tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75984619880161062272024-03-13T03:18:50.866-07:00The Baseball Coaching DigestThe Baseball Coaches Digest Blog is your source for baseball coaching information and articles.
Our regular posts include baseball training drills, baseball coaching tips,baseball coaching strategies, baseball coaching philosophy and much more.
Our daily post and archives provide your with hundreds of recommended baseball coaching posts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-81027833115270547322013-08-16T04:44:00.000-07:002013-08-16T04:44:11.458-07:00Baseball Pitching Tips - How to Expand the Strike Zone Properly!Baseball Pitching Strategy <br><br>
By Guest Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello">Larry Cicchiello </a>
<br><br>
Whenever you are ahead in the count, you should "expand the strike zone." No, let's rephrase that. You must expand the strike zone! That simply means throwing a pitch off the plate, that's actually a ball. Or throwing a pitch too high or too low that is out of the strike zone. Let's be clear on one thing. I think it is a total waste if you throw the pitch too far off the plate. If ahead of the batter and the count is 0-2, it makes no sense to throw a pitch over the batter's head or two feet off the plate. The objective is to get the batter to swing at a pitch that's not a strike. If you throw the ball way off the plate or over the batter's head the batter will not swing. The only thing that does is that it adds to your pitch count. That makes no sense.
<br><br>
It is estimated that at least 70% of swinging strike threes are on pitches that are NOT strikes. Please read the previous sentence again!<br><br>
You don't have to take my word for it. You can see it for yourself. Occasionally, when a pitcher strikes out a lot of hitters in a baseball game, the following morning on television, they sometimes show the replays of all the strikeouts. Keep a tally for yourself. (Trust me on this one, you can do it.) I have done it several times.<br><br>
If the hitter took strike three, you DON'T tally it. You are ONLY checking the SWINGING strike threes. Simply count the pitches swung at that were strikes and pitches swung at that were balls. Your tally will go like this: 1 out of 1, 1 out of 2, 2 out of 3, 2 out of 4, 3 out of 5, etc.<br><br>
I really suggest you try this. You will get very good at it and in no time at all and may find it very interesting as well as surprising. The batters swing at more strike threes that are balls than are strikes! That is a very powerful statement. It is because the batter can no longer be fussy about what he swings at and must protect against being called out on strikes.<br><br>
There is an expression that has been around for decades and still holds true and will NEVER become obsolete. "You get ahead of them with strikes but you get them out with balls." I know it's been around for decades because my father taught it to me about 50 years ago, when I was 9 years old. Boy am I old!<br><br>
Make very good use of expanding the strike zone because very often, if ahead in the count, you will get batters out with balls.<br><br>
One of the better baseball pitching tips you should always remember is that there is simply no reason on earth to give a hitter a strike to hit if he's going to swing at a ball! Baseball pitching is plenty tough enough.<br><br>
Why not make your life easier?<br><br>
Larry is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks and CD's covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at <a href="http://www.LarryBaseball.com">LarryBaseball.com</a>.<br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello</a><br><br>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-70682819357507537852013-08-14T04:32:00.000-07:002013-08-14T04:32:21.610-07:00Coaching Baseball Batters - 3 Common Baseball Swing Mistakes and CorrectionsCommon Baseball Swing Flaws and Corrections <br><br>
By <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">Nick Dixon</a> <br><br>
Coaching youth and high school baseball batters requires a watchful eye and close attention to detail. Baseball coaches must identify and correct any flaw in batting hitting mechanics. Players should not be allowed to practice their swing over and over without correcting their mistakes. Good baseball coaches are always on the constant lookout for any bad habits that a young player may develop. Here I discuss three of the most common hitting mechanical flaws and my approach to correcting each. Here are three common mistakes I often see at my baseball camps and when I observe youth games and youth practices.<br><br>
1) BARRING THE FRONT ARM - The batter locks or stiffens the front arm as the swing begins. Many young batters will have assumed the correct stance and launch positions but have a tendency to tighten up as the swing begins. The barring of the front arm causes the swing to loop and to be too long. The batter has great difficulty taking the bat to the ball and making contact unless the ball is thrown exactly on the swing plane. The proper swing has a "short stroke" or path to the ball. The best way to correct barring of the front arm is to make sure that the batter keeps the front arm elbow bent or at an "L" position prior and during the swing.<br><br>
2) STEPPING OUT OR PULLING OFF PITCHES - I often see this with young kids in our summer camp program. They always step out or their front side often flies open before the ball arrives. This batter has great difficulty making contact. Until this flaw is corrected, the batter will only become frustrated and embarrassed. To keep the front shoulder in the proper "closed" position, teach the batter to keep the front shoulder closed and directed at the second baseman for right-handed batters and toward the shortstop for left-handed batters. The stepping out is a more difficult flaw to fix. Having the batter pick the front heel off the ground and stepping just slightly toward the plate may help. I frown on putting obstructions behind the front foot to keep it from moving backward, although many coaches do this to stop this bad habit. I often use the "step in and hit: drill with a hit trainer, Bat Action Machine or batting tee. The batter assumes a position back away from the ball target that requires the batter to step toward the ball in order to make contact. If the batter does not step toward or into the ball, the batter will not be able to hit the ball.<br><br>
3) UPPER CUT SWING - The upper cut swing may be caused by two things that are quickly identified Dropping the hands and back leg collapse can both cause the batter to swing upward. Make sure that the batter keeps the hands at the top of the strike zone and does not drop the hands or dip the back side shoulder during the swing. The back leg should be keep "tall or straight" to prevent back side dipping which can also cause an upper-cut swing. Two great drills that we use to stop this is the "Zone Circle" tee or soft-toss drill. We make a circle the side of our batting cage by inter-weaving a white or yellow rope in the net. The batter must hit or drive the ball off the tee or from a soft-toss into the circle. The batter must have a level swing and keep the front side in to be able to hit the zone.<br><br>
COACHING POINT: Make sure that the batter is not over striding. This too can cause a batter to pop up. The batter must concentrate visually on the top half or middle of the ball to make good contact. <br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon</a><br><br>
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By Baseball Coaching Digest Guest Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_P._Granat,_Ph.D.">Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. </a><br><br>
Baseball pitchers at every level are always looking for an edge over the hitters that they compete against. This is true in little league baseball, high school baseball, college baseball, in the minor leagues and in the major leagues.<br><br>
Here are a few tips that can help pitchers to throw more strikes in those big games.<br><br>
1. Pitchers can benefit from utilizing records, data and video from previous games with hitters so that they can understand how best to pitch to certain batters. For instance, if the hitter likes to extend on the ball, it makes sense to pitch him inside. Similarly, if a hitter has trouble with a fast ball, the pitcher may want to rely on this basic pitch.<br><br>
2. Pitchers can benefit from developing four or five pitches. While this is not a physically easy task, having a variety of pitches can keep batters guessing and consequently, off balance.<br><br>
3. Throwing strikes is very important. In addition, focusing on throwing strikes can help to remove mental clutter from the pitcher's mind and can help to simplify the task at hand for many pitchers.<br><br>
4. In fact, according to Carlton Chin, an expert in sports, math and statistics, at the major league level, staying ahead of the hitter can actually turn at .300 hitter into a .210 hitter. This ninety point swing can be a huge advantage for the hurler. Pitchers need to have an appreciation of this simple mathematical fact.<br><br>
5. Pitchers need to have a good working relationship with their pitching coach, their head coach and their catcher.<br><br>
6. Pitchers need to know what kind of self talk allow them to "enter the zone" when they are on the mound. As one pitcher told the author, "It is all about how you communicate with yourself."<br><br>
7. Some pitchers benefit from knowing how to empty their minds of all distractions before each and every pitch. This empty mind helps them to allow their athleticism and years of training to take over when they are on the pitching mound.<br><br>
8. Some pitchers think in terms of hitting the catcher's mitt. Others try to hit portions of the plate. Pitchers need to choose a target which gives them the right amount of focus but which does not create too much anxiety for them. The right target can very from pitcher too pitcher.<br><br>
9. While location of pitches is very important, pitchers need to remember that good pitching is also about disrupting the hitter's timing. Varying speeds can be a very useful skill for baseball hurlers.<br><br>
10. Some pitchers put too much pressure on themselves by forgetting that they have teammates on the field who can help them to win games. A ground out or fly out is as good as strikeout much of the time in baseball.<br><br>
11. Some baseball hurlers do well by focusing on one simple part of their mechanics. (Follow through, use your legs, easy does it, transfer your weight.)<br><br>
12. Having a consistent pre-pitch routing helps many pitchers to perform well.<br><br>
13. Knowing the pace that you like to pitch at is also important. Some pitchers like to work rapidly. Others need more time between each pitch. Pitchers who are struggling may want to adjust their pace of pitching accordingly. Experiment with less time or more time and see what works best.<br><br>
14. Pitchers can benefit from mental toughness training which shows them how to be relaxed, confident, focused and resilient when the pressure is on. Hypnosis, visualization and meditation can help pitchers to maintain the right mindset in the dugout, in the bullpen and on the mound.<br><br>
Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a Psychotherapist, Author and the Founder of http://www.StayInTheZone.com. He has been featured in many major media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, ESPN and Sports Illustrated. Dr. Granat is available for coaching and for seminars. He can be reached at info@stayinthezone.com or at 888 580-ZONE. He has recently developed a program for baseball pitchers How To Throw More Strikes With Sport Psychology And Self-Hypnosis. Here is the link to get this program. <a href="http://stayinthezone.com/shop/how-to-throw-more-strikes-with-sport-psychology-self-hypnosis/">http://stayinthezone.com/shop/how-to-throw-more-strikes-with-sport-psychology-self-hypnosis/</a><br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_P._Granat,_Ph.D.">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_P._Granat,_Ph.D.</a><br>
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<a href="http://www.Hit2win.com">Hit2win.com</a> - Free Tips, Drills, and Articles on HittingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-63166554873564935972013-08-05T05:48:00.000-07:002013-08-05T05:48:13.844-07:00Baseball Coaching Digest: Quick Feet Drills for Catchers
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Here are three of my favorite quick feet drills for catchers. Catchers should use these drills to develope quick feet. A catcher with quick feet is faster throwing runners out, can block more baseballs, and is just an all around better athlete. Quick feet drills for catchers are very important to practice. Visit <a href="http://www.yougoprobaseball.com">http://www.yougoprobaseball.com</a> for more free catching tips, drills, and videos and don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.corespeedtraining.com">http://www.corespeedtraining.com</a> for more speed training drills like using the agility ladder.<br><br>
**Disclaimer** - You Go Pro, LLC, YouGoProBaseball.com, UGoProBaseball.com, TheBaseballBoards.com, YouTube user YouGoPro, or anyone associated within any of the aformentioned, including, but not limited to, instructors, coaches, players, or anyone else who may appear, cannot be held accountable or responsible for any injuries occured by performing, or attempting to perform, any activities suggested within the website, blog, YouTube videos, or forum. Please proceed with caution and attempt all activities at your own risk!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-52679361672034719702013-08-04T16:29:00.000-07:002013-08-04T16:29:04.550-07:00Baseball Coaching Digest: Situations for Bunting: Baseball's Most Underused Strategy
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Baseball Bunting: Baseball's Most Underused Offensive Strategy <br><br>
By Guest Author: Dustin Peek <br><br>
Bunting is the most underused strategy in the game of baseball. This especially applies to younger leagues where hitters haven't yet developed the skills or knowledge necessary to properly bunt a baseball. There are a number of situations where knowing when and how to bunt a baseball can be very beneficial to a baseball team. Read on to learn the most important situations for bunting a baseball.<br><br>
Sacrifice Bunt
<br><br>
When attempting a sacrifice bunt, the hitter bunts the ball with the intention of being thrown out in order to move runners into scoring position. Statistics show that runners on second base and third base are much more likely to score a run than a runner on first base. Because of this, the sacrifice bunt can be one of the most important strategies used by teams to score runs.<br><br>
A hitter should focus on a few key items when laying down a sacrifice bunt:<br><br>
1. The hitter does not need to hide the fact that he is sacrifice bunting. The goal is moving runners, not getting on base. <br>
2. The hitter should wait for a good strike to bunt. <br>
3. The hitter should bunt down the first baseline to move a runner from first to second and down the third baseline to move a runner from second to third.<br><br>
Bunting for a Hit<br><br>
When a hitter tries to bunt for a hit, he is trying to get on base with the bunt. This can be especially difficult and is typically performed by the team's fastest runners.<br>
A hitter should focus on these items when bunting for a hit:<br><br>
1. The hitter should not let the defense know that he is bunting. The element of surprise is particularly important when bunting for a hit.
<br>2. If the third baseman is playing back, the hitter should place the bunt down the third baseline. <br>
3. A left-handed hitter can perform a drag bunt down the first baseline by starting to run to first base before contact is actually made with the baseball. <br>
4. A push bunt can be used to push a hard bunt between the pitcher and first baseman. <br>
5. A bunter should note whether the pitcher is right-handed or left-handed and bunt to the throwing arm side.<br>
Squeeze Bunt<br><br>
When a runner is on third base, a hitter can perform a suicide squeeze bunt to try to score the runner. To perform a squeeze play, the runner at third base actually begins running home before contact is made with the ball. The hitter bunts the ball and the runner scores.<br><br>
These items should be considered when performing a squeeze bunt:<br><br>
1. The hitter must make contact with the baseball regardless of where it is thrown to protect the runner.
<br>2. The hitter should not let the defense know that he is bunting so that he catches them off guard. <br>
3. The hitter should move out of the batter's box as soon as contact is made with the ball so that the runner has a clear path to score.<br>
As described above, there are a number of different bunting situations and techniques in the game of baseball. These techniques can be learned by individuals and teams to improve performance and produce more runs.<br><br>
Dustin Peek enjoys helping others learn the skills necessary to dominate on the baseball field. He is a former player and true fan of America's pastime. Click here to learn more about bunting baseballs or visit the Baseball Skills Center for even more baseball information.
<br><br>
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dustin_Peek<br>
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5906873 <br><br>
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a couple in their arsenal of practice weapons.<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-48137138708866194772013-07-26T07:24:00.001-07:002013-07-26T07:25:15.262-07:00Hitting Mechanics - 400 Swings Per Hour
Baseball Hitting Mechanics - More baseball Practice Swings <br><br>
By Guest Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Schreder ">Brian Schreder </a> <br><br>
I recently posted the details about hitting fundamentals (stance, loading, bat speed generation, swing, follow through) and the feedback was pretty consistent. "Great description, but where are the drills to perfect the swing!" Truth be told, the drills we do can be found all over the web. The secret sauce is not in some special new drill, but in organizing the hitting practice to maximize the fundamentally correct swings to develop proper muscle memory.<br><br>
Before I put together the 60 minutes of drills, let me reiterate that perfect practice makes perfect play. If the players are not swinging with correct fundamentals all they are doing is reinforcing bad muscle memory. Bad muscle memory means there will be "holes" in the swing, which translates into offensive outs and player frustration. Perfect practice creates good muscle memory that means more hard hit balls.<br><br>
What we do is set up six different hitting stations around the field and divide the team into six groups (try to keep only two players per group). To get 400 swings in 60 minutes using six stations for one hour allocates 10 minutes per station. The pitching machine station can only provide about 40 swings in the allotted time. This leaves us with 360 swings for 5 stations; therefore, you must average 72 perfect swings per station per player.<br><br>
Here are some example stations:<br><br>
1. Overload / Underload practice swings: 5 sets of 10 overload and 10 underload = 100 swings focused on bat speed. Practice swings without a ball develops a good fundamental swing with good balance.<br><br>
2. Pitch location tee work: 2 sets of 10 inside, 10 middle, and 10 outside = 60 swings focused on hitting location and driving the ball to all fields. Working off a tee adds the element of hitting the ball without ball movement so the batter can focus on another element, in this case driving the ball to all fields. By removing the ball movement a batter can develop good balance and contact point location to be able to hit to all fields.<br><br>
3. Semicircle soft toss: coach soft tosses 10 balls from the front, 10 from the side, 10 from behind, 10 from the side, and 10 from the front = 50 swings focused on hitting the center of the ball. Coach soft toss adds the element of a slow moving ball with the batter focusing on hitting the center of the ball at the contact point for line drives into the outfield.<br><br>
4. One handed tee work: 3 sets of 10 front hand only and 10 back hand only = 60 swings focused on hand movement through the hitting zone. The front hand guides the bat through the hitting zone while the back hand provides the power to the swing. This drill isolates the hand movement through the hitting zone.<br><br>
5. Wiffle ball short toss: 3 sets of 10 inside, 10 middle, and 10 outside = 90 swings focused on putting the whole swing together but with the ball moving at a slower speed than during the game. At a short distance, the coach can locate the pitch at different positions within the strike zone to provide additional batting practice for hitting to all fields.<br><br>
6. Batting practice off a machine: 40 swings focused on timing the swing. By mixing up machine balls from different manufactures, the ball movement and speed are slightly varied to simulate different pitcher's ball movement. It is very difficult to teach hitting mechanics off a machine, but can be very effective with batter timing.<br><br>
There is nothing special about this set of stations other than you can get a lot of swings very quickly and isolate the individual hitting mechanics. We will use different station drills throughout the season to provide variety and work on specific skills.<br><br>
What I want to encourage is that you, as a coach, think about how to maximize the number of swings per practice by sub-dividing the players into smaller groups and use multiple hitting stations. What drills do you know that fall into these broad categories? Okay, switch them in for variety.<br><br>
Youth-Athlete.org (http://www.youth-athlete.org) provides insights for parents, coaches, and young athletes around the world. Youth-Athlete also provides tournament listings (<a href="http://www.youth-athlete.org/tournament">http://www.youth-athlete.org/tournament</a>), suggestions to parents and coaches that enable a successful season, more on hitting mechanics (<a href="http://www.youth-athlete.org/blog/page/Hitting-Mechanics.aspx">http://www.youth-athlete.org/blog/page/Hitting-Mechanics.aspx</a>), and a community for open questions.<br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Schreder ">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Schreder </a><br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/1152997">http://EzineArticles.com/1152997</a><br><br>
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There are many drills used for baseball that will help you when you are trying to improve your offensive production. However, there is one drill that I particularly like and has the most overall effect on your swing. And that is the fence drill.<br><br>
Here are 4 reasons why you should be utilizing the fence drill and why it is so important.<br><br>
•Promotes balance. Probably the most important aspect in any sport is the proper utilization of your balance. Never is this more illustrated then when using the fence drill. If you are not doing well on your balance, you will not be able to perform this drill very well. You need to keep your balance and it all starts with the right setup and the right balance. Rule number one, get your balance.<br><br>
•Promotes an inside out swing. What do we mean when we say inside out? It simply signifies a path that your hands take when attacking the ball. It is the same approach that you see in golf. If you think about it, the shortest path to the ball is a direct path that is obtained by the often used phrase "inside out swing". It isn't rocket science and it is used in all sports. If we look at the first two reasons, we start with balance and move on to the inside out swing.<br><br>
•Teaches proper swing plane. Again, what do we mean by this? I am sure you have heard the term "swing plane" in golf. Well, it is the same thing in baseball. When you are utilizing proper balance and proper inside out approach, you are developing your correct swing plane. This is all fundamentals and it begins with the balance and progresses to eventually you developing your proper swing plane to the ball. This is the swing that you want to repeat and work on over and over again. Use video taping to review your swing and have your coach watch you as you perform the fence drill to make sure that you are executing it properly. Remember, you want to do it right. It is not important how many times you do it, but it is important that you are doing the drill correctly so you can build on your development.<br><br>
•It builds confidence. I know what you are thinking and are wondering how a fence drill can build confidence. When you are doing your drills correctly you are going to see improvement in your swing. This translates into better performance on the field which translate into building confidence. It is definitely a confidence booster.<br><br>
Baseball's fence drill appears to be a simple and unimportant drill when it comes to your swing. Don't be fooled, it is a powerful drill that will greatly improve your swing by allowing you to build the fundamentals of balance and an inside out swing path. This will lead to a better performance for you on the field.<br><br>
Bill Bathe - former major league ballplayer who played for the Oakland A's and S.F. Giants and played in the 1989 world series. To learn more about the baseball fence drill, visit Baseball Fence Drill Also, to learn more about improving your swing using a fungo, visit Baseball Fungo Drill<br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Bathe">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Bathe</a><br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/7215927">http://EzineArticles.com/7215927</a><br><br>
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<a href="http://www.Hit2win.com">Hit2win.com</a> <br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-23944318631906575802013-07-15T09:18:00.000-07:002013-07-15T09:18:13.743-07:00Five Maverick Baseball Batting Drills RevealedAs I sit back and think about my playing days, I can't help but think I didn't question enough people about their methods of training. I took for granted that my high school coach, or the local hitting instructor had a legitimate theory on how to develop me as a hitter. Now as coach, I look back on the hundreds of camps and the dozens of instructors I had and can't help but think that I wasted a good majority of my time. Unfortunately, baseball has become oversaturated with "new" drills. If you are not careful, you will train your players in circles instead of helping them make any real progress. This is precisely why I have put together the top 5 baseball batting drills that your players can start using today, and begin to see some real results. <br><br>
Unfortunately, the baseball community is obsessed with statistics. In fact, almost every major league coach has a book of statistics in the dugout with a numerical story about each player. Over the years this sort of analysis paralysis has trickled down to even the youngest players and that is all they focus on. As a result, this has made coaching baseball even at the youngest level very difficult because players become resistant to change. Players, and people in general, always feel they know what is best for them and when you factor in the idea of getting a hit or playing time, you can rest assured you are going to have help them see improvement immediately in order to bridge any real gaps during training. If you don't, you will hear phrases like, "It feels uncomfortable", or "That doesn't feel right I am going to do it my way."<br><br>
That sort of reaction isn't anything you should take personally because players hate change. It's nothing unique to players, people hate change too because it forces them outside of their comfort zone to experience something different. Usually players are emotional that they aren't doing well and it is a loosing battle all the way around. Therefore, instead of trying to change players, I like to challenge players with drills, so they have to change. At heart, everyone loves a challenge and will do their best to complete the challenge if put in front of them. Therefore, why not design drills that challenge players to make their swing better. The top 5 drills do exactly that! I use a batting training technique I call "Swing over train" or "swing exaggeration". It involves step specific drills that leave players no option but to adjust their swing to perform the drill.<br><br>
Unorthodox baseball batting drill number 1, the Samurai Drill. To my knowledge, I am only one in America that does this drill with players. I say this because not only have I never seen it, but no matter who I talk to I hear, "I have never seen that before!" This drill was inspired by a group of players I call "weight loaders". These players have trouble separating their hands and front leg from their body during load portion of the swing. So here is what I came up with. Players should start with their feet together and their hands extended in front of their body out towards the pitcher; sort of like Ichiro or Ryan Howard. Then we break down the swing into two sections, the load, and then swing. When you tell your player to load, you want his hands to draw across is body back to the hitting position and you want his front leg to extend out towards the pitcher. Note, his body should remain stable and 99% of his weight should be on his back foot. Once the player has performed the load correctly, he may swing. This batting drill is done to help players understand how to disconnect their hands and front leg during load portion of the swing. If you are looking for why this is important, I want refer you to my article on the load.<br><br>
Batting Drill #2 the Oar Drill. Before you right this drill off as something just for the younger kids, I want to let you know I have done this with 18-year-old kids. Older doesn't necessarily mean better, it just means older. In this drill we remove the bat and replace it with a small four foot oar. Then we take the oar and place it behind the player's back, flat side open as a hitting surface. As coach you soft toss tennis balls and the player has no option but to turn his back foot in order to have the flat side of the oar hit the ball. My father did this drill with our little league team and it is still the best drill for helping young players how to use their hips to hit the baseball. <br><br>
Top 5 Baseball Batting Drill Number Three: Top Hand Drill. Out of all the drills I put my players through, this is the drill they struggle with the most. This is partly because using the hands is the most highly misunderstood step of the swing, but because players simply do not understand what it means to drive their hands to the inside part of the baseball. For this drill, have your player grip the bat with both hands. Then, have him open his top hand so just his palm is touching the bat. After that, he should place the back of his top hand on the other side of the handle. Finally, flip the hand over so the palm of his hand is on the opposite side of the handle and his thumb is pointing down. Note: Never grip the bat with your top hand. The goal is to push the handle of the bat through the zone with your top hand as you swing. For those of you out there who think you will not be able to generate any power, I have seen my players hit doubles off the wall in batting practice to all fields. The key is to extend your top hand to the field of play you want to hit the baseball. Goal: Understand what it feels like to drive your hands hard to the baseball.<br><br>
Batting Drill #4 the Carrier Drill: Young players have trouble conceptualizing "staying long through the hitting zone" and gaining extension. However, if you make their concepts come to life, now you have something to work with. For this drill you are going to need two batting tees lined up at that same height about 17" apart. Then you are going to place a ball on each batting tee. The idea is to hit both baseballs with one swing. I relate this concept to landing a plane on an aircraft carrier. Once baseball is at the begging, and one baseball is at the end. In order to hit the both baseballs, you must land the bat on the aircraft carrier and keep it flat through the zone.<br><br>
Batting Drill #5 the Reverse Bucket Drill. I have been called unorthodox plenty of times in my life, and this drill is no different. Understanding how to finish high and through the zone is a learned skill, not a natural reaction. Must young kids are caught up in rotating around their body to generate as much power as they can instead of finishing forward after contact. Here is how we change that. For this drill you are going to need a bucket or chair. Then you tell your player to put is back leg up on the bucket or chair. From there, the player loads and swing. If the player is off balance or finishes around his body, the bucket or chair will fall over. However, if they work through the ball everything will stay in place and they will finish high through the baseball. As a note, players use more of their upper body to swing during this drill.<br><br>
If you take these batting drills into your next batting training session you will be amazed at the adjustments you player will make in just a few short rounds. These drills challenge players to become better and force them away from their old tired swing. As you break their comfort barrier, they become more open and receptive to your feedback and you are able to gain real, sustainable progress, that will help them have success on the diamond for years to come! <br><br>
Get more effective batting lessons from our blog! When you want to improve your baseball batting skills, you can get the complete information you need today!<br><br>
by <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/robert-wicks/791244">Robert Wicks</a>
Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/robert-wicks/791244">http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/robert-wicks/791244</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-61067988351058155352013-07-10T14:47:00.000-07:002013-07-10T14:47:01.079-07:00What Is A Fielding Slump?What Is A Fielding Slump? <br><br>
By Guest Author <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain">Jim Bain</a><br><br>
Everyone has heard of, and all of us sometime or another experienced, a hitting slump, but very little is ever discussed about a fielding slump. What exactly is a fielding slump? Good question.<br><br>
Simply defined as best I can, " a fielding slump is the result of a simple physical error which creates a mental and emotional fear of the hit baseball." Say what? It's a phenomenal event which some players are more prone to experience than others depending on their attitude and mental make-up.<br><br>
Sometimes when a player, especially a player who demands perfection from themselves, makes a simple fielding error such as the ball going between his legs or a wild throw, a mental roadblock is immediately thrown up creating a fear of repeating the error.<br><br>
This of course is silly, but if you've ever experienced this you know what I'm talking about. This fear may begin slowly but quickly escalates to the point the player almost prays that the ball is not hit to him. Guess what, the ball seems to always find you.<br><br>
A quick sideline example. As a youth I had a very strong throwing arm and was always positioned at third base. In a particularly important game, I remember it as if it were yesterday, I overthrew the first baseman and allowed the winning run to score. From that point forward I could never make a strong throw to first, but aimed the ball instead.<br><br>
The mental or emotional block was so immediate and strong that I had to be switched to second base. Notice my fielding wasn't affected, it was as good as ever, but I couldn't stop aiming, or short arming the ball. I know the pain of a fielding slump.<br><br>
I couldn't correct my problem, but through the years of minor league baseball and coaching I've learned a few tricks which can help you or your player to overcome the slump.
<br><br>
<b>Mental Fix:<br><br></b>
<br><br>
The first thing which must be addressed is the mental aspect, as the physical aspect is normally not the issue, although it can be.
1. Stopping and reflecting on your past accomplishments. There was a time when you wanted every ball hit to you as you were confident you could handle any situation. Try and recall some of the great plays you made. This is not being arrogant, you're thinking to yourself, plus it's a fact you made these plays.
<br><br>
2. If you stop and think about it, the brain must tell the body what to do in order to field the ball. Go back to basics and mentally review every aspect of catching the ball, from staying down to watching the ball into the glove.<br><br>
3. After reestablishing the basics, use visualization to actually see every step of you performing the basics. Visualization is a powerful tool and seeing yourself properly fielding one ground ball after another has an immense impact on your physic and muscle memory.<br><br>
<b>Physical Fix:<br><br></b>
Sometimes it doesn't matter the culprit resulting in a fielding slump is mental, the mind will still blame it on the body and this is not abnormal.<br><br>
1. After performing the mental fixes from above, it's time to institute the physical fixes. Again, go back to the basics! Field slowly hit ground balls, hundreds of them if that's what it takes. Your intent is to re-grain the mental and muscle memory, and it helps you read the ball, something you never know enough about.<br><br>
2. Begin fielding harder hit balls. It is imperative you don't only field the grounders, but aggressively attack them. Don't let the ball play you, which is a major by-product of a fielding slump.<br><br>
3. Finish the fix by fielding harder hit balls away from you which forces you to get your feet and body into the correct fielding position. This will conclude your re-training and restore your confidence.
<br><br>
Remember this... for any lingering doubts, the total end to your fielding slump is identical to the one hard hit ball which ends a hitting slump, one great play away.<br><br>
Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player and member of "Baseball Coaches of America" shares his advice on baseball coaching <a href="http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com/BaseballCoaching.html">baseball drills</a> on his exciting info packed website: <a href="http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com">http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com</a><br><br>
Be sure to check out his 2 books on Amazon, "The Pitch" and "Season of Pain". Great reading about baseball.<br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain</a><br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/7846007">http://EzineArticles.com/7846007</a><br><br>
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">Hit2win.com
</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-57714725381210395012013-07-08T04:55:00.000-07:002013-07-08T04:55:19.852-07:00Baseball Coaching Digest: The Albert Pujols Hitting Drill <object width="360" height="203"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/rwkOxmPtLq8?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/rwkOxmPtLq8?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="360" height="203" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
*These hitting drills are not intended to create the "perfect" swing. They are merely intended for the player who is unaware of BASIC hitting mechanics and would like to practice some drills on his/her own. Most of the players these videos were created for have little/no baseball experience and need "triggers" to understand the very basics of the baseball swing.*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-51872377076699190282013-07-07T11:57:00.000-07:002013-07-07T11:57:27.881-07:00Can Baseball Poise Be Taught?Can Baseball Poise Be Taught? <br><br>
By <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain">Jim Bain </a><br><br>
You'll sometimes hear fans, bear in mind these are mostly relatives of the players, at amateur baseball games comment on the composure, determination, toughness or mental attitude of a player.<br><br>
What they are attempting to describe, and everyone has their own mental conception, is the Poise a player maintains during a critical game moment. The question is... can Poise be taught?<br><br>
To make sure we're all on more or less the same page, I'll define Poise as the ability to keep one's nerves and emotions in check when confronted with a game changing situation, while maintaining 100% ability.<br><br>
This poise issue pertains to all players, all positions and all situations, such as a batter who represents the last hope to drive in the tying run or the game is lost, but because the pitcher encounters the situation more often than any other player, coaches will tend to use them as their example. They want a pitcher with poise.<br><br>
Let's look at some of the various tell tale signs of a pitcher having poise.<br><br>
1. He is not arrogant, but is confident he has the ability to pitch out of any situation. He never wants to be pulled from the game.<br><br>
2. He realistically assesses the situation, it's not a time for denial, and formulates a plan of action to deal with the situation. If he walked the bases loaded he must take responsibility for his control, not blame the lousy umpire.<br><br>
3. He will do whatever it takes to compose himself and stick to the plan. In a critical situation, if you have a pitcher who reacts to a called ball then waits impatiently for the return throw from the catcher, he is about to or has, lost his poise.<br><br>
It's human nature to experience disappointment when a call, especially a close call or the pitcher honestly believes he threw a strike, goes against him. It's how you deal with the disappointment which dictates poise.<br><br>
Same scenario, but when the pitcher receives the return throw, walks to the back of the mound rubbing up the ball, then returns to the pitching rubber, has maintained his poise. He took time for the negative feelings to dissipate, refocused and began anew.<br><br>
4. Makes quality pitches when it's absolutely necessary. Instead of grooving a belt high fastball in an attempt to get a strike, he throws a breaking ball to an over-anxious hitter. He remains a pitcher... not a thrower.<br><br>
There are many more actions which indicate a pitcher with poise, but again, can poise be taught?<br><br>
The answer is as simple as looking at the soldiers in our military. Military training teaches you everything possible in order to perform your duty under duress. You are drilled and taught to perform complex functions without thought or hesitation, your training takes over.<br><br>
However, no matter how intense or realistic the training is, the element of pure terror, which can only be invoked by actual combat, can not be simulated or experienced.<br><br>
So without the actual fear, the training is worthless? Obviously, that's ridiculous. The reason I gave this example is you'll hear coaches say that without the actual feeling of game pressure, practicing poise is worthless. I say ridiculous.<br><br>
Practice methods:<br><br>
1. Literally set up critical situations for your pitcher to deal with during practice. <br>
(a.) Bases loaded with 1 out;<br>
(b.) Have runners on base; <br>
(c.) Have a batter actually trying to hit the pitch.<br><br>
2. Challenge the pitcher to throw 6 strikes in a row while you stand behind him watching. Suddenly 6 pitches will seem like 60 and your shear presence will create pressure to perform.<br><br>
3. Set up situations where the pitcher is asked to Limit the Damage.<br>
(a.) Bases loaded 1 out;<br>
(b.) Have pitcher attempt to limit the number of runs scored before attaining 3 outs.<br><br>
There's no doubt the element of actual game pressure adds significantly to a player's ability to remain poised. However, the coach's job is to train and teach the pitcher how to handle all sorts of pressure cooker situations, leaving the game pressure as the only addition to the pitcher's problems.<br><br>
No matter how difficult, dealing with one issue vs. numerous is much more accomplishable.<br><br>
Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player and member of "Baseball Coaches of America" shares his advice on baseball coaching baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: <a href="http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com">http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com</a> <br><br>
Be sure to check out his 2 books on Amazon, "The Pitch" and "Season of Pain". Great reading about baseball. <br><br>
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain</a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-14659935578756589672013-07-03T15:43:00.000-07:002013-07-03T15:43:12.497-07:00Youth Baseball Mental TrainingBy <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miles_A_Noland">Miles A Noland</a> <br><br>
The game of baseball cannot begin without the action of one position. In basketball there is a lot of focus on the point guard. In football there is a lot of focus on the quarterback. These are important positions, but there is no position that is more important than a pitcher in baseball.<br><br>
There is so much responsibility that involves a pitcher. From throwing different pitches, knowing the various hitters, fielding their position, pickoff moves, to controlling the running game, to dealing with adversity, mental focus, and dealing with fatigue, a pitcher has a lot to deal with.<br><br>
If one of these important parts of pitching is missing, you do not have a complete pitcher. Missing one of these components negatively affects all of the other components.
Most pitchers are not advanced to be good in all of these areas, however, when you realize what areas a pitcher is weak in you can begin to attack it and improve.
The mental game in pitching is so important, oftentimes more important than the physical part.<br><br>
Andy Pettitte, great guy who I hung out with in the Dominican<br><br>
You must teach your pitchers to think one pitch at a time. It is very easy to think about the past or future, and this inhibits your ability to be best the possible in the present.<br><br>
Cues such as get to the top of the baseball, or take a deep breath and focus on executing the pitch, create movement at release are great for creating the right type of focus.<br><br>
Attempting to throw harder in times of struggle or getting mad at infielders or the umpire are typical things that make a pitchers struggle even worse.
Teach your pitchers how to coach themselves and watch them develop right under your eyes.<br><br>
P.S. One pitch at a time, one pitch at a time. Oftentimes a mound visit is very effective in calming a pitcher down. Tell him to step off the mound and focus on dominating the things he can control. What can he control?<br><br>
1. His focus <br>
2. Executing each pitch<br>
3. Attacking the strike zone <br>
4. Taking deep breaths<br>
5. His body language<br>
Things he can't control?<br><br>
1. Where the ball is hit<br>
2. What the umpire calls<br>
3. If his fielders catch the ball<br>
4. The mound conditions<br>
5. Bad luck<br>
Get your pitchers to focus on the controllables and they will deal with failure and adverse conditions much better.<br><br>
Coach it up,<br><br>
Miles<br><br>
<a href="http://www.iybca.org/gift">http://www.iybca.org/gift</a>
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miles_A_Noland
Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/7177830">http://EzineArticles.com/7177830</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-26638123658866975392011-12-19T07:42:00.000-08:002011-12-19T07:45:28.677-08:00Baseball Coaching Digest - The Three Best Slides in Baseball and 3 Coaching Tips For Teaching EachBaseball Coaching Digest - The Three Best Slides in Baseball and 3 Coaching Tips For Teaching Each<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">Nick Dixon </a><br /><br />Baseball sliding is an important skill for baseball players to master. It is every baseball coaches responsibility to teach every player how to slide safely. Every player should know the different kinds of slides and when each type slide is used. This article explains the three safest types of baseball slides and gives coaching points for each.<br /><br />Sliding is difficult to practice. I can be relatively to easy teach if the coach knows how to properly execute each slide. Until players have a chance execute slides repetitively, they do not gain the confidence they should have to use the slides in a game. The best ways to practice baseball sliding if you do not have a slide practicing mat, is to wet the grass, use nylon cloth or card board on gym floors, or practice sliding in soft loose dirt.<br /><br />There are a couple of basic safety points that should be remembered when executing all baseball slides. You must start the slide at least four steps from the bag. Sliding late is a commonly cause of ankle and leg injury. Keeping the hands high also prevent injury to hands, fingers and wrist.<br /><br />Pop-Up or Stand-Up Slide - This slide is the safest and most popular sliding technique. It offers one definite advantage over other slides. The pop-up slide allows runners to advance more easily should an errant throw be made by the defense.<br /><br />Three coaching points for the stand-up slide:<br /><br />1. The left leg is bent and is under the right leg. The right leg is extended and it should be slightly bent. <br />2. The runner slides evenly on both lower cheeks of his rear end or on both back pockets. <br />3. The runner should adjust the slide path according to the position the fielder has assumed and where the tag glove is likely to be placed. The runner can touch the bag with his foot going directly into the bag or with a hand if the runner slides away from the bag.<br /><br />Hook Slide - The hook slide is so named because of the "bent or hooked" positions of the legs during the slide and the fact that the bag is "hooked" or tagged with the back foot. The slide can to the right or left of the bag as the play requires.<br /><br />Three coaching points for the "Hook" slide are:<br /><br />1. The runner slides on one hip pocket or the other. The body is tilted during the slide. The body should be titled toward the side of the bag on which the slide is being made. <br />2. The bag is tagged with the back foot. <br />3. The hook slide is often used by runners attempting to break up a double play. It is also a good slide to use when trying to avoid an awaiting tag by the defender.<br /><br />Reach-Around or Decoy Slide - The decoy slide is the most difficult to tech, learn, master and practice. It is a slide used when the ball beat the runner to the bag by 5 steps. The decoy slide is used to fool or trick the player making the tag. The sliding runner will fake tagging the bag with one hand and use the other hand to reach around the tag. The decoy is used only as a "last resort" to try avoiding a tag when the runner find himself "dead-to-rights" and sees the ball and tag waiting on him.<br /><br />Three coaching points for the "Decoy" slide are:<br /><br />1. The decoy slide must be started earlier than other slides. <br />2. The decoy slide should be made some distance away from the bag. The distance should allow the runner to reach the bag with both hands. The distance should require the fielder to reach way from the bag to make the tag. This reaching motion gives the runner a spot to avoid and reach around. The secret is to "sucker" the defender with one hand, then withdraw that hand, and reach around the tag with the other hand avoiding a tag and reaching the bag safely. <br />3. The sliding technique used at the beginning of the slide is the "stand-up" slide.<br /><br />Note: I intentionally did not list the "head first" slide in this article. It is illegal in most leagues. It is a slide that is considered the most dangerous and risky. It has been the cause of many serious injuries. Coaches should consider the liability risk before teaching it as a method of sliding. I personally recommend to my players that they do not slide head first.<br /><br />I hope that you found this article useful and informative. Thanks for taking the time to read this article. Have a great day, Nick.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon</a><br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.BatAction.com ">www.BatAction.com </a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/SyjLg8hzCZI/AAAAAAAAC0A/_lbU0VdBmCg/s1600-h/batactionanimation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 108px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/SyjLg8hzCZI/AAAAAAAAC0A/_lbU0VdBmCg/s400/batactionanimation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415802318777158034" /></a><br /><br />---<a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/probamaforad.html">BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com</a><br />---<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Baseball-Dealz-Super-Store">BatActionMachine on Ebay.com</a><br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id11.html">BatAction Machine Video Clips</a> <br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id8.html">BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine </a><br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id9.html">Message to Parents From Coach Nick </a><br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id12.html">If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-69087041192101266402011-12-13T07:05:00.000-08:002011-12-13T07:08:23.860-08:00Baseball Coaching Tips - When to Put on a Defensive ShiftBaseball Coaching Tips - When to Put on a Defensive Shift<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain">Jim Bain</a> <br /><br />Baseball players have their "Normal" fielding positions which are designed to provide the greatest amount of area coverage in which one fielder will be able to reach and field a hit baseball. These positions are tried and true from tens of thousands of ball games.<br /><br />However, these "Normal" positions are just that, Normal. There's nothing set in stone as to not being able to vary the defensive set depending on the situation. Let's look at a few of these situations which could dictate you moving your defense into a shift.<br /><br />The very first and most used shift involves the corner infielders. Once again depending on the score, the manager must determine if his best bet is to put the odds in his favor as far as the third baseman or first baseman fielding the ball for an out, or increase his odds of not allowing an extra base hit.<br /><br />With the score close, within 2 or 3 runs of each other, and the game being in the late innings, 6th and 7th of a 7 inning game, 8th and 9th of a 9 inning game, the coach will position his corner infielders very close to the base.<br /><br />The reasoning for this is quite simple. A ball hit through the infield to the left side of the 3rd baseman or the right side of the first baseman, will result in a base hit, as the outfielder will easily be able to field the ground ball and get it back into the infield, holding the runner at first base.<br /><br />However, a hard hit ground ball to the right of the third baseman or left of the first baseman, which gets passed the infielder, will most likely result in a double for the hitter, placing him in scoring position. The reason for this huge difference, is a ball hit like this will have a natural spin which will take the baseball in direction towards the foul line and away from the outfielder.<br /><br />Instead of waiting for the ball to reach him, he will have to go and retrieve the ball which allows the runner more time to reach second base.<br /><br />Another type of shift utilized is an Over Shift, in which either the second baseman is shifted to behind second base or slightly on the shortstop side of second, or the shortstop is shifted behind second or slightly to the right field side of the base.<br /><br />The reason for utilizing this shift, as we will see, is actually two fold. This shift is implemented when there is a Pull hitter, with power at the bat. Some hitters are capable of pulling (hitting) any pitch, whether it be outside or not, into a specific field, most likely left or right field.<br /><br />The extra infielder is placed on the side of the field the hitter will 99% hit the baseball, giving the defense an advantage of fielding the ball for an out instead of a base hit.<br /><br />Secondly, the shift is also implemented in order to induce the hitter to hit the ball to the open side of the infield, which will be his Non Power side. The team in essence is saying "I'll allow a free base hit in order to prevent a home run or extra base hit."<br /><br />In a pitcher's duel, this shift and the results it produces, could have game winning or losing implications.<br /><br />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<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain </a><br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s1600-h/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s200/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388760205155598594" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a>/<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com">FastpitchSoftballSupply.com</a> is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a> has <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batr.html">Batting Trainers</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/thandpitr.html">Pitching Training</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/trainingbats.html">Training Bats</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/detr.html">Defensive Training Equipment</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-dvd-s---books.html">Coaching DVDs & Books</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-pitching-machines.html">Softball Pitching Machines</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-complete-packages.html">Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-nets.html">Batting Cage Nets</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/protective-field-screens---practice-nets.html">Protective Practice Screens and Nets</a>, and <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/bahima.html">BatAction Hitting Machines</a>, and much, much more. Visit <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">Softballrus.com</a> now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-2430774202999109742011-11-21T09:29:00.000-08:002011-11-21T09:37:49.408-08:00Baseball Coaching Digest - Teach Batters to Use Their New Brain When BattingBaseball Coaching Digest - Teach Batters to Use Their New Brain When Batting<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">Nick Dixon </a><br /><br />To me the hitter's brain is his eyes. If you literally try to think yourself through every at-bat, you are in trouble in today's game. The hitter must let his eye's do his thinking at the plate. I consider the eyes a batter's new brain. They must learn to properly use it. This article discusses several coaching points, tips and details related to this approach to hitting.<br /><br />Teaching young hitters to swing at what they see, not what they think they see or what they think that they are going to see is one of the most important coaching responsibilities as a youth coach. What I mean about this statement is that players have to step into the box realizing that they "never know" what the pitch will be. They should not guess pitches but rather learn to keep the hands back and see what the pitch is and then react.<br /><br />Several coaching points come to mind when I discuss this process. Many of these are saying that you should teach or convey to your staff and players. Those points are:<br /><br />1. Always set yourself up physically to hit the fastball on the outer 3rd of the plate, and adjust to hit the fastball in. Notice, I said "physically" set your stance at the plate. I did not say, "Convince yourself that the next pitch is going to be a "fastball away". The key is getting in a position to hit it and being able to reach. Batters should always be ready to hit the fastball away first and then adjust to the fastball in, curveball away, or pitch on the middle 3rd of the plate. The batter must let his "eyes control his hands". The decision to hit or swing comes from the eyes, not the brain. Therefore, the eyes are the hitter's brain.<br /><br />2. Always set yourself up physically to hit the fastball and adjust to hit off speed pitches. The batter must be able to hit the soft stuff on the outer 3rd of the plate at all times. The batter should always be ready to hit the fastball, but should keep the hands back, and adjust to hit the off speed pitch. The key here is that to be a confident batter, a batter must have confidence in his "hand or bat speed". He must know and realize that if he keeps his hands back, he can still catch up with the fastball, but if he "leaks or cheats his hands forward", he will be incapable of hitting the away fastball and the way off speed pitch. He must learn to keep his hands back and allow his eyes to do his thinking. He must see a pitches location before he reacts. Assuming a position that allows you to see, react, and hit all pitch locations is the key to hitting success.<br /><br />3. The hitter should never guess. Guess hitting makes a hitter an easy target that will fall victim to good pitches. Hitting is a process of see and reacting, not guessing and swinging. The hitter must see the pitch location before he swings, not guess a pitches location before he swings. The difference is that when you guess, you start too early. When you guess, you have a tendency to start the swing prematurely. The guess hitter may be able to get it right sometimes, and crush the fastball with power. But, more times than not, he will lunge, jump or get out to quick and strike out or pop the fly ball into the air.<br /><br />4. The only thing a hitter should know is that you "never know" what the pitch is going to be. The key is to trust you eyes as your brain to allow you to be a "see" hitter and not a "guess" hitter. I know that count awareness can give you the edge as a hitter in many situations. If you are ahead, you are more than likely going to get a fastball. If the pitcher is ahead, you are more than like going to get his best out pitch, which may be a breaking ball. But, more and more in today's game, we are pitching batters backwards. So, the absolute best way to hit is to make batting a "seeing, identifying and reacting process" that allows the swing to be triggered, controlled and executed by the eyes.<br /><br />I hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. You can find more like it at Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Little League Digest, and the Baseball Parent Guide. I thank you for taking the time to read this article. I wish you and your team the best of luck in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon</a> <br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.BatAction.com ">www.BatAction.com </a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/SyjLg8hzCZI/AAAAAAAAC0A/_lbU0VdBmCg/s1600-h/batactionanimation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 108px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/SyjLg8hzCZI/AAAAAAAAC0A/_lbU0VdBmCg/s400/batactionanimation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415802318777158034" /></a><br /><br />---<a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/probamaforad.html">BatAction Machine at CoachesBest.com</a><br />---<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Baseball-Dealz-Super-Store">BatActionMachine on Ebay.com</a><br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id11.html">BatAction Machine Video Clips</a> <br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id8.html">BatAction Trainer - 15 Reasons Why You Must Own This Machine </a><br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id9.html">Message to Parents From Coach Nick </a><br />---<a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/batactiontrainingmachinesite/id12.html">If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-21617612396176638252011-11-07T12:27:00.000-08:002011-11-07T12:32:08.059-08:00Baseball Coaching Digest - Why Baseball Players Are the Most Accountable Athletes in SportsBaseball Coaching Digest - Why Baseball Players Are the Most Accountable Athletes in Sports<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">Nick Dixon</a> <br /><br />Baseball players are held to a higher level of accountability than any other athletes in the world. If you compare baseball, football and basketball to see which sport holds the player athlete more responsible for mistakes and errors, you will find that baseball holds players to a higher level of accountability. This article explains my perspective on why baseball players are the most accountable athletes in sports.<br /><br />I am absolutely sure that baseball players are held at a higher level of accountability than other sports athletes. Why do I feel this way? Have you ever been to a football game and seen a player miss a tackle or block that cost his team dearly? Did the official score "flash" error on the football scoreboard? The answer is no. Have you ever watched a basketball player miss a wild open layup that hurt his team? Did the score keeper or score operator flash "error" on the scoreboard? The answer is no.<br /><br />On the other hand, as baseball player can bobble a hard hit ground ball and the whole world will soon be notified and an official documentation of the mistake will be made in the scorebook. The scorekeeper will write a big "E" in the scorebook that makes the error officially known. Then the scoreboard operator will also turn on the "error" light on the scoreboard to let every player and spectator in the park know that an error was made. <br />That is the reason I feel that baseball players are the most accountable athletes in sports.<br /><br />Maybe other sports consider adding an "Error" light on their scoreboard or writing a big "E" in their scorebook when a player makes a mistake. Then maybe the next time a player fails to execute on a football field or basketball court, they will know what it's like to be held publicly accountable and responsible like a baseball player.<br /><br />I hope that you enjoyed this article. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Visit the Baseball coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Little League Digest and Baseball Parent Guide for more baseball articles. Good luck to you and your team, Nick.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon </a><br /><br />=============================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/">Baseball2u.com</a>/<a href="http://www.CoachesBest.com">CoachesBest.com</a> is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories <a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/">Baseball2u.com </a>makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. <a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/">Baseball2u.com</a> is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. 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Visit <a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/">Baseball2U.com</a> today!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-68315844956992886662011-11-02T08:54:00.000-07:002011-11-02T08:59:16.246-07:00Baseball Hitting Tips - 100 Swings a DayBaseball Hitting Tips - 100 Swings a Day<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tom_Read">Tom Read</a> <br /><br />An old baseball coach use to say after every practice, "go home and swing the bat 100 times each and every day. If you want to hit against the high level of competition we are going to be playing, swing that bat 100 times everyday". What he did not explain to the players was that doing something over and over makes it easier each time. It eventually becomes natural, second nature. So when that fastball comes flying in, and there is a half second to react, and you know where the swing needs to go, the muscle memory takes over and the swing comes naturally.<br /><br />Hitting off the tee is a great baseball hitting drill. Take a 100 cuts a day off the tee and you will see your batting average start to climb. Another good baseball drill is soft toss. Here the tosser can change the location and the speed of the ball. Again, a 100 cuts a day of soft toss will bring improvement to your swing. The old coach used to tell the players that even if they did not have a tee to use, or no one was around to do soft toss with them, just go out in the yard and swing the bat thru the air. A 100 times a day. Doing this will get you comfortable with your swing. At game time, you want to be confident at the plate, and comfort brings confidence. You have swung that bat so many times, you know it is not going to let you down. You are concentrating on the pitch, not your swing. At just the right moment, you let loose with that same swing you have taken a 100 times a day.<br /><br />The last thing I want to say is very important. You play like you practice. Before you start swinging a 100 time a day, you need to have found a good batting stance and good mechanics. It will not help you if each one of the 100 swings is different. Each swing needs to be identical. Find that perfect swing for you and practice it a 100 times a day.<br /><br />Over the last twenty plus years, Tom Read has been a coach, parent, and a fan of organized baseball. He has shared this experience with his sons and many other players on his teams. Many have gone on to play at the college level.<br /><br />Tom has recently joined with others to start a baseball website offering free baseball drills. To check out these great drills, and other great baseball information and stories, please visit Helpful Baseball Drills. It will be worth your time.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tom_Read">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Read </a><br /><br />===========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseballparentguide.com/">Homepage</a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id194.html">Baseball Parent Guide: Today's Post</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id193.html">Baseball Articles for Coaches </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id191.html">Baseball Blogs </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id23.html">Teaching Your Child to Hit </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id192.html">Throwing and Pitching Fundamentals</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id3.html">Buying Guide For Baseball Parents</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/baseballparentguidecom/id5.html">Current Topics and Issues Related to Safety in Baseball </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-25310025001405427242011-10-27T09:16:00.000-07:002011-10-27T09:19:27.105-07:00Defensive Drills For Coaching Youth Baseball Middle InfieldersDefensive Drills For Coaching Youth Baseball Middle Infielders<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">Nick Dixon </a><br /><br />Drill - DIRT LINES "Ground Ball Drill" Great Drill For Teaching Ground Ball Fundamentals. <br /><br />This drill is used to teach young players to get their hands and glove out front when fielding a grounder. The young player often gets in the habit of catching grounders close to his or her feet or slightly in front of the toes. As coaches, we want infielders to extend their arms and get the glove out in front so that they can see the ball into it. The player should "lay" the glove on the ground out in front of his body. Each players distance will vary. However, a good rule of thumb is to try and extend the length from the players arm or from the tip of the fingers to the armpit. Another good measuring scale is they should be able to extend the length of the bat they use. This distance is measured on the ground from the back of his heel outward. For this drill we pair two players. The players will roll grounders to each other from about 6 to 8 feet. The coach draws two lines in the dirt about 8 feet apart. The players must catch the ball out in front of this line. The coach will then draw a second line for each player. This is the "feet" line. The feet must stay behind this line. The players roll the ball and catch it while making sure to:<br /><br /><br />•Get extension by getting the glove out in front.<br />•Keep the elbows off the ribs<br />•Funnel the ball in using the top "bare" hand.<br />•Work their feet as they bring the ball up to the correct "T" throwing position.<br />•Roll the ball back to your partner<br />•Repeat the process.<br />•Players should catch and roll 50 to 100 ground balls each practice.<br />•The distance can be changed to accommodate the speed of the ground ball work.<br /><br />Drill - Make Believe Infield Drill Great warm-up for certain situations The teams takes perfect infield by allowing every player to make a perfect catch and throw. The way this drill is conducted is the coach does not use a ball. He hits a "make-believe" ball. Each time the player goes through the correct motion of fielding the ball and making a perfect play. Each time the player receiving the throw will pat his glove to simulate a catch. Emphasis is placed on talking, following through, and making everything look perfect. No one will mess up or make a bad mistake. I have used this drill many, many times in practice and before games. It is especially good with young kids to emphasis correct body mechanics. It is also useful if you get to a field for a game and the playing surface is too wet or rough to take a "good" round of infield. Sometimes it is better not to use a real ball in warm-up if there is a risk of the ball taking a terrible bounce. Bad infield and warm-up may bring down "team esteem". I've never had a team take "make believe" infield that was anything less than great! It's always perfect!<br /><br />Drill - Ground Ball Pair Work Drill for Infielders This drill is actually a method of taking a lot of ground balls with out having your players make any throw. The drill requires 36 baseballs, two buckets and a fungo bat. The coach will be hitting ground balls to at least 3 players. 5 or 6 players can be worked at a time using this drill. The coach will place the two buckets about 45 feet apart. All of the balls are in one of the buckets. This is the bucket that the coach will get his balls from. The players are lined up single file with one behind another, on the end with the empty bucket. The coach hits grounders. The players field each ground ball and get in proper throwing position. They then sprint to the empty bucket, drop the ball in and get in the back of the line. There is no throwing of balls during this drill. When all balls have been hit, fielded and dropped in the bucket, the coach and players swap ends and the drill starts over.<br /><br />Drill: Cut-off Relays Great drill for building skills, speed, accuracy and confidence This drill is a great skill builder. There will be at least 5 players on a team. They line up about 30 feet apart and stretch about 120 feet across the field. You will have two teams or "lines" competing against each other. Make sure to have you catcher, first baseman, and third baseman on one end. Have an outfielder on the opposite end. Your middle infielder should be in the middle. The drill will start for both lines at the same time. The first team to take the ball to the other end and get it back is the winner. The ball must be caught and thrown by each player in the line. Teams may not skip a man. The catchers should practice catching and tagging a runner. The middle infielders should be taught to properly "round" the ball, make a proper relay catch and quick throw. We often do this drill and the losing team must do 5 or 10 pushups or squat thrust.<br /><br />Catcher-------------x--------------------x------------------x--------------------Outfielder<br /><br />The distance between players should be matched to the age of the players working. You may also have the outfielder let the ball go and hit the fence, before he goes retrieves it and makes his throw to the cutoff man. You may also want to make this a "total team" drill with the whole team having to catch and throw the ball to cover a long distance. If you have the room to do this, it is great to have the team work together to beat the clock. They must beat a set time or they "pay". You may also want to have the "line" make more than one trip down and back. It is great to make each "line" take the ball to the other end three times.<br /><br />Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog 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.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon</a> <br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s1600-h/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s200/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388760205155598594" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a>/<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com">FastpitchSoftballSupply.com</a> is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a> has <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batr.html">Batting Trainers</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/thandpitr.html">Pitching Training</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/trainingbats.html">Training Bats</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/detr.html">Defensive Training Equipment</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-dvd-s---books.html">Coaching DVDs & Books</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-pitching-machines.html">Softball Pitching Machines</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-complete-packages.html">Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-nets.html">Batting Cage Nets</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/protective-field-screens---practice-nets.html">Protective Practice Screens and Nets</a>, and <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/bahima.html">BatAction Hitting Machines</a>, and much, much more. Visit <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">Softballrus.com</a> now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-68164965332610427732011-10-14T09:04:00.000-07:002011-10-14T09:07:09.924-07:00Baseball Drills - Outfield Drills for Game Day SkillsBaseball Drills - Outfield Drills for Game Day Skills<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford">Kenny Buford </a><br /><br />There is more to developing outfield skills than just playing catch. Outfielders need baseball drills that will prepare them for conditions they will face on game day. The following outfield drills help players become comfortable with any situation they might encounter during a game.<br /><br />Sun Drill<br /><br />For this drill, the players line up facing the sun and take turns catching fly balls from the coach. The players can wear sun glasses, but often the glare is still too much. Outfielders need to get used to using their gloves to block the sun while watching for the ball. Over time, the players will develop an approach for using the glove to see while also preparing for the catch and will feel confident in the outfield on sunny game days.<br /><br />Fence Drill<br /><br />This outfield drill teaches players how to correctly go for a catch against the fence. A lot of factors will come into play in this type of situation during a game, like where the ball is, how hard it is hit, and its elevation as it approaches the fence. However, with practice outfielders can become more comfortable going for the fence.<br /><br />In this drill, the outfielders should start 10 to 15 feet away from the fence. One at a time, the coach throws high fly balls either above or against the fence. The outfielder takes his ready steps and rushes to the fence, keeping his eyes on the ball and his throwing hand outstretched to guide him and protect him from running into the fence. The player then makes the catch, jumping in front of or leaning against the fence.<br /><br />Line Drive Drill<br /><br />Line players up in the outfield and have them take turns running the drill. The first outfielder takes his ready step as the coach throws a line drive toward his knees. The player runs directly at the coach, keeping his palms up and his glove in basket form. When he catches the ball, the player shoots his glove up in the air to show the umpire he got it.<br /><br />Backup Drill<br /><br />This drill emphasizes communication in the outfield and prepares players to back each other up on fly balls.<br /><br />For this drill, the players form two lines in the outfield, about 90 feet apart. The coach hits or throws a fly ball between the first two players in each line. The players have to communicate who is going for the catch, making sure not to run into each other while still watching the ball. The player going for the catch should yell "got it" and the other player should respond "take it." The second player should still back up the first player in case the ball gets through.<br /><br />And if you'd like to see more free baseball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:<br /><br />http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/vid/<br /><br />Kenny Buford is a youth baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for baseball drills, tips, and practice ideas for youth and high school coaches.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford</a><br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /> <object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wPtlQjqhWTY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wPtlQjqhWTY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S-Kfswu3lII/AAAAAAAAD-Q/RJg3-c6gggY/s1600/Joe+Mauer+Quick+Swing+Trainer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 158px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S-Kfswu3lII/AAAAAAAAD-Q/RJg3-c6gggY/s320/Joe+Mauer+Quick+Swing+Trainer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468108488925746306" /></a><br />Joe Mauer <a href="http://www.quickswingtrainer.com">Quick Swing Trainer</a><br /><a href="http://www.quickswingtrainer.com/">QuickSwingTrainer.com</a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id5.html">How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id4.html">Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id3.html">Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-45408089732111517762011-10-10T12:38:00.000-07:002011-10-10T12:40:36.592-07:00Basic Baseball Throwing Mechanics<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0yMo2g58k_Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Basic Baseball Throwing Mechanics<br />Uploaded by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/thesportingspirit">thesportingspirit</a> <br /><br />How to hold and throw a baseball correctly.<br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/">Baseball2u.com</a>/<a href="http://www.CoachesBest.com">CoachesBest.com</a> is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. 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Visit <a href="http://www.baseball2u.com/">Baseball2U.com</a> today!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-83508645950104171612011-10-04T09:09:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:13:31.735-07:00Little League Baseball Practice Drills - Hitting PracticeLittle League Baseball Practice Drills - Hitting Practice<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell">Chris Campbell </a><br /><br />If you want to get good at anything, it's usually just a question of time. A little persistence, blood, sweat, and tears may help as well. There are a number of motivational quotes I could throw at your here, but let me just use a couple. First quote: "Persistence is omnipotent". Second quote: "Success is a result of one percent inspiration, and 99 percent inspiration". I know I'm paraphrasing somewhat, and I'm not sure exactly who the original author is for those. But, I think Emerson is responsible for the first. Either way, they both apply to many sporting endeavors, and baseball is no exception.<br /><br />If you or your favorite little league baseball player has the desire, and is willing to put in the time, there no reason for them or you not to become a great baseball player. Of all the roles a player undertakes in the sport of baseball, the most fun packed one has to be hitting. It requires the most focus, concentrating, nerve, timing and skill. It's much more engaging than shagging fly balls, or base running.<br /><br />It's a good thing, that hitting is so much fun, since that makes hitting practice even more fun, as you get to do it for even longer. With that in mind though, there are good ways to practice, and bad ways to practice. No sense in ingraining bad habits, when a few simple points to keep in mind will make you a big league hitter in no time.<br /><br />Keep Your Eyes On The Ball<br /><br />The number one thing to remember in batting practice, is to keep your eye on the ball. And even before the ball is thrown, keep your eyes on the pitcher. Studying the pitcher can reveal clues as to what pitch he'll be throwing next. Knowing you've got a curve ball or change-up, or fast ball, will affect the timing and speed of your swing.<br /><br />Be A Smart Batter<br /><br />Know what the count is, and where the other runners on your team are. Know how many are out, and know who's coming up to bat next. It's not just the coaches job to keep track of all these things. A strategic batter is a better batter.<br /><br />Get A Good Grip On The Bat<br /><br />The grip on your bat is were your swing starts. Don't tense up too much my holding on too tightly. You need to start of semi-relaxed, and then "load" and tighten up as you swing through the ball. Hand placement is important, and try to line up your middle knuckles from both your right and left hand.<br /><br />Little League Baseball Drills is a great resource for helping your little leaguer get the most out of his or hers favorite pastime. With a little good training, amateur or even professional ball players will see a dramatic improvement in the way they play.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell </a><br /><br />===========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youthbaseballdigest.com/">Homepage</a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/youthbaseballdigestcom/id3.html">Today's Youth Baseball Coaching Feature Article</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/youthbaseballdigestcom/id2.html">Videos for Coaches </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/youthbaseballdigestcom/id1.html">Blogs & Knols for Baseball Coaches, Players & Parents</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-63303390788046740042011-09-26T08:35:00.000-07:002011-09-26T08:38:17.694-07:00Baseball Coaching Digest: 5 Solid Tips for Taking Your Team From Worst to First in Batting StatsBaseball Coaching Digest: 5 Solid Tips for Taking Your Team From Worst to First in Batting Stats<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">Nick Dixon</a> <br /><br />There are five things that I recommend baseball coaches do to improve a team's offensive numbers. These are changes that coaches must put into place if they are looking to take their team to a higher level in hitting statistics. This article explains those five things that I suggest that you make a part of your regular team routine.<br /><br />Your team can become a better hitting team. I am 100% confident that you can be the reason that your team has a better hitting season this year than last season. The number one thing you must remember is the saying, "Stupidity is never more evident than when a coach has his team do the same thing over, and over and over, but expects different results". If you want your team to be better than they have ever been, you have got to plan, coach, instruct, teacher, work, and organize your practices better than you ever have.<br /><br />Here are three things I recommend for helping a team become a better hitting team:<br /><br />1. Change Your Attitude - Teams always emulate the attitude of the coach. If you expect the team to hit better and do all of the work and preparations to do so, then the players will expect better results. Make it known that "thing are changing around here". Make it known that you have a new system, a new approach, and a new commitment to getting the job done at the plate. Let the team know that "everything counts". Every practice swing must be performed, reviewed, assessed, and critiqued. Make it known that every fundamental will be given the attention necessary to make the team better. Sub-par practice will not be accepted. We will practice like we play and play like we practice, with a stated purpose and with total focus.<br /><br />2. Sense of Urgency - Make sure that your team and staff know that improvement is a must. They must realize that last year's or season's numbers were bad for a reason. Those numbers are unacceptable and unexpected this year. And explain to them that the reason for those bad numbers last season was a lack of work, a lack of commitment, and a lack of performance. The players and staff must realize the importance of making improvements. When a coach becomes better at teaching a skill, the team just got better. When a player becomes more knowledgeable on a baseball task, the team just got better. All players and staff must know that they must be committed to doing more than normal to help the team improve. Players and staff should be willing to stay after practice, come in before practice, or find extra time, outside of team practices, to work and improve on fundamentals. A player must know that the team "chain" is no stronger than the "weakest link". If a player is weak at a particular skill, until that player improves, the team will not be as good as possible.<br /><br />3. Repetition of Quality Swings - Practice repetition for the sake of practice repetition is useless. Swing the bat is useless if the swing is a bad practice swing of less than game speed or game quality. You team needs to have a commitment to numbers and quality if your team's hitting numbers are going to drastically improve. My "rule of thumb" is that I want every player in my program to take at least 300 practice swing a day. Those swings must be purpose driven with no tolerance for "playing around", "goofing off" or "less than perfect execution". I don't care how the swings are performed. They can be off a batting tee, a training machine, live-arm in the batting cage, or simply a soft-toss drill. The key is to take enough swings every day to allow the player's swing to become instinctive, smooth, and as powerful as possible. The more quality swing a player takes, the more confidence that player will have.<br /><br />4. Improving Knowledge - To improve quality of play, improved knowledge must take place first. Player must know what a good swing looks like. They must know what makes a stance a good stance. They must know and be able to identify good and bad hitting mechanics and fundamentals. They must hear the correct words and terminology when it comes to instruction, teaching, and practice. A coach must do his homework when it comes to learning the fundamentals of playing and coaching the game. Read books, articles, and everything else that you can get your hands on. Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, the Youth Baseball Digest or the Baseball Today Coaching Journal to access free drills, tips, and coaching articles. Watch videos on YouTube of batting drills and coaching tips.<br /><br />5. Truth and Consequences - Never lie to your team. Tell them honestly when a drill is good and tell them when a drill is bad. Have a consequence for poor drill performance. I try to keep my drills and instruction periods short at no than 10 to 15 minutes. But, if a drill is done sloppy or poorly, I have told my team that I reserve the right to always to have the team do a drill over or do a "start over". I want my players to know that we have a commitment to quality not quantity.<br /><br />I hope that you found this article to be informative and useful. You may read more articles like it at the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, and the Baseball Parent Guide. Thanks for reading this article. I wish you and your team the best of luck in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 Coaches Association and Alabama Baseball Coaches Association.<br /><br />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 considered an expert in baseball training and skills development. Dixon also serves as an active consultant to baseball equipment companies and other sports product inventors.<br /><br />Dixon is also a contributing writer for the Baseball Coaching Digest, the baseball Coaching Digest Blog, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Youth Baseball Digest Blog, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon</a> <br /><br />======================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s1600-h/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s200/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388760205155598594" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a>/<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com">FastpitchSoftballSupply.com</a> is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a> has <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batr.html">Batting Trainers</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/thandpitr.html">Pitching Training</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/trainingbats.html">Training Bats</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/detr.html">Defensive Training Equipment</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-dvd-s---books.html">Coaching DVDs & Books</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-pitching-machines.html">Softball Pitching Machines</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-complete-packages.html">Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-nets.html">Batting Cage Nets</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/protective-field-screens---practice-nets.html">Protective Practice Screens and Nets</a>, and <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/bahima.html">BatAction Hitting Machines</a>, and much, much more. Visit <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">Softballrus.com</a> now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-61980922589145510892011-09-23T08:34:00.000-07:002011-09-23T08:36:53.934-07:00How To Improve Your Baseball Vision And Hand-Eye Coordination (Part 1)<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3iGbE2INRhA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />How To Improve Your Baseball Vision And Hand-Eye Coordination (Part 1) <br />Uploaded by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/BaseballVision">BaseballVision </a>http://www.baseballvisionprogram.com/ -- Chris McKnight and Harvey Ratner teamed up to produce a DVD which helps baseball hitters improve their hand eye coordination through unique sports vision training drills. Chris and Harvey's techniques will help you improve your baseball vision and hand eye coordination using simple drills which have increased the batting averages of players from high school all the way to the pros.<br /><br />Chris is the manager of the 2009 independent professional baseball Texarkana Gunslingers team, and he has also authored numerous articles that have appeared in "Scholastic Coach" "Coach and Athletic Director" and the American Baseball Coaches Association "Coaching Digest". <br /><br />Go to the website to find out more about how Chris' information can help you improve your vision for sports.<br /><br />=======================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.QuickSwingTrainer.com">QuickSwingTrainer.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.QuickSwingMachine.com">QuickSwingMachine.com</a><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wPtlQjqhWTY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wPtlQjqhWTY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S-Kfswu3lII/AAAAAAAAD-Q/RJg3-c6gggY/s1600/Joe+Mauer+Quick+Swing+Trainer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 158px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S-Kfswu3lII/AAAAAAAAD-Q/RJg3-c6gggY/s320/Joe+Mauer+Quick+Swing+Trainer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468108488925746306" /></a><br />Joe Mauer <a href="http://www.quickswingtrainer.com">Quick Swing Trainer</a><br /><a href="http://www.quickswingtrainer.com/">QuickSwingTrainer.com</a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id5.html">How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id4.html">Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id3.html">Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-18029411502773016932011-09-22T12:32:00.000-07:002011-09-22T12:35:05.781-07:00Baseball Hitting Drill TwistBaseball Hitting Drill Twist<br />By guest author: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise">Jeffery A Wise </a><br /><br />Baseball hitting drills are necessary for players to develop and tweak their skills. Without drills, you cannot be a great player. Recently I discovered a great drill that was demonstrated by a coach on YouTube that I had to share with others. It is easy, fun and will benefit any player who wants to be a better hitter.<br /><br />This specific drill is a new twist on the soft toss hitting drill. It can improve your hitting in several areas, including bat speed. This element of hitting is very important because it generates how hard you hit the ball and how far the balls fly. What player doesn't want to hit more home runs?<br /><br />What you need for this drill is someone who is willing to toss you some baseballs, whether it is a coach, a teammate or a parent. For this drill, this person should kneel on the ground several feet in front of the batter. They can also sit on a chair to do this if kneeling is uncomfortable. They should toss the balls with an underhand pitch to the batter.<br /><br />What makes this drill different from the typical soft toss drill is that the person tosses three balls in a row without taking a break. Of course, the batter should have enough time to reset, but the next ball should come immediately after that. After three balls, allow the batter to rest for a minute before throwing three more. Continue to do this pattern multiple times until the batter is tired.<br /><br />This baseball hitting drill is very fast, but it will help players in several ways. Since the batter must reposition so quickly, it helps them practice balancing their body. The quickness also forces the batter to generate quick bat speed, making balls fly farther. The batter has to react swiftly, which makes him more focused as if he's in the middle of a game. Finally, it helps the batter have a good whip action with the bat in the fingers instead of the palms of the hands.<br /><br />This baseball hitting drill is sure to help any player become a better hitter. The more you practice it, the better results you will see, on and off the field. Of course, there are many great drills for hitting, but give this one a try to see what you think. You may even find that it creates more results than other hitting drills.<br /><br />Remember that the reason to practice your baseball hitting is so that you can get better and doing a baseball hitting drill will give you skills and talent to become the baseball player you want to be. Find out why you should look into quality Cheap Baseball Bats that are comfortable in your hands which could help you out in a big way.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise</a> <br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKsfZbkdEy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7WSgCmqOX8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s1600-h/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/Ssi42xAPgQI/AAAAAAAACD4/ZEP7i1MlsLA/s200/softball+r+Us+Online+Training+Store.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388760205155598594" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a>/<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com">FastpitchSoftballSupply.com</a> is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">SoftballrUs.com</a> has <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batr.html">Batting Trainers</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/thandpitr.html">Pitching Training</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/trainingbats.html">Training Bats</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/detr.html">Defensive Training Equipment</a>,<a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-dvd-s---books.html">Coaching DVDs & Books</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/softball-pitching-machines.html">Softball Pitching Machines</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-complete-packages.html">Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/batting-cage-nets.html">Batting Cage Nets</a>, <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/protective-field-screens---practice-nets.html">Protective Practice Screens and Nets</a>, and <a href="http://www.fastpitchsoftballsupply.com/bahima.html">BatAction Hitting Machines</a>, and much, much more. Visit <a href="http://www.softballrus.com">Softballrus.com</a> now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7598461988016106227.post-65582394316195248112011-09-19T09:26:00.000-07:002011-09-19T09:28:54.215-07:00Youth Baseball-Coach Pitch Fundamentals<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BlKsJX-ihac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Youth Baseball-Coach Pitch Fundamentals <br />Uploaded by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ClubHouseGas">ClubHouseGas </a>On http://ClubHouseGas.com Casey learns the art of coach pitch for baseball and softball. Also check-out http://YouthSportTravel.com<br /><br />========================<br />Thanks to our sponsors:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.QuickSwingTrainer.com">QuickSwingTrainer.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.QuickSwingMachine.com">QuickSwingMachine.com</a><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wPtlQjqhWTY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wPtlQjqhWTY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S-Kfswu3lII/AAAAAAAAD-Q/RJg3-c6gggY/s1600/Joe+Mauer+Quick+Swing+Trainer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 158px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S-Kfswu3lII/AAAAAAAAD-Q/RJg3-c6gggY/s320/Joe+Mauer+Quick+Swing+Trainer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468108488925746306" /></a><br />Joe Mauer <a href="http://www.quickswingtrainer.com">Quick Swing Trainer</a><br /><a href="http://www.quickswingtrainer.com/">QuickSwingTrainer.com</a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id5.html">How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?</a> <br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id4.html">Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links </a><br /><a href="http://coachnick0.tripod.com/quickswing/id3.html">Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0