Coaching Baseball - Post- and Pre-Season Conditioning by Bartons Youth Baseball

STRETCHING: Players should involve themselves in simple stretching exercises every day. Work those hamstrings and lower back muscles for the running you'll do in the springtime. Take special care to loosen up arm and shoulder muscles. "Reach for the Sky," "Swing your arms in Circles"; really get the blood flowing.

THROWING: I don't advise playing catch outside in less than 40-degree weather. Even then, exercise caution. Try to find gym time where players can toss and work on throwing and receiving mechanics. Don't let the players "air it out" and throw hard in these early sessions. Pitchers can work on their form and mechanics, and throw easily with the "5 Steps of Pitching."


BATTING: The ideal is to secure indoor batting cage time, but there are easy drills that you can do right in your garage or basement. Have players start by just swinging the bat 10, 20, 30 times a day correctly. Make sure the swings are done correctly and with balance. No "chopping wood" or hacking when they get tired. Build up the repetitions over time. Soft toss wiffle golfballs or even more inexpensively, roll up white adhesive tape into balls and soft toss them. I've done this with high school players for 20 years. You get a great number of repetitions and you don't break things.

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Handsbackhitter.com - The trainer that teaches the perfect swing.

Hitting With Big Barrel Bats in Youth League

By Mike Posey

My eight year old was playing baseball this fall on a coached pitched team. It was the perfect situation for the fall with only one practice every Sunday afternoon from 2:00-3:30. It was a great experience, one in which he learned a lot. He also had a great time with the other kids on the team. We were also playing flag football during the fall, so we didn't have a lot of time for extended fall ball, plus he is only 8 so I wasn't interested in having him involved with a team that was going to play games every week in the fall. I'm not a big proponent of playing year round baseball, but I'll save that for another article.

The coaches decided they would try to play a couple of games and put into action what they had been teaching during the Sunday practices. We traveled about 45 minutes away on a nice Saturday during the mid fall to play a double header with another eight year old team. It was a good experience but I was shocked when I watched the other team hit. Yes, they beat us in both games 20-8 and 17-9, but that wasn't what shocked me, it was the bats they were using - Big Barrel Bats.

Let me back up a little bit first. My eight year old is our youngest. My oldest is 26 (I was 40 when our youngest was born) and we have already went through Little League, Babe Ruth, Summer Ball, etc...with our oldest. Also, as a high school baseball coach I host youth camps every summer and thought I was in tune with what was happening in youth baseball. But the bats I saw the other eight year old team using that day caught me by complete surprise. Every player on the other team was using a big barrel (2-5/8 inch diameter) bat, even though they were only eight years old.

The big barrel bat is designed for senior league play, which is typically 13-15 year olds. I did a little investigation and found that all the manufacturers (Easton, DeMarini, Louisville, etc...) specifically advertised that these big barrel bats are not approved for younger youth league teams. This was reinforced more when I found out that most youth leagues (Cal Ripen, Little League, Pony, etc.,.) do not allow players to use the larger barrel bats. However, I did find it odd that the manufacturers are making -10 to -13 drop bats (the unit distinction between the length and the weight of the bat, such as 27 inches long and 17 ounces in weight). It's obvious that the sale of these ultra-light, big- barrel bats are targeted at youth league players.

Youth league (ages 6-12) aluminum bats are typically 2 ¼ inches in diameter at the sweet spot and usually have a -8 in drop. The idea is to work up as they get older and eventually get to the -3 drop bat that is required in high school.

The problem with using big barrel bats at such a young age is it doesn't reinforce hitting mechanics. When a young hitter swings and misses the sweet spot, this reinforces the fact they need to use their hands to hit instead of their arms. The sweet spot is located 4-7 inches from the barrel end of the bat, located between the bat's trademark and the end of the bat. With aluminum (or composite bats) when the player misses the sweet spot, the bat jars in their hands. With a wood bat (which I think all young players should spend time learning to hit with) if the sweet spot is missed, the ball won't travel very far, maybe a ground ball to second or short. Anyway, it reinforces the need to rotate the hips and use the hands to get the barrel of the bat on the ball. With much practice, a player can become good at making consistent contact on the sweet spot of the bat. Using the hands correctly will strengthen the hands as they get older and allow them to progress in their mechanics as a hitter. Many players struggle with hitting on high school freshman or JV teams because they drag the bat head with the -3 bats that are required by the National Federation Rules. They have been swinging the -8 and -5 bats with their arms and the -3 is even heavier for them to swing. They haven't developed good strong hands from hitting properly.

The problem with the big barrel bats is the extended hitting zones. The player can have a long swing (one that disconnects with the arms getting away from the body) hitting the ball on the area below the sweet spot near the trademark and still get a solid base hit into the outfield. This was what I witnessed that Saturday this fall during the eight year old coached-pitched game. Most of the hitters in the opposing team line up used more arms than hands to hit, but they still had solid shots into the outfield. In fact, the few times they did make solid contact, the ball was sent like a laser to the outfield fences. Several times our players got hit with the ball (one in the head on a line drive to center field) and the coach was also hit by a hot line drive back to the mound. It was a little scary and these young players were not ready to be swinging these bats.

During my research I also found hitting with big barrel bats was common practice for travel league teams during the summer and fall. Most travel tournament sponsors do not have regulations against using larger barrel bats for youth league ages. With the manufacture warnings clearly listed on these bats, this may be a serious spot for litigation. The travel tournament sponsors and teams that use these bats against the manufacture warnings are exposing themselves to potential lawsuits.

From a hitting stand point, players will never understand their hitting flaws. It's like the weekend golfer that uses a monster head driver, one that corrects the flight of the ball if the swing is not perfect. As long as you make contact anywhere on the face of the club, you're in good shape. (I got one in my golf bag) The same is true for the large barrel bats for youth leagues. See, hitting a baseball is difficult and one that comes with much failure. A good big league player that hits around .300 will fail 7 out of 10 times. With young hitters, the failure is what makes them better. Missing the sweet spot on the bat reinforces the idea to use your hands and get the barrel on the ball.

If you're serious about your young player being a better hitter make him use the 2 ¼ inch barrel in youth league. He can also work with a wood bat in practices and scrimmage games. (or summer league play). Use bamboo when they are young (ages 6-9), moving to maple by the time they are 11 or 12 years old. Both of these bats are extremely durable and hard to break. By the time they are 15-16 years old they can graduate to a nice Ash bat. Most big leaguers use either Ash or Maple. All of our high school players have a wood bat in their bag and train with it regularly.

Don't delay the development of your youth league hitter by allowing them to use a big barrel bat. Rotate your hips and use your hands to hit the SWEET SPOT.

Mike Posey "CP"

http://www.expert-baseball-tips.com

Tips from a championship coach's perspective and experience, offering creative insights into helping others learn the game of baseball.

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

BatAction.com - The original rotational hitting machine.

Baseball Product Spotlight - Hands Back Hitter Trainer

The Hands Back Hitter is an innovative baseball trainer that teaches players to keep the hands and weight back. The Hands Back Hitter teaches the key elements of a perfect swing. I have had many people ask questions about this great baseball training tool. here are some of those questions and my responses.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What do you do for LH batters?
The same unit ASSEMBLES for either RH OR LH.

2. Can you change it over?
You can but it takes about 3-4 minutes and most coaches buy two (2) for team practice because of the price, it just saves time and you can run two stations at once.

3. What balls do I use?
It comes with 12 medium weight plastic balls but you can use real baseballs, softballs, and golf ball wifflesTM too.

4. What powers it?
There is a patented spring popper that allows height adjustment for all weight balls...it takes no electricity. You can use it is the rain.

5. Will the string wear out?
We recommend no cleats but strings have not been a problem. Besides they add a second string free just in case.

6. How will I know how to use it?
It comes with a Training CD with about 100 slides with some streaming video. If you do not have a computer, it has pictures with instructions in the assembly guide and coaching tips.

7. What ages and gender?
It adjusts for arm length and the long trigger area allows the batter to move up and away about 14 inches with no adjustment between batters required. Very athletic 6-7 Y.O kids learn well and all payers up to and through college. Most now consider the fast pitch swing to be the same as MLB swing so it have equal application for baseball and softball.

8. How hard is it to assemble?
4 hands tighten knobs and NO TOOLS
the popper is pre-assembled.

9. Do you have to cock it each time?
Yes, we want them to work more slowly, concentrating on balance, stride, and load. Swinging in rapid succession makes for upper body hitters. This is what makes this trainer so good.

10. Why does it make you hit better?
The Hands Back Hitter separates the swing and the stride and forces deeper ball contact. It promotes a hip driven swing that is powerful and adjust for different pitch speeds.

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Baseball Training: What is a great baseball training tool for increasing swing power?

The Baseball POWER BAG by Muhl Tech

The Power Bag™ develops power hitting strength in the wrist and forearms. The Houston Astros, Lance Berkman (pictured) credits a similar device his father made with much of the power he has in his wrist and forearms. Hitting the ball with authority requires power and strength at contact which results in more spring off of the bat head. Bat speed is crucial for hitting the ball a long way, but if there is give in the wrist at contact much of the benefit of bat speed is lost. Strengthening the hands, wrist and forearms by using the Power Bag™ will decrease bat recoil and cause the ball to jump off of your bat.

BaseballPowerBag.com

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Selecting a Good Assistant Coach

It is a good idea to have at least two assistants. This will give your team more flexibility in working with individual players and different aspects of the game. Ideally, one coach will work with the pitchers, and their development. This will also include trips to the mound to settle them down during a game. The second coach will work on the hitting and base running side of the game. This coach should also be one of the base coaches during the game. You can coach the other base, or have a player do it.

All coaches can work on the fielding aspects of the game. Having coaches assigned to specific tasks helps; they concentrate on learning small areas of the game instead of everything at once. This will be easier on them in their reading and viewing assignments.

If you form a nice team together, you may want to go up with the club from year to year. What that means is that as the players get older you move up to the next level with them. This can be extremely effective in helping everybody's learning curve. As you move up, the new assistant coaches will gain more experience and eventually be able to move into other roles. Your role to the coaches as the manager of the team is to develop their baseball knowledge, place them in a position to succeed, and groom them to become head coaches. That is assuming they are still rookies. If they are experienced veterans, make sure to let them know that you are there to learn from them and their wisdom.

The question you are probably asking yourself now is where can I find assistant coaches. Well, some league directors will allow you to select your own coaches. If you have this opportunity, make sure at least one of the coaches you select has some baseball experience or some good knowledge of the game. Some coaches may decide to select their friends or former teammates.

We live in a world of busy schedules. Nowadays with two working parents and tight budgets, you might not have the luxury of finding someone who is able to commit to help you out. If this is the case, check with your park director. They will have many contacts to other coaches and parents.

As for parents, the park might even assign you a coach whose son or daughter plays for the team and he or she wanted to volunteer. You should have received this information in your league director meeting earlier. If the parent's child plays on the team, you want to know this. Parents are very protective of their child and you want to be aware of the situation up front.

If you still have no such luck in finding a coach, you could try advertising in city or local community papers with a small ad with a phone number. If you are new to coaching, you probably want to advertise for someone with a little experience.

You may now find yourself asking what if the coaches I get do not have any experience. Lack of experience is fine and quite common at younger levels. Everyone has to start somewhere and most people start with coaching their children. Even if you did not play the game at higher levels, with today's media outlets such as what you are watching now, coaches can still be extremely successful by reading and observing.

For reading, there are websites, baseball books and the following lessons will all be helpful in the new venture for you and your rookie assistant. The other extremely important way to learn is by observing. Ask yourself, Which baseball teams are extremely good in your area year after year? I am speaking about youth, high school, college and even the pros. Drive to the high school field or the local baseball park and catch one or two of their practices. Watch the drills they run.

If you have any ambition of moving to the next level, it is not a bad idea to introduce yourself and ask a few questions. If you are going to ask a question, ask pointed questions so you are not wasting their time. For example, I want to improve my second baseman's double play pivot. Do you have any suggestions or drills I can use to accomplish this?

Emulation of top players and coaches will help you and your teams perform better. Once you begin your coaching career, you will be surprised at all the little nuances in the professional game you will notice by watching it on TV. Coaches need to make sure their egos do not get in the way of a child's development.

About the Author
ProfessorNow.com offers free educational courses in an easy to follow format in various subjects. To view a free online course covering the subject of this article, please visit http://www.professornow.com/coursedescription/coachingyouthbaseball/index.html "> ProfessorNow.com.

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The Advanced Skills Hitting Tee - The Batting Tee for the Advanced Player

..Used by over 3000 high schools and colleges!..

The AST (patented) is unlike any other swing trainer available. Designed to help experienced players perfect their bat skills and begining players to learn proper mechanics, a forward arm and outside swing barrier simultaneously eliminate both "dipping" and "casting". And, the height adjustable (24"-40"), movable arm positions the ball anywhere across the strike zone to realistically represent inside and outside pitch locations. Use the AST to build a compact swing, keep the "hands inside the ball" and develop a "quick" bat. Use it to increase bat speed and learn to "hit the ball where it's pitched".

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"Shove-Up Baseball" - A Great Baseball and Softball Practice Game

"Shove-Up Baseball" - A Great Baseball and Softball Practice Game
Adding variety and preventing boredom is an attribute of great coaching. Little league and youth baseball practice can be both fun and productive at the same time. Great coaches know the importance of having a pure fun day every one and a while. The game "Shove-Up" is definitely not an activity that you would use every day, but as a "change of pace" activity, it serves well to motivate kids and teach competitiveness. How is "Shove-up" played?

Read this article at BaseballCoachingDigest.com