Baseball Tips
hitting
Load before you stride
Before your front foot lands, shift your weight slightly back to your rear leg. This "load" creates the energy you transfer forward into your swing. Without it, you're swinging with just your arms.hitting
Keep your head still
Your eyes need to track the ball from the pitcher's hand to the bat. If your head is moving, your eyes are bouncing — making it much harder to see the ball. Think "quiet head" from stance through contact.hitting
Hit the ball where it's pitched
Inside pitches should be pulled. Outside pitches should go the other way. Down the middle goes up the middle. Don't try to pull everything — use the whole field and let the pitch location dictate your swing direction.hitting
Two-strike approach
With two strikes, shorten your swing, widen your zone slightly, and focus on putting the ball in play. Choke up a little if needed. The goal changes from "drive the ball" to "don't strike out."hitting
Watch the pitcher's release point
Don't watch the windup — focus on the release point. That's where the ball first becomes visible. A consistent focus point helps you pick up spin, speed, and location earlier.fielding
Get your feet moving early
As the pitch is delivered, take a small "pre-pitch hop" or creep step to get on the balls of your feet. A fielder standing flat-footed will always react slower than one who's already moving.fielding
Field ground balls out front
Charge the ball and field it in front of your body with your glove out front where you can see it. Playing the ball on the short hop (out front) is easier and faster than waiting for it to come to you.fielding
Use two hands
When catching, get your throwing hand near your glove to secure the ball quickly. Two-hand catches lead to faster transfers and fewer bobbles. Style points don't count — secure the ball first.fielding
Know where to throw before the pitch
Before every pitch, know how many outs there are, where the runners are, and where you're throwing if the ball comes to you. Don't figure it out after you field it — have a plan ready.fielding
Back up every play
If the ball isn't hit to you, you should be backing up a base or another fielder. Every player has a backup responsibility on every play. Standing around watching is never the right answer.baserunning
Run through first base
On a , sprint through first base — don't slow down or lunge at the bag. Touch the front of the base and keep running past it. You can't be tagged out after overrunning 1st (as long as you turn toward foul territory).baserunning
Find the ball on every pitch
As a baserunner, watch every pitch. If it gets past the catcher, you might be able to advance. If you're staring into the outfield or at the dugout, you'll miss opportunities.baserunning
Round bases aggressively
When rounding a base, take a hard turn and look for an opportunity to take the extra base. Make the defense throw you out — don't give them free outs by being timid. An aggressive turn also pressures the defense into rushing.baserunning
Read the ball off the bat
The moment the ball is hit, read it: = go (with less than 2 outs, check for first). = or depending on depth. = freeze and get back to your base.baserunning
Slide early, not late
Start your slide early enough that you arrive at the base at full speed. A late slide means you're braking with your body. Practice sliding so it becomes automatic — hesitation causes injuries.pitching
Throw strikes early in the count
Getting ahead 0-1 dramatically shifts the at-bat in your favor. Attack the zone with your first pitch. You don't need a perfect pitch — just a strike. Falling behind 1-0 gives the hitter confidence.pitching
Change speeds, not just location
Even with just a fastball and a changeup, you can be effective by changing speeds. A good changeup thrown with fastball arm speed but 8-10 mph slower makes your fastball look even faster.pitching
Pitch to contact with runners on
With runners on base, don't try to strike everyone out. Pitching to contact (inducing especially) helps you get outs faster and keep your pitch count down. Let your defense work.pitching
Control the running game
Vary your hold times before delivering home with runners on base. Quick pitching and slide-stepping occasionally keeps runners honest. You don't need a great pickoff move — just be unpredictable.mental
Flush the last play
Made an error? Struck out? Gave up a hit? Flush it. The next play is all that matters. Dwelling on mistakes leads to more mistakes. Reset between every pitch with a deep breath.mental
Have a routine
Great players do the same thing before every at-bat, every pitch, every play. A consistent routine keeps you focused, calms nerves, and puts you in "game mode." Build yours and stick to it.mental
Control what you can control
You can't control the umpire's calls, the weather, or your opponent's performance. Focus only on your effort, your preparation, and your attitude. Everything else is noise.mental