Learning baseball as a sport is something that happens over time. You might even switch positions at some point, and you definitely need to know what your teammates are up to as well right? Baseball is a team effort, and you’re about to find out some things that can help you improve your game.
When hitting, make sure you put your weight on the back foot more than the front. Why? Your body acts like a coil when hitting. When you go to hit the ball with your weight properly managed, your body will unload like a spring. That gives you a ton more power.
There are several important items for a baseball player. A hat will keep the sun out of your eyes when catching a pop fly. A glove allows you to catch the ball. The bat is used to hit the ball. Finally, baseball cleats give you the necessary traction needed while running.
When hitting make sure that your legs are in the right place. Proper athletic balance is important. Your legs need to be a bit wider than shoulder-width from each other. Flex your knees so that your weight is centered on the insides of your feet. Your knees need to be slightly bent toward one another.
Learn how to use cut-off men when playing the outfield. With your adrenaline pumping, you may feel like you can throw that ball clear to home plate, but cut-off men are typically the better choice to make. Getting the ball back into your closest infielder will give your team a better shot for an out. The shorter throw means a more accurate throw.
If you are a catcher, be sure you are in the proper position when no one is on base. This means getting into a low squat and balancing your weight on your feet’s balls. Get as close to the underside of the bat as possible, but be sure you will not get hit.
If you are a coach, be consistent with your scheduling and routine. In general, you should have the players warm up for ten minutes and then do twenty minutes of hitting drills. Then, have them run the bases for five minutes followed by 10 minutes of team defense and situational drills. Finish with about 10 minutes of position-specific defenses and then a cool down. Address any questions or comments with a quick team meeting, and your baseball practice is complete.
If you are a first base coach, you have certain responsibilities. Basically, you must encourage the batter to hustle down the first baseline on all infield hits. You also have to remind the runners as to how many outs there are. You must instruct the runner when it is time ti take an extra base, round first base or hold up. You also have to tell runners how far they should go on pop flies.
When fielding a ground ball, square up on the ball before catching. Many young players go for a side glove catch or a one-handed grab, but with each you are increasing your chances for an error. If you’ve got the time to get in front of the ball, do so. Use both hands and bend at the knees to help block against a bad hop.
Learn how to stride properly in baseball. If you bat right handed, you can lift your left leg up when expecting the pitch. If you bat left-handed, you will lift your right leg. Stride with the opposing foot when you swing during the game. If you are not that tall, ten inches should be sufficient.
If you are in the outfield, learn to read the ball. With practice, you can know approximately where the ball will land each time the ball is hit. Carefully, watch the pitcher so you know the speed of the ball when it crosses the plate. By simply knowing the speed you can judge how far the ball will be hit.
Practice throwing the baseball every day. It may seem obvious, but some ignore throwing for the call of the batter’s cage. They think baseball is all about the big hit. It’s about much more, and a strong arm can mean a lot of runs saved over the course of a season.
Befriend your team even after practice. To become a real ball club, you need to find common ground with everyone on the team. You need to build real friendships. So find time to go to the movies together, or grab a few slices or pizza or a burger. The friendships you build will translate to the field.
To lay down a successful bunt, keep the head of the bat above the handle. If the head dips down, you are more likely to pop your bunt up. Keeping the head up allows you to bunt the top half of the ball, pushing it down toward the ground.
Remember that baseball is a team sport. it is not just about making yourself look like a professional player. You should not hog all the glory. Playing as a team with a great strategy can help your team win more games. When you play together, everyone has a chance to shine.
As you now know a few more things about baseball, it’s time for you to use them on the field. The more you know about the sport, the more fun you are going to have playing. And, the more you are going to be helpful to your team as well.
