The Baseball Weight Training Program

By Kyle Oxenham

If you know baseball, you know how hard the training in baseball is and how innovative it is to perform weight training which is incorporated in a baseball training program, you would know how effective this training is in competitions. There are a number of persons though who say that baseball could be a dangerous method in weight training than when you do it slow and accurately in the gym or a fitness center. Many say that most of the coaches commit serious errors that cause traumatic bodily stress or injury in a person who is into a baseball weight training program.

1. Weight training through baseball should take into consideration the limitation of players - Even slight errors in baseball training can already cause injury to an individual. The truth though is that it is not really the training that does not work but it is the coaches who do not understand fully this kind of weight training program. There are many caches of baseball players who just want to increase and increase the strength and stamina of their field players but who do not think of the limitations of these athletes. Often times, the injury comes after severe and successive training in preparation for the upcoming competition. Least they know that their players are already over stressed and over trained.

2. Train but do not strain through overtraining. You should know that overtraining is not good because it not only causes injuries and severe muscle damages on the body but likewise, it defeats the very purpose of an exercise. You should know that like ordinary weight training exercises, the baseball weight training program should observe the same basic principles in weight training such as rest. Rest is as important as exercise and progression. In fact, you cannot progress if your body can no longer tolerate the load that you are putting on it. Challenge is a lot different from damage and that is what you want to avoid.

3. Incorporate variations in the training program. There have be variation in the types of routines that you do and in the intensity of the routines. It would be better to incorporate other exercises that similarly work to strengthen your muscles. Say for example, basketball routines may be incorporated in the baseball routines in order to enhance the flexibility of the body which is much required in the baseball game. There has to be variations as to the speed of your routines in the program. This is one form in which the progression principle can be incorporated in the program.

4. Force = Mass x Acceleration Principle in baseball - Lastly, you should know that the most important aspect in the weight training program in baseball is the force produced. Aside from the strength of the leg muscles and the hand and leg coordination, the program also develops extreme force particularly when one swings the baseball bat. Imagine what huge force you need in order to swing a bat at 90 mph. The very reason why most coaches incorporate weight training in baseball is because force requires mass times acceleration. The acceleration is defined as the speed at which the bar is moved while the mass is the weight on the bar.

This explains exactly how a baseball weight training program will help you achieve - greater force.
Want to get stronger, Faster? for more weight training articles, tips and a FREE Newsletter: Weight Training for Baseball

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How to Develop a Compact Baseball Swing

AdvancedSkillsTee.com

By Jack Perconte

All major league hitters have compact swings. They could not get to that level without one. What separates hitters at this level is their degree of bat quickness and bat speed. Bat quickness determines how quick they can get the bat to the ball once they decide to swing. This is one of the ingredients needed for being able to wait on the pitch as long as possible and for making contact. Bat speed determines the amount of power that a hitter will produce if solid contact is made when the ball is hit. Once again though, all major league hitters have compact baseball swings. This is vital in order to hit the speeds that major league players face.

You might ask, "If they all have compact swings, why do some strike out so much?" There are three reasons for that and one was mentioned, bat quickness. A compact swing does not guarantee a quick bat. Two, some players put more tilt in their upper body with their swing. When players collapse their back side creating un-level hips, they create more up-swing, leading to greater lift on the ball, but more misses too. Three, some players simply have better hand-eye coordination.

Developing a compact swing should be the goal of young baseball hitters too. This will be necessary if they wish to consistently hit as they move up the baseball ladder.

First, a definition of a compact swing is necessary. Compactness implies a short, tight area and this would define a good baseball swing. A compact baseball swing is one in which the bat barrel goes from hitting position (above hitter's rear shoulder) directly to the ball as the hands descend into a palm-up, palm-down position approaching the strike zone. The bat barrel stays relatively close to the hitter's head on the way to the ball, without taking a detour to the contact area. Why is this so necessary? The more compact the swings, the longer hitters can wait on the ball which is a huge advantage when making decisions on different speed pitches.

Following are the drills that will lead to a compact baseball swing, giving ballplayers the best chance of having baseball hitting success:

1. Place a pad under the hitters lead arm and take some swings without the pad falling out till the follow through. Hitters will develop strong quick hands and forearms with this drill and not a long arm swing.

2. Have hitters stand belly button away from a net and take swings with the edge of bat just grazing the net with a full, fast turn. This will force hitters to keep the hands close to body to avoid casting the bat.

3. Have hitter stand with net close behind them (toward catcher) and take swings missing net on way toward ball. This drill is best done with no stride and will not allow hitters to drop the bat barrel

4. Set a batting tee hip high and even height with hitter's rear hip. Hitters take swings while missing the tee and hitting balls at any level, even knee high - best done with dropped ball drill or soft toss flipped balls.

5. Dropped ball drill - coach holds ball up in air and drops ball into the hitter's strike zone after the hitter takes their stride. A compact swing is necessary to make solid, consistent contact.

6. Alternate fast and slow pitches until hitters learn to have the same quick swing on all pitches - when players make good contact on both speeds while hitting balls in the direction of where the pitch is located is the goal.

Finally, hitters can perform a few of these drills in combination with the other drills to challenge them further. For example, combining the glove under lead arm (# 1) and the dropped ball drill (#5) with the tee hip high(#4) at the same time can be done.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball.
Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his parenting blog and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte
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College Baseball Recruiting - An Interview With a Junior College Baseball Team Coach

By John Riedling

What is the most important factor other then athletic ability that will determine your interest in a high school baseball player?

First of all, I am looking for a player who wants to play for my team at my school. The student should show a clear interest in playing here, specifically, at my college. They have to want to come to this institution. And the reason for this is that I don't want my players to transfer to another school after playing only one season. Yes, we do lose some players every year to the professional draft but that comes with the territory. The ability to qualify for the professional draft at any time is one of the main reasons that we are able to attract the high level of talented players that we do.

What is something that you have seen high school players overlook in the past when trying to get recruited at college baseball teams?

One very important thing that I see too many high school students not doing is the proper research. And by research I mean that the students need to research the team rosters of the schools they are applying to very carefully. Because the bottom line is that if a coach already has a great freshman and sophomore shortstop, for example, and you are shortstop trying to get recruited to his team your chances of success of greatly diminished. You may be a great shortstop but if my team doesn't need a shortstop you will be overlooked for another player who fits into our roster. The one position on the team that is an exception, of course, is the pitcher. We are always recruiting pitchers. We have ten to twelve pitchers on the roster. High school players need to be thinking about finding a college team that will be a good fit for them and think less about the prestige of the team. They need to research the team and the school very closely.

What are some other factors outside of pure athletic ability that you look for in new recruits for your team?

I look for good character. I actually ask around. I will call a student's high school and ask him about the character of the player before I make my recruiting decision. I will also speak to his other team mates. I want to find out what kind of reputation this person has because I am concerned about how his character will affect the overall quality of my team. Trust is a major factor. I have to know that this person will be trustworthy. There are three red flags that will immediately disqualify someone from being recruited to my team: lying, stealing and drugs. I will not tolerate either of those three things. Trust is major issue. Our players spend a lot of time in dug outs and traveling to other cities where we simply can't have someone is might be stealing from other players in those situations.

What is one, often overlooked, piece of advice that you could give to a high school students who are narrowing their search for a college baseball program?

Take a look at the junior colleges and smaller schools. If you are really serious about continuing your baseball career then you need to be considering the junior colleges. All too many times I see talented players get recruited at the big division I schools and then spend the next two years on the bench. When you are sitting on the bench you are not playing and you are not improving. Unfortunately, I have seen situations where a player will see very little game time during their first two years and then get "recruited over" by a new recruit who spent the last two years playing and practicing at a junior college. Many people don't realize that the top 5 or 6 junior college baseball teams in the country can compete with any division I program. At a junior college you are going to get more play time, you can get recruited every year and you generally receive the same education for the first two years as any other college or university. If you want to play professional ball but are playing for a division I school you won't be allowed to be recruited for three years. If you are playing at a junior college, in those same three years, you have three separate opportunities to get recruited.

If you are truly serious about playing college baseball and you want to know exactly, step by step, how to get recruited at the college baseball team of your choice then you must read my Grand Slam Guide [http://www.nlprospects.com/grand-slam-college-baseball.html] to College Baseball Scholarships and Recruiting.

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

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The Importance of Plate Discipline

By Andy Pohl

Every hitter has their weaknesses. Perhaps it is a low, outside strike. Maybe they have difficulty with anything off speed, or pitches on the inner half of the plate. In all reality, the strike zone, from the knees to the letters, ranging from the inner half to the outer half of the plate, is a fairly large area to cover with a 32-34 inch bat. Great hitters understand this, and they discipline themselves to lay off pitches they know they struggle with early in the count.

Successful hitters understand their strengths as well. They understand the pitch they hit the hardest and most consistently. Good hitting coaches ask their players to evaluate their best pitch to handle, as well as the pitch that gives them the most trouble. Once hitters know the pitches that they like and dislike, they are well on their way towards developing a successful hitting plan.

Every hitter must have some type of plan before they enter the batters box. This plan starts with an understanding of strengths and weaknesses. If the fastball at the knees is their best pitch, make sure they are looking for it early in the count. More importantly, coach your hitters to sit on that pitch when the count is 2 and 0 or 3 and 1 (referred to as hitters counts, because in these situations the pitcher can ill afford to throw a ball). Countless high school hitters have become stars simply by banging out hits on 2 and 0 or 3 and 1 counts. The reason for this is they know the pitcher has to throw a strike in this situation, and usually for a young, developing pitcher the fastball gives them the best chance to hit the zone. Along the same lines, convey to your hitters that if the count is 2 and 0 or 3 and 1, never swing at a pitch that is in a location they cannot hit hard. This is when it is important for them to really understand their weaknesses.

Remember, because of the strike zone's size, there are strikes that might not be good pitches to hit. Good hitters lay off these pitches early in the count. Good hitters also understand the importance of working the count in their favor and taking an aggressive swing at their pitch. Hitters who are on the offensive always have a better chance of succeeding than those who are on the defensive.

Andy Pohl - Co-Founder, DNA Sports

DNA Sports specializes in personalized baseball and softball skill programs, college recruiting education and preparation, and coaching clinics. Learn more: http://www.dnasportsonline.com

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




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Teaching a Balanced Batting Stance

By Andy Pohl

Hitting is a chain reaction of body movements. As with any chain reaction, the end cannot be met without a proper beginning. The purpose of the stance is to get the hitter in a body position that will facilitate a quick and powerful movement towards the baseball.

First of all, hitters need to find a stance that is comfortable and balanced. Their eyes must be focused on the pitcher. Many hitters have their heads tucked under their shoulder or tilted to the side. This consequently impedes their ability to see the ball clearly from the best angle. Make sure the head is upright with the eyes focused directly at the pitcher.

All good hitters get themselves in a good athletic position to start. A good athletic position consists of flex in the knees with the hip sockets back. If a hitter is having a difficult time getting into an athletic position or confused about what this position feels like, have them pretend they are defending someone on the basketball court. They will quickly notice that their knees are flexed, their butt is out, and they are slightly bent over on the balls of their feet. Have them hold that position and put a bat in their hands. This is the proper stance.

The stance is should be relaxing enough to have a calming effect over the body. The bat should be held loosely in the fingers or across the callous line of the hand. Never hold the bat in the palm. The hands and forearms should be relaxed as much as possible. Seeing the veins pop out of a player's arms is a good indication that they are holding gripping the bat too tight. Any tension in the hands and arms slows down the swing, which subsequently reduces power.

In order to relax, hitters should breathing slowly, in with the nose and out with the mouth between pitches. Taking practice check swings while in the box waiting for the pitcher to get set also relaxes the body and gives the hitter a sense of flow. Athletes cannot be successful hitter if their mind and body are not in a relaxed state.

Andy Pohl - Co-Founder, DNA Sports

DNA Sports specializes in personalized baseball and softball skill programs, college recruiting education and preparation, and coaching clinics. Learn more: http://www.dnasportsonline.com

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