In the neighborhood

It is extremely rare that a Major League umpire will call a runner safe at second base on a double play when the middle infielder is “in the neighborhood.”  What “in the neighborhood” means is that the fielder who turns the double play may not actually touch the bag at second but he is close […]

Video: Thumbs up, thumbs down

A few posts ago I wrote about the simple way to teach young players the proper catching and throwing procedure.  I received a request to turn it into a video.  Here it is!  To see the written explanation, click HERE.

1-6-3 footwork for shortstops

There are some mistakes that you only see at the lower levels.  Other you see at every level from Little League on up to the major leagues.  Today’s video tip involves a mistake shortstops make at every level. On 1-6-3 and 2-6-3 double plays, shortstops have to keep the ball in front of them.  An explanation […]

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. […]

Throw to the center of the plate

Tired of long games?  Sick of seeing pitchers nibble the corners and end up 2-0 to every batter?  If so, tell your catchers to set up right down the middle and knee high on every pitch until there are two strikes.  0-2 and 1-2, move to the corners.  If the count gets to 2-2, move […]

Two outs, two strikes – on the swing

Ever see a guy try to score from second base on a base hit and get thrown out by about six inches at home plate?  Of course you have.  Baseball is a game of inches and turn on any game on TV and you’ll see several plays where an inch one way or the other could […]

90 feet at a time

Below is a link to a great read about Mike Napoli of the Red Sox and the pride he takes in base running.  It’s so nice to see a major leaguer take such pride in things that 99% of the stadium never notices.   There is not a lot of glamour to good base running […]

12u USA Baseball workout

Just a heads up for those in the Philadelphia area …  I will be helping to run a 12u camp for USA Baseball at the end of May.  These camps are where USA Baseball learns about players who might make up their future national teams.  If you or anyone else you know has a player who […]