A message for hitters

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

Are you an Infantry player or Special Ops?

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

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

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

Great from pitch #1

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

The science of “looking” at the ball

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

Short fungo drill (Part 2)

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

Giving 110%

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

Step by step to smooth

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

Matching the technique to the player

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

Going with your hunch as a coach

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

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

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

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

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

Baseball folkways vs baseball mores

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

Drills to prevent reflexive looks

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

No reflexive looks

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

Baseball By The Yard bats 1.000!

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

Fall fitness for baseball players

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

Four types of competence for players

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

Nose over toes

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

HELP! My fielders don’t communicate!

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

How important is the right gear?

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

The most annoying thing about private lessons

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

Your imaginary opponent

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