How To Hit a Baseball - A Great Example

How To Hit a Baseball - A Great Example
By Jeffery A Wise

This year there was a story about a prep baseball player who is a great example for others to learn how to hit a baseball. Ethan Bennett plays for a high school in Knoxville, TN called Farragut. He amazed fans and spectators with a state record 27 home runs and 73 RBIs.

In addition, Bennett made a national record by hitting a home run in 10 consecutive games. He also has won three state championships in a row. It's not surprising that he's signed with the University of Tennessee next year.

It's extremely difficult for a high school student to have numbers like this. Seasons in high school are pretty short. They play less than a third of the games Major Leaguers do. Needless to say, it's not common to find a player like Bennett.

If you were to talk to Bennett, he would most likely tell you how hard he practiced to be a successful hitter. Let his story encourage you. With a lot of practice and hard work, you could have great numbers too.

You may have a desire to hit as many home runs as Bennett did in a season, but please remember that home runs aren't the most important when it comes to hitting. Every team needs all types of hitters including power hitters, those who move runners over, those who are fast, those who hit for average and those who bunt well. Don't be discouraged if you're not the power hitter. Your team still needs you.

You may already know what type of hitter you are. Ask your coach how you can be even better at what you're good at. Practice hard and be committed to being your best!

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of how to hit a baseball so that you can help your team win. Start learning today by visiting our baseball hitting blog, reading our information and watching our videos.

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

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Coaching Baseball : How to Measure Glove Size

Coaching Baseball : How to Measure Glove Size
expertvillage To determine a baseball glove size, measure the base of the mitt to the outside edge of the glove. Learn more about measuring baseball gloves with tips from a baseball coach in this free video about playing baseball.

Expert: Mike Nolan
Bio: Mike Nolan works as a strength coach and baseball instructor for Coastal Athletics in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Great Catcher's Conditioning Drill - DanBlewett.com

Great Catcher's Conditioning Drill - DanBlewett.com
dblewett20 Here is a simple, functional drill to get catchers into fantastic baseball shape.

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Baseball Drills - Outfield Drills for Game Day Skills

Baseball Drills - Outfield Drills for Game Day Skills
By guest author: Kenny Buford

There is more to developing outfield skills than just playing catch. Outfielders need baseball drills that will prepare them for conditions they will face on game day. The following outfield drills help players become comfortable with any situation they might encounter during a game.

Sun Drill

For this drill, the players line up facing the sun and take turns catching fly balls from the coach. The players can wear sun glasses, but often the glare is still too much. Outfielders need to get used to using their gloves to block the sun while watching for the ball. Over time, the players will develop an approach for using the glove to see while also preparing for the catch and will feel confident in the outfield on sunny game days.

Fence Drill

This outfield drill teaches players how to correctly go for a catch against the fence. A lot of factors will come into play in this type of situation during a game, like where the ball is, how hard it is hit, and its elevation as it approaches the fence. However, with practice outfielders can become more comfortable going for the fence.

In this drill, the outfielders should start 10 to 15 feet away from the fence. One at a time, the coach throws high fly balls either above or against the fence. The outfielder takes his ready steps and rushes to the fence, keeping his eyes on the ball and his throwing hand outstretched to guide him and protect him from running into the fence. The player then makes the catch, jumping in front of or leaning against the fence.

Line Drive Drill

Line players up in the outfield and have them take turns running the drill. The first outfielder takes his ready step as the coach throws a line drive toward his knees. The player runs directly at the coach, keeping his palms up and his glove in basket form. When he catches the ball, the player shoots his glove up in the air to show the umpire he got it.

Backup Drill

This drill emphasizes communication in the outfield and prepares players to back each other up on fly balls.

For this drill, the players form two lines in the outfield, about 90 feet apart. The coach hits or throws a fly ball between the first two players in each line. The players have to communicate who is going for the catch, making sure not to run into each other while still watching the ball. The player going for the catch should yell "got it" and the other player should respond "take it." The second player should still back up the first player in case the ball gets through.

And if you'd like to see more free baseball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:

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

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

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Seven Steps on How to Hit a Baseball

Seven Steps on How to Hit a Baseball
By Ryan P Andrews

Hitting a baseball is one of the hardest things to do in sports. It takes time and a lot of practice to hit one just right. There are seven key steps to hitting a baseball that I have used and should be used to hitting a baseball properly.

Picking out the bat is a key step in hitting a baseball. You shouldn't pick out a bat that is too heavy or too long for yourself. For a beginner the lighter the bat the better it is to practice and learn. As you begin to learn how to hit a baseball you can pick out a bat that is more comfortable for you to use. One way of doing this is holding the bat straight out. If you can hold the bat straight out without it bending the bat it is perfect for you.

Your stance is a crucial part of your swing. You must have an athletic stance that is comfortable for you. Stances can vary in many different ways, upright, crouched, open, and closed stances, are main areas that stances can be used. Pick one and if you are comfortable with the stance continue using it. Your position is the batter's box also helps with your stance. You can stand anywhere you want inside the box but you don't want a too wide of a stance because you will not get enough power out of your swing.

The grip you have on the handle of the bat is the second key step to your swing. You should have a firm grip on the bat but not too tight. If you are right-handed, your right hand is on top and your left hand is on the bottom, vice versa for lefties. You don't want to be choking the handle because that tenses up your muscles. You should be able to move the bat in a circular motion in your hands to know that your grip is good.

After stepping into the batter's box you should be focusing on the pitcher. Both of your eyes should be following the ball the whole time. If you are following the ball perfectly you should know what type of pitch it is and where the location will be right out of the pitchers hand.

Your stride is the last step in your swing. The stride triggers your whole body. It creates a wave of energy from your legs all the way up to your arms and shoulders. Your stride shouldn't be any longer than a foot. Once your foot touches down your arms are ready to follow through.

The key to hitting a baseball is a level swing. Always try to keep the barrel of the bat level with the path of the baseball. This way you have a less margin of error. If your bat is level you can still get a hit majority of the time. You can slightly be below or above the ball and still be able to get a hit.

After connecting with the ball you must follow through. Don't stop when you hit the ball, continue through the ball. If you stop your swing you lose all the power that you have created before. After you swing your bat should be able to touch the back of your shoulder.

In conclusion, hitting a baseball isn't easy but with these seven key steps it should help you. By using these steps won't help you in one day; it takes a lot of time and effort to perfect a baseball swing and how to hit a baseball.

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

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The Benefits of Sending Your Child to Summer Camp

The Benefits of Sending Your Child to Summer Camp
By guest author: Julie Pitts

When summer starts and the kids are home it can be difficult to keep them entertained. You want them to continue to have the social interactions, the learning experiences, and the fun that they experience while in school. But, it can be tough to keep this up, especially if you work full time. A smart answer is to send your children to camp.

There are plenty of benefits that come from sending your child to camp. For one, you will get them out of the house, away from the TV and video games, away from nagging each other and becoming bored. They will be able to play out some of their energy with exercise and activities. And, they will have time outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

Sending your child to summer camp will also add social interaction into their lives. If they are going to a camp with classmates they will be able to keep contact throughout the summer so that they don't lose touch during the break from school. Plus, they will have the opportunity to meet children that might not be from their school or area. This gives them a diverse social circle to play, learn, and talk with. Camp creates an atmosphere where your child can meet new people and build lasting friendships.

Another benefit of summer camp is that your child will be put into a new environment. They will gain independence and experience new things. They can use the knowledge they obtained throughout the school year and apply it to their camp activities. It will be a fun and exciting way for your child to continuously learn and grow throughout the summer.

As for what camp to choose, there are summer camps designed to meet any child's interest. They can be general and offer a variety of activities like arts and crafts, games, theater, and outdoor fun. Or, the camp can be specific to a certain sport like gymnastic camp or baseball camp, or to a specific activity like kids fitness camps. Depending on the age of your son or daughter you might consider a sleep away camp. This will give them the added experience of caring for themselves during the period they are away. For younger children, most areas offer plenty of half or full day camp options. These would keep them on a similar schedule as the school year.

When deciding on which camp to choose, it is good to take into consideration your child's age, likes or dislikes, and expectations. Although a little persuasion might be necessary, you do not want to force your child into a camp that does not fit them. Include your child in the selection process. Make it an exciting time and you and your child will be sure to benefit from your collective decision. Summer camps will not only keep your children entertained, they will also create lasting memories and life-long friendships!

Gym Carolina offers great summer camp options for your child. We are a gymnastic facility serving the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Our goal is to teach gymnastics in a fun and safe environment, where children can build self-esteem while learning. Check out our website for track out camp information.

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

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Pick Off Move For A Lefty

Pick Off Move For A Lefty
ISGvids107
There are many steps a pitcher needs to follow when throwing over to first base. This video will lay out the steps necessary and guide you in the right direction. This does take years of practice so do not become frustrated and keep working at your fundamentals. For more videos like this go to http://www.isportsgallery.net/

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4 Baseball Pitching Drills For Little League Players

4 Baseball Pitching Drills For Little League Players
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Teaching, training and developing young baseball pitchers takes a lot of time, patience, and practice repetition. Many young pitchers need to practice pitching skills daily. To keep the interest level high, it is best to use a variety of drills on alternate days to prevent boredom. Here are 4 baseball pitching drills that can be used to train youth and beginner pitchers.

Drill #1 - Up & Out Foot Drill Objective - To help pitchers perfect the proper back leg action. The purpose of this drill is to stop foot drag and prevent over striding.

Equipment Needed - A brick, block or wood or other suitable object. The object will be placed at a location just in front of the pivot foot of the pitcher. The pitcher will be working out of the stretch. The pitcher should be reminded to roll and pick his back foot up so that it clears the object.

Procedure - The pitcher throws using his normal motion and delivery. If the pitcher fails to clear the object, then his back foot is "dragging" or he is over striding. Young pitchers should be coached to step out of the "hold" and up and over the block.

Drill #2 - Dot Spot Drill Objective - The purpose of this drill is to build confidence, to teach young pitchers to hit their spots and to teach young pitchers to have great control.

Equipment Needed - Good balls, Catching equipment, and glove.

Procedure - The catcher has 4 dots on his gear. The 4 dots or spots are different colors or they each have a number on them. The dots are taped to each knee on the shin guards and one to the left shoulder and right shoulder. The catcher or coach calls a color or a number. The pitcher must hit the dot called. The pitcher has 6 pitches to hit all 4 of the dots. All dots should be called in different orders each time. If the pitcher fails to hit 4 dots correctly, the pitcher must do 10 push ups. Two pitchers can compete to see which finishes first. The dots may be placed lower on the catcher to stress keeping the ball low or down in the zone.

Drill #3 Long Toss - Power Building Drill - Pitchers should long toss several times a week to build strength and endurance. The two players should warm-up as usual and then move back a few steps after each 4 throws. Pitchers should be able to increase their strength and extend their distances within weeks. Pitchers of all ages should work out to a distance at least 3 times their normal pitching distance. Some coaches allow players to "crow hop" at the farthest distances. That is up to you.

Drill #4 - Front Side Drill Objective - This drill is used to teach and reinforce the proper front shoulder action during delivery.

The drill is performed as the pitcher kneels on the pivot-leg knee. The pitcher will begin the drill with the throwing arm in the "T -position" and the stride foot aimed at the plate. The pitcher begins the throwing motion by pulling and tucking his front arm and glove. At the same time he is bringing his throwing arm and shoulder around and toward the plate. The drill should be performed many times to give the pitcher the feel of proper mechanics and front shoulder movement. The front elbow should be used as the guide for the front side. The glove should be extended out and tucked as the pitcher rolls his lead shoulder and pulls it in. This deceptive move is used to distract and deceive batters. The drill should be finished with the throwing arm in proper finish position outside the stride leg knee.

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Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog.

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Baseball Bat Sizing - How to Choose a Ball Bat

Baseball Bat Sizing - How to Choose a Ball Bat
By guest author: Ben Theismann

Baseball Bat Sizing is an inexact science with many different variables including body types, size, height, personal preference, and skill set. Buying the correct ball bat can have a big impact on batting average and power numbers over the course of a season whether you are in little league, high school, or college.

Bats are made from many different materials including aluminum, graphite/titanium, and wood. Each of these materials breaks down into various other materials such as different types of wood used to make wood bats. They also bring unique characteristics and advantages to help improve your game.

Aluminum bats is the lightest of the three materials helping you increase bat speed and accuracy. Aluminum bats drive the ball farther than the other two materials. These bats come in double or single layer versions that can offer more durability and power.

Wood bats can be made from maple, oak, and other strong trees. They bring the familiar crack of the bat and are required use in lots of league styles. Long, wide grain wood is the best selection. While wood bats tend to crack or break, the price point is lower and they provide a true sense of skill since hitting is not enhanced.

To find the bat size that fits you best, you should review this chart:

5-7 yrs: 24"-26"

8-9 yrs: 26"-28"

10 yrs: 28"-29"

11-12 yrs: 30"-31"

13-14 yrs: 31"-32"

15-16 yrs: 32"-33"

17+ yrs: 34"

While it is not set in stone, the baseball bat sizing chart helps give you a good idea where to start when selecting a bat. Obviously body type and size will also determine if you should go up in size or down.

Choosing weight comes down to your strength and your hitting style. Average hitters normally choose a lighter weight bat to gain more control while power hitters tend to use heavier bats.

The basic baseball bat sizing information should help you select the best baseball bat for your needs.

Ben Theismann is a freelance writer with an expertise in health, sports, and fitness related topics. Ben currently produces articles, press releases, product copywriting, and other writing assignments for numerous internet companies.

Baseball Rampage is a leading retailer of baseball equipment by Easton, Reebok, Nike, and more. Review and rate baseball gear, follow us on Twitter, or be a fan on Facebook. Baseball Rampage recommends trying a wood baseball bat in competition to feel the true baseball experience. Visit Baseball Rampage to find low prices on baseball bats, gloves, catchers equipment, and more.

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