My Overall Philosophy on Preparation for the Game of Baseball Is That a Game Is Merely
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INTRODUCTION
My overall philosophy on preparation for the game of baseball is that a game is merely situations that have been gone over in practice thousands of times. Practice with the intention of putting the players in as many game situations as possible, so when the opportunity presents itself the player has already been there.
Example: Omar Vizquel and Roberto Alomar, the former middle infield for the Cleveland Indians made spectacular plays, but they practiced double play flips, barehanded and otherwise, a half hour before each workout session. These guys don’t just show up and make plays they have never made before.
My philosophy is also one of being organized. Try to accomplish several things at one time with various applicable group work. Conditioning and individual skill work can be included, rather than having a separate time set aside.
The final thing is, stress the little things. The game of baseball is not the big things, it is doing a whole bunch of little things. Make routine plays, work on fundamentals and master those skills. Keep it simple, let the kids enjoy some success, and have fun.
Example: Omar Vizquel and Roberto Alomar, the former middle infield for the Cleveland Indians made spectacular plays, but they practiced double play flips, barehanded and otherwise, a half hour before each workout session. These guys don’t just show up and make plays they have never made before. THROWING DRILLS
(Basic Throwing fundamentals) 1. Grip the ball four seams. 2. Point in the direction you want to throw the ball. Line up feet, glove elbow, eyes to target. 3. Glove and ball together in center of chest for balance point. 4. Step to target, hand separation palm down to the ground, arm rotates back 5. Power T 6. Throwing arm L 7. Follow through
Wrist Flips – Glove hand perpendicular, make right angle with throwing arm, flick the wrist. Long toss – Make 10-12 throws at each progression. Move back 5-7 feet at each progression. Target drills – Relay drills – Knee drills – No Step drills –
OUTFIELD DRILLS
(Basic OF fundamentals) 1. Most important part of playing OF is catch the baseball 2. It is easier to move in on a ball than back on it, so your first step when unsure is back drop step), then adjust to the ball.
3. Communication (for the wall, with other outfielders going for same ball, and the situation. Where will the throw go on a certain hit ball? Any ball on the grass is OF ball if you can get there. If INF is camped under it, let them have it)
4. Take good angles (read the ball and get a good jump. This will allow you to keep the ball in front and NOT to allow extra bases)
5. Catch the ball with the glove between your shoulders, and shoulders square to the baseball. Have your elbow under your glove to catch fly balls.
6. Get the ball in quickly and work through the cut-off man. Try to catch ball on glove side and then get weight through the ball to make a strong, accurate throw.
7. If a ball can short hop you, LAYOUT!
8. Any time the ball is dead at the wall, or on the grass, make sure it is picked up with the barehand and thrown in quickly. 9. Back up the infielders
10. Strengthen Arms by long tossing
11. A good rule of thumb for judging line drives: If the ball is above the bill of your hat, you had better get back. If the ball is below the bill of your cap come up. Try to get the ball even with your eye level.
(Drills) Play the ball live-The best way to simulate OF play is by playing the ball live during batting practice. It is the only way the ball can be read true with the same conviction off the bat as dictated by game swings, rather than nice, lofted fungos. The player shouldn’t be required to get every single ball hit in their direction. If they chase one down, the shagger can snag the next ball, while the outfielder collects himself and prepares for another ball.
Side Toss live-A player will soft toss to the coach and he will hit live balls at them. It works in the same way as BP.
Ground balls – every angle (straight on, forehand, backhand) Try to angle to get around ball and field it out over the glove side (knock it down however possible, even from your knees (no extra bases) small crow hop and get off a good accurate throw. On these drills, when the ball is extreme to your glove side, on the ground or in the air, make sure the player fields it and uses a drop step to get the ball in. Don’t let them shuffle back across their body.
Defensive Back ball drills – One player at a time will stand in front of the coach. The coach will point in the direction for the player to run, then deliver the ball. Throw over the left, the right, then straight back. (Try and get behind the ball and get momentum coming through it to make a throw) same crow hop action.
Zig-Zag drill – Coach will have three balls. The player starts in front of him running over the right shoulder. The coach delivers the ball, when it is almost there, the next one will be thrown the opposite way (swing the head around and go get it), drop that one, then swing the head back and get the third ball. The player will hustle to pick the balls back up.
Communication drills – (w/ the wall) Coach will throw over-shoulder drills and players will talk to them about where they are (back, track, wall, or you have room. Remember to get the hand out and find the wall, then adjust to the ball) Play the carom on balls you can’t get to at the wall, something that is hit well that will recoil off the wall.
(Regular communication)-A player separated on each side, the coach will hit a fly ball or ground ball in between them. Call for the ball if you have the angle (be vocal BALL! BALL! BALL! The ball is yours unless called off. Go after it with a lot of conviction. Want the baseball!) The player who does not call for it or have the proper angle should peel behind the fielder and back them up.
Hat drill- The outfielders will line their hats up horizontally on the grass. The coach will hit or throw ball drills, then the fielder (one at a time) will throw the ball to try and hit a hat. If you miss the hat, it is ten sit-ups. If you hit another player’s hat, that player will have to do ten sit-ups.
Sun drills-Find the field where the sun is pointing and throw DB drills into the sun. The player will have to put their glove or hand up to shield the sun and find the baseball.
Relays-Hit balls in the gaps to the wall and force the player to go get it and relay the double cut. Work on different cuts to different bags. Try to keep the force on. When I say throw through the cut, that means that the player should deliver the ball around the cut-offs upper framework to allow the infielder to cut it or let it go through. If this is done, the ball will be strong enough to make it all the way (usually a nice long hop) if we don’t need to cut it. Dive drill-The coach will toss balls that will be one hoppers or just out of the player’s reach. Force them to get comfortable with diving for the ball. They are not going to do something in a game they have never done. Teach them the figure four slide, which is similar to sliding into a base.
Line drive breaks-The coach can either hit line drives or throw them at the outfielder. Have the player work on recognizing the spin of the ball. Apply the rule of thumb.
QB drill-(good conditioner) The players will line up at the foul pole and the coach will stand about 30 yards away. Each player has a baseball in their hand. One at a time, the player will jog to the coach, and toss him the ball. As soon as he tosses the ball, he will hit a sprint and the coach will deliver a fly ball that the player will need to catch. Let the player run for a little bit before you throw the ball.
INFIELD DRILLS
(Basic INF fundamentals) 1. Footwork! Footwork! Footwork! Athletic stance, feet even, sway pre-pitch. (Read step, pursuit angles, getting around the baseball, slow rollers over glove side)
2. Right-left-field, right-left-throw (feet wide to get butt down, feet even (not staggered), head up, hands out front (glove out front off left of bellybutton, glove on the ground, back fairly straight with slightly rounded shoulders to help the glove present properly) Whenever fielding a ball, your head is connected to the glove. See the ball into the glove. Hands will be out, after fielding the ball, bring body to your hands (get through the baseball) and make the throw.
3. Backhand (Give the ball a side five. Depending on the pace of the ball, the lead foot may vary, however, generally the throwing leg will be towards the ball, to be able to cradle a miss hop off your body)
4. The coach should ingrain to be aggressive to the ball. Yet, stress coming into control to make the play.
5. Double plays (lead out most important, two outs is a bonus. Only way to turn two is good footwork and a nice, accurate throw to the lead bag) (footwork around the bags) 6. Relays (show a good target, be vocal. Shift feet so throwing arm is directed to ball, weight transfer to throwing side and release a strong accurate throw. Make sure that you adjust to the ball. Move your feet to catch the ball in a good position to get rid of it. That would be about waste area to the shoulders)
7. A good pickup doesn’t count, unless you make a good throw.
(Drills) relays (line up the players in a couple of lines and have them work relays)
50-Ground ball drill (10 backhands, 10 forehands, 10 straight on, 10 slow rollers, 10 anywhere) We usually modify it to the 25-ground ball drill
DP’s-(bases set up and go around the horn) Coach will fungo double play balls around the diamond
Box drill-have four infielders in a box with one ball. They will work on quick hands and footwork as though they are turning double plays.
Bucket drill-The coach will set a bucket in front of the fielder, then roll a ball at the bucket and force the player to get around the bucket (which is to round the ball) and then right-left-field.
Figure 8-Two guys will be at each position up the middle. The coach will roll a ground ball in any direction and force the player to work his feet and make the lead out on a double play. As soon as he makes the feed, the coach will roll the ball to the complementary middle infielder and the guy who made the feed before will go receive the throw. It is important for whoever feed the ball to continue his motion towards the bag. Keep the action constant, as conditioning is part of this drill.
Rolling ball drills-The coach will roll balls to the infielders to allow for proper mechanics. Make sure the player leads to the ball on the read step with the upper body.
Short hops-Players will pair up with one ball. They will throw short hops at each other in the basic fielding position and work on soft hands and picking the ball up.
Oval drill-The player will put as many balls as desired in an oval. He will start at the ball furthest to the right and just work on presenting his fielding form, picking the ball up smoothly and making a throw. (No glove required)
Chinker drill-The coach will fungo bloopers and the infielders will have to hustle back and make a play on them.
CATCHING DRILLS
(Basic catching fundamentals) 1. Priority of catching skills (Catch, Block, Throw)
2. Main job is to receive the ball (Keep a strike a strike. Possibly turn a ball into a strike. If an umpire misses a strike, it shouldn’t be because we didn’t catch it where it was thrown) 3. Don’t run with the ball, STICK IT. Everything should be caught unless it’s in the dirt
4. Set up (Wide base, get as low as you can, feet should be staggered outward, good glove target with bicep underneath you and fingers up.)
5. Catching the ball (fingers up, use your bicep and a firm forearm to stick it, sway with the lower half, keep head connected to glove w/ a string). Do not worry about framing the baseball. If you catch the outside of the baseball and catch it properly, the pitch will be framed.
6. Blocking (keep the ball in front of you, always hustle to pick it up once you knock it down. Be able to block the ball into a circle in front of you. We will not have base runners taking bases on passed balls. Be a BRICK WALL! No Donkey Kicking, attack the ball. Use your FEET.) 7. Throwing (fire out, foot in the circle, glove to chin w/ shoulders rotated on line, stay on line and deliver an accurate throw barely left of the bag. A low throw is better than a high throw, we still have a chance to get the runner)
(Drills) TP Specials- bare hand (individual, rapid fire) same thing w/ glove-the catcher will be in his stance and the coach will throw a ball to a different location. The catcher needs to catch the ball with the fingers up and with the head connected to the hand.
“K” blocking (Individual, rapid fire. Rapid fire is the only time you are not required to pick the ball up immediately)(keep ball in the circle, get as big as possible)- the coach will use tape to form a “K”. The line of the K will be at the catcher’s feet, with the to other lines heading towards the base lines. The coach will throw balls in the dirt, and the catcher will have to move his feet and square up to the baseline to funnel the ball back to the middle of the field and in front of him. When I say keep the ball in the circle, the coach can form a circle out of string or something, and the catcher must smother the ball to stay inside that area.
“T” throwing-The coach will make a “T” in the dirt , with the line heading directly at the second base bag. The catcher will receive the ball and fire out to throw staying on that line. The coach will draw a circle where the right foot should lead when firing out. The catcher will need to make sure he puts his right foot in that circle every time to ensure he is on target.
Cross-fire throwing drill-The coach will draw or tape a cross. (No ball is required). The catcher will stand in the middle and fire out on line, then turn to the right and fire out on that line, and so on. This will be to work on quick feet and to do it staying on line and balance.
Duck walk-The catcher will get in his stance and walk with the feet turned out, to work on strengthening his legs and working the hip flexors.
Bullpens and Batting Practice-The catcher should gear up during bullpens and work on receiving the ball. We also make them catch batting practice to get used to blocking and receiving the ball.
PITCHING DRILLS
(Basic pitching fundamentals) 1. Throw strikes!
2. The key is to get to a good balance point, this will enable for good weight transfer and maximum control. 3. Pre-pitch stance should be comfortable and square with the plate. Lefties should be at the right of the mound (as if you were looking at the plate from the pitcher’s mound) and righties should be to the left of the mound. This allows for a better angle to the outside part of the plate and discourages throwing across the pitcher’s body.
4. Six to eight inches is sufficient for the step back to start the delivery. This allows for a smooth rhythm in the delivery. This motion is only to get the pitcher started, but too much of a step forces the pitcher to generate additional force with the step back leg in order to bring it back forward and disrupts timing and rhythm.
5. The pivot foot (the opposite of the step back foot) should slide into the rubber on the home plate side, not on top of the mound, and should be completely perpendicular with third or first base.
6. The step back foot will then be lifted out front with the thigh becoming parallel to the ground. The pivot leg should be slightly flexed. This is the first balance point. The pitcher should be able to sit there without leaking forward towards the plate or falling back towards second base. Either of these causes for bad balance and a rush through the delivery.
7. The next step would be hand separation. When taking the ball out of the glove to begin the arm motion, the palm of the throwing hand should face the ground. Make sure the arm stays on a plane towards second base and not hooking towards first base. This causes reduction in hand speed, control problems, as well as arm problems. The lead arm should keep the back of the glove facing the target. If the palm of the glove faces the ground, it causes the lead shoulder to open. Many coaches tell their pitchers to throw the lead arm at the hitter, however, this gets both arms going in opposite directions at the same time, which disrupts balance. Plus, when everything stays connected power is maximized. The glove hand should start back with the throwing hand and move forward with it. The lead hand should stay above the elbow. If the elbow gets above the glove, it forces the front shoulder up and disallows the pitcher to get on top of the ball.
8. The second balance point (the power position) comes next. The first balance point is critical because a lot of things take place before driving to the plate. The hand separation, arm swing down, back, and up, the upper body closed and in proper alignment, and the lead leg and pivot foot in the first balance point all must happen before delivering the arm to the plate. Now, the arm is up and preparing to accelerate forward to release the ball on a proper downward angle. The body should assist the arm by staying closed until that time the arm is up and ready to deliver the ball.
9. The stride to the plate should be consistent and on line with the plate. The length will depend on the height of the pitcher. Over striding will cause the pitcher to not get the proper downward plane of the pitch, and leave the ball high in the zone. As the stride leg hits the ground, the shock should be absorbed by the ball of the foot. If the pitcher lands on the hill, it causes a jarring motion that moves the head and eyes causing improper delivery and follow through. The toe should be pointed towards the plate at contact with the ground, out over a bent stride leg.
10. The release and follow through are the final steps of the mechanics. The elbow should be at least even with the shoulder to keep the ball down. At this point, the shoulders will be open. The pitcher must think about releasing the ball well out in front of the body, although the actual release point is above the head. He must think low to keep the ball on a downward plane. Let the pitcher know where he has a good release and help him be repetitive in releasing at that point every time. The follow through with the pivot leg should be out over the bent stride leg, with the pivot heel up and coming off the rubber. It is important that the arm motion is finished throughout the follow through and the arm is not held back. Throw the ball through the glove, not to it. Finally, the pivot leg swings around to a position parallel with the stride leg.
(Drills) Chair drill-Set a chair 30 to 40 feet away from home plate. The pitcher will have the pivot foot on the chair, and have the lead arm square to home plate. The partner receiving the ball will be on one knee. Go through the basic mechanics of throwing the ball to the plate, concentrating on rotating the pivot heel on the chair upon release and follow through with the throwing shoulder to the opposite knee. The distance of the chair to the plate should be so the pitcher can maintain proper body balance throughout.
Stand-up drill-This drill is to develop balance and feel of not rushing. Stand 40 to 50 feet from home plate. Start with the left foot pointed at the catcher, and the right foot parallel to the rubber. The distance between the pitcher’s feet should be the same as the correct length of stride. The length of stride is correct when the belly button (the center of gravity) is directly over the base of support (bent stride knee) upon release of the ball. The execution is the same as the chair drill. Rotate the pivot heel outward but keep it in front of the rubber. After releasing the ball, body momentum should drive the pitcher directly to home plate and towards the glove hand side.
In-and-Out drill-The pitcher will deliberately throw pitches outside the strike zone, alternating left and right of the strike zone, but never in the strike zone. The pitcher should get the feel of how to bring the ball from one side of the strike zone to the other.
The pitcher can throw some of every pitch during any of these drills (fastball, curveball, change-up, etc.)
Play catch for five minutes with your change-up after warming up. Get used to the grip, since everyone holds a fastball to play normal catch, they have the best feel for that. Get a feel for the offspeed stuff.
Bullpens-The pitcher will throw from the wind up and the stretch, as well as mixing up pitches. Work on choosing locations and throwing to them to get command of pitches. One thing that can help visualize location and whether or not the pitcher is hitting it, is to have a wood plate made with a six inch box on each side of the plate that is off the plate. Paint the six inch boxes white, then line the plate in thirds and paint all three sections different colors. The pitcher and catcher can see what color the ball crosses and know if the location was hit.
Batting Practice or Scrimmages-Designate each pitcher with about two-innings of work, or an allotted number of pitches and have them throw BP or game situations. During live BP, we have the pitcher glove signal to the catcher and batter what pitch is coming, since it is also for the batter’s benefit. In the scrimmage, we play it live.
HITTING DRILLS
(Hitting Mechanics) LEVERAGE HITTING THE “8 ABSOLUTES” 1. GRIP – not golf grip, not straight across alignment, somewhere in between. 2. RHYTHM 3. BALANCE – weight centered through middle of foot. The body follows path of the ball. 4. LOAD KNOB – this will put the bat in a good launching position, plus it counteracts the stride. 5. SEPARATION – this is the stride and the counteraction to loading the knob. 6. STAY SQUARE – when you separate and stride, the hips must remain square to the plate. This will help to keep the front side closed and in a proper power position. We say “Keep your cup to the plate.” 7. LET THE BALL TRAVEL 8. THINK: STEP, HANDS TO THE BALL, BODY FOLLOWS – Let your cup watch the ball after the contact.
1. Hitting is the hardest skill in athletics. It is a complex skill, so I will put it in a nutshell before I get technical. Our simplistic hitting philosophy is to get the front foot down, generate some hip power and throw the hands. The ability to generate bat speed by throwing “head”, as we call it, is what we are looking for. For the purpose of this portfolio, I will not have a mental aspect of hitting section, but I want to stress that the hitter should have a yes, yes, yes, no, or a yes, yes, yes, yes approach to hitting. The batter should be ready to hit every pitch until he recognizes it is out of the zone.
2. It is important to select a bat that can be controlled throughout the entire swing, coaches can help in this judgment.
3. Grip on the bat should be determined by strength and bat speed. Whether the batter chokes up or not is determined by these factors along with the bat selection. The bat should be gripped at the base of the fingers, not in the palm, and loose in the hands. This allows for the hands to be quick to the ball, and they will automatically tighten at impact. Knuckle alignment should be either with the middle knuckles of both hands in a line, or with the middle knuckles of the top hand in between the middle and first knuckles of the bottom hand. A coach should not let the batter grip the bat with the middle and first knuckles lined up, as it hinders in generating bat speed and proper wrist action.
4. Position in the batter’s box should be relative for good plate coverage. The batter wants to stand where he can cover the entire plate. If he stands back in the box, it allows for him to read the pitch longer. Stance up in the box or back in the box is based on the velocity of the pitcher, as well as the nature of the batter. A breaking ball can be harder to hit in the back of the box, because it will have a tendency to run on the outer half of the plate and out of the zone, but the batter must have the bat speed to catch up with pitches at a greater velocity. Distance laterally from the plate will be determined on whether or not the batter can get the barrel to the ball. If a batter likes crowding the plate, he had better be able to not get “tied up” and get the barrel to the ball. One thing to be careful of for batter’s that crowd is that they open up (step into the bucket), which leaves them susceptible to the breaking ball or offspeed pitches on the outer half. If the batter back off the plate and steps towards the plate, he may get jammed by power pitchers that throw on the inner half.
5. Feet-Balance is the key to hitting. Good hitting starts at the feet. The feet should be a little past shoulder width in length. The weight should be centered through the middle of the foot. The rear foot can be pointed in toward the plate to aid in the quickness of the pivot as the swing begins. The front foot should be slightly opened toward the pitcher to enable the front hip to achieve flexibility through the swing. A wider stance is better than a narrow one for a couple reasons: a) it prevents Over-striding, since a short stride is necessary b) the wide stance provides the hitter with a feeling of stability as he awaits the pitch.
6. Find an ATHLETIC STANCE. It is ideal to have slightly bent knees. This is good for relaxation and allows for the batter to see the ball better as opposed to a crouch stance, which makes it a little tougher to see the ball out of the hand. Also, a straight up stance eventually has to bend the knees as he strides.
7. Waist-A slight bend at the waist is good too. This avoids a too straight or rigid body position. The batter doesn’t want too much bend, which causes severe problems with inside pitches, as well as, making it more difficult to see the ball.
8. Shoulders-The shoulders should be level, or the front shoulder slightly lower than the back. Never have the back shoulder lower than the front, which will cause the batter to dip the back shoulder during the swing. The chin should be at a higher plane than the front shoulder.
9. Head and Eyes-The head should be held at a straight up position for this provides the hitter with the best view of the pitched ball. The head should be turned to the pitcher so both eyes can see the pitcher.
10. Arms, Elbows, and Hands-Each batter will have a varying in hand position as the hitter will have some individual style, however, there are some basic mechanics for all batters to increase bat speed and contact.
The bat should be held somewhere between the vertical and horizontal plane. The stronger the batter, the more vertical, the weaker the batter, the more horizontal. A hitter who holds the bat too straight up could find it leads to two undesirable actions:
That bat will need to be moved to the horizontal position in order to make solid contact. Thus, it is time consuming when a hitter takes the bat from the vertical to the horizontal plane. He will have to start the bat a little earlier, which will not allow him to wait on the pitch. The longer the hitter can wait to read pitch and location, the better hitter he will be.
If the bat does not move down toward the horizontal plane during the swing, the hitter will consequently have a “golf-like” bat arc. This causes an improper approach to the ball, and will almost eliminate any possibility of his being able to hit the pitch above the waist and in.
The hitter can not afford to wrap his bat behind his head during the stance or when he inward rotates to position his hands for the actual swing. A “bat wrapper” will find he has a longer approach to the ball due to the fact the barrel of the bat has a longer distance to travel. This is especially true for a batter who doesn’t possess great bat quickness. A stronger batter may be able to get away with a little bat wrap, which will allow for him to build up bat speed as he makes contact.
The hands should hold the bat directly out from the back arm pit. The bat should be held comfortably away from the body, but no more than six to eight inches. The further away from the body the hands are held lessens the hitter’s leverage, force and balance advantage when the bat starts forward on the actual swing. If the hands are held very tight, it is hard to generate proper bat speed.
The hands should be held at the maximum height of the strike zone. This will allow the batter to move in only one direction with his hands, and that is in the downward plane to the ball. Any other variation causes for the hands to have to move up or down to hit certain locations vertically.
The elbows should be comfortably held away from the body. They should remain in somewhat the same plane although the back elbow can be slightly higher than the front. A low back elbow usually result in initiating a dip type of approach to the ball. The front elbow should be bent and close to a 90-degree angle. The front elbow should not cross the midline of the body. If so, the hitter will not be able to generate explosive hand action to the ball since he will have a tendency to sweep at the ball with his hands.
11. Inward Rotation-Just prior to the release of the ball, the hitter should dip his front knee in slightly and let his body rotate as a unit back. This aids in “cocking the gun” and getting proper rhythmical motion initiated for a good, smooth, fluid swing. The hitter’s hands must go back before they come forward. The inward rotation must be completed just prior to the stride. We refer to the inward rotation as “roll in”. It is necessary to have a pre-swing movement to get the hands started and for weight transfer. The philosophy we have is that everything is connected. That means the knee, hip, shoulder, and hands. When the batter rolls in, it closes the front side and loads the weight on the back side, along with taking the hands to the ready position.
12. Stride-The stride should be made directly toward the pitcher just after he releases the ball. It should be a soft glide onto the big toe completed without allowing the foot to leave the ground more than two inches. The stride length itself depends to a great deal on the nature of the hitter, but there should be no reason for it to be longer than about eight inches. His hands, body weight and head should all remain back during the stride.
13. Hips-The hips will initiate the swing. The back hip should be rotated forward when beginning the swing. The hips should be opened to a degree that the belly will be facing toward the area that the ball will be hit. The hips should not start to open until the batter has read the nature of the pitch in regard to the type of pitch and its location in the strike zone.
14. Front Shoulder-The front shoulder should be the guide to the ball. It should always point to the ball until the swing actually occurs. This will mean that the front shoulder must remain pointed down and in slightly. If the front shoulder opens up too soon, the batter will lose valuable bat speed along with an inability to hit the pitch on the outer part of the plate.
15. Head and Eyes During Swing-A hitter’s chin should be near his front shoulder prior to the swing. The chin should actually start somewhat over the front shoulder and finish somewhat over the back shoulder when the swing is completed. It is important that the hitter get a feeling that his head remains somewhat over the ball during the swing. The hitter should train his eyes to pick up the ball as soon as possible and not be distracted by particular movements from the pitcher. Holding the mouth opened just prior to and during the pitch and swing will decrease the chances of an involuntary blink occurring. Tony Gwynn says he looks at the emblem on the pitcher’s hat during the wind up, then picks the ball up from the release point, as the hand doesn’t vary too far from the head.
16. Weight Distribution-The hitter must keep his body weight centered through his feet.. Approx. 60% of the body weight should be over the back foot. Upon the initial stride, a slight shift back of the weight should be made so that when the front foot completes the stride, approx. 70% of the body weight is over the inside of the rear foot. This weight will transfer as the bat comes forward through the ball. The hitter must be sure he does not have a major bend at the knee on the stride leg which would cause his weight to come forward prior to the actual swing itself. The stride leg should be slightly flexed and firm. In order to hit from the back side, the batter must have something to push that weight against, which is the front leg. To achieve the firm stride leg, the term I use is to grab the dirt with your toes. When the swing finishes, the weight will have transferred to 60-70% to the front foot.
17. Rear Foot-Power and stability come from hitting off the rear foot. As the hips begin to rotate, the rear foot heel must come up in order to aid the rotation of the foot. The pivot must be made in order for the hips to come open. The knee of the rear foot must bend slightly in order to help in this rotation.
18. Bat Arc-The barrel of the bat must be taken directly to the path of the ball. While approaching the ball, the hands should remain higher than the ball and the barrel of the bat should remain higher than the hands. While to some people this bat arc resembles a “chopping motion”, it actually is simply taking a direct path to the flight of the ball. Upon contact and extension of the arms, the bat should be going through the ball at a level plane. Driving through the ball is the terminology that best describes this action. The arms should be extended on contact with all pitches. However prior to contact, the arms should not extend as this produces a sweeping motion. The hand action is important. The top hand should have the palm facing the ball upon contact (that is if the hand were opened). There is very little power and resistance to the contact with the ball if the top hand’s palm is facing straight up or has rolled over the bat too early, and is facing straight down upon contact. (Drills) Stance drill-This is a mass drill that the coach will check to see if the hitters are comfortable. He will check the basic points of the swing to make sure they are met.
Gathering Power-Have the players put their arms crossed over their chest, with the opposite hand touching the opposite shoulder. Have them spread their feet outside shoulder width apart, then stick their butt out and bend their knees. Now, have them walk around like that. This is to show how your power is collected.
Chair drill-This drill is to create the proper swing path to the ball. Set up a tee, then put a chair behind it with the seat close to the tee and the chair back the seat width away from the tee. The hitter will have to swing directly at the ball and not be long or uppercut, or else the chair will get hit. This endorses the correct path through the hitting zone.
Batting Practice-Generally we will break this up in different rounds. We start off with a bunt round of five bunts (three sacrifices and a push and a drag). The first swing away round is to get loose and see the ball. We will have situations, then some get loose cuts. It will be a hit and run (put the ball on the ground), move the runner from second (try to hit it the other way, although the batter will have to hit a pitch where it is located), score him from third (look for a pitch you can drive into the outfield), then eight swings. We are working on keeping the hands inside the ball and trying to hit it the other way. Never have the batter take more than 10-12 contact swings, so the batter will not get fatigued. We are concerned with getting a lot of cuts, as well as getting quality cuts. The second round we will take 10 cuts, and 12 swings in the third round.
Side Pitch drill-This drill can be done during BP or with whiffle balls. The batter will face the mound as normal, while the pitcher will stand to the right of the dirt on the mound, a couple feet outside the dirt, and try throwing the ball across the batter’s body to the outside of the plate. The batter should work on staying closed and keeping the hands back. This angle is to work on hitting the ball the other way. Don’t throw pitches that can be pulled. The other position for the pitcher is on the left side of the dirt, same relative position. This pitch will be thrown angling toward the middle of the plate. The batter should stay closed and drive the ball through the middle of the field (between the power allies).
Live BP-I like this, because it forces the batter to have a game approach at the plate. Plus, it will allow the batter to see a variety of pitches at game speeds or close to. Like I said in the pitching section, the pitcher will say what is being thrown, so the batter should have no excuse for not keeping his weight and hands back.
Bunt Work-Set up bunting work with circles down the baselines and towards the gaps between the pitcher. Have rewards and punishments for not getting the ball down, and not getting it in the circles. Don’t let them bunt back to the pitcher. Tee work-I feel that the Tee is the best training device for hitting. The best thing about it is that it allows for repetition. Hitting off the tee should not simply be setting up the ball down the pipe, but also pitch location should be moved around and the batter should get the feel for the hand action and mechanics of all locations. Soft Toss-When soft tossing, one thing I do not like is how coaches will have the feeder rapid fire. I believe in getting quality swings that are mechanically sound during these drills. Along with the tee, I prefer the batter to get in his game stance, look towards the pitcher, go through the pre-swing movement, and then see the ball and swing through it. The batter for this drill will get set, the feeder will show the ball to the batter, bring it down slowly, then deliver it. The batter will have a good pre-swing movement when the feeder brings the ball down, then take a good swing.
Short Pitch-The short pitch drill is done with whiffle balls, we have regular as well as golf balls. The partner will act as the pitcher, and the batter will swing as though it is a game type atmosphere. He will go through all the basic mechanics and take a good swing.
Rock and Rhythm-Get in your stance. Lift your stride foot heel off the ground, then put it down and lift the pivot foot heel off the ground. Continue to do this repeatedly to feel rhythm and weight.
Straddle the Plate-Have the batter straddle home plate, the throw whiffle or tennis balls right at their hip and thigh to force them to drop the head down and on the ball. Also shows good swing path.
Ball Drop-Hold the ball directly over the batter and drop it. This forces them to have fast hands and go directly to the ball.
Net Drill-Have the batter hit with the cage directly in front of them. Front toss balls at them, which forces the batter to keep his hands inside the ball and not get long.
Bottom Hand and Top Hand drill-This is a soft toss drill that I have the players get on one knee, with the stride leg up. A fungo or smaller bat should be used for this drill. The top hand during the bottom hand drill will be wrapped around the waist, and the batter is swinging only with the bottom hand. The batter should throw the knob of the bat out away from the body, not tight and close to the body. The top hand drill is the same only opposite. The batter should work on the downward angle of the top hand in the swing and try to hit the ball into the bottom of the net.
Dry swing or mirror swing-The batter will swing at air. He should work on rhythm and pre-swing movement, and check balance throughout the swing and finish. Make sure the batter is taking the correct bat arc to the ball, the bat is getting extended to a level position, and follow through to the shoulder blades.
Bat Speed drills- Rapid Swing-Merely get in a stance and rapidly take swings back and forth. (1) good isolation of hands (2) good practice on feel of grip (3) can be done with bat or cable (hooked to the fence). Bat/Barrel throw-Actually throw the bat into a screen. (1) get the feel of throwing the barrel - the mental picture of thrusting the barrel at ball (2) try throwing the bat with the weight completely on the front foot (3) try throwing the bat with the weight completely on the back foot (4) try throwing without moving the hips (5) and then throw with both hips and hands and with proper transfer of weight.
Hitting Sticks-The partner holds stick out. Hitter tries to hit the tip of the stick before the partner can move it. (1) helps isolate the hands and eliminate wasted motion (2) stick should be held at different levels (3) take barrel directly to the stick (no dips).
Rhythm drill-a soft toss drill. The batter will swing with a good tempo once dry, then on every other swing a ball will be fed. The batter will hit the ball, swing dry, and so on. He should hit about 5-7 pitches, then switch.
No Stride-Short Toss drill-The tosser will kneel behind a screen located approx. eight yards away. A backstop or hitting cage should be behind the tosser. The ball is tossed overhand. (1) excellent drill for a hitter in a slump (2) helps isolate the importance of the hands (3) turn toes in slightly toward the pitcher and take a slightly wider stance (4) concentrate on waiting as long as possible and then explode. The longer a batter can wait, the better he will be as a hitter.
Inward Rotation and Stride drill-These two can be done as a mass group by simulating throwing the ball.
A. Inward Rotation-(1) this is the cock of the gun-the back swing in golf (2) a needed rhythm for timing (all one motion-no stop) (3) something to get going-a coil (4) execution-the front knee should bend in slightly. The batter should rotate from the waist, not the arms or hands. A cock of the hips, and the front shoulder goes toward the chin. This is just prior and during the initial movement of the stride (5) this is the place or time of many bad habits. This eliminates the bad habits and increases a needed physiological preliminary movement. The hands must go back to go forward.
Stride-(1) prior to the stride, there is a 40/60 weight distribution (2) the step forward should be low to the ground with the foot pointed open slightly. Stride on the big toe of the foot and step softly as though stepping on eggs. The stride should be about eight inches toward the pitcher. The stride should not be with a stiff front leg, firm and slightly flexed. Keep the weight and hands back. The stride does not take added weight. Upon initial completion of the stride approx. 70% of the body weight should be on the inside of the back foot. Roll In drill-This drill is a soft toss drill that compliments inward rotation. The batter will get in a stance, then point the know of the bat where the pitcher would be, with the elbows close together. He will then roll back and get the hands into hitting position with the weight transferred and the elbows still relatively close, then hit the pitch.
Step In (Front Pivot)-The step in drill is generally done from a Tee. The hitter will start a couple feet behind the tee, as if he were behind the back of the batter’s box. He will take a step with his stride foot, then crossover with the pivot foot, then stride out with the front foot into a good hitting base. The importance here is to have good separation with the hands and to feel the stride. After a couple swings, on the next repetition, stop and check your hand separation and balance before finishing the swing.
Balance drill-The balance drill is to stress a consistent stride. The batter will lift the stride foot with the thigh parallel to the ground and balance for a second. He will then reach out to a proper stride and explode through the baseball.
Softball Toss-The softball toss is a good drill to learn how to hit the ball to the opposite field and how to keep the hands inside the baseball. Set up an L-screen about 30-35 feet from the batter, with the big part on your throwing side. The coach will show the ball, tell the batter to get ready (in which the batter will stride and get hand separation), and then step forward and underhand the ball firmly like a softball pitcher. The coach should pitch two outside and then one inside. The pitches away should be pounded into the right side of the cage. On the inside pitch, the batter should try to drive it up the middle.
Hip drill-place the bat behind the back, interlocking both elbows. This is a mass drill and is simulated by throwing and calling out the pitch location. (1) the hips are the initiator of the swing (2) A correlation between slow hips and slow hands are evident (3) The further the hips must rotate, the sooner they must explode (a) for a pitch inside the navel should be pointing at contact toward left field-hips must begin earlier here (b) down middle-the navel should be directed at center field (c) Outside pitch-the navel should be pointed at opposite field contact (4)Pay close attention to the feet as they pivot. The hitter must get his back heel up in order to rotate off the back foot.
Two Strike Swing-isolated by the short pitch drill. Move closer to the plate, up in the box a little bit, choke up, concentrate on solid contact and quick hands; do not overswing or power the ball; and think of driving the ball back up the middle or the other way. Widen the mental image of the strike zone and practice protecting the plate.
Hum-Have the batter hum while hitting soft toss rapidly. This will help with tension. TEAM PRACTICE AND DRILLS
These are some of the team practices that we do. I believe in having practice organized and written up in a plan. We stay on the time line regardless of what is happening. All of these drills are great. Once the season begins, practice according to what needs to be addressed.
First off, we require that when our players walk into the gate of the field, they are ready to play baseball. Everything else stays outside the gate. Once their spikes are laced up, we have them take a jog, agilities, basic stretching and arm stretching, and warm up (have a good long toss for arm strength).
When they are finished, we will bring it up and then go over exactly what we will do in practice and then get set up to work out.
(Practices) When we first start the season, we will have a practice specific to base running, bunt coverages, pick-off plays, first-and-third plays, run downs, sliding, and signs. Many times throughout other practices, we incorporate these aspects.
Regular Batting Practice-We will group up into about four groups (hitting in the cage, shagging group, a fielding group, and another station specific to hitting with one of the afore mentioned drills). A coach or player will hit fungos to the infielders for their fielding group, on the side at the back of the hitter, so a foul ball won’t hit them. The outfielders will play the ball live, both shagging and during their fielding group. I try to separate the catchers into different groups so they can get their swings in, as well as, receive the pitches behind the plate during their fielding group. We will do rounds similar to the BP I described earlier, however, we will have the last batter from the hitting group start on the bases. He will simulate seeing the bunt down and take a couple hard steps and then return to first base. He will move to second on the hit and run. He will move to third on the next swing, and score from third on that swing. Make sure the base runner tags up and then heads toward the back stop and gets out of the way of the batter and other batted balls. He is not going to actually go to home plate. The batter who finishes that round runs out the last hit to first and goes through that cycle. On the next two rounds, you can have them read the hits and tag up and move around the bags based on the hits.
Live BP-We will have a schedule of who will pitch what innings. The fielders will field the balls, but the batter will stay for three at-bats. On the third at-bat, we will have the fielders play like a scrimmage situation.
Situational Hitting/Defense Live-A coach will throw BP with a nine player defense in the field. There will be a runner starting at first base and the only thing that will be worked on for that round is hit-and-runs, with the batter leaving the box and running regardless of what he does. If it is not executed, make him stay until it is done correctly. The same can be done in following rounds for moving the runner by hitting behind him and scoring the runner from third. The defense will turn double plays and play every ball live.
Scrimmage-We will break down into two teams with a batting order and everything. Basically we will play a game. Often times as a coach, we will stand in the third base coach’s box and wave runners, just so they can get use to picking us up. We will call out bunt coverages and first and third plays to get use to game situation.
Infield and Outfield-Basic in and outfield would be to have the outfield make two throws to second, third and home. They will then go to center and take fungos, or go in the outfield and do hitting drills. As soon as the last outfielder gets the ball in, the catchers will step up and throw the ball to the position players to make sure the arms are ready to throw the ball around the diamond. One catcher will throw a ball to each third baseman, and then to the shortstops. He will then throw it back to the shortstops and then to the third basemen, so each player has thrown the ball twice. The other catcher will do the same thing, only to first base and the second basemen. Now we are ready for infield. We will hit one ball to each player to take home. Next we hit and take it to first. For the catcher’s, the coach will lay a bunt down to be thrown to first. The first baseman will then throw it around the horn and the catcher will go over and catch his ball from the third baseman, while the second catcher is taking his bunt and throwing it around. Next we go one again, but cover up this time for a throw from the catcher. Ex.) The 3B will take it one and hustle to the bag, the catcher will squat down and receive the ball from 1B and fire out for the throw. When the bunt goes to the catcher this time, hit it outside the first baseline and have him throw to the outside of the bag. Next we turn two with the catchers taking a bunt two. After that we will take two and cover. When the shortstop receives the ball from first base, when the 1B turns two, he will make a full arm fake to 1B and then wheel and throw to third for a back door type simulation. This time, when the throw goes to second base for the SS and 2B while covering up, they will come cut the ball and throw it back to the plate as though we were rung the cut-off play for a first- and-third coverage. On this bunt to the catchers, the coach will bunt it outside the third baseline and the catcher will field it and throw to third, then it will go around the horn and he will come back and get the ball from the first baseman as he did from third for the first round. The final round for the infield is one-in-and-one. To the third basemen, they will go one, then bring it home, then the coach will hit a slow roller to go one. The SS and 2B will take one to first, then a slow roller to first. The 1B will cover the first one on his own, bring it home, then receive a slow roller as though it were a firm bunt his way and throw to 1B with the second baseman covering. Last of all, the coach will hit a pop up to each catcher.
PFP-(pitcher fielding practice) The pitchers will be at the mound and the coach will hit to the first baseman and feed the pitcher covering the bag. We will do bunt coverages and have the outfielders run the bases and work on pick off plays and first-and- third defenses. We will work on letting the pitcher know whether he has time to collect himself to make the throw, or whether has to no step it.
Mass Fungo-This is infield specific. Usually the outfielders will hit the fungos. This requires four hitters. They will have one on the third baseline grass, one on the left dirt of the plate, one on the right dirt, and one on the first baseline grass. The guy on 3B line will hit to first base. The guy on 1B line to the third basemen. The guy on the left dirt will hit to SS and the other guy to 2B. Make sure the batters are spaced well so nobody gets hit by a bat. (Round 1)-The third basemen will start by turning two. The second basemen will take turns receiving throws at the bag and fielding grounders (about five each and switch). SS will need to stay deep and not come into the throwing line of 3B to 2B. He will throw the ball to the off first baseman. Second basemen will one hop it in to the hitter and first will do the same. (Round 2)-SS go two, 2B bring it in, 3B go one, 1B bring it in. (Round 3)-2B go two, 1B goes to third, SS and 3B bring it in. (Round 4)-1B go two, 3B and SS bring it in, and 2B go one. This drill requires good fungo hitters. There are a lot of balls being hit and thrown around. It is important for the fielders to stay deep out of the double play feeds line, also if a ball is brought back in and doesn’t make it to a fungo hitter, he should not walk out in front to pick it up until the action has stopped. This is not a drill that people can screw around. It is a very smooth and effective drill though, and is good for the infield purposes.
Specialties-The coaches can break players down into specific groups by position and work on the drill work. This is good for middle infield to do DP rolls and for catchers to work on blocking and receiving drills. OF can work drills, while 1B and 3B can work on slow rollers.
Game Simulation Fungos-This is a one ball drill where the coach will hit a fungo anywhere. Nine guys will be in the field, the other guys take turn running. The players will react to the different situations. After three outs, clear the bases and start over. During Live BP, Scrimmage, Game Fungos, or other drills where it will apply, the coach can do different scenarios. He can start the inning with a runner on a certain base and put a number of outs on to start with. Also, for the batting drills, the coach can have the hitters start with different counts and work on becoming a situational hitter. I want to be an explosive offensive team. I want my hitters to recognize when someone is in scoring position and to be selectively aggressive at the plate to get the job done. I also want them to know that we will do whatever it takes to score runs, so if that requires a bunt or anything else to help this team score or win, we will do it. My main premise is that we will get into as many game situations as possible, so we know situations in a game and have been in that spot with the pressure before.
CONCLUSION
These are some drills that are specific to team and position. These are the main practices and drills we work on. I have other team practice drills that are diagramed by the University of Georgia Coach, Ron Polk, that I would be happy to copy off for those interested. Coach Polk has written a book called “The Baseball Playbook”. I would suggest that every coach have this tool to utilize, as it has been most beneficial to our program, and is proven. He was named one of the top-three coaches of all-time in collegiate baseball.
My philosophy is one based on fundamentals, most all of these drills are directed towards that approach. It is also one based on learning the value of hard work and discipline, based on a professionalism that I have seen growing up in the game and at higher levels. However, the importance of the game of baseball is that it is a game and should be fun. Let the players enjoy the game and enjoy the players, because it is the relationships that they form with you and each other that will remain the most memorable from their experience. The fact of the game of baseball is that it is one of failure. It is the only discipline that allows someone to perform a skill 3-of-10 times and still be considered a success. Nothing else in life allows someone to fail that much and be successful, that is why it is a great game. The ball will bounce funny and errors will happen. What I don’t accept is lack of effort and mental mistakes. This philosophy lets the players know that it is okay to fail, but by making them have maximum effort and to use their mind, I think gives them good traits to be successful in life. Our team motto: “BASEBALL is our discipline... HUSTLE our trademark!”