Three ways to do every drill in baseball

I’ll get right to the point by saying that there are only three ways to do any drill in baseball. It doesn’t matter if you are a pitcher, fielder, base runner, or hitter, every drill known to man falls into one or more of the following ways on how to do it: When performing any […]

Win the Free-90 game!

Try this experiment. Look at every box score on a given day (MLB, college, high school, or Little League) and answer this question: How many times did the winning team score an equal number of runs or more runs in one inning than the losing team scored all game? I did this experiment over the […]

Is it ok to field with one hand?

I learned long ago that there are (almost) no absolutes in baseball.  Tell a player that he absolutely cannot/should not do something and that player will undoubtedly see a guy on TV successfully doing what you said cannot/should not be done.   Today’s post is another example of that. Virtually every coach in the world teaches […]

New book launch alert!

As any coach knows, getting your players to be in the right place at the right time on defense is more than half the battle. Unfortunately, too many players end up being spectators. On Monday I launch a new book from Baseball By The Yard. It’s called Defensive Positioning In Baseball. (Click the title for […]

Podcast Episode 008: Five tips for infielders when runners are on base

In today’s episode, Coach Bob McCreary explains five things that infielder must be aware of and do when there are runners on base.  Unfortunately, infielders at all levels are often not taught several of these which can come back to burn their teams eventually. If you liked this post, please SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to Baseball […]

Never let a scout leave without seeing your arm

On my most recent podcast episode called Seven habits of highly effective infielders, I mentioned a story about something a scout said to my father at one of my college games. I used the story as part of one of the seven habits I described. Here is the story for anyone who has not (yet!) […]

Podcast Episode 006: Seven habits of highly effective infielders

In this episode, Coach Bob McCreary lists several behaviors that high level infielders do on a consistent basis that separate them from average players.  He also provides some exciting news about a new product coming from Baseball By The Yard for coaches and players, especially those transitioning to the regulation size (60/90) field. If you […]

Communication is overrated

For anyone who has ever seen me coach, the title of this post may seem more than a little hypocritical. That’s because I never shut up once the game starts. I don’t think I’m alone when it comes to coaches who are working with young players. At the younger levels there is a constant need […]

Who covers second base and switching it on the fly

Today’s video tip is for second basemen and shortstops and it answers the basic question of who covers second base on the steal. More importantly, however, it explains when the middle infielders have to switch that up in the middle of a play. Enjoy! Coach McCreary’s Bio Page: https://www.BaseballByTheYard.com/bio Coach McCreary’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtli…  Coach McCreary’s Resource […]

Make him stop!

One of these days I will make a lengthy video or a series of videos on how to hold runners on base.  It would require a lot of work because there are so many little things that have to be done by multiple players simultaneously that I could not do it justice in just one or […]

Bet your shortstops don’t know this relay!

Today’s video tip is a more advanced one for shortstops when balls are hit down into the left field corner and a relay throw to home plate is needed. If you liked this post, please share it with three people: one who will like it, one who needs to see it, and even someone who […]

A “high sky” and other sky conditions in baseball

What is a “high sky”? Take a quick look above at the photo gallery of different sky conditions. In the top row you have a darker blue sky with the sun present as well. In the middle is also a blue sky but with clouds present. The other is obviously a dark night-time sky. The […]

Four ways a shortstop can make their double play feeds quicker

As you get older, the game gets faster. If you cannot keep up with the pace of the game then you are going to have to find a new hobby. Today’s video tip is for shortstops who want to make their double plays feeds to second base quicker and more effective. Please LIKE, SHARE, and […]

The four seconds that could have cost the Red Sox the Series

A Major League Baseball season lasts over seven months.  That is over 18 million seconds.  What would you say if I told you that the Red Sox could have very well lost the World Series because of just 4 seconds out of those 18 million?  Below is a highlight video of the historic 18 inning […]

When fielders tip-off pitches

Another example of how you can see a lot within the game if you know what to look for.   Monday’s post:  Match the energy and focus of the next level

RUNNER!!

Go to a college game (and many high school) games and you will undoubtedly hear multiple people from the defensive team yell “RUNNER!!” when a runner takes off to steal.  My son’s 11 year old team is just starting to learn this concept.  For them, this is the first year runners can take leads and […]

Adding vs Subtracting steps for infielders

When I work with young infielders, I always coach them as if they are shortstops.  I do this because a shortstop typically has to have the most efficient footwork of all the fielders.  Shortstops have the longest throw to first base and are often the farthest from the batter.  Add those two realities together and […]

Seminar – Building a defensive foundation

  Below is the video of a seminar I gave at this year’s annual youth level coaches and parents clinic at North Penn HS in Lansdale, PA.  It is similar to one I gave there a couple years ago on the same topic.  Some things have been added since.  I hope you find it useful. […]

Nose til leather

Baseball is a game with tons of sayings, phrases, and cliches meant to teach or remind a player about a component of the game.  The title of this post is a phrase I heard recently from a local college coach near me. “Nose til leather.” The purpose of this phrase to remind infielders to continue […]

Footwork & timing for advanced infielders

Today’s video tip is an advanced one for infielders.  It involves better timing of the footwork on ground balls. I start by showing how the human body functions when walking forward and backward and then apply that to fielding.  Fielding with this proper timing tends to improve gracefulness and smoothness through the baseball. Practicing indoors […]

Confidently unorthodox

“When you catch the ball, use two hands.”   “On grounders, square up and get in front of the ball.” “Don’t show-off and flip the ball with your glove.  Take it out with your hand and throw it properly.” The comments above are certainly in the “old school” camp of baseball coaching.  You can’t go wrong […]

Three ways to quicken your transitions from catching to throwing

The photo on the right is my son about to throw a ball to a teammate in this year’s SE Pennsylvania 10u Ripken State Tournament Skills Night.  The event they are participating in was the Around-the-horn competition.  The ball starts at home plate and is thrown to third – second – first – and back […]

Brandon Phillips’ secret weapons

The past few winters I’ve had the pleasure of working with a major league scout/coach who is very high up in the Cincinnati Reds organization.  On the last clinic day before he had to leave for spring training (and just days before Brandon Phillips was traded to the Braves) I asked him a question about Phillips. […]

How to instantly improve your infield range

When infielders start out in baseball, they mostly get instructed to charge the ball.  You’ll hear tee-ball, coach-pitch, and Little League coaches frequently say “move in on the pitch,” “move to the ball!” or “go get the ball!”  This is all good advice since young infielders who are just starting out have a tendency to […]

How to practice Web Gems

I could watch ESPN’s Web Gems all day long.  Having been an infielder for most of my playing career, I have an enormous respect for what MLB infielders are able to do on seemingly impossible plays.  However, Web Gems are not just for major leaguers.  They can happen at any level and age group.  That […]

Wild Card game: Something you may have missed

In the top of the 4th inning of the Wild Card game between the Giants and the Mets, Giants outfielder Denard Span attempted to steal second base.  Replays seemed to clearly indicate that Span was safe on the play.  However, he was called out and after reviewing the replay, MLB officials in New York upheld […]

When does a decoy become dirty?

Last week the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals had a blench-clearing skirmish after the Pirates third baseman (Jung-ho Kang) decoyed Bryce Harper on a play at third base. Here is the video.  The decoy or “deke” occurs at the 21 second mark. UPDATE: The video below is apparently not working for most people.  I […]

How to teach soft hands on defense

Having infielders who have nice, soft hands on ground balls can feel like a gift from heaven.  The question is, can you teach a player to have soft hands?  I’m sure there is a huge genetic component to all this but I believe there are things you can teach an infielder to help develop softer […]

Don’t EVER make this mistake!

Turn the volume off on your computer (so you can’t hear the announcers) and click on the following link for a short MLB video clip.  What is the mistake the 3rd baseman makes?   http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/21753540/v914605983/arisf-crawford-singles-when-lamb-loses-ball-in-sun If you don’t notice the mistake right away, watch it again and stop it at the 00:15 mark.   See it […]

Aggressive through the ball

Some phrases in baseball cover many different aspects of the game.  “Aggressive through the ball” is one of them.  Today’s video explains several ways it applies to baseball players.

Know where the gloves are

Here’s a quick tip for helping your team get on the field faster after batting. Keep all the gloves, hats, sunglasses, etc. in one spot in the dugout Nothing slows a team of defenders down faster when it comes to getting on the field than players who for some reason forget where all their stuff […]

Go back before you go forward

There are a ton of great sayings in baseball.  Some are specific to one area of the game and some transfer to many/all areas of the baseball.  Today’s video explains one that benefits virtually every area of the game.

Different position = different ready position

Here is a great picture I found online that shows three different position players in three different ready positions on the pitch. Third base.  Because the distance to the batter is shorter as a third baseman, a grounder has a better chance of getting to you more quickly.  Add the fact that batters tend to […]

Nervous feet

One of my new sayings this season is “nervous feet.”  Every now and then I will yell out between pitches, “nervous feet out there!”  By that I mean keep your feet moving and don’t let your body become still and lazy on defense.  Infielders who move their feet a lot (thus the term nervous feet) […]

Fly balls in a twilight sky

Now that summer weather is approaching, more night games will begin to be played around the country.  Growing up, there were only a couple fields near me that had lights so playing at night was always quite a treat.  In fact, it wasn’t until I was in professional baseball that I routinely played games under […]

What’s the best thing I can do for my player?

… get him something to throw into!  A rebounder, a wall, or anything else you can buy/build. The screen in the video is from Burbank Sport Nets and is the best throwing screen you can buy.  Period.  Here is the link: https://burbanksportnets.com/product_display/28  

Blow on the ball to break a slump

Slumps happen in all areas of the game.  Pitchers, fielders, and certainly hitters go through times where things just aren’t right.  It can be frustrating because, mechanically speaking, everything appears normal.  Slumps can definitely be mechanical but often it’s not.  Sometimes it just comes down to breathing. Today’s video tip explains how this can happen and […]

How NOT to be Chase Utley’d at second base

Today’s video post is a two-part (33 minute) seminar related to the infamous Chase Utley slide at second base during last year’s NLCS between the Dodgers and the Mets.  Part 1 deals with the ways a slide can become dirty.  Part 2 demonstrates a variety of ways middle infielders can protect themselves so they do not become […]

Relay vs Redirect

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  With a name like McCreary, I had to do a post! One of the many things you need to teach young players as they get older is that there are very few (if any) absolutes in baseball.  There are so many examples of this but today I’ll deal with one of […]

Seminar – Foundations of Catching and Throwing

The following is a seminar I recently gave on the basic movements associated with catching and throwing.  The audience was a group of little league coaches.   If you are in the Philadelphia area and would like me to appear at your coaching clinic, contact me at BaseballByTheYard@gmail.com and I’ll see what I can do.

Infield positioning on the pitch

As I’ve said about 300 times on this site … “As you get older, the game gets faster.”   If you are an infielder and you position yourself in one spot for right handed hitters and one spot for left handed hitters, the game is going to pass you by.  I showed this picture from the […]

How to decoy runners on overthrows

Today’s video tip is for more advanced infielders.  It’s advanced because, as you will see, the player will have to fight their instincts and that is not something you learn to do overnight.

How to play catch – Sticking your catches

Today’s video tip a another little thing that can go a long way in helping young players develop proper catching and throwing mechanics.  Sticking your catches promotes strong hands and helps to prevent a player from being at the mercy of the ball.  It’s great for young kids and even advanced catchers. HERE is the more […]

World Series Game 5 insights

The Royals are World Champs!  Unfortunately, because of a bet, I have to make my son’s bed for a week. Clearly the better team won.  If you are a fan of baseball then watching the Royals was a pleasure.  They did everything right.  The Mets? … not so much. Like the previous World Series posts, […]

World Series insights – Game 3 & 4

BONUS SUNDAY POST! These insights from Game 3 and 4 of the current World Series between the Mets and the Royals are in no particular order.  Once again, I provide links to posts and videos I’ve previously done that expand on these ideas.  Enjoy! Game 3: The Met’s catcher made a big mistake and let […]

How to quicken your tags as an infielder

Baseball is a game of inches.  Anytime we can do something a few inches faster, we have a better chance of keeping up with the speed of the game. Today’s video tip is for infielders who want to quicken up their tags at the bases.

How to move away from an outfielder when called off

Today’s video tip is another one of those little things that most people watching will never even notice.  It involves infielders and outfielders on short fly balls when both go for it.  We’ve all seen both players stop and the ball bounce between them.  Today’s tip is meant to prevent that mistake.

The ball is not getting past me

There are a lot of plays in baseball when catching the ball is just not going to happen.  On a steal attempt, the catcher  makes a bad throw and short hops the shortstop or second baseman.  A rocket is hit down to the third baseman.  A line drive is hit just in front of the outfielder. […]

Thumbs up, Thumbs down: Simplifying the catching and throwing process

For the past few years I have been helping out with my son’s little league teams.  First of all, God bless the elementary school teachers of the world.  They don’t earn enough money. Working with little kids makes you very aware of the need to simplify things.  It’s true with every aspect of the game […]

A quiz and a book for the ages

I have always been fond of reading George Will’s political columns.  He also happens to be an avid baseball fan.  Some were even hoping he would be the new baseball commissioner after Bud Selig stepped down.  His latest column to bring in the new MLB season was a trivia quiz.  To take the quiz, click […]

How to prevent infield / outfield collisions

If you have watched enough baseball games I’m sure you have witnessed or seen on TV at least one ugly collision between an infielder going back for a fly ball and an outfielder coming in on it.  It probably looked something like this … No matter what you do, collisions are going to happen between […]

How batters tip off that they are bunting

Today’s video tip shows two ways that batters will often unintentionally let you know that they are about to either sacrifice or base-hit bunt.  The tips are for primarily 1st and 3rd basemen since they are the ones who will be charging but it is also for anyone else (coaches, catchers, pitchers, etc.) on the […]

3-6-3 play: Inside or Outside?

Every coach has his pet-peeves.  I have mine.  On my list is when first basemen and/or shortstops yell “Inside!” or “Outside!” on throws to second base on a 3-6-3 double play. Today’s video tip explains what that means and why yelling anything is totally unnecessary.

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 […]

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? […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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, […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.“ […]

The charging backhand play

There are some videos that I make that are geared for players and coaches at the lower levels.  This is not one of them. Today’s video tip is for more advanced levels and involves one of the more difficult plays in all of baseball, especially for shortstops since after the catch they will most often […]

Carry the ball with you

When I work with older infielders (middle schoolers on up), the very first thing I often address is the need to get to the right of the ball on the approach.  I’ve done a few written posts and some videos that deal with that very concept but today I wanted to provide another reason why […]

Short fungo drill

I have to admit that watching a coach who cannot hit with a fungo is pretty comical.  It’s something that takes some coordination and quite a bit of practice so I don’t mean to imply that it’s easy and should be mastered by everyone.     If you find yourself among the fungo-challenged then there […]

A tip for infielders as the offseason winds down

High school baseball in my area will be starting within the next two weeks.  Individual players and teams have been working out to prepare but in the Northeast those workouts have overwhelmingly been indoors.  The problem with that is that no matter how you work out indoors, it just isn’t the same as being outdoors. […]

Sweet 16: Warm-up drills for fielding

When you work with infielders indoors, you run into the problems of space and time.  You rarely have all the space you’d like and you never have enough time.  Below is a listing of fielding drills that I often do in progression to keep everyone moving and get them to focused on the core fundamentals […]

The four D’s of defense – Part 2

In yesterday’s post I briefly touched on the four D’s of defense – Deter, Detect, Delay, and Defend – as described by many people in the personal and home defense industry.  I then applied those concepts to baseball.  Today I’d like to focus more attention on the last D because it is something a lot […]

The four D’s of defense – Part 1

If you listen to personal or home defense experts, you will probably hear about the four D’s of defense.  They are Deter, Detect, Delay, and Defend.  In Part 1 of this post I will quickly address all four.  In Part 2 I will expand on the last one in more detail. As a baseball player […]

Fielding the ground ball hit right at you

Ask any infielder and they will tell you that sometimes the hardest ball to field is the ball hit directly at you.  As I explain in this video, this phenomenon has a lot to do with the fielders vision.  I also provide two ways infielders can eleviate this problem if they don’t have enough time […]

Improve your defense near a batting cage

The other night I was wondering around a park where my son’s soccer practice was and noticed a young player taking some swings in a batting cage with what appeared to be his father.  His father was throwing a pretty good BP and his son was hacking.  I noticed immediately that my brain was correctly […]

Find out if they are bunting

It’s the last inning and the score is tied.  The lead-off batter gets on first base.  If the following batter is not a good hitter, what will happen next is pretty clear cut – a sacrifice bunt.  But what if the next batter is a pretty good hitter.  Will he bunt or swing away?  Knowing […]

The Long Hop Drill

Most coaches and infielders have heard of and probably participated in a short hop drill.  In a short hop drill, two or more players stand in fielding position roughly 10-15 feet apart and toss short hops at other players.  It can be done bare-handed or with a glove, with baseballs or bouncy balls, and/or can involve […]

I field with my feet

Whenever I played, I made it a habit to watch the other teams’ pre-game infield/outfield routines.  You can learn quite a bit about what the other team can and can’t do just by watching those 10-15 minute warm-ups.  For selfish reasons, I also paid close attention to the other teams’ shortstops.  Because that’s what I […]

Off side errors

As a coach, defense was always my main priority.  I certainly believed in the maxim, “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.”  Every year I would remind my players that being good on defense is not about making Web Gems.  It’s all about making the routine play.  When the other team hands you an out, you […]

Infield drift

A batter hits a ball straight up over home plate a mile high.  A “home run in an elevator shaft” as they say.  The catcher rips his mask off, turns his back to the infield (like he should), and confidently screams “I got it!”   When the ball starts to come down the catcher starts […]

Don’t run into a tag – Part 2

In YESTERDAY’S POST I talked about a double play situation where the runner should do all that he can to induce more throws by the defense.  Today’s post expands on that issue by explaining what the second baseman should do in this situation to maximize his ability to get two outs.
  Let’s say, as mentioned […]

Don’t run into a tag

I had another “shake my head at the TV” moment the other night while watching a major league game.  With one out and a runner on first base, a soft ground ball was hit towards the second baseman.  He charged to field the ball, easily tagged the runner going to second base, and threw to […]

Keep your head still?

I have told many players and coaches of the importance of keeping your head still in baseball.  In reality, a more realistic way of saying that would be to “keep your head calm.”  Baseball players routinely move their head and eyes while playing baseball.  It’s impossible not to.  Pitchers move their head when they pitch.  […]

Common mistakes on Double Relays

During a recent MLB game I was watching, a ball hit to deep right-center required a double-relay for a play at home plate.  The throw to home was never made because the cutoff was botched.  The announcers blamed it on a poor throw by the outfielder but in reality, the trailer on the double-relay team […]

How NOT to pick someone off

Recently I wrote a post called It can’t even be close.  It was about the 
idea that in certain situations, you don’t want the call to be in the 
umpires’ hands.  In the post I used a photo from the Phillies game I was
 referencing.  Upon further review, it is pretty clear that both teams
 […]

Step and catch timing

There are many situations in baseball where the fielder must step to the ball and make the catch.  Here are several I can think of: An outfielder getting behind a fly ball and stepping to the ball to make the catch. A shortstop turning a double play where he will need to step across the […]

Playing catch with Pete Rose

When I was younger, my dad and I would frequently make trips to the backyard to play catch.  When my accuracy needed improving, he would always draw an imaginary circle in front of his chest with the ball to remind me that every throw should be in that circle.  Every time I missed that circle, […]

Reading the ball off the bat

On a recent evening, I had the rare chance to watch a high school game.  From where I was sitting in the stands, my viewing angle was such that I could see the batter and a particular fielder in my field of vision at all times.  After a ball was hit to this fielder, something […]

Why don’t position players get Tommy John surgery?

It’s an interesting question.  With all the throwing position players do, why don’t they ever need Tommy John surgery?  Of course, I’m making a generalization.  Position players do sometimes get Tommy John surgery but they seem to be very few and far between.  In fact, the only example I know of is LA Dodger shortstop Rafael […]

Around the horn

Everyone has seen the “around the horn” throws after an out with nobody on base.  A pet peeve of mine is when teams do not take this basic process seriously.  A good “around the horn” says a lot about the team and how they are coached.  A bad one speaks volumes as well.  The visuals […]

Keep your glove under the ball

Today’s video tip involves one of those little mistakes that young infielders often make before they field the ball.  It may not seem like much but every little detail can help a fielder do his job more effectively.  I first show the bad habit and then demonstrate how and why fielders should always keep their […]

Glove work on a backhand

Today’s tip is for infielders who want to develop better hands on the backhand play.  It’s a basic tip that I see kids of all levels mess up regularly.  Get the glove work down and backhands will become easier.

Seminar – It all starts with defense (Part 2)

This is the fifth of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – It all starts with defense (Part 1)

This is the fourth of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – Basics of Catching & throwing

The next seven posts will be videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Just get it in the area

Recently I’ve done several videos on double play footwork and drills for both shortstops and second basemen.  Of course, the best footwork out there will not matter so much if the feed to the bag is a horrible one.  Neither second basemen nor shortstops enjoy bad feeds because not only does it make it tougher […]

Picking the ball up

You would think telling a player to pick the ball up would be easy.  However, during the course of a game, we’ve all seen a player screw up this very basic play.  Today’s video tip provides some simple tips for players of all positions who have to pick a ball up.

The back knee on backhands

Today’s video shows infielders a little tip that can go a long way in improving their ability to field a ground ball to the backhand side.  It involves the proper placement of their back knee.  Check out the video and see where the back knee should go and why it helps on backhands.

Take your head to the ball

Throughout baseball, many kids are taught to keep their heads as still as possible.  Unfortunately, when you watch good players play the game, they will often move their head quite a bit.  The concept of “keeping your head still” has more to do with keeping your eyes level and not keeping your head completely still. […]

The best infield drill I’ve never done

One of the great things about attending/speaking at coaching clinics is you get to talk to and hear other coaches.  Just when you think you’ve seen everything, a coach will give a tip, a phrase, a technique, or in this case a drill you have never seen before.   Recently I did a post called […]

Fielding options: scoop or funnel

In case anyone is counting, today is my 600th post!  Hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have! As I say at the start of today’s video, I’ve started to see a number of programs teaching fielders to scoop the ball up instead of the traditional funneling-in method.  I’m partial to the funnel […]

Infield Knee Drill

Today’s video blog shows a drill that was made famous by Ozzie Smith.  It’s easy and effective but it is often overlooked by coaches and players.  My favorite aspect of the drill is that all it takes is a ball, a wall, and a will to improve.

Drop step – Hop Step for Outfielders

To improve your range in any position, start by working on your first step quickness to the ball.  Very few plays in baseball will require a straight sprint for more than a couple seconds.  That makes your first step even more important so it is crucial that step one and step two are explosive and […]

Paddle drills

A fielding paddle is a great piece of equipment to practice with for all ages.  Paddles are mostly used to promote good fielding mechanics like using two hands and developing soft hands as well. However, paddles don’t have to be just for fielding ground balls.  Paddle drills can also be done to help bunters, pitchers, […]

Throw at the height you caught it

This is one of those tips that can help take a player to the next level.  When you get older, there are many players who are just as good and just as fast as you are.  So why do some move on and some do not?  Often the answer lies in the little things that […]

Chair drills for offense and defense

For a variety of reasons, a chair can be a great tool for players and coaches to learn some basics of baseball.  The video that follows will show some of the ways players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball can use a chair during drill work.  If you are looking for an […]

Stop your glove at the center of your body

This tip is one of those finer points on defense that might not seem like it would be that big of an issue for infielders.  However, when everyone is good at the higher levels, you need every fraction of a second in your favor or the game is going to pass you by.

Tip for backhand footwork

In a previous post, I described the basic footwork of the backhand play.  There I explained when a player would lead with their left foot forward and when they would lead with their right foot forward when backhanding a ground ball.  Today’s video post will show another key detail involved with the feet when a […]

Reading the batter’s swing

One of the many things that separate an average fielder from a great fielder is the ability to read a batter’s swing in order to make predictions on where the ball is likely to be hit.  Of course, this requires the fielder to pay attention to some of the things a lot of players overlook.  […]

Watching runners tag up

One of the challenges umpires have is watching runners tag up.  They have to watch both the ball being caught and the runner take off at the same time which can be virtually impossible depending on their positioning.  To cope with this, umpires are taught, whenever possible, to get both the runner and the outfielder […]

Reading hops as an infielder

One of the most astonishing stats that I’ve ever seen is one that even most die-hard baseball fans never heard about.  In 1990, Cal Ripken Jr. made a grand total of three errors.  THREE !!!!  He played in every game that year (1,406 innings) and had 680 defensive chances.  I don’t know about you but […]

2B Double Plays Part 4

Today is the last of the four part series on double plays for second basemen.  Often you will see MLB second basemen line up behind the bag on double plays.  This last part explains how they do it and more importantly, why many do it that way. I hope they were useful!   &nbsp

2B Double Plays Part 3

Happy Thanksgiving!! Today it’s backing off the bag and common mistakes second basemen make in the process.

2B Double Plays Part 2

2B Double Plays Part 1

Here is Part 1 of 4 videos on double plays for second baseman.  This part focusses on the footwork of coming across the bag to turn the double play.   NOTE: Coming across the bag is a good option for second basemen when the feeds are coming from a farther distance – deep shortstop and […]

Stool drill for fielding

If you are a Phillies fan, you probably saw a number of photos like the one to the right showing second baseman Chase Utley rehabbing from his recurring knee issues.  He missed a number of games early this past season but that didn’t stop him from working out to keep himself sharp while decreasing the […]

Footwork on backhands

If you look closely at photos of infielders who are backhanding a ground 
ball, you’ll probably notice some differences in footwork.  Which 
footwork the fielder chooses has to do with the type of groundball that
 was hit.  Was it hit hard but fairly close to you or was it hit with 
average speed but farther […]

Master of the slow roller

During the Yankees/Tigers playoff game the other night, two versions of a
 shortstop throwing on the run was seen.  Derek Jeter successfully
 executed the play on a slow, choppy grounder but the Tigers shortstop (Jhonny Peralta) was not able to on a similar grounder the following inning.  Jeter was
 able to complete the play because […]

Finding the seams (Part 2)

In a previous video post linked HERE, I promised to do another video on what specifically each finger on the throwing hand does in order to get the proper grip on the ball as an infielder.  Today’s post shows how it is done.

Video: Run with your glove down

Infield – Outfield Communication

Catching around the ball

Today’s video is for middle infielders who want to speed up their transition for catching to throwing.

Throws from LF at second base

Today’s video clip answers a question from a reader.  Send your questions to baseballbytheyard@gmail.com and maybe you’ll get a video made just for you too!

Video: Run to the spot

Today’s clip involves a more advanced way that better fielders can track down fly balls.  As the clip will explain, there are risks involved so it’s not something you can always do.  As always, it takes some practice as well. To check out all my video clips, go to the Baseball By The Yard YouTube […]

Watching runners – Old habits never die

My family took my dad and me to a minor league baseball game yesterday for Father’s Day.  It was at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA, to watch the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs play the Durham Bulls.  Watching players warm-up prior to the game, play catch, and interact with the fans brought back many memories of […]

Infielders: Stay on your feet

Nothing screams “BAD FOOTWORK” more than an infielder who falls to the ground on a normal play.  I’m not talking about diving for a ball hit/thrown or even slipping on wet/poor turf.  I’m talking about plays like the one shown in the photo of Chase Utley.  If a middle infielder’s footwork is sound around the […]

Sell your tags

I attended a local summer college league game recently (Quakertown – ACBL).  In the short time I was there, there were two close plays at second base on steal attempts.  On both occasions the runner was called out.  Granted, I was about 200 feet away but from where I saw it, both calls looked like […]

2B double plays: It starts with the left foot

If you are a second baseman, you are probably aware that there are multiple ways to turn a double play.  Some second baseman come across the bag on the turn.  Some step back off the bag towards right field.  Some position themselves behind the bag towards centerfield as I described in this post.  Some may […]

Double plays: Throw to the back of the bag

As players get older, runners do more to try and break up double plays.  At the high school level, runners are generally required to slide directly into the bag.  In pro ball, runners can be much more aggressive and come after the middle infielders.  As long as they are within an arms length of the […]

Infield: Eyes and glove connection

Infield communication: open and closed mouth

At the higher levels, we’ve probably all seen middle infielders give a signal to each other after the catcher gives the sign to the pitcher with a runner on first base.  The signal they give each other indicates who is going to cover second base on a steal attempt on that pitch.  At the lower […]

Myths about arms and elbows

Myth #1:  Extend both arms fully out in front of you when you field. No matter what sport you play, there will never be a time when your arms are fully extended in front of you AND you’re in a powerful position.  It just doesn’t work that way.  The arms are quicker and more powerful […]

Keep your old gloves

My son and daughter will be playing organized baseball for the first time this season.  My son already had a baseball glove but my daughter was in need of one for herself so we trekked down to the sporting goods store and picked one out.  While she tried on numerous gloves (as did I), I […]

1st and 3rd plays on defense

In my part of the world (Pennsylvania, USA), high school teams are gearing up for their regular season schedules.  In beautiful weather I might add. Right now, practices consist of all the nuts and bolts of the program: rundowns, pick-off plays, PFP (Pitchers Fielding Practice), bunt plays, relays, etc.  Most of these plays are pretty […]

Errors can be deceiving

A ball is hit up the middle.  Second Baseman-A has great range and is able to, with difficulty, get somewhat in front of the ball.  He bobbles it and the runner is safe at first.  The official scorer gives him an error. Second Baseman-B has less range and cannot get in front of it so […]

The four second rule

Fast runners can make it down to 1st base in about 4 seconds.  Occasionally a guy who can absolutely fly can get down there a little sooner but 4 seconds is usually a good number to play with.  If you are an infielder, you must develop a “4 second internal clock” that guides most everything […]

Catching and Throwing Seminar (Parts 3 & 4)

Yesterday’s post showed Parts 1 & 2 of the seminar.  Today, I give the second half of the seminar on Catching and Throwing.

Catching and Throwing Seminar (Parts 1 & 2)

Below is the first half of a four part seminar on Catching and Throwing that I presented at a coaching clinic at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA.  If you’d like me to speak at one of your events, let me know! Contact me at baseballbytheyard@gmail.com Enjoy!    

Basic – Tagging runners

 

Fielding with two triangles

No matter what age you are dealing with, fielding a baseball starts with learning how to form these two triangles.  Virtually every fielding drill should include this basic foundation.

Take off like an airplane

A little while back, I was listening to former major league catcher, Brent Mayne, talk about catching.  He mentioned that a catcher should think of an airplane when he is coming out of a crouch to catch and make a throw to second or third base on a steal attempt.  Although he was referring to […]

Footwork for 2nd basemen on the flip

Click “YouTube” in the lower right corner of the screen to expand the view.

Fielding: Turn in or spin?

(Click “YouTube” on the bottom right to expand the view)

How to approach a ground ball

Some of my more popular posts in terms of readership have been those involving the footwork of infielders on ground balls.  Today’s video post provides a visual of the basic procedures involved with approaching a ground ball correctly and efficiently. (Click on “YouTube” at the bottom right of the screen to widen the view as […]

Finding the seams as an infielder

This little trick seems to amaze young kids whenever I do camps and clinics.  It seems impossible but with practice, you’ll do it every time.  It’s still such a habit with me that anytime someone tosses me ball, even a tennis ball, I automatically feel for the seams.  Old habits don’t die! Click on “YouTube” […]

Video post: How to tag

A while back I did a written post on tagging runners.  I received some questions since so I thought I would do a video post on the tagging portion.  Future video clips will deal with the footwork.  To read the post, click HERE.  If you want to make the view bigger, click “YouTube” in the […]

The importance of the shutdown inning

There is nothing more demoralizing then scoring a few runs in an inning and then giving up the same amount or more when the opposing team bats in their next turn.  Your team is riding high with an emotional lift and then seems to hand that “lift” right over to the other team.  Keeping or […]

Infielders and their elbows

One technique that infielders follow on just about every play they make is to keep their elbows fairly close and facing down.  Doing so allows the hands to extend farther out in front of them on ground balls.  It also does the same on double plays when the shortstop or second baseman is receiving the […]

Remind them to "Hit the cutoff man!"

Raise your hand if you are sick of watching major league outfielders miss the cutoff man on throws to home plate.  I know I am.  Hitting the cutoff man is one of those finer points that should be easy for major league outfielders to accomplish.  They certainly have the arm strength and accuracy to get […]

Teaching little kids how to catch a baseball

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Infielder tips for shallow fly balls

We’ve all seen these plays … An infielder goes out on a shallow fly ball and collides with an outfielder charging in to make the catch.    or An infielder goes out, both the outfielder and infielder call for it, everyone stops, and the ball drops in between them. Communication is always important in baseball […]

Rundowns – two priorities

If you are ever looking for a good indoor drill with your team, it’s rundowns.  With or without runners, rundowns are as simple as creating some lines of guys about 90 feet from each other.  First guy up has the ball and runs to the other line, tosses the ball to the first guy in […]

Tips for Long-tossing and/or "Long-throwing"

Disclaimer There is an on-going debate in baseball circles about the value of long-tossing. I know it’s shocking to think that anything in baseball is debated.   (Yes, that’s sarcasm if you weren’t sure.) Some love it, some hate it.  This post does not get into that argument. I’m in the “love long-tossing” camp and […]

How to tag base runners

On the surface, it seems pretty basic.  Catch the ball and make the tag.  However, like everything else in baseball, there’s a lot of little things going on under the surface if you dig a little deeper.  Here are 10 tips to make sure your tagging of runners is more successful.  Juan Uribe positions himself […]

Breaking in a new glove

I’m sure many players received a new glove for the holidays and now are itching to get outside and try it out.  Here are some tips for breaking in your new glove correctly and how to care for it afterwards.Put away the oil.  Remember smearing glove oil all over your brand new glove to help […]