Swing down to the ball

Over the past several years of running this website, I have received a lot of very positive comments about my posts and videos.  In fact, just about all of them have been positive and I’m truly grateful for those who pass along their “thank you’s” and “well done’s.”  Some comments have not been so pleasant. […]

Avoid the habit of the double-tap

A bad habit many young infielders get into is the double-tap. I wrote about this habit a while back and thought I’d make a video of it too.  The consequences of the habit vary depending on the infield position played but all players should work to avoid it. Infielders should always practice the most efficient […]

Do you have a pickoff mindset?

As a former shortstop, I could never understand why pitchers were not interested in trying to pick runners off.  Here I am around second base with a runner that is drifting off the bag too much and the pitcher either ignored it or just stepped off the rubber when I broke to the bag.  I […]

Little League Practice Templates

Over the past month or so, a good friend and I did a few coaching clinics for Little League coaches.  One of our big priorities for the clinics was to pass on the importance of organizing good practices.  To help them do this, we created practice templates for practices involving four age groups that range […]

Have you had “The Talk” with your new Ace yet?

All across the country, pitchers who were their team’s 2nd or 3rd starter in 2014 will be jumping up to the role of team “Ace” in just a few weeks.  Usually this is due to the previous year’s 1st and/or 2nd starters’ graduations.   When this occurred on my high school teams, I, along with […]

Five principles of coaching baseball

The video below is a presentation I gave recently to a group of youth baseball coaches.  I was the keynote speaker of the event and therefore focused on some bigger, more general concepts within coaching baseball.  Other coaches during the event passed on the nuts and bolts of mechanics, drills, and practice organization. My part […]

How to tag a runner who is a dead out

I’ve done a written post and a video on how to properly tag runners coming into bases.  I even did an important, more lengthy video on preparing for collisions at home plate as a catcher.  But what happens when the ball beats the runner to a bag by a lot?  Then what do you do? […]

The Super Bowl and outthinking yourself

People all across the country are calling it the worst play call in Super Bowl history.  Of course, I’m talking about the decision to throw the ball on the half yard line with 20 seconds left when you have Marshawn Lynch standing right behind the quarterback. Coach and/or play any sport long enough and you […]

Focusing attention on the hips

Sports have undergone a change in recent years regarding how players stretch.  In my playing days, stretching was of the “static” kind (stretching while the body is at rest) and largely involved stretches that looked like this … Today, trainers and athletes are recognizing the problems with static stretching routines and are replacing them with […]

Paying attention to the little things when indoors

As I type this, the Northeast corridor of the U.S. is bracing for blizzard conditions.  Not exactly baseball weather.  At least outdoor baseball weather. Those of us in the colder states have grown accustomed to spending a lot of our practice time in gyms.  Organize them correctly and indoor workouts can be extremely productive.  A […]

Should an infielder drop a knee and block a base?

I received this question a while back and decided to make today’s video tip to provide the answer.  The short answer is NO but there is more to it then just that as I explain.

The Chair Rotation Drill for pitchers

A big thank you to all of you who purchased my latest eBook which included at total of 95 drills for pitchers, outfielders, and base runners!  (If you want info, click HERE) A recent buyer emailed me to say thank you for the bundle and also asked a question.  When he looked at drill #12 (The […]

An overlooked part of off-season throwing

Like many baseball players, when I came out of the gym and starting throwing for real on a field once the season started, my arm was quite sore for a few days.  After about a week, the soreness went away and my arm became accustomed to the rigor of throwing during outside workouts.  Players in […]

How to decoy base runners

When I was around 10 years old, my father showed me how major league infielders decoy base runners.  I was fascinated.  Knowing me, I’m sure I went right outside and starting practicing it.  Unfortunately, decoying runners is too often something that is not passed on to middle infielders until much later in their careers.  Some […]

I’m never recruiting baseball players again!

A great friend and baseball guy is responsible for passing on the two main parts of this post.  The first is an article he forwarded me which includes some quotes from an interview with Kobe Bryant.  Here are some of the key comments by Bryant … “I just think European players are just way more […]

The Square Up Drill for throwing

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday! I’m changing things up a little bit here at Baseball By The Yard. For the near future I will be posting only one or two posts a week. I have some new ideas for the site and need more time to […]

Happy Holidays!

My holiday schedule is getting pretty nuts so today’s post will be the last until Monday, January 5th! So … from all of us at Baseball By The Yard (actually it’s just me), have a wonderful holiday season and a great start to your new year!  I wish you and your family all the best! If you […]

Pros and cons of knee drills for pitchers

Every baseball drill known to man has a set of pros and cons.  As I explain in today’s video tip, there is no perfect drill.  A frequently used knee drill for pitchers is a great example.

Who is your cornerman?

Every boxer has a cornerman.  The cornerman’s job is to offer instruction and guidance during the bout.  He motivates the boxer to keep going in times of trouble.  He pats the boxer on the back when he thinks it is needed but he’s also willing to give the guy an earful as well.  He doesn’t […]

How NOT to throw a curveball

Today’s video tip is for high school and above pitchers who have already had training on how to throw a curveball.  It is not for kids at the younger levels since I do not believe they should be throwing anything but a fastball and a change-up. This tip is actually two tips that can help […]

Are we coaching our kids correctly?

Below is an article that was written for a physical therapy journal. As you will see, it deals with youth sports. I highly recommend spending the time to read it through. The author is not only an accomplished physical therapist in the Philadelphia suburbs but also a very good baseball guy. He agreed to allow […]

Third basemen: How to field bunts more easily

Today’s video tip is for third basemen who want to make it easier for themselves when it comes to fielding bunts.  It’s a little thing you do not see taught very often but if it is done, it can make a world of difference in getting the out the offensive team is giving you.

Three drills to keep your head still when throwing

The following is a question I received in the comment section of a post called Throwing on the run . “Do you recommend any drills for fielders that turn their head when they throw to a target?” To be honest, nothing came to my mind so I checked in with a couple good baseball friends of […]

How to round a base and improve your angles

Today’s video tip is for base runners of any age who want a quick way to improve their angles around the bases.  Like so much in the game, little things can make a huge difference when it comes to separating the good players from the great ones.  Here is one of those little things that […]

Practicing baseball and rehearsing baseball

When people in a play are getting ready for the performance, they don’t say, “I’m going to practice.”  They say, “I’m going to rehearsal.”  Many people would use those two words interchangeably and would see any difference between the two as just purely semantics.  But they would be wrong. Practice is the step by step procedure […]

Do NOT do this on a double play

Stick around long enough and you’ll hear some pretty bad things coming from people in the game.  One of them is brought out in today’s video tip.  It involves something middle infielders are told to do that not only makes it tougher to do their job, it’s unsafe as well.  Watch the video to see […]

How to steal bases: three options for jumps

Stealing bases is truly an art form and just like any artist, a base stealer is going to develop their own style.  This is why coaches should be reluctant to force every base stealer to take leads and get jumps the same way.  Ideally, players should learn as many options as possible and eventually pick […]

Another myth about how catchers throw

A couple years ago I created a short video detailing the “Ball to Ear Myth” for catchers and the way they throw.  Another myth about how catchers throw goes like this – Catchers must be taught to throw straight over the top in order to prevent the ball from tailing to second or third base. […]

“Minor League Experience” – Camp

Some buddies of mine renovated and reopened an indoor facility in King of Prussia, PA.  The facility is called Diamond Baseball Academy. They have created a series of workouts called the Minor League Experience.  They are accepting 25 middle school players.  They already have several players signed up so act quick if you are near the […]

Private Instruction: Simple is repeatable

For many players, private instruction has either begun or soon will be.  A gigantic tip for players and parents who are searching for an instructor is to look for instructors who keep things simple.  I have heard many parents talk about baseball instructors and a common complaint from many of them is that the instructor […]

Happy Thanksgiving

To everyone in the Baseball By The Yard community, I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We all have much to be grateful for and I hope all of us spend some time focusing on those things over the holiday. Enjoy the break!  I’ll be back on Monday with my next post! […]

A coach’s practice is your minimum

One of the toughest things to do in a classroom or on a baseball field is to challenge every single student and player throughout the entire class or practice.  In baseball, every player has unique needs.   However, perfectly tailored instruction for each player during a team workout is virtually impossible.  That’s why it is […]

You’ve got to be kidding me (Part 4)

Well folks, I’m sorry to say I’ve had another “You’ve got to be kidding me!” baseball moment.  A good friend told me about this one and I didn’t fully believe it until I saw it for my own eyes.  Here it is …   Moms and Dads out there … please save your money.  Spending this […]

Look for this before snap throws to third

In May, 2011, I wrote a post titled Snap throws to third base.  I explained that the defensive team needs to look for runners who are not properly timing their plant foot landing (right foot ALWAYS!) as the pitch is crossing home plate.  Some runners will make the mistake of landing too late on that […]

The unconscious mind and fielding correctly

The human body has several features that work behind the scenes to help identify threats and keep us alive.  The unconscious side to our mind is one of them.  Our mind has both a conscious side and an unconscious side.  The conscious side is what we are aware of.  The unconscious side works in the […]

Jab Jab Hook – How to get good players to change

A former big leaguer once told me about an interaction between another major leaguer and a new hitting coach.  On the first day of spring training, the player was hitting off a batting tee and the brand new coach walked up to him and said something like “We are going to have to do a […]

The three opponents you face every game

Three years ago I wrote a very popular post called The game is your toughest opponent.  It’s worth reading if you haven’t already because it’s a good message to players about what they should be focussing on during games. But I have to confess that I think I was wrong.  The game is not your […]

95 Pitching, Outfield, and Base Running Drills

  “Thanks for the drills Coach! Perfect to keep on my clipboard during practice. Will save me lots of time with planning.” That’s an email I got from a reader a few days ago!   This past week subscribers received the latest offer of baseball drills.  The deal includes 40 Pitching Drills that range from basic to […]

The cornerstone of any pitching program

I don’t care if you are teaching a player in his first year of kid-pitch or if you are a pitching coach of a major league team, the cornerstone of your program that should guide all instruction and advice is command of the fastball.  There are certainly many other facets of pitching that are important […]

Talk to yourself but don’t listen

How many times have you heard that little voice in your head say things like “You suck!” or “How could you not throw a strike?” or “0 for 4… You’ll never be any good at this game.” or “How did you miss that pitch?”   I don’t know about you but that inner demon inside my […]

Video analysis of Aroldis Chapman

FYI to subscribers:  Check your email!  Yesterday, I sent out an offer that expires on Saturday at midnight!   I get asked all the time if I do private lessons.  Unfortunately, my schedule rarely allows me to get out to do them.  However, I have an idea that might be of interest to you or […]

How to better see the ball out of the pitcher’s hand

Happy Veterans’ Day to all those who have worn the uniform!  Thank you for your service! Last week I received a question from a high school player.  His dilemma was a common one.  He felt he was not seeing the ball well out of the pitcher’s hand and wasn’t sure what could be done.  He […]

Crow hop on the 1-6-3 play

HEADS UP!!  A special offer for subscribers of the site is coming this week!  Become a subscriber if you haven’t already!  Scroll under my photo on the right to subscribe!   A hard one-hopper is hit right back to the pitcher.  He knows it’s a sure double play.  He fields it, turns, and proceeds to throw […]

There is no top of the ladder

A lot of people out there would like to climb the “ladder of success.”  Here’s a little secret … There is no ladder. A ladder implies vertical movement.  Up or down.  That’s not how the game works.  Although the levels of the game do appear to be like a ladder, a player’s progress (and many […]

A baseball lesson from election day

HEADS UP!!  A special offer for subscribers of the site is coming within a week!  Become a subscriber if you haven’t already!  Scroll under my photo on the right to subscribe! Now, back to today’s post! As a social studies teacher I take a keen interest in the political process.  When I see the percentage […]

Why you pay attention to detail when covering first base

When I did PFP (Pitcher’s Fielding Practice) with my guys I made certain that they paid attention to detail and did everything right.  One such detail was making sure they ALWAYS touch the field-side edge of the base with their RIGHT foot to avoid the runner.  No exceptions. I could explain more but the following […]

Coaching great teams

Congratulations go out to the San Francisco Giants and their 2014 World Series Championship.  Bruce Bochy is sure making a name for himself as a manager having won three out of the last five championships.  Right now the accolades are flowing but pretty soon the criticism of “he’s overrated!  Anyone could manage a team with […]

You play for the other coach too

My coach doesn’t like me. My coach doesn’t promote me. My coach doesn’t know any college coaches. My coach doesn’t know the game. My coach never talks to scouts. Reason to be concerned?  Maybe and maybe not. Coaches talk.  Always have and always will.  If you feel your coach is not doing enough for you […]

A message for hitters

Happy Halloween everyone!  Hope you have a great weekend! My son also wanted to send out a (not so subtle) Halloween message to hitters who like to dive out over the plate …

Are you an Infantry player or Special Ops?

There are many different roles in the military and all are necessary for a fighting force to be at its best.  Infantry and special operations are two of them.  Infantry has been called the “tip of the spear” since they are often the first sent into battle.  They frequently are sent out to search for […]

I hate this vs I don’t want to be here

How do you know when you are burnout and had enough with baseball? It doesn’t matter whether you are a player or a coach, there are some days that will drive you to say “What am I doing?”  I think Crash Davis put it best when he said “F— this F-ing game.  I quit.” after […]

Great from pitch #1

 Game #1 of the World Series has come and gone but hopefully the lesson learned has not.  James Shields, the starter for the Royals, gave up three quick runs in the first inning.  The Giants cruised from there to a 7-1 victory.  As I write this, they are one game away from winning the World […]

The science of “looking” at the ball

When I work with younger kids I often say “there is a big difference between ‘seeing’ the ball and ‘looking’ at the ball when hitting.” You can “see” the ball out of the corner of your eye but “looking” at the ball means turning your head until your whole face is directed at the ball. […]

Short fungo drill (Part 2)

Way back in March I wrote a post called Short Fungo Drill.  To read that post which provides an explanation of the drill, click HERE.  I also provided a couple reasons why I felt the drill was good for infielders and coaches.  Here are those reasons: It helps the guy with the fungo if he […]

Giving 110%

Everyone has their pet-peeves.  As a social studies teacher, my pet-peeve is when people screw up their geography.  Someone from Philadelphia says “This weekend I’m going down to New York City.”  No, Sparky.  NYC is north and therefore “UP” not “DOWN.” Of course, English teachers have about a gazillion pet-peeves when people write and talk. […]

Step by step to smooth

When I watch MLB games I am constantly amazed at how easy the players make the game look.  Of course, the game is not even close to being easy.  The reason why it looks so easy is because the players have mastered the step by step micro-processes of making plays, swinging bats, and running the […]

Matching the technique to the player

Let’s say you are a self-defense instructor who needs to teach a class how to get up off the ground fast with their hands in front of their face to protect against another hit.  You explain to the class that they have to get up without using their hands (the hands never touch the ground) so […]

Going with your hunch as a coach

Last week I finished with two posts about the what, how, and when for Hit and Runs and Run and Hits.  I can just hear the beginning coaches saying “How in the world am I supposed to think about all that in a matter of a few seconds and decide?” It’s a good question but […]

What’s the difference between a “hit and run” and a “run and hit”? (Part 2)

In yesterday’s Part 1 post I listed several components and details about the Hit and Run play.  Today it’s the Run and Hit play.  Just like the Hit and Run, the Run and Hit is a strategy that has its own set of pros and cons as well as details that go into the proper execution […]

What’s the difference between a “hit and run” and a “run and hit”? (Part 1)

The “hit and run” and “run and hit” are both good plays depending on a variety of variables.  Who is batting, the score, the outs, the inning, who is running, and who is up next are some of the questions you might want to answer before deciding which play to use or whether you need […]

Baseball folkways vs baseball mores

Every culture has its own set of folkways and mores (pronounced “more-A’s”).  Folkways are the little things like manners, etiquette, and other behaviors that you may be expected to do but really won’t face a formal punishment if you don’t.  You are expected to open doors for women but you are not going to get a […]

Drills to prevent reflexive looks

In my psychology classes, there is an activity I do to teach about reflexes.  I have the students line up with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.  I give a signal to the last person in line and they lightly squeeze the shoulders of the person in front of […]

No reflexive looks

A pitcher comes set, looks back to second base, looks to home, and throws a pitch.  The runner on second base leaves early and practically walks to third base for an easy steal.  “What the … ?  How did he not see his huge lead?  He was looking right at him!” A batter comes toward […]

Baseball By The Yard bats 1.000!

Actually … it’s not 1.000 but 1,000 as in 1,000 POSTS!!  That’s right, today’s post is my 1,000th post for Baseball By The Yard. Way back on Sunday, December 12, 2010, I hit “Publish” for the very first time with a post called First impressions.  To see it click HERE.  I also published my second […]

Fall fitness for baseball players

A couple times in the past I have written posts about the importance of switching up your workout routine in order to target different muscles and give your baseball muscles a break.  I’ve said before that I am not a big fan of year-round baseball.  More doctors (and scouts, and college coaches, etc.) seem to […]

Four types of competence for players

I don’t remember if I saw this in a book or heard it from a speaker so if it came from any of you readers out there, I apologize for not giving you credit. The four types of competence are something coaches should be aware of because it gives a person more understanding of what […]

Nose over toes

I heard this phrase – “nose over toes” – the other day and I think it is a simple and quick way to help kids get into an athletic position.  Here is an example …   Whether it is setting up to hit, pitch, run the bases, or field, keeping your nose between your feet […]

HELP! My fielders don’t communicate!

Ever feel like you are speaking a heck of a lot more than you should be during games?  Ever wonder how to get your players to do more of the speaking for you?  If so, you’re not alone.  Many coaches (me included) grow frustrated at the lack of vocal performance of our players.  If only […]

How important is the right gear?

To answer that question, let me put it this way …. If you want to excel at anything, you have to have these four things: Mindset Tactics Skills Gear And most importantly, they stay in that order of importance! Let’s take each one individually and apply it to baseball. Mindset.  Baseball is a very tough […]

The most annoying thing about private lessons

For many years I gave quite a few private lessons to players of all age groups every week.  In fact, I look back on my daily schedule of teaching all day and giving private lessons four weeknights per week, all day Saturday, and most of the day on Sunday and can’t understand how I did […]

Your imaginary opponent

If you are a player who has average to below-average ability then deciding who your opponent is is fairly easy.  It’s the guy playing ahead of you or that good pitcher on the other team you are about to play.  Every time you take a rep in practice or in your own backyard you clearly […]

Baseball Moms

The link below will take you to a blog that I ran into the other day.  The post is quite funny.  I wish I had thought of it.  The descriptions of the “13 Types of Baseball Moms” is pretty much spot-on in my view.  If you spend a lot of time around baseball fields then I’m sure you have seen numerous […]

A player’s Check Engine light

Stats are often overrated and never tell the full story.  However, if you are at the lower levels – anything below pro ball – and you are hitting around .250 or your ERA is over 5 or you are averaging an error a game, your “check engine” light is blinking.   A player might say […]

Video – Tips for an underhand toss

About three years ago I did a written post listing the fundamentals of an underhand toss.  For those visual learners, here is a video that covers what I think are the most important aspects of this basic play. Next post: A player’s Check Engine light

Do you always succeed in practice?

If you typically succeed most of the time in practice then you are probably not practicing correctly.  Practice is a time to challenge yourself to push beyond what you think you are capable of doing.  It can be uncomfortable but that’s how growth occurs.  An analogy would be building muscle.  If you workout using comfortable […]

Draftability

This time of year (Fall and into Winter) scouts begin to check in with many of the 2015 top prospects and their families.  What they are trying to gauge is a player’s “draftability.”  Draftability includes a number of things but the basic concept is that the organizations are trying to figure out how much time […]

Awareness pays off for one MLB player

The MLB regular season is fast coming to a close and several teams are battling it out for the last playoff spots.  One such fight is between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals.  As I write this, the Tigers have a 1.5 game lead over the Royals in the American League Central Division.  […]

Awareness Game #3

My past two posts have been about two games that players and coaches can play during games to improve field awareness.  Today is Part 3 of a three part series and involves another game that players can play in their minds while watching a game.  I guess it could be called the announcer game. Being […]

Awareness Game #2

Yesterday, in Part 1 of this three part series, I talked about the importance of being aware of your surroundings both on and off the field.  I also addressed the difficulty of teaching our players how to be more aware.  At the end of the post I offered an Awareness Game that could be played […]

Awareness Game #1

I live in Pennsylvania but a growing number of people are moving to our country’s 51st state – the State of Oblivion.  For a variety of reasons, people seem to be less aware of what is going on around them.  I think the cell phone is the biggest culprit.  Everyday in school, hundreds of teenagers […]

Angles for pitchers when covering first base

When pitchers practice covering first base during PFP (Pitchers Fielding Practice) drills, they often are instructed to take an ideal path and angle to first as shown in this photo … The reason for this is that going to an imaginary spot about 6-8 feet from first base, making a slight left turn, and moving […]

Pitchout tips for catchers

Today’s video tips are for catchers who want/need to improve on pitchouts from the pitcher.  I don’t get into everything a catcher needs to be concerned about because that would have taken too much time.  In this segment I chose just a few things catchers should be aware of when performing the play. Tomorrow’s post: […]

The louder it gets the softer you throw

The title of today’s post is a phrase I heard Jamie Moyer say during a Phillies broadcast.  It was a big moment late in the game and the hometown fans (the Phillies were away) were quite loud.  His co-announcer asked him how pitchers deal with these situations where they can hardly hear themselves think.  Moyer […]

The cross-over myth of base running

Virtually every player and coach I know (this includes me) was taught that the first movement on a steal attempt is to throw your entire left side towards second base and cross the left foot over the right one.  Any half-step or backwards step by the lead foot was considered a waste of time that […]

Old school is becoming New School

I’m told it was Bobby Knight who said “I’m so old school that I’m new school.”  Although the Bobby Knights of the coaching world may never come back completely, there does seem to be more and more research coming out that discredits much of what we would consider “New School.”  And that’s a good thing. […]

Tips and drills for getting the most out of your throwing arm

I’ve done many years of instructing and in my opinion, reteaching a young player how to throw properly is by far the hardest thing to change.  Today’s video passes on some tips and drills that hopefully can result in more players learning the proper throwing motion.  Obviously, the sooner they address these throwing issues the better.  […]

Baseball and the OODA Loop

September 1st of last week was the anniversary of the start of World War II.  After the war officially ended, a young man by the name of John Boyd enlisted into the Army out of high school and later entered the Air Force after college.  Little did people know that Boyd would go on to […]

Correction

Welcome to another week everyone!   I need to make a correction on a video I posted a little while ago.  The post was called Footwork for holding runners at first base.  In the video I mentioned that according to the rules, the only player who is allowed to be in foul territory is the catcher. […]

Upset at your grounds crew?

This was not supposed to be the post for today but I thought I’d pass on an article a good friend sent me.  It will give you a pretty good laugh heading into the weekend. This is for the coaches out there who get frustrated at the lack of concern on the part of many […]

Young players and their eyes

I regularly get questions from first time coaches at the younger levels asking basic questions about the game.  This leads me to wonder if my tips and techniques that I write about and show in my videos are too advanced for these beginners.  If you fall into that category of a novice baseball parent or coach then […]

Improve your practices with “Contextual Interference”

Psychologists have long wondered how people learn and remember things.  Teachers as well as coaches also have an incentive to find those answers.  Often what we do in the classroom and on the field is geared towards teaching new information with the goal of long-term retention.  Unfortunately, lots of psychological studies seem to indicate that […]

The first-move steal play for first basemen

Today’s video tip is again for first basemen.  It involves the play where a runner on first base breaks to steal on the first movement of the pitcher – usually a left hander.  Getting the ball quickly and creating the best angle possible in the goal. Tomorrow’s post:  Improve your practices with “Contextual Interference”

Footwork for holding runners at first base

Happy Labor Day!  On that note … why don’t we have a “Capital Day” to commemorate all the entrepreneurs and business owners who risked their own capital to start businesses that turned into those jobs?  I’m just sayin’. Anyway … when you watch first basemen at the major league level, you are bound to see a […]

Square up to the thrower on double plays

Today’s video tip is for younger middle infielders who are just starting to learn how to turn a double play.  Older, more experienced middle infielders will need to make the play faster.  As a result, their fundamentals necessary to make the play are a little different and more advanced. The video makes it as basic […]

The double peek

There aren’t many non-negotiables in baseball.  Always hustling is one of them.  Respecting the game is another.  There is also one for middle infielders.  Here is the non-negotiable rule whenever there is a runner on first base… One every single pitch no matter how many outs there are, what the score is, or what inning […]

Teach the wall how to play baseball

If you ever took a psychology class you probably did a unit on learning and maybe another on memory.  I cover both in my AP Psych classes.     There are many concepts within both units that could help baseball players learn the game quicker but I’ll focus on just one – use as many […]

How to hit vs How to swing

With organized baseball the way it is today – AAU, baseball academies, private instructors, showcases, etc. – there are now tons of kids who can provide a thorough explanation of how to swing a bat.  Unfortunately, knowing how to swing is not the same as knowing how to hit. Knowing how to swing basically means […]

Assume the lead runner on a bunt play

Today’s video tip is for pitchers who would like to do a better job fielding bunts.  There are a bunch of little things that go into each type of bunt situation but if pitchers do the tip described in the video they will start with the proper mindset right from the beginning. Tomorrow’s post:  How to […]

Drop your shoulder at each base

My hometown Phillies have some players who can really run.  Ben Revere, Jimmy Rollins, and Domonic Brown all have “plus speed.”  But if you ask a scout who the best base runner is on the Phillies, every single one of them will say Chase Utley.  How can this be? Chase Utley has average speed for […]

Ankle weight drill for batters

Every hitter in baseball struggles with at least one mechanical thing during their career.  For some it may be consistently keeping their hands inside the ball.  For others it may be consistently staying on top of the ball.  For me it was lunging.  Over my entire career I struggled with keeping my body back and […]

Should a catcher angle his body when receiving?

The title of this post is a question I have received a couple times concerning catchers.  Today’s video tip is my answer. Tomorrow’s post:  Ankle weight drill for batters

Letting the ball get deep vs Hitting the ball out front

A friend and former teammate of mine is doing pretty well for himself in the instructional world of baseball.  His coaching experience (including USA baseball), his hitting clients (several major leaguers), his website, and now online radio show has grown more popular and I couldn’t be happier for him.  Kevin Wilson knows hitting and high […]

Glove on the hip for safety and control

There is no one way to play the game of baseball.  Every hitter is going to be unique in some way with regards to stance, hand position, etc.  The same thing goes for pitching.  Arm angles, grips, and overall deliveries will vary a bit from pitcher to pitcher. That being said, there are some “non-negotiables” […]

Angle for third basemen on bunts

Probably the toughest thing about being a third baseman is dealing with bunt plays.  When there is a runner on first and the batter bunts, it’s pretty simple.  You and the pitcher go for the ball if it is bunted to the third base side and whoever doesn’t field it runs to cover third base. […]

Load and stride to the inside of your feet

One of the basic principles of baseball is that it is played “from the ground up.”  By that I mean that if your feet are not in the right position at the right time, your chances of success in the game are pretty slim. Many hitters think (or at least their swings indicate that) hitting […]

Grab your shirt to check your hands

When working with hitters of all ages, one of the little problems that I end up tweaking a lot is where their hands are in their stance, especially after the stride.  When hitters stride, their hands need to be fairly close to their back shoulder in order to keep the hands inside the baseball during […]

The importance of using more wrist when throwing

In yesterday’s post, I linked to a very important article containing some warnings and advice from Dr. James Andrews with regards to youth injuries. Today’s video tip expands on this idea by explaining why using your wrist more when you throw is so important for safety and performance and how to improve in this area […]

A warning from Dr. Andrews

Throughout my coaching career I have strongly encouraged my players to NOT play baseball year-round.  Playing other sports makes a player a more well-rounded athlete, often makes them more well-rounded socially as well because they are interacting with other people, and it also gives their baseball muscles (especially arms!) and chance to recover. Repetitive motion […]

What does “palm up” mean when hitting?

There are so many cliches and slogans in the game of baseball that someone new to the sport, either as a fan or a coach, can often be overwhelmed and confused at what they hear.  I’ve written before that baseball coaches, instructors, and speakers often make the mistake of assuming their audience is on their […]

Video – Another option for catchers on throws to third base

The throw to third base for catchers is not an easy one when there is a right handed batter standing in the batter’s box.  To deal with this problem, catchers should NOT … Step in front of the the batter towards the mound and then make the throw to third base. Throw over the head […]

Rethinking ice therapy

My father was a public school health/PE teacher for 42 years.  Because of that, since I was little I can remember hearing about RICE.  RICE is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.  If you twist an ankle you use RICE to help get you back on the playing field faster.   Or so […]

Video – Agility rings for baseball

I’ve always said that if you want to become a better baseball player then you have to focus on improving your footwork.  It doesn’t matter what part of the game you are talking about – hitting, pitching, fielding, base running, etc. – if your feet are not in the right place at the right time, […]

Tony Gwynn’s basics of hitting

I was very sad to hear of the passing of Tony Gwynn not too long ago.  Growing up in the game, he was one of my idols.  I watched him every chance I could get and tried to read everything he wrote and said about hitting.  I must have read George Will’s chapter on him […]

The importance of framing

Anyone who says a good receiver behind the plate is overrated has probably never had a good one.  I personally have thrown to many catchers in my day and believe me, a good receiver is worth his weight in gold.  That’s why a good receiver can hit under .250 and spend many years in the […]

Games with no coaches

A couple weeks ago I was listening to John Kruk talk during one of the ESPN games.  He mentioned he had a conversation with the head coach of Princeton University who told him that he frequently has Fall games where coaches do nothing but watch.  I’ve done that several times myself with my high school […]

Derek Jeter says he wasn’t great. So what was he?

This year’s lead-up to the MLB All-Star Game had several tribute stories about Derek Jeter.  One was an interview where the interviewer described Jeter as “great.”  Jeter responded by saying, “I am not great.  I’ve had confidence in myself and I was consistent.  I also worked very, very hard”   A simple description that says […]

Staying home for college

Quick … tell me what all of the following players have in common. Matt Adams Todd Frazier Craig Biggio Mo Vaughn Ryan Vogelsong Tommy Herr Dave Winfield Bobby Higginson Charles Nagy George Springer Jamie Moyer Doug Glanville Mark DeRosa Joe Nathan Jeff Bagwell John Franco Answer:  They all were players who stayed up North to attend […]

The modern coach

Ever get the feeling that this is how some people want you to coach these days? Tomorrow’s post: Staying home for college

High energy players

We are approaching the dog days of summer when the heat and humidity tends to peak.  Most players’ bodies are screaming for a vacation right about now.  Most players’ bodies desperately want a few days off.  Maybe a solid three days of rainouts to let the body rest. I took my son to a local […]

Swing until my eyes tell me NO

Aggressiveness at the plate is a tough thing to teach.  It seems like some hitters are just not very interested in swinging the bat.  “I’m swinging if it’s a strike” is a common phrase that I am not too fond of.  I believe it can lead to this kind of tentativeness.  An alternate, more aggressive, saying is “swing […]

Pointing the knob at the catcher

Just read the title of this post and you’ll probably figure out what all the following hitters have in common …   When they load up on the stride, each one has the knob of the bat facing towards the catcher.  Some do it more than others but they all do it to some degree. […]

Good news for players with great make-up

There seems to be a change happening in baseball.  At least for one team anyway and I couldn’t be happier. We’ve all seen players with incredible make-up (character, work ethic, intensity, energy, optimism, etc.) who were not blessed with incredible physical ability.  Scouts may not drool over these kids but those in the coaching world […]

Pyramids don’t tip over

If I could wave a magic wand and change one thing about young players it would be to get each and every one of them to have a wide base with their head between their feet and generally get their bodies in a strong athletic position before throwing, running, fielding, and everything else in the game. […]

Cliff Notes and watching baseball

Be honest … how many of you used Cliff Notes instead of reading the entire book in high school English class?  I did.  In my eyes, being forced to read about a big whale or some old guy and the sea were clearly examples of cruel and unusual punishment.  I’d rather take some swings outside. […]

Lead arm action for pitchers

I hope all your July 4th plans went well!  Glad to be back! Today’s tip is for pitchers who are looking to get a little more power on their pitches.  Look at all of these three photos and you’ll see some things they have in common … First, the pitchers’ lead arms are about parallel […]

Baseball By The Yard Updates

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all enjoying your summers.  I wanted to pass on a couple updates about the website. 1. The next post will be early next week.  I will be enjoying the July 4th holiday in a super-secret baseball location. 2. A good friend who is a pro scout and I are […]

Five foot what?

Just a few players among the MLB stat leaders as of today …  Troy Tulowitzki, 6-3, 215 lbs., currently batting .352 Miguel Cabrera, 6-4, 240 lbs, .325, 64 RBI’s Matt Adams, 6-3, 230 lbs., .328 Mike Trout, 6-2, 230 lbs, 58 RBI’s Adam Wainwright, 6-7, 228 lbs, 2.01 ERA Giancarlo Stanton, 6-6, 240 lbs., 21 […]

Little kids SHOULD imitate major leaguers

When you were growing up, how many times did you play Wiffle ball or stick ball and pretend to be major leaguers?  It was a daily occurrence for me and my friends.  If I was the Phillies I would try to bat exactly like Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, Gary Maddox, Larry Bowa, and Manny Trillo. […]

Is it ok to take the top hand off the bat after the swing?

The other day a high school player asked me, “Is it ok to take the top hand off the bat after the swing?”  My answer was YES.  In fact, virtually every time a player asks that kind of question, my answer will be YES.  As I’ve said before, as soon as you say NO to […]

Random tips for summer ball

To me, there was nothing better than summer ball.  I woke up and other than some chores around the house, the day was just about baseball.  No school and no homework.  Just baseball.   Although every level of summer ball was fun for me, it wasn’t always easy.  The heat and humidity along with multiple […]

Underhand and backhand flips to second base

You would think a ten foot underhand or backhand toss would be a gimmie but of course, anytime a throw is made you never know what will happen. The success of a double play largely depends on how fast and how accurate the feed to the guy at second base is made.  There are certainly […]

Hey base stealers, steal early in the count

When I played in college and pro ball I was a stereotypical two hitter in the line-up.  I switched hit, had descent speed, used the whole field, and could sac bunt, base hit bunt, and hit and run pretty well.  I also didn’t mind taking a pitch or two.  And as you get to the […]

Ways that pitchers can stop wasting time

The length of major league games has gotten out of hand.  And it’s not just the players’ fault.  TV commercials play a huge role in lengthening the games because innings are not allowed to start until the time for commercials is finished.  That’s why it takes forever for MLB players to get out of the […]

Things pitchers do that drive their teammates nuts

Pitchers are a different breed.  Lefties are a whole different species but that’s for another post. You wouldn’t be able to tell below the college level because most pitchers at those younger levels play other positions besides just pitch and therefore still have a little bit of “normal” in the ole noggin.  But something clearly changes when […]

Why I still love the Twins

I’m watching highlights on the MLB channel a couple days ago and they show the very end of the Twins-Tigers game.  The Tigers won the game on a walk-off sac fly after a botched catch in the outfield put a runner at third base.  As always, when the runner touched home plate the camera showed […]

What’s with all the shifts in baseball?

This year seems to be the year of the defensive shifts in Major League Baseball.  There have been a number of articles written about the topic.  Some have gotten into the stats as to whether it actually works.  Others have focussed on which teams do it more often.  My take on it is that it […]

A tip on catching the ball for beginners

The easiest way I have found to teach little kids how to catch a baseball is to explain the difference between and high-five and a low-five.  You “high-five” the ball when it’s above your waist like this … and you “low-five” the ball when it’s below your waist like this … When little kids are taught […]

The fingers go between the head and ball

Changing the way a young man throws a baseball is probably the hardest thing to do when it comes to private instruction.  However, if there was one thing I could adjust with every young player’s throwing motion it would be to make sure his throwing fingers were on top of and/or between the ball and […]

Keep your hands strong

Up until about the 1980’s, weight training was considered to be not very productive for baseball players.  Old time players felt lifting weights tightened up their bodies too much and didn’t prepare them for the functional flexibility required for running the bases and throwing a baseball.  When you look at all of today’s arm injuries […]

Baseball Hardware vs Baseball Software

The 2014 MLB Amateur Draft has ended and hundreds of young men are probably thrilled beyond belief.  I know I was back in 1989.  When I got the call from the Twins organization that they had selected me, I hung up the phone after the conversation and just stood there in silence for a few […]

Recognize abnormal

When a coach or player is said to have good instincts, there are many things one can point to as proof.  In my opinion, most of it involves good “situational awareness.”  In other words, a good sense of what is happening around them.  A mother “with eyes on the back of her head” is an […]

The 20 yard dash

The 60 yard dash has been a pretty standard event at virtually every showcase and tryout for many years now.  How fast a player can run for that distance is not a bad indicator of overall athleticism but in my opinion it has some functional problems.  A player can go his entire career and not […]

What is your “fast average” ?

If a batter with no speed bats .300 and a batter who can fly hits the same .300, who is the better hitter?  My answer would be the batter with no speed.  That’s because virtually none of his hits are going to be a result of running speed.  He must hit his way on base.  A fast […]

Should I basehit bunt to 1st or 3rd?

When deciding whether or not to try a base hit bunt, hitters have to take a number of variables into account.  The score, the number of outs, the inning, where you are in the line-up, how many runners are on base, who is pitching, and where the first and third basemen are playing all play […]

Bump your glove if you are a beginning pitcher

My son recently finished his first year of kid-pitch baseball.  Actually, it was a mixture of coach and kid pitch depending on how many kids pitched and how many strikes they threw.  The two most common tips I gave our pitchers (and the other teams’ as well) was to bring the leg kick up higher […]

You shouldn’t be getting thrown out of games

A few weeks ago I was chatting with a few higher-ups of a local little league organization.  They were lamenting about the intrusive role of some parents in the organization.  They felt something more needed to be done to temper their behavior during games.  The conversation eventually swung around to umpires and one of them […]

People don’t like to be pushed

If you ask someone in the older generation to describe their best teacher or coach you will often get a response something like this … “He pushed me farther than I thought I could go and never let me take the easy road.  He demanded 100% effort at all times and never accepted any excuses.  Honestly, I couldn’t […]

Running at a runner

We’ve all seen a situation where a runner gets caught off a base and proceeds to get into a rundown.  It could have been the result of a pickoff play or maybe just rounded a bag too far and got caught in between bases.  When runners make this kind of mistake, it is extrememly important […]

Why the less talented player starts over you

Go to any bar in America and you are bound to come across someone who played high school baseball.   If the guy was not a starter, the #1 reason given will be “because the coach hated me.”  Now go to any coaches convention and survey all the coaches to see what their reasons were for playing one kid over another.  […]

Playing behind the runner at first base

Here are my situations when playing behind the runner at first base is either the right move or at least a possibility:   A runner on second or second and third as well.  This is one of the few absolutes in baseball.  DO NOT have your first baseman hold the runner on when there is […]

Assessing a rough season

As the high school/community season ends and the summer season starts, it’s important to assess how things have gone so far and decide how to precede the rest of the way.  Hopefully things have gone well up until now.  If that’s the case, keep doing what you are doing!  If not, you really should do […]

Coach of the Year

In my area (Philadelphia), high school playoffs have begun so for most teams, their seasons are either over or soon will be.  In my local and regional newspapers, all-league selections are starting to appear from the various public and private leagues.  Soon, various Coach of the Year awards will be handed out as well. During […]

Teach it to learn it

For you teachers out there, you know very well that the quickest way to learn something is to have to teach it.  That’s because to teach it effectively you have to know the material inside and out.  You also have to know different ways of explaining it in case you get the dreaded question “I […]

Give your teammates a breather

The other day I saw a high school pitcher make this mistake and I thought others could learn from it as well.  A batter hit a fly ball far down the right field line.  The right fielder busted his butt trying to get to the area and make the catch but the ball was too […]

Fake pickoffs to second base

As pitchers get older and runners are able to steal, the ability to hold runners becomes more important.  What a lot of young pitchers fail to realize is that holding runners does not have to mean picking runners off.  I’m a big fan of pickoffs and think pitchers often overlook that possibility during games but […]

Don’t rely on teammates

The title of this post may seem a little strange on the surface since the essense of teamwork is working together and relying on your teammates.  However, relying too much on teammates can cause some problems and prevent players from efficiently making plays.  Here are three examples: 1. On a relay throw to the third baseman […]

How to watch pitchers warm up

In yesterday’s post I mentioned how often I notice pitchers not throwing from the stretch until they are in the game.  Of course, you notice that by watching the pitchers warm-up.  A great habit to get into as a player is to pay very close attention to the guy you are about to face.  Unfortunately, […]

Throw from the stretch!

With my kids’ activities and teaching all day I do not have a lot of time to head off to a field to watch a lot of high school games.  In fact, I only managed to see three so far and for each one I only was able to stay the first couple innings.  That’s […]

How to give a pitchout sign

In just about all levels of baseball, the catcher’s sign for the pitchout is the fist.  The catcher gets the sign from the coach, he puts the fist down, and the pitcher complies.  Pretty simple. When you get to the higher levels, however, this simplicity can make it easier for the other team (or base […]

How to throw into the wind

When you are playing the infield, another of the many challenges you may face is a stiff wind coming directly from first base.  That means every throw to first you make is going to be straight into the wind.  That can pose a problem with velocity and accuracy if you don’t handle it appropriately.  No […]

Defense for beginners – The Three B’s

My son asked me to help out again with his 7 year old team this season.  Another dad who is helping out threw a phrase at the kids the other day that I had never heard off before.  He told them of the “Three B’s of Defense.”  Before getting into what that means, let me just […]

Don’t turn your back

This quick tip is for middle infielders. When there are runners on base, especially third base, it is common for one or both middle infielders to back up the throw coming back to the pitcher from the catcher after the pitch.  However, very often the middle infielder(s) will make a basic mistake when returning to their […]

Does your swing match your thinking?

There is a runner on third base with less than two outs.  The infield is back.  All your slap hitter needs to do is to put the ball in play on the ground and you get a run.  What does he do?  He drops his back shoulder, loops way under the ball, and pops it up to […]

How to talk to reporters

About a week ago I was flipping through the sports channels and came across a story about a AA closer who throws it up there around 100mph.  During the course of the interview he basically said the following:  (paraphrased, but not much) “I don’t have to throw my hardest to put it past hitters.” “When […]

Infield drills eBook

I’m proud to announce another eBook I’ve created!  This one is for Infield Drills.  It has 40 drills that improve all areas of defensive fundamentals whether you are dealing with beginners or advanced players.  All for the price of $4.99.  I even throw in 10 more bonus drills for FREE.  That’s 50 drills for under […]

You may not need a breaking ball

I’d be rich if I got a nickel for every young pitcher who said they had 5 or more pitches.  I’ve even heard it from parents as well.  I don’t want to embarrass them with my response so usually I laugh in my head.  I laugh because in most cases the kid has 5 or […]

You better learn how to laugh

Ever think that this might be the team you are coaching? We’ve all been there.  Young players at all levels will drive you nuts.  How many of you CAN’T say that the following things happened in one of your games: You scratch and claw to get back into the game only to have your pitcher walk […]

Hit it far or hit it hard?

This year, my son once again asked if I could help coach his 7 year old team.  I’m one of the assistants.  When it comes to hitting, I’ve found myself recently saying, “hit the ball far, guys.”  I started the season using my standard phrase “hit it hard.”  I think I started to use “far” because […]

Middle infield mistake when breaking to second base

I had the pleasure of checking out a high school game last week.  It’s great to get outside and enjoy some warm weather for a change and it also gives me a long list of ideas for future posts!  Here’s one. When covering second base on a steal, both middle infielders should not be breaking […]

No double taps for shortstops

One of the many bad habits infielders can get into is tapping the ball in their glove before throwing.  To get an idea of what I’m talking about, watch this short video of Brendan Ryan taking grounders at shortstop.  The ground ball where he taps his glove just before throwing starts at the :35 second […]

What does pitchability mean?

A lot of players and their parents ask how important velocity is to college coaches and pro scouts.  If you listen to the answers, you’ll probably hear something like this … “A pitcher needs to show that he has enough velocity to get college/pro hitters out.  Certainly, more velocity is better than less velocity since […]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

I’ve often told players that if they cannot perform a task (fielding, hitting, pitching, etc.) in slow motion then they will never be able to do it in regular speed.  Because of this, I’m a firm believer in players practicing (on their own) their mechanics in slow motion.  When they are performed in slow motion, […]

Tell them they need good vision

Did you know that studies have revealed that telling someone they need good vision to perform a particular task can actually improve their vision?  It’s true.  Here’s how one study worked.  The experimenters organized two randomly selected groups of Air Force ROTC students at a university. All members in both groups took a standard eye test.  […]

Young arms – overuse and specialization

There has been quite a debate raging in the game of baseball as to what is causing all the arm injuries. Before going any farther, look at the following photo and consider this scenario.  You are 16 years old and at a showcase.  Every coach you’ve ever had has tried to convince you that location is more […]

Balance and the brain in baseball

The human body is an incredible machine.  Take balance as an example.  When we perform a task such as walking, our body and brain are performing an amazing number of things to make sure we stay in balance.  Balance is so central to our functioning that our body and brain takes care of it all […]

No reflexive swings

I am very fortunate in that, for whatever reason, I throw a pretty mean batting practice.  Tons of strikes, same speed, same location, and easy to see and hit.  At least that’s what I’m told.  If you fall in that category, congratulations.  If you are not in that camp, don’t feel bad.  Some of the […]

Two out close plays at first base

Here’s the situation … runner on second base with two outs.  A ball is hit to an infielder who bobbles it and throws to first base.  The play at first will be a bang-bang play. If the runner is out, it’s inning over.  If the runner is safe, there is a very good chance the […]

Keep the batter off second base

In yesterday’s post I described a strategy geared towards outfielders to avoid giving up extra base hits late in the game when your team is ahead by just a run or two.  Today’s post is another common strategy also geared towards outfielders.  This strategy is to make sure the opposing team has a harder time […]

Nothing over your head

If you watch coaches in the dugout late in the game when the game is close, you may see a coach whose team is winning wave his hand up and down behind his head.  This is the universal sign for outfielders that means “play deeper and don’t let any ball go over your head.”  Here […]

Pinch on passed balls at home plate

Today’s post is a tip for middle infielders and for coaches who are looking for another one of those little things to pass on to their players.  It involves a passed ball or wild pitch that goes to the backstop when there is a runner on third base and at least one other at 1st […]

You are working too hard

When I first started teaching about 20 years ago, a department chairperson who observed my teaching said she liked my style and methods but felt I was working too hard.  I didn’t quite know how to take that.  I thought working hard was the point.  When she said it again after another observation, I told […]

Addition by subtraction

In my neck of the woods (Philadelphia area) there has been a lot of talk recently about the Eagles outright releasing wide receiver Desean Jackson.  Critics of the move have focused on a number of things but the big one tends to be that they (the Eagles) got rid of a highly talented player and […]

Mr. and Mrs. Parent

Here’s a quick tip that can avoid some problems down the road – don’t call parents by their first names. Inevitably, when you coach a team, you will know some of the kids’ parents better than others.  You may know them outside of baseball.  You may have grown up with them.  You may have coached their other […]

Getting a ton of infield reps – Part 2

In Part 1 I explained how to get a bunch of reps pretty quickly for your infielders.  I usually did it at the start of practices but it could certainly be done anytime you see fit.  Today I’ll show how this basic concept can be expanded into a full-blown infield activity that  works on a ton […]

Getting a ton of infield reps – Part 1

When I ran outdoor high school practices, virtually every one started with defensive reps.  I felt our ability to hit largely depended who was pitching against us but if we worked hard at the footwork and fundamentals to fielding then that side of the ball would/should remain consistently good. The way I started involved rapid […]

Practice in uniform

At my high school, us teachers have to chaperone two events during the school year as per our contract.  This year I am chaperoning the senior prom again which counts as my two because of the amount of time involved.  To many, spending most of a Saturday night with about 1,000 teenagers seems like torture. […]

Baseball and Wall Street

When it comes to investing, some people are long-term investors.  They continually put money in the market and don’t worry so much about the daily, weekly, or even yearly ups and downs and just focus on where they want to be in 20-40 years down the road.  When looking at the following picture, long-term investors focus […]

A lot can be seen in one play at first base

Take a look at the brief video clip I ran into online.  Click on the photo below and then keep clicking the refresh button to see it over again.  Then come back to the post to read further. It only takes a few seconds to watch the clip but there are several things in the […]

Pitchers – Are you a head-snap or glove guy?

A huge part of being a great base stealer is being able to quickly recognize opportunities that increase your chances to be safe.  Examples include a catcher with a weak arm, middle infielders that are positioned too far from the bag, and a slow delivery to home plate.  Another big example involves what the pitcher […]

10 strikes a game

Here is a quick tip/goal for catchers … Challenge yourself to get your pitcher 10 more strikes a game. To accomplish this, catchers need to be good in the following areas: Keeping movements behind the plate to a minimum. Beat the ball to its location so you can catch with the glove moving inward. Have […]

Breaking down Anatomy of a Pitch

In yesterday’s post I provided a link to a piece on the ESPN/MLB website called Anatomy of a Pitch.  If you have not been through the short videos of the Diamondback pitchers involved, I hope you do.  It’s tremendous. When I watched the videos and listened to the pitchers talk, a number of things jumped […]

Anatomy of a pitch

I saw this link yesterday on ESPN/MLB and just had to share it.  The link is below.  Click on a pitcher and run through all the video of the featured pitchers from the Diamonbacks and watch their deliveries.  Even more important, listen to their explanations as to what their own keys need to be for […]

Poor weather practices

I remember playing a AA game way back in 1992 in Huntsville, AL.  It was early April and it was very cold in Huntsville.  The temperature was in the mid-40’s around game time.  After spending a month in spring training in warm temperatures, that series in Huntsville was not a picnic. I remember seeing teammates […]

The Back Hip Tee Drill

Today’s video tip is a drill I did quite a bit to help keep me back and prevent me from jumping or lunging at the pitch.  It’s also good for opposite field hitting. Tomorrow’s post:  Poor weather practices

Give signs early and often

Last week I posted a video for coaches about the do’s and don’ts of giving signs at third base.  If you have not seen it, you can click HERE or go to the VIDEOS page and see it there.   Another tip when giving signs is to give all your signs early and often.  By […]

Infielders – Be still at contact

Virtually every infielder has been taught to step forward on the pitch.  Little leaguers are taught this early on to make sure they get used to charging the ball.  Watch major league infielders and many will do the same thing.  It’s a common procedure but infielders have to be careful to make sure they do […]

I’ll be there

“I’ll be there” is one of those phrases I loved to hear my pitchers and infielders say throughout the game.  Here are the situations when I wanted to hear it from them.   Left handed hitter walks to the plate.  Pitcher turns to the first baseman and says “Ball hit to you, I’ll be there.“ […]

Some Do’s and Don’ts of giving signs at third base

All third base coaches are going to have their own methods for giving signs.  This post is not meant to tell anyone what their signs should and should not be.  That’s up to each and every coach.  This video post is meant to pass on some do’s and don’ts I either learned the hard way […]

Throw like you pitch

I’ve been asked several times how I come up with my ideas for my posts.  Often they stem from photographs.  I notice something in the photo that says a lot about mechanics, drills, etc. and it turns into a post. Here’s an example.  The two photographs I put together are of the same pitcher. Both photos […]

Breaking games up into sets

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! The other day I was watching a spring training game on TV.  Orel Hershiser and the other announcer were talking about how the pitcher in the game had a history of giving up runs early before settling down.  The other announcer asked Hershiser how he personally dealt with giving up a […]

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