High School Baseball - Pre-Game Warm-Ups for Winning Fielders

High School Baseball - Pre-Game Warm-Ups for Winning Fielders
By Kenny Buford

For high school baseball games, each side only has fifteen minutes on the field for the pre-game warm-up. Coaches should focus on keeping the routine quick and simple. These fielding warm-ups will effectively get players loose and focused on the game.

Outfield Warm-Up

For the outfield warm-up, the coach should hit to the outfielders from the pitcher's mound.

Round One

For this round, the coach will hit a ground ball:

To left field


Left fielder will throw to second base, short stop covers and second baseman backs

To center field


Center fielder throws to second base, SS covers and second baseman backs

To right field


Right fielder passes to second base, second baseman covers and SS backs

Round Two

For this round, the player in short stop position should be stationed in the line of throw for a possible cutoff. The coach will hit a ground ball:

To left field


Left fielder throws to third base

To center field


Center fielder passes to third base

To right field


Right fielder lobs to third base

Round Three:

For this round, the first baseman should be positioned in the line of throw for a possible cutoff. The coach will hit a fly ball:

To left field


Left fielder will throw to home plate

To center field


Center fielder tosses to home plate

To right field


Right fielder lobs to home plate

Infield Warm-Up

Start by throwing the ball around the horn (catcher to first base to second base to short stop to third base and back to catcher). For the fielding portion of the infield warm-up, the coach should be hitting from home plate.

Round One

For this round, the coach will hit a ground ball:

To third base


Third baseman tosses to first base
First baseman passes to catcher

To short stop


SS lobs to first base
First baseman throws to catcher

To second base


Second baseman get the ball to first base
First baseman throws to catcher

To first base


First baseman lobs to third base
Third baseman tosses to catcher

Round Two

For this round, the coach will hit a ground ball:

To third base


Third baseman gets the ball to second base
Second baseman throws to first base
First baseman tosses to catcher

To short stop


SS will throw to second base
Second baseman tosses to first base
First baseman lobs to catcher

To second base


Second base lobs to short stop
SS gets the ball to first base
First base throws to catcher

To first base


First baseman tosses to second base
Second baseman passes back to first base
First baseman throws to catcher

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

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


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Nation's Winningest High School Baseball Coach Reveals Secrets to Baseball Success

Nation's Winningest High School Baseball Coach Reveals Secrets to Baseball Success
By Rick Cabral

Coach "Guy" Anderson, head coach of the Cordova High School baseball team (suburb of Sacramento, Calif.), calls himself "old school." In 40-plus years he has coached the varsity team to 840 victories, the most wins of any high school coach currently in the nation. Anderson believes his "old school" methods have played a role in the development of the young men who won those games for Cordova High on the ball field.

One of those players is Jerry Manuel, manager of the New York Mets, who was a first round pick in 1972. Another is Geoff Jenkins, who won a World Series ring with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. Each can attest to Anderson's winning ways. In all, 24 of Anderson's players have been drafted by major league teams, and many more have gone on to play at the college level.

As with most established coaches, Anderson has developed a routine of conditioning and practicing that leads to team victories. His players begin each practice with a series of stretching exercises, then running. When they conclude their running the team participates in a Cordova High tradition of each player running to the center field fence and touching the 360 foot sign.

But it takes more than conditioning and tradition to field a winning club these days. It starts with players who have what Anderson terms "God-given ability," and he admits to seeing fewer players with that kind of skill these days. For instance, this year just 12 students made the Cordova High varsity. In the glory years of the 1980s and '90s, when Anderson's teams won three Sac-San Joaquin Section baseball titles, he often carried up to 22 players on his squad and turned away many more. Today, an intra-squad game is out of the question.

Anderson says one reason for the lack of talented players is that fewer kids play catch with fathers, an outgrowth of single-parent families. Moreover, there are a greater number of distractions-from mobile phone video games to club sports such as rugby and lacrosse, that didn't exist in California in prior decades. Consequently, when they come out for the team now, Anderson says, some players have to be taught even the most fundamental baseball skills.

But if mostly average players is what a coach ends up with, then the kind of program Anderson has developed over the years is crucial to success.

Following warm ups, the team then begins regular throwing. The players begin by taking a knee and throwing a short distance. Once they're limber, they begin throwing in earnest, eventually extending out their throws to 110 feet, and then shortening the throws. Next, they do a tossing drill Coach Anderson calls "quick fire," that requires hand-eye coordination and quick foot movements. Then the players go to their individual defensive positions.

Anderson says he got the idea for these types of drills from "Bud" Wilkinson, who led University of Oklahoma football teams to national championships in 1950, 1955 and 1956, and amassed a 47-game win streak, an NCAA Division 1 record that stands today. Wilkinson was known as an ultra-organized coach, who broke down practices in 10-minute concentrated segments; not a minute wasted and purpose driven. Adopting that concept has garnered Anderson election to the prestigious National High School Hall of Fame and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Easton Sports voted him "Master Coach" in 2003.

Asked what one thing he would do different in his coaching career, Anderson offers that he would show more "compassion" while still adhering to his standards. He also advises young coaches to develop a written agreement, spelling out the coach's rules or expectations and requiring both players and their parents to sign off.

This type of attention to detail, and love of the game, helps to build a winning program. It doesn't hurt to have the consistency of a head coach with 40+ consecutive years, either.

"(Baseball) is a special game to me," Anderson says proudly. And Guy Anderson will surely go down as a "special" coach.

Rick Cabral is a Sacramento baseball historian. To listen to his interview with Cordova High School Coach "Guy" Anderson visit http://BaseballSacramento.com and navigate to Teams > High School.

To learn more about Cordova High baseball, visit http://cordovalancerbaseball.com

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

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Major League Hitting Drills

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Article Title: Major League Hitting Drills
By Jack Perconte

Major league hitters have very advanced swing fundamentals, which explain how they made it to the major leagues. However, it is important to note that fundamentals are fundamentals. The drills that are designed for little league players are the same drills that major league players perform. There are numerous baseball hitting drills with the best drills being the ones that address the particular hitter's needs. Every hitter, from the major league player to the little league player, has a weak part of their swing. When this weakness is known, hitting drills can be geared towards addressing those areas. Working on correct fundamentals is a continual process for major league players as it is for youth ballplayers.

When I played major league baseball, the off season was the time where I was more concerned with getting in great shape by gaining quickness and strength. I was not as concerned with timing the ball as much as in season. With this in mind, preseason was spent performing drills on the batting tee and with soft toss drills. The important body parts that major league baseball players want to get in shape are their hands and core muscles, including the stomach and hips. With this in mind here are a few major league hitting drills that ballplayers practice to get their hands and hips in shape.

1. One arm drill - hitters will take swings using only one arm with a lighter bat or by choking up on their regular bat. This drill will force them to use the muscles in their fingers, hands, wrists and forearms so that they develop the strength and quickness necessary to hit major league pitching. It will also help them develop the correct swing fundamentals of each hand separately. It is recommended that players take more swings in this manner with their weaker arm.

2. Another popular major league hitting drill is the self-flip drill. With this drill, players will begin by holding the bat with their lead arm only and flip a ball up in the air with their rear hand. The ball should be flipped no higher than eye level and in the hitting zone, at which time the hitter grabs the bat with both hands and hits the ball. This drill develops quick, strong hands and requires a good fundamental swing to hit line drives.

3. Fast hips can be developed with the quick swing drill. Players will swing five times in a row forward and backward as fast as they can. Players should be sure to finish their swing to the middle of their back before they reverse the bat as fast as they can. This drill can also be done with a partner who flips five balls in a row to the hitter, releasing each ball when hitter returns to hitting position. This drill will also help overall balance, which is another key ingredient to a good baseball swing. (See following drill)

4. Balance beam drill - players stand on a balance beam and take swings at game speed, with the goal of completing the swing while staying on the beam. An example of this drill and of making a usable balance beam can be found in my book, "The Making of a Hitter."

As the season begins, major league baseball players tend to work on timing and vision drills. This is mostly done with correct batting practice habits with flip drills from the coach or regular pitched balls from a batting practice coach. Good hitters will always try to hit the ball where it is pitched in the strike zone and try to watch the ball hit the bat at contact. They will not swing at pitches outside the strike zone. Following are a few more major league hitting drills that also help hitters:

5. Back knee pickup drill - hitters swing and pick up their back knee, allowing it to rotate towards the pitcher with the swing. This drill develops hitters' front side and weight transfer as they will have to keep their front shoulder going towards the ball as their weight transfers. Both of these are necessary for good contact and power.

6. No stride drill - hitters take their regular swing without the initial stride. Many hitters get in trouble when they jump at the ball. This major league hitting drill will allow them to stay back and rotate instead of lunging at the ball. Doing this drill after the previous drill is a good idea.

It is important to note that using a batting tee for taking productive swings is a must for all serious ballplayers. The batting tee is an important device for major league hitting drills as well as for young baseball players. Coaches and hitters should consult instructional manuals or a good hitting coach so they know how to use a batting tee for the best results. All hitting drills can be done on a batting tee and will help groove a perfect baseball swing. Hitting balls solidly and on the line is always the hitter's goal, whether hitting in a game or with hitting drills.

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

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

Baseball Coaching Digest - Baseball Rules - Can You Name 5 Common Kinds of Baseball Interference?

By Nick Dixon


Can You Name the 5 Most Common Kinds of Baseball Interference?
If you coach, play or watch baseball, you should be familiar with the term "baseball interference". Baseball interference is described as any infraction or action by a person that illegally alters the course of baseball play. The five types of interference are covered by the rules and different rules are applied in each type of interference. The 5 kinds of interference can be committed either by an offensive player, a player off the bench, a catcher, an umpire, and a spectator. This article describes and explains the 5 most common kinds of interference called by umpires.

The 5 most frequently kinds of baseball interference that occur are:

Offensive Physical Interference

Offensive interference is when an offensive player causes a defensive player to misplay a hit ball. The offensive player physically interferes with the defensive player that is in the act of attempting to field a ball. This contact allows a base runner to advance or makes it more difficult for the player to get an out. This is the most commonly called kind of interference. When offensive interference is committed, the ball immediately becomes dead. If a batter or a base runner the commits the interference that player is called out. All runners must return to the bases they occupied at the time of the interference.

If offensive interference is committed by a runner with the intent of preventing a double play, both, the batter and the runner committing the interference will be called out.

Offensive Verbal Interference

Did you know that interference can be called on a player in the dugout? A player can commit what is called "Verbal Interference" from the dugout. Verbal interference may also be called on an offensive player. Calling out "foul" on a fair ball or "mine" on a fly ball, to confuse or hinder a defensive play is offensive verbal interference.

Umpire interference

Umpire interference is when a umpire interferes with a catcher attempting to make a throw. If the umpire`s action does not prevent the catcher from making the play, the play stands. If the action by the umpire causes a runner to be safe, the ball is dead and all runners must return to their time of throw bases. Umpire interference also occurs an umpire is struck by a fair batted ball before it touches or passes near an infielder other than the pitcher. The ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base, and all other runners advance only if forced.

Catcher interference

When a catcher physically hinders the swing of a batter, Catcher interference is called. Catcher interference is most commonly called when the bat touches the catching mitt during a swing. This most frequently occurs when a runner is attempting to steal and the catcher is too anxious to catch the ball. When catcher interference occurs, play continues, and after continuous playing action ceases, the umpire will call time. The batter is awarded first base, any runner attempting to steal is awarded that base, and all other runners advance only if forced. The catcher is charged with an error.

Spectator interference

Spectator interference most frequently occurs when a spectator in the first row of seats reaches onto the field to attempt to grab a fair or foul fly ball. Spectator interference occurs when If the umpire judges that the fielder could have caught the ball over the field. The ball becomes dead, and the umpire will award any bases or charge any outs that, in his judgment, would have occurred without the interference.

I hope that you found this article to be informative. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it. Have a great day, Nick.

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

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

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College Baseball Recruiting - An Interview With a Junior College Baseball Team Coach

By John Riedling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Videos for Coaches
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Baseball Articles for Coaches
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Current Topics and Issues Related to Safety in Baseball

Also:
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Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballcoachesdigest
Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballparentguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballhomeworkhelp
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Blogger (Blogspot) - teeballcoachingclinic
Blogger (Blogspot) - hurricanebaseballtrainingmachine
Blogger (Blogspot) - teeballparentsguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - youthbaseballcoachingclinic

Shop CoachesBest.com for your baseball coaching needs including baseball training aids, training videos, and other coaching supplies. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting machine by SKLZ at HurricaneTrainer.com.

See the “Original” Rotational Hitting Machine at BatAction.com. Are you looking for the perfect trainer to teach proper timing and swing mechanics? You can stop looking and go to HandsBackHitter.com.