We always say teaching pitching and hitting are the same. So, what is bat lag and how can it be applied to teaching pitching fundamentals? According to professional hitting coaches, lagging the bat helps create power in the swing. So what defines bat lag? Bat lag occurs when the front foot lands after the initiation [...]
The one technique that differs in execution in pitching and hitting skills is how the front leg lands. In hitting, professional coaches constantly preach about a soft landing with the front foot and swinging against the inside of a firm front leg. Those fundamentals are needed to maximize a hitter’s power. When done correctly, the [...]
When travel league schedules revolve around tournament play, winning inherently becomes the primary focus. Rarely do travel baseball teams have time to practice because of the number of scheduled games and the associated travel. This is a glaring problem with travel baseball. Kids need a combination of practice and games to best facilitate athletic development. [...]
When I grew up in the 1980s, we all played house league. At the end of the season, the best players made the All Star team, which then competed against other community All Star teams in a post-season tournament. Then youth organizations decided to create teams that played a part-time travel schedule and a part-time [...]
Obviously, the most glaring problem with travel baseball is the ridiculous amount of games many kids are playing during the summer. Clearly, there is a problem when 10 year old kids are playing the same amount of games, if not more, as Major League Baseball’s Rookie League Players. The risk of physical fatigue and injury [...]
Originally designed for middle and high school aged baseball players, summer travel teams are now providing opportunities for kids as young as 8 years old. I have even heard that in certain parts of the country they are offering travel t-ball. These youth league teams travel all around the country like big leaguers so kids [...]
Opening up the front side early as a pitcher or a hitter will spell complete disaster unless it is corrected when it is identified. When a baseball pitcher’s front side opens before the front foot hits the ground, there is an inordinate amount of stress placed on the throwing shoulder because of overrotation with no [...]
How precise you are as a pitcher determines if you will be a starter or reliever. Pitchers that maintain command and velocity longer in games will be starters. They are able to repeat their deliveries which will make their pitch location and speed consistent. Starting baseball pitchers know the importance of correct baseball pitching mechanics. [...]
The fundamentals of the stride in baseball pitching and hitting are the same. The only difference in pitching and hitting strides is the length. Consequences of understriding and overstriding The pitching delivery and swing are initiated by striding with the front foot. If the stride is too short, baseball pitchers and hitters will rotate their [...]
A key component of having a successful baseball team in cold weather cities is organized and efficient indoor baseball practices. Many coaches use indoor workouts for hitters and pitchers while ignoring individual and positional defense, bunting, and game situation plays. Their responses are usually along the lines as “it’s not worth the time because the [...]