The lure baseball has had for so many over the years is truly incredible. From children dreaming of one day making it to the majors, to those old men hitting the diamond on their days off – the fan base is extensive. This article will offer some ideas on how this game can be enjoyed at an even higher level.
Safety comes first in all sports. This is surely the case with baseball as well. You need to keep an eye on the ball at all times so that you do not get hurt. An errant ball is potentially dangerous, so watch where it’s going. Other potentially dangerous situations abound, such as collisions between runners and players on the bases.
For kids in baseball, make sure they their hands are placed properly for hitting. The top hand on the bat needs to be sitting near the same height as their rear shoulder, about 3 to 6 inches from that rear shoulder. Their rear elbow needs to be around 45-degrees. The front elbow needs to be lower and about even with the back elbow.
While in a comfortable batting position, keep your arms away from your body. Your elbows should be up and away, practically parallel to the ground. Hold the bat at shoulder level and make sure you don’t drop your rear elbow. Practice your stance in front of a large mirror to ensure that your elbows are properly positioned.
You should know where other players are on the field around you. A lot of collisions can be prevented by just knowing where all players are all the time. Head injuries are possible in player collisions. With the right communication, you can let other players know you are headed after a ball and collision chances can be reduced.
When batting, don’t be afraid to take a few pitches, especially against a pitcher you are less familiar with. Those pitches will give you an idea of the pitchers speed and the ball’s action to the plate. Plus, the additional pitches will help wear out the pitcher over the course of the game. A tired pitcher makes more mistakes.
Keep your head up, your eyes level and focus on the ball when batting. You should be looking over your front arm. If you shift your eyes or move your head, your rear shoulder will shift in reaction. Remaining focused on the ball and keeping your head immobile will give you better timing and more consistency.
Keep both of your eyes on the pitcher when you play baseball. This helps you to see them better versus just using one eye. The earlier you can pick up on the ball, the better your chances are at being successful. Never take your eyes off that ball while you prepare to swing.
Practice throwing the baseball every day. It may seem obvious, but some ignore throwing for the call of the batter’s cage. They think baseball is all about the big hit. It’s about much more, and a strong arm can mean a lot of runs saved over the course of a season.
When playing the outfield, practice both calling for a fly ball and backing off if a fly ball is called for by someone else. Miscommunication in the outfield has led to more dropped balls than you can ever imagine, even in the pros it happens. So get your outfield team together and shag flies with the goal of getting your communication down.
To keep your fingers from getting hurt while bunting, make sure to keep them on your side of the bat. If you wrap them around the bat, the pitch can hit them. You end up with a painful bunt, with no control over where the ball goes, instead of a nifty sacrifice.
Befriend your team even after practice. To become a real ball club, you need to find common ground with everyone on the team. You need to build real friendships. So find time to go to the movies together, or grab a few slices or pizza or a burger. The friendships you build will translate to the field.
Don’t ignore the baseball uniform. Every team has a uniform that they wear. It’s an important aspect of the game. Don’t ignore the tradition and team atmosphere by refusing to wear certain aspects of the uniform. This can lead to bad blood not only between you and your coaches, but also between you and your fellow teammates.
Watch the top players play to become a better ball player. Professional baseball players mostly have gotten where they are today because of their skills, their teamwork, and their good attitude. You need all three to succeed in Major League Baseball. Take a page from these players. Study what makes them great, and learn whatever you can from them.
Try sprinting during warm up drills. This is a huge part of baseball. When hitting a ball, you need to quickly sprint to first base. You’re competing against a ball which will be thrown faster than you are able to run, so a big take-off is needed, followed by a keen ability to sprint.
When throwing a knuckleball, grip the ball’s seams with your fingertips. This lets you release a ball without spinning, which allows the ball to follow the wind current while turning and dipping to frustrate that hitter. Your pitch succeeds when the hitter flails at it and misses.
People around the globe enjoy baseball as a way to relax. There are a lot of things that don’t match up to how fun it is to get into baseball. This article has taught you how to do it better.
