Contact points for hitters

In yesterday’s post about two strike hitting, I mentioned that looking away allows a hitter to wait a little longer on the pitch.  In relation to that, I thought it would be appropriate to show where the various contact points are depending on where the ball is thrown.  The diagram below is what it looks […]

Looking away with two strikes

One of the most valuable things my father taught me as a young player was how to hit with two strikes.  This post HERE and this post HERE get into a number of the adjustments he pounded into me.  This post will deal with a common mental adjustment. “Looking away” with two strikes is a […]

Random thoughts about Fall Ball

Fall Ball has become quite the rage in many different age groups.  My first experience with Fall Ball wasn’t until college.  Our baseball workouts started the first day of classes.  I was in heaven!  For all my years prior, the fall meant soccer and for many years, winter meant wrestling.  There was basically no such […]

Moving catchers around

I once played with a catcher who, whenever a runner got on first base, would call for an outside fastball on just about every pitch.  I, along with the other pitchers on the staff, caught on pretty quickly to what was going on.  The message I have for pitchers with all of this is that you […]

How can that not be a hit?

I was talking to a mother the other day whose son has just begun to play on a regulation field – 60′ mound / 90′ bases.  It has been quite an eye opener for the players.  After an at-bat, a player was heard saying, “I hit that so far!  How can that not be a […]

Injuries: One week or one month?

About 10 days ago one of my daughters got a horrible gash on her leg that required an emergency room visit and five stitches.  She is fine but her experience since then has caused her a lot grief.  Because of her injury and the stitches, she has been unable to start up her new dance […]

The coaching attitude

In the world of science there is a phrase called “the scientific attitude” which has three components: curiosity, skepticism, and humility.  Here is what they mean for scientists: Curiosity – Always having a passion to explore in order to learn something new.  As John Wooden said, “what matters most is what you learn after you […]

Training captains

Scenario #1: Congratulations kid!  You were selected by your teammates to be the team captain.  I expect you to be a good one.  Good luck.” Scenario #2:  “Congratulations kid!  You were selected by your teammates to be the team captain.  I expect you to be a good one so I am going to send you […]

The command bullpen: Fixing a wild thrower

Every coach has dealt with a kid who just struggles to throw the ball over the plate.  Some of those kids, based on their mechanics, velocity, etc., are just shifted to other positions and promptly labeled “not a pitcher.”  But some kids show extreme promise with regard to their throwing ability.  These are the players […]

Back to the bag in the air

There were three MLB games I watched in recent days where a runner on third totally screwed up a tag play on balls hit to the outfield.  I guess it bothers me so much because these are mistakes that I could not even accept from my high school players.  Here is what happened in all […]

Because you just never know

Here is a story about a former player of mine that should be a lesson for all young players.  This player had a good high school career but even though he went to a Division I college, it certainly was not a top-tier one.  That’s because he wasn’t the 6’3″ blue chipper with the 90+ […]

Flat ground work for pitchers

I heard a college coach at a convention say that throwing off a mound adds six times the stress on the body/arm as compared to throwing on flat ground.  Unfortunately, most young pitchers think that if they are not throwing off a mound then they aren’t really pitching. If you have ever attended a pro […]

One hop or line drives

One of the more common phrases I heard growing up was “hit ground balls and line drives.”  For the most part, this is sound advice.  Keeping the ball out of the air (fly balls) tend to improve a batter’s swing as well as his average.  But a problem sometimes develops because of the phrase.  Some batters […]

I field with my feet

Whenever I played, I made it a habit to watch the other teams’ pre-game infield/outfield routines.  You can learn quite a bit about what the other team can and can’t do just by watching those 10-15 minute warm-ups.  For selfish reasons, I also paid close attention to the other teams’ shortstops.  Because that’s what I […]

Off side errors

As a coach, defense was always my main priority.  I certainly believed in the maxim, “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.”  Every year I would remind my players that being good on defense is not about making Web Gems.  It’s all about making the routine play.  When the other team hands you an out, you […]

Slow down your fastball

A while back I wrote a post called Why pitchers should watch batting practice.  The basic message to pitchers was that hitting is extremely hard.  Unfortunately, many pitchers seem to forget that basic concept when they step on the mound.  As an example, I mentioned what happens when the coach unintentionally takes off even a […]

Should you swing 3-0?

“I never quite understood why so many people just automatically take 3-0.  If you’re a smart enough hitter, and you’re able to just say to yourself, ‘OK, I’m going to get a certain pitch in a certain spot,’ it’s like a free swing. A lot of times, even if a guy swings 3-0 and fouls […]

The one hop throw to second base

One of the biggest challenges for young players is transitioning to larger fields.  Many of the mistakes that players can get away with on small fields just don’t fly on big fields.  There are so many examples of this.  Today’s post is one regarding catchers. When kids start to play on the larger fields, runners […]

The wipe off sign

My three older sisters were not into sports and didn’t know much about baseball.  However, for some reason, all were fascinated by coaches signs.  When they watched a game, they loved watching coaches flash signs to the players and always wanted to know what my signs were for my players.  When I told them a […]

Improve your hitting by playing catch

I don’t care how good of an athlete you are, if you do not see the ball out of the pitcher’s hand, you are not going to be a good hitter.  The pitch occurs in a fraction of a second and if you miss any of it, especially the beginning, you’re done.  Therefore, any drill […]

Too much body

When you watch talented players perform they always seem to make the skill look so easy.  For example, a batter like Miguel Cabrera seems to hit effortlessly no matter who is pitching and where the ball is thrown.   My father always says, “You can’t beat genetics.”  Some people are just naturally gifted athletes.  However, when […]

Pop-up drills for catchers

When practicing pop-up drills for catchers, there are a number of ways you can do it.  The best way, as shown in yesterday’s post, is with a pitching machine.  If you do not have one available, it is virtually impossible to mimic the  infield drift part of the play unless you are gifted with a […]

Practicing for Infield Drift

In yesterday’s post I explained the concept of infield drift.  Unfortunately, there is really only one way to practice this play effectively and that means using a pitching machine.  Of course, if you have an advanced degree in hitting pop-ups with a fungo then you are all set.  Most coaches don’t have the ability to […]

Infield drift

A batter hits a ball straight up over home plate a mile high.  A “home run in an elevator shaft” as they say.  The catcher rips his mask off, turns his back to the infield (like he should), and confidently screams “I got it!”   When the ball starts to come down the catcher starts […]

Pitching: Front side – Back side

Of all the things I mention to pitchers, “reversing your shoulders and hips” tends to be the most common.  As pitchers get older, the distance they pitch from gets longer.  If they do not master this primary concept they will have a short career on a full size field.   When the pitcher gets towards […]

Better hitting with an ankle weight

During my career as a position player, my biggest hitting challenge was controlling my front foot on my stride.  I tended to jump/lunge on the pitch too much.  It was a constant battle.  When I kept my stride foot under control I hit well.  When I couldn’t, I got eaten up rather easily.  Unfortunately, it […]

The bases loaded walk

You are pitching.  It’s early in the game or ahead by a few runs late in the game. You have the bases loaded and the other team’s best hitter at the plate.  You are behind in the count.  What do you do? I say pitch around him. Young pitchers grow up hearing the importance of […]

Off-season workouts – Fixed links

Every now and then I receive an email from a reader informing me that a link on my site is no longer working.  Below are two such links that apply to off-season weight programs.  The links on the posts are fixed as well but I though I’d post them here as well. If you ever […]

How to round first base

It’s been a while since my last video tip but here’s the latest.  It involves the proper way to round first base depending on where the ball is hit.   Enjoy!

A few good Cardinals

What every team needs is a few (actually a lot of) Cardinals.  As in St. Louis Cardinals.  I had a chance to watch a few Cardinals games over the past week and to say the least, they are a pleasure to watch.  They move runners over.  They put the ball in play.  They bunt.  They […]

When should a catcher go to the mound?

At the major league level you will often see catchers call time-out and take a trip to the mound to have a word with their pitcher.  Usually these trips are not called for by coaches.  The catchers decide when the time is right.  At the lower levels, catchers are usually hesitant to call time-out and […]

You have to be pretty darn good

A few days ago Cole Hamels lost his 12th game of the season.  If they have not yet brought it up, someone is bound to start talking about the possibility of a 20 loss season for Cole. That certainly would be a nightmare of a season for Hamels but on the other hand, you’d have […]

How to be still – The baseball knee

Yesterday’s post was about getting players to move faster on and around the field at all times.  It not only makes your team look great, it gives them the message that the game requires a faster pace.   However, there are times when players need to be still.  A lot of baseball meetings occur pre […]

There is no walking in baseball

Is anyone else aggravated by how many players walk on, off, and around the baseball field?  To me it’s like nails on a chalkboard.  Every summer I usually help out at a couple camps that have kids between about 8 and 15 years old.  One of the toughest things to teach the campers early on […]

The toughest outfielder

Probably the toughest job for a third base coach is deciding when to send the runner home and when to hold him at third base.  I’ve done a couple written posts on that topic and even created a video or two as well. This past winter I spoke at a coaching clinic where the keynote […]

Let me try that again

One of the biggest challenges a coach faces is figuring out how to create game-like pressure in practice.  We all know there are players who perform well in practice but seem to become an entirely different player once the game starts.  However it’s done, amping up the pressure during parts of your practice can be […]

Over pitching – Part 2

In yesterday’s post I brought up the concept of over pitching.  It happens at all levels but you will most often see it with young pitchers who feel they have to do too much out on the mound.  In todays’ post, I’m going to give some game situations where over pitching tends to come up. […]

Over pitching (Part 1)

I recently had two conversations with two different people on the same day.  Both were about pitching.  The first was with a high school pitcher and the second, about 30 minutes later, was with a first round draft pick and former major league pitcher.  If I just gave you the gist of the conversations, my […]

Spinning plates

In the New York Times article linked below, the manager likened coaching to being a plate spinner.  For those who coach, you’ll understand the analogy.  I think the article does a good, concise job of showing the daily (largely unglamorous) routine of a minor league coach.   The article also addresses the importance of recognizing […]

A letter from a friend

When you write a daily blog, you sometimes wonder if you are only writing for yourself.  I don’t get a ton of feedback from people about what I write so when I do, I am very appreciative.  Below is one such email I received from a friend and coach I have not spoken to in […]

The problem with private instruction

When I talk to kids who work with a private instructor, a common theme tends to emerge.  Before I get into it, take a look at the following video.  Afterwards, I’ll explain why I’m using the analogy shown and how it applies to private instruction. The analogy of the rocks shows us that in life, […]

Don’t run into a tag – Part 2

In YESTERDAY’S POST I talked about a double play situation where the runner should do all that he can to induce more throws by the defense.  Today’s post expands on that issue by explaining what the second baseman should do in this situation to maximize his ability to get two outs.
  Let’s say, as mentioned […]

Don’t run into a tag

I had another “shake my head at the TV” moment the other night while watching a major league game.  With one out and a runner on first base, a soft ground ball was hit towards the second baseman.  He charged to field the ball, easily tagged the runner going to second base, and threw to […]

Pitching around a hitter

Baseball people know that there are times when a pitcher is going to pitch around a batter.  One of their best hitters is up, a base is open, etc.  However, the drawback of not giving a batter something to hit is that it contradicts much of what we coaches say to pitchers.  Two of the […]

Keep your head still?

I have told many players and coaches of the importance of keeping your head still in baseball.  In reality, a more realistic way of saying that would be to “keep your head calm.”  Baseball players routinely move their head and eyes while playing baseball.  It’s impossible not to.  Pitchers move their head when they pitch.  […]

Get strikes by throwing strikes

It’s not often that you’ll see a major league umpire have two different strike zones for both pitchers.  Consistency is what got those umpires to that level.  However, you occasionally will see slightly different zones even at that level.  One would think that would be a flaw in the umpire but in reality, it is […]

Battle of the low pitch

  As players get older and reach higher levels of the game, more and more pitches will be thrown towards the bottom of the strike zone.  Successful pitchers at the big league level routinely throw down in the zone with all their pitches.  That’s why they got to that level.  I’ve said before that I […]

Requirements for a bullpen pitcher

Over the course of a pitcher’s career he may be at various times a starter or a reliever.  At the lower levels, relievers are usually the pitchers who are not as talented as the starters.  This is why coaches stress the importance of getting to a high school bullpen as soon as possible.  Usually, the talent […]

Common mistakes on Double Relays

During a recent MLB game I was watching, a ball hit to deep right-center required a double-relay for a play at home plate.  The throw to home was never made because the cutoff was botched.  The announcers blamed it on a poor throw by the outfielder but in reality, the trailer on the double-relay team […]

Happily ever after

One of the hardest things when you get to the top is staying there.  Winning a championship as a team or a player getting to the level they’ve always dreamed of can be thrilling but it’s not without challenges. First of all, a team that becomes a champion is not going to sneak up on […]

Work smarter

A while back I wrote a post called Batting cage ribbons where I explained a good drill for hitters when working in a cage.  Another similar option is this drill HERE.  It appears as if some major leaguers are using these drills as well!  Here is an excerpt from an article about the recent success of Orioles hitter […]

It’s not how you start

Readers who are not from the Philadelphia area will not recognize the names on this Top 25 list of high school teams.   The list, if you look at the date, is the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Top 25 baseball teams in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania at the very start of the season.  One team, North […]

No foul balls in BP

One common goal for most coaches is to convince their hitters to use more of the center of the field when they hit.  I tried to promote a left center to right center approach with my hitters.  Using the center of the field as a goal gives a hitter more room for error.  If they are […]

The two-run window for pitchers

Bases loaded and no outs is a situation that all pitchers will run into
 at some point.  What his mental approach and expectations are will go a 
long way in determining how this situation turns out.  Many pitchers 
make the mistake of thinking their job in this situation is to prevent a single run from
 […]

Teaching the open stance

Growing up, I remember watching major league games and seeing quite a few closed stances from hitters.  Mike Schmidt comes to mind.  George Hendrix probably was the most extreme example.  Today, you rarely see that kind of stance.  The open stance is much more the norm in today’s game. The question from coaches is “do […]

Enforcing the informal rules of the game

Maybe I am officially old school now but I cannot believe what my eyes saw during the Phillies-Marlins series.  Actually, it has more to do with what my eyes didn’t see.  Let me set the stage. To date, the Marlins have the worst record in baseball. Their organization has been blasted for getting rid of […]

Changing course

When a pilot takes off at an airport in Philadelphia en route to Los Angeles, they understand that a change in course along the way may be necessary.  Changing wind patterns, storms, and mechanical issues can force a pilot to change course to get to their destination safely.  When this happens, the pilot doesn’t get […]

Hit inside your front foot

One of the biggest challenges young players (and therefore their coaches) face is jumping or lunging at the pitch.  When this happens, contact is made out in front of the front foot.  Power is lost and when the batter gets any type of off-speed pitch they are bound to be way out in front of […]

It can’t even be close

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Phillies game.  In the ninth inning, Kyle Kendrick (yes, a pitcher) was put in to pinch run for Jimmy Rollins (bad foot) with no outs and the Brewers up 4-3.  After being sacrificed bunted to second base, Kendrick proceeded to get picked off second base. […]

A strike right out of your hand

Ever notice that some pitchers get a lot of check swings and some do 
not?  This has a lot to do with how the ball looks to the batter shortly 
after leaving the pitcher’s hand.  For some pitchers, especially those
 with good movement on the ball, a pitch leaves the hand looking like a 
strike […]

Make someone pay

At an early age, my father taught me to make someone pay for bad games,
 slumps, and losing streaks.  It is good advice for individual
 players and teams alike. 
 Baseball has a way of mentally wearing you down over time.  When it 
does, it becomes very easy to lash out at yourself, teammates, and/or
 coaches.  […]

Is bunting overrated?

At the Major League level, bunting has become a thing of the past with 
the exception of pitchers in the National League.  Old school people
 hate this modern trend against bunting but statistically speaking,
bunting at the Major League level does seem to be a bad strategy in
 general.  The reason for this is that the […]

Third Base Coach Positioning

At the younger levels you don’t see coaches venture too far from the designated coaching boxes on both sides of the field.  The purpose of the boxes is to prevent coaches from getting too close to the field and interfere with the game.  Getting too close to the line before the pitch can allow a […]

Step and catch timing

There are many situations in baseball where the fielder must step to the ball and make the catch.  Here are several I can think of: An outfielder getting behind a fly ball and stepping to the ball to make the catch. A shortstop turning a double play where he will need to step across the […]

When a team is well coached

I had the pleasure of catching a high school playoff game the other day.  Two well-coached teams played.  It’s a shame one team’s season came to an end but that’s baseball.  It was the second time this season I saw the visiting team and the first time I ever saw the home team that was […]

Earning the right to fail

A student of mine had a rough pitching start the other day.  He lasted 1/3 of an inning before being pulled from the game.  Pitch long enough and it will happen to you too.  It certainly has happened to me. For players at the high school level and above, outings like this can be devastating.  […]

A small tip for a bigger curve ball

Before I give this tip, do me a favor and snap your fingers for a few seconds.  Now snap your fingers again but this time use both your index finger AND your middle finger (equal pressure) along with your thumb.  How did it work?  Probably not as well the second time.  The reason for this […]

Pay attention to your first at-bat

Today’s tip is generally not needed at the lower levels.  It is more for players at the college and pro levels where there tends to be more scouting of other teams involved.  A while back I did an interview with a guy named Steve Springer.  If you have not listened to Steve before, you are […]

The 2-2 fastball

There is a saying among pitching coaches that goes “if you throw an off-speed pitch 2-2, you might as well throw it 3-2.”  Here is the reason for the saying.  If a pitcher throws a curve ball on a 2-2 count and it ends up being a ball, the count is now full at 3-2.  […]

My baseball nightmare

For as long as I can remember I’ve had the same recurring dream.  Actually, it’s more of a nightmare.  It’s always some version of the following. I get called up to the major leagues and I’m the first to arrive at the field on the big day.  My uniform is in my locker and everything […]

Playing catch with Pete Rose

When I was younger, my dad and I would frequently make trips to the backyard to play catch.  When my accuracy needed improving, he would always draw an imaginary circle in front of his chest with the ball to remind me that every throw should be in that circle.  Every time I missed that circle, […]

Purpose pitch vs Waste pitch

A pitch is thrown way outside and high.  A player from the bench yells “Good waste pitch!” But was it? I believe there is quite a difference between and purpose pitch and a waste pitch.  In my view, a purpose pitch is a pitch that isn’t necessarily a strike but still serves a purpose.  A […]

The trouble with seniors

Over the years, I have had numerous conversations with coaches at the high school and college levels.  We’ve talked about the good, the bad, and the ugly.  One common theme that you will tend to hear over time is the unique difficulties that pop up with regards to senior players and in some cases, their […]

Fill-In-The-Blank for coaches

The other day I posted (in jest) a template for parents to fill in after this baseball season.  A parent could use all positive words and phrases or all negative ones.  Their choice. Today’s version is for coaches. Enjoy! ** FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY ** Dear Mr./Mrs. ____________________ I just wanted to say how much […]

Fill-In-The-Blank for parents

Ever play Mad Libs?  Of course you have!  Well, here is one for parents at the end of this season.  Just fill in the blanks with a word or phrase that fits.  Be kind or be harsh.  Your choice! But be careful, there is another coming shortly for coaches! Enjoy! ** FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY […]

Wasted motion

One of the best ways to improve your game is to cut out any wasted motion.  It doesn’t matter if you are a pitcher, fielder, hitter, or base runner, cutting out wasted motion in your mechanics is going to allow you to do things faster.  Unfortunately, many players don’t even realize they do the things […]

Shut your mouth and give me the ball

Every now and then a Major League pitcher will blow up at a coach who comes out to pull him from the game.  With television, the whole ugly scene is recorded and shown for the entire sports world to see.  Unfortunately, these incidents often spill over to the dugout afterwards when the coach returns.  The […]

The no look delivery

There are several ways to hold runners on to limit their running game.  Having a good pickoff move is one of them.  Having several different types of pickoff moves is another.  Mixing your times to home plate is important as well.  The biggest tip coaches usually pass on to their pitchers is don’t get into […]

The 1st and 3rd dilemma

A couple weeks ago the Philadelphia Phillies had a common situation occur in three straight games that resulted in a negative outcome.  With no outs, there were runners on 1st and 3rd.  In all three cases, a ground ball was hit, the runner on 3rd took off towards home, and was out by a mile. […]

Lottery mentality

The lottery is said to be “a tax on people who can’t do math.”  That’s
 because you probably have better odds of getting hit by a bolt of lightning while
 doing cartwheels then winning the lottery.  Unfortunately, some people
 keep putting their future prosperity in the hands of five or six ping
 pong balls.  Not […]

Reading the ball off the bat

On a recent evening, I had the rare chance to watch a high school game.  From where I was sitting in the stands, my viewing angle was such that I could see the batter and a particular fielder in my field of vision at all times.  After a ball was hit to this fielder, something […]

Baseball cliches – Early and often

Clichés have always been a big part of baseball. “We just have to take it one game at a time.” “I just need to throw my game and God willing, everything will work out fine.” “See the ball and hit the ball.” There are a million of these around the game.  All do a good […]

Fingers between the ball and the head

One of the toughest things to teach/fix in the throwing motion is keeping the fingers between the ball and the head when the hands separate in the process of throwing.  Whether the kid is throwing as a pitcher or as a position player, this basic mechanic must be done if the player wants to keep […]

Slump proof a team

You never can totally eliminate slumps as a player or team.  However, if your team is good at the following, you can prevent some of them or at least not allow the slumps to last very long. Throw strikes.  Make sure your pitchers’ #1 priority is throwing strikes.  The three pitch rule is a great […]

You’ve got to be kidding me (Part 2)

So, I’m watching the Phillies game the other night and I have another “You’ve got to be kidding me” moment.  Before I tell you why, take a look at the game’s box score from ESPN.com.   If you just looked at the box score, you’d probably think it was a good game.  A good amount […]

How to warm up without a bullpen

I’ve written a number of posts about the need for all pitchers to warm-up properly before games.  One of the biggest mistakes pitchers make is not warming up correctly.  This is why many pitchers are vulnerable in the first inning of every game they pitch.  Simply put, they are just not 100% from the first […]

Losses go next to the pitcher’s name

If you are a fan of the film Bull Durham, you probably remember the scenes where the catcher, Crash Davis, tells the batter what pitch is coming.  The reason for telling the batter was to get back at the pitcher for shaking off his signs.  Clearly Crash Davis didn’t appreciate the rookie pitcher calling his […]

The power of defeat

The game of baseball is designed to wear you down mentally.  It takes special people to handle all the failure that is inherent in the game.  Special people with grit.  Below is a link to a non-baseball article that is right on the money when it comes to the importance of developing grit in children. […]

Why don’t position players get Tommy John surgery?

It’s an interesting question.  With all the throwing position players do, why don’t they ever need Tommy John surgery?  Of course, I’m making a generalization.  Position players do sometimes get Tommy John surgery but they seem to be very few and far between.  In fact, the only example I know of is LA Dodger shortstop Rafael […]

A catcher’s sign to his coach

One of the many challenges of a coach is handling arguments over balls and strikes.  Any argument can immediately get you ejected so coaches certainly have to tred lightly in that area.  One of the best ways to deal with that is to have your catcher give you a sign when a pitch was absolutely […]

Weekly pitching routine

At the younger levels (up to and including college) the likely pattern a pitcher is going to evolve into is the “once a week” appearance.  Of course, a relief pitcher may throw more than once a week but for starters, once a week is usually pretty standard until they get into pro ball.  The question […]

Check your watch for a better delivery

When young kids start pitching, often you will see them either point their glove or lead elbow at the target before throwing.  This is commonly taught as a way to force the young player to turn sideways before throwing so that he can get more of his body into the throw/pitch when he opens the […]

Seminar – How to throw batting practice

On Friday I posted a short video that gave a tip for throwing better batting practice.  The clip was part of a longer video I did that gives a number of tips for coaches of all ages who would like to become better at one of the most important skills of coaching baseball. I wasn’t […]

Figure eights for batting practice

In my opinion, the toughest two things for most coaches to learn is how to be good at using a fungo bat and throwing batting practice.  Using a fungo bat will have to be another post. Throwing BP is one of the most essential skills for any baseball coach.  Unfortunately, many coaches just don’t have […]

Around the horn

Everyone has seen the “around the horn” throws after an out with nobody on base.  A pet peeve of mine is when teams do not take this basic process seriously.  A good “around the horn” says a lot about the team and how they are coached.  A bad one speaks volumes as well.  The visuals […]

Roy Halladay, slumps, and flailing at the bird

No matter how good you are, slumps up at bat, on the mound, and out on the field are going to occur.  It’s part of the game.  Roy Halladay is currently going through such a time.  Click on the link below to hear his post-game interview.  It’s a gem for anyone who gets into a […]

3 + 1 Rule

I attended my first Phillies game of the year this past Sunday.  It was a 9-8 loss for the Phils.  Here was the scoring line for the game.  One of my daily rituals is to check out all the high school and MLB box scores that appear in my local paper.  If you do this […]

The umpire with the small strike zone

Just like players, every umpire is going to vary with regards to their strike zone.  One umpire may have a huge zone and another has one the size of a postage stamp.  This post is for the guy with the postage stamp zone.  Umpires with a small zone can be very frustrating to pitchers and […]

What to say during mound visits

One of my more popular posts ever in terms of readership was one titled Best Mound Conversation Ever.  It’s a true story that still makes me laugh when I think about it.  However, if you are the one who is going to the mound and truly need to get a pitcher on track, reverse psychology isn’t […]

Game blocks

The college season is well under way and most high schools have a least a couple games under their belt as well.  For some players, the season has gotten off to a great start.  High averages, a good amount of RBI’s, a couple wins for a pitcher, etc.  Nothing better than starting off the season […]

Seminar – Outfield Drills

The following video is a 45 minute seminar I gave in February in Malvern, PA.  The link to it was sent out to my subscribers a week ago (that’s the benefit of subscribing!).  Now I’m making it available to everyone.  After today it will appear in the VIDEO section as well.  Because of its length, […]

The heel to heel flaw at first base

Here is a little tip for base runners who want a little more balance, quickness, and power when taking their lead off first base.

A safety tip for batting practice

I heard this batting practice idea from the current head coach at Villanova University (Joe Godri) and I think it is a great one for a number of reasons.  It involves moving the shag bucket(s) to a safer location during batting practice.  In the following picture, the red line and star indicate where most teams […]

Batting cage ribbons

As I type this, another snow storm has entered the Philadelphia area.  High school and college coaches are no doubt pulling their hair out over the weather so far this spring.  For today, if they are able to practice at all, it looks like another indoor batting cage day for hitters.  Not ideal but it […]

Feet position in the stretch

Every single Little League game I go to I see at least one pitcher (often every one of them) make a very basic mistake with their feet when they pitch from the stretch.  It involves where the feet end up when they come set after getting the sign from the catcher.  It’s a very easy […]

Drill it out

I heard about this coaching technique at a winter clinic.  The speaker (John Cohen – Mississippi State Univ.) referred to it as “drilling it out of a player.”  Coach long enough and you will undoubtedly have a player that is difficult to talk to.  You give a suggestion that might help with the kid’s swing […]

Stride foot direction

There is a great saying in baseball that goes, “baseball is played from the ground up.”  What that means is that most everything in the game starts with good footwork.  Want to improve your throws?  Set your feet better.  Want to throw more strikes?  Improve your footwork on the mound.   In today’s video tip, […]

Keep your glove under the ball

Today’s video tip involves one of those little mistakes that young infielders often make before they field the ball.  It may not seem like much but every little detail can help a fielder do his job more effectively.  I first show the bad habit and then demonstrate how and why fielders should always keep their […]

Glove work on a backhand

Today’s tip is for infielders who want to develop better hands on the backhand play.  It’s a basic tip that I see kids of all levels mess up regularly.  Get the glove work down and backhands will become easier.

When baseball is your identity

For many young kids who play the game from an early age, their lives look like the following graphic.  We’ll call this kid Player A. Even though setbacks occur for them in the game (0 for 4, 3k’s, 2 errors, .240 batting average, cut from the team, etc.) other parts of their life help to […]

Catchers, please stay still

At the major league level, it has become quite the fad to have catchers move to their location late into the pitcher’s delivery.  I can’t stand it.  I hated it as a pitcher and I hate it as a coach.  Although there may be more reason to do this at the higher levels, I still […]

Footwork when covering second base

A reader contacted me and asked about a video I made a while back about middle infield footwork around the bag on steal attempts to second base.  I looked everywhere on my site and could not find it.  Apparently, I put it on my YouTube Channel but not the website.  Here it is.  Sorry if […]

Code words for second base

One of the challenges for base stealers and third base coaches is the fact that middle infielders can hear.   When a base stealer is at second base and wants/needs to steal third base, often he will need the third base coach to give him information on what the middle infielders (especially the shortstop who […]

Goalie Drill for Infielders

Today’s video tip is a good drill for younger players in need of a little competition during practice.  It also has many benefits on the fundamentals side as well for infielders looking to improve their reactions, glove work, and first step quickness.  It’s a good drill to wrap up a practice with and great for […]

I didn’t make the team. Now what?

As I mentioned in a post a few days ago, this week is tryout week for most high schools in Pennsylvania.  For players and parents, the week is filled with gossip and debate as to who is showing well and who might make the JV and varsity rosters.  Of course, it all culminates in the […]

The showcase dance

My name is Coach McCreary and I enjoy watching Dancing With the Stars.  There.  I said it.  Criticize me if you must.  It probably stems from ballroom dance lessons my wife and I took about 10 years ago prior to our wedding.  I reluctantly agreed but actually had a lot of fun doing it.  I […]

Tryout week

For most high schools where I am located (Pennsylvania), this past Monday was the first official day of practice.  That usually means tryouts – by far the worst part of the season as far as I was concerned.  I thought I’d provide a link to all the posts I’ve done concerning tryout for the players, […]

Seminar – Hitting: Bottom up mechanics

This is the last of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.   Today’s seminar is one that I gave […]

Seminar – Hitting: Hands, feet, and stance

This is the sixth of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – It all starts with defense (Part 2)

This is the fifth of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – It all starts with defense (Part 1)

This is the fourth of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – Basics of Pitching (Part 2)

This is the third of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – Basics of Pitching (Part 1)

This is the second of seven videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Seminar – Basics of Catching & throwing

The next seven posts will be videos from a coaching clinic I participated in at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. The clinics were presented to mostly Little League coaches.  The purpose was to pass on a basic foundation of the game to all the coaches.  I am posting all of the seminars – […]

Just get it in the area

Recently I’ve done several videos on double play footwork and drills for both shortstops and second basemen.  Of course, the best footwork out there will not matter so much if the feed to the bag is a horrible one.  Neither second basemen nor shortstops enjoy bad feeds because not only does it make it tougher […]

Shaking off location

How many of you are sick and tired of the three hour baseball game?  I know I am.  There are many things that lengthen the game unnecessarily but one thing that irritates me more than others is all the trips to the mound by the catchers to go over pitch selection.  I mean how difficult […]

Spin move footwork

I must admit, spin move pickoffs were by far my favorite pick-off move as a pitcher.  To be honest, my move to first base was garbage but my move to second base was deadly.  I think more pitchers could increase their success at picking runners off second base if they wanted to and if they […]

In defense of the middle inning closer

Take a look at the following box score I created: Notice anything unusual?  What stands out to some would be the second pitcher (Jones) who threw for only two outs in the third inning.  This is referred to as the “middle-inning closer.”  Using your closer earlier in the game instead of at the end of […]

Picking the ball up

You would think telling a player to pick the ball up would be easy.  However, during the course of a game, we’ve all seen a player screw up this very basic play.  Today’s video tip provides some simple tips for players of all positions who have to pick a ball up.

Best Outfield Drills for Indoors

A few weeks ago I gave a seminar at a Philadelphia area coaches clinic.  The topic was “An indoor/outdoor  approach to developing outfielders.”  I basically explained that in the colder states, the weather early on in the season forces teams to do a lot of practicing indoors.  Pitchers, hitters, fielders, and even base runners can get […]

Receiving high and low pitches

One of the most important jobs for a catcher is receiving the ball correctly so as to help get more strikes called for his pitcher.  Most catchers understand the concept of framing pitches at an early age.  Today’s video post teaches catchers another basic tip that, along with general framing techniques, can get more strike […]

The back knee on backhands

Today’s video shows infielders a little tip that can go a long way in improving their ability to field a ground ball to the backhand side.  It involves the proper placement of their back knee.  Check out the video and see where the back knee should go and why it helps on backhands.

Inward turn pickoff move

Pick-off moves are an under-utilized part of the game.  My feeling is that if I can get an out without having to throw a pitch, I’m going to take it.  Like everything else, though, pickoffs take a lot of practice so that infielders and pitchers get comfortable enough to put plays on themselves based on […]

Winning the Freebie War

I heard the term “Freebie War” from a legendary coach named Pat McMahon.  Coach McMahon is  a frequent speaker at national coaching clinics.  He has coached at many levels with success and currently is heavily involved with the Yankees developmental academies in the Dominican Republic.  I heard him speak at a recent clinic where he […]

Alone time for players

With practices starting up soon in many parts of the country, coaches are well into the process of designing practice routines and schedules for their teams.  At least they should be. If you ever had the pleasure of participating in or watching spring training workouts for pro teams, you may have noticed that very often […]

Take your head to the ball

Throughout baseball, many kids are taught to keep their heads as still as possible.  Unfortunately, when you watch good players play the game, they will often move their head quite a bit.  The concept of “keeping your head still” has more to do with keeping your eyes level and not keeping your head completely still. […]

Quicker pickoffs throws to first base

As pitchers get older, the ability to hold runners closely at first base becomes more important.  Like most other aspects of the game, success is usually found in the little details.  There is a lot going on during a pickoff move to first base.  Timing, footwork, balance, accuracy, and throwing quickness all play large roles […]

Arm-bat angle

Over the years, I have worked with players from the Tee-Ball level all the way up to the professional levels.   No matter what the age or skill level of the player, often small adjustments go a long way.  Today’s video tip is one example of a small adjustment I look for early on when […]

The best infield drill I’ve never done

One of the great things about attending/speaking at coaching clinics is you get to talk to and hear other coaches.  Just when you think you’ve seen everything, a coach will give a tip, a phrase, a technique, or in this case a drill you have never seen before.   Recently I did a post called […]

Pre-Season Checklists

A reader contacted me yesterday and asked for a pre-season checklist I had produced a while back.  He could not find it on my site.  After searching for myself, I realized I had never posted them to my website.  I must have posted it on a baseball forum site and forgot to put it out […]

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 […]

Outfield mistakes

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 on Wednesday, January 2. Originally, I broke up these mistakes into three separate posts, one for each of the three outfield […]

Common third base mistakes

 This 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 on Wednesday, January 2. Next up … common mistakes by third basemen! Playing too shallow. I suppose there may be coaches or […]

Common shortstop mistakes

This 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 on Wednesday, January 2. Next up … common mistakes by shortstops! Charging straight at the ball. This mistake is understandable since that […]

Common mistakes by second basemen

This 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 on Wednesday, January 2. Next up … common mistakes by second basemen! Late getting to the bag.  A second baseman has to […]

Common first base mistakes

Over the next week, I will be 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 on Wednesday, January 2. Next up … common first base mistakes! Assuming you’re just a hitter.  It is true that […]

Common catching mistakes

Over the next week, I will be 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 on Wednesday, January 2. First up … common catching mistakes! Too much movement before the pitch.  Ever try throwing a […]

$300 for a baseball glove?

Recently I bought a new baseball glove.  That doesn’t sound like a big deal but it’s the first glove I’ve bought since 1990.  I was fortunate that after a season of pro ball under my belt, I received a Rawlings contract which provided me two free gloves of my choosing per year.  Not the million […]

Tip for disciplining your players

I realize this is a baseball blog but I have a coaching tip that relates to something seen recently in the world of college basketball.  My alma mater (Villanova) recently had a big win against cross-town rival St. Joe’s University.  It’s one of those rivalries where both schools feel they can lose all their games […]

The fake shake

I saw this video clip the other day and I thought it would be a good thing to pass along for those who are catchers.  Click on the link below and watch: http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1684493/Strikeout_10.gif You’ll notice that before the catcher gives the sign to the pitcher, he shakes his head a couple times.  The purpose of […]

Best baseball books for gifts

With gift giving season in full swing, I thought I’d put together a list of good baseball books (and 2 CD’s) for players, coaches, and parents.  All the ones listed below are ones I have personally read and found to be valuable.  Of course, there are a ton more out there so look on your own […]

Pay attention to your breathing

Ever notice that when you stand in on pitchers who are throwing bullpens that all the pitches coming in look like watermelons?  Hitters often see the ball great out of the pitcher’s hand and clearly track the ball into the catcher’s mitt.  In the batter’s mind, each pitch is often followed by the thought, “I […]

Are you afraid of success?

As a teacher of mostly high school seniors, I will occasionally run into a bright student who really has no interest in graduating.  It can be very frustrating for me and infuriating for the kid’s parents because the student seems to sabotage their own progress at every turn.  I’m sure psychologists can have a field […]

Soft hands drill for catchers

The off-season and especially spring training can be brutal for catchers.  With all the emphasis on developing pitchers, often it’s the catchers who are left to simply catch bullpen after bullpen.  I’ve written before about the importance of not neglecting your catchers but here is an easy drill that can do a lot to develop […]

Confident signs from catchers

Many high school programs are starting to have their pitchers throw.  Although most of the emphasis of these workouts are on the pitchers, catchers need this time to work on their needs as well. Having worked with many high school catchers in my career, a common problem I’ve tended to see in most of these […]

Teaching toughness

Can you teach toughness?  I think the answer is YES.  I will admit that it is very hard, though.  The reason why I say yes is that the military does it every day.  They routinely turn average kids into warriors.  Warriors with a higher tolerance for pain, better drive, assertiveness, and self-discipline as well. I […]

Action comes before esteem

One aspect of our American culture that annoys the older generation to no end (Bobby Knight comes to mind), is the insistence among “experts” that self-esteem must be raised to help kids improve and achieve.  Baseball fanatic and columnist George Will wrote about this in an article called How to ruin a child. A number […]

Watching runners tag up

One of the challenges umpires have is watching runners tag up.  They have to watch both the ball being caught and the runner take off at the same time which can be virtually impossible depending on their positioning.  To cope with this, umpires are taught, whenever possible, to get both the runner and the outfielder […]

Reading hops as an infielder

One of the most astonishing stats that I’ve ever seen is one that even most die-hard baseball fans never heard about.  In 1990, Cal Ripken Jr. made a grand total of three errors.  THREE !!!!  He played in every game that year (1,406 innings) and had 680 defensive chances.  I don’t know about you but […]

Promote your program

One overlooked area of many high school baseball programs is marketing.  It’s a fact and somewhat depressing as well that baseball is not as popular as it once was in America for young athletes.  That has caused many good athletes to go away from baseball and give some other sports a try like lacrosse and […]

Video bloopers

In case any of you were interested in creating your own videos, I thought you’d like a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the videos I post on this site.  To say the least, it’s not always smooth sailing.   

Three stages of a sprint

I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s interview with Coach Jay Jones.  If you
didn’t hear it, click HERE.  During the interview, he mentioned three
 stages or parts to a sprint.  He explained it by saying it’s like the gears of a car.  You have to get the most out of each gear before putting it into the […]

Improving foot speed

If speed is so important in baseball, why don’t many players specifically train to make themselves faster?  They spend a lot of time improving handwork and glove work to improve the quickness of their catching and throwing transitions.  They hit the weight room to improve strength, bat speed, and power.  They may run some sprints […]

Trout or Cabrera

The Great Political Divide has spread to baseball.  Not between Democrats and Republicans but between people on the field (players and coaches) and Sabermetric people.  If you’ve been following Major League Baseball closely over the past few years, you had to have noticed the increased emphasis on Sabermetric calculations on the worth of players.  A […]

Getting pitchers ready for the season

The other day I received a great question from a reader.  Because many coaches deal with this issue, I asked permission to use the question and my response in a post.  The reader was willing so here it is! Reader: I wanted to know if you have any advice on how to transition our pitchers […]

Base stealing – tennis ball drill

Here is a drill that can be easily done indoors during these colder months.  It’s a drill that focusses on a base runner’s starts when attempting to steal.  Good base stealers get good jumps and this drill teaches and improves this very basic need for runners. To do the drill, have a runner get a […]

Being a one percent-er

This past campaign season, much was made of the 1% of people at the top of the economic ladder.  One mistake many of their critics make is having the belief that the 1% got to where they are by accident.  Surely some have inherited their fortunes from their ancestors but most got there based on […]

Use your voice to focus the mind

How many of you can listen to someone talk and be thinking of something totally different than what the person is talking about?  If you are a guy, you better have your hand up because I think men are hard wired to do this.  Now … While you are talking about something, how many of […]

Coach them everyday

I had lunch with a friend of mine yesterday who was a very accomplished coach in a sport other than baseball.  He said when it came to practice, he had a slogan he adhered to.  It was, “every player, every day.”  What he meant by that was he would make it a point to coach […]

How and Why

There is a quote that I like which says, “The person who knows HOW will always have a job.  The person who knows WHY will be his boss.” It’s a good quote for the business community but in my opinion, it also has a coaching angle. This time of year players and their parents usually […]

Don’t neglect your catchers

Here’s a YouTube video I came across that shows some Yankee catchers working out in Spring Training.  It’s a long video so click through it to get the idea of the two drills.  Here are a couple comments to think about as you watch. 1. Hitting balls into the dirt for a blocking drill is […]

Don’t forget the mental side

With Hurricane Sandy rolling through and colder temperatures settling in, it looks like most of the Fall programs in my area are all but finished.  Thus begins the official off-season for most baseball players.  With all the focus normally placed on the physical side of the game this time of year, I wanted to remind […]

World Champion SF Giants

“When pitching is your strength, you want a good defense,” SF Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “That shows up every day. … Hitting sometimes, it comes and goes. But as long as you can stay in more games, the better chance you have of winning them, and that’s how we play.” AMEN !!

Tunnel and cone drill

The winter months are approaching rapidly.  Ultimately, that means lots of swings using indoor batting tunnels.  These tunnels are terrific to use but can lead to boredom if players just take the same old swing over and over.  Of course, for many hitters, this repetitive swing is exactly what they need to develop muscle memory. […]

Baseball “acculturation”

In my high school sociology classes, we recently discussed the concept
 of acculturation.  By definition, acculturation is when a culture
 identifies aspects (common behaviors, values, beliefs, etc.) of their
 culture that are holding them back in terms of success and replaces them 
with behaviors that will allow them to succeed.  Often, those new
 behaviors adopted […]

Footwork on backhands

If you look closely at photos of infielders who are backhanding a ground 
ball, you’ll probably notice some differences in footwork.  Which 
footwork the fielder chooses has to do with the type of groundball that
 was hit.  Was it hit hard but fairly close to you or was it hit with 
average speed but farther […]

The downside of benching a player

The baseball world was in a tizzy a week ago when Yankees manager Joe
 Girardi benched Alex Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson due to poor hitting
 performances in the playoffs.  Both players seemed to take it well … at 
least on the surface.  Inside, I’m sure both players were mad as hell.
  Players like that are […]

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