Fall Baseball From Major Leagues To Little Leagues!

Baseball Article By: Coach John Peter of BaseballTips.com

Products to Improve Any Player!

Infield Play DVD

Pitcher's Catcher

Complete Coaching Series

Understand these facts about Major League Baseball & you will get much more out of your baseball training!

There is a difference between playing & succeeding in fallball… for both players & coaches! Why just sweat & play more games when you can actually improve…. - JP

Major League Baseball

On September 1 each year, MLB rosters are expanded to include extra baseball players, though none can be utilized if that team makes the playoffs. Courtesies of a few extra days are sometimes given to players of the affiliated AA & AAA teams if they are still in their own playoffs (generally wrapping up around this time).

For MLB teams In a Pennant Race
It can give starters an occasional rest, while also providing for late inning baserunners & defensive replacements, saving some legs and general wear & tear. Bullpen regulars can be given a day off from even warming up…a welcome relief after the day after day & months of constant throwing.

For MLB Teams Out of a Pennant Race
Primarily, its time for the big club to take a look and give that proverbial “cup of coffee” to the younger, almost ready minor leaguers…like anything else, experience counts. Some baseball managers throw these kids right into the fire as soon as they get there…saving them from the mental agony of thinking too much while allowing them this awesome opportunity. It can be seen as the ballclubs future or perhaps showcasing these players for “hot stove” (winter) trade discussions in the upcoming MLB winter & general manager meetings.

The Arizona Fall League
The AFL is an off season league owned and operated by (MLB) Major League Baseball. It’s a 5 team league with 7 players supplied by each MLB team (each organization’s players usually play on the same team) with games being played in 5 Spring Training sites in Arizona.

The league is designed for a ball club’s premier prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game.

The Fall Instructional League
A mid September through October league made up of lower level players (and younger players/prospects) from one (MLB) Major League organization. It is considered a “teaching league” and is based at individual Florida spring training facilities that are used in the Grapefruit League (Florida spring training).

The goal is to refine the skills of young players under the close coaching eyes of that organizations coaching and scouting staff and on occasion, even executives. Baseball rosters are determined by the front office, and typically include the most highly-regarded prospects from the lower levels of the system. Approximately 45 players are invited to participate each year. Others players who are commonly invited include A-Ball players who missed significant time in the recently completed season, players who are rehabbing from injuries, players who are prepping for the Arizona Fall League, and raw players who are learning a new position or focusing on the development of a specific skill.

An invitation generally indicates that the team is willing to invest time and money on a player's development. On days off from the game schedule, players take part in fundamental drills and workouts. A significant portion of the individual ball clubs management team attends each year to examine the next crop of prospects.

Youth & Travel Fall Ball

Some youth fall ball leagues are less competitive as many good athletes play fall football, while other seasonal players are involved in various other activities and studies. The point is that like Major League Baseball, fall baseball is best used as instructional time. Just like the Big Leagues!*

The following is important and as you may have read from my earlier writings…It doesn’t have to be new to be important… and yes, it is that important!

For Pitchers

What a great time of year to develop or perfect that new pitch...and develop the courage to throw it! Remember, pitchers are made in the off season!

For Hitters

Work on your weak points. For example, this is a great time for the older players to learn to hit to the right side, behind runners (that is the 2nd baseman’s side of the diamond).

Or, for the younger or older players, why not improve your bunting. It may just be worth 30-50 batting average points next spring. Remember, what you are trying to do is to commit the flanks (1st and 3rd basemen). If they stay back, bunt! If they come up expecting bunt, swing away and hit it hard.

For Fielders

Ask to play and learn a new fielding position. You never know how many other players on your spring team will be looking to play your current position.

Make yourself more versatile and valuable to your team by knowing even the basics of playing more than just one or even two spots. It makes you a much more valuable player to your coach too!

For Coaches

Learn as much as you can about pitching. Aside from the fact that so much of your team's success rides on your pitchers...it is the biggest area of the game where you can effect your players PRESENT AND FUTURE HEALTH! Take it seriously! Our baseball instructional videos and new books are great ways to learn pitching mechanics and pitching drills from bullpens to strategies!

Get free articles, drills and more at www.BaseballTips.com