The best drill for infield tryouts

Tryouts begin for public schools in Pennsylvania tomorrow.  Coaches all over the state will be running their players through multiple drills to gauge ability and potential.  Outfielders will catch fly balls and make some long throws, pitchers will throw off a mound, catchers will receive and throw, and hitters will hit.  However, for infielders it’s […]

Grind it out

Below is a link to an article that I think has a good message.  It’s written by a former major leaguer (Todd Jones) for The Sporting News.  He was still pitching when he wrote it.  It’s a bit old but it has a good message for players of any age.  This time of year there […]

Hitting: Five stages of focus

In a couple posts this week titled “Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!” (Part 1 and Part 2) I wrote about the fact that many players think about the wrong things at the wrong time for the wrong amount of time.  I then offered some tips or strategies to allow players to improve in these […]

Don’t let their best hitter beat you!

Walk him! … or at least don’t give him much to hit.(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) Growing up, I heard many great “baseball sayings” from my father and grandfather.  Some sayings or cliches are meant to be funny but most are also instructive.  On a mile high pop-up to the catcher, my dad would say […]

"Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!" (Part 2)

Yesterday’s post talked about a player’s need to compartmentalize their thoughts in order to focus on the right things, at the right time, for the right amount of time.  We all know some people who just seem to never let things get to them.  They’re level headed and can transition between multiple tasks seamlessly.  Other […]

"Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!"

Ever hear the phrase “don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!“?  Although I understood the point of the phrase, it never truly made much sense to me.  Have any of you ever tried to stop thinking?  Let’s try.  DO NOT think of a purple elephant.  I bet the image of a purple elephant entered your mind.My […]

3-6-3 double play

One of the many pet-peeves of mine when I watch games is on a 3-6-3 double play when either the shortstop or the first baseman yells “Inside!” or “Outside!” before the throw to second base.  Saying anything is unnecessary.  Whether the first baseman throws to the inner side or to the outer side of the […]

Positive deviance

One of my favorite topics to teach in my sociology classes is the concept of positive deviance.  Most people think of deviance in the negative sense but deviance has enormous value to individuals and our society.  Deviance simply means “different from the norm.” Negative behaviors are certainly part of deviance but it involves a whole […]

Anatomy of a control problem

I found this article the other day and thought I’d share it with everyone.  It’s for any player who has experienced control issues and how aspects of sports psychology can be applied to address the problem.  Great for coaches and parents as well! Anatomy of a control problem I confirm the subscription of this blog […]

How do coaches judge potential?

I received a great question from a reader related to a post a few days ago called Tryouts: Current ability vs Potential.  The question was “How does a coach assess potential in a one-week tryout?”   If you were to ask a professional scout that question, he probably would say something that on the surface would […]

The power of a routine

Most players at the major league level have rituals or some sort of routine they go through prior to games.  Some might put on their uniform the same way everyday.  Others might eat at the same times on game days.  Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was famous for his pre-game rituals.  Although some might scoff […]

Baseball Tryouts: Current Ability vs Potential

Probably the worst part about coaching is tryouts.  Telling a player that there is not room for him is not a fun conversation.  Coaches love the game and sometimes they have to tell a player, who also loves the game, that their abilities will not allow them to be successful at our level.  That news […]

Hitting and making adjustments

Yesterday (Feb. 18) in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was interviewed and asked a number of questions about last season as well as the one that’s approaching.  A few things he said can be very informative to hitters.  In my opinion, what he said especially applies to those who work with private instructors.  […]

How to wear a baseball uniform

Now that players and coaches are gearing up for the approaching season, I thought it appropriate to write about something I find to be very important with regards to treating the game with respect.  There are many ways players and coaches can disrespect the game without most people even noticing.  That’s not the case when it comes […]

Pick-offs and holding runners at 1st base

First of all, it needs to be said that picking off runners at first and holding runners close are not necessarily the same thing.  When a pitcher picks a runner off first base it clearly sends a message to future runners to be more cautious.  Obviously this is a good thing.  However, holding runners close involves a lot […]

A parent talks to a child before the first game

I don’t remember where I found this and still don’t know who wrote it but I always get the chills when I read it.  Great players usually are supported by great parents who have a good perspective on the game. This is your first game, my child.  I hope you win. I hope you win for your […]

Cardinal sins of baseball (part 3) – Pitching

Cardinal Sins Part 1 and Part 2 were on Defense and Offense respectively.  Here’s a separate one for pitching. A come-backer to the pitcher and he does not know who he’s throwing it to at second base on a double-play.  The middle infielders and pitcher work that out before the batter even gets a chance […]

Cardinal Sins of Baseball (Part 2) – Offense

Yesterday it was Cardinal Sins on defense.  Today it’s offense!   Taking a called third strike, especially with runners in scoring position.  Probably the thing that aggravates me the most as a coach. Missing a sign from a coach. Swinging at the first pitch when the previous batter walked on four pitches.  Poor awareness of […]

Cardinal Sins of Baseball (Part 1) – Defense

A “Cardinal Sin” refers to the most important behaviors people should avoid.  In baseball, cardinal sins involve the worst mistakes players can make on the field.  Old Timers probably have a more extensive list than today’s players which is why it is tough for some in the older baseball generation to watch today’s modern game. […]

Parents after tryouts: This one’s for you

Dear Parents/Guardians,                 This time of year brings mixed emotions to the baseball coaching staff at _____High School.  Although we are excited for the start of another season, we know that this time of year involves tryouts and the painful reality that not all the players can make the team.  The number of kids trying out provides […]

Baseball tryouts & what coaches look for

I hear that many high school baseball teams around the country have begun tryouts.  I look outside and still see a few inches of snow and temperatures in the teens so I’m envious of those warmer states.  Anyway, I thought I’d dedicate a few posts to high school tryouts.  Yesterday’s was about getting your coach […]

How to get noticed by your high school coach

Attend off-season workouts with the team. Whether it’s lifting sessions, pre-season meetings, open gym sessions, or whatever else the coach offers – be there as much as possible. It may not guarantee you a spot on the team but it can’t hurt either.Respect the game. Most coaches at the high school level have a great respect for […]

A stopwatch will not lie

This one is for the coaches out there who are searching for ways to pick up the tempo of their games and practices.  A stopwatch is a great way to help players go from good to great in many areas of the game.  Players get used to performing at the speed in which the game […]

Base running: Watch the flight of the pitch

Many times the best base runners on a team are not the fastest guys.  Slower guys know they cannot solely rely on their speed to get around the bases.  They have to be smart.  They know where all the fielders are before the pitch.  They know the situation.  We could list a lot of things […]

Hitting: Watch the middle infielders

In a couple previous posts, one for shortstops and one for third basemen, I mentioned the need to adjust positioning based on the batter and what pitch was being thrown.  As a hitter though, sometimes you can notice these adjustments if the infielders make their movements too early or too obvious.  A good tip for […]

Pitching – Making the switch to the bullpen

On a high school baseball message board I check every now and then, a college player asked what he needs to know now that he has gone from a starting pitcher in high school to a reliever in college.  It’s a common switch that many high school pitchers have to go through early on in […]

Mental Toughness – Cliff Lee

About a year ago I conducted a seminar for teachers about how concepts and strategies within sports psychology can help underachieving students in the classroom.  One thing I talked about was mental toughness.  To give an example of mental toughness, I used an ESPN clip of Cliff Lee speaking after his phenomenal 1-0 win over […]

Infielder tips for shallow fly balls

We’ve all seen these plays … An infielder goes out on a shallow fly ball and collides with an outfielder charging in to make the catch.    or An infielder goes out, both the outfielder and infielder call for it, everyone stops, and the ball drops in between them. Communication is always important in baseball […]

Pitchout tips for Catchers

Yesterday’s post described why a pitchout, even if the runner does not steal on the pitch, can be valuable and what pitchers can do to make their pitchouts more effective.  Today I offer four tips for catchers on pitchouts. Peek at the runner.  Many base stealers at the upper level can decide to steal on […]

Pitchout tips for pitchers

One of the things that pitchers and catchers rarely practice is pitchouts.  Pitchouts can be very effective even if the runner does not steal.  Obviously, if the runner goes the catcher has a better chance of throwing the runner out.  Even if the runner doesn’t go, it still puts the pitchout in the mind of […]

Sacrifice bunting – square up for success

Spring training is right around the corner for pitchers and catchers in the Major Leagues.  There are many things I love about this and one of them is you start to see photos and video clips of baseball again.  Since the pitchers arrive first, many of the pictures show bullpen sessions, drills like covering first […]

Rundowns – two priorities

If you are ever looking for a good indoor drill with your team, it’s rundowns.  With or without runners, rundowns are as simple as creating some lines of guys about 90 feet from each other.  First guy up has the ball and runs to the other line, tosses the ball to the first guy in […]

Funniest manager / umpire interaction?

Studio 42 on the MLB Network had a show on the other night about umpiring.  Lots of great stories about the sometimes funny, sometimes turbulent interactions between managers and umpires.  Here are my two best true stories involving a manager and an umpire. First Place This story involves a minor league manager. I became the pitching […]

Off-season hitting – an overlooked drill

This time of year, hitters are gearing up for the upcoming season probably by focusing on their hitting mechanics and taking a ton of swings.  One valuable drill that tends to be overlooked is standing-in on pitchers.  “Standing-in” involves a hitter standing in the batters box and doing everything they normally would do during an at-bat except […]

Spring training – Focusing on the "little things."

I came across this article the other day in one of my files.  I gave it out to my players a couple years ago.  The article is dated March, 2006 but it certainly has relavence today for any player or coach preparing for the upcoming season.  It also goes a long way to explain the Twins’ […]

Protecting pitchers

Today’s post is a continuation of yesterday’s in which I described the problems and a remedy for not finishing your pitches correctly.  Today I focus on what picthers can do to better prepare themselves for a ball hit directly back to them.  Below are three important tips to keep pitchers safer on the mound. Finish […]

Pitching mechanics – finish before you field!

When pitchers are young, they are commonly told to “throw the pitch and get right into the fielding position.”  This advice is not as much of a problem at the Little League level for the following reasons: The distance from the mound to the plate is shorter. Young players are still developing the skills needed to catch balls hit at […]

Batting stance – the importance of a good base

  When teaching hitting, I’m a believer in taking a ground up approach.  That is, start with the feet and gradually move up.  It really won’t matter how strong the player is or how quick his hands are unless his body is balanced in a good base. Regardless of the sport you play, a strong […]

Four seam fastball grip

Here’s a tip for anyone looking to improve their four-seam fastball, especially if the player is younger and now has a hand big enough to do more advanced grips on the ball.Have a player hold a four seam grip in front of them so they can clearly see the seams.  The seams on the ball […]

How to tag base runners

On the surface, it seems pretty basic.  Catch the ball and make the tag.  However, like everything else in baseball, there’s a lot of little things going on under the surface if you dig a little deeper.  Here are 10 tips to make sure your tagging of runners is more successful.  1. Footwork.  In a […]

Best mound conversation ever

The other day a friend asked me “what do coaches tell pitchers when they go to the mound?”  It reminded me of the best mound conversation I ever heard.  First, here’s some background on the story. I was playing shortstop at the time but because I had pitched in college as well, I always was […]

How to throw more strikes

How many kids have heard their coach, parent, etc say “Come on Johnny, throw strikes!” while on the mound?   The body language of the kid shouts “Gee Coach, I didn’t know that.  All this time I was out here trying to throw balls until now.  Thanks for the advice!” The point is, every pitcher tries […]

Professional baseball scouting – an interview

In many of my previous posts I mention scouts or scouting with regards to what they look for or how they think.  I thought it would be appropriate to hear things straight from the mouth of a real professional baseball scout.     Rex DeLaNuez is currently a full-time scout for the Cincinnati Reds organization.   Prior to […]

Indoor drills for outfielders

Of all the positions on the field, the outfield positions tend to get shafted the most with regards to indoor practice.  I’m based outside of Philadelphia so we routinely have to spend many practice days indoors because of rain or snow.  Farther up north is certainly worse so don’t feel the need to shed tears for me. […]

Covering first base correctly

  (   Go to any spring training practice and you are bound to see a drill in which pitchers cover first base on balls hit to their left.  It continually amazes me that this play can be screwed up with the amount of time pitchers spend doing this drill. There are a number of little […]

The importance of a good catcher

If you have not seen this article from espn.com, it’s worth the time.  Especially if you are a catcher or know someone who is.  Click on the title.  Below the picture are links to a few other sites that catchers and coaches might find useful.  “A relationship that’s extremely important“ Brent Mayne’s Website : Brent Mayne is […]

Batting tee drills … that don’t involve hitting!

The batting tee is my pick for the Worlds Greatest Baseball Training Invention Award.   …and not just for hitting!  Here are some other uses: Shortstop – Across the Bag Drill: One of the mistakes that I mentioned in the shortstop mistakes post was that many shortstops unnecessarily catch a double play feed directly over the […]

My favorite bunting drill

I mentioned in a post about hitting mistakes that many good high school and college hitters fail to set aside time to practice with the future in mind.  I noted that players that keep moving up beyond high school and college tend to hit in the 3, 4, or 5 spot in the batting order.  Because […]

Adjustments for a better change-up (Part 2)

Today is the second half of my ten adjustments for a better change-up. . 6. Move your pinky finger.  Many times a change-up is held with the pinky finger on the side of the ball (right photo).  Try moving the pinky finger up on top of the ball next to your ring finger.  This can […]

Adjustments for a better change-up (Part 1)

In yesterday’s post I recommended that pitchers schedule time to “play around” or “tinker” with their pitches, grips, etc.  I’m a huge fan of the change-up so the next 2 posts are dedicated to adjustments specific to developing a better change-up.  Both posts will have five adjustments – ten total.  Try them all! 1. Increase arm […]

Off-season pitching tips

After the holidays is when many pitchers start to throw off the mound and work on pitches.  Here are 10 tips to get the most out of an off-season pitching program: Build velocity slowly.  Many high school (and above) pitchers have been spending time lifting and possibly long-tossing since games ended in the Summer or Fall.  […]

Shortstop mistakes / footwork (Part 2)

In a previous post that listed four common mistakes by shortstops, I talked about the footwork shortstops need to have when approaching a ground ball.  I said that in most cases, the fielder’s last two steps before catching the ball are right foot then left foot.  As I explained, this puts the ball back in […]

All you need is a ball and a wall

My elementary school playground. There is no telling how many hours I spent there practicing by myself. I was fortunate to grow up in a house right next to an elementary school.  Anytime I got bored I would walk up and throw a ball against one of the brick walls that were part of the school. […]

Breaking in a new glove

I’m sure many players received a new glove for the holidays and now are itching to get outside and try it out.  Here are some tips for breaking in your new glove correctly and how to care for it afterwards.Put away the oil.  Remember smearing glove oil all over your brand new glove to help […]

The mental side of the game

Happy New Year! I think it was Jack Nicklaus who said that 90% of golf was mental. So the question for baseball players and coaches is … How much of baseball success is mental? My guess is that your answer is probably anywhere from 75% – 90%. So here is the next question to ponder […]

Base running tips for the indoor off-season

As winter kicks into gear, many players around the country are stuck indoors for much of their practice routine.  Hopefully this includes some base running as well.  Here are five tips to get the most out of your indoor running. .   Run distance and sprints.  Using a stationary bike and/or treadmill can help with […]

Show up, suit up, shut up, and play hard!

The motto “Show up, suit up, shut up, and play hard” is a good guide for success on and off the field.  I first saw this motto on the blackboard of my father’s high school wrestling room.  He was a longtime teacher and coached baseball and wrestling at the high school and college levels.  I […]

What is meant by a player’s "make up?"

 Ask any scout and they will tell you that a player’s “make-up” is extremely important.  So what is it and why do they care about it so much? How a scout answers the following questions will go a long way in determining a player’s “make-up.” 1.    How does he handle adversity like striking out, making […]

Practicing in the off-season months

Looking outside and seeing practically blizzard conditions outside of Philadelphia brings back memories of practicing baseball when I was younger.  I recognized early on that if I wanted to play professional baseball my competition was not just the kids in my neighborhood or just my school.  It was not even going to be the kids […]

Bench Player Mistakes

The final post in the common mistakes players make series. Failure to accept their role.  I have never met a baseball player who was happy that they were not playing in the game.  As you move up in levels, the game gets tougher and the players get more competitive.  Telling a competitive player that he […]

Base Runner Mistakes

The 11th of 12 posts related to common mistakes players make by position. Playing base to base. This involves the mentality that affects many base runners especially those who do not have much running speed.  When runners know that foot speed is not their strength, they frequently fear taking any risks at all on the […]

Hitting Mistakes

The 10th of 12 posts related to common mistakes players make by position. Poor foundation. When instructing hitters, many coaches take a “ground up” approach.  This means nothing is worked on until a batter has created a good, strong foundation with his feet.  In sports, the “athletic position” is fundamental to the success of many […]

« Previous Page