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 […]

The ethics of stealing signs

At a recent coaching clinic, a speaker (Seton Hall University pitching coach Phil Cundari) spoke about how unethical he thought stealing signs were.  He is an impressive coach and worth hearing if you get the chance. Before I give you my point of view, let’s just get this on the table first.  I’ve never met […]

Double Play Two-Tee Drill

Today’s video post is Part 2 of another video post I did recently called the Double Play Tee Drill.  It is specifically for shortstops so they can practice a poorly thrown ball to second base to start a double play.  This is a drill I made up a long time ago after coming across the […]

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.

HATE this pitching drill

All day today I will be attending a coaching clinic in New Jersey that is one of the biggest of its kind in the country.  Many top names in the college and pro baseball coaching world come to give seminars to the several hundred coaches who attend.  I guarantee that I will hear the top […]

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 […]

Basic tip for outfielders’ hands

A post over a year ago included most of this information but I was recently asked to do a video for it so here it is!

Stan The Man

My condolences go out to Cardinal fans on the passing of Stan “The Man” Musial.  One of the greatest players but more importantly, a great person as well.  With his passing, many news agencies have been showing photographs and footage of his great career.  One thing that always jumps out upon seeing the footage is […]

Blocking v catching

One of the more difficult things to teach young catchers to do is to “block” the pitch that goes into the dirt instead of trying to “catch” the ball in the dirt.  Today’s clip shows the difference between the two and why blocking is better than catching.

Protecting the bare hand of catchers

If you are a catcher, sooner or later your bare hand is going to be hit with a foul ball.  When that happens, you will very quickly be reminded of how important it is to protect that bare hand when you are receiving pitches during a game.  In today’s video clip, I show a few […]

Double Play Tee Drill

When I was writing for my previous website, I wrote a post called Batting tee drills … that don’t involve hitting.  The first drill I mentioned in the post is one that I love for shortstops. When turning double plays, the faster the shortstop can get to the ball the faster he can get rid […]

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 […]

Tipping off your pitches

Without knowing it, many pitchers, if you look hard enough, will tell you what they are going to throw.  It could be something they do with their glove and/or their delivery.  It could be a hundred other things as well.  At the higher levels, especially with video analysis, it becomes very hard to prevent the […]

Philly area baseball camps & clinics

If you are in or near the Philadelphia area there are some good clinics for players and coaches that are planned for the next couple months.  I will be attending most of them and will be speaking at three.  Below are the dates, locations, links (if available), and other information about the camps. “Be The […]

Mix your DP turns at second base

As players get older, base runners are going to be more aggressive when they try to break up double plays.  In professional baseball, there will be no mercy shown towards that second baseman or shortstop.  If you are a middle infielder at the higher levels, you can be sure runners are going to come after […]

First basemen throwbacks

From an early age, my father and grandfather taught me that if you look closely, there is a heck of a lot going on in the game that the overwhelming number of people (even players) miss.  Today’s tip is one of them. Occasionally when a player gets on first base you will see the first baseman […]

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 […]

Fly balls: Squaring your shoulders correctly

When I work with little kids to improve their baseball skills, one of the first things I try to work on is catching the ball while they are moving.  No matter what position they play, they will have to go get the ball and catch while their body is in motion.  Not the easiest thing […]

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 […]

Indoor mats

One of the many challenges with winter workouts is having to do a lot of the work indoors.  To accomplish this effectively and efficiently, coaches have to be organized and a little creative.  One major problem with indoor hitting in a gym is slippery floors.  Many hitting drills, whether using soft toss, short toss, or […]

Goals for the new year

Now is the time many people reflect on the previous year and start planning for the next.  When it comes to goal setting, being specific is very important.  Just saying “I want to get better” isn’t good enough.  In what specific areas?  Once you figure that out, what is your specific plan to address those […]

Common Pitching mistakes

Happy New Year! This past week, I have been reposting a series I did way back at the start of Baseball By The Yard that covers common mistakes players make by position.  New posts will begin again tomorrow.  Hope you enjoyed the holidays! Being someone they are not. The first step for a pitcher who […]