Although baseball is often referred to as America’s sport, it is extremely popular all over the world. From Little League to the Major Leagues, baseball is easy to understand, fun to play and a great game to watch. Keep reading to find out some of the basics about this interesting sport.
Learn how to hit a ball without chasing it by using a batting cage. A batting cage allows you to hit the ball as hard as you can without worrying about an errant ball going through a window. The batting cage has mesh sides so the ball is easily recovered.
When hitting, make sure you put your weight on the back foot more than the front. Why? Your body acts like a coil when hitting. When you go to hit the ball with your weight properly managed, your body will unload like a spring. That gives you a ton more power.
If you’re trying out for a new team, make sure you’re on time! Always strive to be at least fifteen minutes early for each tryout, as well as any practices and games. Nothing will hurt you more than showing up late to a tryout. And if you show up early, it can only help you.
Act like a professional at tryouts. Whether the team is your school’s or it’s your local little league team, politeness will go a long way. This behavior will demonstrate that you are a mature individual and will stand you in good stead for the future.
When batting, always wear a helmet. These helmets will protect you from head injury. Your face and head are protected best from bad pitches and foul balls if the helmet has a shield attached.
Catcher’s equipment helps to keep the catcher safe. A catcher’s uniform will include shin guards, a hat with a facemask and a chest protector. In addition to these items, most catchers wear a cup to protect the groin. Finally, a catcher’s mitt is used to help stop the ball quickly.
If you are a catcher, be sure you are in the proper position when no one is on base. This means getting into a low squat and balancing your weight on your feet’s balls. Get as close to the underside of the bat as possible, but be sure you will not get hit.
Teach others to play baseball. One of the best ways to know something even better is to have to teach it to other people. Even if you aren’t a professional, you know more baseball than some others. You can teach kids, for example. Look for ways to bring the joy of baseball to other people, and you’ll have a deeper understanding of the game.
As a baseball coach, you are responsible for quite a few things on game day. Be certain to bring everything you need to the game. Among the items you should have on hand are knee cushions, your substitution rotation sheet, a pencil and your score book, your cell phone and a well stocked first aid kit in case of emergency. Also have your team roster on hand listing the batting order and the positions your team members will play.
You should know where other players are on the field around you. Collisions that occur in baseball could have often been avoided if players were aware of each other’s positions on the playing field. Serious head injuries may occur when players collide. Call the ball to let everyone know that you are headed in the direction of the ball.
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.
Lead your team with hustle. You want to lead by example. People who lead by example have a much stronger presence in the clubhouse. Become a difference maker and watch your team win.
Learning how to change directions is important for outfielders. If you are playing the left side of the outfield and need to run towards centerfield, cross your right foot across your left foot and power through the step. This technique will help you gain the maximum burst of speed from the beginning of your run.
Introduce sprinting in your warm up sessions. Sprinting is a big part of baseball. You need to be able to sprint to the next base after a hit. You need to run as fast as you can to make it safely to the base.
Baseball gloves are not cheap, so it’s important to take care of your glove. Routine maintenance includes keeping your glove clean and dry and storing it in a cool, dry area. Occasionally, you should condition your glove. If your glove accidentally gets wet, allow it to air dry and apply leather conditioner to soften it.
Warming up is essential to playing a good game of baseball without sustaining an injury. Warm ups should include shoulder stretches, squats and light jogging. It is also important to stretch out your calves and muscles in your back and chest to protect from injury once the game has started.
Learning different pitches is essential not only to helping you win the game but taking you farther as a baseball pitcher. Throwing a mean fastball and an offspeed pitch might get you through your early days, but you need to learn a couple other signature pitches to have a chance at the collegiate level or as a professional. Plus, it’s fun learning how to throw a curve ball!
Now you understand why baseball is so popular throughout the world. Whether you want to play baseball or just be a spectator, it’s important to understand the basics of the sport. This article has given you some simple tips, techniques and information about baseball so go out and play ball (or just watch)!
