Little League Digest - 10 Base Running Tips For Little League Baseball Players

Little League Digest - 10 Base Running Tips For Little League Baseball Players
By guest author: Nick Dixon


There are several important coaching points that need to be remembered when teaching Little League players to run the bases correctly. This article presents 10 coaching points for little league baseball runners related to first baseball.

Coaching Points related to base running at 1st base:

1. The batter must sprint out of the batter's box and take a straight line path toward first base. The batter base runner must "honor" the base running box. The base running box allows the umpire to determine if a base runner is inside the base line. If a runner gets inside the foul line and a throw ball makes contact with the runner, the batter base runner is out. If a ball is a slow roller in the direction of first base, the batter base runner must avoid contact with the ball. Stepping on, contacting or touching the ball in fair territory will result in an out.
2. When a batter hits the ball his approach to first base is determined by the location of the hit ball as it travels into the field. If the ball is a fielded grounder, the base runner will run through the bag at 1st.
3. If the hit ball gets by the infielder, either as a hit or error, the batter base runner should do a "hook" path as he approaches first base to give him a straighter angle to advance to second base if the first base coach sends him.
4. The batter base runner should run hard through the bag when he is attempting to beat a throw to first. The runner should concentrate on running to a spot about 15 feet past the bag. When the runner touches the bag, the runner's foot should land on the front 1/3 of the bag.
5. The batter base runner should always look to the right when he crosses the bag on a close play. This look allows the batter base runner to see if the throw was missed by the first baseman.
6. If the base runner is sent to second, the runner should only contact the inner corner of the base as he makes the turn toward second base.
7. The runner should always run everything out as if the ball is fair. The runner should hustle and assume that all fly balls will be missed.
8. The runner must run out all foul balls because of the "roll back" rule. If a foul ball hits and kicks back into fair territory between home and 1st base or between home and 3rd base, the ball is fair. The ball will be fair as long as the ball does not contact a bat, fence, dugout, or fielder.
9. The batter base runner that sees an errant throw should not immediately advance to second. The runner must listen to his coach. The coach will make sure that the catcher is not trailing the play.
10. Older or advanced runners may be taught to read the firstbaseman's footwork to detect a possible catch ad tag play. If the throw from the fielder pulls the first baseman off the bag, the only possibility for getting the runner out is a tag. If the runner sees the first baseman coming off the bag toward him, he should slide to avoid the tag.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the Mauer Quick Swing baseball batting trainer.

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 at Boaz High School in Alabama. 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/3865265
================
Thanks to our sponsors:

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

Baseball Coaching Digest - Illegal Use of the Courtesy Runner Rule

Baseball Coaching Digest - Illegal Use of the Courtesy Runner Rule
By guest author: Nick Dixon


Baseball coaches must be alert for one way that opposing offensive teams may illegally use the Courtesy Runner or Speed-Up rule.

How does a team illegally use a courtesy runner? Here is the procedure outlined:

Coaches should always be alert for the opposition misusing the this base runner rule. There are a couple of ways that coaches do this.

The first way that they cheat using the "speed-up" runner rule is that they will use a designated hitter for their catcher and if the opposition does not catch it, they will use a courtesy runner to run for the designated hitter who is actually hitting for the catcher.

Sounds crazy doesn't it? Well it has been done many, many times by coaches that pull this on unsuspecting coaches and inexperienced umpires.

Another way that coaches will misuse the "speed-up" runner is that they run for a pitcher or catcher that they say is going out on defense, for the first time, in the next half of the inning. They put a substitute in the catcher's batting slot. They tell the umpire that he is catching or pitching. The player bats and gets a hit. The coach then uses a "speed-up" runner for the sub who he says is now his catcher or pitcher. The runner comes in the game and runs. However, the sub is pulled and the starting catcher is put back in the game when the defense takes the field.

These are rule violations. You must always be alert and watch for such violations by your opposition. Don't think that such trickery will not happen to you. If you do not have a good score bookkeeper to help you be alert, you may not catch it.

Check out Blogs4Coaches.com for a directory of blogs recommended for baseball coaches, players and parents.

Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

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




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2952280
================
Thanks to our sponsors:

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

Youth Baseball Digest - What is on Base Percentage? How is on Base Percentage Calculated?

Youth Baseball Digest - What is on Base Percentage? How is on Base Percentage Calculated?
By guest author: Nick Dixon


On Base Percentage (OBP) is a vital baseball statistic that tells how effectively a batter is getting his job done at the plate. On baseball percentage is often referred to the OBP. On Base Percentage is often referred to as the "on base average" or OBA.

What is On Baseball Percentage?

OBP is a statistic expressed in a three digit number that shows how often reaches first base. The OBP represents every way a batter can gets to first base for any reason other than a fielding error or a fielder's choice. On-base percentage is the measure of the number of times a player gets on base by getting on base with a hit, by drawing a base on balls, and by being hit by pitch. The expressed as a percentage of his total number of plate appearances.

How is calculate OBP?

OBP is calculated using the simple mathematical formula. To calculate the OBP you first add the total number of hits, walks and times the batter is hit by a pitch. You then divide that total by the total number of at-bats, walks, times hit by a pitch and sac flies..

OBP is calculated using this formula:

(Number of H + BB + HBP)

Divided by

(Number AB + BB + HBP + SF)

= OBP

Symbols used in the formula above:

H = Hits

BB = Bases on Balls (Walks)

HBP = Hit By a Pitch

AB = At bats

SF = Sacrifice Flies

I hope that you have a better understanding of OBP after reading this article. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it. Good luck this season, 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. Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine. Dixon is a contributing writer for the Baseball Coaching 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/3479118
==============
Thanks to our sponsors:


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

Baseball Coaching Digest: Defending the First and Third Early Break Play

Baseball Coaching Digest: Defending the First and Third Early Break Play
By guest author: Nick Dixon


One of the plays that teams will run with runners at first and third base is to have the first base runner early break. This article outlines this play and the best ways to defend against it.

You have seen the play ran over and over. There are base runners on first base and third base. The runner at first base break early before the pitcher even begins his motion. The pitcher steps off, throws the ball to the second baseman the runner breaks back toward first base. The second baseman throws the ball to the first baseman. The runner at third, who has been creeping slowly down the line, breaks for home, when the second baseman releases the ball. The first baseman catches the ball, turns to throw to the plate, the ball arrives late, the third base runner scores. How do you stop this play?

To know defend this play you must first know why the offense runs it and what their goals are. The offensive team's goals in order of priority are:


Score the runner at third with a late throw to the plate. If your pitcher throws the ball to the middle infielder, the runner at third will in most cases break for home when the ball leaves the middle infielders hand. The offense knows that the first baseman must catch the ball, turn, and throw. In most cases, that process takes too long. The throw home will always be late.
Score the runner at third with a balk. - Another goal of the early breaking runner at first base is to force the pitcher to balk. This action would move both runners and score the run.
Get both runners into scoring position without a threat of the first base runner being thrown out. The offensive team knows that the defense will not contest the early breaking runner, so they use this tactic as a safe way to steal second and to get both runners into scoring position.

What should the defensive team do to stop the play and to prevent a run form scoring?

Here are the three recommended actions and the results each causes:


Give the base up uncontested. This is the safest method if you feel that your pitcher can get the batter out at the plate. Of course if there are no outs or one out, you may not want to let the runner move to second base without action.
Run a cut play with the pitcher throwing the ball to the second baseman. The second base man will charge toward third base. He will catch the ball throw from the pitcher and immediately throw the ball to the third baseman or run at the third base runner in an attempt to catch him off a bag and to get him out.
Pitcher throws the ball to the second baseman, after checking the runner at third base. The second baseman will not throw the ball to the first baseman but will rather, keep his shoulders turned in a position allowing a throw to the plate, and slowly walk the runner back to first base. There is no throw made thus the runner at third base does not have the opportunity to break to home.
The Pitcher full arm fakes to second base and immediately throws to the third baseman. In many cases, the runner at third base will "bite" on the full arm fake to second base and will come off a few steps toward home. This movement toward home is often enough to allow the pitcher to pick him off third or to catch him off third with an opportunity to get an out in a run down situation.

I hope that this article is helpful and informative. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

Have a great day,
Nick.

The Baseball2u.com Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. Available now for just $119.95 + S&H.

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. Dixon coaches at Boaz High in Boaz Alabama. Dixon is a member of the American Baseball Coahes Association and Alabama Baseball Coaches Association.

To subscribe to the Baseball Coaching Digest Newsletter visit the Baseball Coaching Digest. You may also fine free baseball coaching articles, drills and tips at the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog.

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



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6042998
===================
Thanks to our sponsors:


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

How Pitch Count Affects A Hitter's Strategy

How Pitch Count Affects A Hitter's Strategy
By Jim Bain

A hitter must have a firm grasp of the situation he's walking into as he approaches the plate and should have a distinct plan of what and how he's going to hit in order to benefit the team the most.
Let's delve into some of the more common strategies which affect pitch count on a hitter and what should be going through his head.

Baseball Pitch Count-Hitter - Situation: 1st inning - lead off hitter - no outs- no base runners:
The first duty of a lead off hitter is to get on base. Doesn't matter by what means he accomplishes this, base hit, walk, hit by the pitch, just as long as he reaches base safely.

0-0 Count. There are two trains of thought in this situation. The first is to always take the first pitch. Force the pitcher to throw a strike. It's the beginning of the game and at this particular time nobody, including the pitcher, knows exactly how his control will be on that day. Should his 1st pitch be a ball, the hitter has an automatic advantage because the next pitch must be a strike or else the pitcher is quickly putting himself into a huge disadvantage.

Along those lines, the second philosophy on this count and situation is, swing at the first pitch. The assumption is the pitcher will probably throw a fastball for a strike in order to quickly get ahead in the count.
It's doubtful, especially in the younger ages, the pitcher would throw a breaking ball because it's harder to throw for a strike. Therefore, the best chance for a hitter to see a fastball strike, will be the first pitch of the game.

1-0 The batter has a little breathing room because the odds are 50/50 he has a chance of being walked as he does being struck out. This may allow the hitter a little bit more flexibility in swinging at a pitch he may not quite like.

2-0 The batter has a distinct advantage over the pitcher. The pitcher must throw a strike or all but nearly concede a possible walk to the lead off hitter, something he does not want to do. The hitter at this point can look for a specific pitch in a specific area and if the pitch isn't there, don't swing.

3-0 Unless you are an Albert Pujos or other great MLB player, it is a cardinal sin to swing at a 3-0 pitch. Remember, you are wanting to reach base and the pitcher must throw 3 strikes in a row before throwing a ball to keep you from walking if you don't swing at another pitch.

0-1 Count. As a lead off hitter you should be fearless and comfortable with hitting with any count, so hitting with 1 strike should not bother you. In fact, in reality you have accomplished the first step of your job.

You want to see as many pitches from the pitcher as possible. This is not only for you to become accustomed to his pitching motion, types of pitches he throws or any other thing you can pick up for an advantage, but your team mates are also learning the pitcher as they watch you work him.

0-2 At this point you must shift gears from an offensive hitter to a defensive hitter. Your entire focus goes to making contact, putting the bat on the ball, and not allowing the pitcher to strike you out.

You can not count on an umpire calling a close pitch, although a ball, a ball. He very well may subconsciously favor the pitcher on a close pitch as he has thrown nothing but strikes to that point.

These situations are but a very minute sampling of the 1000s of situations a hitter will encounter over his/her career and is not intended to be all inclusive, that would be nearly impossible.

Hopefully by examining the thought processes behind the strategies will help you start better understanding the complexities of the mental aspect of the game from a hitter's position. You must remember...baseball is Not all physical abilities.

Jim Bain - Former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth. Visit his exciting info packed website: http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6116892

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

Thanks to our sponsor: Xtender Batting cages and Heater Pitching Machines

XtenderBattingCages.com
Xtender Batting Cages For Home & Youth Baseball
Heater Combo Pitching Machine & Xtender Batting Cage Package
Heater Pitching Machines