Should you swing at the first pitch?

In yesterday’s post, I gave some statistics that, in my mind at least, add to the importance of throwing a first pitch strike even more.  Today’s post concerns a question that is still debated at every level today.  Should a batter swing at the first pitch?  Apparently, Ted Williams believed that there were a lot […]

More reasons to throw strike one

For over a century now, coaches have been telling their pitchers that “the best pitch in baseball is strike one.”  Still, many pitchers struggle to lay that first one over the plate.  Connected to all this is the debate that still surrounds baseball about whether or not a hitter should swing at the first pitch. […]

Starting slow and early

This title comes from the mouth of Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays.  In his own words, the video explains what “start slow and early” means and how that concept transformed his career.

To hug the line or not?

Most Old School coaches will have their third baseman and first baseman hug the line late in the game if they are winning by a run or, as might be the case in the photo,  the runner on first is the tying or winning run. “Hugging the line” means moving the position player (1st or […]

Josh Hamilton is human after all

The story of Josh Hamilton and his rise to stardom is a remarkable story that still inspires me whenever I see him play.  But Josh is struggling at the plate these days.  After receiving Player of the Month honors for May and June, his production has dropped considerably.  Nobody is as frustrated as he is […]

Bunting and Managing the front shoulder

Pacing your energy

In the past, I’ve written other posts about the importance of getting to the starting pitcher as early as possible.  I stated that pitchers are often at their most vulnerable in the first inning.  One reason for this is the fact that the adrenaline at the start of the competition can cause a pitcher to […]

Music and the mind

Last night I took my kids to a local American Legion playoff game.  Prior to the game starting, the National Anthem was played.   It’s been a long time since I’ve played in a game where the National Anthem was played/sung (15 years?).  However, my body still has the same reaction.  I start to sway […]

The realities of being traded

Over the past few years, there have been multiple changes in my teaching profession.  Being a public school teacher today is very different than it was when I started almost 20 years ago.  Curriculum changes, teaching methods, accountability measures, work load, special education, and many other things have radically changed the teaching profession.  That being […]

Developing one swing

How many of you as a kid pretended you were your favorite major leaguer by copying his stance and signature swing?  All of us have.  The reason we were able to copy their swing was because we saw the same swing every time they walked up to the plate.  The point is, they had one […]

Good advice from Ivan Rodriguez

I had the pleasure of playing against Ivan Rodriguez in the minor leagues.  Even though it was only a couple spring training games, it was clear to everyone who saw him as a 19 year old that he was going to be a star.  During pre-game infield/outfield, the entire field just stopped to watch him […]

Video: Run with your glove down

Hitting to the three hole

Hang with ’em

John Papelbon had a tough blown save last night that if you didn’t watch the game, you’d think he just pitched poorly.  The Phillies closer entered the game to pitch the ninth with the Phillies winning 3-1.  He gave up 4 hits that led to the Dodgers tying the game, sending it to extra innings. […]

A tip for off-speed pitches

Base-hit bunting for left handers

Base-hit bunting can be a great weapon for any hitter in a line-up.  This is especially true for left handed hitters because they have the built in advantage of being a few feet closer to first base.  The video below shows the three basic footwork methods left handers can use during a base-hit bunt.

When you bat after the pitcher

At the levels below pro ball, you may find the pitcher batting anywhere in the line-up.  On many high school teams and even some college teams, the pitcher may be one of the best hitters on the team and often is located in the center of the batting line-up.  Of course, at the pro level, […]

Uphill and downhill throwing

This video explains one of the most common problems I see in young pitchers.

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!

The danger of superstition

As you probably already know, baseball players are some of the most superstitious people on earth.  I read a sociological study one time that discussed cultures and their likelihood of being superstitious as a people.  It basically comes down to how much “luck” or “chance” the people believe is involved in their success.  In light […]

Same swing, very different result

There are some things in baseball I can’t explain.  Here are a few: Two pitchers have the same body type and mechanics.  One guy throws 82 and the other 94mph. One pitcher throws the ball straight as an arrow and another can’t throw the ball straight even if he tried. The concept of throwing a […]

Feeling for the ball

There are times when you are at bat and it seems like there are 15 defenders behind the pitcher.  Everything you hit gets caught.  Other times, it feels like it’s just you and the pitcher and no matter what he throws, you know the ball will fall in for a hit.  The latter example is […]

How to add some fun to a line-up

My hometown Phillies are currently in last place and 14 games back in their division.  It has been a tough summer for Phillies fans who have not seen a last place team in some time now.  By the looks of the players in the dugout, it’s been a tougher summer for them. Play the game […]

Create your own “good luck”

The Phillies had a tough, 9th inning loss the other day to the Mets.  It’s been a tough year for the Phightin’ Phils and many     have used the phrase “bad luck” when describing the Phillies woes.  When it comes to the injury bug, sometimes bad luck does come into play.  Being hit by […]

Bad body language

When I watch games on TV, it is not unusual for the volume to be off.  Often my wife will be reading close by or the kids will be playing in the room making it hard to hear anyway.  It’s actually a good way to watch the game because it forces you to pay attention […]

Radio show

I had the pleasure once again to appear on Silvio Canto’s radio show out of Dallas, TX.  The episode is below.  Along with Joey Norris (former college player), we talked for awhile about all things baseball at the half way point in the season. Listen to internet radio with Silvio Canto Jr on Blog Talk […]

How to use a scuffed ball

Happy 4th of July everyone!  As a high school social studies teacher, I’m more than a little partial to this holiday and not just because it’s in the middle of baseball season. Many 4th of July parties will include a good game of Whiffle Ball.  Did you know that throwing a scuffed baseball and throwing […]

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 […]

Want to pitch? Play golf.

I’ve always been a big fan of Cliff Lee.  I still am even though he is currently winless in 2012.  The current buzz around Philly is centering around the question “Why is Cliff Lee still winless?”   In the beginning of the season, his lack of wins was clearly a case of no run support. […]

Uphill vs downhill

One of the more consistent problems I see with young pitchers is the inability to throw on a downward plane.  The reason why they have trouble doing this is simple.  They all play other positions on the field and do most of their throwing away from the mound.   In the eight other positions on […]