When someone builds a structure like a house, they have to make sure that the foundation is solid. They install footings, create wood forms, and pour concrete to make sure it will have a good base to build on. This foundation brings stability to the house that will one day become a home for a…
I heard a quote the other day, “Hitting is not a reactionary skill, it’s a prediction skill.” I love that! We are always predicting where and when the ball is going to arrive in our zone. Vision One big aspect of that is our vision. If we do not have good vision and cannot see…
This week I bring you some insight into hitting that may challenge your current ideas and contradict some of the things you are teaching to your players. I say this because I have become aware that some of the phrases and ideas I would tell myself have actually been a hindrance to my success. I…
The fly ball. It can be a pitcher’s best friend in a spacious ballpark or their worst nightmare if they have guys playing behind them who don’t have a clue. One of the biggest mistakes I see as a coach is when a player takes a bad angle to a fly ball. It happens much…
On this Independence Day weekend I thought it would be appropriate to acknowledge Rick Monday and his outstanding act of patriotism in April of 1976. I believe it is our duty as coaches to teach our players about being proud of the American flag and what it stands for. It was always one of my…
As promised in my last article I am going to talk about the proper way to get warmed up. Too many players go out to the field and start playing catch before they get their bodies stretched out. Some of it comes from youthful exuberance and the fact that some look at stretching as boring.…
I tell my pitchers this all the time- “You are going to be so good with your accuracy that your mom will let you and your friend play catch in your hallway.” I almost always receive the same response- laughter from the players and rebukes from the parents. As much as I want them to…
Being comfortable behind home plate is essential for a catcher. It is also very important to know that during the course of a game, catchers will be squatting in different positions depending on the situation. Listed below are the three main positions that we have found to be the most effective. Remember, the catcher is…
You may laugh at the title, but how many of you coaches have sat in the dugout and yelled “Throw the ball!” to your left fielder as he pump fakes the baseball like he’s Kurt Warner trying to draw the free safety away from Larry Fitzgerald. That’s right, every one of you. Typically the coach…
One of the amazing things about parents is their ability to provide for their kids. There is no limit to the extent a parent will go for the well-being of a child. This truth is evident in the fact that you are reading this article. So I applaud you for unselfishly taking the time to…