Learning Techniques To Improve Your Baseball Skills

Learning Techniques to Improve Your Baseball Skills …is a collection of simple baseball techniques/tips for players, coaches and parents. Contributing experts include; former major league players, professional baseball scouts, high school and college coaches, baseball clinicians and others associated with teaching the fundamentals of baseball..

HITTING •

Make sure that you chose a bat that you can handle effectively.

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Your size and strength, not your age, should determine the bat you should use.

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Pick the bat up by making a “V” with your arms and holding the bat in the fingers, the wrists remain loose and flexible which allows a rolling action.

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Alignment of the knuckles is a key element in the grip. Align the knuckles you knock on doors.

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You must feel comfortable in your stance.

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Your position in the batter's box is very important. A general rule to follow is to line up your belly button with the middle of the plate.

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The distance you should stand away from the plate is very important. To find where you should stand, place your left foot so your toes are touching the plate. The distance of your foot is how far you should be from the plate. Remember… use your foot size and no one else.

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The back elbow should be in a 45 degree angle (or where you feel comfortable).

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The hands should be placed around the shoulder area. A slightly bend in the lead arm is imperative because a straight lead arm will lead to a slow bat. The back elbow should be in a moderate position.

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The shoulders should be parallel with the ground and the front shoulder slightly tilted down. This will encourage a level swing. Anytime the front shoulder is up or flies open you will usually pop the ball up or miss the pitch entirely.

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In the stance, both your head and eyes need to be straight and the chin should be near the front shoulder.

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Your knees and ankles should be slightly bent to help the body remain loose.

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The front knee should be tucked in towards the back knee which will help push the weight back. There should be a transfer of weight from the back side of the body to the front side. The majority of weight should start over the back leg.

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The only difference between your stance and stride is that you pick up your front foot and place it down.

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The longer you can wait before you start your stride, the better chance you have of hitting successfully. The ball must come to you and will get there soon enough without having to go out after the pitch.

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The front foot controls the stride. Try to stride no more than 4 inches. If you are having problems, widen your stance and hit with no stride. Younger players will have more success by widening their stance to the width of their shoulders and not striding. Striding can cause more problems than it helps!

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The hands during the stride must remain back. If the hands move forward during the stride, power is lost.

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The stride is one of the hardest concepts to master in all of baseball. Go from a stance to a stride and back over and over and over until it becomes a habit.

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Research has proven that a hitter has 4/10th of a second from release point to the contact point, which leaves 2/10th of a second to determine speed, spin, and zone with 2/10th of a second to execute the swing. When you know you are going to swing and where the pitch is, you should start your swing with an explosive rotation of your back side, back hip and leg.

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Quick back hip action is necessary for a hitter to have a good quick bat.

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A hitter with slow hips will eventually be overpowered on the higher levels of baseball.

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You should track the ball from the pitchers hand all the way to your bat.

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Once in the batters box, you must block everything out of your mind except "see the ball, hit it."

THROWING •

Strength, speed, accuracy, and correct techniques are necessary to successfully throw the baseball.

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There is one grip for infielders, outfielders, and catchers. Pitchers will use a variety of grips.

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A proper grip involves placing the index and first middle finger over one of the long seams. These two fingers should be spread slightly apart. The thumb is directly under these two fingers. There should be a space between the palm and the ball and it should not be jammed back in the palm. The last two fingers -2-

should rest on the side of the ball trying to stay out of the way. This grip should be used every time a throw is made to guarantee maximum velocity. (Younger players might have to place three or all four fingers on the baseball to overcome their small hands.) The ball should be held loosely and released overhand with even pressure off the fingers to get a good straight, hard throw. Practice this grip until you can form the habit of fielding a ball and picking it out of your glove with the proper grip. •

The correct throwing position is to turn your body sideways and point the glove shoulder at the target. The ball should be in the glove and the hands at the chest. Your head and eyes should be staring at the target. Your body should be loose and ready 10 throw.

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Once in the throwing position you should lift your glove side leg waist high. As the leg comes down the hands should "break" (separate). The elbows should go up, shoulders level, and arms out away from the body. Make sure the knuckles stay on the top of the ball.

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The glove leg should come down and stay closed as the stride is made. The stride foot should land flat (a little open) while the back leg is pushing off to provide the power. At this point the glove side hip, shoulders, eyes, and front foot should be pointed at the target.

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The hips should rotate open bringing the arm up, around, and on top. The elbow is above the shoulder, arm at a 90 degree angle, wrist straight, front leg bent, back heel up, and glove tucked in close to the body.

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Always try to throw from an overhand 3/4 release point.

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The elbow should lead the wrist, which is cocked back with the proper grip, and your arm should straighten as you release the ball with a downward snap of the wrist and a downward pull of the index and middle fingers (applying equal pressure by both fingers).

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Release the ball in front of your body as your hand starts down across the body in the follow-through.

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As you release the ball the arm goes down across the body with the elbow ending by the glove knee. The hips and shoulders continue through the motion and the back foot is lifted off the ground by your momentum. The back foot then lands and the throwing shoulder is now pointed at the target.

BASE RUNNING •

Games can be won or lost depending on how well or poorly you execute on the base paths.

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It is very difficult for you to significantly increase your running speed after the age of 16. Most players develop their speed between the ages of 8 and 16. -3-

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It is possible to improve foot speed by a step or two (maybe .1 of a second) with hard work. This is done mostly by improving running form.

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Run with your head up, eyes on the target, and a loose body. Try to keep the head still, not allowing it to move from side to side. Do not tighten any part of your body (hands, mouth, etc.) as this causes the body to tense up and slow you down. The shoulders should be level which allows the arms to pump freely. Arm movement should be as follows: up and back in a straight line, hands never going above the shoulder and never lower than the hip, always pump arms straight back and forth not allowing them to cross the midline of the body. As the left arm pumps up the left leg is back and straight (driving off) with the right arm back and right leg up. The arms and legs then alternate as the body goes forward. A last arm pump with the legs should help you reach your full potential. The legs are the driving force. The knees should be lifted to the waist and then back down again. Remember to thrust the legs forward and straight keeping them crossing the midline of the body (just like the arms). Land each foot on the ball of your foot with toes pointed straight ahead. Finally, when running the body should lean forward like a sprinter trying to break the tape at the end of a race.

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When contact is made the hitter automatically becomes a base runner.

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Right hand hitters first step will be a push off with the right foot towards first base. Left hand hitters push off with the left foot and crossover to first base. The next two or three steps are very important. You should try to attain maximum speed in these three steps.

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As a runner, you have a decision to make, whether to run straight through the base or make the turn. To make this decision you should briefly glance left at the ball without losing any speed. If it appears the ball will be fielded by an infielder, look back at the bag and run straight through the base.

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After determining that you need to run through first base, you must sprint the rest of the way. As you approach first base try to step on the front edge of the base with either foot. Do not leap (this slows you down), stutter step (to try and land with one particular foot), or slide. The only time you should slide is on a wild throw to try and avoid the tag. Watch the first baseman to see if he moves off the bag towards home plate to decide if a slide is necessary. Also you should sprint five (5) feet past the bag thus avoiding any slowing down before you reach first base.

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If you see that the ball is through the infield, swing out to the right about 12 feet into foul territory and as you near first base begin to swing back towards first. Try to hit the inside comer of the base with either foot (don't stutter step) and use the base to push off in a straight line towards second base. Run full speed through the base to about 1/3rd of the way to second base (depending on where the ball is) always watching the baseball. If the outfielder bobbles the ball, and the runner makes a quick decision (with no hesitation), try to get to second. On a clean fielded ball go back to first, but never take your eyes off the ball. A bad throw could allow you to go to second base.

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INFIELD •

Playing an infield position requires a tremendous amount of skill. Fly balls are easy to field because it requires one skill, catching. Fielding ground balls involves two skills, fielding the ball and throwing the runner out.

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Infielders should have quick feet, soft hands, a good arm and good eye-hand coordination.

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The biggest problem with most infielders is using a glove that is too big. Too many errors are committed in the infield are the result of using the wrong glove or a glove that is improperly broken in. Select a glove that fits your hand. Stiff gloves are harder to maneuver and will lead to errors. A good method for breaking a glove in is to lightly dampen it and turn the glove inside out and then rub in shaving cream with lanolin which works as a moisturizer.

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As the pitcher is in his delivery, you should be in a good ready position. Spread your feet to shoulder width and parallel. You should be on the balls of your feet to allow quick movement. The knees are bent, hands hanging loose, and head up. You should be loose and ready to move in any direction. Assuming a good ready position allows you to attain maximum speed in any direction quickly. The weight should be forward and the back straight. You should be concentrating on the pitch trying to pick the ball up at contact. You must be confident! You should want the ball hit to you because you know you can field the ball and throw out the runner. Lose that confidence and you will have problems fielding the balls.

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When contact is made and you know the ball is hit toward you, you should move to the ball. Stay low and keep the body under control. On balls hit at you or slightly to your right or left try to keep the belt buckle in line with the ball. The glove and throwing hand should be out front, palms facing up. Picking the right hop is crucial. You should try to field the big hop and stay away from the short hop.

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As the ball approaches you should begin to get in a good fielding position. The common mistake here is to wait too late to get down. A fielding position should be assumed when the ball is approximately 10 feet in front. A good fielding position consists of having the feet shoulder width with the glove foot slightly forward. This allows the glove to reach out a little farther. The knees are bent, head up, eyes on ball, rear end down, hands out front, and glove on ground. The ball should be in line with the bell buckle, glove open and throwing hand next to the glove. As the ball hits the glove, your shoulder “cushions” the glove and ball to the belt buckle. This creates soft hands. If the glove remains in place, the ball has a tendency to pop out.

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When the cushion is complete, you need to get your body in a throwing position. This is accomplished with a skip or crow hop. Take the throwing foot and cross it in front of the body allowing the hands to go to the chest area and the hip and shoulder to line up with the target. Now you are in a throwing position and can break the hands, stride, throw and follow through. Throw over the top so the ball will not tail. -5-

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Anytime the ball is hit to your throwing side and you can't get the belt buckle in front, you should backhand the ball. You should always field the ball in front if possible because the backhand is hard to execute. (Use the backhand as a last resort.) When the ball is hit crossover from a ready position by pivoting the feet and body towards the ball. Stay low and sprint to the ball. As you approach the ball break down into a backhand position. Field the ball with the glove right next to the throwing foot. This foot should be planted. The knees are bent, glove open, and eyes on the ball. When the ball hits the glove cushion straight back for soft hands. As you cushion the glove leg comes up lining the hips and shoulder with the target. Since the throwing foot is planted all you have to do now is throw.

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On a ball hit to your left you should again crossover after your ready position and sprint to the ball. As you approach the ball you should try to field it in a good fielding position. If you can't get a fielding position you should reach out with the glove to field the ball. After fielding the ball you must try to turn the body to line the hips and shoulder into a good throwing position. Sometimes there is not enough time to square the body so the throw must be made sidearm. Remember the ball will tail, so allow for this when making the throw.

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All infielders should know how to field bunts and slow rollers. When the ball is hit you should charge the ball in a semi-circle. The weight will now be going towards first base and help ensure a strong throw. Field the ball with two hands. The only time you bare hand the ball is when the ball is not rolling.

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On a pop up over your head, you should turn, crossover, and sprint to try and get your body in front of the ball. There will be times when you must catch it on the run. Never back pedal! Line the ball up with the nose and catch the ball with two hands. A slight cushion is recommended to keep the ball from popping out at the glove.

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The proper technique for tagging a runner is to straddle the base with both feet and face the thrower. Catch the ball with two hands and apply the tag with the glove only by placing the glove directly on the ground. Let the runner slide into the tag…never go out after the runner.

OUTFIELD •

Playing an outfield position requires both individual skills and teamwork.

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Outfielders should have good speed, quick reaction, strong arms and good judgment.

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The right size glove is also important. (See glove info under INFIELD section.)

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Each of the three different outfield position requires slightly different skills.

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The center fielder should be able to cover more ground since more balls are hit -6-

in his direction. He must be last and have a strong arm. He needs to be a leader because he is expected to be the captain of the outfield. •

The right fielder should have the strongest arm of the three outfielders because a long accurate throw is needed to third base. He needs to have quick feet so he can cut off potential double or triples down the line. He is usually a little slower but often a power hitter.

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The left fielder will have the weakest arm of all the outfielders. Most of his throws are short so he doesn't need a strong arm. He should be a smart defensive player because many quick decisions must be made on whether or not to throw home. He will get a lot of ground balls so he must be a good fielder. Speed is necessary to cut off potential extra base hits and get to the many balls that will be hit to him.

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The ready position for all outfielders is the same as infielders.

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On all fly balls you should try to catch the ball with two hands, in front of your body, with the weight going into the ball as the catch is made. Try to line the ball up with the nose so you can see the ball all the way.

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If the ball is hit directly to you, position yourself so that you will take a step into the ball (with your glove foot) as you catch it. You still need to turn your glove side to the ball. On a ball hit in front, sprint forward, breaking down at the last second to make the turn of your body and be balanced before the throw.

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Balls hit to your right or left require the same crossover move that was discussed in the INFIELD section. From the ready position, pivot the feet in the direction of the ball and sprint to the ball. You must circle the ball to get the weight moving into the ball as the catch is made. Without this circle the weight is moving lateral with the catch and it will take extra time to stop and throw. Quick reaction, not just a good crossover step, is needed to get to the ball.

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The fly ball hit over your shoulder is the most difficult to catch. The first move should be a short drop step to the side of the ball followed by a crossover step with the other foot. Example: Fly ball over your right shoulder (assuming you're right-handed). You should drop step (back) with your right foot, crossover with your left foot, and sprint to the ball. The first steps after the crossover are crucial and must be full speed back to the point where you can turn, position your body, and catch the ball while moving into it.

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On the ball hit directly over your head, drop step to either side (which ever is more natural) and then crossover.

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Four important rules to follow on all fly balls: (1) Catch the ball with two hands; (2) Sprint, don't jog to the ball; (3) Keep your eyes on the ball at all times; (4) Never back peddle on a ball over the shoulder.

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You should charge all ground balls in order to return the ball to the infield as quickly as possible. On balls hit to your right or left you should use the same crossover step that was previously discussed. Also use the circle technique on ground balls where lateral movement is required. -7-

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On both fly balls and ground balls field the ball with the glove side forward and the weight moving into the ball. This allows the body to be set for a quick, strong throw. As you catch the ball, with the glove foot forward, “crop hop” to get the body into a throwing position. The crow hop is executed by picking the throwing foot up and over an imaginary wire and placing it in front of the glove foot. Now you are in a good throwing position. (Glove hip and shoulder facing target, hands at chest, glove in air.) From this position throw the ball as described in the INFIELD section. It is important that you throw with an overhand to 3/4 release so the ball doesn't tail. This will provide a stronger more accurate throw.

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Getting a good jump on batted balls is important. There are certain items to consider before the ball is pitched to getting a good jump. Know the hitter. If he is a pull or spray hitter, move right or left when setting up. If he is a poor or weak hitter, move up or back when setting up. Know the pitcher. If the pitcher is throwing hard or slow you need to react accordingly. The pitch (fast, curve, change, etc.), the score, weather and field conditions are other considerations. After setting up, watch the barrel of the bat to see where contact is made and get the proper jump.

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Playing the outfield requires individual skills and teamwork. Outfielders must communicate with each other. They can help on hit balls by calling off each other when one outfielder is in a better position to field the ball. Helping on distance from the fence, which base to throw to, whether to go up or back, and where the ball is may aid the other outfielder to field the ball. They must back each other up on all hit balls. It the ball gets by one outfielder, the other closest should be in position to field the missed ball. Without this teamwork, you could lose games.

CATCHING •

Catchers in baseball are usually the leader of the team. From his position he can see the whole field and must be smart enough to use this vision to help the team. He should be confident, aggressive and intelligent.

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Catchers must have quick feet and a strong, accurate throwing arm. He must also be tough. During the course of a season a catcher will block numerous pitches in the dirt, get hit by foul balls, and encounter many collisions with runners at home plate. Also the everyday wear and tear on his knees is painful. So a catcher can't be weak or timid.

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As a catcher you must give signs to the pitchers so that you will know what pitch is coming. You must squat by crouching down with the knees bent and the weight on the toes. The feet are parallel and approximately 12 to 15 inches apart. The head is up, elbows in, and back straight. The glove is placed below and outside the right knee to hide signs from the third base coach. The right hand is placed back in the crotch area to give signals. -8-

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Once the sign is given, you should set up in a receiving position. The most important factor here is to give the pitcher a good target to throw at. When the pitcher acknowledges the sign, you should spread your feet a little wider so you will be balanced. You must drop the right foot slightly back for more balance. The weight is leaning forward, weight on the balls of the feet, and glove out in front of the body. Keep the glove elbow bent so it doesn't become still. The glove wrist should be loose and relaxed. Place the throwing hand behind the back to protect the hand from foul balls.

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With runners on base, you need to change a couple of things. You need to make sure the thighs are parallel to the ground. The bare hand is now placed behind the glove (with the fist) in case a throw is needed. You should set up at the inside, middle, or outside part of the plate. This will depend on the hitter, pitcher, and situation. The glove will be placed in one of these three positions and also in the high, middle, or low part of the strike zone. When catching the ball, the glove will help to "frame" the pitch. Framing helps increase the umpire’s chance of calling the pitch a strike. Be sure you cushion the ball as it hits the glove. This helps to develop soft hands and keeps the ball from popping out of me glove.

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The low pitch is a difficult pitch to handle. With runners on base, you must do all you can to keep the ball in front of your body. This requires concentration and quick reactions. As soon as you see the ball in the dirt you must shift to your knees and get the body in front of the ball. Instead of trying to catch the ball, you should be trying to block the ball. From your stance, on a pitch in the dirt directly at you, drop to both knees and place the glove in the crotch area to cover the open area. Try and place the glove down into the ground first, this will help bring the rest of the upper body down quicker. After dropping to the knees and placing the glove in the crotch area, you should tuck your chin down and bend the back forming a C shape. This will allow the ball to hit the ground then the body and bounce in front of you. Now you can pick up the ball and make a throw if necessary.

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Anytime runners are on base, you should anticipate a steal attempt and be prepared to make a throw. On the inside pitch, you should step to the left with your left foot as you catch the ball. You should now shift the feet, turn the shoulders, and bring the hands to the chest which will put you in a good throwing position. You should now throw the ball by bringing the throwing arm straight back out of the glove and throwing overhead. The throw must be quick so you have to have a short extension of the throwing arm. On the middle pitch, you simply catch the ball and shift your feet to a throwing position. The feet should shift quickly and bring the hip, shoulder, and hands into place. Now you are ready to make the throw. On the outside pitch, you should step with the right foot to the right as you catch the ball. Now bring the left over in front to get in a good throwing position (hip, shoulder, hands in proper place).

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On all throws you should concentrate on quick feet to get the body into throwing position. You should have a short extension and throw similar to a quarterback in football by bringing the throwing arm right by the ear. An overhand throw is essential so the ball will not tail. You should try to throw the ball knee high right over the base. -9-

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Throwing to first or third base is difficult. If the hitter is in the opposite box from where the throw is being made, you only need to step and throw. With a hitter in the box where the throw is going, you need to step in front of or behind the runner to throw.

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Knowing how to apply the lag at home plate is important. Some catchers prefer to keep the mask on for protection while others like to throw it off for better vision. This should be up to you. You should place your left foot on the front left corner of the plate. This will help give the runner full sight of the plate and hopefully entice him to slide into the plate. As you catch the ball you should drop 10 your left knee to block the plate and bring the ball (which is held tightly in the hand, both inside the glove) to the plate for the tag. After all tags you should be alert for other runners trying to advance. On a force play at the plate you should give a good target, and stretch to meet the throw with your glove foot (like first base· man), keep your right fool on the plate, and then shift your feet to get your body in a good throwing position for a possible throw.

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Catching pop ups are harder for catchers than for any other players on the field. As soon as the ball is popped up, you should take off the mask. Do not throw it until the ball is located and then throw it opposite the ball. These kind of pop ups will have a spin that causes the ball to drift back towards the infield. For this reason, you turn your back to the infield so the ball will be drifting into you. Once the ball is found and the body turned, catch the ball in front of the face with two hands. On fields with short backstops you must learn to play the fence. Never give up, remember the ball will come back to you.

PITCHING •

Pitching is a complicated skill that requires many precise movements of body parts. Hours of practice are needed to master the mechanics of a good pitching motion.

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You should throw hard, but just throwing hard doesn't mean instant success. You must have movement on the ball.

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The average high school pitcher will throw in the low 80's, college pitchers in the middle 80's, and pro pitchers in the upper 80's.

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Many pitchers in upper levels of baseball can spot the ball in different areas of the strike zone. When you can throw two or three different pitches to a given spot at any time, you will get even the best hitters out.

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You need a live arm to make the ball move. An 85 mph fastball that sinks, rises, or slides is a much more effective pitch than the 90 mph fastball that is straight.

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The best pitchers possess an intangible quality known as poise or confidence. - 10 -

You must be confident you can get the hitter out •

When taking the sign from the catcher, you must have your pivot foot (throwing foot) on the rubber. The bell should be in the glove to hide it from the hitter. Most pitchers prefer to place the pivot foot in the middle of the rubber. This could change depending on control problems (corrected by moving right or left on the rubber) or moving to either side for deception. It is helpful for you to use a big glove so you can field balls and hide the bell from the hitter. The hands should be around the chest area.

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After receiving the sign, you should take a slow, small, straight step back with the glove foot. This step should be: slow so you won't take a fast step forward; small so you won't take a big step forward; and straight so you won't step or pivot at an angle.

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As you step back, you should bring your hands above the head. This is called a “pump.” The step back and pump helps you gain momentum and prepares the body and arm for the throw to the plate.

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Some pitchers prefer a non-pump or no step back windup. Mechanically, there is no advantage or disadvantage to either one. The no step back windup has the advantage of keeping you more balance while the step back helps with momentum and will be a distraction to the hitters timing.

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After the step back, you should pick up (pivot) the throwing foot and place it in the hole in front of the rubber. This will give you something to push off of. As you pivot the foot, you should turn your body to line the glove hip and shoulder with the catcher. The glove leg should come up to the waist and the hands are brought back down to the chest area. Your eyes should be looking at the target. It is important that you do not drift forward. At the end of the pivot you should be in a throwing position with your weight balanced. If you had to, you should be able to stop at the pivot and balance on your pivot foot.

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After the pivot, you should bring the hands and glove leg down, separate the ball and glove, and collapse the back knee slightly. The downward movement and collapse will help insure a good push off of the rubber. When breaking the hands, you should extend the throwing arm back and up while keeping it loose. The glove should come out and up. Elbows should be up with the knuckles on the throwing hand facing the sky.

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You should push off and stride forward with the glove leg. This leg needs to remain tucked as long as possible to provide for maximum hip turn.. The stride leg comes forward as the hips begin to open, powered by the pivot leg driving hard off the rubber. The glove should remain close to the body to help the shoulders open and let the pitching arm draw back for the release. Right as the stride foot lands the hips should open fully bringing the throwing arm and shoulder over the top. The stride foot toe is pointed to the plate and the beck heel is up. The hips should explode open which frees the upper body to provide maximum arm speed. On a normal overhand throw the elbow should be up.

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Now that the arm is on top you are ready to release the ball. The elbow should lead the hand and whip the ball to the plate. The point of release is when you maximizes the use of your entire body. The rotating motion of the hips, along - 11 -

with the stride, have given the upper body momentum as it powers open to bring the pitching arm through. Your throwing arm should continue across and down after release while the pivot foot is carried forward and lands almost parallel to the stride loot. This makes up your follow through. A good push off, stride, and follow through are necessary for maximum velocity. You should come down in a good ready position so you will be able to field a hit ball. •

When there are runners on base, it is important for you to hold the runner close to the base. You should take the sign with the pivot foot placed in front of the rubber. The hands are at the chest and the stride foot on the ground with a good spread between the feet. After receiving the sign you should raise the hands up while you take a step back with the stride foot towards the pivot foot. As you set, the head will be angled so you can see the base runners. When you decide the runner is not too far off, you should pick up the stride leg to get in a throwing position. The rest of the motion is the same as described earlier.

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For youth players, it is important that you first work on proper mechanics throwing strikes. Once you can throw seven out of ten pitches for strikes you can work on spotting pitches (throwing at the catcher's right or left knee or shoulder. Once you've accomplished that control you can work on off speed of change up pitches.

©2007 TRG

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