Baseball Coaching and Training Equipment Blog

Welcome to the Coachesbest.com official baseball coaching and training blog. Our free baseball coaching articles, drills and tips will help your improve your baseball training and baseball practice. Our daily posts and archives provide you with tips to help you plan your baseball practices and baseball workouts. Make sure to save or bookmark this site to your favorites for future visits. Good luck to your team!

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Ultimate Baseball Pitchers and Catchers Plate - Used by 10 of the Top 25 D-1 Baseball Teams!


The new patent pending training aid for pitchers and catchers emphasizes what the best coaches in the world are teaching their pitchers and catchers. It has always been said that baseball is a game of inches, and it is these inches around the plate that are so important.

The ULTIMATE PITCHER’S and CATCHER’S PLATE is a very simple tool to use. The orange edges are 5" wide on the top and 7" wide on the bottom front of the plate and are a visual target for the pitcher to see. The 5” orange edges and white part of the plate cover 2.5” of a traditional home plate and 2.5” off of a traditional home plate.

The back part of the plate is to help position the catcher. The catcher is to center his or her body on the point of the white part of the plate giving the pitcher the ultimate target to throw to on either corner of the plate. This outstanding training tool is also perfect for fastpitch softball pitchers and catchers.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Batting Cage For Sale at BattingCagesDirect.com



BattingCagesDirect.com has your batting cage for sale for home, team and school use. We specialize in complete cage and frame packages for home use that provide you with a complete cage setup at one low price. We also have your batting cage for sale without frames and all types of screens.

Order securely online or by phone. 1-877-431-4487. Our friendly staff will be glad to help you any way they can. Our office hours are 8:00 to 5:00 CST.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Albert Pujols Baseball Training Bats


All the Tools You Need for More Power. Want to hit better and have more Power behind your swing? The SKLZ Baseball Power Package has all the tools you need:


Power Stick
Improves batters' power and contact
Swing with heavier weight to build power, or lighten for more repetition.
Multi-position bat adjusts to regulation lengths: adjust length between 28 and 34 inches
Add or remove screw-in weights (1oz., 2oz., 3oz.) for combinations of -3 to -10
Swing weights
Durable steel design
For use with practice balls only (2 plastic golf-size balls included)


Sweet Spot Bat
Heavy-duty construction (2 5/8" - Adult version or 2 1/4" - Youth Version all-bamboo barrel and handle with reinforced fiberglass rod)
Strong enough for live pitching, great with swing trainers
Instant feedback and "sting" if hit too far off center
Improves batters' ability to hit on the sweet spot for power and distance
Multiple sizes to simulate regulation baseball bat lengths (31", 33" Adult or 28", 30", 32" Youth)


Variable Bat Weight
Includes Bat Weight and 4 weights of 5 ounces each
Fits all baseball bats
Remove or add weights to four separate and secure Velco® pockets
Weight gets positioned toward optimal "sweet spot" area of the bag
Build arm strength
Easy on and off design


--------------Variable Length Swing Trainer.

---Narrow your focus and broaden your game.

---Adjust the Quick Stick swing trainer to the regulation length you want, and get plenty of swings for maximizing hand speed, hand-eye coordination and contact.

Practice Is What It Takes To Become A Complete Baseball Player.

Practice Is What It Takes To Become A Complete Baseball Player.
By: Robert Michael

Baseball is primarily a game of skill and therefore the best athlete doesn't always make the best baseball player. This is especially true if they don't have the skills needed to be a complete player. Baseball is a game of pitching, catching, base running, throwing, and hitting.

If you want to improve in these areas you must practice, practice, practice. It can be particularly helpful to practice very quickly going from one drill to the other. But you must stay focused on getting the most out of every drill session. If you just go through the motions you're surely develop bad habits. You have to focus on quality practice.

Therefore practice as much as you can while seeking quality training sessions. Here is some information and tips for you to keep in mind while you practice. These will surely help you improve your game.
Throwing the ball
Grab the ball with your index finger and middle finger along the seams of the baseball while keeping your thumb underneath it. As you prepare to throw square up your shoulders, move towards a target and throw with a � arm action.
Fielding the ball.
In order to maintain good balance keep your feet spread and get down. You do not want the ball to go down between your legs. You should have your glove in front of you so you can block the ball and see it go into the glove. Then raise the ball up your midsection to throw.
Catching fly balls
In order to catch a fly ball from the outfield you should be striding toward your target and you want to be behind the wall. First of all, you can see the ball and secondly, you can get into your stride to throw to your target.
Finally, be sure to catch the ball above the shoulder with your elbow bent. This will help cushion as you catch.
Batting stance
For the most part, you want to balance your stance with your feet shoulder length apart. In order to keep your balance keep your toes pointed inward slightly. You should be looking at the pitcher with your head level.
Pitching
A good pitcher wants to achieve consistent strikes using proper mechanics in order to reduce the chances of an injury. Vary the speed of your pitches and you'll keep the batter confused and off timing. You should learn to find the ball inside, outside, up and down.
Base running
You should always run in a way to give yourself optimum top speed. For example, if you're running for more than one base you need to keep your steps so you hit the base with your right foot as you get less arc and therefore you keep a more consistent stride and don't lose speed towards next base.

These tips are just the beginning when it comes to learning how to improve your baseball game. Practice, practice, and practice is what it takes to become a complete baseball player.

Have a great day, Coach Nick

Baseball2u.com BatAction.com HandsBackHitter.comBaseballCoachesDigest.com Baseball2Day Coaching Journal

Monday, January 12, 2009

New Product: Advanced Skill Batting Tee - Video Demonstration

Advanced Skills Tee batting tees are simply the best all-around batting tees available. Unlike traditional batting tees, the AST has a forward arm to eliminate "dipping" or uppercut type swings and a flexible outside barrier to eliminate "casting" and looping bats simultaneously during batting practice. The unique brush cup ball holder gives a clean swish through the ball. Developed by a high school coach, the AST batting tee is made of durable polyurethane to stand up to high bat speeds and team practices.

"Our team trains daily on the Muhl Tech Advanced Skills Tee. The forward arm and outside barrier helps our players create a proper swing plane and stay short to the ball. These batting tees are extremely durable and the brush cup ball holder is a great idea, they have held up for years. I would recommend them to any baseball program."

"Stan McKeever - Head Baseball CoachLa Cueva High School,Albuquerque, NM2004 Collegiate Baseball America/Easton Sports Poll National Champions

Video Demo of the Advanced Skills Hitting Tee

Batting Cage Kits – “Build Your Backyard Batting Cage For Less”


Batting Cage Kits – “Build Your Backyard Batting Cage For Less”

Batting Cage Kits can be a great option to choose when you build your own batting cage. If you are on a limited budget or wish to save as much money and time as possible, using a kit is your best choice.

A batting cage kit contains everything you need to build your batting cage including the net, the frame, all hardware, and easy-to-follow instructions and everything is shipped directly to your home or business. Using a batting cage net and frame kit will definitely save you time, money, and a lot of headaches. Building a batting cage is a project that takes careful planning, organization and work.

Here I outline the basic steps to using a batting cage kit to install your backyard batting cage.


Step 1 – Set your budget. You can purchase a batting cage kit for almost any budget. The amount of money you spend will determine the size, weight, and features of your new batting cage.
Step 2 – Pick your spot. You must first decide where you want to install your new batting cage to be located. The chosen site must be level ground and well drained.

Step 3 – Access your space. Step off your chosen backyard batting cage spot to determine the amount of space you have. You need to determine the amount of width and length you have to work with. This will determine the length and width of your batting cage. Height should not be an issue unless you are installing your cage inside with a ceiling.


Common sizes of cages are: 70’ L x 14’ W x 12’ H 60’L x 12’ W x 12’ H 50’L x 12’ W x 12’ H Common weights of cages are: # 21 #36 #42


Step 5 – Determine your net configuration. You must choose the width and length of your new cage based on the budget you have and the space you have available. The longer the cage and the heavier the net, the more expensive the kit will be. For home use, you may opt to buy a lighter weight net such as a #21 to save money. This weight is suitable for home use and the life expectancy is up to 5 to 6 years if you store it inside during the winter months. #36 netting is more expensive but the heavier weight makes it more suitable for use by older players and teams.
Step 6 – Order your net and frame kit. There are many companies that sell net and frame kits. Choose one that is licensed, has toll-free phone service, and that has regular office hours. These companies are companies that are reputable that have staff and consultants readily available to answer your questions and to assist you if you need additional assistance.
Step 7 – When your package arrives. There will be a packing list. Unpack everything and make sure that everything has arrived. Lay everything out to make it readily available when you need each component.


List Shown Below: Step 7 – Batting Cage Kits come with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. Detailed and well written instructions, such as those shown below, make it easier for you to build your batting cage.

Batting Cage Kits are available in various sizes and price rabges from CompleteBattingcages.com.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Looking for a great new Baseball Training Bats - Try BAMBOO


>>Increases your quickness
>>>Durable Bamboo Construction
>>>>Grip takes the sting off hits
>>>Improve hand/eye coordination
>>Use with any size or type of balls

See immediate improvement just by taking your normal batting practice swings!


The narrow SLKZ® Live Wire training bat features a heavy-duty bamboo construction and a padded handle. The Live Wire narrows your focus on live pitching, swing trainers, and soft toss. It's ideal for hitting SKLZ® Small Balls (not included).


Features
Narrow 1 5/8-in barrel diameter bat allows for building greater eye-hand coordination
Can be used with all types of training including live pitching
Heavy-duty bamboo construction provides strength and real game-bat weight
Handle wrap provides comfort
Available in 4 standard bat lengths: 28 in, 30 in, 32 in and 34 in