Baseball Base Running - When Not to Slide Into Second Base

By Larry Cicchiello

If you are a runner on first base and a ground ball is headed to the second baseman, make a quick observation as to where the second baseman is going to field the ball. If he is going to go to his left to field the grounder, it would be very wise for you NOT to slide into second base. If you slide, you are opening up a throwing lane for the second baseman to his shortstop. A much better choice is avoid sliding and run slightly to the right side of the baseline. It's a very easy and intelligent play that unfortunately, not too many base runners put to good use. By not sliding and running on the right side of the base line, there is a very good chance that when the second baseman fields the grounder, he will look toward second base and see you and not be able to see his shortstop. A simple thing like this can create chaos for the team in the field. One possibility is that the second baseman will not even attempt to get the force out and you will now be in scoring position at second base. Another possibility is that if the second baseman does attempt the throw to second base, he will alter his throw because he has to either get it over you or around you. He could very well throw the ball away and you may now have two runners on with less than two outs, rather than having one runner on and possibly two outs. It creates an entirely different scenario and this simple technique can lead to a big inning and a big inning can have a major impact on the outcome of a baseball game. Most people in attendance at the game, including players and coaches, won't even notice what happened because it is a very good play that very few are aware of.

Another time to at least consider NOT sliding into second base is if you are on first base and a pickoff throw gets away from the first baseman. When the pickoff throw gets away, immediately look over your right shoulder and make a very quick determination as to where you think the first baseman will pick up the ball.

If you think the ball will be fielded far enough away that you can possibly go to third base, you do NOT want to slide into second base and waste time getting up from sliding and then consider going to third base.

These are two very good baseball base running tips that unfortunately, not too many know about.

Larry Cicchiello is the author of the very informative book "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." He is unique in that his site offers visitors several FREE TIPS that are straight from his book. His book includes many baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball fielding tips, baseball base running tips, baseball coaching drills and more. Your baseball "help desk" will be open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and very user friendly. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED as a manager, coach, player at any level or a parent who wants to help their child improve or overcome any baseball struggles.

You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/

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From the Baseball Coaching Digest: Mandatory Pitch Counts in High School?

www.BaseballCoachingDigest.com

By Nate Barnett

I was recently given an article from a local newspaper dated, March 26, 2008. The feature article in the sports section that day was titled, Too much, too soon? The article examined a local high school pitcher, who in 2001 ruined his arm after throwing well over 400 pitches in a five game stretch early in the season. He sued the school district claiming that his coach was "negligent in letting him throw so many pitches in such a short period." The lawsuit failed as the court ruled in favor of the school district. Since the lawsuit, the pitcher has expressed great interest in having the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association implement maximum pitch counts at the high school level.

While I have sympathy for this former athlete's arm injury, I do not think for a minute it would be wise to implement a blanket policy that would put a cap on the amount of pitches a given pitcher may throw in a game. The results of such a policy would have drastic impact on how the game of baseball is played. Instead, coaches need to understand how to promote and build their players' arm strength through proper baseball instruction, and athletes need to advocate for themselves regarding high pitch counts early in the season. Here are a couple things to work on from an athlete's stand point.

1. In the NW it is particularly important that pitchers are building arm strength throughout the winter months. There are many ways of doing this from arm strengthening exercises like lifting and tubing work, to playing long toss with a buddy. Unfortunately, many pitchers come into the season with an out of shape pitching arm. Being ill-prepared is just begging for an arm injury.

2. Pitches can become more effective in keeping their pitch counts down by throwing more strikes early in the count. A greater emphasis needs to be placed on developing and using the fastball more frequently. Change grips, change locations, and change speeds. There is more that can be done with a fastball than many pitchers understand. Because of this lack of understanding, too much reliance is placed on throwing curve balls.

3. Proper pitching instruction is necessary to make sure the body is generating the power and velocity rather than the pitching arm doing all of the work. There is much to be said about the connection of bad pitching mechanics and arm injuries.

Nate Barnett is owner of the The Pitching Academy, a pitching information website designed to improve your on the mound performance as a pitcher. Download a FREE copy of the pitching workouts ebook The Pitching Academy contains information, products, training, free articles, and more on pitching, pitching drills, pitching mechanics, and much more.

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Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. 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. Check out Baseball2u.com/Coachesbest.com for all of your coaching and training equipment needs. Visit the Baseball Dealz Ebay Super Store to purchase top quality baseball training equipment at discount prices.

From the Baseball Coaching Digest: Hitting Did You Knows

www.HandsBackHitter.com

By Todd Thomas

Did you know...

...a baseball and/or softball bat is one of the few retail products of significant value that comes with no directions on how to use it?

...hitting is at the very least 50% from the neck up and very few hitters are taught the mental side of the hitting equation?

...most hitters and coaches will say on average that a player's mental game of confidence, focus, and composure make up 80% of how they perform in game situations over and above their mechanics. Yet, those same people will readily admit that they spend 2% or less of their time practicing their mental game while practicing 98% on the other 20% of the game. Hmmm???

...there are only TWO hitting techniques? A hitter either comes forward or stays back. If he weight-shifts forward (continuously moves his vertical plane forward out over the top of the front foot)as he swings, the hitter is linear. Rotational hitters also weight-shift, but once they reach the balance point in their stride, they rotate around a stationary axis as they swing. Simply put, hitters that "stay back" are rotational. A hitter CANNOT stay back and be considered linear.

...good hitting mechanics incorporate BOTH linear and rotational movements? A "hybrid" swing is nothing new. Good swings have always been "hybrid".

...that despite all the talk of what "linear" hitting is and what linear hitting isn't, it barely resembles what it was 25 years ago?

...there is no such thing as the one "perfect swing?" The perfect swing is the adjustments a hitter makes to the pitch each different pitch they see. As a result, the "perfect swing" constantly changes!

...that parents and too often even coaches are confusing young hitters by telling them when they are in the batter's box to get their elbow up or down? Having the elbow "up" or "down" is a "style" issue—NOT a mechanics issue?

...the major league average bat speed is 78 mph?

...that bat "speed" and bat "quickness are two distinctly different things?" Bat speed measures bat velocity or the actual speed of the bat; bat quickness measures the time lapse from launch-to-contact. If a hitter has good bat quickness (major league average is .16 seconds), they will have high bat velocity. However, a hitter can have high bat velocity and NOT have good bat quickness. Good bat quickness is a product of good torque in the swing.

...to get the "same" performance/production from a wood bat that hitters get from aluminum, the wood bat should be two inches longer and two ounces heavier?

...there is no "proper" batting stance? It's different for each hitter and is a product of the hitter's "style"—not his technique.

..."no stride" hitting can make it easier for a hitter to focus on the pitch better because of less body/head movement?

...that Rogers Hornsby when asked what he did during the winter when there wasn't baseball said..."I stare out the window and wait for spring." Don't we all!

Now you know...if you didn't already.

Todd Thomas is a Baseball Coach and Professional Hitting Instructor for Mike Epstein Hitting. Coach Todd's personal hitting website is http://www.HitItHere.net . Coach Todd also enthusiastically endorses http://PlayMyBestBaseball.com as a place where baseball and softball hitters can master the Confidence, Composure, Focus and Consistency of their game so they can reach their full potential.

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

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Jugs Baseball Training Aids

By Eugene Rischall

Jugs has many different types of baseball training aids that will greatly improve your baseball and softball game. They can be used by adults, high school, and little leagues. Jugs has baseball training aids to help improve hitting, pitching, and fielding.

Jugs baseball pitching machines are very popular. Jugs Softball Pitching Machine has a speed range of as low as 15 mph to 60 mph. Will pitch fastballs, slowpitch, risers, and dropballs. Jugs 101 Baseball Pitching Machine throws 30 mph to as high as 90 mph. Pitch selection and speed are dial-a-pitch. The Combination Pitching Machine throws as low as 20 mph and as high as 104 mph. Throws fastball, curveball, and slider. Jugs also has the Curveball, Super Softball, Jr. Pitching, Lite-Flite, and MVP pitching machines. Whatever your need, Jugs has the right pitching machine for you. Ball feeders for your pitching machine include 18 Ball Baseball, 14 Ball Softball, 18 Ball Baseball-Lite Flite, and 14 Ball Softball-Lite Flite. Types of balls available for your feeders are dimpled, seamed, lite-flite, softie, bulldog, small-ball and pearl.

Accessories are very valuable baseball training aids. Hitting tees are perfect for T-Ball batting practice. The 5-point hitting tee can be used for both baseball and softball. Included is a Tee Drill Book. Jugs has a portable generator to work with your baseball pitching machines. New hitting stick is a 30 inch, 16 oz. bat. Good for eye coordination. Will help you get quick hands and a quick bat. Small-instant protectice screen is 6 ft. high and 4 ft. wide.

Protective screens include quick-snap which are easy to assemble. Has a durable thickness of #4000 twine protection. They include L-shaped pitchers screens, square protective screen for basemen, softball screen, and Jugs lite-flite/slowpitch screen.

Jugs fixed-frame protective screens has double-thick netting of 240 lb.-breaking breaking strength, twisted polyethlene. The L-shaped, softball, square screen w/sock net, square fungo and short toss protective screens all come with a 1 year guarantee.

Netting comes with 4 different breaking strengths, 119lb., 191lb., 381lb,. and 691lb. Backyard , youth leagues, and high school use 119, 191, and 381lb. breaking strength. Colleges use 191, 381, and 691lb. breaking strength. Professional uses 691lb. breaking strength. They are all made with dura-tech netting.

Jugs has batting cage frame sets for all standard size Jugs nets. All sets come with ground sleeves, crossbars, and uprights. Instructions are quick and easy. They are made with industrial-gauge galvanized steel. 5 year guarantee on all Jugs batting cage frames.

Jugs also has different complete packages that are very valuable baseball training aids.

I hope this article will help you when trying to find the right training aid that will improve your baseball and softball game.

Author-Eugene Rischall, Owner, Baseball Training Emporium
http://www.baseballtrainingemporium.com

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The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, 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, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Baseball Coaching Tips - Protect the Runner From What?

www.HandsBackHitter.com

By Larry Cicchiello

A base runner breaks for second base for a stolen base attempt. The batter swings at the pitch and quite often an announcer will say that the batter swung to protect the runner. Was the runner in some type of danger and needed protection? No. The runner is simply trying to steal a base.

Forget about protecting the runner and a much better option for the batter is to help the runner instead.


Square around as if to bunt even though you have no intention of bunting.
Place the bat at approximately the eye level of the catcher.
At the last second, pull the bat away and do not attempt the bunt.
This will slightly block the vision of the catcher when he tries to catch the ball and also will prevent him from aggressively jumping out of his stance and gaining momentum toward the base he's throwing to.
Catchers don't like this because they can't make their normal throw that they practice all the time.
It disrupts their timing as well as their footwork.
Usually, there's a good chance the catcher's throw will not be a good one.

It's a very effective play and one of the smartest baseball coaching tips you will learn. Very few players know about it and that's why it is not done often.

Please note well that this should be used at advanced levels of play ONLY.

It should not be used by young players that are just starting out and learning to play baseball.

There is a huge difference between baseball coaching tips for young players and baseball coaching tips for players at the high school level of play and beyond.

Eight to ten year old players compared to players that are fifteen years old and up should be coached accordingly.

Please don't ever forget that.

Larry Cicchiello is the author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." His site offers many FREE baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball coaching drills, etc. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED!

You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/

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

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