A baseball team cannot function well without a good catcher. Strangely enough, not much effort is devoted to developing catchers among amateur players. If we were to guess why, we’d say this:

The job doesn’t appeal to youngsters starting out because it looks too complicated.

It takes a lot of courage for beginners to get behind the bat.

Managers, as a rule, don’t know too much about catching.

Whatever the reasons, the catching spot should never be neglected. The fundamentals are not too difficult and as far as appeal is concerned-it’s one of the most fascinating positions on the ball club. Once a boy has had a taste of catching it’s hard to get him interested in playing any other position.

What kind of a boy makes a good catching prospect? A manager of an amateur team is rarely blessed with players who have “ideal” qualifications. He has to do the best with whatever material he has. When looking over his crop for a catcher, he knows he wants a boy with a strong arm, rugged body, courage and intelligence. Whether a boy has any great speed afoot, or whether he’s big or small is not too important. The catcher, however, must have good hands and be able to move around behind the plate. (A heavy boy may not be able to run fast, but very often you will find him “light” on his feet. If he has the other qualifications mentioned, he’s a catching prospect.) Baseball Training - Read More.

The value of the pitcher cannot be overestimated. He is not only the most important cog in the defense of any baseball team, he is also the life and spirit of the ball club. A strong, competent, confident pitcher can carry a weak team a long way-especially in the lower age groups. Weak pitching, on the other hand, will often keep an otherwise sound team in last place. If a boy has the potential, gets the proper instruction and works hard, the results can be mighty rewarding.

The pitcher should have the strongest throwing arm on the team. He also needs a sturdy body because, with the exception of the catcher, he works harder than any other player.

Above all else, however, a pitcher must be able to throw accurately. If a boy can’t get the ball over the plate, in the strike zone, he had better give up pitching. With beginners, accuracy is almost as important as power. Here’s why:

On a pitched ball, the batter can (a) swing and miss; (b) ground out to the infield; (c) hit a fly ball for an out; (d) foul out, or (e) get a base hit.

The odds are heavily in favor of the pitcher-IF he can keep the ball in the strike zone!

Thus, the manager of a team of youngsters might take this view:

“If I have a pitcher with superior control and a better than average arm-enough power to keep the batters from digging in and hitting at will-I have a boy who’s definitely a member of the pitching staff.” Baseball Training - Read More.

Of all the baseball skills, running the bases is the simplest to master. Yet, its teaching and practice is often sorely neglected among amateurs.

As with many other aspects of baseball, the situation that develops after the ball is hit tells the runner what to do. If, for example, he is trying to beat out an infield roller, the runner’s only concern is to get to 1st ahead of the throw. If the ball goes through the infield for a single, the runner wants to make a turn at the base. If the batter drives a pitch over the outfielder’s head for a sure double he uses one running pattern; if it’s a triple, he uses another. And if it looks like an inside-the-park homer, he might use still a different pattern.

Here are the techniques involved, starting with the attempt to beat a throw to 1st.

As the right hand batter hits the ball, his weight is on his front foot. To get started to 1st, he should drive off that foot, taking the first step with the right.

The left-hand hitter’s weight is also on his front foot. He can usually cross over with his left to start toward 1st.

Whether right or left-handed, the batter starts down the line like a sprinter leaving the starting blocks. He takes one look at the ball, then concentrates on running. His weight is well forward, body as low as he can get it. His first steps are short and choppy with the feet fairly wide apart. As the runner gets about one-third the way down the line, he starts to straighten up and lengthen stride. He’s erect at the half-way point and driving with full power.

When 1st base looms ahead, our runner should pretend that the finish line to his race with the ball is 15 feet on the other side of the bag. He should run “through” 1st, stepping on the base with either foot as he goes across.

The runner must avoid jumping at the base. He can’t go forward any faster by going up. He must not slide, either, unless someone is attempting to tag him. Baseball Training - Read More.

Each position has its own peculiar requirements. The first baseman has to learn things no other player need bother about. Ditto the shortstop, catcher, pitcher, or out-fielder.

There are a number of points about catching and throwing the ball, however, that apply to all players. A fielder, for example, should always try to use both hands when making a catch. The hands should “give” and be “soft” when the ball strikes them. If the ball is being received above the waist, the thumbs should be together with the palms facing the ball, fingers spread and pointing skyward. If below the waist, the little fingers are to be together with the fingers pointing to the ground. Whenever possible, the ball should be caught at shoulder-height, so that the fielder can throw without loss of motion.

Proper movement of the hands, however, represents only one part of the fielding technique. To make a good, clean catch a player must get to the ball and, if possible, receive it in front of the body at a point that is in line with the middle of the body. This means the fielder must move his feet!

On balls that are not very wide of a player’s position, the “boxer’s” step can be used. This involves shifting one foot to the side and closing with the other so that when the ball is received, the feet are at the width they were before the ball was hit or thrown. It’s quick step right, close left, step right; or step left, close right, step left.

On balls hit very wide, however, the player should make his first move a “cross-over” step. Try this experiment:

With the feet a little more than shoulder-width apart, assume that a ball is hit wide to your left. Take a step with the left foot. You really haven’t moved very much, have you? Take the original position again. This time, throw all your weight left, pivot left on the balls of both feet and step out with the right foot. You have not only covered ground, but you are in good position to race to the ball. Try it to the right.

Infielders and outfielders can start working on the cross-over and boxer’s step in the gym, long before the season starts. This simple drill will help:

Players pair off and face each other with about 10 feet between them. They roll a ball to each other, first to one side, then the other. Baseball Training - Read More.

Batting or “putting the wood to the ball”, is the key to the success or failure of the ball club and the individual.

There is no great mystery about what makes a boy a good hitter. He has to have:

A certain amount of natural ability

A mastery of the fundamentals

Confidence in his ability to hit

The phrase “natural ability” covers a great deal. It means strong arms, wrists and hands; quick reflexes, good coordination, perfect eyesight and speed afoot.

Regardless of how much natural ability a boy has, however, he won’t hit as well as he should if he doesn’t master the fundamentals and believe in his ability to hit the ball as it comes through the strike zone. Self-confidence, of course, stems from success. And success in batting comes from practice. The following text describes the mechanics of hitting as they apply to ball players in general. By following the principles involved, the well-coordinated boy could easily become the batting star of his team; the average boy could certainly become a better-than-average hitter.

THE STANCE

If a boy is right-handed, he should turn his left side to the pitcher; the right side if left-handed.

The body should be fairly erect and relaxed with the weight distributed evenly on both feet. The hips and shoulders should be level. The feet should be shoulder-width apart with the toe of the front foot even with the instep of the rear foot. When the ball is being delivered, the batter’s heels should be up slightly, his knees flexed slightly. A most apt phrase is -”stand on the big toes!” Baseball Training - Read More.

A baseball team cannot function well without a good catcher. Strangely enough, not much effort is devoted to developing catchers among amateur players. If we were to guess why, we’d say this:

The job doesn’t appeal to youngsters starting out because it looks too complicated.

It takes a lot of courage for beginners to get behind the bat.

Managers, as a rule, don’t know too much about catching.

Whatever the reasons, the catching spot should never be neglected. The fundamentals are not too difficult and as far as appeal is concerned-it’s one of the most fascinating positions on the ball club. Once a boy has had a taste of catching it’s hard to get him interested in playing any other position.

What kind of a boy makes a good catching prospect? A manager of an amateur team is rarely blessed with players who have “ideal” qualifications. He has to do the best with whatever material he has. When looking over his crop for a catcher, he knows he wants a boy with a strong arm, rugged body, courage and intelligence. Whether a boy has any great speed afoot, or whether he’s big or small is not too important. The catcher, however, must have good hands and be able to move around behind the plate. (A heavy boy may not be able to run fast, but very often you will find him “light” on his feet. If he has the other qualifications mentioned, he’s a catching prospect.) Baseball Training - Read More.

        If you are a baseball fan you probably have at least one of these in your closet. The baseball jersey, is all about who you are and what team or player you like. The baseball jersey is more than a fashion statement, not only does it look good and is an accepted mode of attire in most places, the baseball jersey stands out.

        A baseball cap or t-shirt is good and shows your support of the team but the baseball jersey is even more of a statement.

        The baseball jersey of today is made of cotton or polyester or a blend of these two materials. Most are washable and comfortable to wear.

        You can find a baseball jersey for every modern team as well as jerseys from teams of the past. The baseball jersey is well-suited to attending games and also casual everyday wear.

        There is a baseball jersey in almost any size you could want. The smallest fan can have their own baseball jersey. The baseball jersey comes in children, youth and adult sizes. The cost of a baseball jersey can vary depending on the brandFree Articles, where you buy and the fabric it’s made of. You can even get a custom-made baseball jersey or one that has been signed by a player or even an entire team.

        The baseball jersey has become an item to collect. Private individuals have amazing collections and look all over the world for the right baseball jersey to add to the ones they already own. There are some jerseys that are very unique and have quite a history.

        Another place the baseball jersey is found is in the many museums throughout the United States. Some of the jerseys have wonderful stories surrounding the games or players who wore them.

        A baseball jersey is an essential part of clothing for the true baseball sports fan.

Author     : Ken Austin

More Info : http://baseball-gear.1stdiscountshopping.com