Wayne Mazzoni - Baseball Recruiting Advice

Wayne Mazzoni, an expert on recruiting high school athletes for college (NCAA) teams, gives recruiting advice to high school baseball playerrs. ?For baseball player this is specifically what I?m looking for. We got a lot of videos to be in that you only get a small number of that videos and watch them all. Now, we get so many videos that I only watch it when it comes with the reference. That?s why I keep a stock of videos in the office. When the fall call or rings I comes in from the reference I dig it out, I won?t just watch every video that comes in.

Baseball videos are sort of almost like a little bit of a practice because if you film the straight baseball game, its so slow and too long and your not gonna see enough stuff so for example it?s a short stuff, its practicing takes ten ground of balls, he would then run to the bases a little bit, he would take batting practice and then maybe gonna slice together some kinds of highlights from games and some of videos.

I am like just every coach, I like to see kids live, watch them ball load games in summer, go to bunch of camps, during our own camps, canceling, emailing and coaches for references, during Junior college coaches, you know, that?s how we find about our players. And if you?re talking specifically from what I?m looking for from an athlete, find out why? Well it?s a variety of things, first of all I have to bring one or two particular skill to the people, you know, be tremendous on both defense, be a power hitter or hitter for average, or have a great arm, pitching wise. But me personally as a division one pitching coach, in terms of pictures, I want players who can get people out as oppose to __so when your scouts suggest a radar guns, and lots of the big college have radar guns they are only interested on how hard on how somebody could go. Well, that?s nice to have somebody to __but more than anything else I just want somebody to get people out efficiently, quickly, and doesn?t really matter how hard they throw.

And I picture out to see a range from 80, 80 to 90. And the ones that gets the picture the most, the ones who get the people out, not the ones that always throw that hard. Certainly ones an athlete gets to college, the number one thing that separates them is that what?s behind me things the wait room and their desire and that you try to measure more because two college of athletes will come in, one is a __lazy, or only does what you ask and the other one is gym rat and just loves it and within a year they are completely different players now.?

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Safe Baseball Pitch Count - Dr James Bried - Youth Fitness Parent/Coach Quick Tips

Don't know if I agree with all the numbers. But, all baseball parents should be aware and familiar with the pitch count and how improtant it is in all levels of baseball from tee ball to little league to the high school baseball level.

For his second Quick Tip, Dr. James Bried shares great pitch count guidelines for parents/coaches to follow to keep kids from throwing too many pitches, which could lead to injury.



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Little Leaguer Goes Off on Dad

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Increase Your Likelihood of Getting a Baseball Scholarship by Using These Tips

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Tips for Getting a Baseball Scholarship
By Chris Moheno

You started playing baseball back when you were really young. You and the other neighborhood kids got together and started playing, either in someone's backyard or in a local ball diamond or park. You did the Little League thing and it helped you develop your natural talent. Now you're older and you're on your high school team. Your coach says you have a real shot at getting a baseball scholarship, and he thinks you should go for it.

You agree because you know you're pretty good, and a scholarship would certainly help your finances. However, you might not know how to convince schools you deserve one of their scholarships. Try these tips, because they can boost your chances of getting a college or university baseball scholarship.

1. Whatever You Do, Keep Playing Well. Schools might send coaches or scouts to your team's games and possibly its practices. You might not know when a school's representatives are watching, so play your best every second you're out there.

2. Always be Proactive. Your future is on the line, so you need to take the initiative. Don't just sit back and hope someone else will handle things for you. Although your coach will help you, take care of as much as possible yourself instead of relying on him to do everything. Don't sit around and wait for a scholarship offer to arrive in the mail, and don't wait for a coach or scout to decide to come to one of your games.

Instead, ask your coach to help you make a highlight tape that displays your baseball skills in action. Prepare a letter to accompany your highlight tape. Your coach should be able to help you with this task as well. Your letter should sound confident but not cocky. When your tape and letter are ready, send them to coaches at the schools you're interested in.

After the coaches have had a chance to receive and study your package, visit those schools and introduce yourself to the coaches and other staff members. Do all you can to make them remember you and stay in their field of vision. In short, be proactive by going to the schools and coaches, instead of waiting around for them to come to you.

3. Sell Your Skills. You'll need to sell yourself and your skills if you want a baseball scholarship. Now is not the time to hesitate or be shy or modest. Instead, you need to assertively display your talent and your commitment to the game of baseball. Show the coaches and other staff members how you can play the game. Your goal is to make them want you on their squad, so don't be cocky but don't sell yourself short in any way.

4. Tailor Your Approach to Each School. It's important to customize your approach. Use your knowledge about different baseball programs and coaches to help you do this. If necessary, do some research on the Internet to identify the specific skills a particular coach wants in his scholarship players. If you know a coach is looking for soft hands and great fielding, that's how you should sell yourself. On the other hand, if you discover a coach is looking for strong fundamentals such as base running and working the count, use that approach. You'll go a long way toward convincing the coach you're a good fit when you tailor your strategy to match up with the team's needs.

5. Don't Give Up and Don't Take "No" for an Answer. Some athletes give up the first time they are turned down by a baseball program. Others give up after hearing a coach or scout make a few negative comments, even though they haven't been formally turned down for a scholarship. If you take no for an answer this easily, you'll just be tossing all your years of hard work into the trash bin.

Instead, keep at it. Don't get discouraged about your scholarship prospects. You'll be a good match for at least one team out there; you just need to do everything you can to find it. That includes not giving up and not selling yourself short. If you highlight your skills as well as you play, you'll soon have a baseball scholarship.

Chris Moheno kindly invites you to visit this comprehensive baseball training website where you will find more baseball scholarship tips and answers to your general questions about baseball training and strength training, as well as a free newsletter with baseball training tips and advice.

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



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How to Develop a Compact Baseball Swing

How to Develop a Compact Baseball Swing
By Guest AuthorJack Perconte

All major league hitters have compact swings. They could not get to that level without one. What separates hitters at this level is their degree of bat quickness and bat speed. Bat quickness determines how quick they can get the bat to the ball once they decide to swing. This is one of the ingredients needed for being able to wait on the pitch as long as possible and for making contact. Bat speed determines the amount of power that a hitter will produce if solid contact is made when the ball is hit. Once again though, all major league hitters have compact baseball swings. This is vital in order to hit the speeds that major league players face.

You might ask, "If they all have compact swings, why do some strike out so much?" There are three reasons for that and one was mentioned, bat quickness. A compact swing does not guarantee a quick bat. Two, some players put more tilt in their upper body with their swing. When players collapse their back side creating un-level hips, they create more up-swing, leading to greater lift on the ball, but more misses too. Three, some players simply have better hand-eye coordination.

Developing a compact swing should be the goal of young baseball hitters too. This will be necessary if they wish to consistently hit as they move up the baseball ladder.

First, a definition of a compact swing is necessary. Compactness implies a short, tight area and this would define a good baseball swing. A compact baseball swing is one in which the bat barrel goes from hitting position (above hitter's rear shoulder) directly to the ball as the hands descend into a palm-up, palm-down position approaching the strike zone. The bat barrel stays relatively close to the hitter's head on the way to the ball, without taking a detour to the contact area. Why is this so necessary? The more compact the swings, the longer hitters can wait on the ball which is a huge advantage when making decisions on different speed pitches.

Following are the drills that will lead to a compact baseball swing, giving ballplayers the best chance of having baseball hitting success:

1. Place a pad under the hitters lead arm and take some swings without the pad falling out till the follow through. Hitters will develop strong quick hands and forearms with this drill and not a long arm swing.

2. Have hitters stand belly button away from a net and take swings with the edge of bat just grazing the net with a full, fast turn. This will force hitters to keep the hands close to body to avoid casting the bat.

3. Have hitter stand with net close behind them (toward catcher) and take swings missing net on way toward ball. This drill is best done with no stride and will not allow hitters to drop the bat barrel

4. Set a batting tee hip high and even height with hitter's rear hip. Hitters take swings while missing the tee and hitting balls at any level, even knee high - best done with dropped ball drill or soft toss flipped balls.

5. Dropped ball drill - coach holds ball up in air and drops ball into the hitter's strike zone after the hitter takes their stride. A compact swing is necessary to make solid, consistent contact.

6. Alternate fast and slow pitches until hitters learn to have the same quick swing on all pitches - when players make good contact on both speeds while hitting balls in the direction of where the pitch is located is the goal.

Finally, hitters can perform a few of these drills in combination with the other drills to challenge them further. For example, combining the glove under lead arm (# 1) and the dropped ball drill (#5) with the tee hip high(#4) at the same time can be done.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball.
Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his parenting blog and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

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

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How to Fix - Repair Your Baseball Glove

Repair Your Baseball Glove
By Guest Jim L King

Is your baseball glove stopping you from achieving your potential? You should not have to sit on the bench due to a busted-up glove. That is why i am going to teach you to repair/ maintain your baseball glove!

First, you must diagnose the problem. Usually, in my experiences, the major problem is the strings coming undone or untied. This causes the glove to lose stiffness, so even if the ball does land in the pocket, it will just fall out. Luckily, this is an easy fix! What you will need- Your glove, tweezers, and your own two hands!

Also, it is best to have a properly stringed glove around for an example. First, push the tweezers through the string holes, then place the string into the tweezers, and slowly pull the tweezers back out of the hole. Depending on how many place have become untied, you may have to restring more than one spot. Once you have the glove restringed, the next step is to tie the strings, so they do not just slip back through the holes. The best knot to use is the normal knot! Just simply tie a normal knot, pull the knot really tight, and repeat (if needed, depending on the string length). NOTE: do not pull the strings to tight as they may break, or the glove may become to stiff.

Next, I will talk about maintaining your glove. It really is easy, simply rub your glove with a glove conditioner (some people say shaving cream will work, but I have never tried it), once about every two weeks.

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Baseball Parent Attitude - Improve Your Baseball Team's Attitude

Baseball Parent and Baseball Team Attitudes
By Guest Author: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.

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

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Your Child Can Greatly Benefit From Little League Baseball Instruction

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Children Can Benefit From Little League Baseball
By Guest Author Anthony J Pensabene

Is your child ready to play little league baseball this year? Has your child been playing baseball but would like to benefit from added instruction? There are dedicated coaches available and ready to provide instruction on baseball fundamentals and advanced instruction. Private lessons, clinics and baseball camps offer ways to help your child improve skills while meeting others with similar interests.

Baseball instruction targets all aspects of the game of baseball including hitting, pitching, defense, and the mental side of the game. The following article provides insight regarding improving infield defensive skills. Such information is available to your child via enrollment to baseball instructional programs.

It is important to have the right mindset

Baseball fundamental learning focuses on producing and maintaining proper positive mindset. The little league player should realize that the ball may be hit to them on any given play. Many junior baseball players commit errors in the infield because they are not ready for the ball or have an apprehensive attitude. Youth baseball instruction teaches kids to have the right attitude and confidence inspiring them to want the ball on every play.

Baseball lessons, clinics and camps teach proper baseball awareness

Major league baseball players develop their baseball awareness to the point where they can almost anticipate where the ball is going to go based on a number of variables. Any ballplayer on the field must have the mental awareness to know that at any given time he can be involved in a play and must know exactly what to do at that time.

Learning to field ground balls

Fielding ground balls is an integral part of being a baseball infielder. Players must learn to time their approach towards the ball and utilize their mechanics in receiving and throwing the ball. These variables can be learned and practiced to the point that they become second nature when fielding ground balls; making being an infielder at any level easier and a more enjoyable experience.

Baseball lessons, clinics and camps are filled with a multitude of baseball drills. The drills range in intensity and speed. Baseball fundamentals are given to each young player with the hopes of increasing their skills with more practice until proper mechanics and motions become second nature during play. Most instructors call this "developing muscle memory".

Proper baseball lessons, clinics and camps improve skills in order to make kids better players. Becoming a better player promotes self confidence and teaches kids about the rewards of practice, persistence, commitment and concentration; attributes they can apply in other areas of their lives such as school work.

Infield coaching is just one area focused upon at lessons, clinics and camps. All areas of the game are addressed, improving your child's overall talents and self confidence. In addition, your child will learn good working habits while socializing with others their age in a positive environment. Think about enrolling your child for baseball instruction today!

Zoned Inc. ( http://www.zonedinc.com ) Sports Academy is committed to improving the baseball and softball skills of young players. Through training, hard work, and great discipline they teach kids to better their baseball skills and improve their habits to use throughout life. Come to our Web site and see what we have to offer your young players.

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

Baseball Pitching Tips - Which Side of the Rubber Should You Pitch From?

Youth Baseball Pitching Tips
By Guest Author:Larry Cicchiello

I'll gladly give you my input about pitching from different sides of the rubber but ultimately YOU will have to decide what works best for YOU and where YOU are comfortable. There are many baseball theories on this but ultimately you will have the final say because you are doing the pitching.

Usually, but not always, a right-hander stands on the third base side of the rubber and a left-hander on the first base side. Many believe this method gives you a better angle to the hitter. Let's use a right-handed batter against a right-handed pitcher as an example. The righty pitcher who is starting from the third base side of the rubber will create the effect that the pitch is coming toward the righty batter and then going over the plate. If the righty pitcher is on the side of the rubber closest to first base, the righty batter will possibly be a little more comfortable. The reason is the ball is starting away from him and then coming into the plate.

Now, it can get a little tricky. Many pitchers who have a tail on their fastball, will do the opposite.

If that's the case, the right-handed pitcher usually will opt for the first base side of the rubber and the left-handed pitcher will usually opt for the third base side of the rubber. Once again, it will give the pitcher a slightly better angle to the batter.

Some left-handed pitchers will pitch on the first base side of the rubber to left handed batters only, to make it even more intimidating to the batter.

Some right-handed pitchers will do the same and stand on the third base side of the rubber for right-handed batters, to make it more intimidating for the right-handed batter.

The point here is that there is nothing etched in stone as to where ANY pitcher should stand on the rubber.

I do however, think it makes a lot of sense for a right-handed pitcher to stand on the third base side of the rubber when facing a right-handed hitter and for a left-handed pitcher to stand on the first base side of the rubber when facing a left-handed hitter. As a pitcher, isn't it your job to make hitters uncomfortable? I truly believe that it's your job. Hitters should never be too comfortable when facing you. If a baseball hitter is intimidated by a pitcher, half the battle is won by the pitcher before the battle even begins!

It's your shot to call on this one. Experiment and see what works best for you.

Larry is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks and CD's covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at LarryBaseball.com.

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

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Baseball Drills and Beyond to Attain a Scholarship

Baseball Drills and Beyond to Attain a Scholarship
By Anthony J Pensabene

College is very important regarding a young person's future. Fortunately, there are many options to employ to get there such as financial aid and private loans. In addition, many athletes receive monetary aid in attending college due to athletic scholarships. A young man looking to improve his future can leverage superior baseball skills to acquire a college scholarship. The following article features several suggestions to help a young person work towards attaining a baseball scholarship.

Do baseball drills on your own

Becoming a college athlete does take superior skills, yet such skills can be developed with dedication and focus. Often, more practice is what separates those who do well in sports and those who excel. Is practice canceled for the day? No practice scheduled for the weekend? Do you have some spare time on vacation? Scholarships await those who are dedicated towards their sport. Do baseball drills on your own to make yourself a better player tomorrow than you are today.

Do well in school

Young people receiving athletic scholarships rarely do so based solely upon athletic merit. Universities granting funds look for candidates who are exceptional in many areas including scholastic pursuits. Often, athletes can use discipline learned in sports to successfully address school obligations. In addition, good coaches make it a point to express the importance of school work and progress to their student athletes.

Attend summer baseball camps

Little league and high school baseball seasons usually take place between the months of March and June. Luckily, summer baseball camps are available so athletes can continue to engage in baseball drills and enjoy the benefits of youth baseball instruction. Student athletes can mention their attendance on their college 'resumes.' In addition, college recruiters are often savvy about the existence of such camps and rove for future potential.

Take private baseball lessons

An aspiring college athlete can really benefit from one-on-one instruction. Private baseball lessons are often available through local facilities or leagues. Instructors can focus on one or multiple areas of a young player's game in order to facilitate improvement and progress. Private lessons are a great supplement to baseball training programs offered at a player's school.

ZonedInc ( http://www.zonedinc.com ) is founded on the belief that it will provide premium instruction and assistance to all student athletes to better their skills and opportunities. It looks to expand the student athlete's possibilities for achievement and success. Zoned will endeavor to assist both genders, initially through baseball instruction and softball instruction, and eventually through a wide spectrum of sports and disciplines.

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

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Pitching at the Next Level - Hard Work Required

Baseball Pitching Tips

By Nate Barnett

I have instructed pitchers for almost 10 years. My best pitching students are those that take the knowledge they learn from every lesson to heart; they go home and repeat movements that improve their mechanics.

They study other successful pitchers, they are eager to learn about every aspect of the game of baseball, not just pitching. They understand that they have to have a depth and breadth of pitching knowledge to succeed. The best students also understand what their true potential can be and are willing to do what it takes to improve everyday. They expect more of themselves than others expect of them. These pitchers are not naïve to think after a few great games, they have it made. They expect greatness and that is what they get half of the time. Yes, half of the time. Hall of fame pitchers win half of the time; it's just part of the game.

The most successful pitchers learn from their mistakes and then get over them quickly. Pitchers who win the most games accept failure as a learning tool and expect to win their next game. They cannot change the past; they only move forward.

Winning pitchers visualize success before it happens. They study hitters; they know each hitter's weaknesses and then they attack those areas they are most vulnerable. Their pitching workouts are very challenging; they are workhorses. Winning pitchers trust their team that they will back them up. They help other teammates succeed. They are leaders!

Winning Pitchers don't stress the small stuff. If they give up a hard hit; they will never allow that hitter to do that again, especially that very day.

If you want to be a winning pitcher, my guess is that you do because you are still reading; you need to be willing to work very hard at your game. You cannot expect greatness if you haven't put in 100% effort!

Nate Barnett is co-owner of The Pitching Academy.

After finishing a professional career in the Seattle Mariners Organization, Nate pursued his coaching and motivational training career. You can find The Pitching Academy's videos, blog, and more articles when you visit the website.

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

Baseball Hitting Tips - Taking a Proper Stride

Youth Baseball Hitting Tips
By Hunter Sendefer

For a young baseball player, one of the most difficult parts of a swing to master is the stride. The stride, however, is one of the most important aspects of the swing because not only does it help with the hitter's timing, but it also helps to generate power. Therefore, it is vital that a baseball coach helps the hitter to isolate each part of the stride and understand what the most important aspects of the stride entail.

For this drill, all that is needed is a bat and a helmet. This is a great way to start off a batting practice because you can coach the player before any balls are thrown. You can then incorporate balls into it once the hitter has mastered the stride, which will allow him or her to see the results of taking a proper stride immediately.

To start this drill, have the hitter line up in his or her batting stance, just like he or she would do in a game. The coach will then go into a windup and throw a simulated pitch. The player will then coil and stride, without completing the swing. He or she is to freeze once the stride has been taken to see where his or her body ends up during this process.

The first thing that you are looking for in this case is a proper distribution of weight. If too much weight has gone forward at this point, the hitter will end up lunging for the ball, which will lead to a weakly hit ball or a swinging strike. The weight will come forward when the hips are turned but during the stride, most of the weight should still be back.

Secondly, you will want to look at the hitter's hands. At this point in the process, the hands should still be back and they should not have dropped. The hands will come through the strike zone as the hips drive through but at this stage, the hands should still be back.

The body should also remain in the same alignment as the original stance. Many players begin bending their knees at this point in the swing, which can throw the body's entire alignment off. This leads to the player swinging through the ball, as he or she cannot readjust to make up for the bent knees.

The player's head should also be at the same height, which goes hand in hand with not bending the knees. In addition, the back should remain in the same alignment, so you are basically attempting to keep the body as still as possible while you take your stride. The more movement that they player has, the more likely he or she is to end up misaligned, which will produce an ineffective swing.

Have your players repeat this drill until they are able to produce the exact stride that you want to see. Have the players step out of the batter's box before each stride and receive a sign from the third base coach. That way, a proper stride will become a part of their routine and can be incorporated into every swing.

The author is a baseball enthusiast and frequent writer for http://www.batting-trainer.com, a website dedicated to providing the best baseball hitting trainers including the revolutionary new tool The Insider Bat For free baseball videos and tips, visit http://www.batting-trainer.com

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

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What Really Causes Hitting Slumps? 25 Things That Can Ruin a Batting Average and a Baseball Season

Stopping a Hitting Slump That Can Ruin a Batting Average
By Jay Granat

Mark Teixeira, of The New York Yankees a great hitter with lots of runs batted in and a fine batting average is in a slump right now. David Wright, of the New York Mets just got out of one.

Over the years, baseball players of all levels struggling with hitting slumps have come to talk to me. Slumps can frustrate and impact major league players, college players, high school players and little league players.

Batting slumps can also create stress for parents, owners, athletic directors and
owners of teams. They can shatter a player's confidence, especially if they last for a long period of time.

The causes of hitting slumps are not always mechanical. In fact, many players with fine swings go through bad periods of hitting.

Last year, I gave a lecture to The New Jersey Pilots Baseball Team. I outlined the
causes of most slumps in that talk. It is very important for players, coaches and parents to understand the issues which can contribute to poor hitting by talented baseball players.

Here is a list of some of the major causes of batting downturns that I have seen over the years.
1. Being hit by a pitch
2. A physical injury
3. Choking or performing poorly in a big game.
4. Loss of confidence
5. Loss of focus
6. Failure to keep good records on pitchers
7. A breakdown in mechanics
8. An unwarranted change in mechanics
9. Feeling criticized by a coach
10. Feeling criticized by a parent
11. Burnout
12. Swinging at pitches out of the strike zone
13. Loss of patience
14. Alcohol abuse or substance abuse
15. Failure to recognize and understand your strengths and limitations
16. Inability to relax at the plate
17. Little or no training in the mental aspects of hitting
18. Lack of a clear approach when you step up to the plate
19. Anxiety in the dugout, on deck circle or batter's box
20. A vision problem which needs correction
21. An abundance of self-criticism
22. Perfectionism and unwillingness to try a new approach
23. Conflicting advice from coaches
24. Difficulty adjusting to play at a higher level
25. Stress, conflicts, family problems and personal problems off the field

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and the founder of http://www.stayinthezone.com. 101 Ways To Break A Hitting Slump and a Free Book is available at this link: http://www.stayinthezone.com/shop-stay-in-the-zone.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=21
Dr. Granat can be reached at 888 580-ZONE.

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How to Hit in the Clutch - Baseball Batting Advice From a Former Major League Player

Baseball Tips From a Former Major League Player
By Jack Perconte

There are not too many feelings better than getting hits for baseball players. Actually, there is? Getting a hit in the clutch is an even better feeling. Of all the great memories I have of playing baseball, the ones that are most memorable are those of clutch hits that I had. Many people think of clutch hits as those that drive in runs or win games, but just as important sometimes are hits that players get to start a rally, break up a no hitter or knock a good pitcher out of the game. One of my great memories of a clutch at-bat did not involve a hit but a sacrifice fly that I hit in the 17th inning that drove in the winning run against the New York Yankees. This was as memorable as a hit because, being a player with little power, hitting a ball deep enough in the outfield was not an easy chore for me.

Developing young players to be good clutch hitters is one of my goals as a hitting coach. Of course, the best clutch hitters are generally the hitters who are the most fundamentally sound with their hitting mechanics. Having good fundamentals always give players the best chance at success. However, just having good fundamentals does not guarantee a great clutch hitter and all hitters can be taught to become better in the clutch. I have known many players who have the knack of going 1 for 4 in games for a.250 batting average, but that one hit always seemed to be a big hit for the team. Some players just have a sense of the moment and an inner confidence that they are the right person for the situation. Good clutch hitters are able to focus on the moment. They do this by focusing on the things they can control, which is simply taking a good swing at a good pitch. These clutch hitters do not over-swing, try to hard or get too "up-tight" to perform.

With this in mind, following are coaching tips to help ballplayers become good clutch hitters:

1. Explain to players what was alluded to above, that "clutch hitting" involves more than just an RBI hit or a game winning hit. For example, just getting on base with a walk or single can be very "clutch."
2. Put players in known clutch situations in practice as much as possible. "Two outs, bases loaded, game on the line and here is the pitch," is a good batting practice idea. When players are put in clutch situations often enough, they will develop the sense of having "been there before," which may enhance their confidence and give them reassuring feelings.
3. Explain to players that no one will remember for very long if they make an out but everyone will remember, for a long time, if they come through with a big hit. In this manner, players will begin to feel like they do not have much to lose, which should ease the pressure. This also serves to have players look forward to the opportunity.
4. Good coaches do not over-coach by making more of a situation than it is. This can be done by staying calm and just telling hitters to "get a good pitch to hit." Coaches should be careful not to change their demeanor or overload players with distracting instructional tips, especially during intense game situations.
5. Ask players in practice who wants to be up to bat with the game on the line. Most if not all will say they want to be, even if they are not sure. This "mental preparation" will help players prepare for the situation before they are in the actual situation.
6. Occasionally saying to different players that you want them to be the player up to bat with the game on the line shows your confidence in the player, which should help the player's confidence.
7. Coaches should not show disappointment in front of players when they do not come through in the clutch, so that players will not shy away from wanting to be up in that same clutch situation the next time. Parents of players should be sure and follow this point also, because kids definitely do not want to disappoint their parents.

Finally, one thing that I did as a player was to begin preparing myself for game ending situations. When a game was close in score, I would begin about the sixth or seventh inning to visualize being up in the last inning with the game on the line. This was great preparation for the eventual situation where I came to bat with the game in the balance.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

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


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Youth Baseball Coaching Drill For Timid Hitters

Youth Baseball Coaching Drill For Timid Hitters
By Chip Lemin

I'm sure most of you have worked with batters who constantly bail out of the batters box no matter what. It seems that this player will begin his bail out before he even really knows where the pitch is going. Here is a drill to try that may have some impact; I'm not saying it is a cure for this problem. It will get the hitter to look first at least before they start their getaway.

Start out using tennis balls for this drill. Have the batter get into the box, and throw some pitches behind them. This should get the batter to realize that they can't just blindly back out of the box, because in youth baseball, they will see pitches behind them, only not on purpose! This will give the timid batter some level of comfort by making them feel safer at the plate. This will get the hitter to really focus on the ball, which is what we want them to do anyway. Throw lots pitches to them, this is not a quick fix method but it should begin to help. After some time, the hitter will begin to notice that they don't have to duck away from good pitches. They will stay put and try to hit the ball instead. You can also have the hitter take a bunch of short strides toward whichever side of the field you need them to. Have them over compensate to begin with, because you know when a pitch comes they will most likely start to move back out in to middle which is closer to our goal anyway.

You can also have the batter just stand in the box when you have a pitcher and catcher warming up. Tell them just to follow the ball into the catcher's glove. This will let them relax some with out the stress of having to hit the ball. Learning how to hit a baseball is a difficult skill to master anyway. When your player is afraid of the ball is makes it much harder to learn to hit. Youth baseball players will respond to good teaching techniques when properly applied. Make sure not to embarrass the player, and do not tolerate any other players doing so.

Coaching youth baseball at any level is great privileged, so get all the info you can. Make sure you are kind and patient even if you don't feel like it at the time. I commend anyone would will take the time and responsibility to coach youth baseball, we need more like you.

Thanks Coach Chip Lemin 440 465 3337

Hello My name is Chip Lemin. I'm a long time youth baseball coach who loves to promote this great game of youth baseball. Promoting sportsmanship in this game of youth baseball is something that really needs I feel. I have a free course that will give you some solid coaching information along with great help on the inter-personal relationships we must have to be good youth baseball coaches.

Things such as parents, travel baseball, getting parents to help out, how to communicate better to parents and players, just to touch on a few. This course will help to organize practices like an elite coach. How to motivate players and other coaches with your positive attitude. It really is not very hard to be a great coach when you know what to do.Best of all you will learn how to have fun with these great kids that you have the privilege of coaching. Do yourself a favor and check it out, it's free,you will get 1 part every couple of days in your e-mail. Coaching can be fun and rewarding if you have a plan in place first, and you have an idea what you are doing. I would like to help you.

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

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Baseball Drills and Beyond to Attain a Scholarship

By Anthony J Pensabene

College is very important regarding a young person's future. Fortunately, there are many options to employ to get there such as financial aid and private loans. In addition, many athletes receive monetary aid in attending college due to athletic scholarships. A young man looking to improve his future can leverage superior baseball skills to acquire a college scholarship. The following article features several suggestions to help a young person work towards attaining a baseball scholarship.

Do baseball drills on your own

Becoming a college athlete does take superior skills, yet such skills can be developed with dedication and focus. Often, more practice is what separates those who do well in sports and those who excel. Is practice canceled for the day? No practice scheduled for the weekend? Do you have some spare time on vacation? Scholarships await those who are dedicated towards their sport. Do baseball drills on your own to make yourself a better player tomorrow than you are today.

Do well in school

Young people receiving athletic scholarships rarely do so based solely upon athletic merit. Universities granting funds look for candidates who are exceptional in many areas including scholastic pursuits. Often, athletes can use discipline learned in sports to successfully address school obligations. In addition, good coaches make it a point to express the importance of school work and progress to their student athletes.

Attend summer baseball camps

Little league and high school baseball seasons usually take place between the months of March and June. Luckily, summer baseball camps are available so athletes can continue to engage in baseball drills and enjoy the benefits of youth baseball instruction. Student athletes can mention their attendance on their college 'resumes.' In addition, college recruiters are often savvy about the existence of such camps and rove for future potential.

Take private baseball lessons

An aspiring college athlete can really benefit from one-on-one instruction. Private baseball lessons are often available through local facilities or leagues. Instructors can focus on one or multiple areas of a young player's game in order to facilitate improvement and progress. Private lessons are a great supplement to baseball training programs offered at a player's school.

ZonedInc ( http://www.zonedinc.com ) is founded on the belief that it will provide premium instruction and assistance to all student athletes to better their skills and opportunities. It looks to expand the student athlete's possibilities for achievement and success. Zoned will endeavor to assist both genders, initially through baseball instruction and softball instruction, and eventually through a wide spectrum of sports and disciplines.

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

What is More Important For Baseball, Running Speed Or Overall Athleticism?

By Mike Posey

A number of years ago I was helping at a local tryout camp for a Major League Baseball Team. We had about 50 attending an open tryout in the area for players ranging in ages from 16-23. I arrived early and helped measure and paint a line for the 60 yard dash. If you have ever been to any type of MLB tryout or even a top baseball showcase, they will always start the day off with a 60 yard dash. That morning was no different. We split the players up into several groups and had them begin stretching, then we started to run them in pairs. At the end of the testing we had a young man that was 23 years old and a recent small college football player that ran a 6.3 second 60 yard dash.

If you know anything about the 60, that is an extremely good time, and the best I have ever witnessed. The scout running the tryout (who had scouted for over 30 years and signed a number of big league players) said it was the best he had ever timed. In fact, he asked the young man to run it a second time, just to make sure. The time was the same. The next thing the scout said to me was "If he can hit, field, or throw we will sign him to a contract today" Unfortunately, he had never played baseball before and had no other baseball skills.

All MLB teams still use the 60 yard dash today, but only has a starting point to measure speed and quickness. It has been a standard for some time and is a good indicator of the speed needed on the field. The distance from 1B to 3B is 180 feet (60 yards). also outfielders have to cover a large area in the outfield when catching fly balls. The average major league player will run the 60 yard dash in a time under 7.0 seconds, but this is more important for middle infielders and outfielders. Power hitting first/third basemen, catchers, and pitchers do not need to run a good 60 time.

Overall a baseball player must still have specific skills and instincts. Without the ability to run the bases, throw and catch, and hit a fastball, running speed is not very helpful.

There are many that will tell you that Major League Baseball is behind in evaluating athletes and that the measurement for the 60 yard dash is outdated. In the late 1990s and early 2000 the SPARQ testing system was designed to test overall athleticism in several sports, baseball included. SPARQ stands for speed, power, agility, and quickness. The overall idea was developed by Rudy Chapa, a former All American cross country and track runner at the University of Oregon. The baseball testing for SPARQ was developed by ERic Trice of Trice Athletics in 2006, while he was working for SPARQ. Trice was a former track and professional baseball athlete. SPARQ has been used by Nike as overall marketing tool (a very popular one) since 2004 to sell cross training footwear, apparel, and equipment.

The SPARQ testing for baseball consists of the following tests:

- 20 Yard Shuttle Run: Lateral movement testing that measures agility
- 30 Yard Dash: Measures acceleration
- Rotational (3 kg) Power Ball Throw: Measures core strength, total body power, and rotational core movement common in baseball.
- Vertical Jump: Overall athleticism

The overall testing involved in SPARQ is good, but MLB still embraces the 60 yard dash. The SPARQ rating system has been accepted more by football than baseball so far, although a number of Universities and top baseball showcases are using the SPARQ testing.

Another component to the SPARQ system is SPARQ training. This second component is the training system to help young athletes improve. Individuals can obtain certification, videos, and training tools in order to set up shop and begin the business of training young athletes. The problem is that some individuals obtaining the credentials and equipment are not always fully certified athletic trainers. SPARQ is in the current process of reevaluating its rating and training certification, although many SPARQ events are still being held across the country.

For now, MLB will continue to use the 60 yard dash. One thing for sure, with the right type of training in both strength and technique, a player can become more athletic and explosive. With enough hard work and dedication by the athlete their running times can be improved and the overall confidence of the athlete will increase.

To learn more about improving your players time in the 60 yard dash and learn why football uses the 40 yard dash for testing CLICK HERE!

Mike Posey
Expert Baseball Tips from a championship coach's perspective and experience, offering creative insights into helping others learn the game of baseball. Sign up for a Free Baseball Newsletter

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Baseball Pitching Tips - How to Communicate With Your Teammates is Critical For You!

By Larry Cicchiello

I can write forever about the necessity of good communication for a pitcher with all his teammates. It's not something that's taught very often but it can affect the outcome of the baseball game.

What can be more frustrating than losing a game because a catcher got crossed up and missed a pitch because he thought the fastball was being thrown and was surprised by the curve ball? Or losing a game because an infielder throws the ball away when throwing to a base where he had no chance of getting the runner anyway? Those are just two examples of breakdowns in communication.

Talk on the baseball field and then talk even more!

A pitcher can be MOST helpful to his catcher and infielders. On popups or fly balls, he should both yell and point. On pitches that get away from the catcher, yell and point.

Speaking of balls that get away from the catcher and the catcher can't find the ball, here's what happened back in 2005. My son was playing in a game and the catcher on his team could not find a pitched ball in the dirt that he had blocked. He looked left, right, in front of him and behind him. Some loud mouth spectator, standing on the side of the backstop yelled, "Left foot, left foot." The catcher then looked down by his left foot and there was the ball, just about an inch from his left heel. Neither of the two runners on base was able to advance.

The man who yelled loudly will remain anonymous. It's someone I know very, very well. (Okay, okay, I couldn't help myself from yelling.) My big question is why weren't the players on his team yelling that to him instead of me?

Probably because kids are not taught the value of communicating with their teammates.

Some Examples Of Communication For Pitchers:


Your fielder makes a great play. If he's an outfielder, point to him, give him the thumbs up sign, and let EVERYBODY see you doing this.
Your infielder makes a great play. Walk half way toward him and point to him and tell him how great he is. Say something like, "You are the best third baseman I've ever seen."
Your fielder makes a terrible play. At the end of the inning, he very well may be hanging his head. Walk over to him and tell him, "Don't hang your head Johnny. You make 20 great plays for every one you have trouble with. You're the best around."
Your first baseman or third baseman is going near the fence to catch a foul popup. Tell him something like," You've got room Johnny, you've got room."
A slow roller down the first base or third base line and your catcher and fielder don't know who is going to pick it up. You be the one and shout out the name of the player who you think should field the ball. What's more frustrating than have them both come to a halt because each of them thought the other one was going to field the ball?

Communicate with your teammates. It is a huge part of successful baseball!

Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at LarryBaseball.com.

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


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10 Health Tips Every Youth Baseball Coach Should Know

Issued By Temple University Hospital

Its 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 one tip coaches should remember is that children are not miniature adults and shouldn't be treated as such," says Jim Rogers, a certified athletic trainer in Temple University Hospital's sports Medicine Center.

"This may seem obvious, but many adults don't realize children's bodies can't take the same amount of physical stress adult bodies can take. That's because children are still growing and therefore are more susceptible to injury."

Rogers offers coaches these other tips to prevent injury:

Stretching the muscles related to the activity is very important. For example, if a child is pitching, he should concentrate on stretching his arm and back muscles. If a child is catching, the focus should be on the legs and back.


A good warm-tip is just as important as stretching. A warm-up can involve light calisthenics or a short jog. This helps raise the core body temperature and prepares all the body's muscles for physical activity.


Children should not be encouraged to "play through pain." Pain is a warning sign of injury. Ignoring it can lead to greater injury.


Swelling with pain and limitation of motion are two signs that are especially significant in children -- don't ignore them. They may mean the child has a more serious injury than initially suspected.


Rest is by far the most powerful therapy in youth sports injuries. Nothing helps an injury heal faster than rest.


Children who play on more than one team are especially at risk for overuse injuries. Overuse injuries are caused by repetitive stress put on the same part of the body over and over again.


Injuries that look like sprains in adults can be fractures in children. Children are more susceptible to fractures, because their bones are still growing.


Children's growth spurts can make for increased risk of injury. A particularly sensitive area in a child's body during a growth spurt is the growth plate -- the area of growth in the bone. Growth plates are weak spots in a child's body and can be the source of injury if the child is pushed beyond his limit athletically.


Ice is a universal first-aid treatment for minor sports injuries. Regular ice packs -- not chemical packs -- should be available at all games and practices. Ice controls the pain and swelling caused by common injuries such as sprains, strains and contusions.


Temple University Health Science Center news releases can be accessed on-line through CompuServe in the SciNews-MedNews library of the Journalism Forum under file extension ".TMM"