Flipping the switch

Nine days ago the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East pennant for the fifth straight year.  In those nine days, they had eight straight loses before finally winning one.  Prior to that eight game losing streak, the Phils had not lost more than four in a row all season.  Baseball is a crazy game. […]

Fielding a bunt is all in the footwork (Part 2)

If you are practicing bunt plays at a slower speed than the fastest  runners, you are practicing to fail. Part 1 of fielding bunts involved the importance of getting a player’s body/feet into the proper position before the bunt is fielded.  Part 2 involves a tip when practicing all this. It’s very important to practice the […]

Fielding a bunt is all in the footwork (Part 1)

This young man properly sets his feet and body with hisfront side facing the target before he fields the bunt. Anytime I have written a post regarding defense, I have emphasized the importance of getting the body/feet in the proper spot prior to actually touching the ball.  When people see dropped balls or throwing errors […]

Earned vs Unearned runs

On every pitching stat sheet you’ll find a column for RUNS and EARNED RUNS.  Usually they are two different numbers.  Sometimes very different numbers.  When people look at these stats, most just ignore both categories and put all their emphasis on a pitcher’s ERA (Earned run average).  That’s what you see every time stats are […]

Focus inward – Focus outward

I have done many posts on the mental side of playing baseball.  If you are a fan of sports psychology, you probably know that much of what is done in the field is based on trying to get players to avoid distractions in order to focus on only those things that are important to the […]

Stepping down as head coach

About 10 days ago I officially announced that I was stepping down as head coach of my high school team.  This is something I have been mulling over for a couple years now and just finally came to the conclusion that it was time.  Being a head coach at any level takes up an enormous […]

Tampa Bay Rays: Talented and having fun!

At the time of this post, the Tampa Bay Rays have won 7 of their last 10 games and sit two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card standings.  The Red Sox, on the other hand, have lost 7 of their last 10 games and I think are starting to look […]

Radio interview with Coach McCreary

Last Thursday evening I was interviewed on Blog Talk Radio by Silvio Canto of CantoTalk and Jose Reyes of Yankeeology.com.   The interview is just over an hour.  Thanks to all those who tuned in and listened to the show.  If you didn’t get a chance to hear it, the interview in full has been embedded […]

Outfielders: Give yourself a chance

With a runner on second with two outs, outfieldersnormally have to “give themselves a chance.” The next time you watch a MLB game live or on TV, see if you notice anything different in the way outfielders position themselves with two outs and a runner on second base.  You will usually see (sometimes the announcers […]

There’s no such thing as a “wrong pitch to throw”

It is very common for a coach – usually a pitching coach if the team has one – to sit down with pitchers and catchers after games in order to debrief.  Discussing what went well, what didn’t, and why is certainly beneficial to all involved.  One topic that usually comes up in that process is […]

Curve ball adjustment – another option

I’m watching a game on TV the other night and the announcers are discussing one of the pitcher’s curveball and how he gets a lot of batters to swing and miss by throwing it in the dirt.  The discussion led to a common adjustment that batters are told to make in order to combat this […]

The safety squeeze

A little while back I did a five part series of posts on the suicide squeeze.  As I stated, I’m a big fan of the play but I do realize that the play can be risky.  Many things on the offensive side have to be timed and executed correctly.  Of course, anything that happens on […]

Communication tips for defense

What fielders specifically say to each other onplays like this is extremely important. In May 1988, I was playing for Villanova University in the Big East Conference Championship against St. John’s.  The winner moved on to the regional tournament and the loser went home.  We lost.  Anyway, towards the end of the game, our second […]

APPROACH – result – RESPONSE

In yesterday’s post I talked about the importance of staying in the “NOW.”   That, of course, is easier said than done.  In the future, I’ll write about some actual techniques to help players improve in this area but today I wanted to add something to the concept of focus.  Our culture is very results […]

Focus on the NOW

The mental side of the game has always fascinated me.  The number of posts that have been about or connected to that concept is surely indicative of that.  There are many areas within the field of sports psychology but I do believe there is one central message that is at the core in all that […]

Never forget

Today is a tough day for America.  Like many others, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing on that morning ten years ago.  The stories of sacrifice of everyday people on that day will last forever.  Americans are a very forward thinking people.  It’s in our nature as a culture.  It’s […]

Catchers: Be sure to protect your hand

Catch long enough and you are sure to take a few foul balls off various unprotected areas of the body.  The proper catching stance coupled with wearing the equipment right will limit a catcher’s vulnerability but it certainly will never eliminate it completely.  One of the biggest dangers a catcher faces is a ball that […]

Recognize the little things

Those of you who have been readers of this blog probably are well aware of my passion for the little things in baseball.  One goal that all coaches probably have is to instill this same passion in their players.  Having this passion to learn more about the finer points of the game and then be […]

Second basemen – Back up first base!

There is a saying in baseball that no matter what position you play, there is a place for you to be on every single play.  One such place for a second baseman is to back up first base on certain throws to that base.  Here’s an example:  With nobody on base, a grounder is hit […]

Two fungo drills you may not have done

Using a fungo bat is synonymous with coaching baseball.  With the amount of ground balls and fly balls I hit during the course of a normal season, I’d be lost without mine.  Below are two drills that you may not have thought of that involve the use of a fungo bat.Note:  Both of these drills […]

A tip for improving location for pitchers

As pitchers move up in levels, hitting their spots or improving the location of their pitches becomes more of a priority.  The next time you watch Sports Center, Baseball Tonight, or one of the many other highlight shows on the MLB Network, pay close attention to the home runs that are hit.  Actually, pay attention […]

Report card for off-season planning

With September now upon us, many high school players are starting to enter other sports like football and soccer.  Others are continuing their baseball in one of the many fall leagues that now exist.  Whatever their fall plans are, it is in every players’ interest to do some reflecting on the baseball season they just […]

Be on time in fastball counts!

If you have coached for any length of time, there are probably a couple of things that really annoy you.  Enough to drive you nuts.  Usually they are things you say to your players over and over yet still see players do. Albert Pujols, right on time!Never be late on a fastball in a fastball […]

Which one of "The Five" are you going to pin your name to?

In 1991, while sitting on a minor league bus bored completely out of my scull, I realized I had better find something to do before I go insane.  I decided to start reading for pleasure.  I haven’t stopped since.  I mostly read non-fiction that has nothing to do with baseball.  However, I’m always thinking of […]

Vance Worley, Phillies Rookie

9-1, 2.65 ERA (As of 8-29-11)  “I was confident in my stuff,” he said. “That’s the only way to pitch in this game. If you’re not confident on the mound, you’re going to get shelled. You have to look like you’re not going to get beat.”– Vance Worley, Phillies rookie starterThat about covers it.

Don’t speed up the hitter’s bat

As pitchers get older, it becomes more important to develop off-speed pitches.  Coaches can respectfully disagree with which off-speed pitch should be developed first (I believe a change-up should always come before a curve ball) but it is clear that the overwhelming amount of pitchers will no longer be able to simply throw a fast […]

Everyone can hit a fast ball

One of the many rewarding things about coaching a high school team is watching your players move on to the college level to continue playing.  My baseball experiences above high school were very memorable and to help players also get an opportunity to experience them is one reason I coach.When those players return to visit […]

AJ Burnett needs to "trust his stuff"

It’s safe to say that Yankees starter AJ Burnett is having a rough season and more specifically, a rough month.  His stats for the month of August are as follows: STATS IP H R ER BB SO WHIP ERA August                                […]

The flaw in 1st pitch hitting stats

The other night I’m watching a game on TV and a stat appeared on the screen regarding the batter.  It indicated that he had a higher than normal batting average on the first pitch of his at-bats.  The announcers discussed it for a little bit and, not surprisingly, warned that opposing pitchers better be very […]

The Suicide Squeeze – Part 5: Defending the squeeze play

As I have stated numerous times in this series on the suicide squeeze, if the offensive team hides it well, uses the proper timing, and executes the fundamentals of the bunt, there is virtually nothing a defense can do to stop the suicide squeeze.  Therefore, defending the squeeze play basically involves taking advantage of any […]

The suicide squeeze – Part 4: The mechanics

Squaring your feet up to the pitcher isan option for a normal sacrifice bunt … Although the squeeze play is hard to defend against once it has been properly put into motion, the batter still has to get the bunt down and the runner still has to travel 90 feet to score.  Easier said than […]

The Suicide Squeeze – Part 3: The timing

I mentioned in Part 1 that I believe the suicide squeeze to be a great weapon for an offense because it is almost impossible to defend against once the play is in motion.  The biggest reason for this is the timing involved.  If both the runner and the batter time their actions properly, all the […]

The Suicide Squeeze – Part 2: Giving & receiving the sign

In Part 2 of the suicide squeeze, I begin to present many of the “how’s” so that players and coaches can execute the play more successfully.  Initially, I had planned on a two part post on the squeeze play but to be completely thorough I decided to divide it up into several separate posts.  Today, […]

The suicide squeeze – Part 1: The why’s and when’s

At the college and professional levels, you don’t see many squeeze plays.  However, I have noticed more of them on MLB highlight shows so maybe it’s returning to fashion.  Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Madden recently put on two squeeze plays on back-to-back batters!  I love it!  I have found the squeeze play to be […]

There’s more to pro ball then just playing baseball

Over the past few years there have been some very high level baseball talent to come out of the high schools in my area (Philadelphia).  Jesse Biddle and Sean Coyle were two high round picks that are currently playing in the minor league systems of the Phillies and Red Sox respectively.  When you add Mike […]

Book Review: Catching 101

You may have noticed something new on my blog in recent days.  In the upper right side of the page there is a picture/link to a book called Catching 101: The complete guide for baseball catchers. Some time ago I interviewed University of Louisville Assistant Baseball Coach Xan Barksdale and turned it into a blog […]

If you’re good, they will find you.

I just got back from a family vacation that took us into the Mount Vernon area of Ohio to visit relatives.  My wife is a high school guidance counselor who takes every chance she can to visit colleges and universities so that her students can be more informed about their college choices.  We went to […]

The game shows no mercy

At the time of this post, the Seattle Mariners are mired in a 17 game losing streak.  Play the game long enough and your team will go through some kind of losing spell.  Hopefully not 17 games though.  It’s not fun to been caught in a rut like that and it can turn ugly very […]

Catchers: Tips before giving the pitch sign

At some point during a televised major league game, the camera usually will focus up close on the catcher while he gives the pitch sign and location to the guy on the mound.  If you look carefully, here are two things you’ll probably see the catcher do before giving the sign:   Besides looking in […]

I belong at this level

Close your eyes and think back to the month of July when you were 19 years old.  What were you doing?  For many people, much of what they remember might not be fit for print.  For baseball players it probably meant plugging away in the heat and humidity on a less than ideal field in […]

Pay vs Job Security

In every career there are varying degrees of pay and job security.  Professional baseball is no different.  Some players are extremely high paid and others make closer to the league minimum.  Some players have their “cup of coffee” in the major leagues and others seem to stick around forever.  There could be entire books written […]

Which eye is dominant?

Which of your eyes is dominant? When you watch MLB games on TV, you probably will notice that it’s not uncommon for many of the hitters to have somewhat of an open stance in the batter’s box.  Of course, some are more pronounced than others.  Young hitters are rarely taught to have an open stance […]

Learning to pitch by casting a fishing rod

As a teacher, you learn pretty quickly the power of analogies when it comes to explaining difficult concepts to kids in the classroom.  Explaining the same thing over and over again the same way just makes students who struggle more frustrated.  Relating the concept to something they may already know and/or have an interest in […]

Coaching vs Managing

In one of my first days in professional baseball, I got an eye opener about the difference between a coach and a manager.  A teammate of mine started a conversation with our manager by saying “Hey Coach, …”.  What came next was quite unexpected.  With a very serious look, the manager shot back sternly by […]

Talking hitting

I think it’s safe to say that Adrian Gonzalez has worked out well for the Boston Red Sox.  He may have been able to fly under the radar in San Diego but he certainly is not going to sneak up on any American League team now.Before the MLB All Star break, Peter Gammons was interviewed […]

Pitching: Keeping the foot under the knee

Cliff Lee:  Leg up, foot under the knee. Good balance and good command. To be successful as a pitcher, actually anything in baseball, good balance becomes a top priority.  If your balance is poor, power and quickness will usually suffer.  This is certainly true for pitchers who have the not so easy job of trying to […]

Catchers and throws to third base

In the summer of 1998, I had the pleasure of coaching under former 8 year major league catcher Ed Ott.  “Otter” played for the Pittsburgh Pirates where he helped win a World Series in 1979 and finished his playing career with the California Angels.  Before one game, I was talking to our catcher about some […]

Don’t leave scouts guessing about your arm strength

When I was in college, I was fortunate to play in front of a lot of professional scouts.  In my senior year we had four future major leaguers on our team roster so it was common to have many scouts there.  With my father’s baseball background, he knew a few of those scouts.  After one […]

Another option for defending the double-steal

In a major league game with runners on first and second, you’ll probably notice that the catcher usually will step out in front of the plate and give the infield players some hand signals of some kind.  What he is doing is letting the infielders know what base he will be throwing to if the […]

Don’t ignore your star players.

On every team there are going to be varying levels of ability.  Much of the time spent interacting with players involves trying to get the players who are struggling to improve.  A combination of encouragement and constructive criticism is usually what is recommended in order to do this.  Our time as coaches is limited so […]

Can a pitcher throw too many strikes?

When you listen to major league announcers, especially the former major leaguers, you’ll hear them say some great stuff.  I always recommend that my players really pay attention to the announcers when they watch games because they can learn a lot about the game just by listening.  The problem that arises, though, is that announcers […]

Double-Relays

As players get older, the fields they play on get bigger as well.  When a ball is hit into a gap and runners are rounding the bases, how the defense returns the ball to the infield becomes extremely important.  Which infielders go out as relay men, how they line themselves up, where they line themselves […]

Outfielders: Know the steps to the fence

A big part of playing the outfield positions is knowing how to handle a ball that is hit to the wall.  Unfortunately, when you watch outfielders on TV, you are rarely going to get a clinic on how to do this properly.  At the major league level, the corner outfield positions (left field and right field) […]

Bat label up and bat label down

This time of year, it’s not unusual to hear a player say that his bat is feeling a bit heavier.  The drain of the long season is kicking in.  The heat and humidity take its toll as well.  Many hitters, even at the major league level, will experience this and may choose to change to […]

I got it, you take it!

Mention “PFP” to an experienced pitcher and you’ll probably get a major groan or eye roll.  PFP stands for “Pitchers Fielding Practice.”   I haven’t played with many pitchers who liked the idea of practicing covering first base for the 200,000th time or getting come backers hit at them by some sadistic coach who enjoys […]

When two runners are at a base

Occasionally, you’ll run into the situation where two runners are standing on the same base.  It can become a little comical because many times nobody knows what to do or what the call should be.  Here’s the scoop.The rule.A) The rule states that two runners cannot occupy the same base and if they do and […]

Hitting behind a runner at first base (Part 2)

In Part 1, I explained the “why?” when it comes to hitting behind a runner at first base with no outs.  Now we’ll focus on the “how.”Left-Handed Batters.Obviously, for a left handed batter, this strategy is much simpler because all the batter must try to do is pull a ball through the right side.  Although […]

Hitting behind a runner at first base (Part 1)

A runner is on first base with no outs.  The next batter swings at the first strike and smokes a pitch into left field for a base hit.  The crowd and his teammates cheer, the batter is happy that his average went up a couple points, and some old timers in the stands shake their […]

Practice vs "Deliberate" Practice

Batter #1: 100 swings off a tee (1 hour total)60 swings on a ball set up down the middle, waist high20 swings with the ball set up thigh-high inside20 swings with the ball set up thigh-high outside. Josh Hamilton and a batting tee. Batter #2: 60 swings off a tee (40 minutes total)5 free swings […]

The new and improved (?!) Justin Verlander

There are a few pitchers that I would love to face as a hitter.  Justin Verlander is one of them.  When I say “love to face” I don’t mean “I’d love to face them because they are not very good.”  Watching Verlander on TV is something special in and of itself but standing in the […]

Infield footwork

If you look at the “Popular Posts” section on the right side of the page, you’ll notice that one of the most widely read posts is called Shortstop Mistakes / Footwork (Part 2).  That post deals primarily with the footwork of a shortstop after they catch a ground ball.  Part 1 dealt with the steps […]

Inside for effect and inside for a strike

Here is a pitching sequence that is rarely used but can be very effective. Inside for effect … When the count is in the pitcher’s favor (0-2, 1-2), many pitchers are aware of the “Inside for Effect” fast ball.  It’s a fast ball designed to move the batter off the plate a bit.  It’s not […]

How can you get mad at young players?

“Don’t worry about it kid.  Your majorleague idol hasn’t hit the cut-off manall season and I’m pretty sure he makes more money than you do.” My wife and I recently went to a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park.  If any of you are not from the Philadelphia area, I highly suggest you take a […]

Long-Tee Drill

Like most coaches, I’m a big fan of the batting tee.  I think it is by far the best invention known to baseball. Unfortunately, it’s probably the most underused invention as well, particularly for younger players who sometimes feel that if it’s not live pitching, it’s not worth doing.  What a shame. Access to a […]

Is it ok to slide into first base?

The answer is yes, but most of the time runners who slide into first base do it for the wrong reason.  By sliding, usually head first, most are of the mind set that they will reach first base more quickly than if they ran through the bag.  Check out the following video clip to see […]

Most players …

It’s the end of June and most players have been working out, practicing, and/or playing since the fall.  The “dog days of summer” are approaching.  Some thoughts about this time of year: Most players are starting to feel the physical drain of a long season. Most players are starting to feel the mental drain of […]

What can we learn from a chicken?

Ok.  So I occasionally look for stupid things online.  Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective), I tend to see just about everything through the eyes of a baseball coach and usually end up asking myself “how can I apply this to baseball?”  You might say it’s a gift or, if you are my wife, […]

Where do you touch a base?

When rounding the bases, which part of the bag do you tag? Just about every baseball player would answer with “the inside corner.”  And they would be correct.  However, when you go farther and ask “what part of the inside corner do you touch?” the answers probably don’t come so quickly.  It would be nice […]

3rd base coach: Send the runner?

A third base coach rarely gets much attention, especially at the higher levels where the manager stays on the bench.  Quick, name five MLB 3rd base coaches.  See what I mean?  It seems the only time a 3rd base coach ever gets his name in the paper is when he gets a runner thrown out […]

First base: Defending the "first move"

A lot has to go right for the defense for the “first move”play to be successfully defended against. When a left handed pitcher has a great move to first base, many base runners will be told to run on first move.  The runner will take a normal (or longer) lead and take off as soon […]

When does the stride foot land?

I recently got a question from a reader asking about when the stride foot should be landing in order to be ready to hit a hard fastball.  It’s a good question because many young hitters have trouble with this aspect of hitting.  Some just don’t seem to be getting the front foot down in time […]

Staying within your stance

Chipper Jones:  Staying within his stancefrom start to finish with little head movement Greg Gross, the hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, had a short clip on a pre-game Phillies show about a basic hitting tip he gives to players of all ages.  He called it “staying within your framework” but I’ll call it “staying […]

Quickening your throws: Catch around the ball

 On this ball above his waist, Jeter positions the glove fingers above the ball which will allow him to catch on the way down to his hip. Yesterday, I posted a tip for infielders called Quickening your throws: Take it to the hip where I explained that taking the ball out of your glove and […]

Quickening your throws: Take it to the hip

I’ve said many times that as kids get older, the game gets faster.  In many respects, this blog is an attempt to help players keep up with the pace of the game so that they can get the most out of their potential. The catching and throwing transition is an important one but even more […]

The Power of the Bench

Still one of the best motivational tools known to man. “I didn’t like his attitude.  The inning before there were a couple of plays he didn’t make, but he gave the effort. There are going to be plays that you can’t make. On that play, there wasn’t energy. Elvis is better than that. I didn’t chew […]

Shortstops and the 5.5 hole

One of the toughest defensive plays in all of baseball is when a shortstop has to go to his right to field a ground ball.  This is especially true whenever the batter/runner has a good amount of speed.  For some hitters who can fly, just making the shortstop move to his right even a little […]

Third Base Coach: What to say

In a recent post, I focused on the 1st base coach and what they should be saying to base runners who get to first base.  Today is for the 3rd base coaches out there.  The first three points are the same thing that 1st base coaches say so if you want to go back and read the explanation for […]

The Contact Play

With a runner on third base, the offensive team has a few things it can do on a ball hit on the ground.  They can tell the runner to make the ball go through the infield before running, they can have him go on any grounder that gets past the pitcher, they can have the […]

1st Base coach: What to say

Things that all 1st base coaches should say to runners at first base: Number of outs. “On your own past the catcher & pitcher” – if a ball gets past the catcher or if the return throw gets by the pitcher, the runner decides for himself whether or not to go.  He can’t wait for the […]

Leads off second base: Settle down!

Baseball is a very hard game to play.  The hardest part of the game is hitting the baseball.  Hitting becomes even harder whenever the batter is distracted either mentally or visually.  That being said, here’s a piece of advice for base runners who are at second base.  SETTLE DOWN OUT THERE! Movement by the runner […]

Get the umpire to talk

Asking “why?” can be a useful strategywhen talking to umpires.(Photo by Rose Palmisano/Orange Co.Register) So much goes into the dynamics of the relationship between the head coach and umpires.  I’m sure a whole book can be written about how to handle umpires during the course of a game depending on the situation and the call.  […]

Labeling

As a sociology teacher, one concept I teach is called labeling.  One aspect of labeling is similar to having a reputation.  A reputation can be good or bad, fair or unfair.  If a person has been labeled a good kid by most of the people around him, that kid will usually receive the benefit of […]

Go with your best

To beat Roy Halladay, you know you aregoing to have to beat his best stuff. A general tip for any pitcher that is in a jam is to “go with your best stuff.”  Most pitchers by the time they reach the high school level are going to throw at least three types of pitches.  They […]

The Delayed Steal (Part 3)

The first baseman is not to blame on a delayed steal.He will be looking home before the runner goes. In Part 2, I listed and explained what coaches should look for before giving the delayed steal sign to a runner at first base.  If you read it, you’ll notice I didn’t say anything about mistakes […]

The delayed steal (Part 2)

Because a delayed steal is a timing play and mostly will involve runners who are not overly fast (if they were, a straight steal usually would be easier), it becomes imperative for coaches to choose wisely in when they put on the delayed steal.   There are only three players a coach needs to pay attention […]

The Delayed Steal (Part 1)

One of the most underrated offensive plays at the lower levels of baseball is the delayed steal.  My teams at the high school level have probably used it well over one hundred times.  I can honestly say that the runner has been thrown out about 5 times max.  Of course, the runner needs to know […]

Showing up players

Coaches at all levels routinely teach their players to not “show up” umpires and their teammates during a game.  A player needs to keep his cool and move on if an umpire makes a questionable call.  A pitcher has to keep his poise and move on if a teammate makes a bad error behind him.  […]

The game is hard

You can hide here … You have to give a lot of credit to baseball players if they are still playing at the high school level and beyond.  So much of our modern society pushes them away from a sport like baseball.  Playing the game well takes an incredible amount of skill.  Acquiring that skill […]

Sun balls

A tough play that is rarely practiced is the fly ball in the sun.  Here are some suggestions and tips for players with regards to handling balls hit in the sun.  Suggestions: Get a pair of sunglasses.  Not all glasses are alike.  Try a variety of styles and lenses if you are able to in […]

The big inning

Want to see how important the “big inning” is in baseball?  Try this experiment.  Look at the box scores of all the games played on a particular day.  Could be MLB games, college games, and/or high school games.  Look at them all and do the following.  Count how many games the winning team scored an […]

Good or bad?

I saw in the paper the other day that Blue Jays pitcher JoJo Reyes finally won a game.  He almost broke the record of consecutive starts without a win.  It ended at 28 with his win against the Cleveland Indians.  29 games without a win is one of those records that no pitcher wants to have. Here […]

Catchers and pre-game

Most every team at the lower levels takes pre-game infield/outfield practice.  Here is a tip for catchers during this pre-game routine. Find out how the ball bounces. Seeing how a throw bounces in front of home plate isnot something you want to find out with a runnerapproaching and the game on the line. One of the […]

Swing and Miss stuff

Pitchers who can get batters to do this more often are seen as more valuable, especially come playoff time. This time of year involves two important things:  high school/college playoffs and the amateur draft.  In both, the importance of good pitching is key.  The teams that tend to do the best come playoff time generally have […]

Bunt delay

  Being a little slower out of the batter’s box mightjust keep the catcher back long enough to move a runner on a bad bunt.(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)  A  batter squares to sacrifice bunt.  The ball is bunted about a foot or two in front of the plate.  The catcher pounces on it […]

Receiving pick-off throws at second base

I recently did a post on throws to second base by pitchers on pick-off moves.  This one deals with the footwork around the bag at second on the part of the shortstop.  If you are a reader of Baseball By The Yard, you are probably aware that I am a firm believer in proper footwork.  […]

Throwing on the run

Head still, eyes level and locked on the target There are many situations in baseball when fielders will need to catch a ball and throw it “on the run.”  Slow rollers are usually when you see this the most.  Throwing on the run is one of the more difficult plays because it requires quick hands […]

Ladder of Accountability

About a year or so ago, I was flipping through the TV channels and came across a speaker who was speaking at a conference.  It turned out that the speaker was a gentleman by the name of Bruce Gordon, who served as the CEO of the NAACP for a stretch.  What caught my attention was […]

Pick-off throws to second base

One of the more demoralizing things that can happen to an offensive team is to have a runner picked off.  This is especially true when the runner is at second base and thus taken out of scoring position.  A pitcher has a couple different ways to perform a pick-off at second base.  One is the […]

Base running with two outs

I have always told my players that base running should be the easiest part of the game.  In no way am I implying that base running is less important than the other facets of the game though.  Many games can swing one way or the other simply because of good or bad base running.  I […]

The push-bunt (Part 2)

In Part 1 of the push-bunt, I talked about the value of a push-bunt for right handed hitters over a traditional base hit bunt down towards third base.  Today I list and explain the mechanics of the push-bunt so that players can do it more effectively. Before getting into any of the specifics of how […]

The push-bunt (Part 1)

When a right handed batter bunts for a base hit, you’ll usually see him direct the bunt down the third base line.  There are a number of situations that call for this kind of bunt and a variety of little things associated with doing it correctly.  What you don’t see much of at any level […]

On your own (Part 2)

Yesterday, in Part 1, I spoke about the value of letting runners decide for themselves when to steal a base.  Today, it gets more specific on what runners should look for and provides some tips for coaches who might be interested in giving it a shot. What are some things a runner should look for? (Photo by […]

On your own (Part 1)

There are a lot of advantages to the runner deciding for himself when to steal and when not to.(Photo by Josh Geer) I was watching the Phillies the other night and the two announcers discussed something that is not well known at the lower levels of baseball.  They were talking about how the straight steal sign […]

The slide step

Let me say right off the bat that I am not a big fan of the slide step.  In my opinion, it is way overused at the younger levels and even at the high school level.  I even think some arm injuries are at least partly caused by too much slide stepping.  I’m sure there […]

The slow roller (Part 2)

Yesterday, I listed the mechanics of fielding the slow roller.  Today it’s tips for teaching and practicing the play.Practice tips When I work on this play with infielders, especially those just starting out, I usually do it in steps.  It starts off very easy in order to learn and get comfortable with the footwork and […]

The slow roller (Part 1)

One of the toughest things an infielder has to do is field and throw on the run.  This usually occurs on slow rollers, swinging bunts, sac bunts, and base hit bunts.  The player has to charge, field the ball (or barehand it), and normally throw off the opposite foot.  It requires a tremendous amount of […]

Putting runners in motion

Aggressive base running is a valuable weapon for any offense.  Putting runners in motion in all its forms puts a lot of pressure on a defense because they are forced to deal with multiple things at the same time – throwing, covering bases, chasing and fielding grounders, pop-ups, etc.  The more things you make a […]

Fielding in "less than ideal" conditions

Note: For the past two days, Blogger has not been allowing writers to add/edit posts due to maintenance issues with the site.  Sorry to those who check in daily.  Hopefully Blogger will not let that happen again. In my area of the country (Pennsylvania), the second week of May is usually when the weather begins to […]

What to do IF you are picked off by a lefty.

The other day I did a post on How NOT to get picked-off by a left-hander at first base when the steal is not on.  Of course, when a runner does have the steal sign, he can be in for a real challenge with a left hander on the mound.  Especially when the lefty has […]

Team Climate

A player’s perspective on thingscan be very valuable to a coach. If you are a coach, there is a technique that is rarely used but can offer some very valuable information with regards to team chemistry and how your players think of your coaching.  We all know that what kids say to a coach and what […]

How NOT to get picked off by a lefty

A while back I wrote three posts called the Cardinal Sins of Baseball that got a lot of positive feedback.  One of the cardinal sins I listed on the Offense post was getting picked-off first base when there is no steal on.  There are quite a number of things that can get a player a […]

The mini tee

The Schutt Tee In yesterday’s post called hitting the low pitch, I mentioned that exaggerating the low pitch when you train is a great way to improve.  Practicing getting to a pitch correctly at your shins makes a pitch at the knees not look so difficult anymore.  The problem with this is, how does a hitter practice […]

Hitting the low pitch

If you want to keep moving up, youbetter learn how to handle this pitch. Every now and then I get a laugh from a TV baseball announcer when he says “this guy is a good low-ball hitter.”  Although some guys are certainly better at it than others, there is more to that story.  As you […]

Act as if …

The “Gentleman of baseball” isn’tso gentle once the game starts,especially in his own mind. To piggy-back off of a recent post on Fear and Arrogance, a problem sometimes arrives with regards to arrogance.  Some players find it difficult or even might reject the idea of a need to be more arrogant.  Many have been taught to […]

The forbidden conversation

Having pitched at the college and professional levels, I think I have a pretty good idea as to what makes a pitcher successful enough to pitch at those levels.  Although I did not make it to the major leagues, I played with and against many pitchers who did.  We have had many conversations with our […]

Fear and Arrogance

Given the number of times I have referred to the film Bull Durham, you can probably guess by now that I’m a fan of the movie.  Even though there are some exaggerations in the film, just about every scene has some element of truth to it when it comes to the game of baseball.  In […]

Snap throws to third base

One of the more demoralizing things that can happen to an offensive team is to have a base runner picked off third base.  I’ve written a post or two on base running and taking leads but this post is for the defensive team and mostly for the third baseman and catcher. Watching how this guys […]

Fast paced practice drills for defense

The following are defensive drills that are great for keeping everyone moving and working on game-like situations.  Each sequence is intended to be run for about 5 minutes to keep focus high.  Some of the situations require a coach to either throw or hit balls but many can work by players rolling or throwing each […]

Pitching: Using both sides of the plate

As pitchers move up through the various levels of baseball it becomes increasingly important to have command on both sides of the plate.  Hitting is a very difficult skill.  However, a pitcher who uses only half the plate – say the 8 ½ inches of the outer half – is making things much easier for […]

Step and Throw

“Step and Throw!”  If you were/are a pitcher, how many times have you heard that phrase on a ball hit back to you?  How many times have you said it as a coach?  A wonderful friend to any pitcher is an easily fielded ball hit back to them.  This is especially “friendly” when the pitcher […]

Point

Point to all fly balls.  You never knowwhen a teammate will need that help. A simple tip for everyone in the infield that can go a long way is to point to all fly balls off the bat.  If you pay attention to MLB games, you’ll see this quite a bit.  A ball is hit […]

Pitchers: Pre-game routine (Part 2)

In the previous Pre-game routine (Part 1), I provided a pre-game schedule for starting pitchers.  The timing involved allows pitchers to properly prepare to avoid having a sluggish start to the first inning.  Today, I provide a suggested pitch-by-pitch routine when pitchers are actually on the bullpen mound practicing their pitches.  This too can be […]

Pitchers: Pre-game routine (Part 1)

Two MLB starters.  Both have a personalized routine that gets them fully prepared to be 100% at the first pitch of the game.(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) Going into his fifth start of this 2011 season, Cincinnatti Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez had a 1st inning ERA of 29.25.  Prior to his latest start, the announcers talked quite […]

"Puppet" or the "Puppeteer?"

One of my posts was included in a recent newsletter by the Clell Wade Coaches Directory.  Along with my article was an piece written by a former teammate of mine in the minor leagues who is now coaching at Mississippi State University.  In his article which you can access HERE, Coach Cohen mentioned that he […]

Collisions at home plate

The following clip shows you all you need to know about the potential danger of collisions at home plate.  I’m sure many a catcher has woken up in a cold sweat after dreaming of Bo Jackson or Prince Fielder bearing down at them at home plate.  This type of play has the potential for serious […]

Games are for the players

The past couple years I have noticed something new in college baseball.  It involves players wearing wristbands that apparently have all the offensive and defensive plays written on them along with some kind of a numeric code system.  A coach calls out a sequence of numbers and the player(s) look at their wristbands to figure […]

Game face

(Photo by Tameisha1) I was watching a game on TV recently between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants.  It was the top of the ninth inning with the home team Giants winning by a couple runs.  Yadier Molina was up with two outs and an 0-2 count and nobody on base.  The […]

Danger of treating every player equally

You’ve probably heard this before.  “My coach hates me” or “My coach plays favorites.”  Common statements like those directed at coaches come from young players and their parents all the time.  It’s a tricky situation for a coach because I believe a good coach does not and cannot treat all his players equally.  Every player […]

First base & Third base cutoffs

One of the important jobs for both third basemen and first basemen is to be the cutoff guy on throws to home plate from the outfield.  Below are some things both should consider and/or do to make the play more successful.Line yourself up.  I mentioned this part in the First Base Mistakes post a while […]

Batting order roles

Below is a chart that indicates the ideal roles, expectations, and priorities for each batter in the line-up.  Of course, a manager is going to be limited to the talent he has on the team and most likely will not have a hitter in each spot who is capable of achieving all that is expected. […]

Tips for gripping a bat

Ichiro Suzuki.  Knuckles aligned. How a batter holds the bat is one thing that a lot of players overlook when addressing problems with hitting.  I think that it is assumed that hitters just know how to do it.  Sometimes a minor adjustment in the grip can go a long way to improve contact and overall […]

Change your sights for a better breaking pitch

When pitchers throw a fast ball or a change-up, they usually focus their eyes on where they want the ball to end up.  They get the sign, stare at the catcher’s mitt, and throw it to the glove.  Pretty straight forward.  But what about a curve ball or a slider?  Actually, throwing a breaking pitch […]

Quiz – Attentional Focus

I mentioned before in a previous post about a tremendous book I recommend for coaches.  It’s called The Psychology of Coaching Team Sports by Larry Leith.  It is very readable and includes a number of activities for coaches and their players to gauge their mental strengths and weaknesses in a variety of ways. One of […]

Kevin Manero – The case for American Legion baseball

Today is Baseball By The Yard’s first guest post.  It comes from my right-hand man, Coach Kevin Manero, who along with being an assistant of mine at the high school level, is also an American Legion coach.  He is a former high school and Division I pitcher at LaSalle University and is a tremendous baseball guy.  […]

Two strike adjustments (Part 2)

Yesterday’s post dealt with the physical adjustments a batter should make when he is in a two strike situation.  Today, I list the mental adjustments all hitters should consider making. Mental adjustments: Expand your strike zone.  This adjustment goes back to the saying “never allow the umpire to take the bat out of your hands.”  A hitter […]

Two strike adjustments (Part 1)

In my post called Cardinal Sins of Baseball: Offense, I mentioned a number of times something that drives me nuts.  Called third strikes.  I was raised to believe that under no circumstances should a hitter take a called third strike.  Period.  End of story.  No exceptions.   Of course, hitting is not easy and sometimes the umpire will just […]

Good v Great

Although there are a lot of Yankee haters out there, most baseball fans would concede that Derek Jeter has been a great player.  His longevity and career stats prove it.  But what makes him great?  Does he have a great arm?  No.  He has a good arm.  Does he have great speed?  No. He has good speed.  Does he have great […]

Point of contact: Procedure v Technique

If you are an avid baseball fan you can probably tell who the players are in the photos below if you look carefully.  Check and see. Photo #1 Photo #2 Photo #3 Even if you had no idea who was in the photos, would you be able to tell which one was the world’s best […]

Pitchers and the set position

When pitchers throw from the stretch, you’ll see a number of variations as to where they come set with their hands after getting the sign from the catcher.  Some bring their hands together and come set (come to a stop) around chin level.  Some come set at the chest.  Some even stop down near the […]

Where pride still matters

There are times in every coach’s career that he asks, “why am I doing this?”  Sometimes the game of baseball can drive you crazy.  Sometimes it will break your heart.  During these occasions, it’s good to take a step back and see the big picture.  The link below is probably the best article I have ever […]

Hitting: Power and Grace

Twins catcher, Joe Mauer Think of some swings that are/were just beautiful to watch.  For me, I think of Ken Griffey Jr., Adrian Gonzalez, Ted Williams, Albert Pujols, and Joe Mauer.   I also think of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in golf.  What makes them beautiful is that all their swings have the combination of power and grace.  […]

Exhale

Here is a quick tip for any player who recognizes that their nerves are getting the better of them in pressure situations.  Correctly time your exhale.  The human body reacts differently when we inhale versus when we exhale.  When someone is startled or frightened they usually gasp which means they inhale quickly and tense up.  […]

Compounding errors

“Winning is contagious.”  Hitting is as well.  Unfortunately, so is making errors. Errors are always going to be part of the game.  Even the best defenders are going to drop a ball or make a bad throw every once in a while.  What good teams and individual players need to prevent is what I call […]

Middle infielders: Backing up return throws

Middle infielders need to pay attention to this throw … and return properly. (Photo by FourSeamImages) By the time kids get to the high school varsity level, most middle infielders  know that when there are runners on base, especially one at third, they should be taking a step or two up the middle after each pitch in order to […]

Pitching later into games

The “complete game” seems to have had the same fate as the black and white TV and phones with cords.  In 2010, Roy Halliday led the Major Leagues with 9 complete games on the way to the National League Cy Young Award. Entering his 14th season in the Major Leagues, Halliday tied his career best […]

Freeze on a line drive

Most players grow up hearing the phrase “freeze on a line drive” when they are on base with less than two outs.  In general, that is good advice.  Do not get doubled off on a line drive.  However, as players move up in levels to high school and beyond, there are a few more things […]

Shortstop: The 1-6-3 double play

An easy ground ball back to the pitcher with a runner on first base is called “a pitcher’s best friend.”  It should be an easy double play for the defense.  There are a number of little things the pitcher, the shortstop, and the first baseman must do in order to execute this play efficiently and […]

Managing your emotion

Below is what sports psychologists call an Inverted-U Graph.  The inverted-U’s show the relationship between performance and emotional arousal.  Emotional arousal is a combination of things like blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.  Here is what the chart is showing.  Whether you are golfing or weight lifting, if your emotional arousal level is too […]

Interview with Coach Barksdale – Univ. of Louisville

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Coach Xan Barksdale of the University of Louisville.  Coach Barksdale is one of college baseball’s best catching instructors.  He was a Division I catcher himself at the University of Mississippi and went on to catch in the Atlanta Braves organization.  He has a terrific website and a […]

Pitchers: Take good care of your fielders

A pitcher’s ERA and win-loss record depends largely on what the players behind them do during the course of the game.  If players make more plays, a pitcher’s ERA tends to go down.  If a pitcher’s ERA goes down they tend to have a better win-loss record.  The point is that fielders are a pitcher’s […]

Pitching with a runner on third base

Here’s a tip for pitchers who find themselves with a runner on third base.  Be sure to look at the runner prior to starting your delivery to home plate. Be sure to look at this guy at third BEFORE youstart your delivery to home plate.(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) Especially from the wind-up.  Here’s why.  […]

Track the ball to the catcher

In a previous post called Off-season Hitting: An overlooked Drill I talked about the advantages of standing in when pitchers are throwing indoors or in the bullpen.  One tip I recommended while doing it was to follow the ball all the way back to the catcher’s mitt.  This allows the hitter the ability to see any late […]

Separating yourself vs Standing out

We all have words we live by.  I’ve turned a few into posts. “Show up, Suit up, Shut up, and Play hard“ is one of them.  Another one for me is …  It is better to separate yourself from the crowd then to stand out from one. A clown stands out in a crowd.  Your eyes […]

A tip for secondary leads

This Tigers runner shuffles off onthe pitch and is in position toland properly at the right time.(AP Photo) A secondary lead is the extra lead base runners take when the ball is traveling to home plate.  Others call it “shuffling off on the pitch” but it’s all the same thing.  This post is specifically going […]

The mentality of a thief

When a normal person walks into your home for the first time, they will walk around and compliment you on your decorations, your new flat screen TV, your stereo system, and your brand new iMac computer.  When a person who is really a thief walks into a house, they will say the same thing but […]

The Stubborn Hitter – a short story

Once upon a time on a field far, far away there was a hitter who was very stubborn.  The boy hit mile-high pop-ups.  One after another. They soared high up into the clouds … and always landed for outs. The coaches all tried to intervene.  The boy wanted nothing of it. They searched far and […]

Perfect hitting speed

At any level of baseball, there is going to be a pitching speed that most of the hitters at that level are comfortable hitting.  It’s that speed that is not too fast and not too slow – the Perfect Hitting Speed (PHS).  Your game-plan as a pitcher depends largely on knowing where you are on the […]

The silent catcher

For every position or role on the field there are a given set of expectations for a player, should he want to be successful.  The nature of the lead-off spot in the order demands that a player be good at getting on base.  A third or fourth hitter should have a greater ability to drive […]

The game is your toughest opponent

Any player that has been with me for at least one season has heard me say many times the following: “The game of baseball is a much tougher opponent then any team you will ever face.” What does this mean?   It means that sometimes a team or an individual player will place too much […]

Focus on your weaknesses?

Here’s a question.If your child came home with a report card with the following grades …Math = AComputer Science = BSocial Studies = BEnglish = C Physics = FWhich grade would you focus the most attention on?  The F is usually the popular answer. The same thing goes in baseball.  A player asks the coach […]

Tips for diving after ground balls

Being a defensive minded baseball person by nature, I love watching highlights of great defensive plays by infielders.  For me, a player diving for a ball and getting up to throw a strike to first base is better than watching a batter hit a game winning home run.  Although some of these Major League infielders […]

How to hit (take!) a curve ball

I get a lot of questions related to hitting asking for tips on how to hit a curve ball.  As players get older, pitchers certainly are going to throw more than just a fastball so all hitters have to be prepared – physically and mentally – to handle curve balls and other breaking pitches. That […]

Hitting: "Looking" vs "Guessing"

After a big home run, you have probably heard a Major League hitter interviewed and say “I was looking for a fastball and got one.”  You may have also heard an announcer say after a bad swing/miss or a called third strike, “it appeared the batter was guessing on that pitch.”    Good hitters occasionally will “look” […]

Tips for an underhand toss

There are a number of plays in baseball that require an underhand toss: Ranger pitcher CJ Wilson A first baseman tossing the ball to the pitcher covering first. A pitcher fielding a hard hit bunt on the first base side and tossing it to the first baseman. A pitcher tossing the ball to the catcher […]

The importance of repeating yourself

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) The other day I am watching the MLB Network (surprise!) and they are doing an analysis of the Chicago White Sox during their 30 Teams in 30 Days Tour.  They spent a bit of time on a young pitcher named Chris Sale who was drafted in […]

Tips for runners in a "pickle"

Even the best base runners get picked off and/or get caught in a rundown every once in a while.  Although at the higher levels practically all these runners will be out, there are a couple things a runner can do to increase the likelihood that they will be safe.  Here are two tips that might […]

Footwork for outfielders

Avoid drifting whenpossible. When it comes to baseball instruction, I’ve always been a fan of taking a “ground up” approach.  That means everything I teach starts with the feet.  I believe most problems with hitting and fielding originate with footwork mistakes.  So when I discuss playing outfield, proper footwork is my first priority.  The following […]

Indoor Hitting Drills

Yesterday’s post dealt with some indoor practice tips.  Below are some drills specific for those hitting stations that allow you to maximize the time and space available.  Of course, these tips and drills are also great for individual players who are looking for ways to improve their hitting when they are stuck indoors at home.Hitting drills for […]

Indoor practice tips

With flood warnings in effect for my area over the next few days, it appears we will have to endure the wonderful “indoor workout” nightmare.  If you live in one of the warmer, drier states, I hope you appreciate it.  In Pennsylvania and certainly areas more north, we usually start the season in, shall we […]

Catching tip for middle infielders

The concept “As you get older the game gets faster” has been written numerous times on this blog in many different forms.  Careers are ended when a player’s abilities cannot keep pace with the speed of the game at a particular level.  For some, it’s Little League.  For others, it’s high school, college, or a […]

A tip to improve footwork

Notice anything the players in these photos have in common? Albert Pujols Miguel Tejada Chase Utley Chipper Jones Jose Reyes None of the players are wearing spikes.  All are wearing sneakers or turf shoes.  Why would that matter?  On the surface, it wouldn’t matter much at all.  Players in spring training take lots of ground […]

Baseball Curriculum

Our schools have a K-12 curriculum for every subject.  Math, science, social studies, etc.  If you want to see how your student is tracking, just look at the curriculum and see if they are keeping pace with the skills needed at the next level.   Does your district / organization have a baseball curriculum?  Do […]

The best drill for infield tryouts

Tryouts begin for public schools in Pennsylvania tomorrow.  Coaches all over the state will be running their players through multiple drills to gauge ability and potential.  Outfielders will catch fly balls and make some long throws, pitchers will throw off a mound, catchers will receive and throw, and hitters will hit.  However, for infielders it’s […]

Grind it out

Below is a link to an article that I think has a good message.  It’s written by a former major leaguer (Todd Jones) for The Sporting News.  He was still pitching when he wrote it.  It’s a bit old but it has a good message for players of any age.  This time of year there […]

Hitting: Five stages of focus

In a couple posts this week titled “Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!” (Part 1 and Part 2) I wrote about the fact that many players think about the wrong things at the wrong time for the wrong amount of time.  I then offered some tips or strategies to allow players to improve in these […]

Don’t let their best hitter beat you!

Walk him! … or at least don’t give him much to hit.(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) Growing up, I heard many great “baseball sayings” from my father and grandfather.  Some sayings or cliches are meant to be funny but most are also instructive.  On a mile high pop-up to the catcher, my dad would say […]

"Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!" (Part 2)

Yesterday’s post talked about a player’s need to compartmentalize their thoughts in order to focus on the right things, at the right time, for the right amount of time.  We all know some people who just seem to never let things get to them.  They’re level headed and can transition between multiple tasks seamlessly.  Other […]

"Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!"

Ever hear the phrase “don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!“?  Although I understood the point of the phrase, it never truly made much sense to me.  Have any of you ever tried to stop thinking?  Let’s try.  DO NOT think of a purple elephant.  I bet the image of a purple elephant entered your mind.My […]

3-6-3 double play

Starting a 3-6-3 double play(Photo by LakeCountyCaptains) One of the many pet-peeves of mine when I watch games is on a 3-6-3 double play when either the shortstop or the first baseman yells “Inside!” or “Outside!” before the throw to second base.  Saying anything is unnecessary.  Whether the first baseman throws to the inner side […]

Positive deviance

Cows are boring.  A purple cow gets noticed.  What are youdoing to get noticed? One of my favorite topics to teach in my sociology classes is the concept of positive deviance.  Most people think of deviance in the negative sense but deviance has enormous value to individuals and our society.  Deviance simply means “different from […]

Anatomy of a control problem

I found this article the other day and thought I’d share it with everyone.  It’s for any player who has experienced control issues and how aspects of sports psychology can be applied to address the problem.  Great for coaches and parents as well! Anatomy of a control problem I confirm the subscription of this blog […]

How do coaches judge potential?

I received a great question from a reader related to a post a few days ago called Tryouts: Current ability vs Potential.  The question was “How does a coach assess potential in a one-week tryout?”   If you were to ask a professional scout that question, he probably would say something that on the surface would […]

The power of a routine

Most players at the major league level have rituals or some sort of routine they go through prior to games.  Some might put on their uniform the same way everyday.  Others might eat at the same times on game days.  Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was famous for his pre-game rituals.  Although some might scoff […]

A dog and her ball

The past week has been a tough one for my family.  Our 11 year old Golden Retriever (Cassie) passed away unexpectedly last Monday morning.  So why would I mention this on a baseball blog?  Because she was a great role model for any young person who wishes to become a great baseball player.  If they […]

Baseball Tryouts: Current Ability vs Potential

Probably the worst part about coaching is tryouts.  Telling a player that there is not room for him is not a fun conversation.  Coaches love the game and sometimes they have to tell a player, who also loves the game, that their abilities will not allow them to be successful at our level.  That news […]

Learning from baseball photos

There are probably a thousand reason why this time of year is great for baseball fans, players, and coaches. One of the things I look forward to is all the great photos from spring training.  These pictures showing warm, sunny skies and terrific fields let you know that warmer days and baseball games are right […]

Hitting and making adjustments

Yesterday (Feb. 18) in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was interviewed and asked a number of questions about last season as well as the one that’s approaching.  A few things he said can be very informative to hitters.  In my opinion, what he said especially applies to those who work with private instructors.  […]

How to wear a baseball uniform

Now that players and coaches are gearing up for the approaching season, I thought it appropriate to write about something I find to be very important with regards to treating the game with respect.  There are many ways players and coaches can disrespect the game without most people even noticing.  That’s not the case when it comes […]

Pick-offs and holding runners at 1st base

First of all, it needs to be said that picking off runners at first and holding runners close are not necessarily the same thing.  When a pitcher picks a runner off first base it clearly sends a message to future runners to be more cautious.  Obviously this is a good thing.  However, holding runners close involves a lot […]

A parent talks to a child before the first game

I don’t remember where I found this and still don’t know who wrote it but I always get the chills when I read it.  Great players usually are supported by great parents who have a good perspective on the game. This is your first game, my child.  I hope you win. I hope you win for your […]

Cardinal sins of baseball (part 3) – Pitching

Cardinal Sins Part 1 and Part 2 were on Defense and Offense respectively.  Here’s a separate one for pitching. Click HERE for a site that sells a t-shirt for this design. A come-backer to the pitcher and he does not know who he’s throwing it to at second base on a double-play.  The middle infielders […]

Cardinal Sins of Baseball (Part 2) – Offense

Yesterday it was Cardinal Sins on defense.  Today it’s offense! Click HERE to go to a site thatsells t-shirts with this design! Taking a called third strike, especially with runners in scoring position.  Probably the thing that aggravates me the most as a coach. Missing a sign from a coach. Swinging at the first pitch […]

Cardinal Sins of Baseball (Part 1) – Defense

A “Cardinal Sin” refers to the most important behaviors people should avoid.  In baseball, cardinal sins involve the worst mistakes players can make on the field.  Old Timers probably have a more extensive list than today’s players which is why it is tough for some in the older baseball generation to watch today’s modern game. […]

Parents after tryouts: This one’s for you

Dear Parents/Guardians,                 This time of year brings mixed emotions to the baseball coaching staff at _____High School.  Although we are excited for the start of another season, we know that this time of year involves tryouts and the painful reality that not all the players can make the team.  The number of kids trying out provides […]

Baseball tryouts & what coaches look for

I hear that many high school baseball teams around the country have begun tryouts.  I look outside and still see a few inches of snow and temperatures in the teens so I’m envious of those warmer states.  Anyway, I thought I’d dedicate a few posts to high school tryouts.  Yesterday’s was about getting your coach […]

How to get noticed by your high school coach

Attend off-season workouts with the team. Whether it’s lifting sessions, pre-season meetings, open gym sessions, or whatever else the coach offers – be there as much as possible. It may not guarantee you a spot on the team but it can’t hurt either.Respect the game. Most coaches at the high school level have a great respect for […]

Baseball Instincts

Before we begin, can I trouble you with an experiment?  Watch the clip below and do the following: When the teams start to run around, count how many times the team in WHITE passes the ball.  Did you see the Bear?  I didn’t either!  Nobody does if they are focusing.  That’s the point.  So why do I share this experiment?  […]

A stopwatch will not lie

This one is for the coaches out there who are searching for ways to pick up the tempo of their games and practices.  A must for any coach A stopwatch is a great way to help players go from good to great in many areas of the game.  Players get used to performing at the […]

Base running: Watch the flight of the pitch

Many times the best base runners on a team are not the fastest guys.  Slower guys know they cannot solely rely on their speed to get around the bases.  They have to be smart.  They know where all the fielders are before the pitch.  They know the situation.  We could list a lot of things […]

Hitting: Watch the middle infielders

Paying attention to these two guys cansometimes pay off big for hitters.(Photo by Post406) In a couple previous posts, one for shortstops and one for third basemen, I mentioned the need to adjust positioning based on the batter and what pitch was being thrown.  As a hitter though, sometimes you can notice these adjustments if […]

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