Baseball Hitting - How to Be a Great Hitter and Still Play Other Sports

Baseball Hitting - How to Be a Great Hitter and Still Play Other Sports
By guest author: Chuck R Stewart

My kids play lots of sports. Their favorite sport is always the sport that is currently in season. The challenge they are facing as they continue to play competitive sports into high school is the specialization that is occurring among so many of the athletes. The time spent in the off season working on the other sports gives the player with specialization a great advantage over the multi-sport (especially three sport) athlete. Many coaches, me included, tell their players after the last game of the season that preparation for next season begins tomorrow. The summertime is the time when athletes should be able to develop their talent levels to participate and compete for the next year. It is a time for assessment of current skills and the time to develop a plan for how an athlete will improve those skills so he or she can be measurably better when the next season begins.

This is pretty easy if an athlete plays just one or maybe two sports but can be a real challenge of the athlete plays three. A player can typically make the time to devote to one sport quite easily. An hour a day is not too much to give to doing something that a player loves. When I was young I loved basketball and I would make time to practice each day for as long as I could. I was paranoid that if I did not play every day that I would lose my touch with the basketball and not shoot as well the next time out. Hitting a baseball is much the same. Many players believe they must hit every day in order to a great hitter. I also believe that is true.

The solution we use at our house to help my boys prepare for football, baseball and basketball is as follows. We follow this routine 5 out of 7 days per week. The idea is that football is a sport requiring strength, speed and agility more than anything else. Both of my sons are quarterbacks so throwing and ball handling are important as well. Baseball requires hitting, about 100 swings per day. Basketball requires ball handling and shooting.

We spend the first 30 minutes doing sprint drill at the park up the street. We will do ladder drills at full speed with a 6 second rest between sprints. We start at 40 yards and back, 50 and back, etc on up to 100 yards and back at full speed. We do this for 20 minutes and then close out with a series of short bursts of 30 yards each at full speed. I time them to see that they are getting faster each week.

After sprinting we move to hitting. The batting cage is right at the park so we get our equipment and then get our Heater Pitching Machine operational and take 100 swings each. The Heater will fire a pitch every 10 seconds and will hold 12 balls in the ball rack so we can get through each of them getting 100 swings in 30 minutes. We take pitches outside to the opposite field, we work on hitting inside pitches hard on the pull side and work on the rest being hit with backspin right up the middle. We track how many get hit to the back of the batting cage.

We then move to basketball. I developed a workout that we alternate running every other day. One day we focus primarily on shooting and the next we focus primarily on ball handling and driving moves to the hoop. I will provide that workout in a follow up article.

The boys lift weights every other day with their football program and I think that is enough to help them develop their strength.

That is it! The rest of the day they have to themselves. I never mind what else they do with their day as long as we have completed the daily workout. I know their summer will lead to them being better athletes and they will be able to keep up with the athletes who are specializing in certain sports.

Coach Chuck Stewart operates a baseball web site called offering a pitching machines, batting cages, training aids and coaching/instructional videos along with lots of free coaching content. Coach Chuck offers a pitching machine for every skill level and budget. He has coached baseball teams for 8 years and enjoys sharing the love of the game of baseball with his players.

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

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Youth Baseball Hitting Tips - Drills

Youth Baseball Hitting Tips - Drills
By guest author: Jeffery A Wise

It's important that youth first learn the basic fundamentals when they begin their baseball playing careers. In a previous article we touched on a lot of these basics, including keeping your head down and eyes on the ball, how to stand in the batter's box and how to have a smooth, consistent swing. We also talked about the importance of hustling and having fun.

In order to learn the sport and become better players, youth should not just know these fundamentals; they also need to practice them in drills. Here is a list of drills that can be used for most age groups during practice.


•Hitting off a tee. This basic but essential hitting drill is used by all age groups. Even Major League Baseball players hit off a tee. Besides using a tee and a ball, you will need protective netting or a solid chain link fence to hit the ball into. Practice hitting off of a tee as often as you like but for each session strive to hit at least 25 balls. Advanced players can move the tee around to mimic different locations of the pitch. This helps for practicing hitting the ball to the opposite field, up the middle or your pull side.
•Soft toss. This fun drill was a favorite of mine during my 14 years of baseball. Again, you will either need protective netting or a solid chain link fence. It's better to hit into the protective netting because no balls will bounce back. Have someone kneel in the front and side of the hitter. He will underhand toss the balls to the hitter who will then hit the balls into the netting. The ball can be tossed to the hitter at different locations to make him adjust, wait for the ball and hit it to the appropriate area of the netting. This is a safe drill but if another player is doing the tossing make sure he wears a batting helmet for safety.
•Modified broomstick hitting drill. This is also fun because it takes you back to when you simulated games in the backyard with a brother or friend and drilled wiffle balls over the fence. Those were fun times! Find a wooden broomstick and saw it, making it the same length as the bat you use in games. You might want to tape the handle just like you would a normal bat. Then find some plastic golf balls and pitch them to the hitter. This is an excellent drill for hand-eye coordination.
•Live batting practice. Live pitches to the batter is a great finishing drill during practice. If at all possible, make sure the pitcher stands behind a protective "L" screen. Each player should get at least 20-25 hittable pitches. If you're taking batting practice alone with just you and your dad, coach or friend then 50 hittable pitches is better. Either way, divide up the pitches and hit some to the opposite field, up the middle and to your pull side as well. Don't forget to lay down a few bunts too.

Drills during practice are essential to improving young players. If time is an issue, try separating the players into groups that move from station to station. Practicing such drills and knowing the basic youth baseball hitting tips will ensure that your team will be the best it can be.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of youth baseball hitting tips so that you can learn how to hit a baseball better. Start learning today at http://www.baseballhittingtipsonline.com by reading our information, watching our videos and participating in our blog.

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

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Joe Mauer Quickswing PX4 Introduction

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Youth Baseball Hitting Tips - Drills

Youth Baseball Hitting Tips - Drills
By guest author: Jeffery A Wise

It's important that youth first learn the basic fundamentals when they begin their baseball playing careers. In a previous article we touched on a lot of these basics, including keeping your head down and eyes on the ball, how to stand in the batter's box and how to have a smooth, consistent swing. We also talked about the importance of hustling and having fun.

In order to learn the sport and become better players, youth should not just know these fundamentals; they also need to practice them in drills. Here is a list of drills that can be used for most age groups during practice.


•Hitting off a tee. This basic but essential hitting drill is used by all age groups. Even Major League Baseball players hit off a tee. Besides using a tee and a ball, you will need protective netting or a solid chain link fence to hit the ball into. Practice hitting off of a tee as often as you like but for each session strive to hit at least 25 balls. Advanced players can move the tee around to mimic different locations of the pitch. This helps for practicing hitting the ball to the opposite field, up the middle or your pull side.
•Soft toss. This fun drill was a favorite of mine during my 14 years of baseball. Again, you will either need protective netting or a solid chain link fence. It's better to hit into the protective netting because no balls will bounce back. Have someone kneel in the front and side of the hitter. He will underhand toss the balls to the hitter who will then hit the balls into the netting. The ball can be tossed to the hitter at different locations to make him adjust, wait for the ball and hit it to the appropriate area of the netting. This is a safe drill but if another player is doing the tossing make sure he wears a batting helmet for safety.
•Modified broomstick hitting drill. This is also fun because it takes you back to when you simulated games in the backyard with a brother or friend and drilled wiffle balls over the fence. Those were fun times! Find a wooden broomstick and saw it, making it the same length as the bat you use in games. You might want to tape the handle just like you would a normal bat. Then find some plastic golf balls and pitch them to the hitter. This is an excellent drill for hand-eye coordination.
•Live batting practice. Live pitches to the batter is a great finishing drill during practice. If at all possible, make sure the pitcher stands behind a protective "L" screen. Each player should get at least 20-25 hittable pitches. If you're taking batting practice alone with just you and your dad, coach or friend then 50 hittable pitches is better. Either way, divide up the pitches and hit some to the opposite field, up the middle and to your pull side as well. Don't forget to lay down a few bunts too.

Drills during practice are essential to improving young players. If time is an issue, try separating the players into groups that move from station to station. Practicing such drills and knowing the basic youth baseball hitting tips will ensure that your team will be the best it can be.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of youth baseball hitting tips so that you can learn how to hit a baseball better. Start learning today at http://www.baseballhittingtipsonline.com by reading our information, watching our videos and participating in our blog.

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

=======================
Thanks to our sponsors:







SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

Uncommon Baseball Double Plays

Uncommon Baseball Double Plays
By Jim Bain

Double plays are regarded as a Pitcher's best friend and quite rightfully so, as there are probably 1000s of them turned every year in the MLB alone, which rescues pitchers from trouble. I'm sure there's a geek somewhere, no disrespect meant by a person who can not figure out their remote control, who has the exact number, but for our purpose, "a lot" is good enough.

Most double plays begin with a ground ball hit to either the shortstop or second baseman, known as "Up the Middle," the fielder who receives the ball from the fielder who caught the ground ball, steps on second base, for a force out, then relays the ball to the first baseman in time to beat the batter to the base, resulting in two put outs occurring on one play.

The second most common double play begins with a ground ball hit to the first baseman, who throws the ball to the shortstop, who after stepping on second for the force out, relays the ball back to either, the first baseman or the pitcher, depending on who is covering first base.

The third normal possibly is a ground ball hit to the third baseman, who throws the ball to the second baseman, who steps on second for the force out, then relays the ball to the first baseman in time to beat the runner.

These infield players have become so adept at turning a double play, they rarely make a mistake and I'm not only talking a bad throw or a dropped ball. They have developed the sixth sense of estimating the speed of the ball vs. the speed of the runners.

For instance, when a softly hit ground ball is fielded by the third baseman, he will automatically throw the ball to the first baseman, in order to insure getting one out. Without looking at the runner, who is going from first to second, he knows the possibility of turning two is impossible because the ball wasn't hit fast enough to beat both runners.

In addition, there are two other methods of turning two, which is still not all inclusive, which are uncommon, but do occur enough players must be schooled in their execution.

One such play is a Come Backer to the pitcher. This play is set up when there is a runner on first base and the batter hits the ball back up the middle and the pitcher fields it on a bounce.

It is imperative the pitcher crow hops as he turns around to face second base, squaring his hips and shoulders, or else the act of throwing across the body or side armed presents a definite risk of a wild throw.

Since the shortstop will be going to second base to receive the throw, the pitcher must time his throw ( lead the player ) in order for the ball to arrive at the same time as the fielder. The throw should always be chest high, because at that height it's easier to catch an errant throw and still complete the play, and a chest high throw allows the fielder to immediately transfer the ball to his throwing hand and throw all in the same motion.

The shortstop steps on second base as he crosses it, for the force out, and relays to first base for the second put out. The reason this double play is uncommon, is the chance of pitcher fielding a ball hit hard enough to turn two is uncommon, as the ball usually gets by the pitcher where a middle infielder will make the play or it goes into center field for a hit.

The next unusual double play is a Home to First double play. Bases are loaded with no outs and the defensive team can not allow a run to score or they will lose the game. Such as bottom of the ninth, home team batting, tie score and 1 run wins the game.

For this defensive alignment all the infielders must be playing very shallow, bunt shallow or more and the outfielders will be positioned 15 to 20 feet beyond the infield apron.

This is a do or die defense, as a hard hit ball, unless it's hit right at a fielder, will be a hit and any type of normal fly ball to the outfield will be well over the heads of the outfielders. The intent of this defensive alignment is to create a play of forcing an out at home plate, preventing a run from scoring, and getting the second put out at first base.

The Catcher is the key to this double play. When the ball is hit the catcher will immediately come out of his crouch position, stand near or on the back tip of the plate, facing the fielder. This positioning is taken in order to allow for movement by the catcher to adjust and field an off line throw and still touch the plate for the force out.

After receiving the throw and touching the plate, the catcher will move into fair territory creating a clear visual path between him and the first baseman, then throw a chest high strike to first. This moving into fair territory, besides affording a better line of sight, prevents a throw from hitting the runner going down the first base line.

After the throw the catcher retreats to home plate and locates the lead runner in case he's attempting to score from second base.

Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth, shares his advice on running baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com

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


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