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Welcome to the official blog of the Baseball Parent Guide. Our free baseball articles and daily post provide baseball parents with valuable drills and tips to help improve your home, team and backyard baseball practice. Our archive has hundreds of informative and useful articles and posts related to all aspects of baseball training, practice and skill development. Make sure to save this site to your favorites for future visits. Happy Hitting and Good Luck to Your Team!

Monday, July 27, 2009

College Baseball Recruiting - Ten Tips to Getting a Scholarship

Are you dreaming of playing baseball at the college level? College baseball recruiting is very competitive. If you want to make it to the college level, you will have to compete with thousands of other high school baseball players from around the country to get a scholarship.

By Gary V Hawkins

To make it to the college level, you need to make sure college coaches know about you and your talents. If you are a blue-chip player, that will happen automatically. Let's face it, a kid throwing a 95 mile per hour fastball doesn't need to make sure coaches know about him. Believe me, they will know his name!

For everyone else, you need to do a little work to make sure your name gets out there among college coaches. Here are ten tips you will want to keep in mind when it comes to college baseball recruiting:

1- Start contacting coaches early (sophomore season)
2- Don't rely on your high school coach to make contact with college coaches
3- Decide what geographic location of colleges you are interested in playing for
4- Develop your athletic resume
5- Attend the best baseball showcase camps
6- Play AAU Baseball and/or Legion Ball
7- Attend games at various division levels (Division I, Division II, etc.) and see what level is right for you
8- Check on colleges that offer "select camps" to get even more exposure
9- Check on the requirements to attend a pro try-out camp
10- Market and Promote yourself the right way to college coaches


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All of these tips are certainly important and can help you with your goal of reaching the college level. However, the most critical college baseball recruiting tip is by far tip #10. Why? College coaches at all levels need talented baseball players. Most of these coaches don't have huge recruiting budgets, so they have to rely on other ways of finding talented baseball players. Therefore, marketing and promoting your talents to college baseball coaches is not only good for you, it's a great deal for college coaches.

College baseball recruiting is very competitive, but you can come out on top. If you are not currently being recruited, or if you are receiving just a little recruiting attention, you need to spend some time marketing and promoting yourself to college coaches. It will take some effort on your part, but it will pay off richly by allowing you to play the sport you love at the college level.

Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:

"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"

Head over to http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/freereport.html to get your FREE copy now!

To learn even more about the recruiting and scholarship process and how you can finally start being noticed by college coaches just visit http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com where we provide all of this and much more!

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


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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Baseball Parent Attitude - Improve Your Baseball Team's Attitude

Improving a boys youth baseball teams attitude, should start from the coaches and parents. How is your child's team attitude? What can you do to improve your child's or team's attitude in baseball?

By Brian McClure

Ask yourself a question. Do you believe a kill 'em all attitude on the field is beneficial to youth baseball?, or How about this..Youth baseball is a sport that involves a whole team with each child trying their best and learning and improving..and having Fun. Baseball is a game and should be fun. I prefer the second answer. I want my son and teammates to all play, learn and improve..and the opposing team also. There may be a youth on the other team that may very well be in a job with your child someday. Wouldn't it be great if they could work together and compliment each other?

The point is, attitude in youth baseball and all sports can help your child in his entire life deal with teamwork, successes, failures, problem solving and opportunities. What can a parent do to make sure his child is getting the most positive mental impact from playing youth baseball.

First, look at your own attitude toward baseball other players, other teams, and competition. If your son sees you as viewing these as partners in the youth baseball experience..it will feed into him. We always compliment good players, teams, and coaches. There is almost always something someone does right. There still might be opportunities that can be mentioned but not dwelled upon. A good game does not always have to be the one you win. There are several opportunities to do something successful such as ..the first run down your team ever executed perfectly and got an out. You may or may not lose..but there was still success. I even compliment kids for being in the ready position and moving to the proper position to back up even if they were not in the play.

Second, I hate to say it, but watch the coach(if your are the coach watch yourself). Talking sportsmanship is not enough. Be careful of your actions and words to foster team building. As a parent if your coach is not doing this..you need to be extra sure you are fostering this environment.

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A good youth baseball attitude can be instilled by parents and coaches by respecting other players,teams,coaches, and umpires. Attitude, good or bad) begins with parents and coaches.

Author- Brian McClure Want to learn more about helping your child in youth baseball as a parent or coach? http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/

See our complete list of Topics and articles on youth baseball here http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/topics.html

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

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Baseball Parent - Make Your Kid a Major League MVP



[Recreation-and-Sports:Baseball] Many parents dream of having their little league player growing up to play college baseball player and Major League Allstar. Just helping your kid become a solid little league player that loves and enjoys the game of baseball should be the goal of every baseball parent.

By Nick Dixon

I know that the title got your attention. Everyone knows and respects the Major League Baseball players like Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez. Many parents dream of having their little league player growing up to play college baseball, becoming a college all-American, going to Omaha and play in the College World Series, being drafted in the 1st round of the MLB draft, signing for a 2.5 million dollar signing bonus, being voted to the MLB All-star team, going 3 for 4 in the All-Star Game, having their team win the pennant, wining the league championship, playing in the MLB World Series, leading MLB in RBI, Homeruns, Stolen Bases, Pitching Wins and also being selected as the Cy Young award winner, being named MVP of the MLB World Series, signing a deal with Nike Shoe for 2 million a year to endorse their new line of baseball shoes, and finally getting voted into Cooperstown Hall of Fame on his first vote. That is the ultimate dream of a baseball parent. But, do you know and realize how small the actual percentage is of little league baseball parents that ever see that dream come true? Now, I need to get to the point. Just helping your kid become a solid little league player that loves and enjoys the game of baseball should be the goal of every baseball parent. Here I discuss what I feel are the major requirements for big time baseball success at every level.

Odds are stacked against the little league baseball player and the youth baseball player when it comes to playing college and major league baseball. Less than 1 out every 15 kids playing little league and youth baseball ever make their high school baseball's varsity team. It is a known fact that less than 10.1 percent of all high school varsity baseball players go on to play college baseball. That figure includes both scholarship and walk-on players. Just 1 out of every 936 high school players is drafted to Pro Baseball each year. What all of this adds up to is this statement that says it all. Less than 1 out of every 15,000 little league or youth baseball players ever make a MLB baseball team. In, fact the percentage may be much lower when you consider the fact that less than 20,000 players have played MLB baseball in its 130+ year history. Chances are good, if your child is playing Little League, Dixie Youth, Babe Ruth or Cal Ripkin baseball, you are expecting your child to try out for the high school baseball team one day.
What does it take to make the high school team? The main three things are body build, playing skill, and pure luck.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY BUILD IN BASEBALL

I know that many of you are saying "Body Build" is not very important in baseball. I know and realize that size and height are less important in baseball than basketball and football. You do not have to block or tackle to play baseball. Baseball is not a game played in the rafters of a gym. But, "Body Build" is not all about body size to me. When I talk about "Body build", I mean more than height and size. Body build to me includes all of the results of a player's work and training to build strength, stamina, endurance, power and speed. The players that dominate at each level are the ones that have the dominate bat speed, dominate pitch velocity, and the faster feet.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN BASEBALL

The next important key to becoming a great high school, college or major league baseball player is playing skill development. If you are going to get to the next level, you have got to learn to play the game! Personal instruction by a baseball hitting coach, baseball pitching coach, and great baseball instruction and teaching of baseball fundamentals, early in youth baseball, are so important to baseball skill building. Many advanced players today rely on baseball indoor hitting facilities, year round baseball training and travel baseball that's played all year. These things help, but the main thing is for a player and his parent to take an interest in the game and become students of the game. You have got to do your baseball homework if you are going to maximize baseball skill development. Baseball homework is that extra work you do in the off-season and at home year round. Your baseball homework many include a backyard pitching mound, a backyard batting cage, baseball training equipment, or one-on-one training with a baseball instructor.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LUCK IN BASEBALL

Many people do not believe in luck. They say luck has nothing to do with winning or success. They say luck is made in practice time. Many others have a different opinion, they say that it is better to be lucky than to be good. I have a different attitude toward luck. I know that we are all lucky to get a chance to grow up in such a great country and to play such a great game as baseball, but I am talking about a different kind of luck a player must have to succeed in baseball. A player must be lucky and get top quality coaching early in life! Fate is a better word for what I am talking about. It is good luck that a player gets chosen on a little league team with a coach that takes special interest in a player and dedicates a great amount of time and energy in making that player better. It is good luck for a youth player to have a parent or coach that knows how to motivate and inspire that kid to keep working and practicing to get better. Players are extremely lucky to have the right inspiration and instruction during their childhood playing days. The coach they have may be a streak of good or bad luck depending on the attitude and competence level of the coach. Getting the right coach is a great stroke of luck!

Yes, I believe body build, playing skill and luck are the 3 keys to high school baseball success. Good luck to your child and his or her team. Happy Hitting, Coach Nick.

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

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Monday, July 20, 2009

Baseball - Some Stuff About Babe Ruth You Didn't Know

By Charles Jay

Babe Ruth, for all the incredible home run records he set during his illustrious major league career, never hit four home runs in a big league game. However, Ruth is believed to be the first major league player ever to hit four homers in an exhibition game. That's right. On April 18, 1919, when Ruth was in spring training for what would be his final season with the Boston Red Sox (1919), he blasted four round-trippers in a pre-season game between his club and the Baltimore Orioles of the International League.

Ruth reached base six times in six trips that day, getting two walks in addition to his four home runs. Henry Rodriguez, now with the Florida Marlins, came along and hit four homers in a spring training game for the Dodgers in April of 1995 - he joins Ruth as the only big leaguers we know of to do it.

Ruth dreamed of managing his beloved New York Yankees when his playing days were over, but by and large, Yankee management felt that Ruth had enough problems controlling himself to be able to control his players. He later was strung along by the Boston Braves and their owner, Judge Emil Fuchs, becoming a playing vice-president who was promised an eventual opportunity to manage in the majors which never came.

But the Bambino did indeed eventually manage a game in Yankee Stadium, albeit one that didn't count in the standings. On July 27, 1943, Ruth managed a combination Yankee-Indian team called the "Yank-Lands" in a war benefit game against a contingent called the "Chapel Hill Cloudbusters", based at a Navy pre-flight school and managed by Ted Williams. During the game, the 48-year-old Ruth actually stepped up to the plate once, drawing a walk, and advanced to second base before signaling for a pinch runner. His managerial debut was unsuccessful, as the Cloudbusters won 11-5, before 27,281 enthusiastic fans at the Stadium.

Charles Jay, a long-time sports columnist and handicapper, enjoys helping people pick sports winners at http://totalactionextra.com If you are in need of top-quality sports information, from an insider's perspective, come and check out what's available at http://totalactionextra.com

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

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Drills For Little League Pitchers in the Bull Pen


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By John R Di Nicola

The Bull Pen is where you can get the most done working with your young pitchers. Here they are working on their wind up and delivery. The pitchers will go through this station while the team is working on infield outfield practices. Once you have had a practice or two you can determine how much time you will allot for this station. You most likely will not get all the pitchers completed. Also your pitchers will be playing a position so you will have to schedule stations with that in mind.

You will most likely have to schedule several practices with pitchers and catchers only before the season starts. You can get so much more accomplished by working solely with the pitchers. Listed below are drills you can do in the bull pen and the actual field.

1. Wind up and from the Stretch - Mechanics

* This is the most important part for the young pitcher. Unless you get real lucky and have a pitcher who has pitched before you basically will be starting from scratch. To help the young pitcher feel comfortable you might want them to pitch from the stretch. History has shown they tend have better control when pitching out the stretch. A big factor that at the 7,8, and 9 year old level there seem to be a lot of base runners so they spend most of the time in the stretch position.

2. Locations

* This is the only time when you can really work on their control. You give them five places to look at while they are in their wind up and delivery.

1) The catcher right shoulder 2) Right Knee 3) Left shoulder 4) Left Knee 5) catcher's mask.

They first throw 10 pitches to catcher's mask. You instruct them to reach out and pull the catcher's mask off. Show them the index finger and middle finger out in front with arm extended and snap them down as to pull down when releasing the ball.

* Have them throw 5 pitches to each of the other locations. Once they are in the ready position they should pick up one of the locations and keep their eye's focused on the location till after the release of the ball.

* In time you should see improvement, However if a player is not improving with his control you to redirect him back to a position and try and find another pitcher.

Organizing your Practice

Set up your schedule and rotate your days you do the drills. You will find that some of the drills they will pick up quicker than others. The biggest thing is you cannot have marathon practices. By keeping the practices short and crisp you will keep players motivated. I found if you have a practice schedule and post it, will show the players approximately how long each drill will be and what to expect.

Practice makes perfect.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. If you would like further information on this topic or other information you can EMail me at:
jdinicola@easypitching.com

You can follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/easypitching

Web site:
http://www.easypitching.com.

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

Friday, July 17, 2009

You Can Play College-Level Baseball After High School


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A freshman in high school starts out with the idea of going to college and playing college-level baseball. Throughout high school, this idea remains the same but you seem to lose track of time, something that we all take for granted, until it’s gone. Could you have done something differently that may have resulted in the opportunities you had in mind? Is the process as difficult as it seems that we tend to procrastinate?

Student-Athletes

You have the skills, the drive, the motivation, and most importantly, you have the family support. What could possibly be missing that prevents this from happening? All of the resources are out there, what’s the problem? There are so many opportunities available, so why are so many seniors up in arms by the time they graduate? Where did all of that time and planning go?

Who is responsible for this dilemma? No matter how you slice it, you and your parents play the most important role in your success. The outcome is the result of the actions you take and decisions you make. There are no rules determining correct or incorrect decisions, only that you make them. Success will not come on its own.

When it’s all said and done, one of two things is going to happen. You will be actively recruited, or not. Unfortunately, the later is most common, but it does it have to be? No matter what the outcome, the world has not come to an end. Situations change but the vision remains the same.

Parents

Here are some important issues you should consider. An early start to the process will give you a huge advantage. There are so many things that can be accomplished as a freshman or sophomore, staying one step ahead of the game. Juniors and seniors will be faced with a more aggressive approach. Bottom line, there is no time like the present to take action. In fact, for many parents, starting is the most difficult. Not because they don’t want to, they just don’t know how to.

One thing is for sure, there is no greater reward than the experience as you take this journey. An American pastime and your son is in it. You will welcome the road ahead and take the necessary steps to ensure that your son is on track, and take full advantage of the opportunities available to him. They are out there, you just need to go and get them.

Alternatives

Where does the high school coach fit in? Well, every high school and coach is different. One thing is for sure, if they could ensure that every one of their student-athletes could get into college and play baseball, they would. Most coach’s head straight to field, right after they leave their full-time job, spending more time with the team than they do with their families. For the most part, they do what they can with the resources they have. You may or may not get help from your high school coach, but you shouldn’t rely on it.

There are recruiting companies who will jump at the chance to help, although, they come at a price. You need to weight the benefits. Many families are on a limited budget and you will need to set aside some funds for attending events that range from $50 for a ½ day to large showcase events that could set you back up to $1000 for a weekend event. There are many issues to consider when deciding on which events to attend (i.e., skill level, grade level, budget, college interests, etc). These decisions should come fairly easy to you.

Most families will simply educate themselves on the process considering the alternatives. This is an excellent choice although it comes with great responsibility. Can you sacrifice the time and energy for the sake of your son’s future? Of course you can, and most parents do. The question is, will you get started or will you follow that popular pattern of letting time get the best of you. If you can get over that hump, you will find success and dreams will come true.

The Basics

As a freshman, you should start a large list of colleges you would be interested in attending. As you grow and mature, your interests may change. Continue to work hard academically – good grades will play a major role in the options you will have available by the time you graduate. As a sophomore, find a little time to visit a college campus or two, and familiarize yourself with the atmosphere. This will help you with your college list. Your junior year becomes a little more exciting. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (Clearinghouse), in the event that you have NCAA I or II in your sights. Continue to maintain good grades and stay focused. A player profile and a highlight video should be provided to college coaches. If they can’t see you in person, a skills video is an excellent tool. One way or another, a coach will not recruit you if they can’t see you.

There are many other ways to get yourself noticed. Check to see if there are any colleges on your list that are hosting any camps or clinics. Go! Of course, play as much summer travel baseball as you can. Consider a showcase event. Many colleges look to these organizations for recruits.

Always check with your guidance counselor to make sure you are on track academically. You don’t want to wait your senior year to find that you don’t meet eligibility requirements. Most NCAA colleges have higher academic standards and if you have the tools that NCAA is looking for, you don’t want academics to stand in your way.

Most importantly, set your goals high and keep your mind and options open. If you want to go to college and play college-level baseball, you can. The opportunity is there for everyone and you don’t have to be a top prospect or a valedictorian to do so. Many high school graduates attend junior college and go on to four-year institutions, some even enter the MLB draft. All is good!!! After all, obtaining a college education and playing baseball is the goal.

What Next?

Start now! That’s all it takes. One thing is for sure, four years of high school will come and go in a glance. There is no putting off for next year what you must be doing this year. This will be key to your success, and you can do it.

To find out how you can have all of the resources you need, visit www.baseballedge.org. Imagine having absolutely everything you need in one place, right now, at your fingertips. From academic requirements and recruiting guidelines, to college camp, clinic and showcase events happening all over the country. When you didn’t know where to start before, you do now. Visit us today at www.baseballedge.org.

About the Author
Thrandur is a well known author and a successful webmaster. He is the owner of GPS-Compare.com. You Can Play College-Level Baseball After High School.

Find more information about Thrandur and his other websites at his blog thrandur.net where he shares digital technology, dream business & design success You Can Play College-Level Baseball After High School here

Thursday, July 16, 2009

How To Prevent Baseball Injuries



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Should you play baseball on very hot humid days? It might be fine to play if the intensity of the sport is decreased to a minimal . More practices are being performed in the early morning rather than in the heat of the day.

Wearing the proper clothing will help. Wear clothing that can breathe. Don't wear dark color clothing. When clothing is allowed to breathe , it helps the athlete rid themselves of the sweat. Plenty of liquids needs to be enforced.

Proper fitting equipment should be provided to reduce serious injuries. Athletic equipment consists of a helmet; shin guards and pads; and mouth pieces. Coaches need to check the athletes to make sure their equipment fits properly. Parents need to observe the equipment their athletes are wearing.

It is the coach's duty to teach the baseball athletes the proper techniques of the game.

Before any game , athletes need to warm up. This involves running laps or running in place; flexing all of the muscles; stretching of the muscles should be done and held at fifteen seconds.

Any athlete should be checked out by a physician before starting their baseball sport. Being in physical shape is required for baseball. Don't wait until the day the baseball season begins to start warming up your muscles. If you do , you will suffer some serious injuries.

Parents love their children and want them to be active in sports. In some cases , it isn't meant to be. Not every child will become an athlete. This may sound discouraging but it has to be said.

Don't freak out if baseball isn't your sport. It may be soccer or football. Tennis and track might be your sport.

Maybe sports aren't meant for you at all. Your place might be in church as a leader . This could be a great way to show other children that if you don't succeed at one goal, keep climbing the ladder. Eventually you will reach the top. This will be your goal in life that you strived to meet.

Remember this advise: It only takes one injury to prevent you from having a normal life. Use every precaution if you choose baseball or any other sport.

Growing up cripple and disabled is not the life you deserve. Listen to the advice your parents and coach offers you. They have your best interest at heart. When you head out into the sports world it requires a lot of your time, and family time.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Five Batting Trainers Every Baseball Parent Should Know About



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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Things to Consider Before Being a Baseball Coach

Thus you decided to become a trainer of baseball, perhaps because your child had a team but nobody was been willing to intensify to give particular lessons or perhaps you have just a passion to work in this field. That which it reason is really is not the important factor. Each trainer wants a team of profit and each player wants the same thing but this all to find them below the total effectiveness of the team as a whole, including the trainer. A trainer is a professor and as any good professor should always seek manners to you of improving. These are the things that you want to divide with your team. You cannot even have much, if any experiment to give particular lessons but to familiarize themselves just with the foundations is a great manner of starting.

There are really some advantages to be a coach which is to start just outside. As a long time as you know the foundations of the baseball and the rules of the game, the qualifications of drive are one which can be developed with your team and the good direction will let you know what it is that each one needs. It is your clean model personnel developed with your ethics and morals which will as supplement the white to which the model of the trainer will upwards finish you being. Naturally the extreme foundations of the baseball require that a jug be able to throw a ball exactly and a smooth paste can be connected to this launching and strike the ball in the outfields.

In a real play of baseball will be a responsible person to measure what each smooth paste achieved. Measurement is made by employing the averages which later are employed to measure an effectiveness of the player . once the smooth paste struck the ball, it belongs to the team of opposition then to make sure that within the legal limits of the play of the baseball which they make with their best attempt stop the ball and label the paste smoothes outside before it reaches the dish at the house. The team of opposition can catch a ball of fly, which is one that the smooth paste strikes in the air or perhaps the smooth paste struck what is called a line orders or a grounder. No matter what it arrives the players on another team want to obtain the ball and to label the runner outside before it releases the four bases and returns them to the house.

They are the foundations of the play except the fact that the smooth paste could also do one of the following, the strike outside, which means that it missed the ball when it was launched to him three different times. It could also go, which is a limit of baseball for the jug throwing four attempts with a smooth paste which could not be struck by error of the jug.

In this case the smooth paste would advance with the first bases automatically. Naturally do not forget the homerun either. It is the thing which all the players try to obtain, capacity to strike the ball which is launched to them apart from perimeters of the field of play, consequently having for result a race of house. This means that the smooth paste automatically obtains to advance first base with the dish at the house and not only mark a race but bring it differently no matter who who was on the basis waiting to mark too.

Find information about baseball terms and baseball facts at the Baseball Tips site.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Burnout in Youth Sports

By Marty Schupak

Burnout in youth sports is a threat to the physical and mental stamina of young athletes. As competitive youth athletics engages younger participants each year, the threat of, both, physical and mental burnout in young players grows more imminent. Over involvement in competitive leagues has long-term consequences for kids, if after the first 12 years of their lives they abandon organized sports or, perhaps, physical activity completely. This alarming situation is compounded by the growing competition between youth sports and modern technology, which is driving youngsters to become sedentary, often in the form of sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time. Unfortunately, once young victims of burnout quit sports, they rarely return. This startling predicament of modern youth sports can be attributed to the actions of parents and coaches.

Parents who enroll their children in too many sports or multiple leagues for one sport end up constructing a trap that will inevitably catch up with their kid. These children are often bound by impractical time constraints, almost literally living out of their family vehicles in order to accommodate their hectic schedules. Parents must find a reasonable balance for their children and help budget their time. Youth coaches can also share the blame for the dilemma. Coaches who allow their practices to become drudgery can get feelings of resentment from their players. Conducting short, stimulating, fun practices that convey skills in the form of spirited activity can turn practices into a positive experience for young players. If players leave practice, unmotivated to show up at the next one, something is amiss.

While burnouts result from participation in too many sports, as well as enrollment in too many leagues for a single sport, the latter scenario may pose greater danger for the player. Having a child play in numerous leagues in order to specialize their talents often leads to physical harm. Using the same muscles over and over again without varied activity can introduce problems with the child's growth platelets. This kind of damage can persist into long term health issues.

Consider a twelve year old youth baseball player who is involved in two leagues and is a pitcher. Suppose the pitch count slips away from an attentive coach or parent, or the coach sneaks in a few extra innings for a game that "the team needs." If this realistic scenario repeats itself enough, the perfect formula is created for serious arm injury. It is not difficult for parents to overlook this outcome when they are blinded by their personal motivations. Perhaps the parent is looking to vicariously relive their childhood. Hopes of a college scholarship seven years down the road could also drive a parent down this dangerous path.

So what is the correct formula? Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question. All kids are different and some are more physically resilient than others. Parents need to prioritize their children's physical and mental well-being over their own emotional and monetary incentives. A lifestyle that emphasizes a balance between school, extracurriculars, and free time, is probably the best thing for all kids in the long run. And if you, as Parents, or your kids, who participate in youth sports leagues always seem tired, maybe this is an indicator to slow down. Remember, kids also need some free time away from organized sports to be creative in their backyards or the schoolyard. The burnout factor is something parents and communities need to pay attention to. Competition is great, but the overindulgence might be doing more harm than good.

Marty Schupak, President of the Youth Sports Club, has coached youth sports for 21 years and has run more than 1,500 youth sports practices. He is the creator of 22 sports instructional videos including the best selling "Championship Soccer Drills","48 Championship Basketball Drills", and "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice." He is also author of the popular book, "Youth Baseball Drills." For samples of his videos, go to http://www.VideosForCoaches.com Contact him at YouthSportsClub@aol.com

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

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Play your Position

By Brian McClellan

In our zeal to be a positive force in the lives of those about whom we care, it is tempting for us to try to mold our loved ones into the people we want them to be. Our advice for them sometimes reflects our vision of their success rather than something compatible with their vision. At times such as these, it is important to quash your desire to be a “superstar” coach and simply play your position.

Recently, I have been practicing “playing my position” with my son. My wife and I just placed our three-year old son on a T-ball team a few weeks ago. T-ball is baseball for little kids and my son was going to be a baseball superstar. As soon as we signed him up, my father fantasies started. In my mind, I could already see my boy being interviewed on national TV.

I can hear the announcer standing with my son saying, “Folks, I am standing with a man who needs no introduction, the finest baseball who has ever walked planet Earth. Your baseball playing skill is amazing, even supernatural. You are undoubted the best player that has ever worn a jock strap. How do you do it?” Of course, my son replies, “My dad taught me everything I know.” Hey, we named the boy such that he would have a name that was easy for a stadium full of people to chant. Oh yes. My son was going to a baseball star. That was…until we went to the first practice.

My son and I arrived at the first practice with his brand new baseball gear in hand. He had a brand new fire-engine red, titanium alloy bat. He had a shiny new silver batting helmet with protective facemask attached. He had a brand new royal blue baseball glove with the Nike swoosh emblazed on the back. We were ready. Of course, the first thing we fathers do upon arriving at the first practice is to “size up” the other kids. Who is going to be the competition for my boy? My son has always been big for his age, so he was an entire head taller then some of the other kids there. Oh yes. We were ready.

Right then, the T-ball coach said “Let’s practice hitting the baseball.” My son is left-handed, so immediately I had visions of the best left-handed hitters of all-time. Reggie Jackson. No, Babe Ruth. My boy was going to be the next Babe Ruth. We walked over to the batting tee and I said, “Ok, Son. Watch me. Feet apart …hands back …swing away.”

“Ok, your turn.” My son grabs the bat and swings in one downward motion as if the bat is an axe and he is trying to chop wood. “Good try. Let’s try again…just like Daddy did it.” My son grabs the bat and swings again, this time with three big chops. He says, “That was fun, Daddy!” I said, “It’s more fun when you hit the ball. Let’s try again.”

Then Coach said, “Let’s play catch!” I know my boy can throw, I thought. At home, we have a set of oversized Legos and he throws those all the time. His aim is great. He always hits a dinner plate full of food, or a glass full of water, or our youngest child right in the forehead. I know he can throw. I put the ball in his left hand and say “throw it right here, Son.”

At this point, I am thinking that my boy may not be able to hit, but he can still be a star pitcher like Sandy Koufax or Randy Johnson. Several underhanded throws later, I concluded he may grow up to be a slow-pitch softball pitcher. I said, “Ok, ok. Try it again. This time, throw the ball over-handed. Raise your arm up high, and then throw the ball.” After several more underhanded throws, I was starting to get concerned. I want my son to be a baseball star. Unconcerned, my son said, “That was fun, Daddy!”

Then Coach said “It’s time to run the bases!” I thought, I know my boy can run. It’s one of his favorite things to do. Every time we are in the back yard at home he says “Daddy, let’s play run.” Then, we run and run and run…until Daddy gets tired. I know this boy can run! Coach calls all the kids to the home plate area and sends each child off to first base one at a time. The first kid takes off to first base. The second kid takes off the wrong way. The third kid doesn’t run at all. I say to myself, “my son can do this!” Then, Coach says to my son, “Go!” And my boy takes off…doing pirouettes like he is starring in the ballet.
By this time, I couldn't watch anymore. So, I turned away for a minute. When I turned back to see what was happening on the field, all the boys…and girls …were still running around the bases, except my son. He was off to the side of the field playing in the dirt, busily trying to make a sand castle.

I was crushed. My son was not going to be a baseball star, I thought. I’ll never hear him call my name on national TV. I went back to the dugout and slumped on the bench. I said to myself that “Well, the boy is not an athlete. Maybe he’ll be smart.” Then my son ran over to me and said again what he had been saying all practice long. “That was fun, Daddy!”

At that instant, I finally realized the position I was supposed to be playing. My position as a father is to help my son be himself, not my vision of him. With my help, my support, and my love, he will do whatever his heart tells him to do. Maybe he’s supposed to be the best wood chopper, or slow-pitch softball player, or ballet dancer in the world! That’s not my decision. That’s his decision. My position as a father is to help him be the best “whatever” he can be.

And besides, we haven’t even tried football or basketball yet!

When we got home, my wife said, “How did it go?” I said, “You should have seen this boy out there. He was great!” Then, we all stood together and started chanting his name.

Brian McClellan is the cofounder and CEO of BAMSTRONG Presentations, the author of The Real Bling: How to Get the Only Thing You Need, a Sherian Publishing title, and a powerful motivational speaker. To learn more about Brian, please visit www.bamstrong.com or BAM Says

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/play-your-position-246765.html

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Simple Little League Baseball Drills



ZipnHit-Pro.com





By Chris Campbell

I've never tried to hit a pitch from a seriously good baseball pitcher, but what I do know, is that it's one of the hardest things to do in all of professional sports. The combination of timing, and reflexes is pretty demanding.

Just look at how many players have a batting average over 400 in the history of professional. Only 8 players have ever done it (13 times amongst them), and no one has done it since 1941. So, any help you can give your little slugger in their early baseball years will be a definite advantage down the road.

While, you can read all day long, on the pros and cons of various hitting styles and swings, there is nothing better for a future hall of fame hitter, than just going out and hitting. The more hours they spend trying to knock one over the fence the better. Its also a great way to spend quality time with your kids, but grabbing a bunch of balls, heading over to the field, and pitch them a few to whack.

If your little ball player, really enjoys the game, then it shouldn't be hard to get them to put a little extra time in. If all they want to do is hit, that's fine, but they're probably bored to death at practice. Most kids just don't get much hitting practice with the team.

While, any hitting is better than not hitting at all, it could also be said that an effective hitting practice is better than just swinging willy nilly at whatever. There are a few pointers to keep in mind.

The Bat Has To Fit The Player

You wouldn't try to catch with a glove that was two sizes too small, or too large. So why would you do the same thing with a bat. Choosing a bat that is both weight and length appropriate for your son or daughter can make all the difference in their batting average.

Try having your little leaguer hold their bat out from their body, but parallel to the ground. If they can't do it for at least 15 seconds, then the bat is too heavy. If they can barely do it, or their arms start to wobble, then it's probably better to try a small bat.

Best Place For A Batter

As in any sports, where you put your feet is crucial to being successful. Hitting a baseball is no different. Too close, or too far from home plate can make it difficult to hit a lot of pitches. Make sure your kids understand the difference, and know where to swing from.

The lesson here is don't just head over to the park across the street for some informal batting practice, with only a bat, a glove, and some balls. Remember to bring home plate with you. Even if you don't have an official home plate, any old thing will work as a place holder.

These Little League Baseball Practice, are meant to make practice fun. If your a coach looking for Fun Baseball Practice Drills, you've come to the right spot.

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

Friday, July 10, 2009

Baseball Recruiting - How to Find Out Your "Accurate" Playing Level

By Jason Alamo

Finding out a players "accurate" playing level and ability becomes difficult because most make the fatal mistake of overestimating their abilities and as a result target the wrong schools. Coaches see thousands of players a year. You are either the right fit ability-wise or you are not. There is no way to "mask" this, so it is important to be as realistic as possible.

For example: A senior high school right handed pitcher throwing 78-82mph fastball with an above average change-up and breaking ball and very good control. This type of player has a great chance of finding a school to earn a baseball scholarship and play college baseball. Statistically, it would be asinine to target top 20 Division I baseball programs or Division I baseball programs in general. Has there ever been a RHP (right handed pitcher) throwing 78-82 mph that has played at a major Division I university...sure.

But statistically the chances are extremely low. So, if your player's goal is to play college ball, or earn a scholarship you should target schools where there is a probability of getting selected. Make sure you get an honest, unbiased opinion about your ability. Don't rely on the wrong sources, who have an emotional or personal interest, don't have the skills to assess accurately, or simply don't want to hurt your feelings. The hardest part of getting an "honest" evaluation is getting a party that does not have anything invested to give their opinion. Recruiting services, camps, and showcases often times have "agenda's" because they are all making a bid for your MONEY! Scouts or some private instructors are an excellent resource because they are, for the most part, a neutral party who can usually give a fair evaluation.

Academic Standing & Grades

The other factor which goes hand in hand with playing ability is Academic Standing. The NCAA has strict guidelines which must be met to be NCAA compliant. Once they are NCAA compliant they must meet the academic standing for the college. Junior Colleges and the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) have different standards that are usually much lower than that of Universities.

It is also important to keep in mind that just because the NCAA declares you eligible for a Division I university, the actual university you want to attend may have higher standards. Contact the admissions department on campus. College coaches do not have the time to answer questions and complete every detail for each player interested in their school.

Narrowing Down The Search

Once you have established your ability level and academic fit, it is important to research the schools you are most interested in and target them. Again making a "fit" a priority and not spending time, energy, and money on statistically low percentage fits. It is important to make a physical list of possible Junior Colleges, Division I Universities, Division II Universities, Division III Universities, and NAIA schools. As you develop the list, you may have certain factors that are most important to you. Here are a few that may be on your list: distance from home, cost of attendance, and scholarships available.

Jason Alamo is a former college coach as six different college programs. He has written a free 18 page e-book report exposing the truth about college baseball recruiting and scholarships.

Get your free e-book report sent instantly to your email by visiting http://www.CollegeBaseballConfidential.com

Learn what current coaches are not allowed to tell you and increase your chances of earning a baseball scholarship. The free report is at http://www.CollegeBaseballConfidential.com

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



StayBackTee.com

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Baseball, Hitting Streaks, Clutch Ballplayers and the Greatest Yet to Come

By Leon Cautillo

Have you ever wondered why the average ballplayer will get 27 hits for every 100 official at bats he gets? If you took the total number of at bats in major league baseball last year to determine the batting average as a whole it would be around .270. Why is that? Why is it that for every 100 at bats in the majors there are only 27 hits? Or why is it for every 1000 at bats there are 29 home runs hit? It is simply physics? No.

Let's give our star streaker a name, Alex. Some will say that yes he was hot but he'll go through another period where he'll go 5 for 28 and so as the season progresses Alex's average will balance out to an average more in line with what is expected from him. History shows some ballplayers having hit .600 during one or two stretches during the season but since 1901 no one has ever finished the season with an average higher than .426. What is occurring during that period when Alex goes 5 for 28? Or what was happening during the last 7 at bats during each streak?

Baseball is a game of incredible fascination and intriguing possibilities, and many fans only see the surface.

Even though Alex got 45 hits during the final quarter of the season, he may have only gotten a few important hits, those being hits that make a difference in the game. Where as during a period where he only recorded 16 hits, they may have contributed significantly in more wins. Ones value in baseball must be viewed in the overall contribution to his team's success and organizations success for that matter. The thing about baseball is you can read the results. Though what appeared to be another inconsequential hit, perhaps a non run producing single in the eighth followed by an inning ending strike out, may have been important. In this case, trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth with two outs the pitcher walks the next batter. On the very next pitch a home run is hit to win the game and had Alex not singled in the eight our home run hero of the game would not have gotten the chance to bat. Baseball has turns and twists like no other game and can be one of the greatest teachers we have.

If you want to understand and experience your understanding of the law of attraction, baseball surely is a hands on course that gives you immediate validation. The law of attraction should be taught to every ballplayer. It's just physics; it's simply how the universe works. Though it may seem like magic, just like gravity, it's not. Everyone knows or at least had heard the phase 'if you think you can, you can', and 'be positive'. That's simply a statement aliened with the law of attraction, and there is so much more richness in the law.

Mechanical corrections to a player's performance when necessary are made. And you must be able to recognize those distinctions. If not, the player will continue to do what's not working until it is discovered.

But you can know this. No player is fixed to his past performance. Any player can 'improve', come into his own as they say, start living up to their potential, another thing we hear. Yet little is understood as to why some players do and others don't. Teams are quite the same. And they can win despite the stats of their players.

This author suggest that the emotions held within the player that are resistant in nature such and anxiety, fear of failing or not coming through in the clutch has more to do with the results than you think, and when you are 'hot' you have none of that going on. Find ways in which you can notice those emotions and feelings and detach from them and you will inevitably realize greater success. When you are feeling as happy go lucky as can be, everything is going your way.

One small tip, whenever you begin to struggle, ask yourself to identify everything that makes you happy about playing the game of baseball until to are fully and completely expressed.

If you understand about the power of directing your emotions in a particular kind of way, I invite you to visit and learn about the iCap.

http://www.insightsforworkability.com

Biofeedback has advanced beyond our imagination. You can discover and manage your emotions such as to seek and discover more joy and happiness than you can imagine. And because of the personal computer, the cost is affordable and the advances have been remarkably pleasing.

Stop by when you can.
Leon Cautillo, Author/Instructor

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

Recommended Websites for Baseballball Coaches
The Baseball 2Day Coaching Journal
The American Baseball Directory
BatAction Hitting Machines
Derek Jeter Hurricane Machines
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
Advanced Skills Tee
BattingCagesDirect.com
HomeBattingCages.com
BattingCagesrUs.com
BattingCageBuilder.com
Hands Back Hitter Swing Trainer
Stay Back Tee Baseball Swing Trainer

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Youth Baseball Spring Training - Tips For Off Season Training In Youth Baseball

By Brian McClure

Baseball practice should not stop when the season is over. There are several things you can do and as a player, and coaches should give these suggestions to the players and parents after the season to help the players next time around. Why? Because the best time to get ready for the next season is during the off season, not just a couple of weeks before the first game. Building hand eye coordination and muscle memory takes time. Here are some tips for youth baseball players to use during the off season.

Knowledge- You may have heard knowledge is power. Its true especially in baseball. Think about game situations and where does each player need to be. If you are a pitcher work on your grip or a new grip. What plays would help improve the team? Watch other players and teams and purchase some DVD’s and youth baseball instructional books to help with this.

Batting Stance and Swing- Make sure your grip is right, head is down, shoulders in the right spot. Is your stride too long? Do you swing the bat through the hitting zone correctly? This is something youth baseball players can do in front of a mirror at home to imbed them in young players minds and develop muscle memory. Learn the proper aspects of hitting by using a hitting instructor and videos.

Keep in shape- You don’t have to look like a weight lifter but some simple exercises can help develop pitchers arms and endurance. Batters can gain from more power when they hit the ball, and base running(Ah.. something as simple as doing sprints 3 times a week can make you fly around the bases next season. Lets don’t forget to eat right while on this subject.

Equipment- How’s the bat? Is it still the right size? Is the glove in good shape and still fit. Pitching machines and nets should be in good condition for safety. Even the balls should be in good shape. Pitchers need nice seams on the ball and proper weight. Old water logged balls can also throw a hitters timing off. Plus there’s just something about a new baseball!

I am sure coaches and parents and players too can think of some others, but this should get your minds to working. Something I have found effective is sitting down with my son and writing down together what we want to work on. He comes up with some things I overlook. But by all means.. Have some too. Rent some cool baseball movies and play some baseball video games. Baseball is a game after all, and games are meant to be fun.

Author- Brian McClure Want to learn more about helping your child in youth baseball as a parent or coach? http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/

See our complete list of Topics and articles on youth baseball here http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/topics.html

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



**********************************
CoachesBest.com
HurricaneTrainer.com
BatAction.com
HandsBackHitter.com
QuickSwingTrainer.com
AdvancedSkillsTee.com
BattingCagesDirect.com
BattingCagesrUs.com
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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Baseball Recruiting - Tips For the Baseball Parent (Part 1)


Advanced Skills Tee
By Mike Liberatore

Before I got into coaching high schoolers for the first time, plenty of my friends with coaching experience gave me plenty of horror stories about what it would be like dealing with the player's parents. Luckily, for the most part, the parents that I had were great. There were a few sporadic issues throughout the season, but nothing major. After coaching, I moved onto working in the field of college baseball recruiting, which a completely different level of dealing with high school baseball parents. Between the two experiences, I have certainly developed a solid list of do's and don't to help parents out with following their young athlete, and hopefully assisting him in advancing to the next level, whether it be as a collegiate student athlete, or even as a pro.

As a coach, I really only had one rule for the parents, and it was rule I stole from my high school coach who now coaches a DI in Florida. That rule was, "you can talk with me about anything except playing time. If playing time enters the conversation, the conversation is over." For some reason, when a player does not start or play an entire game or play their position of choice, a parent can twist this into the coach having an "agenda" against their child. That is almost never the case, especially the higher up you go. When coaches are paid to win games, they are trying to do just that. Sometimes a player may be in a slump, sometimes a coach plays a matchup, sometimes he may simply feel another player is better, but it is almost never because the coach doesn't like a given player or parent. Keep in mind that a good coach will communicate to his players why he makes a certain decision, and what they player can do to improve and get more playing time. Invariably, players understand these things better than the parents. Here are few other general principles to go by:

• Be seen and not heard - Especially at games. Cheering on the players is the best thing you can do. Yelling at a player, coach, or umpire is not going to have a positive impact. Don't coach every pitch from the stands. Players become distracted by what their parents are up to in the bleachers and it absolutely affects their play. Practices are the time for coaches to be vocal, games are for the players.

• Don't try to "pitch" your son to a high school or college coach -- It is extremely difficult, if not impossible to view your own son's play objectively. That is for the coach to do! If your son has talent, the coach will see it. That is what they are paid to do. Believe it or not, coaches see just about everything that happens on the practice or playing field and it doesn't take long to get a feel for a player's skill set.

• Coaches aren't perfect - Keep in mind, that coaches will make mistakes. I do realize that many coaches carry themselves as if they don't, but I can speak from experience and say I have mis-evaluated a player, especially early in the season. Some times a player simply improves, but sometimes he may have been better than the coach thought all along. Either way, coaches will usually correct their error and adjust the lineup accordingly. Even if they wont admit they were wrong, the lineup will show it.

• Be careful when you "angle yourself" in - Many parents volunteer their time to help with practices, concessions, scorekeeping, etc. Be sure that if you do this, you maintain the proper boundaries with the coach. Often times, parent that have additional responsibility feel it is acceptable to overstep and volunteer their input on how the team should be coached.

• Encourage and empower! - As much as a parent wants to help because they know best, whether it be on the playing field or in the recruiting process, the ultimate goal is to make the player self sufficient as a young man. If a player wants additional playing time, or wants to play a different position, he should simply go to the coach in private and ask what he needs to do to accomplish that goal. This will go miles longer than if it came from a parent. If a player shows the initiative to stay after a practice and do the extra work, coaches will reward the good example if possible so that it is seen by other players. You also want to empower your son when it comes to the college recruiting process (there will be following articles on this). Many parents feel this is their time to get more involved, however, a player is perfectly capable of initiating contact with college coaches by phone or email. Our website has detailed step-by-step instructions for them on how to do so. Coaches will seek out the parents when it is time.

In short, do your best to empower your son as a young man and high school athlete. Work with them to develop their skills, but don't be overbearing. Teach them to carry themselves with proper etiquette and work ethic, and when in doubt stay out of the coaches way. When I go to watch my relatives play, I find a spot as far away from everyone else as possible. I noticed parents of my more talented players did the same. If you'd like additional information, visit our website, blog or MySpace and Facebook Pages for continued updates. Check back regularly for guest content.

Mike Liberatore is a former college baseball player, AAU baseball coach, and owner/operator of http://www.baseballrecruitsonline.com

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

**********************************
AdvancedSkillsTee.com
QuickSwingTrainer.com
CoachesBest.com
HurricaneTrainer.com
BatAction.com
HandsBackHitter.com
BattingCagesDirect.com
BattingCagesrUs.com
**********************************

Friday, July 3, 2009

Baseball Recruiting - Tips For the Baseball Parent (Part 1)

By Mike Liberatore

Before I got into coaching high schoolers for the first time, plenty of my friends with coaching experience gave me plenty of horror stories about what it would be like dealing with the player's parents. Luckily, for the most part, the parents that I had were great. There were a few sporadic issues throughout the season, but nothing major. After coaching, I moved onto working in the field of college baseball recruiting, which a completely different level of dealing with high school baseball parents. Between the two experiences, I have certainly developed a solid list of do's and don't to help parents out with following their young athlete, and hopefully assisting him in advancing to the next level, whether it be as a collegiate student athlete, or even as a pro.

As a coach, I really only had one rule for the parents, and it was rule I stole from my high school coach who now coaches a DI in Florida. That rule was, "you can talk with me about anything except playing time. If playing time enters the conversation, the conversation is over." For some reason, when a player does not start or play an entire game or play their position of choice, a parent can twist this into the coach having an "agenda" against their child. That is almost never the case, especially the higher up you go. When coaches are paid to win games, they are trying to do just that. Sometimes a player may be in a slump, sometimes a coach plays a matchup, sometimes he may simply feel another player is better, but it is almost never because the coach doesn't like a given player or parent. Keep in mind that a good coach will communicate to his players why he makes a certain decision, and what they player can do to improve and get more playing time. Invariably, players understand these things better than the parents. Here are few other general principles to go by:

• Be seen and not heard - Especially at games. Cheering on the players is the best thing you can do. Yelling at a player, coach, or umpire is not going to have a positive impact. Don't coach every pitch from the stands. Players become distracted by what their parents are up to in the bleachers and it absolutely affects their play. Practices are the time for coaches to be vocal, games are for the players.

• Don't try to "pitch" your son to a high school or college coach -- It is extremely difficult, if not impossible to view your own son's play objectively. That is for the coach to do! If your son has talent, the coach will see it. That is what they are paid to do. Believe it or not, coaches see just about everything that happens on the practice or playing field and it doesn't take long to get a feel for a player's skill set.

• Coaches aren't perfect - Keep in mind, that coaches will make mistakes. I do realize that many coaches carry themselves as if they don't, but I can speak from experience and say I have mis-evaluated a player, especially early in the season. Some times a player simply improves, but sometimes he may have been better than the coach thought all along. Either way, coaches will usually correct their error and adjust the lineup accordingly. Even if they wont admit they were wrong, the lineup will show it.

• Be careful when you "angle yourself" in - Many parents volunteer their time to help with practices, concessions, scorekeeping, etc. Be sure that if you do this, you maintain the proper boundaries with the coach. Often times, parent that have additional responsibility feel it is acceptable to overstep and volunteer their input on how the team should be coached.

• Encourage and empower! - As much as a parent wants to help because they know best, whether it be on the playing field or in the recruiting process, the ultimate goal is to make the player self sufficient as a young man. If a player wants additional playing time, or wants to play a different position, he should simply go to the coach in private and ask what he needs to do to accomplish that goal. This will go miles longer than if it came from a parent. If a player shows the initiative to stay after a practice and do the extra work, coaches will reward the good example if possible so that it is seen by other players. You also want to empower your son when it comes to the college recruiting process (there will be following articles on this). Many parents feel this is their time to get more involved, however, a player is perfectly capable of initiating contact with college coaches by phone or email. Our website has detailed step-by-step instructions for them on how to do so. Coaches will seek out the parents when it is time.

In short, do your best to empower your son as a young man and high school athlete. Work with them to develop their skills, but don't be overbearing. Teach them to carry themselves with proper etiquette and work ethic, and when in doubt stay out of the coaches way. When I go to watch my relatives play, I find a spot as far away from everyone else as possible. I noticed parents of my more talented players did the same. If you'd like additional information, visit our website, blog or MySpace and Facebook Pages for continued updates. Check back regularly for guest content.

Mike Liberatore is a former college baseball player, AAU baseball coach, and owner/operator of http://www.baseballrecruitsonline.com

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

CoachesBest.com - Online Super Store.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

If You Are a Baseball Player Are Your Priorities in Order During the Off-Season?

By Brandon Richey

If you are a serious baseball player then you should improve your game year after year just like any other athlete. Now I have talked about my frustrations involving misconceptions on training towards other athletes and trainees, but for the sake of this article I am addressing baseball players. It amazes me that in this day and age that a lot of baseball players still have an incorrect mindset when it comes to their off-season training. Note that I did not say "all" baseball players, just a lot of them!

You see the one thing that amazes me is that several baseball players do not generally put a lot of emphasis on strength and conditioning. With the MOST successful athletes it is known that their off-season strength programs are fierce. The goal should be to get bigger, faster, and stronger. If a baseball player is not concentrating on these elements, which several don't, their training is flawed and their priorities are mixed up. You see here are the facts. The batting averages for the entire major league baseball ranged from .292 on the low end and .364 on the high end. These averages were gathered from all of major league baseball statistics in 2008. Now why am I showing you these? Well, whether or not you are a little league player, high school, collegiate, or in the majors more than likely you will not obtain an average better than .364 and I don't care how many hours you devote inside the batting cage. Realistically you won't even hit around .290 consistently. So knowing this and knowing that baseball is a multi-skilled game why do so many baseball players spend so much time in the cage?

The problem is in a false mindset. I have trained many athletes for years including baseball players and I have always had to battle this old mindset. You see the truth is that a committed baseball player will retain the necessary skills of hitting, throwing, and catching by practicing on a consistent basis, but the real way to improve these is to become a better athlete! Athleticism is underrated in baseball. Many of the players that I trained for an extended few months prior to the season went out the next year and had record numbers. Many other studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of strength training and athletic performance training in baseball players among other athletes as well. Yes, getting bigger, faster, and stronger does apply to baseball players. If you don't believe me then look at Barry Bond's numbers. Oh, and don't give me the whole spill about him being on steroids. He may or may not have used a performance enhancing substance, but if he did and did not apply the proper training it wouldn't have made a difference. Trust me, had he used an anabolic steroid and spent the majority of his time in the "batting cage" he wouldn't have gotten a bit stronger.

I would like to close by saying that if you are a baseball player young or old then you should be working in an athletic performance program in the off-season. If you are a mom and dad that is currently throwing a lot of money out the window for batting cage time then that is your choice, but if you want your kid to have a break out year then I would recommend that you take that money and use it on getting him professional help to get stronger and faster! Strength means he'll have greater bat speed and speed means that he'll be better able to chase down a fly ball or beat out a throw to get a base hit instead of an out. That's the difference!

To learn more about Kettlebells, Fitness, and achieving Total Mind-Blowing Strength come and visit me at: http://www.efandps.com
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