taught - so it doesn't become "work." For example, to get ready for the baseball season, indulge in the pure enjoyment of "having a catch" with your child. This is great fun for you and your child, and will lay the foundation for many enjoyable hours later on. In "having a catch," you are teaching the proper way to catch and throw the ball. As your child's skill level improves, you (and they) will begin making more difficult throws and catches.

In addition to "having a catch," playing "wiffle ball" is a great (and inexpensive) way to begin developing batting skills. Developing the hand/eye skills necessary for batting is vital to success and satisfaction. Take a moment at the outset to demonstrate the proper grip, batting stance and swing. Don't allow yourself to become frustrated if it takes awhile for your child to grasp the concepts you present. That is the surest way to kill the desire to learn.

Whatever you do, give lots of praise and encouragement when warranted. The surest way to speed up the learning process is to praise when your young player gives solid effort and executes a procedure well. They will work extra hard to earn more praise. If they struggle, take a break, get a treat, and come back later. Sometimes a little time off does wonders.

Greg A. Marshall is the creator of Teeball-To-A-Tee.com, a unique website offering excellent teaching and coaching tools for coaches and parents of very young baseball enthusiasts. The resources on the website are designed for the parent or prospective youth coach who is overwhelmed at the prospect of starting from scratch. The website and materials offered are full of practical advice to help youth coaches from the very first day of practice. http://www.teeball-to-a-tee.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_A._Marshall

Happy Independence Day - 2011

2011-07-04T08:53:00.001-07:00

Happy Independence Day - 2011
Happy Birthday America!

For free articles, drills & tips, visit Hit2win.com

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T-Ball University Scoop, Load and Fire Drill tballu.com

2011-06-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Shop Baseball2u.com for tee ball training equipment and toher baseball coaching gear.

Tee Ball - A Stepping Stone to Baseball

2011-06-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Tee Ball - A Stepping Stone to Baseball
By guest author: Alex Dumas

Most youth sports involve kids that are on their pre-teens. Teams are composed of kids aged nine and up because they are expected to already know the concept of the sport. Let's take little league baseball for example. Most teams or coaches would opt for older kids not because their bigger or stronger, but rather because they have already undergone the basics of baseball. How were they able to achieve it? Tee ball of course!

Tee ball is typically your baseball for kids aged four to eight. Tee ball contains the basic foundations of how to play softball or baseball with one major difference... it does not require a pitcher. Tee ball uses a batting tee in replace of a pitcher. The ball is placed on top of the tee and the batter simply steps up to the plate and swings at the ball. With a successful hit, the batter needs to run to first base or to whatever base he can reach before the opposing team can get the ball to a baseman. The reason why there is no pitcher is to remove any anxiety or fear that kids may have when a ball is thrown towards them.

Tee ball practice is where kids learn to love and appreciate the game. This is also a perfect chance to acquaint kids with the rules of tee ball and how to properly play it. The batting tee is a lot of help in building a kid's confidence. It is easier to hit a stationary ball than a moving one. There is also a higher degree of difficulty with a pitched ball and kids may lose interest if they can't score a hit. A coach's job, aside from orienting the kids on what tee ball is, is to teach kids defensive tactics as well. Offense is quite simple with just two objectives: hit the ball and get to first base. With defense, kids should know where to position themselves and what to do in various scenarios. Simple drills such as passing the ball from base to base or from an infielder to a baseman or how to tag a runner will familiarize kids with the playing field as well as improve their tactics. It will also build their confidence with their teammates.

This sport may be a kid's game but the support from adults and parents are overwhelming. Who wouldn't be proud to see their kid getting a home run? Tee ball is where the future players of baseball emerge.

For more tips and information about tee ball practice, check out http://www.weplay.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Dumas

====================
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Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Don't Forget Your (Batting) Tee Time!

2011-05-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Don't Forget Your (Batting) Tee Time!
By guest author: Olan Suddeth

Most experienced coaches are already quite familiar with the advice I am about to give. In their case, please forgive my restating of what might be obvious, and browse some of the other articles on this site. The new baseball coach, however, would do well to pay attention.

I am about to reveal to you the single most useful tool for improving the hitting skills of your batters. Please, take a seat. I don't want the shock to overcome you. Are you ready?

I present to you: the batting tee!

That's correct. The tee is the single most useful tool for improving the hitting skills of your batters. You may bellieve that your players are too old to benefit from a tee... and you could not be further from the truth. Did you know that major league hitters practice by hitting off of a tee every single day? Are you suggesting that your eight (or ten or twelve) year olds know more about hitting than Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Derek Lee, or other big league stars?

Now that I hopefully have your attention, I will explain why this is. Understand, there is no substitute for live pitching - tee drills cannot help with your batter's sense of timing, or his ability to pick up on or identify pitch location, pitch type, velocity, etc. But unless you have Greg Maddux pitching your batting pracice sessions, there is no way you can hope to put the ball in the same place every time, which allows you to analyze the batter's swing. With a tee, you can really watch what your hitter is doing, make suggestions, and get many, many repititions in in a reltively short period of time. This is the reason that, if you were to take your player to pretty much any professional hitting coach in the country, the first thing the coach would do would be to drag out a tee.

If your player has a hitch in his swing, you can identify it with a tee. If he needs to work on the inside pitch (or the low pitch, or the outside pitch), you can simply move the tee and give him extra repititions. If he has a loop or dip in his swing, you can place a second tee behind the one holding the ball and force him to adapt a correct swing path. With a tee, you can build the all-important muscle memory needed for a good, consistent swing.

I cannot emphasize this enough - very few practices should ever go by without your players hitting off of a tee. This is an absolutely ideal station activity, is easy to place, and if you happen to also own a net, can be done in even the smallest of spaces.

The bottom line: if you do not own a tee, and you coach a youth baseball team, go and drop a few bucks on one today. You will not regret the investment in the best hitting tool ever made.

Olan Suddeth is a little league baseball coach in the Birmingham, Alabama area. His website, Youth Baseball Info (http://www.youthbaseballinfo.com) offers free drills, articles, and tips for youth baseball coches, parents, and fans.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olan_Suddeth

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/147376

=====================
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SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

Baseball Training Techniques and the T-Ball Game

2011-05-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Baseball Training Techniques and the T-Ball Game
By guest author: Chris Moheno

The ball is placed on an adjustable "tee" that is in the player's personal strike range, and they swing at the ball on the tee, instead of having a ball pitched to them.

This game is often played by young school age boys to learn the baseball training, such as batting positions, how to swing and the rest of the rules of baseball. The primary advantage of playing tee-ball is that the ball is automatically in the player's personal "strike zone", so they don't have to learn the hand-eye coordination that is necessary with a live pitcher. Other than that, the rules of T-ball are the same and it is primarily helpful for teaching baseball hitting skills.

If is not unusual for the young boy's tee-ball or T-ball leagues to allow the game to be played with wiffle balls and bats for safety reasons and because they are lighter. Actual T-balls are slightly larger than a baseball and softer, and there are actual bats and gloves that are used.

As the boys get older, they can learn to play with real baseballs and bats, which help them in baseball training as they enter the correct age to start learning to hit a live pitch. On some of the leagues, coaches will have them practice hitting a few live pitches to start developing the baseball training they will need later.

Because of this, the players that play tee ball or T-ball are typically between 4 and 8 years of age. There is a minimum of 12 players on each team and no more than 20, although it should be limited to 15 players. The reason for this is that each inning allows every player on each team to bat, and the inning is over after each team has allowed every player a time at bat. Games are four innings and scoring is not always used since it is to develop baseball hitting skills and learn other baseball training.

There are no strike-outs or walks and the ball must travel more than ten feet or it is a foul. Batters can't steal bases- the ball has to be hit for them to move around the bases. It teaches the players the skills necessary to play baseball and it allows all players a chance to bat and play the field.

The whole idea of T-ball is to teach the young players baseball hitting techniques and the other baseball training they will need as they graduate into playing the more difficult game of baseball. It is believed that the younger the players start, the easier it will be for them to master the game. T-ball or tee ball lets them learn baseball techniques at a slower and more enjoyable game that is not as competitive.

Many children also make the decision that they want to move into playing baseball fairly easily and on their own, as their confidence level increases and they become bored with playing tee ball. This allows the child to move easily into baseball training, which can be much more challenging and competitive. Most of the T-ball players make this transition very easily and have already mastered the hardest part of baseball hitting skills and understand the challenges they will face when they move from T-ball into baseball training.

It makes it easier for the coaches to enhance T-ball practices by throwing a few pitches for practices and the players can gradually work into this important part of judging when a live pitcher has thrown a ball in the strike zone, or out of it. Because their eyes have been trained to look for the ball in the "tee zone", it gives them an advantage over the players that have not played T-ball and decide to start playing baseball.

T-ball or tee ball, can teach young players the baseball hitting techniques they will need to know and it can also teach other baseball training, such as catching fly-balls, grounders and pop-up flies. It teaches them how to throw to base, throw to home and what the rules are as their T-ball play becomes more advanced. It is a great way for a child to transition easily into a great baseball player, when the time comes.

Chris Moheno kindly invites you to visit this comprehensive baseball training website where you will find baseball scholarship tips and answers to your general questions about baseball training and strength training, as well as a free newsletter with baseball training tips and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Moheno

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5237900

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Youth Baseball Digest - Free Baseball Batting Drill - Batting Tee Curve Ball Hitting Drill

2011-04-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Digest - Free Baseball Batting Drill - Batting Tee Curve Ball Hitting Drill
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Many coaches use the batting tee to practice proper baseball swing mechanics. The batting tee is a great batter training tool. It offers batting practice repetition and is easy to use. Most coaches use it in drills to practice hitting the low, medium, and high fast ball locations. The batting tee can also be used to practice hitting a curve ball. One of the most difficult pitches to learn to hit is the curve ball on the outer edge of the plate. This article explains how the tee can be used to teach young players the proper mechanics and timing to hit that type curve ball. Curve Ball Batting Tee Drill

Many coaches would say that the batting tee is not a useful tool in teaching a player to hit a curve ball. That is untrue. By placing at the optimum contact point for a curve ball, the batter is allowed batting practice repetition at attacking the curve ball with proper timing and baseball swing mechanics. The batting tee should be placed as shown below. The "8's" represent a right handed batter's feet. The "x" marks the spot where the tee is located. This is the proper spot for a batter to attack the off speed curve ball on the other portion of the plate.

................X

8------------8

The tee is placed even with the instep of the back foot. The tee is placed on the outer edge of the plate. The batter will practice hitting the curve ball to the opposite field. This allows the batter to get the proper feel of hitting the off speed pitch. Placing the target ball at this spot teaches the hitter to keep the hands back, to let the ball get deep, and to drive the ball to the opposite field.

I hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. Thanks for taking the time to read it. For more article like it visit the Youth Baseball Digest, Baseball Coaching Digest, Little League Digest or Baseball Parent Guide. Good luck to you and your team. Have a great day, Nick.

The Coaches Best Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3723576
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SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

Youth Baseball Digest - Batting Order Basics For Little League Baseball

2011-04-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Digest - Batting Order Basics For Little League Baseball
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Little league and youth baseball coaches must know how to make out a batting order. They must know the roles and responsibilities of each batter in the line-up. They must know what are the physical requirements and hitting skills needed to perform the task associated with each spot in a team batting line-up. This article discusses the roles and duties of each player in a baseball batting order.

A straight batting order is the most popular and commonly used. There is one #1 batter, one #2 batter, one #3 batter, and the order goes on down the order to the nine spot. The various jobs and responsibilities of each spot are as follows:

#1 Batter- Called the lead-off batter, the first batter must get on base a lot. He should be a good contact hitter with good speed and base running skills. He must be a patience hitter at the plate that has the capability to take a lot of pitches. He is a good two strike batter that can go deep in the count and still swing the bat with confidence. He must have a good eye for balls and strikes. He must know that getting on with a base on balls is as good as a hit when you are the #1 batter in the order. The #1 hitter should not strike out a lot. The #1 hitter is a plate setter for the #3 and #4 hitters.

#2 Batter-The #2 batter should have the highest on-base-average on the team. He must also have the capability to go deep in the count and still hit with confidence, the #2 batter must take pitches to allow the lead-off batter base runner to steal second base. He must be a good bunter and a good bat handler capable of executing the hit and run play. His biggest responsibilities in order are is to move the runner on first to second with by getting on base safely, moving the runner to second or third base with a ball hit to the right side of the diamond, or to sacrifice bunt the runner to second base. The #2 hitter should not strike out a lot. The #2 hitter is also a plate setter for the #3 and #4 hitters.

#3 Batter-The best hitter on the team always hits in this spot. He must be a contact hitter. He should be the best power hitter on the team with the highest number of extra base hits. He should have one of the highest batting averages on the team. He should also be a capable base runner. The number #3 batter should have average speed. Putting a slow base runner in the #3 spot can cause a "log jam" on the bases. The #3 should continue to set the plate for the #4 cleanup batter.

#4 Batter- The #4 spot is known as the cleanup spot. The most powerful batter on the team should bat in this spot. His job is to "clean the plate" set for him by the batters before him. He should be an aggressive batter that has the best bat speed and power on the team.

#5 Batter-The five spot is always considered a spot for a power hitter. He should be the second most powerful batter on the team behind the #4 batter. His foot speed is not considered a major issue. His is there because he swings a powerful bat.

#6 Batter- The 6th spot in the order is often used for a lead-off player type batter. The 6 hitter should have a lead-off batter approach at the plate and good speed on the bases.

#7 Batter-The seven spot is the "left-over" spot. It is often used for an average player that is in the lineup because of pitching or defensive duties.

#8 Batter-In most cases, the #8 hitter should be a player that loves to hit the fast ball. The theory is that the 8 hitter will often be overlooked with the #9 hitter on deck. Also, it is thought that many teams will show little respect for the bottom three batters in the order and feed them a lot of fast balls. The number 8 hitter is normally a player that is in the lineup on a regular basis.

#9 Batter-The #9 spot is considered by many coaches as the 2nd lead-off batter. The 9th spot in the order is often used for the next best lead-off player behind your #1 hitter. The 9th hitter should have great base running skills and above average speed.

Coaching Point: Every batter that is the lead-off batter, starting an inning, should know the duty of a lead-off batter. The duty of the first batter in the inning is to get on base and to start a "rally". The lead-off batter that gets on base, to start the inning, score the majority of the time.

I hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. Good luck to you and your team this year. Have a great day, Nick.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BattingCagesDirect.com for discount prices on batting cages. We specialize in batting cage packages with net and frame included. Buying one of our systems saves you time, money and energy.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3631949

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The Baseball Swing - Rotational Hitting Explained

2011-04-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Baseball Swing - Rotational Hitting Explained
By guest author: Nate Barnett

It seems like baseball instruction in the area of hitting mechanics is splitting into two different camps. Rotational hitting vs. Linear hitting. If you're new to the baseball world, or are just unfamiliar with the new exciting terminology, let me offer some explanation.

Rotational Hitting

The purpose of the baseball swing is to transfer the most energy into the baseball as possible. In order to get the most energy created, there are specific parts of the body that need to move at the correct time in order for this energy to occur.

A rotational approach offers that the energy used in creating a powerful baseball swing stems from the back side of the body, and more specifically the lower half of the back side. The controlled chain reaction that happens when the back side is moved at precisely the correct time toward the pitch is quite powerful. On the flip side, incorrect timing of the back knee and hip will produce a sluggish bat.

A rotational approach to hitting uses the follow steps to a good baseball swing:

1. A good weight shift to the back leg from the stance position as a hitter is preparing to hit. Make sure that this weight shift is not purely horizontal in motion, since this will create an imbalance.

2. The next step is the trigger. This is the most important movement that separates a rotational hitter from a linear hitter. The triggering process should begin with the back knee turning and moving towards the pitcher (as apposed to simply spinning in place). The back hip will quickly follow the back knee in the rotation process. Lastly, the hands will begin to enter into the hitting zone. It's important that the hands do not begin the swing since the power is stemming from the back knee and hip. Early hand movement would negate any effort to use energy from the back side of the hitter's body.

3. As the bat enters the zone, one will begin to see signs that a rotational approach has been utilized. The common tell tale signs are the balance points. The easiest to explain in writing is that upon contact with the pitch there will be vertical alignment with the inside shoulder joint, the back hip, and the back knee joint. This alignment shows that balance is retained and no weight has shifted forward onto the front foot (more of a linear style).

As an aside, rotational hitting is used by most major colleges and a vast majority of Major League hitters. It provide balance and power to the baseball swing.

Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball designed to improve the mental game of baseball in athletes. Learn how to help your game by improving the skill of mental baseball

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1192524

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Bunting Situations and Drills by Ernie Rosseau

2011-03-31T04:24:00.000-07:00

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Baseball Fielding Drills

2011-03-31T04:22:00.000-07:00

How to Coach T-Ball

2011-03-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

How to Coach T-Ball
By guest author: Jack Perconte

I realize that kids who play T-ball are very young, so T-ball coaches do not have to be experts in the game of baseball. However, when you realize that most kids will be making decisions on which sports they like and will want to continue playing, there is a big responsibility on T-ball coaches. Unfortunately, many good athletes are lost to other sports because of inadequate T-ball coaching.

It is important to realize that T-ball coaches are often at a disadvantage because baseball is a slower moving sport than many of the other sports. By its nature, baseball involves more standing around and inactivity than other sports, with soccer being a prime example of a higher activity sport. Therefore, the first thing that T-ball coaches should understand is that kids at these ages have a ton of energy and that they love to run around and expend that energy. With this in mind, it is important that T-ball coaches learn ways of making practice energy-packed so kids do not experience the boredom that is often associated with baseball. Using practice time wisely is a necessity when dealing with such young players.

Secondly, T-ball coaches have the responsibility to know the basics of baseball. Learning a few basics of how players catch, field, throw and hit is a must for the T-ball coach. Not only is the knowledge of these basics important, but also learning ways of teaching these basics is equally important. This is where T-ball leagues have the responsibility of providing coaches with pre-season coaching training, coaching resources and with on-going training in the fundamentals of baseball. Additional training for how to work with kids of these ages (and their parents) should also be provided..

With this as a backdrop, following are tips for how to coach T-ball:

Coaches should: Read More

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Innovative Baseball Vision Hitting Tee - Trains Your Eyes To Hit Baseballs Consistently

2011-03-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

Innovative Baseball Vision Hitting Tee - Trains Your Eyes To Hit Baseballs Consistently
By guest author: Keith Hodges

One of the most important things that baseball players fail to do is train their eyes to see a moving baseball. Your eyes, head, hands, feet and hips are the keys to hitting a baseball consistently. I'm going to start with your eyes first, because if you train your eyes to see and recognize movement hitting becomes easy. If you watch major league hitters you will see that all of them have very little head movement. Why? Because when your head is still your eyes can focus and see the baseball better, but when your head is moving your eyes can't see the ball as clear and the ball appears as if it's during something it really is not doing that's why keeping your head as still as possible is so important.

That brings me to your hands if you can see the baseball clearly your hands will follow you eyes to the point of contact on the baseball with the bat. But, if you can't see it you will never be able to hit it. Your front foot should be down on the ground all the way in a close position before the ball reaches the hitting zone. Right handed hitter If your front foot lands on the ground pointing toward third base or the pitcher your hip have open up to soon taking your power away from you before you start your swing and the same is true for a left handed hitter.

Improve your swing and hitting mechanics so that you can compete at any level of baseball or softball. Baseball and softball players should train their eyes to see a baseball coming toward them so that they can prepare for a 80-95 mile per hour fast ball.

Baseball vision training helps baseball players to totally concentrate and focus their eyes on the ball while at the same time training your eyes to see and hit a moving object. This hitting technique can be utilized in-door or out-door, day or night starting as early as 2 years of age and continuing into t-ball, little league, high school, college and into professional baseball.

This training technique will eliminate having to set-up or pick-up baseball after hitting balls off the batting tee. This technique works because as the ball moves back and forward in and out over the strike zone it forces your eyes to concentrate on the movement of the ball entering the hitting-zone.

Using the vision training techniques allows you to train your eyes to see and recognize balls and strikes crossing the plate while at the same time improving your swing and baseball hitting mechanics needed to play the game of baseball at the highest level possible. By using this technique along with the different movements and angles of the ball crossing the plate will also develop and improve the following:

* Plate Patients
* Plate Balance
* Hand / Eye Coordination
* Hitting
* Swing
* Recognize Balls In Or Out Of The Strike Zone
* Eye Tracking
* Ball Tracking
* Reaction Time To Pitches Entering The Strike Zone

http://www.2createabaseballplayer.com/baseball-vision-training.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Hodges

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T-Ball Coaching Tips For Game Day

2011-03-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

T-Ball Coaching Tips For Game Day
By guest author: David Comora

So, you've survived the first practices, the parent meetings, the fund raisers and the uniform distribution, and now its game day. Many of the questions we receive from new coaches at our T-Ball University web site concern how to handle their team in a variety of game day situations. So, in this article, we'll be discussing some of the most common game day questions, including stretching, warm-ups, pep talks, tips for coaching the game and post-game activities.

What is the first thing you should do when the kids arrive for the game? When players arrive on the field, it's important to make sure their bodies are in the proper condition to play ball. We usually start our children with some simple warm up exercises, such as arm rotations and then a slow jog around the T-ball field. Once their muscles are warmed up, we'll transition to five minutes of simple arm and leg stretches.

Next, we have the players warm up by throwing to the coaches and parents before the game in the outfield on the side of our bench, (you'll need to check with your league rules, since many leagues require any adult who steps on the field to be "certified" by attending a training class). Typically, the home team bench is on the first base side and the visitor team bench is on the third base side. Ground balls from the coaches and parents are then taken in the infield on our benches side of the field. If time is available, we try to take infield and outfield practice with the players in their first inning positions. This usually consists of players fielding ground balls in the infield and throwing them to first base. As the players become proficient with this, I then have the players fielding ground balls in the infield and throwing them to second and first bases for a double play. It may be a long time before they actually turn a double play, but that's no reason not to get them in the habit of trying. Next we hit soft line drives to the outfield with the outfielders fielding the line drives on one or two hops. I have them throw to the appropriate cutoff man (shortstop or second baseman) and then to the appropriate player covering second base (second baseman or shortstop).

We will then have the players come in to the bench for a pre-game pep talk. We usually ask the team if they listened to their parents this week and then ask them if they listened to their teachers this week. If they say yes, which most of the time they do, we ask the parents if their children listened to them this week. This usually generates a look of horror from the players. We tell the team they can play because they listened to their teachers and parents the past week. We try to stress that each player needs to be a good student athlete.

The bench coach has a line-up card and it is their responsibility to have each child sit on the bench in the order they are hitting. Batting helmets are worn on the heads of the first few children, depending on the number of available helmets. Players returning from the field take a seat on the bench behind the players that have not yet batted. It is very important that the bench coach ensures that only one batter is in the on-deck circle taking his or her practice swings. You'll find that you are constantly telling children to "put down the bat", this is normal and it will alleviate two or more players from injuring themselves. You should check on your league rules for on-deck swings as some leagues ban all on-deck practice swings for safety.

Before each inning in the field, have the players gather around you on the tee-ball diamond to receive their position assignments. We try to have as many coaches on the field as possible to assist the players in finding their positions.

We suggest that you let every player know where the next play is going by mentioning the base and the player's name the ball is going to (e.g., Mikey, you're going to Kira at first base on a ground ball, etc). It sounds like a lot of instruction but you and your players will get used to it after a while. This repetition on each play will eventually be retained by each player, so as time goes by, you might not have to remind each player what they should do with the ball if it is hit to them.

You should also have each player call out the number of outs in each inning (e.g., call it out, one out, etc). Have each player raise one of their arms with their fingers pointing appropriately with the number of outs each inning. Prior to a batter swinging, make sure each player is prepped in the ready position to field the ball. An infielder should have knees slightly bent with their "alligator" position showing. An outfielder should have knees slightly bent with their glove and throwing hand resting comfortably on their knees.

If you feel that your players are getting bored and are losing their focus, or there is a lull in the action, yell to the whole team, "who wants the ball?" Each player raises his or her hands responding "me!" Its important for each child to want the tee-ball and be eager to make the play. Its important to work with them so they are not afraid to make a play.

For less accomplished players, we suggest that you have them make the ground ball play to first base. For more accomplished players, you can try to have them get the lead runner out. If a pitcher fields a hard hit ground ball, we try to have him throw to the lead base, whether it is first, second, or third base. We usually have the shortstop take the throw at second base for a potential double play at first base since his or her momentum is directed to first base. If a pitcher fields a softly hit ground ball and they have to charge off the mound to field the tee-ball, I have the pitcher throw the ball to first base only.

We also instruct the fielder covering a base to tag the runner upon receiving the ball, even if the runner is not forced on the play. Its important that you do not take any of the player's knowledge of the game for granted. We always assume that they do not know a thing about the game. We remind the children to tag the runner with the ball firmly held in the glove. Its common to see players attempt to tag the runner without the tee-ball in the glove.

After the inning in the field is over, we yell to them "Hustle in, we're burning daylight. Don't be the last one on the bench!" We belive that no one on the team should be walking during practices and games. Every team member should be hustling at all times.

Here's a safety tip that can reduce a few bruises. During the game, we like to warn the other manager and coaches when we have a good hitter up at the plate. We ask that the coach move his pitcher back in the pitching as much as possible, to prevent any potential injury. We've seen a few well accomplished players hit a parent or coach with a line drive back up the middle through the pitching circle. We've also seen a few instances where the pitcher took a line drive or ground ball in the face. A few steps back can make a big difference.

After the game is over, we stand on first or third base, whichever is closest to our bench, and ask each player to line up behind us. We ask them to extend their right arm and hand and the opposing team does likewise across the diamond. I tell the players to go and shake the hands of the other players and coaches who have participated in the game. We then ask each player to sit on the bench or gather their equipment and sit off to the side of the field, if another game is about to begin. We give the players a combination critique and pep talk. The critique is never really negative but constructive. It is never loud. We praise each player for the positives they performed during the game and reiterate what we need to work on as a team for the next game. The parents scheduled to bring the snacks and drinks distribute them. While they are partaking of their treat, the coaches decide who should get the game ball. We give the game ball on tee-ball level to the player that pays the most attention. We try to distribute the game balls for each game evenly amongst the players that a game ball is given to each and every player before the end of the season.

Here's to a successful Game Day! We hope these Game Day tips were helpful. For more information on coaching t-ball you can visit our t-ball coaches forum and watch sample video drills at our T-Ball University web site (www.tballu.com).

David Comora
T-Ball University
http://www.tballu.com

David Comora has coached Tee Ball and Youth Baseball for over 10 years. He and his partners Steve Polansky, Brian Leuthner and David Kalb have developed the T-Ball University system of coaching to help new parent coaches learn to quickly master the skills of coaching. Their program includes video drills, coaching forms, practice plans, lesson notes and more. Free coaching videos are also available at our web site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Comora

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Learning to Hit the Ball Hard Every Time Baseball Drill

2011-02-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Learning to Hit the Ball Hard Every Time Baseball Drill
By guest author: Jim Bain

Based on physics, the hitting of a round ball, traveling 87 mph and moving up and down... with a round bat is impractical, if not highly unlikely, yet we as baseball players, execute this task on a daily basis during Batting Practice.

We execute the task of making contact with the ball with the bat, but do we consistently hit the ball correctly and hard, an honest answer would be "No."

One of the problems we encounter, unless there is a hitting coach watching and correcting our swing, you have no idea what you're doing right or wrong. The only gauge you have is the end result of the swing. Did you hit a screaming line drive? Great, what did you do right? Did you hit a feeble pop fly in the infield? What did you do wrong?

The idea of having a hitting coach with you at all times is impractical and without him you limit your batting practice, which is the only way to improve, to some else's schedule.

This Baseball hitting drill solves the problem of needing an extra pair of eyes watching you in order for you to improve your hitting. It's called the Tee-hit.

This drill is a "hitting mechanics specific" drill, which means it's designed to build muscle memory and eye to hand coordination when hitting the ball.

In order to perform this drill you'll need a batting tee, the same type of batting tee Tee-Ball players use, making sure it is adjustable up and down. A good quality whiffle ball bat and a number of whiffle balls, which must be of good quality in order to withstand the punishment, and with holes in it. The ball must have holes in it in order to properly perform this drill.

In order to conserve the time of collecting the batted balls, which is swing time, I suggest hitting into a net. If you're hitting against a solid object, such as the back of the garage or house, be sure to position the hitting tee at least 30' to 40' away from the building to reduce the damage the structure will cause the ball.

Here is how the drill works and why the holes in the ball are so important. Placing the ball on the tee, take your normal batting stance and swing, hitting the ball off the tee.

If you hit the ball correctly, as the ball travels it will create a distinct whooshing sound as the air travels through the holes in the ball. If not hit correctly, although still creating a noise as air passes through the holes, will not be a distinct whooshing sound and the ball will slice, dip, soar or spin when it hit's the ground. Any of these results means you did not hit the ball squarely. Adjust your swing until you are able to hit the ball creating the distinct whooshing sound on a consistent basis.

You are now able to take batting practice alone and still be able to figure out what adjustments you need to make, on your own.

Hello, my name is Jim Bain. I have been a licensed plumber fitter for over 34 years, a strong advocate for Social Justice, as a technical writer for the UAW and a former Minor league baseball player and Coach. Since retirement I have dedicated my life to teaching baseball and have developed a website packed with Baseball information and tips. http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

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Tee Ball - A Stepping Stone to Baseball

2011-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Tee Ball - A Stepping Stone to Baseball
By guest author: Alex Dumas

Most youth sports involve kids that are on their pre-teens. Teams are composed of kids aged nine and up because they are expected to already know the concept of the sport. Let's take little league baseball for example. Most teams or coaches would opt for older kids not because their bigger or stronger, but rather because they have already undergone the basics of baseball. How were they able to achieve it? Tee ball of course!

Tee ball is typically your baseball for kids aged four to eight. Tee ball contains the basic foundations of how to play softball or baseball with one major difference... it does not require a pitcher. Tee ball uses a batting tee in replace of a pitcher. The ball is placed on top of the tee and the batter simply steps up to the plate and swings at the ball. With a successful hit, the batter needs to run to first base or to whatever base he can reach before the opposing team can get the ball to a baseman. The reason why there is no pitcher is to remove any anxiety or fear that kids may have when a ball is thrown towards them.

Tee ball practice is where kids learn to love and appreciate the game. This is also a perfect chance to acquaint kids with the rules of tee ball and how to properly play it. The batting tee is a lot of help in building a kid's confidence. It is easier to hit a stationary ball than a moving one. There is also a higher degree of difficulty with a pitched ball and kids may lose interest if they can't score a hit. A coach's job, aside from orienting the kids on what tee ball is, is to teach kids defensive tactics as well. Offense is quite simple with just two objectives: hit the ball and get to first base. With defense, kids should know where to position themselves and what to do in various scenarios. Simple drills such as passing the ball from base to base or from an infielder to a baseman or how to tag a runner will familiarize kids with the playing field as well as improve their tactics. It will also build their confidence with their teammates.

This sport may be a kid's game but the support from adults and parents are overwhelming. Who wouldn't be proud to see their kid getting a home run? Tee ball is where the future players of baseball emerge.

For more tips and information about tee ball practice, check out http://www.weplay.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Dumas

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Catchy Tips In Buying Youth Baseball Gloves

2011-02-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

Catchy Tips In Buying Youth Baseball Gloves
By guest author: Rileys R

It is during childhood that kids start discovering their skills through sports. As parents we should be ever supportive of their needs in developing their athletic talents. A lot of young boys prefer baseball over other sports. An increasing number of these young enthusiasts are leaning towards the catcher position. In this case, choosing the best youth baseball gloves available for his age is crucial in his success their success in playing the game.

Youth baseball gloves are usually made of leather. For beginners, look for gloves which have adjustable Velcro straps in the wrist area. This will enable them to choose how tight they prefer the gloves should be around their hands. It should be neither too heavy nor too restricting to allow optimal use of their catching skills. Cheaper gloves are made of PVC and are priced at $10. Don't go stingy when buying your kids first baseball gloves. It's going to help him with his skills in baseball. He might just be the next Mickey Mantle of the country.

Choose a glove with a range starting from 9 inches. This is the standard youth gloves size. Take note that it's better to buy your kid an age-appropriate glove. It's going to be hard for your kids to learn the basic principles of catching if they are not trained with the right gloves or mitts. If your kid prefers a mitt over baseball gloves, find a mitt which actually covers the entire palm and wrist area. It should be well-padded to decrease the discomfort when catching fastballs.

The price range for gloves range from $10 to $60. Since your child's going to wear it for lots of times during practice it's best to purchase one with the best leather quality. Do not compromise your child's safety. Some cheap baseball gloves do not have strong webbing reinforcements which might lead to hand fractures and injuries. Buy a reasonably priced glove which snugly fits your child's hand. Test the glove before buying them. Test how durable and flexible it is by subjecting it to different movements.

Lastly, let your child take his pick. He already might have a good idea of how youth baseball gloves should feel when worn. Your child's preference in texture, fit, and comfort will be his gauge on what would be the perfect baseball glove for his needs. When buying baseball gloves for your child, it is also good to bring him or her with you, so that you can choose which pair is best.

Rileys has been writing online for several years. Check out his latest interest on youth baseball gloves. He has created a website as a dedicated resource for the best product deals for baseball batting cages, visit http://www.homebattingcage.org/ for more information.

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The Rules of T Ball - Get Ready to Play!

2011-01-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

The Rules of T Ball - Get Ready to Play!
By Adam Niebs

This game is the entry sport to baseball and the rules of t ball are easy! The age range is generally four to eight years old. Players of two teams take turns hitting a ball off a batting tee set on home plate. Batters try to get on base and run to home while fielders try to stop that from happening. The elimination of pitching gives kids a chance to participate without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball. Tee ball develops the basic baseball skills of hitting, running, fielding and throwing. The players gain an understanding of the fundamental rules of t ball.

In T ball there is no pitcher and he is used somewhere else on the field. The ball looks just like a regular baseball, but is made from a soft, foam like material. It is placed on top of an adjustable tee at a height that is perfect for the batter. The tee is at home plate with coach nearby.

In most leagues, score is not kept and the rules of t ball are made to allow participation from all children. An inning is finished when each kid has had a turn hitting the ball of the tee. In some leagues and depending on the skill level, you can use the traditional three out baseball rule. The game is played on a smaller field and your outfield will usually see some action.

Umpires are not used and many parents assist during the game. Parents play a key role and are seen in the dugout, on the bases and at the plate. They also help with the practice sessions.

When it comes to equipment, the rules of t ball are generally the same too. Kids wear regular baseball uniforms, hats and rubber cleats. The bats are lightweight, aluminum and are typically 25 to 26 inches long.

T ball is a great way to get kids introduced to the game of baseball. It's America's pastime and dates back to the 1940's!

A great way for your child to learn the rules of t ball is by using the Little Tikes T Ball Set. This all in one kit is the best tool for your little slugger to begin learning. This set is an awesome skill builder and a great introductory to the game of T Ball! Learn and practice at the local park or in the comfort of your own back yard.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Niebs

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Want Baseball Fun? Know your Players!

2011-01-17T19:36:00.000-08:00

Kids play baseball because it is fun. However, what is fun for one kid may not be fun for another. A good youth baseball coach understands these differences and can personalize his interactions with kids to maximize their fun. Getting to know each kid as a unique individual leads to more fun and gives the coach additional insight into how to motivate each kid for enhanced performance. Tips for A Perfect Season is a video newsletter by author Dan Clemens. Each segment contains tips, suggestions and ideas for the youth baseball coach to improve the youth baseball experience for everyone involved. Clemens is the author of A Perfect Season: A Coach's Journey to Learning, Competing, and Having Fun in Youth Baseball.

Kids Baseball - Coach the Fundamentals of Throwing and Catching

2011-01-16T18:20:00.000-08:00

Kids Baseball - Coach the Fundamentals of Throwing and Catching
By Kenny Buford

When coaching kids' baseball, an important first step is identifying the mechanical elements of each skill and then using that knowledge to teach the fundamentals of the game. Most beginning players will not know the proper technique for gripping, throwing, and catching the ball. Establishing these skills early will ensure players feel more confident and have fun playing the game.

Proper Grip

Start by teaching how to grip the ball:

For proper grip, the ball should only contact the fingers and thumb, not the palm of the hand. However, because beginning players' hands are often small, they might have to use their whole hand in the grip.
Players should grip the ball across the seams, with their fingers spread over the top of the ball and their thumb positioned on the bottom. Those with big enough hands should use only the index and middle fingers, while those with smaller hands can use three fingers to grip the ball across the top.
As the grip is released, players should focus on keeping the fingers directly behind the ball. Following through with the fingers after the throw will increase the velocity of the ball.

Throwing Fundamentals

Next, coach proper throwing technique for a basic overhand:

Players should begin the throwing motion by taking a step with the foot opposite of the throwing arm. The step should be in the direction they will be throwing.
The front shoulder and hip should be positioned so that they are pointing in the direction of the throw.
The front shoulder should be positioned toward the target, and the rest of the body is turned to the side. The arms should be extended from the body in a T-formation.
As the arm begins the throwing motion, the elbow should be as high as the shoulder and the hand should be higher than the head.
The front foot should now start forward, stepping toward the target.
As the arm continues the throw, the front shoulder and hip should turn so that they face toward the target.
The ball should be released above and in front of the head, snapping the wrist right before the release and pushing through with the fingers directly behind the ball.
Follow through the throw by bending the back slightly forward.

Basic Catching Technique

To coach catching, follow these steps:

Keep arms bent and relaxed, and provide a target for the thrower.
Hold the glove open toward the thrower, keeping the fingers up. If the ball is thrown low, switch to position the fingers down.
Use the bare hand to cover the ball once it is caught in the glove.
After the catch, bring the glove, ball, and throwing hand up to the chest and prepare to throw.

And if you'd like to see more free kids baseball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:
http://www.baseball-tutorials.com
Kenny Buford is a kids baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for kids baseball drills, practice ideas, and coaching tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford

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Baseball Practice - Guide to Running Efficient Practices

2011-01-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Baseball Practice - Guide to Running Efficient Practices
by Guest Author Kenny Buford

When planning their season, coaches put a lot of thought into how each baseball practice session should go. There are often several goals to accomplish, and when working with young players, things tend to move slower than anticipated. In order for practice to be effective, coaches should focus on quality, not quantity. The team will be much better off if each player practices a move correctly ten times than they would be practicing it rushed and incorrectly twenty times. Coaches should use the following tips as a guide to running smooth, effective practices.

Drill Rotation

The most efficient method for practicing several drills within a practice session is through the drill rotation. With this approach, the coach will set up various stations throughout the field where players will work on specific skills. Players will be divided into small groups that rotate through the stations together. The simpler the skills, the better, because explaining a complicated drill each time a group comes to a station will waste time that could be spent actually practicing.

Help is Key

For this method to be successful, it is very important to have assistants or parents to oversee each station. These helpers should be able to understand the drills and know what to watch for to make sure players are performing them correctly. They don't have to have coach's knowledge, but they should be told what improper form looks like so they will be able to correct players as needed. While the players are warming up, brief the helpers on each drill they will be overseeing. Ideally, enough helpers will be available so the coach can be able to observe at all the stations.

Watching the Time

Before practice begins, the coach should know how much time players should spend at each station. However, he should also be aware that sometimes more time is needed. Being flexible is crucial when coaching young players, and coaches should remember that it is important for each player to be able to practice the skill correctly. Make up for lost time by making sure players are hustling from station to station, and take notes on where each group left off so they can practice that drill at the next practice.

Make it Fun

Finally, coaches should focus on keeping practice fun. In addition to regular drills, some of the stations should be games where the players work on the skill while competing with their teammates. Young players can learn just as much from games as drills, and they often work harder when there is a competitive edge. Additionally, having fun at practice will instill a love of the game and make the players excited to come back the next time.

And if you'd like to see more free kids baseball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.baseball-tutorials.com

Kenny Buford is a kids baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for youth baseball drills, practice ideas, and coaching tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford

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Coaching Youth Baseball - Preventing Injuries

2011-01-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Coaching Youth Baseball - Preventing Injuries
by Guest Author Jake Wyatt

Youth baseball coaches have many duties. An important one is to reduce the risk of injury to players during practice and games. There are several things a youth baseball coach can do to help prevent injuries in their players. Some involve practice and pre-game routines, other involve teaching the players what they can do on their own time to keep their injury risk low.

The coach should require the following before all practices and games:

1. Significant stretching. The coach should establish a stretching routine for his team early in training so that players will know what to do before practices and games. The coach should ensure that adequate effort is put into the stretching routine by all players.

2. Running. The coach should require a certain amount of running at every practice and before every game. This cardiac warm-up will get the players ready for the physical activity that is to come.

It is important that the warm-up routine be well defined and communicated to the players. All players should start at the same time. The coach needs to be involved in these activities, not spending this time visiting with parents.

During practice, the coach should always watch a player's form in all activities. Improper form should be addressed and worked on until corrected. Proper form in pitching, hitting and throwing the ball will substantially reduce the potential for injury.

The coach should encourage, and perhaps require, the players to do some training on their own. This could involve the following:

1. Age appropriate weight training or band work.

2. Calisthenics, such as sits up, pull ups and push ups.

3. Cardio work, such as jumping rope or bicycling.

4. Yoga. Most kids will think this is silly, but yoga can increase flexibility and therefore reduce the risk of injury.

If a coach is diligent, he can reduce the risk of injury to his players significantly. This will lead to more enjoyable games for all involved - players, coaches and parents!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

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"Daddy Ball" - And Other Youth Sports Sins

2011-01-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

"Daddy Ball" - And Other Youth Sports Sins
by Guest Author Doug Rogers

It seems that every corner of our society has its own lingo. During a recent ski trip with my teenage sons I discovered my ignorance of an entirely new foreign language, that of the snowboard subculture. I was ashamed to ask for clarification of such (apparently) basic terms as "dropping in" (i.e., starting downhill), "throwing down" a trick (i.e., doing a trick), "knuckling" a jump (landing on the hump instead of the down slope), or "rag-dolling" (falling severely, with arms and legs wildly flailing). Fortunately, none of these terms had application to my own skiing style anyway, since I wasn't about to "thrown down" anything, at least not on purpose.

As spring approaches and our kids are about to begin another sports season, I began thinking about the many catchy terms I've heard used in reference to the sometimes wacky world of youth sports. Some have been around forever, some are recent creations and some I may have even made up myself. But the more terms I recalled, the more they collectively started to represent another "lingo" of their own. As I started to write them down I could see that they were slanting towards a particular theme; a theme that represented an over-zealousness and loss of perspective from which most of us have probably suffered at some time. In the spirit of sharing, I thought I would list the index of our many "sins" defined by this lingo. Here goes:

The Crazies -- Those who engage in any manner of overzealous behavior with respect to youth sports, segmented as follows:

Vocal Crazies -- Inclined to yell, scream, insult, criticize, argue or complain.

Physical Crazies -- Inclined to spit, throw stuff, slam stuff, shove or engage in fist-a-cuffs.

Obsessive Crazies -- Inclined to be constantly thinking about, constantly talking about and constantly worried about anything having to do with our kids' sports (especially how our own kids stack up against the other kids).

Daddy Ball -- Dads who coach teams on which their own children just happen to be the starting shortstop, point guard, quarterback, lead-off batter; not to mention, annually selected for every all-star roster.

Daddy Vision (or Mommy Vision)-- Parents who see their children as the next coming of Derek Jeter or Mia Hamm when the rest of the world sees a very nice kid with average athleticism.

"Duh" Coaching -- Describes any painfully obvious coaching directives shouted towards players on the field. Common examples include:

(e.g., after a dropped fly ball,) "Ya' gotta catch that, Jimmy!".....Duh.

(e.g., to a pitcher on the mound,) "C'mon Jimmy, throw strikes!".....Duh.

(e.g., to a pitcher who was up 0-2 in the count, but just threw two balls,) "Don't lose 'im, Jimmy!".....Duh.

First Son Syndrome (FSS)-- A condition suffered by parents of first-born sons in youth sports, marked by symptoms of obsessive worry over every bobbled ground ball, and excessive celebration over every successful journey to first base. (Symptoms diminish significantly with each successive sibling born.)

Glory Days Disease (GDD) -- A sad and pathetic disorder among parents who live vicariously through the athletic exploits of their children. Tell-tale symptoms include statements like, "Hey, when I was 12 years old we won the District 3 championship," while believing that others are actually emotionally moved by such information.

Kids as Commodities -- The practice of parents engaged in analytical commentaries about the relative athletic abilities of 8 to 12-year-old "players" (aka, kids), wherein their various skill-sets are compared and dissected in a manner fitting for ESPN SportsCenter.

Only Child Syndrome (OCS) -- A more severe form of FSS with no hope of diminishing symptoms over time.

"Oh C'mon!" -- A term used by Dads to express great exasperation over any bad call, missed tackle, dropped ball, or anything else they find irksome on the field of play (best delivered with head thrown back and arms thrown in the air).

"Heyyy!" -- A term used by Moms to express great indignation any time their son or daughter gets, bumped, checked, fouled or has the ball taken away (legally or otherwise, it doesn't matter).

"You gotta' be kidding!" -- A term used by parents to articulate their disagreement with an official's ruling on the field of play.

"Get your head in the game!" -- A term used to motivate a player who is perceived to be playing below par.

The chances are we are all probably guilty of one or more of these sins at least to some degree. As I list them in print, some of them are actually pretty hysterical when you think about it. Of course, I guess it becomes less funny to think that all of these terms represent words that are actually said and events that actually happen - all the time. The kids probably don't think they are too funny. So as we head off to those first lacrosse and baseball practices of the season it's probably good to look at this self-deprecating "lingo" and laugh. Because if we do, it means we realize how ridiculous we can all behave when it comes to our kids and sports. Better still, we might be able to catch ourselves the next time we start to transform into any version of....."The Crazies!"

Share your own "Crazy lingo" by sending to: stories@niceguysfirst.com
Doug Rogers is a retired corporate executive who now devotes his time to speaking and writing about Nice Guys.

http://niceguysfirst.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Rogers

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Hitting Fundamentals

2010-12-22T17:50:00.000-08:00

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How to Coach T-Ball

2010-12-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

How to Coach T-Ball
By Jack Perconte

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I realize that kids who play T-ball are very young, so T-ball coaches do not have to be experts in the game of baseball. However, when you realize that most kids will be making decisions on which sports they like and will want to continue playing, there is a big responsibility on T-ball coaches. Unfortunately, many good athletes are lost to other sports because of inadequate T-ball coaching.

It is important to realize that T-ball coaches are often at a disadvantage because baseball is a slower moving sport than many of the other sports. By its nature, baseball involves more standing around and inactivity than other sports, with soccer being a prime example of a higher activity sport. Therefore, the first thing that T-ball coaches should understand is that kids at these ages have a ton of energy and that they love to run around and expend that energy. With this in mind, it is important that T-ball coaches learn ways of making practice energy-packed so kids do not experience the boredom that is often associated with baseball. Using practice time wisely is a necessity when dealing with such young players.

Secondly, T-ball coaches have the responsibility to know the basics of baseball. Learning a few basics of how players catch, field, throw and hit is a must for the T-ball coach. Not only is the knowledge of these basics important, but also learning ways of teaching these basics is equally important. This is where T-ball leagues have the responsibility of providing coaches with pre-season coaching training, coaching resources and with on-going training in the fundamentals of baseball. Additional training for how to work with kids of these ages (and their parents) should also be provided..

With this as a backdrop, following are tips for how to coach T-ball:

Coaches should:

1. Get help from other parents (coaches) whenever possible and teach the untrained helpers what to look for when working on baseball fundamentals. This allows coaches the opportunity to have players work in small groups (stations), which will keep them in the aforementioned active mode.
2. Remember the K.I.S.S. method - keep it simple, stupid - extended talks and explanations are not necessary in T-ball. The basics of hitting, throwing, base running and fielding should be constantly demonstrated and practiced.
3. Give homework. Kids this age need a lot of work on the basics so explaining to them and their parents exactly what they can be doing between practices can help player development.
4. Keep games moving. Remember, practice is for teaching and games are for playing. This is so important so kids do not become bored. Watch for bored players (playing in dirt kids) and get them involved. Teaching players what to do on batted balls, how to cover bases and how to back up plays is important. Of course, this is an advantage of T-ball, where the ball is usually put in play more often than with coach or kid pitch, at the younger levels of baseball.
5. Watch for and point out any little improvement in players. For example, making a big deal of players even catching balls at this age is good and can help spur players on with confidence building comments.
6. Have little contests. It may be necessary to handicap the little competitive contests so all players have a chance of winning. The good news is that kids like to pick up balls so rounding up balls after drills is often the most fun part for young players. Eventually, kids grow out of this and it is more difficult to get them to pick up the baseballs after drills.
7. Assume nothing. Even little things like where each position is located and where players position themselves at each position must be taught.
8. Know where to properly place the batting tee so hitters are hitting the ball out front and not even with their body. Moving the height of the tee each time up is always a good idea so hitters learn to adjust and hit different pitch locations.
9. Emphasize the importance of all defensive players getting into ready positions before each swing. Explaining the necessity to move to batted balls in their area as well as communicating with fellow players is also good T-ball coaching.
10. Teaching basic base running techniques, as well as when to run on batted balls is a constant chore of the T-ball coach, too.
11. Using as soft a ball as possible is always advised so kids avoid the pain that harder balls provide. Eliminating fear of the ball is crucial to player's development.

Once again, I cannot emphasize enough the responsibility that t-ball coaches have to make practice time fun, energy-filled, positive and engaging. And as mentioned, coaches should keep games moving at as fast a pace as possible to prevent wandering minds. Of course, many of these coaching tips apply to coaching kids at all levels of baseball. Even major league players have to be reminded of some of these things, believe it or not. Finally, as kids get the hang of using the tee and as the season progresses, it is a good idea to begin to prepare players for the next step of facing live hitting. Gradually moving into some coach pitched batting practice is a good idea.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips, batting practice advice and baseball instruction for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice, as well as his positive parenting in sports tips can be found at http://www.jackperconte.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte

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Five Batting Trainers Every Baseball and Softball Hitting Coach Should K...

2010-12-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

U.S. Baseball Academy Hitting Drill: November 3, 2010

2010-12-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

Proper Technique for Fielding a Ground Ball

2010-12-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

Proper Technique for Fielding a Ground Ball
Posted on YouTube by thesportingspirit

The proper technique for fielding a ground ball in the middle of your stance.

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Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog

Five Batting Trainers Every Baseball and Softball Hitting Coach Should Know About

2010-12-05T19:42:00.000-08:00

Five Batting Trainers Every Baseball and Softball Hitting Coach Should Know About 0001

2010-11-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

www.BatAction.com

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Baseball Throw: Proper Back-Arm Position

2010-11-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

Basic Baseball Throwing Mechanics

2010-11-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

Basic Baseball Throwing Mechanics
Posted on YouTube by thesportingspirit

How to hold and throw a baseball correctly.

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Baseball Tips - Unruly Parents - Here is a Solution

2010-11-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

Tee ball Baseball Tips - Unruly Parents - Here is a Solution
by Guest Author Tom Read

You Know This Parent

My wife was a self described bad sport. She had been thrown out of games, argued with the other teams' parents, yelled at the umpires, and embarrassed my son and I. I would talk with her before and after games, reminding her to not get out of control, but it did not help. Someone from the other team would say something, or the umpire would make a questionable call, and she would start in. What was I going to do?

It Can Start At the Beginning

When I was coaching tee ball, I once had to break up a verbal fight between my first base coach and the other team's coach. Another time, I noticed that a dad, who had been to every practice and game, started missing the games. I asked him at a practice if his work was keeping him from the games. He told me no, Johnny was feeling too much pressure with him at the game. This is still tee ball. I guess it was good that the dad at least realized where the pressure was coming from. Most of the time parents do not realize that the things they say can put undue pressure on their kids.

Travel Teams Are the Worst

It seems travel teams have the most vocal parents, good and bad. I have always assumed the reasons for this are either one, they have spent a lot of time and money involved with this team and are expecting a big return, or two, they are on the road and friends and family are not around. But, on the other hand, I've seen travels teams stay home to play and behave just as badly. And I have seen bad behavior at recreational games. So it can happen anywhere.

Solution - Put My Wife in Time Out

Back to my wife; a few hours after the game would be over she would feel bad about her behavior. I thought about asking her to stay away from the games, but she really did enjoy watching our son play. Finally it came to me. I needed to remove her from the home plate area, get her away from the other teams' parents and away from our son when he was batting. We moved down the outfield line; pass the dugouts and about half way towards the outfield fence. Out there we didn't hear the other team, the home plate umpire couldn't hear us, and the game became real enjoyable. Our view wasn't as good, but that was a small trade off. We were having fun again.

It Is Easy to Involve Others

Other parents were asking us why we were sitting so far down the line. My wife did not hesitate to answer that she was in "time out". Like a child, she couldn't be trusted to behave properly when located near a potential bad situation. Soon, others that had the same problem were joining us. A few games into this idea, and half the parents were down the line with us. It became an enjoyable social event. Maybe it even helped a few marriages.

Start Your Own Cheap Seats Section

There are certain situations where adults will act like little children. If you have these types on your team, ask them to take a stroll down the line with you. Everyone, especially their sons, will thank you.

Preaching to the Choir

I know most of the people reading this are not the problem. Parents with bad behavior usually do not seek out advise. But in the right way you can make a difference. To see other baseball tips and stories I have written please visit my website at http://baseballknowledge.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Read

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Target Hit Trainer by SKLZ - Dad Helping Son Learn to Swing & Hit a Baseball

2010-11-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

Target Hit Trainer by SKLZ - Dad Helping Son Learn to Swing & Hit a Baseball
Posted on YouTube by Coach2winVideos

Video shows a Dad helping his young son, a beginner, learn the basics of hitting. The Target Trainer is the perfect hitting stick training device. It's simplicity, portability, and productivity make it one of the most popular youth baseball trainers on the market today. Available at fine sporting goods stores and mass merchants and at http://www.baseball2u.com http://www.baseball2u.com/prohitrbyne... Visit the Youth Baseball Digest Blog at http://youthbaseballcoachingclinic.bl... for free youth baseball coaching drills, tips and articles

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Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Kids Baseball Drills - 3 Drills That Make Practice Fun

2010-11-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

Kids Baseball Drills - 3 Drills That Make Practice Fun
by Guest Author Kenny Buford

Fun Drills for Kids

Coaching kids baseball can be hard: you have to combat hot summer days, short attention spans, and varying ability levels. The key to kids baseball drills is to keep them fun so the kids don't realize they're learning -- they think they're just playing around! These drills for kids are designed to teach them the basics of baseball while keeping them excited about practicing the game.

Hubba Bubba Ball

For this kids baseball drill, the coach needs an oversized plastic bat and balls -- they can be found at most toy stores. The coach divides the team into defense and offense and acts as full-time pitcher.

The kids play the game as they normally would, only because of the plastic ball the defense doesn't need gloves. The batters should focus on clean hits and correct tossing of the bat -- the coach might want to set up markers on either side of home plate so the kids can see where they bat should go once they get a hit. The defense should focus on catching and throwing with soft hands.

Beat the Heat

This baseball drill for kids teaches them about passing and hitting using water balloons. The coach will need to bring plenty of water balloons to practice -- about 100.

First the kids will practice passing by lining up in two relay lines with a big bucket at the end. The two lines compete to see how many unbroken balloons they can get into the buckets in the fastest time by passing from one player to the next. How far apart the kids are spaced when passing the balloons should be based on their age and ability level -- or how hot it is outside!

Now the kids can practice hitting with the remaining balloons. The kids take turns at bat with the coach pitching them water balloons. This drill is great for kids who have trouble keeping their eye on the ball and are hesitant to follow through with their swing because they don't want to miss seeing the balloon burst.

Ball-Go-Round

For this kids baseball drill, divide the team up into groups of four and have them form a square with each player spaced 10 paces apart. The drill begins with the first player rolling the ball to the player on his right, who will catch the ball, pivot, and roll it to the player on his right, who will in turn catch, pivot, and roll, continuing around the square.

The coach will then add another ball into the mix. The players will continue rolling, catching, and pivoting, but this time with two balls going around simultaneously. The players should start calling out the name of the person they are passing to. The coach continues adding balls until there are four going at the same time. The players can then advance to soft-tossing the ball.

To learn more about coaching kids baseball and some fun drills to try, visit my site to watch a free video:

http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/vid/

Kenny Buford is a youth baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for kids baseball drills, tips, and practice ideas for youth and high school coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford

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Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Baseball Coaching Digest - 6 Basic Rules Tee Ball Players Should Learn to Insure Their Safety

2010-11-04T12:43:00.001-07:00

Baseball Coaching Digest - 6 Basic Rules Tee Ball Players Should Learn to Insure Their Safety
by Nick Dixon

Tee Ball is the very first experience that most baseball players have with the game of baseball. There are physical skills that must be learned. There are mental aspects of the game that must be learned. But, there is no more important elements of the game that a player must learn than the basic rules of the game that provide safety and protection for the players, coaches and umpires involved.

There are certain basic baseball rules that tee ball players must be taught before they play their first game. The sooner young players learn these rules, the better. Here are what I consider to be the very first rules a player should be taught when being introduced to the game of baseball. Those 6 basic baseball rules are:

Rule # 1 - You can not sling the bat when you hit the ball. Young players must learn to drop the bat after they hit the ball. They must be told that if they sling the bat they are out. This needs to be the first rule they learn when being taught the game of baseball. The reason they must learn it is for safety reasons.

Rule #2 - You run from home to first, to second, to third and back home. You must drop the bat before you run. The player must touch each base before advancing to the next base.

Rules #3 - You can not run over someone. Running into or over another player at any time will result in bad things for your team. If you are on offense, you will be called out. If you are on defense, the runner will be called safe.

Rule #4 - You must not allow a ball hit by a batter bat to touch you before a fielder touches it. If you touch the ball before a fielder does, you will be called out.

Rule #5 - You do not slide into first base. It may not be against the rules, but it should not be done at the t-ball level. Base runners must slide into second, third base and home plate feet first. Sliding head first is not allowed and it is unsafe. Sliding head first is against the rules and will result in the base runner being called out.

Rule #6 - Fielders may not stand on top of the bag or in the base path unless they are attempting to field a ball. The fielder should learn to touch or tag the bag or base properly and remove the foot after the catch is made.

You may be able to think of more. These are the very basic rules. I hope that you found this article useful and informative as you prepare your tee ball team for the approaching season. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Have a great day, Nick.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Little League Tips: Backyard Baseball Drills (video trailer)

2010-11-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Little League Tips: Backyard Baseball Drills (video trailer)
Posted on YouTube by VideosForCoaches

This is the trailer for the popular Little League tip video:

BACKYARD BASEBALL DRILLS

------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

How to Coach T-Ball

2010-10-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

How to Coach T-Ball
By Jack Perconte

realize that kids who play T-ball are very young, so T-ball coaches do not have to be experts in the game of baseball. However, when you realize that most kids will be making decisions on which sports they like and will want to continue playing, there is a big responsibility on T-ball coaches. Unfortunately, many good athletes are lost to other sports because of inadequate T-ball coaching.

It is important to realize that T-ball coaches are often at a disadvantage because baseball is a slower moving sport than many of the other sports. By its nature, baseball involves more standing around and inactivity than other sports, with soccer being a prime example of a higher activity sport. Therefore, the first thing that T-ball coaches should understand is that kids at these ages have a ton of energy and that they love to run around and expend that energy. With this in mind, it is important that T-ball coaches learn ways of making practice energy-packed so kids do not experience the boredom that is often associated with baseball. Using practice time wisely is a necessity when dealing with such young players.

Secondly, T-ball coaches have the responsibility to know the basics of baseball. Learning a few basics of how players catch, field, throw and hit is a must for the T-ball coach. Not only is the knowledge of these basics important, but also learning ways of teaching these basics is equally important. This is where T-ball leagues have the responsibility of providing coaches with pre-season coaching training, coaching resources and with on-going training in the fundamentals of baseball. Additional training for how to work with kids of these ages (and their parents) should also be provided..

With this as a backdrop, following are tips for how to coach T-ball:

Coaches should:

1. Get help from other parents (coaches) whenever possible and teach the untrained helpers what to look for when working on baseball fundamentals. This allows coaches the opportunity to have players work in small groups (stations), which will keep them in the aforementioned active mode.
2. Remember the K.I.S.S. method - keep it simple, stupid - extended talks and explanations are not necessary in T-ball. The basics of hitting, throwing, base running and fielding should be constantly demonstrated and practiced.
3. Give homework. Kids this age need a lot of work on the basics so explaining to them and their parents exactly what they can be doing between practices can help player development.
4. Keep games moving. Remember, practice is for teaching and games are for playing. This is so important so kids do not become bored. Watch for bored players (playing in dirt kids) and get them involved. Teaching players what to do on batted balls, how to cover bases and how to back up plays is important. Of course, this is an advantage of T-ball, where the ball is usually put in play more often than with coach or kid pitch, at the younger levels of baseball.
5. Watch for and point out any little improvement in players. For example, making a big deal of players even catching balls at this age is good and can help spur players on with confidence building comments.
6. Have little contests. It may be necessary to handicap the little competitive contests so all players have a chance of winning. The good news is that kids like to pick up balls so rounding up balls after drills is often the most fun part for young players. Eventually, kids grow out of this and it is more difficult to get them to pick up the baseballs after drills.
7. Assume nothing. Even little things like where each position is located and where players position themselves at each position must be taught.
8. Know where to properly place the batting tee so hitters are hitting the ball out front and not even with their body. Moving the height of the tee each time up is always a good idea so hitters learn to adjust and hit different pitch locations.
9. Emphasize the importance of all defensive players getting into ready positions before each swing. Explaining the necessity to move to batted balls in their area as well as communicating with fellow players is also good T-ball coaching.
10. Teaching basic base running techniques, as well as when to run on batted balls is a constant chore of the T-ball coach, too.
11. Using as soft a ball as possible is always advised so kids avoid the pain that harder balls provide. Eliminating fear of the ball is crucial to player's development.

Once again, I cannot emphasize enough the responsibility that t-ball coaches have to make practice time fun, energy-filled, positive and engaging. And as mentioned, coaches should keep games moving at as fast a pace as possible to prevent wandering minds. Of course, many of these coaching tips apply to coaching kids at all levels of baseball. Even major league players have to be reminded of some of these things, believe it or not. Finally, as kids get the hang of using the tee and as the season progresses, it is a good idea to begin to prepare players for the next step of facing live hitting. Gradually moving into some coach pitched batting practice is a good idea.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips, batting practice advice and baseball instruction for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice, as well as his positive parenting in sports tips can be found at http://www.jackperconte.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte

----------------

www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here

Keeping Baseball Batting Simple

2010-10-28T04:09:00.000-07:00

Keeping Baseball Batting Simple
By Robert Wicks

You ever notice that after long slump you always hear baseball coaches and baseball player's say they need to get back to the basics? Too often players get away from the type of baseball training that made them successful. This is exactly why I always tell my players to stay simple!

Well, in short, people have trouble keep things simple. For whatever reason, we as humans like to complicate things more than they have to be! Don't believe me? How many arguments have started while trying to park a car? Should be pretty stress free parking one car into one open parking space right? Oh no, by the time some one cuts you off, you miss a space, and your fellow passenger asks you what you are doing, chances are a small argument has started!

It's not 90% mental because it is so complex, it's 90% mental because it is so simple! And once again, we as humans find a way to complicate it more than it has to be! No matter how simple of a solution and issue has, we will find a way to make it the problem harder to solve than we have too. Here's some proof, how many arguments do you have over finding a parking space in a crowded parking lot?

Keep it simple stupid! My father first said this to me when I was 8 years old and it holds just as true today as it did years ago. He then asked me a very simple question. What do you want to accomplish with every swing? I responded as any 8 year old would with, "Get a hit!".

How do think that translates into your baseball batting? I'll tell you! You take one bad swing and you have a 5 paragraph essay ready to roll on why it was so bad. One swing and you got all of that! Who cares? You can't do anything about it now! Keep it simple! What can you do right next time to make your next swing better?

Here is what to do! Create three positive baseball oriented action steps you can say to yourself before every swing. Use phrases like, load smooth and slow, drive your backside hard, and finish toward the field of play you want to hit the ball. Then when you have the three that help you the most, stop thinking! That is it, I promise! If you can keep it simple and stay positive, you will become a better baseball batter!

Get more effective hitting exercises right now! If you want a top notch baseball training DVD, visit our site for all of the details you need today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Wicks

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BatAction Links

www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here

BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Coaching Baseball - Drills and Skills - Baserunning

2010-10-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Coaching Youth Baseball - Drills and Skills - Baserunning
Posted on YouTube by YMCALouisville

---------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Coaching Baseball - Younger Ages- Introduction

2010-10-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

Coaching Baseball - Younger Ages- Introduction
Posted on YouTube by YMCALouisville

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Youth Baseball Digest: The 3 Absolutes of Coaching Youth Baseball

2010-10-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Digest: The 3 Absolutes of Coaching Youth Baseball
by Nick Dixon

Baseball is one of the most demanding sports to coach. The purpose and function of youth baseball is to provide a quality sports team experience that builds baseball skills, teaches team-first attitudes, builds a respect for authority and regulations, and develops an appreciation for the value and consequences of hard work.

To be a successful baseball coach, you must have an understanding how the game is taught, played and practiced. There are three absolutes that every youth baseball coach should remember when they plan, organize, and prepare their "game plan" for the coming season! This article outlines those three absolutes.

The three absolutes of baseball are:

Youth baseball is a game for youngsters, not adults.
Baseball must be taught and practiced for success to be achieved.
Discipline must be a part of every team's preparation and execution.

Now I will briefly explain what I mean by each of these absolutes.

Youth baseball is a game for youngsters, not adults.

When I say "Youth Baseball is for Youths" what I mean is that we have youth baseball for the youngsters that are playing it, not for the coaches that are coaching.You will find that kids can accept responsibility, become accountable, work hard, and learn from their team successes and failures, but at the same time they have to see purpose, see progress, and enjoy their participation. They must have fun.

For kids to love and appreciate the game they must be motivated, challenged, and enjoy the majority of their team time whether it be a practice, a workout, or a game. There is no law that says coaches should not laugh, smile, joke and have "Light" moments with the team. I consider myself a pretty good baseball coach. My team discipline is strict. But, my players know exactly when they can goof off, joke around, crack on each other, or generally be "loose" as a team. They also know exactly when they have to be focused, attentive, and acting "by the book". The point I am trying to make here is that coaches have to understand that players need to learn to relax and as much as they need to learn to work and focus. It is a coach's job to teach them to enjoy themselves without guilt so long as their enjoyment comes from wholesome and proper behavior that is acceptable.

Baseball must be taught and practiced for success to be achieved.

Baseball is a sport that required a high level of commitment and dedication. It is important that players develop good work habits as early in their careers as possible.It is impossible to fake work or fake good practice when it comes to baseball. Those coaches, teams and programs that work extremely smart, work exceptionally hard, and that always work with a higher level of purpose and commitment are the baseball programs at the top of the "food chain". So, if you plan to coach, get prepared to practice. In fact, if you need to make sure that you have

Discipline must be a part of every team's preparation and execution.

I am a firm believer that teaching team and self-discipline are two of the most important roles of every coach in all sports. To be successful a player must learn to discipline himself to stay out of trouble. To be build a championship atmosphere and environment, a coach must establish control of his players and staff. With discipline also comes respect. Without discipline, there can never be respect. Without respect your team will never achieve to its highest attention.

Players not only expect and appreciate a coach's discipline, but they also have a strong desire for it. Kids want to be controlled, instructed, and taught. It makes them feel like they are respected, appreciated, and a part of something worth spending their effort and time in. When a coach displays no backbone, no will to control, and no will to handle adversity with a firm and strong demeanor, the players will not put their full and complete trust in him. Coaches should set team rules. The coach should display a willingness to plan, prepare, organize and execute both practice and game plans. This shows a high level of self-discipline on the coach's part. Teams emulate a coach's attitude, actions, and habits.

Instilling and maintaining a firm discipline builds a strong foundation upon which to build a championship season. I hope that you found this article to be informative. Please visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Baseball Digest Blog, and the Baseball Parent Guide for free baseball coaching articles, drills, and tips. Good Luck to you and your team in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for Baseball Coaching Digest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Coaching Youth Baseball Catching Drills & Skills Pt 1

2010-09-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

Coaching Youth Baseball Catching Drills & Skills Pt 1
Posted on YouTube by youthbaseball

How to teach a young player how to catch through safe, repetitive drills that build player confidence. The video shows the development of a 5 yr old player catching pretty well and learning a little bit about baseball.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Coaching T-Ball - Choosing the Right Equipment

2010-09-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Spring is well underway, which means its T-Ball season. One of the most common questions that parents and coaches of new players have concerns purchasing equipment for their teams and for their children. We thought it was time to address many of those questions, in order to give you some guidance on how to go about selecting the right equipment for your players.

For those of you who are new coaches and are wondering what kind of equipment you can expect to receive for your team, typically, your league's equipment manager will contact you and they will give you instructions on where and when to pick up your team's equipment. You will normally receive an equipment bag with a tee, a box of tee-balls for practices and games,3 to 4 helmets with chin straps, and a tee-ball bat or two. Actual number of items will vary based upon your leagues discretion.

One piece of safety equipment to be aware of is a heart guard. This piece of protective gear, when worn properly, will prevent a player from receiving serious injury if hit with a batted tee-ball in chest around the heart area. If the league requires a heart guard be worn, each parent or coach must abide by this rule. However, eve If the league does not require a heart guard, I would make sure the parents of your players are aware of it so they can decide if they want their children to wear one.

Glove sizes range from a size 8 to 11 in ½ increments depending on the size of your child's hand. The size is normally indicated on each glove. A good bench mark is to have your child try on the glove and ask them to squeeze it. If they are having trouble closing the glove, it is probably too big. The glove should also adequately cover the lower portion of the palm at the beginning of the wrist. Glove manufacturers have made great improvements over the years in which most gloves do not require a tremendous amount of "breaking in". "Breaking in" a glove is opening and closing the glove to remove some of its initial stiffness. There is nothing like the feeling of a broken-in glove. Its always good to keep a baseball or tee-ball in the glove at all times when not in use. The beauty of glove leather is it has a memory and by placing a ball in the glove when not in use, the glove pocket will take the shape of the ball.

Most tee-ball leagues will provide one tee-ball bat, so if parents would like to purchase their own bat, I would recommend doing so. Tee-ball bats range in length and weight. To find the right size bat for your child, have your child pick out a bat they like and hold the bat in their power hand (the left hand for right handed batters and the right hand for left handed batters) with the arm and bat fully extended and parallel to the ground. The child should hold this position for 30 seconds and if the arm and bat do not sag and lose their parallel position with the ground, the size is correct for your child. In general, we always have our players err on the lighter side.

Coaches and parents should check their league's national and local rules to determine if there are any restrictions on bats, as some national and local league rules only allow official tee-ball bats. Other leagues have no restrictions, therefore, youth league bats are permissible. Parents should read the verbiage on the bat to determine if the bat is a tee-ball bat or a youth league bat. Youth league bats are a bit longer and heavier than tee-ball bats and these bats are usually intended for older children in tee-ball or in coach pitch levels. Youth league bats are measured by a length to weight difference (e.g., a -14.5 youth league bat can be 28-1/2 inches in length and weighs 14 ounces). Weight and length can vary in each bat.

We tell our parents that batting gloves are optional. We really would not recommend them at this age because we feel the player should just use his or her bare hands to get the feel of the batted ball . The player can experiment with batting gloves when he or she moves up to coach pitch level where the impact of the batted ball and caught ball come more into play.

Rubber-cleated baseball shoes (never metal-spiked baseball shoes) should be used in lieu of sneakers to assist in getting a good firm grip on the field when running, batting, and fielding. We want the children to have confidence when they are running and making plays and a wet field without cleated shoes can lead to slips and falls.

I would also suggest ALL tee-ball players wear a protective cup. There are protective cups for both boys and girls, each a bit dimensionally different. Players should get used to wearing protective cups as they will be required or recommended at the next playing level also. Check your local and national league rules for information on this protective gear.

Some parents buy batting helmets for their children for sanitary reasons (potential sources of hair lice). We recommend a batting helmet that can be adjusted to fit players of different ages and head sizes. Batting helmets for girls usually have a curved-diamond-shaped hole at the back of the helmet for their pony tails. Many leagues require helmets to include chin straps. As a child reaches the next two levels of play, coach-pitch and kid-pitch, a wire face guard is available for installation on the helmet model you purchase. Fasteners and plastic/metal anchors are supplied with the wire face guard for easy installation. Some leagues require this wire face guard when you reach these levels. Check your national and local league rules.

Finally we recommend that you purchase a small equipment bag to store and transport your player's equipment. Please be sure to write each player's name in indelible marker on the player's glove, bat, helmet, and batting gloves. Equipment Identification makes it easy for players to claim loose equipment after practices and games.

Coaching T-Ball - Choosing the Right Equipment
by Guest Author David Comora

We hope you found this article helpful and we wish you and your children the best T-Ball experience possible!

If you have other questions, we invite you to visit our Coaching Forum at http://www.tballu.com and one of our coaches will be glad to offer you some T-ball tips.
David Comora
T-Ball University
David Comora has coached Tee Ball and Youth Baseball for over 10 years. Steve Polansky developed the T-Ball University system of coaching to help new parent coaches learn to quickly master the skills of coaching. Their program includes video drills, coaching forms, practice plans, lesson notes and more. Free coaching videos are also available at http://www.teeballuniversity.com .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Comora

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Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

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---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
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Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Coaching Baseball - Effective Coaching

2010-09-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

Coaching Youth Baseball - Effective Coaching
Posted on YouTube by YMCALouisville

---------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Baseball Infielders Drill

2010-09-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

Baseball Infielders Drill
Posted on YouTube by KuddaSports

Kudda.com http://www.kudda.com/sports presents thousands of free youth sports coaching videos. In this baseball drill, Coach Bernstorf explains how he teaches basic infielding drills during practice.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Tips on How to Hit a Baseball Better

2010-09-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

T-Ball Tips on How to Hit a Baseball Better
by Guest Author Jeffery A Wise

There's one important thing to remember when learning how to hit a baseball better. You must be selective with pitches. Swing at strikes. Remembering that is a guaranteed way to hit a baseball better.

A lot of times I see players swinging at bad pitches, that are obviously out of the strike zone. For one reason or another, they swing at pitches not even over the plate.

This knowledge leads to a lot of questions. What about balls pitched in the strike zone? Do you need to swing at everything with less than two strikes on you? What about pitches in the far, upper-left corner of the strike zone? If you have no strikes on you, do you really want to swing at that pitch? Where do you expect to hit such a pitch? Or how about the low, inside pitch that looks tempting but you know you're just going to ground out?

To answer these questions the best, I will continue to instruct you to be selective and hit the right pitch for you.

Most of the time people strike out, they are swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. You will need to be selective if you want to excel in hitting. You will need that skill especially in certain hitting situations. If your mission is to move a runner over, which may require you to hit to the opposite field, then you might need to wait for a pitch on the outside part of the plate if you're a right-handed hitter. If that means you have to take that first strike on the inside corner, then so be it.

This same rule of being selective also applies to bunting situations. If you're a left-handed hitter and need to bunt the ball down the third base line then it's usually easier to bunt a ball down the middle of the plate or the outside part of the plate. I've tried bunting inside pitches down the third base line as a left-handed hitter and it's more difficult. But what if your coach gives you the sign for a bunt? Should you bunt the ball the next pitch no matter what? The answer in most cases is no. Unless it's a suicide squeeze, I'm sure your coach just wants you to get the job done and if that means taking a strike first then do it.

Being selective and hitting the right pitch is the direction you want to go as you are learning how to hit a baseball better. In all my years of playing baseball and watching baseball, I've seen top hitters maintain a calm approach to their hitting by waiting for the right pitch. Great hitters like Ichiro or Jeter can take the first two strikes and still get a hit because they wait for the right pitch to hit.

My advice for you is to be patient, be selective and when you know the pitch is right, attack the ball with everything you have.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn how to hit a baseball better so that you can improve yourself and your team. Start learning today at http://www.baseballhittingtipsonline.com by reading our information, watching our videos and participating in our blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Six Steps To A Great Swing

2010-09-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball: Six Steps To A Great Swing
Posted on Youtube by javvilin

The Six steps to a great baseball swing

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Youth Baseball Drills: Throwing Package

2010-08-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Drills: Throwing Package
Posted on YouTube by teamre30

The article that goes along with the video can be seen at http://www.swing-smarter-baseball-hit...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

T-Ball Batting Drills

2010-08-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

T-Ball Batting Drills
by Guest Author Kenny Buford

T-ball batting drills teach players how to properly swing the bat and make contact with the ball. There are many t-ball batting drills that players can practice to improve their swinging technique. Young players should practice their batting skills repeatedly in order to get the feel for swinging the bat properly, and also to improve their hand-eye coordination.

Improving a Batter's Swing:

The best way to improve a batter's swing is to practice hitting the ball from the tee into the back stop. Try to pair right-handed coaches with left-handed batters (and left-handed coaches with right-handed batters). Have the coach stand on the opposite side of the tee from the player (as if to mirror the player) in order to show proper stance and swing. This t-ball batting drill gives the batters a good visual reference and the coaches can easily make any necessary corrections.

Batting Techniques:

If necessary, use baking flour to make a batters box in the dirt. Set the tee even with the batter's belly button and have them extend their arms fully. Have the player hold this position with arms extended for a few seconds and explain how hitting the ball on the fat part of the bat makes the ball go further.

Teaching Batters to Keep their Eyes on the Ball:

Draw a large black dot on the ball. Then have the batter concentrate on trying to hit the dot and watching the dot until after their swing is complete. This helps players improve their focus on the ball, and also helps hand-eye coordination.

Blindfold the Batter:

Place a blindfold over the eyes of the batter and line them up properly in the batter's box in front of the tee, making sure that all other players are out of the immediate area. When you are safely out of the way tell the batter to swing away, with the intention of making contact with the ball. This will teach the batter how to develop a level swing and with repetition will produce a natural rhythm and a solid swinging technique.

Move the Tee Around the Batter's Box:

By placing the tee in various positions in the batter's box you will allow the player to practice hitting different types of pitches. This will enable players to be able to make contact with all types of pitches, inside and outside. This drill also allows players to practice making contact and hitting the ball into different areas of the field.

See who gets the Most Hits:

A good batting drill is to have each player try to make as many consecutive hits as possible. Foul balls should not count as hits, and every foul ball should count as an out in order to make the drill run quicker and allow more players to get their turn. The one who can make contact and get the most hits in a row wins.

Raise and Lower the Tee:

By raising and lowering the tee players are able to practice hitting balls that are not thrown at their belly button. This is one of the most effective t-ball batting drills for preparing players to move into game situations with pitchers.

Kenny Buford is a baseball and tee ball coach with over 20 years of experience. You can find more of his t-ball drills and tee ball practice plans on his website:

Free T-Ball Drills

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford

------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Pitching Drills & Techniques

2010-08-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Pitching Drills & Techniques
Posted on YouTube by LNersesian

The Youth Sports Club is a leading producer of sports instructional videos and DVDs. Coach Marty Schupak's newest release, "Pitching Drills & Techniques" explores some of the best drills that are beneficial for youth players, ages 7-12 years old, who have the desire to pitch. This video simplifies the pitching process, and includes more than 20 drills which show youth players the importance of the different body parts that make up the perfect pitching motion. This instructional video walks the player through the wind up, front leg lift, release and follow-through. Also included are important tips for the youth coach and parents on how to recognize when a youth pitcher is getting tired during a game. A pitch count chart is also included which shows the recommended number of pitches to be thrown in a game at various ages plus the proper amount of recovery time. This is a must for any youth baseball coach or parent of aspiring young pitchers. For more information on how to purchase any of these titles, visit: www.youthsportsclub.com

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Teeball hitting, Contact zone for MLB Hitters

2010-08-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Teeball hitting, Contact zone for MLB Hitters
Posted on YouTube by NaturalHitting

Welcome to Natural Hitting. http://www.NaturalHitting.com We bring to the world a fresh approach to hitting. Where do you make contact with the ball has a lot to do with what you use to swing the bat.. Regain your Natural Swing now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Our Sponsor: Nedco Sports - BatAction Hitting Machines
www.BatAction.com

---BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com
---BatActionMachine on Ebay.com
---BatAction Machine Video Clips
---BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here
BatAction Demo Videos on Youtube

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k