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Baseball Instruction, Advice and Tips from
Pros and Coaches
Baseball tips and instruction tools to improve your game. Learn health tips and how to master the mental game. Answers to questions you may have on how to best work the game of baseball. Our baseball instruction articles share great tips to help you improve.
Catching
Handling Passed Balls
It is certain that no matter how good a catcher is, balls will get past him and roll to the backstop. You can call them wild…
Evaluating a Catcher’s Throw to 2nd
A catcher’s throw down to second base is usually evaluated by determining the elapsed time from the point the pitched ball hits the catcher’s glove,…
The 20 Most Wasted Minutes in a Catcher’s Life
It seems that many players and coaches recognize how little time is allocated during practices for catchers to work on their catching skills, like blocking,…
Don’t Ever Let Your Catchers Frame a Pitch
I suspect the title of this article might have got your attention. It would seem that I am advocating having catchers stop doing something that…
Blocking Is The Easy Part
It is common knowledge among youth baseball and softball coaches that the one play most responsible for scoring runs is not the blast over the…
Coaching
Coaching Baseball Infielders: How To Improve Infield Range
Great Baseball Infielders Have 3 Things in Common Baseball infielders are steady with the glove, they have strong arms, and they have good range.…
Baseball Shortstop Tasks and Tips
ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD BASEBALL SHORTSTOP Baseball shortstop anticipates all defensive plays that could involve him; ready to throw to right base or home. Stays…
Change Up: The Pitch for a Strong Arm’s Lifetime
Any Pitcher Can Learn The Change Up I have a vivid recollection of a great coach, John Scolinos of Cal Poly Pomona (CA), teaching our…
Tips For A Successful Tryout
I was recently asked by a friend for some tips about how his sons should approach their upcoming Little League tryouts. They wanted to know…
It Continues To Be A Different Game
… consistent sweet spot hits are a player’s key to continuing to play Coach JP’s Note:This older article from renowned baseball mind, Coach Bill Thurston…
Indoor Baseball Drills & Practice In Small Areas
Dear Coach, I am a middle school baseball coach in North Carolina. Early in the season our weather is miserable and often cannot practice outdoors.…
Youth Baseball Practice Stations
I run a 10 week baseball camp every year for our local baseball organization. This year we have added a very young group (age 6-7)…
Youth Baseball Tryouts and The Draft
In most youth baseball leagues, autumn is the time of year that baseball leagues have registration and also assign players to teams. Tryouts and the…
Drills
Indoor Baseball Drills & Practice In Small Areas
Dear Coach, I am a middle school baseball coach in North Carolina. Early in the season our weather is miserable and often cannot practice outdoors.…
Youth Baseball Practice Stations
I run a 10 week baseball camp every year for our local baseball organization. This year we have added a very young group (age 6-7)…
Outfield Tips
During batting practice shag all balls in your position! The READY POSITION is one of narrow stance with the weight on the balls of feet and the…
Third Base Tasks and Tips
Playing third base requires the player to change his fielding position depending on the situation the hitter is facing. The following guidelines will enable them…
King Of The Hill Drill
Player’s Love To Compete! This drill emphasizes fielding skills & competition. It’s fun & a good test of players’ fielding skills & reaction! Add fun…
Blocking Is The Easy Part
It is common knowledge among youth baseball and softball coaches that the one play most responsible for scoring runs is not the blast over the…
Health
Sports Hydration – For Peak Sports Performance
Proper hydration during any exercise or sports activity is important for optimal performance For best performance, proper hydration is key in any exercise or sports…
Training Differences of Baseball Players vs. Other Athletes
George Carlin did a classic bit of comedy on the differences between the sports of baseball vs. football, giving the impression that the two sports…
Injury Prevention For Youth Players
For many youth athletes, the start of a new sports season may be right around the corner. Many of these athletes will experience aches, pain,…
Stress In Youth Sports
In many circles, concern about stress placed on youth sport participants seems to be the most frequent topic of discussion when youth sports is mentioned.…
Sports Training and the Young Athlete: How Much Is Enough, How Much Is Too Much?
The past 25 years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of sports programs being offered to youngsters. In most communities, organized teams and…
10 Health Tips Every Youth Baseball Coach Should Know
It’s Little League season again, and if you’re a coach, there are 10 tips you should know to help keep your players healthy. “The number…
Not Drinking Enough Water Leads to Problems
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day? We all know that water is important, but have you ever seen it written…
Blocking Is The Easy Part
It is common knowledge among youth baseball and softball coaches that the one play most responsible for scoring runs is not the blast over the…
Hitting
What Batting Cage Size Should You Choose?
A Note About Buying A Batting Cage The reality is that any batting cage is the most impactful baseball training equipment any player could possibly…
How To Choose A Pitching Machine
How to Choose a Pitching Machine Before we dive into pitching machine features & benefits, allow me a coach’s perspective on how I believe ballplayers…
It Continues To Be A Different Game
… consistent sweet spot hits are a player’s key to continuing to play Coach JP’s Note:This older article from renowned baseball mind, Coach Bill Thurston…
Youth Baseball Practice Stations
I run a 10 week baseball camp every year for our local baseball organization. This year we have added a very young group (age 6-7)…
Buying An Arm Style Pitching Machine
Which Iron Mike Pitching Machine Do I Buy? Probably the greatest tools a team could want that will make the single biggest impact on a…
Bunt Young, Bunt Often
Bunting is a very big part of the game of baseball. And when a bunt is laid down the right way, it is very difficult…
Batting Fundamentals
1. Don’t grip your bat at the very end. Leave, say, an inch or two. Also, leave at least an inch or more space between your…
How to Avoid a Late Swing
Swinging late is often a problem with young players. One reason for swinging late involves the hitter not knowing where he is supposed to make…
Mental Game
Stress In Youth Sports
In many circles, concern about stress placed on youth sport participants seems to be the most frequent topic of discussion when youth sports is mentioned.…
Teaching the Psychology of Pitching
Pitching is the most important aspect of the game! A dominating pitching staff can make all the difference in determining a team’s success. Practice and mastery…
Successful Hitters Always Have a Plan
Here are some thoughts on the above topic from a buddy of mine. The guy’s name is Steve Springer. “If baseball is 90% mental, why…
Hitting When It Counts: At the End of the Game
Ever notice how some teams who play close games end up winning those games in the late innings at the plate. Good teams who are…
Sideline Suggestions: 10 Things Kids Say They Don’t Want Their Parents to Do
Don’t yell out instructions. During the game I’m trying to concentrate on what the coach says and working on what I’ve been practicing. It’s easier…
Playing Well Under Pressure
The ability to play well under pressure is one of the most desired qualities for any athlete in any sport, and a player who can…
A Checklist to Eliminate Mental Errors
The following is something I came up with for my Legion players so they could see just how much mental errors make a difference in…
The Will to Overcome Self-Doubt
The term will, most often is used in outlining the desires of a person who has passed away and left this world. A will, in…
Pitching
Change Up: The Pitch for a Strong Arm’s Lifetime
Any Pitcher Can Learn The Change Up I have a vivid recollection of a great coach, John Scolinos of Cal Poly Pomona (CA), teaching our…
Throwing The Curveball: Age to Teach It How to Teach It & Common Faults That Add Stress on the Pitching Arm
I. When to Teach the Throwing The Curveball Throwing the curveball properly breeds many questions. Of course a lot depends on the physical development…
When And How To Throw A Curveball
When running instructional clinics for young players I am often asked by coaches and parents “When should my son or daughter start throwing a curveball?”…
Having A Pitch Plan
How many times within a game do you as a coach ask yourself this question: Why is my pitcher throwing that pitch in that situation? We…
Teaching the Psychology of Pitching
Pitching is the most important aspect of the game! A dominating pitching staff can make all the difference in determining a team’s success. Practice and mastery…
How to Effectively Use Your Bullpen
As a minor league pitcher and as a coach the difficulties in properly maintaining and managing a bullpen are many. At high school and college…
Flying Open: A Common Mechanical Pitching Fault
“FLYING OPEN” Flying open early during the stride and cocking phase is a common fault experienced by all pitchers no matter of age or experience.…
Common Causes of Pitching Arm Injuries
The most common causes of pitching arm injuries to high school, college and professional pitchers are overload, overuse, lack of proper conditioning, and improper throwing mechanics. Overload is…
Ask the Coach
Hitting Slump
Ask The Coach Terry asks: I’m in a hitting slump right now and it’s more mental then my swing. I’m not sure what to do.…
What Batting Cage Size Should You Choose?
A Note About Buying A Batting Cage The reality is that any batting cage is the most impactful baseball training equipment any player could possibly…
Tips For A Successful Tryout
I was recently asked by a friend for some tips about how his sons should approach their upcoming Little League tryouts. They wanted to know…
Looking For A Coach
I’m sure you heard this question many times before, but here goes. First, here’s some background info 10 years old 5’3” 130# Cal Ripkin league-…
Indoor Baseball Drills & Practice In Small Areas
Dear Coach, I am a middle school baseball coach in North Carolina. Early in the season our weather is miserable and often cannot practice outdoors.…
Foul Territory
Is it legal for the first baseman to have his feet, one or both, in foul territory while holding a runner at first base? Kevin…
Tips
I coach baseball at the 13-15 Babe Ruth level. We work hard with our pitchers holding runners on to avoid giving up really easy stolen…
Golf?
I have coached baseball for years and have told my kids that baseball and golf do not mix. A lot of golf can be a…
Baseball Equipment
Buying Baseball Foul Poles – Get This Right!
Baseball Foul Poles & Softball Foul Poles – The Details! Baseball foul poles & softball foul poles are generally chosen by their height. Here are…
Aluminum Bleacher Buying Basics
Aluminum Bleacher Buying Basics – For Spectator Seating Here is the aluminum bleacher buying information you need to make your best decision for optimized spectator…
What Batting Cage Size Should You Choose?
A Note About Buying A Batting Cage The reality is that any batting cage is the most impactful baseball training equipment any player could possibly…
How To Choose A Pitching Machine
How to Choose a Pitching Machine Before we dive into pitching machine features & benefits, allow me a coach’s perspective on how I believe ballplayers…
Buying An Arm Style Pitching Machine
Which Iron Mike Pitching Machine Do I Buy? Probably the greatest tools a team could want that will make the single biggest impact on a…
Breaking In Your Glove
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not recommended on any PRE-OILED GLOVES After 30+ years of playing & coaching baseball I have tried many different methods of breaking in…
Taking Care of Your New Glove: Do’s and Don’ts!
Most good gloves are built from good top grain leather. They become “truly personal” items to many ball players. If you treat it just like…
All About Baseball
Baseball Humor at BaseballTips.com
Reproduced with permission from www.heckledepot.com Pitcher Heckles Hey pitch! Why do you keep hitting our bats? You can fill a closet with all those hangers!…
Baseball Slang at BaseballTips.com
At ’em ball — A ball hit right at a defensive player. Baltimore Chop — A ground ball that hits in front of home plate…
Baseball Lingo at BaseballTips.com
Here’s a fun page of baseball terms for you to enjoy – Coach JP ace — A team’s best starting pitcher. alley — The section…
Baseball Glossary at BaseballTips.com
Here’s the official glossary of baseball terms as compiled by STATS, Inc. – Coach JP Baseball Glossary Part I: Definitions of Abbreviations You probably know…