Youth Baseball Team Properties

Learn Youth Baseball More: What Teams Must Attain

There is no doubt that youth baseball is a team sport. The teams are composed of nine players, who must learn to value and imbibe team work. The players should not play individually; instead, they should move strategically as a group to conquer victory for the team. All players should realize that no individual player wins the game. It is always the team that is declared victorious over the opposing team. Thus, all youth baseball teams should have the following.

First, the groups of players should attain team spirit. This is highlighted by their commitment to the game. As mentioned, every youth baseball team should work collectively as a single unit. Every player should find devotion to uphold the team and win the game. Experts assert that it is imperative for all involved players to naturally and literally breathe and live baseball to be able to develop the required devotion.

Second, every youth baseball team should develop a good support system. Aficionados and fans know that teams should not only be devoted to the games. They should also play to bring honor to their families, sponsors, team owners, coaches, college, and school authorities who are commissioning for teams in every league. The psyche of the team should be established as well as an ideal or impermeable support system. This could provide the right motivation.

Every youth baseball team should be led by a good coach, who is tasked to lead the team not just to gain victory but also to attain good teamwork and relationship among each other. Thus, the youth baseball coach could be considered as the backbone of every team. This way, he needs to be tough and loving at the same time. The coach must be able to show care, respect, and concern for each team player. In many occasions, he should understand the team as well as all the members better than he could understand himself.

Fourth, the team must learn devotion to the game and to the sport. This would enable all the players to take the right motivation and drive to play and win games. The right skills and qualifications must be possessed by every team member so he could contribute to the group. This would require too much preparation and commitment.

Teaching Kids to Play Baseball

Teaching Baseball: Helping Your Kids Learn Baseball

Baseball is the favorite pastime of Americans of all ages. While you may think this fact was born out of history, it is not the exact reason for America’s love for this sport. It’s the tradition—people go to baseball matches with their family to cheer for their favorite team. Parents support their young kid who is going to compete in campus baseball games. To a certain extent, baseball connects family members together. And that is one reason why many kids learn baseball at a young age, which is a good thing because it also trains and prepares them for professional baseball once they have grown up.
Most fathers are excited about teaching their kids how to play baseball. It is no wonder since playing baseball in itself is a fun and thrilling experience, not to mention that it creates a strong father-and-son bond. When springtime comes, fathers and their children troop to the baseball field or their own backyard to play the game. It is one of the physically challenging activities they look forward to.
Teaching the basics of baseball to your kids is a very worthwhile activity. It may take a lot of patience on your part, but you will find the experience a rewarding one later on. You only have to teach the four fundamental moves in baseball: throwing, catching, hitting, and running—just as a coach would with major league players. So you will act as their coach, making sure that they get the grasp of every essential baseball move. If your kids learn the baseball basics, they can play the game in the years to come.
Is this your first time to teach baseball to your kids? You have to buy soft balls first from a sporting goods shop. Soft balls, which look like real baseballs, are safe to use because their softness does not cause injury. These are recommended for children because they can help boost their confidence when playing baseball. Using these balls trains them not to be afraid of being hit by the ball. In addition, it will be easier for them to throw and catch the ball if it is soft.
Aim for simplicity when you’re starting your training sessions. Don’t expect your children to easily get the hang of it. To make learning easier for the kids, you must stand at a short distance from each other. This will facilitate throwing and catching routines. When the kids start to get used with the catching and throwing, you can stand farther away from each other. And when they begin to learn the right way to throw and catch the ball, then you can try exposing them to real baseball.
Just remember that teaching baseball to kids can be a long process. Never pressure them to learn baseball in just a short time—they will eventually become good baseball players in their own pace. Encourage them by making them believe in themselves and by assuring them that it is all right to make mistakes. After all, mistakes help them learn the game better.

The Curveball Pitching Machine

Jugs Curveball Pitching Machine

The Jugs Curveball Pitching Machine is portable, easy to move, and offers optimum versatility for batting practice. Able to throw all types of Jugs baseballs, the Jugs Curveball Pitching Machine features a swivel-design base that provides 360-degree movement for fly balls, ground balls, and pop-ups. The machine pitches fastballs, curveballs, and sliders with a speed range of 20 to 104 miles per hour. The machine is able to pitch left- or right-handed balls.

Youth Baseball Bat - Wood Bat

 Youth Baseball Bat Review

Don't make the mistake of thinking all wood bats are the same. They may look similar, but the quality of the wood is very different from one wood bat company to another. Louisville Slugger, however, sets itself apart from other bat makers with more than 120 years of bat-making experience, outstanding turning models, and access to the best-quality wood on the market. The MLB225YB youth bat, for instance, is made of high-quality maple, an extremely dense timber with a greater surface hardness than ash. Maple is a closed-grain timber with a structure similar to the layer in a laminated product. This makes the bat less prone to flaking than an ash bat--meaning it will snap in half upon breaking rather than splintering--resulting in a safer, more durable product. Some players also believe that maple's hardness gives them a better overall performance.
The MLB225YB bat is designed specifically for youth league players, with a shorter length and lighter weight than adult bats.  Youth baseball bat.

One-Hand Drill

What You Will Need:

1. L-Screen/Short screen
2. Baseballs
3. Short-light bat

Instruction:

Place the l-screen/short screen about 20-30 feet away from the batter.  Have the batter either take a proper stance or get down on his/her back knee.  So we work the bottom hand have the batter choke his bottom hand up to the top of the grip/tape and place his top hand and arm across his/her chest.  The batter should now position the bat as if he/she were about to take regular batting practice, now start throwing.  The objective of this drill is for the batter to make nice solid contact with the ball focusing on line-drives and ground balls.  As the batter makes progress and becomes comfortable with the drill have him/her move their hands down the bat towards normal position. 

(This drill can also be reversed, using the top-hand to work on bringing hips through)

Conclusion

The one-hand drill is an excellent drill for younger players who are insecure about their hitting abilities.  It allows the batter to keep hands close to the body while working on proper extension and bat speed as well.  The bottom-hand is the "power" hand and should be the lead hand to the baseball.  Generally the bottom hand needs more work than the top.  Hope this was helpful!

Reasons Why Your Child Wants to Play Baseball, and Why You Should Let Them

Why Kids Want To Learn Baseball?
Kids join in a particular sport for various reasons. Most kids though likes being athletic because of the attention they get whenever they do good at the game. Other kids, although not that good at a particular sport wants to play to become socially active - to mingle with their friends or meet new people. The reasons vary by kid's age and personality. Here are some of the main reasons why kids want to learn baseball:
1. For fun - The concept of fun to baseball players vary by age and personality. Younger kids want to play baseball mainly because of action and excitement. Older kids on the other hand, consider baseball as fun game because it is an opportunity to show they can be successful in any endeavor they enjoy doing.
2. For variety and organization - Baseball is an organized sport that offers variety and fun for kids. It is an opportunity to develop skills; with plenty of action, fun and excitement. It is not a boring sport although it is one game that needs organization. This is caused by the fact that organization is needed not to restrict players but to provide discipline and allow every player to have fun.
3. To build skills - Kids love learning and developing new skills. Baseball is a sport that challenges them to develop and improve skills like catching, throwing and base running.
4. To foster friendships - Baseball is a perfect avenue to interact with friends and meet new people. By working on a team, kids learn the value of teamwork and camaraderie. They are able to build confidence working in a team. It also helps them build group identity. Many kids love to play because other kids or their friends are playing too. And sometimes, kids play not because they see they are good at this sport but because they enjoy the friendship within the team.
5. For excitement and action - Baseball is a game full of excitement and action. Playing baseball let kids take part in an exciting, fun and action-filled sport that many of their peers are interested too. Younger kids love baseball because they enjoy running around. While, older kids especially high school teens love the sports because they enjoy exploring their physical abilities.
6. For attention – Some kids decide to learn baseball to get attention from their parents especially if they know that their parents are baseball fans. Parents or coach must be sensitive to this child’s motivation for the game. If this is one or even the primary reason why a child plays baseball, parent’s support is very important to avoid later disappointment.
7. Competition – Competition is listed as the least reason why kids want to learn baseball. Younger kids play baseball usually for fun and do not desire competition. The concept of competing with other kids is usually awkward to them and they fear the possibility of losing. Parents should not push kids to play baseball just to compete. Parents should also recognize that kid’s baseball skills will slowly develop and the desire to compete is not good to motivate them to perform better.

Learning Basic Baseball Lingo

Learn Baseball Lingo

Before you get to enjoy watching and following your favorite baseball teams, you should first initiate to know more about the game. Learn baseball fundamentals and of course the language that are applied in the sport. There are special and technical terms that you would surely encounter. If you are not familiar with them, you certainly would not be able to fully comprehend what is going on.

Here are some of the baseball terms you should know about. It is important to note that the sport lingo is not hard to define and understand. Learning these words and their meanings would be significant if you intend to fully enjoy the games.

Batter’s box is the rectangular area on every side of a home plate where the players stand to bat or hit the ball. When the batter is hit on the head by a pitch, he is said to be ‘beaned.’ Take note that the batter advances to the first base every time he is hit by a pitch. The coach’s box is the outlined area on each side of first and third bases. The coach of the batting team is allowed to give his players the instructions while inside the area.

The count is the frequency of the balls and strikes hit or missed by the batter. Three balls and two strikes make a full count. Force plays happen when the batter hits a ball and then runs to the first base, prompting the base runner ahead of him to advance to the next base. To get any runner out of the game, the infielder needs to hold the ball and tag the base ahead of the target runner. There is a need for the pitching team to go to a base first before a runner does. There is hit-and-run when the batter swings a pitch at the same time another runner on a base advances to get to the next base.

An error is committed when a fielding player makes a bad throw to allow any batter or runner to advance to the succeeding bases. The pitching team should avoid this misplay. When the fielders have more than an option to make a batter or runner out, there is a fielder’s choice.

The lineup is the order set for the players to bat. When a player in the batting team is next online to hit the bat based on the lineup, he is said to be on deck. The diamond refers to the infield where there is a home plate and three bases. When the ball is hit, the pitching team should move to catch or get the ball and arrest runners to advance further to the bases. If runners succeed in doing so, they are ‘safe.’

There you have it. Your objective to learn baseball and understand the game better could depend on how you fully comprehend and use the above-mentioned terms. You could now talk more about the popular sport with your friends, colleagues, and relatives who are truly addicted and passionate about this pitch and bat ball game.

Four Basic Baseball Skill Children Need to Learn

Basic Baseball Skills Children Need To Learn

There are four basic baseball skills children need to work on to stay on top of all elements of this America's favorite game. The four basic baseball skills are catching, hitting, throwing and base running. These four are collectively called as baseball drills. As a teacher, it is a challenge to make children learn baseball drills as it is detrimental to their appreciation, enjoyment and safety practices in the game. Here
are some essential tips for coaching basic baseball skills:

1. Throwing - Children need to warm up often to help them lear
n the skill of throwing. The act of throwing is not a simple baseball skill. It requires the whole body to work together to accurately send the ball at specific target. The proper position of throwing should be front shoulder facing the target, lower body lined up in the same direction, back foot perpendicular to the target, and hips closed. The motion the arm makes when throwing a baseball is circular motion. Asking children to practice throwing through circular motion is an effective technique to make children experience natural momentum of sending the ball at specific target. Check occasionally if children throw with a circular motion by asking them to freeze after pulling the ball out of the glove.
2. Catching - Playing catch helps children appreciate baseball more and know the basics of safety in the game. Catching baseball involves preparation. The most important tip you can give to kids learning baseball is to expect that the ball won't be thrown to them. In that way, they will be challenged to make a good play. The right position of catching baseball should be knees slightly bent and weight on the balls of the feet. Ask children to move into the position that will give them the best opportunity to catch the ball. Make the playing catch interesting by turning it as a little competition during practice.

3. Hitting - Making children learn hit baseball is the most difficult skill a coach needs to learn. Children need different set of instructions as every student has different set of skills, style and approach on baseball. The best approach on teaching children how to hit baseball is to be open-minded and recognize that each student needs individual hitting instruction. Take time on teaching each beginner on hitting baseball. Analyze each problem, take notes on how each player does hitting, or even take videos of their practice. Many players don't figure out what they are doing wrong until they see their rehearsal or practice videos. Allocate enough time to discuss to each player how to improve their hitting. Another important technique for children to learn baseball hitting is to help them build confidence. Motivate players through pep talks and praises each time they make good points.

4. Base Running - This skill is very important in scoring opportunities. As a coach you need to give your students many base running experiences. You should teach players to run every ball out and run it out hard. You may want to make a penalty for breaking this rule. Children may get bruises while they learn baseball base running. The best place to practice base running is in grass and unobstructed area.

Hitting Drill: The Fence Drill AGES 12+

Do you have a player that is extending their hands and arms to soon, or having trouble hitting the ball to the opposite field this is the drill for those players.

What you need: 

1. Chain link fence, brick-wall, any free standing solid surface (must be above batters head and bat)
2. Player and a bat

Instruction:

1. Have the batter stand parallel to the fence/wall (facing the fence).  Make sure the batter has a nice parallel stance and is about a foot/foot 1/2 away from the fence/wall (the batter should be able to reach out and touch the fence allowing a little bend in the arm, if the arm is strait out the batter is to far).
2. The batter should go into a slow motion stroke before taking a full swing (to get the fear of hitting the fence to go away).  The batter should keep the bat head above the back shoulder allowing it to drop down beside the shoulder until it is the appropriate time.  If the batter will open his/her back foot allowing the hips to thrust, he/she can rotate the hips keeping the bat above the shoulder.  Once this is done the batter can extend his/her arms and finish the swing down and through.
3. Once the batter becomes comfortable with the drill it will look and feel a lot more natural and can take 8-10 repetitions a day until the problem is fixed.

Infield Play: Part One - The Ready Position

It is probably safe to say most of the action of the defensive side of the ball occurs in the infield.  So lets stop wasting time and get on with the basics.

Learning the Proper Ready Position

The ready position is one of the most key aspects to successfully fielding ground balls and getting quick reads.  This position should consist of a stance with feet a little more than shoulder width apart, slightly off-set.  Hands should be relaxed and infront of the fielder with palms-up facing each other.  Also remember to keep elbows in close to the body, not out and flailing.  In this position you maximize your chances of getting to a ground ball or line drive on either side and your chances of making a play on it. 

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Pitching: Getting a grip AGES 7-13

The first pitch your player/child should learn how to throw is a fastball.  There are two types of fastballs:

1. Two seam fastball-  Grip the ball allowing your index and middle finger to rest on the seams, thrown for movement.
2. Four-seam fastball-  Grip the ball with your two fingers across the horse shoe (four seams), thrown for power.

At a young age pitchers should generally start out with the four seam fastball.  This is because it will allow the player to develop solid power, fundamentals, and techniques without worrying so much about the movement of the ball.  As your child/player gets a little more experience and gets his/her fundamentals down pat, they can start to experiment with the two seam fastball putting movement on the ball.  No one fastball is better than the other, but one may fit the style better of two different pitchers.  For example:  A pitcher that does not throw real hard may take up the two seam fastball for movement and sinking action. 

Pitching: Building Arm Strength AGES 10+

THROW EVERYDAY.  Simply getting out in the yard or on the field and playing catch is one of the key factors in developing arm strength at a young age.  Even if it is getting out in the yard by themselves throwing to a backstop or pitch back, THROW THROW THROW and you will be amazed at how fast their arm strength develops.   Below is a simple little league pitching schedule you can follow:

Monday Pitch 5-6 innings
Tuesday  Toss the ball back and forth playing catch, don't over do it
Wednsday  Practice pitches on the mound (70%)
Thursday  Play catch again
Friday  Pitch 5-6 innings

BIG TEAM...little me

Baseball is a team sport and the team always comes before individual stats such as home runs.  Every player must know their assignment and play their part...this is the key to winning.  Keep this motto in mind, incorporate it on a team t-shirt, button pins, etc. 

What are the characteristics of a good coach?

Knowing how to communicate with your players is just as important as knowing everything about baseball.  Keep a positive attitude towards your players or child and if you have to criticize them in a negative way, try and use a positive tone or "end on a good one".  I think if you take time aside to talk to your players about things like goals that they might have, non-baseball activities, school, etc., you will show them that you care about them as individuals not just means of winning a baseball game. 

• Know how to communicate
• Positive attitude and tone
• Have fun with it

  

Hit by Pitch Drill AGES 7+

What you need:

1. Helmet
2. Tennis ball/Racquetball

Drill Instruction:

1. Have your batter step up to the plate and take his/her normal stance.
2. Throw the ball inside-at the batter.
3. Your batter should turn in towards the catcher tucking his/her chin and front elbow, allowing the ball to hit them in the back to absorb impact.

This is a great drill for younger inexperienced players that havent been hit by many if any, pitches.  It is also a very big aspect of the game knowing how to safely protect yourself from pitches. 

Roger Clemens Pitcher Trainer AGES 12-18

This is an awesome products coaches! Roger Clemens Pitching Trainer Baseball...Learn His Best Pitches! Roger Clemens Pitching Trainer Baseball features: Color-coded circles indicate finger placement for each pitch Instructional booklet with detailed information and photos showing how to grip and throw each pitch For right-handed and left-handed pitchers Official size and weight baseball Roger Clemens Pitching Trainer...Pitch Like A Pro! This is a very inexpensive product that will help tremendously in aiding your player on how to throw correct pitches.

AGES 7+ Pitching/Throwing Trainer

Below is a product perfect for kids ranging from age 7 all the way up into highschool/college.  The 2-in-1 combination set features a traditional return ball trainer on one side with a unique pitch trainer target and ball collection system on the reverse. Great for kids to spend their own time out in the yard practicing hitting spots or just developing arm strength. 

Coaching.............The Umpire!

We all know umpires make bad calls.  So instead of beating them up over it, why not help them and your team out if you know an ump. missed a call?  Most little league umpires don't have all the rules and regs down yet as most are beginners.  A good coach should always have a league rule book handy just in case a situation arises where he/she has to correct an umpire on a rule call (infield fly rule, balks, runner position).  If this situation arises calmly call timeout and approach the umpire with rule book in hand, and there should be no problem fixing the ruling as long as it is a rule call.  Judgement calls (balls, strikes, outs) however can not be disputed.

Hitting Basics: Soft-Toss

Soft-toss is one of the most simple and effective drills to date.  Hitters that soft-toss regularly should have a good fundamental error-free swing if executed properly.  Players should focus on getting good quality reps in as you develop muscle memory.  If a player is getting tired or worn out he should stop taking reps immediately as it will cause problems such as dropping the back shoulder.  Remember while soft-tossing keep shoulders closed, head down, hands and elbows up, bat parralel to the ground, squash the bug.

How to Correct a Player from Bailing out of the Batter's Box

Most batters will bail out because they are afraid of being hit with a pitch.  If you have a batter that is bailing out of the batter's box, stepping away from the plate and opening his front shoulder here is the solution.  Take a bat and lay it parallel to the plate right behind him/her.  Warn them that if they bail out they will step on the bat and risk falling, if they step over the bat lay 2 or 3 bats down to compensate.  Eventually the batter will start striding towards the pitchers grinding with his/her backfoot.

GREAT Deals on Bats AGES 5-7

Below are some high quality inexpensive bats that can be your child's/player's with just a couple clicks.  These aluminum bats are accepted in all leagues and have a quick break-in period.  ****Be careful ordering composite bats as of January 2011 some leagues have banned use of them.*******

A youth's most under-rated hitting tool....

A Batting Tee is one of the most important hitting tools for our youth!  While your player is hitting off the tee you should be making sure he/she is keeping their elbow up and hands back, you don't want your player to wrap the bat around his/her neck ( have your player rest the bat on his/her shoulder then raise elbow and hands, this should give a good fundamental bat stance), the bat should be pointing up (45 degree angle).  Make sure your player is pivoting on their back foot, exploding with their hips, keeping their head down as they follow through with the swing.  Practice raising the tee to their "numbers" and lowering it to their knees...Inside...Outside...all the different areas of the strike-zone.

What should my player be doing ON-DECK?

First off, your on-deck batter should be taking his/her practice swings to the back of the batter at the plate to avoid line-drive foul balls.  While on deck the batter should be watching the pitcher taking good solid strides and swings timing the ball to the plate.  He/she should also be deciding where they will be standing in the batter's box.  I recommend kids stay more towards the back of the batter's box because:  They will be able to see the ball longer, and it makes for a tougher play on the catcher during bunts or steals.  Depending on the child's age he/she should also be paying attention to the pitcher's tendencies if the pitcher has off-speed pitches.  Donut bat weights also help losen up the batters primary muscles
  Hopefully this was helpful!

Bat Selection

It's all about bad SPEED not bat size.  It's a popular myth amongst parents and coaches that the bigger the bat the better but that is not true in most cases.  The only time you should consider allowing your child to use a heavier bat is if they are pulling the ball constantly down the foul line or swinging way ahead.  Your child should be able to comfortably control bat speed and precision.  Once your child has found a bat the he/she is comfortable with they should stick with it and not experiment with other kids' bats as most likely they will be of different size.  Hopefully this post will help you decide which bat is best for your child/player. 

Parent/Coach Mentality

Little league baseball is all about teaching the kids the basics of baseball and making it fun while doing it.  You want to keep things simple and fun.  You want your child/players' first experiences with baseball to be pleasant and enjoyable, not stressful and forceful.  Stay out of trash talking with other teams' parents  and fans....don't be a PROBLEM PARENT!

Welcome All Parents and Coaches!

Welcome ladies and gentleman to Little League Coaching 101.  I will be dedicating my time and knowledge to give you what I know in the simplest forms for FREE.  If you are a parent or new coach getting your feet wet this is the perfect place for you as I will be posting information daily on how to transform your child/player into a solid fundamental baseball player and athlete. Stay tuned for daily updates!