Baseball Season's Over - Or Is It?

Baseball Season's Over - Or Is It?
By guest author: Jim Bain

For the players, coaches and rabid fans of youth baseball the season has ended. Thoughts turn to football as the sudden chill in the air begins invoking thoughts of Halloween and Thanksgiving. It's time to forget baseball till next year. Or is it?

The so-called "off season," which is normally classified as the end of the season, is in actuality, the beginning of the next season. Whether the player is on a tee-ball team or advancing to college try-outs, this is the time of year you should begin to improve your skills, mechanically and increase your strength and flexibility. Let's take a quick look at issues which should be addressed during this time period.

A pitcher must have a strong foundation, legs, in order to increase drive off the mound and for endurance. A lot of people believe a pitcher's arm becomes tired the deeper he goes into a game, but in reality, for the most part it's the legs which become fatigued and feel like lead which tires first. This inability to drive off the mound and stay on top of the ball results in a pitcher attempting to over compensate with his arm, which can lead to injury.

A pitcher should adhere to a strenuous training program, which will include a lot of running, leg squats, weight lifting and stretching exercises in order to build up the strength and endurance of the lower foundation. This type of program must progress over a period of time in order to be successful, as a crash course at spring training will do little other than make you sore.

This is time of year a pitcher should concentrate on one, no more than two, specific issues he wants to improve. For instance, he may want to work on developing pin point control of his fastball, or learn to develop his slider with more of a cutting movement.

It's important not to overload a training program. What I mean by that is, a younger pitcher should work on developing pin point control, a mid-aged pitcher may develop a curveball and a high school player, a slider or split finger fastball. You do not set a goal of learning a curveball, a circle change, experiment with a slider and increase velocity. It's impossible to accomplish all of these tasks and you're setting yourself up for failure thinking you can.

As a hitter, the off season is the time to build strength, again in the lower body, the legs and hips. Your regiment should also include lifting weights to increase strength of your arms, especially forearms and your grip. One must remember the adage of "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link." You don't have to have the body of a professional body builder, but your body must be strong in order to utilize the body's entire muscle system to provide speed and power in your swing.

The old saying "use it or lose it," also applies in baseball. The off season should definitely include one, if not more, trips to the batting cage weekly. This is the time to perfect your batting eye, improve your swing, improve your ability to hit to different fields, especially the opposite field and possibly experiment with switch hitting. Muscle memory is important in perfecting our skills and memory comes from constant use.

This is but the tip of the iceberg on matters which need to be addressed in the off season, but I think you get the idea. There is No Off Season in baseball.

Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth, shares his advice on pitching baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain

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Youth Baseball - Five Tips to Help You Make The School Team

Youth Baseball - Five Tips to Help You Make The School Team
By guest author: Jake Wyatt


If you play Little League baseball, you probably know that everyone is accepted to Little League. If you are a serious baseball player, you will most likely want to try out for the school baseball team at some point. You should know that very few Little Leaguers will actually make a school team.

If this is important to you, here are five tips from high school coaches to help you succeed:

1. Keep your grades up. All school teams have minimum grade requirements. You could be the best baseball player in the state, but if you don't have good grades you won't make the team. Pay attention to your studies first, baseball second.

2. Know the game. Study the rule book for your school's district. Be a student of baseball and know the game's history. Know facts about major league players and teams.

3. Persistence is more important than talent. Hang out around the locker rooms. Get to know the players and the coaches at your school. Attend their games and cheer them on. Volunteer to help at the games. Make yourself known. And you must do all this WHILE practicing and improving your own skills.

4. You must practice every day of the year. Hitting practices, tossing practices, working out. Do something every day, even in the dead of winter. Even on Christmas! And keep track of it in a daily diary along with notes about your personal observations so you can see the progress you are making.

5. Always have a positive attitude. Cheer your teammates on. Listen to the coaches. Don't argue. Look enthusiastic all the time. Hustle. A player that has a great attitude will make a team over a better player with a bad attitude.

Making the school baseball team is hard, no matter how long you have played baseball. Following these five tips will dramatically increase your chances of making the team.

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

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Can One Player Carry A Baseball Team?

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Can One Player Carry A Baseball Team?
By Jim Bain

Anybody who seriously follows baseball, at one time or another, has heard the sports announcers remark something like, "If he gets hot, he can carry the team" or "When he's in the zone he can carry the load for the bullpen" or something similar. Is it possible for one player to carry a team?

In my opinion, yes and no, which probably has you shaking your head and thinking "Surprise, another yes and no answer." Well, for starters, are the sports announcers correct in what they're saying, one man can carry the entire team, and if they are, why are they correct?

Or are they just searching for something to say in order to fill the gap between commercial announcements, which is very difficult to believe, and are just blowing smoke knowing nobody will bother to challenge their statement? Let's look at some possibilities of the scenario and you venture your opinion as to whether the experts are in fact, experts.

As a reality check we must establish a few guidelines which to follow to establish a bit of creditability to this investigation.

1. One player can not hit for the other 8 players.
2. One player can not field for the other 8 players.
3. One player can not throw for the other 8 players.
4. One player can not catch for the other 8 players.

I must say, although we're only scratching the surface of the subject, thus far the sports announcers appear slanted a little towards the stupid side and this entire article seems to be a waste of time, and would be if it were not for one intangible.

One player can greatly affect the Emotional Health of a baseball team. There are many intangibles in baseball, as well as other sports, which exert a direct force, positive or negative on a team. Momentum, the Big MO, as they call it, is an example of such an intangible.

For instance, a team who is experiencing a dry spell of having runners scampering all over the base paths every inning, but fail to ever get the hit to drive them in can be quickly deflated, and for all practical purposes be defeated in the top of the first, by having a bases loaded situation and not be able to score 1 run.

On the other hand, should a player become hot, be in the zone, seeing the ball well, whatever or however you want to say it, drives a bases clearing double into the outfield gap, this changes the Entire Team.

A pitcher, veteran or rookie, who takes the mound and consistently pitches into the late innings, with many complete games and a low ERA, will change the attitude and confidence of the Entire Team when it's his day to pitch.

So can one player carry a team? Absolutely, by instilling confidence and energy into the team which would not be there if his efforts weren't present.

Can one player carry a team? Absolutely not, as it takes team work to win a baseball game at any level of competition.

Perhaps my "yes" and "no" answer makes a little bit more sense now.

Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth, shares his advice on running baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain


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A Business Lesson from Baseball

A Business Lesson from Baseball
By guest author: Rix Quinn

Few personalities dominated the American scene like basball slugger George Herman "Babe" Ruth. He entered the major leagues as a pitcher, but also won fame with the Boston Red Sox as a powerful hitter.

Since a pitcher can't play every day, somebody recommended Babe be placed in the outfield. This may have been one of baseball's greatest decisions.

Babe was traded to the New York Yankees in 1920, and became a superstar, media personality, and a hero to millions. He played 22 years, compiled a lifetime batting average of .342, and slammed an amazing 714 home runs.

In 1927 he also set a season record for homers with 60. That mark stood until 1961.

Babe was a large, powerful man. When I watch him in old newsreels, it appears he's swinging to hit the home run. He once said, "If I just tried to hit singles, I'd bat .600."

The Babe knew his fame came from power hitting. It's what the fans came to see, and he seldom disappointed them.

One time somebody asked Babe if he ever felt guilty that he made more money than the President of the United States. Asked Babe, "How many home runs did the President hit last year?"

Even back then, Babe symbolized a publicity secret we sometimes forget: recognition often comes to (a) the first to accomplish something, (b) the best at it, or (c) the first one to tell the world about it.

Rix Quinn is a specialist at short writing. His book on the subject, “Words That Stick” is available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/

To reach him for consultation, e-mail mailto:rixquinn@charter.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rix_Quinn

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Baseball Coaching - Developing a Philosophy

Baseball Coaching - Developing a Philosophy
By guest author: Kenny Buford

The key to successful baseball coaching is developing a philosophy. A baseball philosophy should encompass your approach to the game, how you want your team to play, and how you want others to perceive your team. If you are able to effectively communicate your philosophy to your team, then everyone - coaches, players, and parents - will be able to work together towards the same goal.

Where to Begin

The first step in developing a baseball philosophy is considering your past experiences. Think back on your growth as a player and a coach and remember who had an impact on you and why you wanted to play. Try to define the style of baseball you like to play.

In baseball coaching, especially when first developing a program, it is important to remember that baseball will not always be the number one priority for your players. Other factors, like family, school, and church, will be - and should be - more important to them. When developing your philosophy, try to use baseball as a way for players to round out their established priorities.

Remember the Past

When looking back at past experiences in baseball, it is important to remember both the good and the bad. What made something a positive or negative experience? How did your coach's interaction with you make you feel? Use these memories to determine how you want to treat your players - or those you have to cut from the team.

Keep in mind that being a successful coach is less about being a good player and more about being a good teacher. Good players can't always explain how they play so well, but a good teacher should be able to explain any skill in a way the players can understand.

Learn from the Present

A good baseball coach is willing to learn from others and adjust to make necessary changes. Use every interaction with other coaches and teams as a means of expanding your understanding of the game. Everyone has a different approach and style, and if you find some new way that works, you should feel free to incorporate it into your coaching. Ask questions and let coaches know that you admire what they are doing.

Look to the Future

The final step in developing a baseball philosophy is setting goals. What do you want to accomplish with your team? A good goal is to get to the point where every player is playing to the best of his ability. This would mean your team is successful, even if you don't have a winning season.

For more youth baseball coaching ideas and practice planning tips, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/vid/

Kenny Buford is a youth baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for youth baseball drills, tips, and practice ideas for coaches.

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Baseball Practice - How to Prepare for a Successful Season

Baseball Practice - How to Prepare for a Successful Season
By Kenny Buford

The key to successful baseball practice -- and a successful season -- is communication. Coaches, players, and parents should all be on the same page regarding the expectations and philosophy of the team.

Communication is Key

Some important issues that should be communicated at the beginning of the season are:


Schedule: players and parents should receive a practice and game calendar as soon as possible so that they can make family and travel plans around it.
Uniform: communicate to players (and parents, depending on age) what you expect them to wear to practice. Games will most likely require uniforms, but if you have any expectations of what players will wear to practice, you need to let them know early.
Practice plan: coaches and players should know what's expected of them during practice and how long each practice is going to last. Each coach should have a clipboard outlining the practice plan for that day, and it would also be beneficial for the plan to be posted so that players can access it as well.
Having all this information available requires a lot of organization and thinking ahead. By knowing your philosophy and approach ahead of time, you can effectively communicate with your team.

Organizing Baseball Practice

When organizing a practice schedule, you should first consider what your goals are for both the short and long term. This will help you determine what to accomplish over the entire season, and you can then break it down into months, weeks, and single practice sessions. Your plan should be flexible to allow change as needed, but having goals will keep your team focused and provide direction for the season.

Any given practice might go something like this:


Begin with stretching while talking about baseball. Players should get their head in the game as soon as practice starts.
Next have the players run to get warmed up.
After running, pair up the players for catch. More advanced players should be paired based on their positions, and beginning players should be paired based on ability level.
Next players should work on drills based on their positions. When teaching drills, coaches should first demonstrate them so that they know players do them correctly, and then have them repeat the drill until it becomes habit.
After drills on the individual, group, and team level, players should have batting practice.
The final part of practice should be running. Running conditioning is most effective if it is somehow related to game play, like exercises to improve base-running technique or even sprinting on or off the field.
For a successful season, practices should be consistent and progressive. Follow the steps above for each practice, knowing ahead of time which skills you would like to focus on. By being organized and communicating your goals to your team, players will come to practice knowing that their hard work is going to pay off!

To learn more coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/vid/

Kenny Buford is a youth baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for baseball practice drills, tips, and ideas for youth and high school coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford

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