Body language matters

A few days ago, the following video clip of a 2016 Geno Auriemma, head coach of the powerhouse UConn women basketball team, press conference surfaced again and has gone virus through social media.  If you have a young player at home or coach young players then they all need to see this video.  It is […]

Just in time learning for new coaches

Entering the coaching world for the first time can be pretty stressful.  You realize very quickly that being in charge of a team is very different from only having to worry about your own performance and growth as a player.  As a coach, you worry about every player’s performance and growth. There is so much […]

Simulated indoor game

Where I am in Pennsylvania, snow blankets the ground and the temperatures are still in the 30-40 degree range.  Not great baseball weather to say the least.  Scrimmages and games are cancelled and players have to make the trek back into the gyms for indoor practices that, although can be productive, are just not the […]

Just “tie your shoes”

This is the last post in a series of recent posts on the importance of creating a routine as a hitter.  The previous posts on the subject are linked here: What is your hitting routine? What are YOUR players doing on deck? A hitter’s routine and muscle memory Why do players choke? Today’s post gives […]

Why do players choke?

Today’s post is in a series of posts dedicated to hitters who can benefit from a routine prior to their at-bats.  The prior three posts related to this topic are linked below.  The final one in the series will be Friday. What is your hitting routine? What are YOUR hitters doing on deck? A hitter’s […]

A hitter’s routine and Muscle Memory

Two of last week’s posts centered around the importance of hitters developing a personalized routine to prepare for at-bats.  If you did not get a chance to see them, you can click on their titles below. What is your hitting routine? What are YOUR players doing on deck? Today’s post sets us up for the […]

What is your hitting routine?

Take a pitch. Step out. Adjust the left batting glove. Adjust the right batting glove. Tap the right foot with the bat. Tap the left foot with the bat. Step into the box and dig in with the right foot. Step in and dig in with the left. One slow deep breathe. Ready to hit. […]

FELT goals for baseball success

Baseball is quite possibly the most confidence and esteem crushing sport in existence.  No other sports punishes players for doing everything right.  A batter perfectly approaches a tough slider down and away and smokes a line drive to the opposite field gap.  Since the shift was on, the outfielder takes two steps and catches the […]

A tip to keep the catcher back on sac bunts

Today’s video tip is a higher level one for base runners. It involves a situation where the batter poorly bunts a pitch just in front of home plate.

Make a deposit every game

Go to any book store and you will see tons of books related to financial success.  Each one claims to have the secret formula to reaching your financial dreams.  I’m no financial wizard but I do know the #1 rule when it comes to money.   “Spend less than you make.” My parents taught me […]

Parents and playing time

Ask a coach about dealing with parents and you are likely to get several eye-rolls and a few choice words.  I’m not sure who said it but the best quote about this came from a coach who said “My dream coaching job is at an orphanage.” Of all the issues related to the parent-coach relationship, […]

A small tip for faster sprints

One big problem a lot of young sprinters have is that they cannot get out of their own way. They never allow their body to function at 100% because they use poor running skills that often lead to too much tension. Loosen up that body and the times will come down. Today’s video tip is […]

Do simple better

One of Joe Maddon’s many great sayings is “Do Simple Better.“ Spring Training has begun for pitchers and catchers and do you know what drills they are all doing? Answer: The same ones they did last year.  And the year before that one.  And the year before that. Do the basic fundamentals better and you […]

How to read a hitter’s swing

To play infield at the higher levels requires physical talent but also a lot of awareness.  Look around you and you’ll begin to notice a lot of information that you can use to become a better infielder even before the ball is hit.   Today’s video post involves analyzing a batter’s swing before he even […]

The And-1 mentality

Kyrie Irving takes it down, he’s looking to get it to Lebron.  He dishes it off to Kyle Korver.  Bounce pass to Kevin Love.  Back to Irving.  He get’s it out to Korver at the 3-point line.  Doesn’t have a shot.  Lebron is fighting for position underneath.  Pass over to Irving.  He drives to the […]

Make more mistakes in practice

Practicing is a chance to push yourself to do things better and faster.  It’s also a time to learn and work on new things.  Approach practice with those goals and you can’t help but make mistakes.  It’s the inevitable process of learning and trying new things.  Nobody does everything right the first time. If players […]

You are your best coach

When a player of mine made a mistake on the field, I frequently would ask the following question when he came off the field.   “Do you know what you did wrong?“ For my older players and even some of my little league players, very often the answers were along these lines: “Yeah, I was late […]

What does it mean when a hitter “leaks”?

Today’s post was inspired by a reader who emailed me about his son who is apparently “leaking.”  The reader wasn’t sure what the term meant.  The term is also something I have dealt with recently now that I have started to do some private hitting lessons. Note: if you live near Limerick, PA and have a need […]

Get your 4-week guide for pitchers and a free video

February is now upon us and you know what that means … Baseball season is just a few weeks away! Last year around this time I created an eBook called Off-Season Pitching Guide: A four week plan for developing pitchers for game #1 that takes pitchers through a 4-week throwing and pitching program to get them […]

Do you have Superman Syndrome?

It’s very easy for baseball coaches to get burned out.  Unfortunately, many coaches are their own worst enemy when it comes to having enough of the game.  A big reason for that is “Superman Syndrome.”   Superman Syndrome is a disease that afflicts mostly male coaches.  Symptoms include the following: A need to control the entire pitching […]

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 […]

Coach hitters like an economist

It has been said that the enemy of the dictator is the economist.  The dictator wants to make all the rules.  They also want everyone to like the rules and to not criticize them. “I make the rules, they will work, and everyone will like them!”   Often it’s the economist who is the only […]

Managing the 1st and 3rd play: A tip for catchers

One of the toughest plays for young teams is the 1st and 3rd play.  The runner on first base steals and if the catcher throws it to second, the runner on third scores.  If the catcher just holds it, you know have two runners in scoring position.  Add a rundown in there and all hell break […]

Who are you chasing?

We’ve all seen many underdog players or teams overachieve.  On the flip side, we’ve also seen many incredibly talented players and teams underachieve.  Both seem to happen so often that there must be a reason. Of course, there is never just one answer but if I had to pick one that stands out the most […]

Get some safety glasses!

Today’s video addresses an important safety warning and tip for baseball players.  I even threw in a blooper clip at the end!  Other related posts about armband exercises are below the video.    

Burn the boats!

Some seniors in college know for sure that pro ball is in their future.  Some know that pro ball is definitely not going to be an option.  This post is for players who are stuck in between.  Some of you who know your military history may know what “burn the boats!” means.  If not, “burn […]

Are you exercising or training?

Right now, higher level baseball players should be in the middle of their winter workout routines.   (On a side note … if you have not yet picked up a copy of my latest eBook involving tips for Off-Season routines and workouts for players and coaches, follow the link below this post!) Unfortunately, many players […]

Get your pitching grip early

There are tons of different pitching grips out there.  I highly recommend that pitchers tinker with as many as possible to see which ones work best for them.  However, once you find the ones that fit you, be sure to perfect the timing involves with regards to when the grip should be locked in.  Today’s […]

Two things you cannot teach

Baseball By The Yard was designed to teach the game of baseball to as many people as possible. Unfortunately, there are two major concepts that lead to success in baseball that cannot be taught. They are ENERGY and ATTITUDE. Both of them can be encouraged, rewarded, and cultivated but nobody can “teach” an athlete (or […]

How to throw a safe curve ball

Oh, boy. I can envision, with fingers shaking, people hitting the ALL-CAPS button to send off some hate-mail over the title of this one. Breeeeeeeeeeeeathe. Today’s video tip shows a type of curve ball that I was taught in high school that does not require the pitcher to do some of the things that can lead […]

Pickoffs: Inward turn vs Spin Move

Today’s video tip is a reply to a comment from someone who watched a previous video on the “Inward turn” pickoff move from pitchers.  Here was the comment … “just step off and snap throw, its faster and not a balk.” Both types of pickoff moves have value but each one only works in certain […]

2017 Pitch count rules – a warning

If you are into sharing posts, this may be a good one. Over the past couple years there has been a lot of debate about the growing number of serious arm injuries at the younger levels.  Of course, most of the debates center on two issues: 1) What is causing them to occur and 2) […]

It’s assessment time!

Early winter is a great time to assess your game. You have a spring, summer, and maybe a fall season under your belt so you should have a lot of information to sort through.  January is typically the time many baseball players and coaches start to gear up for the next year of baseball.  To […]

Election day: Winners win

Well, it’s election day in America. I stay away from politics on this baseball site but today’s post adds a little to make a point.  After reading, I think you’ll see the connection to winning in baseball both as a player and a team. From scandals and corruption to vulgar language and bad jokes, both […]

Comedian’s take on Little League

Thought you would like this.  Comedian Brian Regan about his time in Little League baseball. Enjoy!

The (un)holy alliance between pitchers and catchers

You may notice a dark brown spot on the throwing side shin guard on some catchers  What do you imagine that is?  If you said “pine tar” you would often be correct.  Now … why do you suppose he put it there?  If you said “to get pine tar on the ball for the pitcher,” […]

The 2nd balance point for pitchers

Ask most pitchers and coaches “What is a pitcher’s balance point?” and you typically will get back something like “it’s the point when a pitcher gets all his weight back on his rear leg before going forward to throw the pitch.”  And they would be correct. Next ask them “What is the pitcher’s 2nd balance point?” and […]

Hitting Drills: Multivitamins vs Prescriptions

When it comes to baseball drills, it’s important to know the difference between multi-vitamins and prescription medications. Multi-vitamins are for general maintenance and prescription medications are for specific ailments. Baseball drills work the same way. Hitting drills like tee work, soft-toss, and short toss fall into the category of hitting multi-vitamins. They are for general […]

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 […]

Hitters are stupid

Hitters are stupid … … but they get significantly smarter as the count turns in their favor! The game of baseball has forever favored pitchers.  If it favored hitters, all fences would be 300 feet.  There wouldn’t be 9 players on defense either. I could go on but the point is that the way baseball […]

Should a batter keep his back elbow up?

Today’s video is about the controversy over the back elbow of hitters.  It’s a longer video because there are multiple layers to this debate.  As you will see, I don’t believe the problem is with the elbow itself. Feel free to give me your thoughts in the comment section.

Principled drills

There are two different types of drills that we coaches tend to run our players through during practice. The first involves picking a position-based skill that needs to be worked on and designing a drill to target the skill. An example might be underhand feeds by the shortstop on double plays with the second baseman. […]

What is the proper arm path for pitchers?

I fully expect some criticism over this video because I think my views are in the minority.  So all you keyboard warriors get your fingers ready! Today’s video explains two things from my point of view: How most kids are taught a proper arm path. What I think a proper arm path should look like. […]

Tips for the showcase circuit

It’s showcase season! The Fall is when many high school players hit the showcase circuit in the attempts to woo a college or pro scout into giving up some money.  If you are already a selfish, “me only” player then you may stop reading and move on to another activity.  You won’t learn anything new […]

Another option for catchers when blocking

Today’s video tip is another option for catchers concerning what to do with their throwing hand/arm while blocking.  Getting hit on the throwing hand/arm on balls in the dirt are not much fun.  Typically, catchers are taught to hide the hand behind the glove to protect it. Here’s another option I am seeing more and […]

Donaldson and Trout talk hitting

Watch both of these videos.  It’s the closest you will get to pornography for hitting coaches. The first is Josh Donaldson and the second is Mike Trout.  If you don’t have a lot of time at the moment, go to the 5:25 point of the Josh Donaldson one and watch the rest later. Now it’s […]

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 […]

Mind your BEE’s

For the last couple years I have coached my young son’s 8u/9u travel baseball team at the end of his rec seasons.  That age group brings many challenges but one of the toughest is trying to get them to move on from the game’s inevitable adversities and stay positive.  Easier said than done because if […]

The cost of college baseball

The article linked below has been circulating online recently and I thought I would post it as well.  It’s alarming to me to hear how much money families are spending on AAU / Elite teams over many years only to receive a few pennies when their player gets to college.   Friends have asked me […]

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 […]

Wherever it takes you

Today’s video tip is for 3rd basemen and involves a popular phrase you will here coaches say when there are bases loaded or runners on 1st and 2nd.

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 […]

How to keep a hitter’s front side from flying open

One of the biggest mistakes hitters make at all levels is opening the front side up too soon on the swing.  Here are several phrases, all of which describe basically the same thing: “stepping in the bucket” “flying off the ball” “pulling your hip out” “pulling your head off the ball” “rotating away from the […]

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.

A base running drill I bet you never did

I’m a firm believer that if you expect players to do something in a game, you had better practice it beforehand.  If a player screws something up that we never practiced then I consider it my fault not his.   Today’s video tip is a drill I’d bet rarely ever gets practiced.  As you will see, […]

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) […]

Three pitching stats you need to be keeping

Traditional pitching statistics (hits, runs, earned runs, strikeouts, etc.) can be very misleading and often do not get to the bottom of why a pitcher succeeds or struggles during an outing.  Take earned runs for instance.  If a player gives up 10 runs and only 3 earned runs, does that mean the pitcher’s defense was […]

Warm up within 8

One of the challenges of being a relief pitcher is knowing how much to throw on any given day.  If you are not sure you will be throwing in a given game, how much do you throw before the game to get loose? Do you just play catch?  Do you throw a full bullpen session or […]

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 […]

The running lane rule

The job of runners while running to first base is to stay within the two lines that go from half way down the line to the bag at first.  I took the picture on the right at my son’s practice last night.  Can you see the problem with this rule? If the base is completely in […]

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 […]

Brain teaser

Quick and without Googling it … give me a scenario where a triple play can happen without the ball touching a defensive player!     5-10-16 UPDATE:  Here is one way it could be done … Runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded.  Less than two outs.  Infield pop up.  Infield fly is declared and […]

Give your pitchers a baseball

How many times have you told a pitcher to go warm-up and the pitcher walks around in search of a good baseball?  What’s it like when the pitcher on the mound is struggling and you need a relief pitcher to be ready NOW! and he wastes time looking for a ball?  I don’t know about you but […]

We’re good, Sir.

Like many guys, I am fascinated by military special forces.  If I see a book about them, I pick it up.  If one is interviewed in a podcast, I download and listen.  It may be the training.  Maybe it’s the mental toughness. Every time I read or listen I pick up something new that I […]

What does a pitcher do with his back foot?

Today’s video tip explains what a pitcher should do with his back foot after throwing a pitch.  You will see lots of variations of this especially at the younger levels.  In the video, I demonstrate some of the common mistakes pitchers make and what pitchers should do to finish correctly in order to get the most […]

Pitchers: Don’t bend both knees at the same time

Today’s video tip is for pitchers who want to better utilize the height that they have.  Taller pitchers have an advantage when they are on an elevated mound and throwing properly.  Today’s tip prevents a pitcher from “collapsing” on their back leg and allows them to more effectively throw on a downward plane to the batter. […]

Do you recruit or investigate?

As a Villanova alum, I’m sure you can understand why I’ve had a very good week.  If any of you have seen those YouTube clips of Nova fans going ballistic on the last shot then you now pretty much know how I reacted in my living room. Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright has had a […]

Opening Day Quiz

This week kicked off the MLB season.  As always, one of my favorite columnists (George Will) had his annual quiz to mark the date.  Below is a link to the quiz.  Hopefully you will fare better than I did!  Have a great weekend and best of luck in any of your games! http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/will040216.php3    

Good hitters get into good counts

Ever notice that the best hitters always seem to be hitting in 1-0, 2-1, and 2-0 counts?  Obviously, that’s not always the case but there is a lot of truth to the saying that “good hitters get into good counts” more often than poor hitters. Good hitters are called “good hitters” in part because of […]

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 […]

Tryouts and The Voice

Baseball tryouts are a difficult time of year for all involved.  Coaches are elated that the season is starting but also dread having to tell young ball players that they cannot be on the team.  Egos are bruised and feelings are hurt.   I think it is hardest for the parents.  This is especially true […]

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 […]

Improving a pitcher’s knee kick

The human arm is not the strongest part of your body.   That’s why there are so many arm injuries in baseball.  It’s not really designed for the stress we give it when we throw overhand.  Because of that, pitchers must use their mid-section (just above the knees to the chest) where our strongest muscles are […]

Getting hitters off their back foot (part 2)

Back in February I posted a video about how to get batters off their back foot.  If you have not seen that video, click HERE.  After posting the video, a viewer posted a comment asking if tire chocks could be used.  I have to admit that I didn’t know what “tire chocks” were so I […]

A new season starts

Baseball where I am (Pennsylvania) starts today at the high school level.  I wish all of you a productive season with good calls and a tremendous bullpen! Below is a prayer I found that was apparently tweaked for coaches.   Best of luck everyone!   BUILD ME AN ATHLETE, who will be strong enough to […]

The glove goes near the hip

I recently saw this photo online and it highlights a mistake I often see with young pitchers.  I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before but it is worth mentioning again. There are several things I’m a stickler for making young pitchers do.  One of the most important in my opinion is making sure they finish the […]

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.

You find what you look for – A short story

A couple years back I wrote a short story called The Stubborn Hitter where the old groundskeeper teaches the young hitter a lesson.  To read it, click HERE.  Today’s post is the second installment.  It’s an old story, only this time with a baseball twist. One hot summer day, the league’s old groundskeeper was out […]

The Throwing X Drill

When I work with a young thrower (below high school), I usually focus a lot of attention on smoothing up the throwing path of their arm.  Watch a major leaguer throw on TV and it won’t look like they are putting a lot of effort into their throws.  When the radar screen says 95 mph, your mind […]

eBook: A 4-week guide to preparing pitchers

A couple weeks ago I launched a course/seminar called Game Charts: The ultimate coaching tool for baseball coaches.  Subscribers who purchased the seminar in the first week also got a free bonus eBook called Off-Season Pitching Guide: A four-week plan for developing pitchers for game #1. I received a lot of great feedback about both […]

Getting hitters off their back foot

Today’s video tip is actually two versions of a drill that could be used to help hitters address a common mistake.  I see this more often in little kids but it doesn’t mean older players can’t benefit from it either.  The mistake involves never getting their weight off their back foot when they swing “Rotational” […]

Seminar: Game Charts – The ultimate teaching tool for baseball coaches

I’m proud to announce my latest project called Game Charts: The ultimate teaching tool for baseball coaches!  If you are a subscriber, you had first access to this seminar all last week (I added a bonus for them also … that’s why you should be a member!). Here is the introduction to the seminar which […]

To the fence drill for outfielders (Part 2)

Part 1 of this topic was covered HERE.  I basically covered the concept of getting to the proper side of the ball before you touch it. In today’s video tip, I cover the process after picking the ball up.  Too often outfielders waste time trying to make a powerful throw back to the infield when […]

You do NOT run a question mark to first base

When I do coaching clinics, one of the more humorous things I will do is ask a question like the following… “Raise your hand if, as a young player, you were told to get your back elbow up higher when you hit?”  All the hands naturally go up.  Including mine.  The crowd gets a laugh when […]

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 […]

Reversing the shoulders

FYI: Important email coming today for subscribers!  If not a subscriber, use the Subscribe box on the right column seen on every page. There are certain movements in the game that are transferable.  By that I mean similar body movements are done by all baseball players.  If you want to quicken the pace of a […]

Pinching the middle for middle infielders – Part 2

Today’s video tip is Part 2 of the very important responsibility for middle infielders when there are runners on base.  To see Part 1, click HERE. Today’s tip focuses on a common mistake made AFTER this responsibility is over and how to correct it.

Pinching the middle for middle infielders – Part 1

Today’s video tip is about the VERY IMPORTANT and MANDATORY responsibility of both middle infielders whenever there are runners on base. It’s one of the many things a well-coached team will do without being told.

Do you practice your purpose pitches?

Ever notice how many young pitchers have no idea how to throw a pitchout?  If you want to see something funny (or sad depending on your perspective), have your pitchers do a drill where every pitch is a pitchout to the catcher.  Then sit back and watch the absurdity.  You’ll be amazed how many pitchers […]

What is your unfair advantage?

When I was 12 years old, I remember pitching in a game with the winning run on third base with the game all tied up.  There were less than two outs and if the runner scored, the other team would win in walk off fashion.  I decided to go from the wind-up thinking that if 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.

Make the throws easy for the pitcher

“Seriously?  You can’t make an accurate 50 foot throw to the pitcher?” I’ve never actually said that to a catcher … but I’ve darn well thought it!  And don’t lie.  I know you have too. As a coach, the last thing you want to be concerned about is will your catcher make good throws back […]

Add some problem solving to your drills

“I am so sick and tired of my players not being able to think for themselves.  They sit back and just wait for me to tell them what to do all the time.” Sound familiar? I’m sure it does.  Every coach deals with that dilemma.  So how can a coach address it rather than just […]

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 […]

How to throw a better 2-strike breaking pitch

This is Part 2 of the “throwing more strikes with your breaking ball” series.  This one deals with throwing them when you have an 0-2 or 1-2 count.  If you did not see Part 1: How to throw more strikes with your breaking pitches, click HERE. Too often pitchers (and I mean all pitchers at all […]

How to throw more strikes with your breaking pitches

A big problem with pitchers as they get into the higher levels is an inability to throw strikes with their breaking pitches.  From Little League through even the high school level, pitchers can get away with not being very good at commanding their curveballs and sliders.  This is because the hitters are usually not that […]

Wake up, families

I saw two articles yesterday when I checked my social media accounts.  One was an article about how we are training young baseball players all wrong.  The article said that pro scouts look for 90+mph throwers and if we are not training pitchers to throw 90+, it is basically a waste of time.  Ditto with regards […]

To the Fence Drill for outfielders

After the holidays is usually the start to the indoor workout season for teams in the colder regions.  When that happens, it’s usually outfielder work that gets screwed over do to the limits on space.  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today’s video tip is the outfielder’s footwork of approaching a ball that […]

Should you teach young outfielders to step back on all fly balls?

As I explain in today’s video post, a lot of youth coaches teach their outfielders to take a step back every time a ball is hit in the air towards them.  The reason is a sound one – Prevent extra bases even if you have to give up a few more singles in exchange. As […]

Quadrant Hitting – Part 2

When you are formulating a game plan for your at-bat …  Do you pick the quadrant you are best at hitting or do you pick the quadrant where you think the pitcher will throw it?  That’s the question I ended Part 1 with.  If you need to read Part 1 to get an idea of […]

Quadrant hitting – Part 1

Say what you want about Alex Rodriguez’s personal decisions over his career but you have to give him credit for his knowledge of hitting.  I don’t know about you but I loved listening to him as one of the playoff announcers. There were many great insights he made but one stood out because it reminded me […]

How to throw the ball back to the pitcher

Ever have catchers specifically do a drill that just requires them to throw the ball back to the pitcher correctly?  Probably not.  That’s because we just assume they should just know how to do it.   Most older kids just figure out how to get the ball back on their own through trial & error […]

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 […]

2015 World Series insights – Game 1 & 2

It looks like the Royals will make fast work of the Mets unless New York can turn that momentum around in a hurry.  Here is a list of some of the things I noticed from Game 1 and Game 2.  I also linked to previous posts and videos where I discussed or demonstrated that topic. […]

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.

Give your 3rd base coach a chance (part 2)

Scoring from first base on a base hit is no easy task.  Royals fans were quite happy when Lorenzo Cain did just that to help get his team to the World Series.  As soon as I saw him score I thought of a post I had written back in June, 2012. I’ve said many times […]

1-6-3 bagwork for shortstops

Today’s video tip shows how a shortstop turns a double play at second base on 1-6-3 or 2-6-3 plays.  Because the feed from the pitcher or catcher is coming from a different angle than say, a second baseman or first baseman, his footwork at the bag needs to be different. Early in the video, a previous video […]

Don’t let a slow pitcher slow your bat down

One of things I’ve seen a lot of with young hitters is that when they face a slow pitcher, their bats slow down along with it.  This, of course, is a big mistake. Like many hitters, I always hated hitting off slow pitchers.  Bring that 92 mph any day of the week. That soft lefty […]

Old batting glove smell

  You know you are a ball player when your old batting gloves smell like heaven and your mother wants to throw them out.   If that smell could be bottled in a cologne, a ball player would wear it!   True?

Use all the pitching height you have

Scouts love tall pitchers.  Go to any MLB team website and check out the heights of all their pitchers.  My hometown Phillies don’t have a pitcher under 6’1″ and have eight pitchers over 6’3″.  A tall pitcher who does a good job of throwing downhill is very tough to hit.  Just ask anyone who has […]

Tommy John article

Hello everyone!  I hope all of you have great plans for the Fourth of July weekend!  Today’s post is another article written by a friend and coach who is also in the medical profession.  This one is on the Tommy John surgery epidemic.  I hope you like it! Have a great weekend and if you […]

Baseball sayings from baseball dads

My father was by far the biggest influence on my baseball career.  I’m sure a lot of people can say the same thing.  I’m sure there is a cave drawing somewhere showing a cave-dad having a stone catch with his son.  He probably grunted “keep your elbow up!” too. My dad had a saying for practically […]

Another catching tip to get more strikes

The primary job for any catcher is to help pitchers get more strikes.  A catcher who is terrific at receiving is pure joy to throw to every game.  Today’s video tip is one of many tricks good catchers use to help get more strikes for the guy on the bump.

Traits of a good catcher

I’ve been watching a lot of the MLB Draft commentary on TV and a common theme when discussions turn to catchers is that everyone wants a good catcher.  It’s been said many times that the fastest way to the major leagues is to be a good catcher.  I’m not sure if the stats match that […]

Do shortstops open up on double play feeds?

Today’s video tip is the answer to a question I received from a reader.  He asked if shortstops should open up their left leg on double play feeds to better clear their hips.  Here is what I have to say about that …

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 which […]

Catchers do not need to know who is covering

On a recent video post I mentioned that we all have pet peeves as coaches.  In the video I explained why a shortstop yelling “inside” or “outside” to a first basemen on a 3-6-3 double play irks me.  To see the video, click HERE. Today’s post involves another one of my pet peeves.  This time […]

Everyone has a plan …

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” – Mike Tyson Take a quick look at these two video clips.  The first is one of Derek Jeter’s most memorable plays.  The second link is a recent play by Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis. Click HERE for Freddy Galvis’ play Both plays have one thing […]

Figure 8 Drill for base running

When baseball players are asked to run at practice, typically it means sprints of various distances before and/or after practice.  Sprints are fine but the drawback is that very rarely will players actually run a sprint beyond 90 feet.  Little Leaguers typically run even shorter distances.  Players of all ages also have to make cuts, […]

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 […]

More advice for young arms

A little while back I posted a report by a baseball coach and friend of mine, Dr. John Mishock, who warned baseball people about the overuse of young pitchers and why that is harmful from a medical point of view.  To see that original report called Longterm Team Athletic Development: Are we coaching our kids […]

Don’t keep the ball down

Actually, the title of today’s post is a little incomplete.  A better title would have been “Don’t JUST keep the ball down.” Pitchers are told from the day they start pitching to “keep the ball down in the strike zone.”  In general, that is great advice.  At the younger ages – Little League through high […]

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 […]

The common sense of George Brett

When I was a senior in college at Villanova, our spring break took us to the Orlando, FL area for workouts and games.  One of the places we played at several times was the old Boardwalk and Baseball complex which, at the time, was the home of the Kansas City Royals for spring training.  Our […]

Are you asking yourself the right questions?

When players self-analyze, they often limit themselves to a few basic questions like … How many batters did I strikeout? What is my batting average? How many HR’s/RBI’s do I have? What’s my Win-Loss record? Unfortunately, most players do not mentally travel past those questions. For a player to more accurately gauge how well he […]

How to throw more strikes – visual tips

Is there anything worse than watching a pitcher throw out of the strike zone over and over again?  Aside from yelling something stupid like “Throw strikes!“, are there any quick ways to get the kid back on track so that everyone can move on with their lives in less than three hours?  The answer is […]

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 […]

Why won’t he talk to me? Advice for baseball moms

How many of you baseball moms out there have experienced something like the following … Your son comes home from a game.  It is obvious that he is upset.  Maybe an 0-4 with three strikeouts.  Maybe got pulled from the mound in the 1st inning.  Maybe a crucial base running mistake in the last inning.  Who […]

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.

Spring is just around the corner

Why is it that Fall and Winter are right on time every single year but Spring seems to take forever?  I admit that I might be a little jaded though since I just plowed 8 inches of snow off my driveway. I sure hope all you readers in the warmer climates appreciate what you have. […]

How to make a batting tee (Part 2)

When it comes to total number of views, the most popular post on this website is the one I wrote back on January 29, 2014.  It was called How to make a batting tee.   If you have the money, my pick for the best basic batting tee is the Tanner Tee.  It is the […]

Swing down to the ball

Over the past several years of running this website, I have received a lot of very positive comments about my posts and videos.  In fact, just about all of them have been positive and I’m truly grateful for those who pass along their “thank you’s” and “well done’s.”  Some comments have not been so pleasant. […]

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 […]

Do you have a pickoff mindset?

As a former shortstop, I could never understand why pitchers were not interested in trying to pick runners off.  Here I am around second base with a runner that is drifting off the bag too much and the pitcher either ignored it or just stepped off the rubber when I broke to the bag.  I […]

Little League Practice Templates

Over the past month or so, a good friend and I did a few coaching clinics for Little League coaches.  One of our big priorities for the clinics was to pass on the importance of organizing good practices.  To help them do this, we created practice templates for practices involving four age groups that range […]

Have you had “The Talk” with your new Ace yet?

All across the country, pitchers who were their team’s 2nd or 3rd starter in 2014 will be jumping up to the role of team “Ace” in just a few weeks.  Usually this is due to the previous year’s 1st and/or 2nd starters’ graduations.   When this occurred on my high school teams, I, along with […]

Five principles of coaching baseball

The video below is a presentation I gave recently to a group of youth baseball coaches.  I was the keynote speaker of the event and therefore focused on some bigger, more general concepts within coaching baseball.  Other coaches during the event passed on the nuts and bolts of mechanics, drills, and practice organization. My part […]

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? […]

The Super Bowl and outthinking yourself

People all across the country are calling it the worst play call in Super Bowl history.  Of course, I’m talking about the decision to throw the ball on the half yard line with 20 seconds left when you have Marshawn Lynch standing right behind the quarterback. Coach and/or play any sport long enough and you […]

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.

The Chair Rotation Drill for pitchers

A big thank you to all of you who purchased my latest eBook which included at total of 95 drills for pitchers, outfielders, and base runners!  (If you want info, click HERE) A recent buyer emailed me to say thank you for the bundle and also asked a question.  When he looked at drill #12 (The […]

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 […]

I’m never recruiting baseball players again!

A great friend and baseball guy is responsible for passing on the two main parts of this post.  The first is an article he forwarded me which includes some quotes from an interview with Kobe Bryant.  Here are some of the key comments by Bryant … “I just think European players are just way more […]

The Square Up Drill for throwing

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday! I’m changing things up a little bit here at Baseball By The Yard. For the near future I will be posting only one or two posts a week. I have some new ideas for the site and need more time to […]

Pros and cons of knee drills for pitchers

Every baseball drill known to man has a set of pros and cons.  As I explain in today’s video tip, there is no perfect drill.  A frequently used knee drill for pitchers is a great example.

Who is your cornerman?

Every boxer has a cornerman.  The cornerman’s job is to offer instruction and guidance during the bout.  He motivates the boxer to keep going in times of trouble.  He pats the boxer on the back when he thinks it is needed but he’s also willing to give the guy an earful as well.  He doesn’t […]

How NOT to throw a curveball

Today’s video tip is for high school and above pitchers who have already had training on how to throw a curveball.  It is not for kids at the younger levels since I do not believe they should be throwing anything but a fastball and a change-up. This tip is actually two tips that can help […]

Are we coaching our kids correctly?

Below is an article that was written for a physical therapy journal. As you will see, it deals with youth sports. I highly recommend spending the time to read it through. The author is not only an accomplished physical therapist in the Philadelphia suburbs but also a very good baseball guy. He agreed to allow […]

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 […]

How to round a base and improve your angles

Today’s video tip is for base runners of any age who want a quick way to improve their angles around the bases.  Like so much in the game, little things can make a huge difference when it comes to separating the good players from the great ones.  Here is one of those little things that […]

Practicing baseball and rehearsing baseball

When people in a play are getting ready for the performance, they don’t say, “I’m going to practice.”  They say, “I’m going to rehearsal.”  Many people would use those two words interchangeably and would see any difference between the two as just purely semantics.  But they would be wrong. Practice is the step by step procedure […]

Do NOT do this on a double play

Stick around long enough and you’ll hear some pretty bad things coming from people in the game.  One of them is brought out in today’s video tip.  It involves something middle infielders are told to do that not only makes it tougher to do their job, it’s unsafe as well.  Watch the video to see […]

How to steal bases: three options for jumps

Stealing bases is truly an art form and just like any artist, a base stealer is going to develop their own style.  This is why coaches should be reluctant to force every base stealer to take leads and get jumps the same way.  Ideally, players should learn as many options as possible and eventually pick […]

Another myth about how catchers throw

A couple years ago I created a short video detailing the “Ball to Ear Myth” for catchers and the way they throw.  Another myth about how catchers throw goes like this – Catchers must be taught to throw straight over the top in order to prevent the ball from tailing to second or third base. […]

Private Instruction: Simple is repeatable

For many players, private instruction has either begun or soon will be.  A gigantic tip for players and parents who are searching for an instructor is to look for instructors who keep things simple.  I have heard many parents talk about baseball instructors and a common complaint from many of them is that the instructor […]

A coach’s practice is your minimum

One of the toughest things to do in a classroom or on a baseball field is to challenge every single student and player throughout the entire class or practice.  In baseball, every player has unique needs.   However, perfectly tailored instruction for each player during a team workout is virtually impossible.  That’s why it is unreasonable […]

Jab Jab Hook – How to get good players to change

A former big leaguer once told me about an interaction between another major leaguer and a new hitting coach.  On the first day of spring training, the player was hitting off a batting tee and the brand new coach walked up to him and said something like “We are going to have to do a […]

The three opponents you face every game

Three years ago I wrote a very popular post called The game is your toughest opponent.  It’s worth reading if you haven’t already because it’s a good message to players about what they should be focussing on during games. But I have to confess that I think I was wrong.  The game is not your […]

95 Pitching, Outfield, and Base Running Drills

  “Thanks for the drills Coach! Perfect to keep on my clipboard during practice. Will save me lots of time with planning.” That’s an email I got from a reader a few days ago!   This past week subscribers received the latest offer of baseball drills.  The deal includes 40 Pitching Drills that range from basic to […]

The cornerstone of any pitching program

I don’t care if you are teaching a player in his first year of kid-pitch or if you are a pitching coach of a major league team, the cornerstone of your program that should guide all instruction and advice is command of the fastball. There are certainly many other facets of pitching that are important […]

Talk to yourself but don’t listen

How many times have you heard that little voice in your head say things like “You suck!” or “How could you not throw a strike?” or “0 for 4… You’ll never be any good at this game.” or “How did you miss that pitch?”   I don’t know about you but that inner demon inside my […]

How to better see the ball out of the pitcher’s hand

Happy Veterans’ Day to all those who have worn the uniform!  Thank you for your service! Last week I received a question from a high school player.  His dilemma was a common one.  He felt he was not seeing the ball well out of the pitcher’s hand and wasn’t sure what could be done.  He […]

Crow hop on the 1-6-3 play

HEADS UP!!  A special offer for subscribers of the site is coming this week!  Become a subscriber if you haven’t already!  Scroll under my photo on the right to subscribe!   A hard one-hopper is hit right back to the pitcher.  He knows it’s a sure double play.  He fields it, turns, and proceeds to throw […]

There is no top of the ladder

A lot of people out there would like to climb the “ladder of success.”  Here’s a little secret … There is no ladder. A ladder implies vertical movement.  Up or down.  That’s not how the game works.  Although the levels of the game do appear to be like a ladder, a player’s progress (and many […]

A baseball lesson from election day

HEADS UP!!  A special offer for subscribers of the site is coming within a week!  Become a subscriber if you haven’t already!  Scroll under my photo on the right to subscribe! Now, back to today’s post! As a social studies teacher I take a keen interest in the political process.  When I see the percentage […]

Coaching great teams

Congratulations go out to the San Francisco Giants and their 2014 World Series Championship.  Bruce Bochy is sure making a name for himself as a manager having won three out of the last five championships.  Right now the accolades are flowing but pretty soon the criticism of “he’s overrated!  Anyone could manage a team with […]

You play for the other coach too

My coach doesn’t like me. My coach doesn’t promote me. My coach doesn’t know any college coaches. My coach doesn’t know the game. My coach never talks to scouts. Reason to be concerned?  Maybe and maybe not. Coaches talk.  Always have and always will.  If you feel your coach is not doing enough for you […]

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 […]

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) […]

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 […]

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.   Whether it is setting up to hit, pitch, run the bases, or field, keeping your nose between your feet and over your toes will usually […]

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 […]

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